On Tuesday I had the pleasure of hosting an event at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts discussing writing with three other authors: Tim Ayliffe, Ashley Kalagian-Blunt and Miles Franklin winner Shankari Chandran. As an added bonus, Australian national treasure, author of Schindler’s Ark, and all round good guy, Tom Kenneally, was also there to introduce us.
I was in the audience at this event as witness lay and maybe character as your words have been repeated here seemed to be presented ad lib (how did you do that!).
The Miles Franklin winner was moved. She thanked you for the introduction 20 minutes into her own motivations. But I don’t know if I agree with holding the two positions posing a view about creativity. It’s all important and the fact it is experienced in passing away we have to work out. Or is that the same thing? I would not have the change to reflect on the question without the words. I look forward to more from you mate .
Love the quote, thanks Ryan. I also like your point. There have been times when I have been working on leading and bleeding edge projects with lots of secrecy, but in the real world, writing songs, blogs, books or other work, I love the creative process and I hope someone enjoys what I created, but I like to move on. There are always more ideas just bursting to get out.
I'm also going back to full time work after a number of contracts and wondering how my time will work out. I'm going to have to remember to manage my time more carefully. That means more discipline, but that's not a bad thing either right. I'll just create some deadlines for myself.
As to suffering, a family member last night was commenting on the number of 'wars' going on around the world, and that there seem to be so many more than previously. Sadly I don't agree, I think it is more that the media makes it possible for the stories and events to reach us within minutes, instead of summaries a few days later. I do think that's a good thing because we need to hear those stories and reflect on what we can do to help, or at least to try to be better people ourselves. Every person in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, has a story. Those stories matter.
Many years ago (1990) while editing a couple of anthologies of Australian writing - one of the pair was intended as a senior level English text - of sorts - of short pieces of writing - reflecting upon our ethnically, culturally diverse nation - three particularly significant writers gave me the right to republish (gratis) pieces they had written. One was Phillip Adams - a poignant piece on prejudice and bigotry; another was John Pilger - a 1986 essay entitled "Why I Love Australia" - he grew up in Bondi; - and the third was Tom Keneally - a brilliant piece published when The SMH was still a paper of repute - about what had emerged here in Australia following the publication of his book "Schindler's Ark" (later to align with Steven Spielberg's title for the movie "Schindler's List"). I have never forgotten their generosity - nor also that of other writers - who were similarly generous.
On the point which was your introduction at the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts you have made clear part of the malaise that overtakes me in my own puny attempts to sustain a narrative out of aspects of my travels or of my teaching story, etc. That it is of no interest to others - why indeed should it be and - well - there's everything else that's going on - as you say - Ukraine and Palestine.
And I am beyond my fully-engaged working life - unlike you, currently. Though strangely it can sometimes be the impetus to get many things done - even though at the same time a case of burning candles in the oft described manner. Sometimes having a deadline can be a stimulus to getting on with things, would you agree? I should take my own suggestion - set a deadline - and get on with my personal writing tasks, right!! Jim
Absolutely beautiful.
Well done and spoken R.
I was in the audience at this event as witness lay and maybe character as your words have been repeated here seemed to be presented ad lib (how did you do that!).
The Miles Franklin winner was moved. She thanked you for the introduction 20 minutes into her own motivations. But I don’t know if I agree with holding the two positions posing a view about creativity. It’s all important and the fact it is experienced in passing away we have to work out. Or is that the same thing? I would not have the change to reflect on the question without the words. I look forward to more from you mate .
Love the quote, thanks Ryan. I also like your point. There have been times when I have been working on leading and bleeding edge projects with lots of secrecy, but in the real world, writing songs, blogs, books or other work, I love the creative process and I hope someone enjoys what I created, but I like to move on. There are always more ideas just bursting to get out.
I'm also going back to full time work after a number of contracts and wondering how my time will work out. I'm going to have to remember to manage my time more carefully. That means more discipline, but that's not a bad thing either right. I'll just create some deadlines for myself.
As to suffering, a family member last night was commenting on the number of 'wars' going on around the world, and that there seem to be so many more than previously. Sadly I don't agree, I think it is more that the media makes it possible for the stories and events to reach us within minutes, instead of summaries a few days later. I do think that's a good thing because we need to hear those stories and reflect on what we can do to help, or at least to try to be better people ourselves. Every person in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, has a story. Those stories matter.
Dear Ryan:
Many years ago (1990) while editing a couple of anthologies of Australian writing - one of the pair was intended as a senior level English text - of sorts - of short pieces of writing - reflecting upon our ethnically, culturally diverse nation - three particularly significant writers gave me the right to republish (gratis) pieces they had written. One was Phillip Adams - a poignant piece on prejudice and bigotry; another was John Pilger - a 1986 essay entitled "Why I Love Australia" - he grew up in Bondi; - and the third was Tom Keneally - a brilliant piece published when The SMH was still a paper of repute - about what had emerged here in Australia following the publication of his book "Schindler's Ark" (later to align with Steven Spielberg's title for the movie "Schindler's List"). I have never forgotten their generosity - nor also that of other writers - who were similarly generous.
On the point which was your introduction at the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts you have made clear part of the malaise that overtakes me in my own puny attempts to sustain a narrative out of aspects of my travels or of my teaching story, etc. That it is of no interest to others - why indeed should it be and - well - there's everything else that's going on - as you say - Ukraine and Palestine.
And I am beyond my fully-engaged working life - unlike you, currently. Though strangely it can sometimes be the impetus to get many things done - even though at the same time a case of burning candles in the oft described manner. Sometimes having a deadline can be a stimulus to getting on with things, would you agree? I should take my own suggestion - set a deadline - and get on with my personal writing tasks, right!! Jim