Anita Heiss's Blog, page 4

5 quick Q’s and writing tips from author Kathryn Heyman

I’ve known Katheryn Heyman for many years. We met at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival in 2004 and soon after she conducted a writing workshop at Macquarie University for First Nations staff. That workshop cemented for me the way in which I now use ‘senses’ in my writing. I thank Kathryn for that, and for joining me for a quick yarn about her own writing practice, where she shares some fantastic tips for writers, just like you!

Or maybe as a reader of Kathryn’s memoir Fury or one of her many novels, you’re interested in seeing deeper into how her stories are formulated on the page. I know I was!

1. Last year you published your first memoir, Fury, after releasing six novels. What led you to write memoir?

When I was twenty, I ran away from the life I was in and became a deckhand on a trawler in the Timor Sea during the worst season the Gulf had ever seen. It was dangerous, terrifying, and transformative. The work, the sea, the need to find my own courage – these things saved my life. That and the backpack full of books I had with me.  It was such a wild adventure, with an inbuilt narrative arc, and I always knew I would write about it. But I thought I would write it as fiction. It took me years to realise that the true story had all the adventure elements I needed, and all the elements of change. Honestly, though, I think I also needed the extra years of strength and solidity, to know how to write it in terms of craft, but also to know how to be strong enough to write it, in my own self. Once I accepted that I was ready to tell this story as a true story, everything lightened and became easier.

2. You’ve written drama for the stage and for radio – do you have any plans to write scripts again?

Funnily enough, the screen rights to Fury have been sold and when the deal was being negotiated my agent said, ‘If they ask you if you want to write the script, say no!’. I think she was channelling Graham Greene, who famously said of screen adaptations, ‘take the money and run’. That said, I do have a sudden desire to return to writing for performance. I miss the collaboration, and the energy. And after two years in semi-isolation, the idea of working in a theatre fills me with hunger. And I love to step into different forms. Although I usually settle into long form prose – novels, essays, memoir – I was originally a playwright and a poet and sometimes certain ideas demand certain form. I run a beautiful group for writers who are wanting to renew their creativity, called Immersion, and one of the things I love about that is watching writers at all levels play with and discover new forms for their ideas.

3. Where do you find inspiration?

I’ve been thinking about that word lately. It also means ‘breath’. The Latin word it comes from is spirare – to breathe – and it still is sometimes used in that way. So that reminds me that inspiration is like breath – it sustains us, it’s there waiting if we show up and notice.  I often ask people why they write, or what made them a writer, and I realise that I write because I want to understand. So for me, inspiration is generally found like a pebble inside my shoe – it takes the form of some question that won’t let me go. Something I need to make sense of. Right now I’m working on a novel which sprang   the death of my sister. It began with an image of a magpie pacing back and forth across the lawn in front of my sister’s window and my sister saying ‘what wonders they are’. And from that sprang a whole novel about wonder. I think that if you pay attention to what sparks your curiosity you will generally find the source of your inspiration.

4. Why do you think so many people want to write?

I think the desire to create is a really fundamental element of being human. As far as we are aware, we are the only species who records our stories. So I think there is something intrinsic and important about the wish to make sense of the world through language and story. I think we understand that it’s powerful and it helps us make sense of the world and our place in it. At a more visceral level, too, passionate readers often want to write (and vice-versa). And there are many passionate readers in the world!

5. And what is your tip for writers trying to ‘just get it written’?

Apart from the usual exhortations to read widely, I observe that new writers can get swamped by the sheer magnitude of the thing, or by their own desire and ambition. So one of my favourite strategies is what I call the ‘practice of the particles.’ It comes from a Philip Pullman essay, Poco a poco, in which he writes about story being made up of the smallest particles. Pay attention to the particles, he suggests, and the rest will follow.

Over several years, I’ve taken to what I think of as ‘the practice of the particles’ into all elements of my life. I use it when I’m coaching writers and I’ve seen it transform so many people’s creative practice.

At its most simple, it’s this: lower the bar. Rather than focusing on your grand goal, find the smallest, tiniest corner and work on that. Rather than telling yourself I have to finish the novel – shift focus. Decide on the smallest particle of daily action and take that action. For me, starting a new novel, that might be: I will write 300 words a day. It might be even smaller.  There are a few things that happen with this practice. One is that you get a free shot of dopamine, the feel-good hormone. But as well as the dopamine hit, if you show up for those tiny particles, they eventually become something more visible. A story, or a poem, a play.

