Confessions of a research addict

By Suellen Green

I’m immersed in six subjects this semester; five of them need research. Fortunately, I love research. In 1989 at Monash university, I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Japanese. Funny thing happened on the way to my degree; I accidently ended up with a double major. Turned out I had such a great time doing the research for my history subjects, that every year I’d choose history subjects, purely for the joy of it.

Now I’m studying writing and finding that my love of research has not changed, but the method certainly has! Or at least expanded—there was no internet when I got my BA. In 1989, I did most of my research in libraries: now a large proportion of it is done in my bed. (Yes, I know that is not OH&S compliant, but its just so cozy!)

While I am doing a lot of my research online, the library is far from dead as a research venue. I have borrowed many books, dvd’s and videos from the library here at St Albans campus. There is nothing like the feel of a book, and flipping through the pages is a lot more tactile and interactive than doing a search online.

Often research can be thrilling. I can remember back in the third year of my BA, when writing an essay on Aaron Sherritt and his involvement in the Kelly outbreak, finding some really amazing stuff. The State Library was great, but my best find was in the old Melbourne Police Station on Russell Street. I got handed a cardboard box and told to go for it. In that box I found all sorts of documents related to the Kelly outbreak; original hand written letters by arresting officers, court documents relating to Sherritt and the Kellys, among others. It was like being a detective.

As a kid I loved to read kid detective stories. I think that’s one of the reasons I love research so much, its like being a detective, searching for clues to help you write your masterpiece. And the best part is you can find those clues in the most unlikely of places.

Whether you are writing non-fiction, or fiction, the chances are high that you will need to do some research. Here are a couple of the more unexpected places you can find some great leads:

• Now the library is not exactly unexpected, but have you checked out the e-resource section of VU Library? I found some great e-books for all of my assignments when I did a search of the electronic resource database online. You can borrow electronic resources for 24 hours at a time and read them online or download them to your computer. If you need it after 24 hours, just borrow it again.

• Another great resource is Twitter. I set up a Twitter account as a part of the Writing for New Media class and was pleasantly surprised to find it was a lot more than just a social chatfest. Not only am I learning from people I am following, I am often tweeted links to great resources, especially for writing as I am following a few writers. I always retweet interesting links I receive so if you are on twitter, follow me @suellenswords, and I will send you some great stuff. One of the links I found through Twitter was the BBC archive. Go and see if some of your favourite authors are there. It’s fascinating. http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/writers/

Networking

By Vicki Williams

During a quiet lunch with friends I uncovered a shocking revelation that prompted a three-hour discussion.

Lucy asked about a networking event I had recently attended. We began to discuss the event and then bang! Carol, a 22-year old student said "I don't understand why you would waste your time going to those events. What's the big deal? I've never networked and I don't ever intend to".

Amused by her response I attempted to explain the importance of networking for growing your business then realised that if you aren't in business then of course you are going to see networking differently. I sat back and listened as everyone else tried to show Carol the different aspects of networking, but she just wasn't buying it.

I tried to picture myself as a 22-year old student and how networking could affect my life. I decided that whether Carol realised it or not she was networking every day. I asked her the following questions:

"When you're in class, do you talk to your classmates about yourself, or things you are doing?"
She answered yes.

"Do you talk to your teachers and other staff about yourself, or things you're doing?"
she responded yes.

"Do you think your classmates and teaching staff know your strengths, your wants and your needs?"
After some thought, she agreed that they probably do.

"Do you have the contact details of your classmates and teachers, and do they have your's?"
Yes she replied.

"Carol, I imagine that you've been networking for quite some time."
"Have I really? How?

She was open for discussion and I wanted to make sure she got what networking really is, so I began explaining. "You see there are many different types of networkers."

1. There are networkers who take a bucket full of business cards; their mission is to give them all out. They will sit back and wait for calls that will never come. Why? Because they don't stop long enough to get to know people.
2. Another type of networker sits in the corner and waits for everyone to come to them. They attract other networkers of the same type. Usually they don't take the next step because they are afraid of meeting people. They may not give out their business card for fear of being rejected.
3. The WIIFM (What's In It For Me) networker is only interested in themselves. They have no problems approaching people and handing out their business cards. If you watch them you will notice they only talk about themselves what they want, who you know and how you can help them. They'll connect with you later if they know you can assist them. Trust me, they don't get very far because the contacts they make soon dry up.
4. Then there are the elite networkers 'the connectors'. These people find out the wants and needs of the people they connect with; they keep asking questions until they have an understanding of how they can genuinely serve you. These networkers aren't interested in what they get out of the connection that's not important. Their intention is to aid and assist you.

A long time ago, I learned that when you take your own needs out of the picture and focus on finding a way to help other people, you come to life and work from a different heart space and the results are rewarding.

