Monday 10 August 2015

Word crush

I have a confession, I have a word crush. You see last year at the Bendigo Writers Festival I attended the session 'Talk Right, Write Better' and listened to the persuasive tones of David Astle (and others I should note, they were all fantastic). 

The session was entertaining, and above all a game change. See I was all high and mighty - firmly in the camp that everyone should always use correct spelling and grammer. Anything less was just wrong.

Jonathon Ridnell took the aforementioned Astle as well as Nicole Hayes, Matt Blackwood and Fiona Scott-Norman through an almost debate style presentation, each putting forth their ideas for why correct grammar was important, or not.

There were two moments that were the game changer. Astle saying "English has booby-traps, have empathy" was the first. Have empathy. I'd been wrong all this time. This was particularly disturbing seeing as I have been caught by these booby-traps from time to time. The second moment was Scott-Norman retelling how her mother wouldn't write to her when she was a child, which understandably upset her, but it was all because her mother could not read or write well. Game, set, match. Because it's better to write poorly than not at it, isn't it?

Why discuss this now? Firstly I'm not sure why I didn't blog about it last year, perhaps I could not find the words. Secondly because, well, Astle attended the festival this year and once again I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of his sessions.

Photo: Helen Konstan

He, quite understandably, has a way with words. I suppose he's easy on the eye too, or so I heard from listening to other attendees ;) It's the words that get me though.

I had many opportunities to have a chat with David, but my old friends nervousness and fear got in the way. You see I was afraid I'd have nothing intelligent to say. Horrifying!

Our WiA in-house photographer had better ideas though, and upon me mentioning that I wished I'd plucked up the courage at the writers drinks night promptly introduced us, and took this lovely snap.

Maybe next year I'll have a full wordly conversation. Maybe I'll come prepared to ensure that I don't sound silly.

Thursday 6 August 2015

I accidentally sat next to Bruce Whatley

How does someone 'accidently' sit next to Bruce Whatley? Well, simple, I was too busy chatting with last years Writer in Action and Bendigo Writers Festival offical photographer Helen Konstan. I should probably also say that I was one chair removed from being next to Mr Whatley, but close enough.
It wasn't until Gena McLean, also a WiAer from last year and the person who actually did accidently sit next to Bruce, pointed out to me who he was that I realised. Whoops.

Last night was the Welcome dinner for the Text Marks the Spot guests, and what an amazing night. Being on Bruce's table for a good chunk of the night was so much fun. He is a very funny fellow, and generously shared stories, but importantly seemed genuinly interested in us ordinary folk on the table. Special. We spoke illustration, life and even spirituality and sceptic! (But that folks is a post for another day).

I also got to sit at a table with childrens author Adam Wallace, who is a very funny man. I hadn't come across his books before, but I get the feeling after meeting him that it is a must do - plus my 10 year old will love him too. On this table we discussed winking at Irish waiters to get preferred treatment, talking like a pirate, pop up playgrounds and puppetry.

Not your average dinner out. It is a real privelege to be invited to events such as this and despite my natural shyness I had an amazing time again. I even pushed myself this year to have a chat with the authors, which was my big regret last year. Tick that one off the bucket list!