Glenice Whitting's Blog, page 5

Guest Speaker at VIEW Luncheon

Different women, one view. How awesome is that!

I was invited as the author of Pickle to Pie and Something Missing to be the he guest speaker at the VIEW Dingley Cheltenham inaugural luncheon at the Keysborough Golf Club, Victoria, Australia. I decided to talk about how I became a novelist and my academic journey as a mature student from VCE to PhD.

After receiving the invitation the first thing I did was to learn as much as I could, via the internet, about this amazing group of talented women. However, I was not prepared for the genuine welcome and friendliness of everyone there. Edna, Jennie and Kath, all from different VIEW clubs and part of the Development Team, plus the National president, Gwen Wilton took me under their wing. We laughed, shared stories and I learnt first hand about the many projects they embraced. So many wonderful women, all with a story to tell.

I soon understood that VIEW was an acronym for

voice, interests and education of women.

It is a national women’s organisation with 16, 000 members in 320 communities exclusively supporting the educational charity The Smith Family. I’m sure most people have seen the television advertisement currently showing  the way people can support disadvantaged school children. VIEW members believe that every child deserves a chance and they live by Mother Teresa’s  belief in the joy of giving a gift when there is no chance of any return. Members sponsor students, fund-raise, volunteer and advocate to improve the life outcomes of disadvantaged Australian children and young people. VIEW members support the community based ‘Learning for Life’ program and are proud to enable better futures for young Australians.

As Australia’s largest children’s educational charity, The Smith Family provides targeted educational support for disadvantaged students. There are 34,000 students in Australia currently supported by The Smith Family

As an APA (Australian Postgraduate Award) scholarship recipient for my PhD at Swinburne University I know only too well what a scholarship can mean to a student. I makes you feel as if some group has faith in you as a person, not only to deliver a 100,000 word thesis but also that your work will add to the sum of human knowledge. Someone cares enough to back you financially for three years. You are not alone. Someone is supporting you and your passion. For a mature aged woman student  it makes you stand tall and in my male orientated  world, money speaks louder than words.

VIEW’s pledge is to promote the interest of VIEW, extend friendship to all and to help those in need. One student William Nguyen was identified as needing assistance and with VIEW support is currently studying at Monash University. His story of growing up in a single parent home with three younger brothers in Sunshine and the importance of being supported and helped over the years was inspiring. He was such a humble, intelligent young man. I can see him going far in his chosen career.

The focus of this amazing group is to improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged children. In this way they make a positive, sustainable and measurable difference. And they do it so well. The whole event was beautifully organised, speakers stuck to allotted times and the venue looked fantastic. But more important than that was the happy atmosphere in the room. They laughed, swapped stories and made the most of every minute. It was a joyous occasion.

This day was a celebration. The newly formed Dingley – Cheltenham Group  had the twenty-five members needed to form their own VIEW group and were being inducted into the VIEW family. There was even an amazing colour coordinated cake

Each new member was called forward to the podium, received their VIEW badge, shook hands with the National president of VIEW and smiled for the camera. The group photo  will surely find its way into the magazine viewmatters a 16-page magazine published for VIEW members.

After a delicious meal it was time for me to talk about how I never thought about becoming a writer until a twist of fate uncovered a passion that changed my direction at University from Sociology to Creative Writing. I shared with them my delight when my PhD novel, Something Missing was published by the London based MadeGlobal Publishing. From there I talked about the joys and pitfalls of returning to study as a mature aged student and the impact of being awarded an APA doctorate scholarship to further my research into epistolary fiction. How the scholarship meant I could complete my academic journey, achieve my doctorate degree and add to the sum of human knowledge.

 I could also promote my books and pass on where to buy a copy of Something Missing

 

In December Something Missing, was published by Madeglobal Publishing.com and is available from www.madeglobal.com or www.glenicewhitting.com

Book depository (free postage): https://www.bookdepository.com/Something-Missing-Glenice-Whitting/9788494593765

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Something+missing+glenice+whitting

Amazon Kindle books : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQKMUZZ?tag=theancom-20

Something Missing

Two women, two countries. Serendipity, life, friendship

Diane, a young Australian mother meets Maggie, a sophisticated American poet, in a chance encounter. Everything – age, class and even nationality – separates them. Yet all is not quite as it seems. Maggie is grieving for her eldest daughter and trapped in a marriage involving infidelity and rape. Diane yearns for the same opportunities given to her brother. Their lives draw them to connect. This is the story of two unfulfilled women finding each other when they needed it most. Their pen-friendship will change them forever.