The particle practice works beautifully if you are stuck on a scene. Remember you don’t have to write the whole thing, just begin on the tiny corner that you can see. For instance, there is a pivotal scene in Fury which I struggled to write. It’s during a wild storm, and I was in a great deal of physical danger, hanging from a trawling boom while the boat threatened to tip. I was frightened of writing the scene – couldn’t quite get the order of things in my head –  and so I let myself simply begin on the smallest element, the smallest particle.

Effectively my inner dialogue went like this:

‘I don’t know how to write this scene.’

‘Okay, don’t write the scene. What can you see or hear? Smallest element?’

                         ‘The dolphins shrieking. I can hear that.’

‘Okay. Write that. Just the shrieking. Don’t worry about anything else. Just a few lines noting down that sound.’  

*starts writing, then raises hand* ‘Oh! I can hear the chains on the trawling boards now!’

‘Okay, write that.’

            ‘And now  – I can see the dark foamy mouth of the sea.’

And then the inner dialogue stops because I have found the thread and I am writing.

Sometimes the smallest element is a single drop of rain, or a fingernail. There’s always something, if you let yourself start small. (And we all know what grows from little things).

Kathryn Heyman is the author of the memoir Fury and novels including Captain Starlight’s Apprentice. She is the director of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program , which runs the Immersion program for creators.

www.kathrynheyman.com

www.writermentors.com

www.writermentors.com/immersion

Bila Yarrudhanggalangduray wins NSW Premier’s Literary Award

Well, what an incredible night was had at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards at the State Library of NSW.

Last Monday, we celebrated reunions, storytelling, recognition and a library full of love – for literature, for authors, for the arts.

It is true to say that it was a humbling experience just to be shortlisted alongside my extraordinary peers Terri Janke, Larissa Behrendt, Tony Birch,  Uncle Alf Taylor and Gary Lonesborough, some of whom are my very good friends. I’ve read their works and I know the judges had an extraordinary job, and I thank them for bringing us all together in the shortlist.

I was / am in fact overwhelmed to win the Indigenous Writers’ Prize for Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams).

Thank you to my family, my beautiful Mum, Uncle Stan Grant, Aunty Bettty, Bidjaya Elaine Lomas – for your unswerving support for my work and this book – it is a story that reflects life of our ancestors on Wiradjuri land.

I stand on the very proud shoulders of my elders, who keep me balanced, and I am grateful. Yindyamarra bu mandaang guwu.

2022 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards held in the Mitchell Reading Room

CEREMONY by Adam Goodes, Ellie Lange & David Hardy

I had a delightful morning reading CEREMONY, the second picture book by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, in which Adam generously shares with readers some of the culture and language from his Adnyamathanha country and society.

A rhyming story that will be adored by kids and adults alike, it showcases the joy, unity and roles play by all within a generic ceremony, and the bilingual text is complemented by David Hardy’s trademark illustrations.

Published by Allen & Unwin, the work includes an illustrated glossary to assist readers, young and old, but if you head to the A&U website, you’ll find downloadable teacher’s nots, a guide for parents and carers, a free audio reading, and a special video message for teachers and librarians. Be sure and check out all the bonus resources.

In store now, and make sure your local library has it too.

YWCA Canberra: 2022 She Leads In-Conversation Series – 5 Quick Questions with Dr Anita Heiss

With less than two weeks to go before our first She Leads In-Conversation of the year, we can’t wait for the Canberran community to hear from Dr Anita Heiss and Sarah Burr. This event will be in a conversational format, where two Wirdayuri women will discuss empowerment through education and why the stories of First Nations Australians need to be not only told but heard.

This week, we asked our featured speaker, Dr Anita Heiss, 5 Quick Questions on leadership, her book and podcast recommendations and achievements that she’s most proud of, but most people wouldn’t know about.

Dr Anita Heiss is an award-winning author of 18 books. She is an international speaker with a background in Australian First Nations literature calling her audiences to action on issues that she is passionate about. She is a board member of University of Queensland Press, Aboriginal Art Co, Circa Contemporary Theatre and the National Justice Project. Anita is a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the GO Foundation. Her play Tiddas, will premiere at the 2022 Brisbane Festival in partnership with La Boite Theatre and QPAC. Her most recent novel is Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) and her memoir Am I Black Enough for You?: 10 years on has just been released. Anita runs, eats chocolate and is proud to be a creative disruptor.

What’s one piece of advice that you would give to people who are trying to start their leadership journey but don’t know where to start?

