So looking forward to attending this conference
and presenting my paper on Peter Carey’s short story The Chance and the way it rewrites, echoes and riffs on Frankenstein.
Frankenstein: 200 Years of Monsters 12-15 September ANU
Heroines Festival, Saturday 8th September
Looking forward to being part of the Heroines literary festival
at Thirroul on what I’m sure will be a gorgeous spring day. My panel FUTURE PERFECT is on at 2:15pm and there will be book signing. Would love to see you there. Also, there is an early bird discount till August 8th.
Focus on the Novel 2018 – Varuna Focus Week Booked Out!
I am so excited to be teaching this residential retreat for a week at Varuna focusing on reading and writing the novel. This year’s week is booked out.
Peter Carey Navigates Australia’s Past: my review of A Long Way From Home for THE MONTHLY
‘What a brilliant idea, to set a novel about discovering Australia and a self – and a self in relation to Australia – during the gruelling Redex trials, which can be read as an attempt, as Carey shows, to fabricate a kind of white dreaming track, both mythic and commercial, snaking around the country.’
Ethics Under Fire: Challenges for the Australian Army
My review for The Australian of this timely and important book which unfortunately pulls its punches:
‘Despite hints in several essays that many ADF personnel do not consider that the 2003 Iraq war meets the test of a just war, the question is not raised. It would have been good to see the book explore this, and even risk statements about the ethics and legality of this war.’
Book Review – Simon Petrie
‘The voice which Corbett has selected—first-person narration by Sylvie, who so frequently refers to ‘her’ lieutenant in the second person that the tale is in effect a paean to a deeply troubling, deeply-felt relationship—adds significantly to the narrative’s innate tension….The book’s depiction of occupation is deep and multifaceted: the fierce arguments between Port’s subjugated citizens over the options of resistance, submission, or collaboration … the senseless yet carefully-calibrated atrocities inflicted seemingly at random, … the ‘war banter’ between Maur and his fellow officers, full of opaque metaphors, occupational in-jokes, and shorthand references to past sorties; the day-to-day focus of those who can’t know, when they arise in the morning, if they will still be more-or-less safe that evening. There’s a strong sense of invasion as marketing, of harassment as advertising: Garrison’s boy soldiers humiliate, assault, kill those who cannot fight back, in part because they can, in part because it’s what’s expected of them. Anything less would indicate a failure, on their part, to meet military KPIs. This focus obviously makes for strange bedfellows with the book’s other primary concern of love and abandonment; and yet it’s this juxtaposition, more than anything else, which makes the story work.’
Start to Write: Claire Corbett & Faber Academy at Allen & Unwin Saturday Nov 11
You’ve got great ideas or a burning desire to write.
What do you do next?
Start to Write is a one-day writing course to kickstart your writing life.
On the terrace of Australia’s largest independent publisher, you’ll get the hands-on teaching you need to start writing, from acclaimed tutor and novelist Claire Corbett. You’ll be writing there and then, getting instant responses, experimenting with structure and techniques, plus tips on what to do next to start your writing life.
Speak Your Mind: Technology 7 November 6:30-7:30pm Newtown Library
This panel on technology for the City of Sydney Library will be lots of fun.
Technology plays a pivotal role in our daily lives; in the way we work, communicate, shop and spend our time. This panel explores surveillance, connectivity, the changing workplace and the role of technology in consumerism.
Mermaids, Maritime Folklore and Modernity
Very excited about presenting my paper on mermaids to this conference in Copenhagen
.
Journalling for Creativity and Productivity – One day course 14 October
Very much looking forward to teaching this one day course at the NSW Writers Centre – will be so much fun.
When: Saturday 14 October, 10am-4pm
Cost: Full Price: $180; Member: $125; Conc Member: $110
Level: All levels and types of writer will benefit, including academic writers and journalists
In this energising, fun and interactive course, you’ll learn how to create a daily journal for capturing ideas, enhancing productivity, and prioritising tasks. The aim is to reduce stress while increasing focus, organisation and playfulness. The course blends approaches from a number of sources on productivity and incorporates insights from brain research to harness what we know about motivation and concentration. The resulting approach is endlessly customisable. You can spend as little as five minutes a day on it. It is, in essence, a practical approach to mindfulness, with a focus on calm, creativity and clarifying priorities.
The day will include exercises, supporting information, tips, techniques, and pointers on where and how to find more information after the course has finished. The journal you end up with will give you an overview of your life, a forward-looking tool to generate ideas and complete projects, but also a review tool for learning lessons, and a record of your journey, as colourful and detailed as you want it to be.
Expected Learning Outcomes
How to begin: how to set up a daily journal to capture ideas, enrich creativity and prioritise tasks
How to continue: an understanding of how to use a range of journal techniques to achieve large goals such as writing a novel or finishing a degree
How to take it further: understanding how and why an analogue journal complements digital tools and how to progress beyond the exercises and techniques offered during the course to continue learning and customising your journal.
Participant Requirements
You will need to bring a blank journal, preferably about A5 size, no dates or days. The pages can be blank or lined but dotted is generally best (this will be explained on the day). You will also need to bring a pen or three (preferably at least black, blue and red) and a ruler. Coloured highlighter markers are very useful.
The journal can be as basic or as fancy as you wish: many consider the Leuchtturm 1917 Bullet Journal to be the ultimate journal, or the Moleskine. These journals are beautiful, useful, and the perfect size but they are not cheap so do feel free to bring along whatever journal is best for you. This is a tool you will use every day for it to be effective, so if possible choose one that delights you without inhibiting your creativity.