And The Winner Is…

Unfortunately, there can only be one winner of the competition for a copy of my novel  Something Missing 

One name was randomly selected from the list of email addresses of subscribers at www.glenicewhitting.com. I was delighted to see Gillian Polack‘s name emerge. Soon a copy of the book will be winging its way to her.

Congratulations, Gillian.

May you have hours of happy reading

I would like to thank everyone who subscribed to this blog and to wish you better luck next time.

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Only Two Days To Go

In two days the winner of a copy of the novel , Something Missing will be chosen from the subscribers to www.glenicewhitting,com.

If you haven’t subscribed already why not take this opportunity to get your name on the list and a copy of the book could be winging it’s way to you.

The Perfect Australian Mother’s Day Gift.

A book that deals with two women and their life-long pen-friendship will be the perfect gift for Mother’s Day on the Sunday 14th May. This book and a bunch of gorgeous flowers would brighten any mother’s heart.

      

 

Unfortunately for this competition Mother’s Day in  the UK was on the 30th of March 2017.

I guess. if you are in the UK  you could always keep your hard won copy for a more opportune time, maybe even 2018. I don’t know why, but the years seem to fly past at an ever increasing pace. Good heaven, soon half this year will be gone and we’ll be thinking once again of celebrating Christmas.

I’ll be drawing drawing the winner of the competition on the 2nd of May instead of the last day in  April because many subscribers are from England.  I must be fair to them .

 

I will never get used to the fact that when it is Tuesday morning here it is Monday evening in London. You should see the times we have our MadeGlobal Publishing masterclasses. It’s usually aproximately 10pm Saturday night for English Authors while the Australian authors get 9am Sunday morning , And then there are authors from USA, Ireland, Belarus to name a few.

Best wishes to all who have taken the time and trouble to participate in this competition.

GOOD LUCK

Meeting Other Writers and Sharing Ideas

It is so important not to lock yourself away in an attic to produce your latest work. Writers need to be with other writers, to share ideas, successes and to discuss problems.

Last Sunday I caught a bus to the station and an hour whizzed by with me totally immersed in a  colleague’s travel book, Is This The Way To Stratford as the train rattled its way to the city.

Melbourne was buzzing. Buskers performed, played unusual instruments and thoroughly entertained groups of locals and international visitors. The street market was in full swing. A French style black felt hat caught my eye but at $120 was soon replaced on its stand. The Yarra river was bustling with boats ferrying happy passengers and the coffee shops were full.

At the Vic Restaurant at the Art Centre under the spire I met a group of Hysterical Melbourne Historical writers.

It was so uplifting to sit and talk about our latest projects and discuss the highs and lows of the writing life. I know Pickle to Pie fits nicely into Historical Fiction but I’m afraid Something Missing and this latest book are a little too modern.  But it doesn’t matter. What matters is to be communicating with like minded people. It refreshed my soul and inspired me to jot down hasty notes in the train going home and pound the keyboard of my trusty computer late into the night.

Welcome to New Subscribers: Good Luck for the April competition

I’m so delighted you found your way here and subscribed. It can be difficult to negotiate through a maze of blogging/website options and I often cross my fingers and hope for the best. I’m so pleased to see you here and to know you have a chance of winning a copy of Something Missing at the end of this month.

I find marketing a book can be time consuming and I’m always on the look out for easily prepared, but tasty meals. A friend of ours goes fishing in Westernport Bay in Victoria and a large plate of fresh Whiting often finds it’s way into our kitchen. Another friend, a superb cook happened to know I was looking for good fish recipes and passed this one for ginger fish on to me. I loved it and would like to share it with you.