I am very proud of all I have achieved; however, I don’t call myself a leader as such. I do love sharing my journey though.

What worked for me may not work for everyone, but I started seeing a life coach in 2003 when I was 35 years old, and by setting goals and building strategies, I reached where I am today. If seeing a life coach is something that you don’t want to do, then I suggest getting a mentor you admire and respect to offer advice and guidance on your own journey. And be clear about why you want to be a leader, and what leadership means to you.

What would you like to see change in the next 3-5 years in the leadership space?

More women in board rooms, parliament and positions of influenceGender pay-equityOur nation run by a President (yes, we will be a republic)A Voice to Parliament via the Uluru Statement

What’s an achievement that you’re most proud of, but most people wouldn’t know about?

Professionally: I was the first Aboriginal person to graduate from the University of Western Sydney with a PhD in 2001.

Personally: I ran my first marathon on the eve of my 49th birthday at Uluru, and four months later ran the New York Marathon.

What’s a mistake or failure that you have made but in hindsight made you a better leader?

I took on a role that was time consuming and I didn’t enjoy when I could’ve been writing. However, I learned a whole new set of skills and knowledge that made me a more rounded person.

Lastly, are there any leadership or empowerment books and/or podcasts that you would recommend to people?

Belinda Brosnan’s Start With You: lead from the inside

Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul podcast for reminders on how to live my most productive, fruitful and joyful life.

Our She Leads In-Conversation with Dr Anita Heiss and Sarah Burr is on Tuesday 24 May. Not only will your ticket include entry to the event, but will include a networking session with drinks and food and the opportunity to purchase one of Anita’s books and have it signed by her.

Visit the event page for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Tags: aboriginal and torres strait islander, empowerment, in conversation, inspiration, She Leads In-Conversation, women leaders

Source: YWCA Canberra: 2022 She Leads In-Conversation Series – 5 Quick Questions with Dr Anita Heiss

5 Qs with bestselling author of HUSH, Sara Foster

On my recent trip to Hawaii I took Sara Foster’s new near-future thriller, HUSH. It was, in a word, RIVETING! I had so many questions during and afterwards, so I asked her just five of them, and Sara, as the generous author she is, has answered them below. If you’ve read HUSH and have questions, I’d be keen to hear yours too.

For those of you who are meeting Sara for the first time via this post, then here’s a couple of lines about my friend, the fabulous author:

Sara has written five critically acclaimed novels: Come Back to Me, Beneath the Shadows, Shallow Breath, All That is Lost Between Us and The Hidden Hours. She was born and raised in England, and moved to Australia in 2004. She lives in Perth with her husband and two children.

And on HUSH, she says…

1.     Can you tell us about the specific research you had to do re medical information included in the novel? 

If you’ve read The Hush you’ll know that it’s based around pregnancy and birth, and it details both natural processes and all sorts of impediments and disruptions to those. I did a lot of research around birth when I was pregnant with my two girls, which laid the foundations for all the research I did to add specific layers into the story. There was a lot of reading and research involved, and some of the plot hinges on different medical scenarios, so I won’t say more than that in case of inadvertent spoilers!

2.     Emma as a mother frightened for her daughter and desperate to protect her – how much did you have to draw on your own experience as a mother to write Emma’s fear for her daughter?

My eldest daughter is now much closer to Lainey’s age, but when I started writing The Hush she was only six years old, and my younger daughter was two. I’m sure that my own mothering experiences, and the intense emotions around this, played their part in developing the story and those fears about how a corrupt government might severely impact my girls’ abilities to make choices about their lives and bodies. However, I also hope that this is a story we can relate to across the spectrum of human experience: while writing the novel I was aware that there are many different and diverse experiences and possibilities around mothering and being mothered, and I tried to bring in as many different facets of that as I could. 

3.     Conspiracy theories are in the news more than ever, is that what inspired you?

I love the intrigue of a good conspiracy theory, but I began writing The Hush in 2015 before all the era-defining events of the last 5-6 years. And while the ground was certainly being seeded for the Trump era and the associated rise of conspiracy, along with the whole ‘blackwhite’, ‘doublethink’ 1984-style issues we are facing today, I couldn’t have dreamed how much the book would parallel real-life scenarios. It’s been a strange and disconcerting experience, and many readers understandably think the book was written as a response to the last few years, not realising that I began it seven years ago. 

