Burdekin Readers and Writers Festival

This weekend I attended a literature festival in Ayr, an hour's drive south of Townsville, to mix with fellow writers and learn from their many experiences. In attendance were the amazing Fiona McCallum, Michael Robotham, and Natasha Lester, plus many other amazing authors and journalists. 

Like all writing events I attend, this weekend gave me the opportunity to find new inspiration, network, and make some lovely new friends. 

Dinner with the Authors

Friday night's dinner held a Spanish theme this year, and I think I was the only one who attended dressed in the theme too (apart from the entertainment, of course). Dinner was outside the Burdekin Theatre under the gorgeous October sky of North Queensland with the lorikeets singing ... and backing up the amazingly talented Jay Laga'aia. Man, can he sing! Unfortunately, we were also provided a free light show of lightning with choruses of thunder, and after quickly serving up our Spanish dinner, we shuffled inside to avoid the downpour of unexpected rain.

Fiona McCallum

On Saturday, I moderated a session with Fiona McCallum, a best-selling author of some amazing Australian fiction. Fiona's had a fascinating life full of experiences she uses as inspiration for her novels. It was lovely to chat with her and learn about her writing process and advice for aspiring writers. Learn to trust the editing process, she says, which I believe is something most aspiring writers should embrace, and have done so myself. Editors aren't the enemy. They want the best for your novel as much as you do.

These sessions with Fiona were incredibly insightful, especially as I listened to her speak again later that afternoon. You don't need huge media platforms or to be part of writing organisations to be a successful writer, but you need passion, drive, and talent. Everything takes time and if it's meant to be, then it will be. The publishing process isn't easy, but it's worth it in the end when you finally make your dreams come true, no matter what you need to overcome in the process.

Natasha Lester

I attended two sessions with Natasha Lester, which due to the nature of the festival were pretty much the same questions and answers. But it was interesting to hear how Natasha writes her books. All authors have a different process and it's amazing to discover how everyone manages to produce their work. Natasha writes her first draft, which is where she discovers  the story, then she flies of to Europe or New York or wherever her story is set to research and gather more material. This is the best way to research sometimes, as my England-based manuscript wouldn't be the same if I hadn't visited Essex and trudged through the fallen leaves on the country road outside the manor I'd set my book at. You never know what you'll discover when you travel to these destinations and research, and The Paris Seamstress definitely wouldn't have been the same novel if Natasha hadn't done this research. It really makes me want to fly to eastern Europe and Kaliningrad to research settings for Almost a Princess. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon. Oh well, I guess I'll have to settle for soaking up the atmosphere of local coffee shops here.

Michael Robotham

This man is absolutely fascinating. I have always been attracted to Michael's books - the covers, theme, blurb - but have never actually read them as I find it difficult to break out of my normal reading pattern. But I'm into 'The Secrets she Keeps' right now and it's quite intriguing. I have no idea where it's going at the moment, but know something is going to happen (honestly, I'm not that far in yet).

Michael's had an amazing life as a journalist, ghost writer, and now novelist. To listen to his many stories are just fascinating and he's lovely to talk to as well. Michael works in a similar way to what I find I do, and I guess the way we all do. Inspired by a small idea or mystery, he takes that and builds the story. 'I want to write about that', he says.

Michael writes long hand, which baffles me, every day and his advice: 'always find time to write.'

Overview

The fact that this festival was close to home was the major draw card for me, with the addition of these amazing people I wanted to hear speak.

The next Burdekin Readers and Writers Festival should be held in 2020. In all likelihood, I plan to be there!