Use any fresh fish available at the time. It really is delicious

Enjoy

Subscriber Button is fixed

Fantastic news. Webcare have fixed my subscribers button here at www.glenicewhitting.com

Apparently it was a bigpond email problem…again

Please try to subscribe again for a chance to win a free copy of ‘Something Missing’ .

At the end of this month an email address from my subscribers list will be selected and the winner announced

GOOD LUCK

Welcome to My Blog

Congratulations. You found your way here. It will seem strange for a while but I’ll soon get used to blogging at this new wordpress website.

I hope some of my Memoir Writing Group subscribe. They are a wonderful group of writers, all with different stories to tell. Some are writing to share their history with their family, others hope to publish and all embody the spirit of the writer, a desire to get the story down. I remember when I was writing Pickle to Pie I pinned to my wall a quote out of one of Bryce Courtney’s books.

 

There is no greater tribute than to lovingly record a life.

Life has taken over for me for a while. I am still teaching my memoir writing class, monitoring my Facebook Group Writers and Their Journey, tweeting etc etc,  and throwing together whatever stories and tasty dishes I can think of on the spur of the moment. I would like to share with you a tried and true, stick to the ribs favourite

Egg and Bacon Pastryless Pie

4 medium sized, peeled potatoes

2 large onions, chopped

Half a kilo of diced bacon

2 tabs oil

8 eggs

Cheese slices and sweet paprika to garnish

Method

Microwave potatoes until cooked. When cool, slice thinly lengthwise.

In a frying-pan add 1 tab oil and sauté onions, and bacon pieces. When golden brown scrape into a container. Add a little more oil to your pan. Cover the base fully with slices of potato. Spread over sautéed onions and bacon. Break 8 eggs into a bowl, gently breaking the yolks and pour over the potatoes, onions and bacon pieces. Add slices of cheese on top and dust with sweet paprika.

I find I put the entire pan under the griller for 5 mins to bubble the cheese, then return the frying-pan to the top of the stove and cook on low for at least 30 mins until the eggs have set.

What man can resist potatoes, onions bacon and eggs? This dish sticks to the ribs and is enjoyed by everyone

With dinner ready there is no excuse for you to not spend some time writing your story, unless the stove needs cleaning or the cupboards are untidy and there is a name for that…procrastination.

pro·cras·ti·na·tion

[proh-kras-t uh– ney-sh uhn, pr uh‐]




NOUN


1.

the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention:She was smart, but her constant procrastination led her to be late with almost every assignment.

 

My Last History Writing Panel Discussion At Eltham Library

It was an i nspiring get-together with other authors at the Women History Writer’s Month at the Eltham Library

Sign in the foyer of the Eltham Library

The final day had arrived. Once more, Wendy Dunn was the lynch pin that held everything together.

 

She organised not only the panel discussions, but for Rebecca Jane to sell our books, James and other Swinburne Students to help keep the day running smoothly, the question to be addressed and the food, wine and munchies that kept us all going. All we had to do was to sit out the front and talk about the way we had crafted our stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The program said…Saturday March 25th

Discussion Question:

The powerful and different ways that non fiction and fiction tell the stories of the past, and why women are so good at telling these kinds of stories.

Our panel consisted of

Professor Josie Arnold

Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Kelly Gardiner

Glenice Whitting

Chaired by Eloise Faichney

Several other authors joined us on the day

There were many and varied questions addressed to the panel from the audience and Eloise Faichney was amazing as our chair person. We enjoyed sharing our experiences as writers and discussed how we had managed to overcome many writing obstacles during writing and researching our own books.

Closing celebration – wine and light refreshments provided.

It was not only inspirational talking to people who had attended but wonderful to hear the many varied projects they were writing. Family stories, a favourite aunt’s life, a grandfather who had worked hard all is life, famous people, Kings, Queens, ancestors who were Greek, Italian or German. Everyone had a story to tell and I wanted to hear them all.

I enjoyed every minute spent talking, discussing and sharing our stories. Many thanks to all who participated and made it such a wonderful finale.

 

The Victorian Writer

I’m delighted to be able to share an article about my writing journey published on page 22 of the The Victorian Writer magazine.

Anyone who wants to know what is happening in the writing world looks forward to this magazine. I believe they have 3500 members who delight in reading the articles and love the ‘competitions and opportunities’ page.