4.     Some may say HUSH is a political statement, was that your intention, if not, what was?

I would like the themes of the book to be a little bit more open-ended than a simple statement, but it is a provocative novel and deliberately so. I wanted to lay out a world in which we witness a potential tipping point between democracy and totalitarianism, where women’s rights and freedoms are imploding, and then to explore some of the different elements of that – such as how so few people can impact the lives of so many. I also wanted to question what we are prepared to accept and reject in terms of eroded freedoms of speech, bodily autonomy and surveillance, both individually and as a society.  I pushed the themes as hard as possible to pose as many questions around this kind of society as I could. 

5.     You live in Perth. Why set the novel in the UK and how did you research your setting?

I lived in the UK for the first 28 years of my life, and now I’ve been in Perth for nearly 18 years, so I’m well versed in both places. Whenever I write a new novel I look carefully at setting. There’s a cold and claustrophobic feel around the story of The Hush that seemed much better suited to England than to Australia, so I chose to set the story in the south-east of the UK, close enough to London that it was easy to access the capital for pivotal scenes, but with the story predominantly based in an estuary town that has a character of its own (Whitehaven is based partially on Maldon in Essex but I have used plenty of creative licence.) Most of my research was internet based: studying maps, watching YouTube videos, and reading up on all sorts of details, from different road signs and symbols in the area to the most common pub names – and everything in between!

BUY HUSH from your local independent or Readings, Booktopia, Dymocks or BigW. And make sure you ask your local library to order it in.

And find out more at:
www.sarafoster.com.au
www.facebook.com/sarafosterauthor
www.instagram.com/sarafosterauthor
www.twitter.com/sarajfoster

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray voted in the Dymocks 2022 Top 101

Each year Dymocks ask their Booklovers to vote for their favourite book and then they publish the list of the Top 101 books for all customers to enjoy.

The results are in and I want to thank all the Dymocks Booklovers who voted for Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray. My novel came in at #65.

The really good news is that you can celebrate this year with 3 for the price of 2* on all the winning titles.

And we all love a bargain don’t we?

But my real question to you is how many on the list of 101 have you read??

Wonder Women from History for Mother’s Day

If the Matriarch in your life loves to read historical fiction about strong women, she may enjoy reading about Wagadhaany in BILA YARRUDHANGGALANGDHURAY.

Give the gift of books this Mother’s Day!

Grab your copy from via Simon & Schuster, Avid Reader, Readings, Dymocks (3 for the price of 2), QBD, Booktopia, Amazon or favourite independent bookstore

AND HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

#MothersDay #historicalfiction #bilayarrudhanggalangdhuray #bilayarrudhanggalangdhurayriverofdreams #riverofdreams #giftofreading #wonderwomen #womeminhistory #waggawagga #gundagai

Out Now: Sister Girl by Jackie Huggins

I recently had the pleasure and privilege of being part of the launch of Sister Girl: Reflections on Tiddaism, Identity and Reconciliation by Jackie Huggins.

In this updated collection of essays, Jackie covers many themes, issues and moments in history that have impacted her personally, and the nation at large.

I am already seeing in my mind’s eye, some important conversations happening in book clubs around the country, thanks to this new edition, which builds on the original 16 essays in the first edition, released back in 1998.

Jackie writes of the role of Aboriginal women as domestic servants in Australian history and their pseudo role in the white-feminist movement of the 1990s.  Whether writing the political or the personal, Jackie Huggins write from the heart with conviction, depth and soul, and at times with a little humour that will make readers smile and sometimes laugh out loud.  Some of her experiences in the public service where she learnt to “fight racism, write reports and drive a Z car” provide a few of these moments.

Jackie notes that her greatest ‘sister girl’ was her late mother Aunty Rita, and in an essay titled “Writing my Mother’s Life” she talks about the difficulties in writing her mother’s story, published as Aunty Rita by Aboriginal Studies Press.

One of my favourite pieces in Sister Girl is “Are all the Women White?”, a transcript of the radio conversation between “two Black revolutionary women”, namely Jackie and her role model, African American writer bell hooks, in which they discuss the differences and similarities of the experience of feminism in both countries and its influence and indeed relevance to Black women.

This new edition of Sister Girl, has added reflections on identity, reconciliation and tiddaism.

In the essay titled ‘The gift of identity’ Jackie writes that Aboriginal identity is both the personal and the political, how identity has been framed by government policy, and formed by social processes, that the essence of identity is complex and multi-layered, but that it’s our internal kinship system and land that are fundamental to our actual identities as Aboriginal people. This essay was first published in ATSIC News in 2001, my question is, and in my opinion, it’s a burden that we still need to define Aboriginality for non-Indigenous Australians today.