Carol rang me the other day to tell me one of her teachers had put her name forward for a job interview. It seems that Carol has realised the value of connecting with others.

Pretty cool how networking works eh?

Growing Pains

By Angela Hryc

Life as a student can be exciting, yet challenging. I have experienced so much throughout my long journey, and there have been lots of ups and downs. But I have no regrets because it has made me into who I am today, a higher-ed tafe student.

From the very first day of primary school, I was officially considered a student. I was only five years old at the time, and had no idea about what was ahead of me. Starting at this age, your teachers seem to treat you differently, and teach you all the basic knowledge that we need to know. But the teachers didn't teach me the same way as I'm taught now. I was colouring in worksheets and playing class games, rather than taking notes and completing assignments as I do now.

But soon enough, I began to realise that being a student was not about having fun and colouring in pictures. As I moved up a year level, I found the things we learned much more challenging and the teachers became tougher.

Eventually, I reached high school and for the first year, it felt like a whole new world. It was so different compared to primary school, and I had to adjust to the new environment. The teachers were a lot stricter on handing in work, and didn't want to tolerate childish behaviour. But it didn't take long before I settled in, and understood how to deal with high school pressures.

Since finishing high school last year and currently a tafe student, I've learned a lot more about deadlines and responsibility of handing in work on time. I've also realised that I'm studying at tafe for my own benefit and I'm no longer treated as a young child.

For those who love footy or writing about other sports -- next Rotunda event

Here's the latest just in from Bruno:

Professional Writing and Editing (TAFE), Victoria University


presents

Rotunda in the West: Conversations with Australian Writers

in collaboration with

the Western Bulldogs (Whitten Oval)

“Talking Footy (the big questions)”

Greg Baum ( senior sports writer The Age)

in conversation with

Martin Flanagan (“The Call”, “Southern Sky, Western Oval”, “The Game in Time of War”, “1970” and senior writer at The Age)

and perhap other special guests too.

PLUS special appearance by VU lecturer JOHN WELDON

plus MUSICAL PRELUDE

Thursday 26th August
6.30pm for 7pm start
The Whitten Oval foyer
417 Barkly Street
Footscray

(Café and Bar opens at 6pm for light meal and drinks)

Everybody welcome!! FREE event.

But Please let us know you are coming!

RSVP (essential): Bruno.Lettieri@vu.edu.au 0422 29 86 43

Student Stress

By Emma Shepperbottom

Being a student is stressful. I am usually level headed and handle the stress of homework and study well. But at the moment, I am having trouble with money. I've received a giant phone bill, two fines for parking in a no-standing zone (I was only parked there, because there were no other places to park), I need petrol to be able to travel from a to b and I owe my parents money.

I've worked up a hefty pile of bills for myself. When I was working full time, before I was a student, I was never stressed about money. The pile of bills never looked as huge as they do now. But I've never considered dropping out of the PWE course and going back to working full time. I never will. No matter how much debt I am in.

I enjoy being a PWE student so much, that although stressful, the lack of money in my wallet doesn't bring me down. I already feel like I have learnt so much, since starting this course and I know I've got even more to learn. But I love learning!

I am happier being a poor student than I was when I was working full time. At school, I'm surrounded by like-minded people and supportive teachers. It's a little community where people share ideas and knowledge. That's one of my favoriute things about this course. Quitting my job at the end of last year, so I could study more was a good choice.

I know that I'm not alone, most students are in the same boat as I am. So I have a little piece of advice. Next time you're feeling stressed about money, think about why you are doing this course and what you will get out of it. You will realise that lack of money now will be worth it in the long run. That's what keeps me happy.

People Are People

by Mark Simonato

The most daunting part of being a mature-age student is how to deal with the new generation; for most of them, you could be their parent.

My first semester at Victoria University (Professional Writing and Editing) was about observing the younger crowd and listening to what they had to say. I thought it was important to understand their way of thinking and how I could relate to it. Finding a common ground with another human is the perfect device for a successful first interaction.

It was not until a female student chatted to me about her morning make-up routine that I finally had a breakthrough: there is no difference between her and some female students I encountered twenty years ago.

I realised that the difference in various generations is mainly material (what new gadgets are available), but music and fashion are similar—they have just been recycled and reinvented to suit the modern world.

Feelings are the same. People are still self-consciousness; they have their fears, their hopes, and their dreams. The variety of students is alike: mainstream, alternative, outspoken, shy, diligent, lazy, serious, humorous and carefree. They want to be understood and heard, just as my generation wanted, and still do.

Once I realised that younger students feel and relate to my writing as much as a forty-year-old person would, I felt that as a writer, I’m widening my audience and I have something intelligent to say that can interest a broad range of ages.

I’ve never believed in labels, and labelling a generation is another way for society to pigeonhole humans. It’s also another tool to kill individualism.