                  

Beyond Academia

Writers often dream of being published and getting their work ‘out there’. I am no exception. My second novel has just been published but it has been a long road to publication. This manuscript has had at least three reincarnations with a change of title each time. Each version has its own merit and has taught me something valuable about the craft of writing. The novel, ‘Something Missing’ began life as ‘Hens Lay, People Lie’: my artefact for my PhD at Swinburne University.

I had just completed my Masters of Creative Writing at Melbourne Uni when my first novel, Pickle to Pie co-won the Ilura Press International Fiction Quest. This meant a cash advance, plus publication and I was beside myself with excitement.

Pickle to Pie was the story of a boy, a great-hearted German Grossmutter and a man caught between two worlds. It was a record of my father’s life. In his late eighties he would sit for hours telling me, or whoever would listen, the stories of his early life, the first child born in Australia to his family of German immigrants.

I had promised myself, if Pickle to Pie was ever published that I would give up my day job. Hairdressing had always augmented the family income through good times and bad. After the book launch I stuck to my promise, sold the salon and walked away to a life of poverty. I knew I was not a J K Rowling, but I was happy.

I had often toyed with the idea of studying for my PhD but never dreamt it could happen. However, to be awarded an APA scholarship meant the opportunity to study at Swinburne University. I grabbed it with both hands. With the help of two supervisors I could learn the craft of writing and understand all the rules. I would then know why I was breaking them. I decided to do what so many writers do. I chose to write something close to my heart. Something entirely different. This time it would be based on my thirty-five year pen-friendship with an older American poet, a story about two women, a life changing pen-friendship and the lies they tell each other. I wrote in my journal, ‘I am writing an epistolary, autoethnographic novel grounded in both feminism and post modernist paradigms with the aim of revealing women’s hidden stories in the hope of instigating social change. I believe this embedded story of the journey of self discovery and friendship will carry with it the possibility of nothing less than the restoration of faith in human kind.’

What lofty aims, but here was a chance to use our letters, interspersed with text, to explore the influence this elderly poet had on a young woman who left school at fourteen to become a hairdresser: a woman who unconsciously yearned for the education given to her brother and denied to her. My journey into epistolary fiction using letter, diary and journal extracts, plus snippets of poetry, had begun.

I began work using an older American woman’s voice in first person narration; an elderly Australian woman in second person; and the young Australian mum in third person. The story would have embedded dialogue, following author, Debra Adelaide’s example, where only the formatting and actions of the characters, rather than dialogue marks, reveal to the reader who is speaking at that time. The elderly Australian woman would reveal the pitfalls and joys of writing a novel in a humorous, tongue in cheek, vein.

For four years I am caught up in a world where my mind kept bouncing backwards and forwards between my creative writing of this novel and the formal academic exegesis.

Friends warned me that I would have a meltdown post PhD, but I was convinced that would not happen to me. I was too strong, too resilient. That sort of breakdown only happened to other people. The wail of the ambulance soon bought me back to earth with a thud. I asked my adult son what section of hospital I was in. He replied, ‘The resuscitation room, Mum.’ Two weeks later, just home from hospital and feeling weak and tired, I had resigned myself to missing my already paid for graduation ceremony. My son hired a wheelchair, determined I would make it.

There were only three PhD degrees awarded that night. I waited in the wings for all the BA’s, Masters and double degrees to be awarded before my son wheeled me over to join the queue waiting for their turn to hear their name called and to climb the stairs to the stage. Determined to walk under my own steam, doubts filled my mind. What if I couldn’t manage the stairs? What if I fainted, collapsed, or worse still, threw up when the chancellor, in all his finery handed me my much sort after certificate. What if…

To leave my wheelchair and walk on stage wearing the hired floppy Tudor bonnet and colourful gown was a highlight in my life. I had an overwhelming feeling of achievement and self worth that no one could take away from me. Afterwards, I thankfully joined my peers on the stage and proudly marched out with the academic procession only to flop into the wheelchair waiting by the door.

The mature aged student journey from VCE to PhD had required passion, dogged determination and guts, but it had also been the most exciting, exhilarating time in my life. I knew I would miss it and all the friends I’d made along the way.