This new edition also includes a farewell speech from Jackie’s time on the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR) delivered in 2007, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, and includes some of Jackie’s memories, including…

‘I remember the day of the 1967 Referendum well and see it still, in many ways, through the eyes of the 11-year-old girl I was at the time. And I also remember some of the long lead up to it. If I was asked to make one more toffee or lamington for a fundraising drive (or to do the hula) or stand on another street corner and hand out badges…’

In this speech, Jackie writes that she was schooled by the early reconciliationists in this country and suggests she had reconciliation in her genes.

In the chapter ‘Indigenous Women and Leadership’ – Jackie writes of the challenges facing Aboriginal women in roles of leadership, they range from the tall poppy syndrome in our own communities, but sexismhttps://www.dymocks.com.au/book/sister-girl-by-jackie-huggins-9780702265471 and racism in the wider community are the two biggest issues.

In that same chapter she mentions the late Evelyn Scott, May O’Brien and Doris Pilkington as just a few of her role models. It made me think of my own role models who include the late Ruby Langford Ginibi and my dear sister girl, the late Kerry Reed-Gilbert.

Jackie goes on to explore her definition of Tiddaism and why she does not want you to call her Aunty. But I don’t want to give too much away here, you need to go read this incredible series of essays and experiences for yourself.

Grab your copy from any one of a number of fantastic booksellers including: Avid Reader, Readings, Dymocks.

Am I Black Enough for You? 10 years on

March 29 marks the 10th anniversary of the release of AM I BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?

We felt it fitting to acknowledge the occasion with a new edition of my memoir on identity, taking into consideration all that has happened in the last decade. So, this new updated work includes commentary on AFL icon Adam Goodes and The Final Quarter. It considers health, happiness and hormones in a pre-COVID world, and learning to say ‘It’s OKAY’ during COVID. This new edition speaks of the journey to becoming a marathon runner, the power in learning my Wiradjuri language at age 50, the impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement, and why I don’t celebrate January 26. With a renaissance in First Nations literature in the last decade, I also provide reasons why everyone should read Blak. But of course, there is more 

The STILL HERE t-shirt is re-produced on the cover with permission of Vernon Ah Kee and can be purchased from Dark and Disturbing The cover photo was taken by my friend Sarah Hickey.

And you can pre-order your copy now direct from Penguin Random House or from your favourite local or online bookstore.

COVID-permitting, we have events planned in Brisbane and Canberra at this stage, and they will be listed on www.anitaheiss.com as confirmed.

Tickets to the launch at Avid Reader on March 29 are now on sale and $5 from each in-store ticket will go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Thanks for being on the journey with me, there is strength in unity!

DREAM BIG and Imagine What If

My first read for 2022 was Dream Big and Imagine the What If, the inspiring story of Kylie Captain, a proud Gamilaroi woman, born and raised in the inner-city suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo. Kylie is a teacher and role model, currently living her best life, but it is her journey to this point that makes her story remarkable, overcoming the loss of loved ones, substance abuse and despair, of gaining wisdom through grieving.

In wanting to help others who may lack support, guidance or ideas on how to cope with the challenges of life that can lead to feeling like you will never climb out of that dark hole, Kylie has written a memoir focussing on how she actually did. By sharing her very personal story that lead to finding and focussing on her dreams, of setting and reaching goals, of not letting a history of unhappiness destroy her, Kylie shares how she made a conscious decision to be in control of her own future happiness.

There’s a lot that Kylie and I have in common – the belief that we all have a role to play in teaching and mentoring. That we all have a responsibility to learn and impart our knowledge. We both recognise the importance of positive relationships and storytelling / sharing in engaging students for successful teaching and learning experiences.

We both believe in the power of positive thinking, practical gratitude, and the law of attraction (although when I watched The Secret many, many years ago with another author in Sydney, we both mocked its focus on material goals and outcomes. But I also note here that we all interpret messages differently).

Kylie Captain tells her story as if yarning with you over a cup of tea (hence my pic). And while she speaks candidly about the impacts of the policies of removal and assimilation, of racial profiling and intergenerational trauma, the main message within Dream Big & Imagine the What If is one of strength and perseverance, of resilience and hope.

Of great value also, are the series of questions Kylie offers throughout, the ‘What ifs’, allowing the reader to take the opportunity to turn life’s negatives into positives, and to be inspired to dream big and ask, what if?

Grab your copy of Dream Big & Imagine the What If direct from Kylie here!