Using my recently gained title of Dr Glenice Whitting I sent my edited and, according to me, perfect manuscript out to publishers and waited for the offers to come rolling in. Nothing happened. Slowly, relentlessly, one after the other a stream of rejections arrived. ‘Thank you for sending Hens Lay People Lie, however…’

I was caught in a catch-22 situation. To get a publisher I needed an agent but to get an agent I needed a publisher. I also took a long hard look at what I’d written, and following the suggestions of American author/editor, Cindy Vallar, I inserted quotation marks to all the dialogue and renamed the manuscript ‘What Time is it There?’ Still the rejections arrived. It was ‘too academic’ too many voices, too literary, too hard to read and so on. Had I, over the years of study, begun to sound as if I’d swallowed a dictionary? I knew I had to, once again, rewrite the manuscript. It took a huge leap of faith to take it from literary fiction into popular fiction.

The third reincarnation is the one that is being published. It was an invaluable lesson. To be a writer I had to be myself and write the way I really wanted to write, from the heart. I took out the overarching second person narrating character, made both Maggie and Diane third person narration, threw in a handful of suspense and Voilà …’Something Missing’ was born. It had gone beyond academia, beyond epistolarity into what is now called, popular fiction. I was over the moon with excitement the day I received the email that Tim Ridgway and Melanie V Taylor of MadeGlobal Publishing. They loved the story and would I sign the contract?

It is every writer’s dream to hold their book in their hands. It gives them a chance to thank all the people who have helped along the way. There have been so many people I could list who have patiently and painstakingly worked with me through all three versions. However, there is an indescribable joy in being able to finally thank them formally, via the acknowledgment page, in the soon to be published last reincarnation of the manuscript, ‘Something Missing’.

When academic friends say, ‘Congratulations on getting ‘Hens Lay, People Lie’ published’ I simply smile and reply with a heartfelt ‘Thank you’.

—————————————————————————————————————

Glenice Whitting left school at fourteen to become an apprentice hairdresser. Her journey as a mature –aged student took her from VCE to PhD in creative writing. Her debut novel Pickle to Pie won awards and was published by Ilura Press. Her latest novel, Something Missing was launched at Swinburne University in December and is now available via MadeGlobal in London or at Amazon.com.

Connect with Glenice on her website or on Facebook at Writers and their Journey

glenicew@gmail.com
‘Something Missing’ available at www.madeglobal.com & www.glenicewhitting.com

Book depository (free postage): https://www.bookdepository.com/Something-Missing-Glenice-Whitting/9788494593765 ,

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Something+missing+glenice+whitting

 Amazon Kindle books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQKMUZZ?tag=theancom-20

Celebrating Women’s History Writers at Eltham Library

An excellent Saturday afternoon at the Eltham Library talking with other authors about why we write history.

(on the left) from La Trobe University was excellent as chairperson for our panel discussion

The authors involved in the Women’s History panel 5th March

Most of the authors attending write amazing books about Tudor Queens or fascinating people who have led interesting lives. I have eventually accepted that I write to unravel my recent history;  to delve into my past. To look back at the world of my parents leads to understanding them as people, their culture and their lives. By doing this often I come to terms with my past and finally understand many of the decisions I have made along this fascinating life journey.

Program: organised by

Wendy J Dunn, author of Falling Pomegrantate Seeds along with several helpers

Women’s History Month at Eltham Library

Panther Place, Eltham, Victoria Australia 3095

Generously supported by Eltham Library, Swinburne University and Madeglobal.

Eltham Library celebrates Women Writers of History by giving readers of history the opportunity to meet local (writers living in or near Melbourne) women writers of history in a series of readings and panels.

Sunday, March 5th

1.15 to 2.45

Panel discussion:

Why women write history.

Authors taking part:

Kelly Gardiner

Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Elizabeth Jane Corbett

Kate Mildenhall

Glenice Whitting

Kathryn Gauci

Chaired by Catherine Padmore.

2.45 – 3.15 Afternoon tea

3.15 – 4.45

Historical Fiction readings and book discussions.

Kathryn Gauci, Barbara Denvill and Wendy J. Dunn

Bookings taken by the Eltham Library, Phone: (03) 9439 9266, or book your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/256904

Saturday, March 11th

Starting at 12.30pm with readings from and discussion about their works:

Katie Holmes, Janis Sheldrick, Christina Twomey, Liz Conor

Afternoon tea

Starting at 2.30 pm.

Panel –

Liz Conor, Katie Holmes, Christina Twomey

What draws you to write about the past?

Chaired by Wendy J. Dunn

Bookings taken by the Eltham Library, Phone: (03) 9439 9266, or book your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/256928

March 18th

Meet the author day.

Elise McCune

Wendy J. Dunn

Afternoon tea

Rachel Rossignol

Elizabeth Jane Corbett

Bookings taken by the Eltham Library, Phone: (03) 9439 9266, or book your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/256912

March 25th

The powerful and different ways that non fiction and fiction tell the stories of the past, and why women are so good at telling these kinds of stories.

Professor Josie Arnold

Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Kelly Gardiner

Glenice Whitting

Chaired by Eloise Faichney

Closing celebration – wine and light refreshments provided.

History panel 5th march: Some possible discussion points to get us started on the topic of why women write history:

In preparation for this event I asked for a list of possible questions. When they arrived I quickly answered them in a stream of conciousness way by simply jotting down whatever popped into my head. Why don’t you try it. I found it an amazing, clarifying  writing exercise.

What was your catalyst for writing about the past?

The past deals with my own life and writing about it is a great way to sort stuff out. To see what really happened and why. My writing records the recent past. Pickle to Pie is about a boy, a greathearted German Grossmutter and a man caught between two worlds. It was my way of dealing with my fathers death and growing up in Parkdale to a parent of German descent. Something Missing deals with the next stage of my life. In 1975 I met my older American poet penfriend and reveal how that friendship changed our lives.

Do you prefer your protagonists to be actual or fictional figures?

I like my main characters to be based on fact and veiled in fiction. For authorial freedom I always turn the story into fiction.

Some writers choose well-known historical figures while others inhabit lesser-known ones – what choices have you made and why?

My choice is to write about everyday, non famous people. I believe their stories need to be recorded and their voices heard.

What was the most challenging aspect of your rendering of the past?

The most challenging aspect was the amount of research involved to make sure dates of major events were correct and to attend to every small detail. The grossmutter makes herbal tea and then reads what kind of leaves. Definitely not chamomile because that is made from flowers. Spearmint

What ethical dilemmas kept you up at night?

Worrying about how other people would react to my novel. Had I portrayed the motives of my characters correctly? If , heaven forbid, someone thought they recognised themselves would they be upset?

What is your sense of the relationship between the characters’ past and our present?

We learn by understanding the past. By understanding the past we can come to terms with our present.

  How do you approach ideas of authenticity in historical fiction?

Research and more research from reliable sources. It is an essential part of writing historical fiction

  What lessons have you learnt through writing the past?

By writing about my past I can now see it clearly and put to rest many things which worried me in the past. I have come to terms with my hidden German heritage and understand why my father was so withdrawn and self protective. I also now understand why I was so self driven to achieve academically and how, and why I became an author instead of a social worker

  How has writing as an Australian affected your approach to these people and events?

I try not to let nationality influence the way I think and feel about people in the past. However, it is only natural that my Australian culture and values influence the way I write. Therefore I seek help and advice from people of the nationality I’m exploring. For Pickle to Pie German born Herbert Etienne translated old postcards and helped me with my research. For Something Missing, I sent the manuscript to American author and editor Cindy Vallar and followed her advice.

How does your gender influence your approach (to history, to fiction)?

Being a woman living in a patriarchal society definitely influences my approach to fiction and to writing history. I find the cultural expectations and the roles women play affects their lives and those around them. To write about cultural values and inconsistencies means my stories often strike a cultural chord with other women. I am telling their stories as well as my own.

My First Video

Becoming a writer stretches you. You find yourself trying different things, making a video is one of them. Below is my first video made with the help of Wendy and David Dunn. Such supportive and kind people willing to extend themselves to help another in need.