Rotunda this weekend at Werribee

This is the first of three posts with information just sent by Bruno. I hope these are just as sensational as our Write Out -- I'm sure they will be. Please note that this Rotunda event is free of charge, so if you're going to be in or near Werribee on Saturday, why not come along? Students and community members last year raved about it.

Tracey

Michael McGirr ("Lost Art of Sleep"),Sherryl Clark (our own), Enza Gandolfo, Paul Bateman-all @ ROTUNDA (goes to Werribee)

"Everything our writers know about writing and storytelling"-

our guests will read, answer questions, interact with audience.

Michael McGirr ("Lost Art of Sleep", "Things you get for free", Byway:Story of a Road"), teacher, fiction editor, short story writer and editor and much more)

Sherryl Clark (acclaimed Children's Writer, poet, VU teacher, "Tracey Binns is Lost", "SIXTH GRADE STYLE QUEEN (NOT!)" and more)

Paul Bateman (freelance writer, essays in The Age, ex-State Library, part time broadcaster)

Enza Gandolfo (VU lecturer, novelist "Swimming", non-fiction writer)

Free event - A collaboration between August Arts (City of Wyndham) and Rotunda in the West (VU)

How would you like to try some quick fire writing exercises all in the spirit of high adventure "where you can sling words around with impunity"?

How would you like to be doing those try-out writing activities under the guiding gentle/encouraging hand of a writing teacher experienced in that genre?

How do domains like poetry, fiction, memoir, film scripts tickle your fancy?

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

ALL WELCOME

Young Folk particurly welcome!

Would you like to follow that surge of your own writing with a slink-down-low-in-your-chair listening to a vibrant panel of renowned writers answering all your questions-yes, you the audience firing the questions?

Professional Writing and Editing (TAFE)
Victoria University
presents

Rotunda in the West: Conversations with Australian Writers (goes to Wyndham's August Arts)

Saturday 14th August
2pm-5pm
Wyndham Civic Centre
45 Princes Hwy
Werribee

Part A: Speed Writing Taster Workshops (step up and have a go-nothing to lose)
4 mini-workshops (approx 20 minutes). Rotate yourself around 4.
Eg; memoir, poetry, film, fiction (Not set in stone)

Part B:
"Everything our writers know about writing and storytelling"- our guests will read, answer questions, interact with audience.

Panel includes:

Michael McGirr
Sherryl Clark
Paul Bateman
Enza Gandolfo
Free event - A collaboration between August Arts (City of Wyndham) and Rotunda in the West (VU)

RSVP (essential)

Please bring some finger food or wine for the communal table.

Please let us know you are coming!

Wave back!

Grazie

Bruno Lettieri
bruno.lettieri@vu.edu.au

Prof Writing short courses: Scriptwriting

Write a Short Film Script



VU Short Course

This short course is an introduction to the basics of Screenwriting.

Making films is now easier than ever—but shaping a good story is a vital skill. If you’re itching to try to write a film-script but haven’t been sure how to begin, this class will get you on the right track. It will also suit people who have already had some experience, but who would like some guidance on where to go next.

This course will be a lively combination of activities, examples, readings and discussions. You’ll get the chance to explore and shape your ideas for making a short film through a series of six supportive and inspiring sessions.

Find out about

Understanding mainstream genres: crime, comedy, teen, romance
Crucial elements: the plot and the premise
Creating screen characters
Creating dramatic tension
Organising your ideas into practical actions to make your film.

___________________________________

Course length: 2.5 hours every week for 6 weeks
Begins 28 August, 2010.
Saturdays 1 pm-3.30 pm at Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee
$240 / $210 concession
___________________________________

This Course is run by Professional Writing & Editing TAFE, Victoria University.

For more details, email isabelle.lebouder@vu.edu.au or phone 9919 2681.

Prof Writing short courses: writing for children

Writing stories for children

VU Short Course


This short course is an introduction to the basics. It will show you how writing for children is different to writing for adults, and will encourage you to reconnect with what it’s like to be a child. You might like to bring a story idea you already have, or prefer to develop ideas along the way.


This course will combine writing exercises and activities with discussions about how to get started, and what to do next! You’ll be able to explore your ideas and imagination, and give shape to them through a series of six sessions that will build your skills and confidence.


At the end of the course, you’ll have a draft of a story you can continue to work on.


The course suits writers of all ages and abilities, from beginners to those who have already been involved with writing fiction.


Find out about


The child-centred story
Planning and plotting your story
Creating characters
Writing dialogue
Techniques to keep readers interested.


The teacher
Janet Stutley has a BA in literature and writing and a graduate diploma in children’s literature. Her published writing for children includes fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, rhyming stories, poem posters, plays, multi-media scripts, song lyrics and music. She now writes as Jaz Ghent.


Janet has had poetry and short stories published, and won equal third prize in the Scarlet Stiletto awards presented by Sisters in Crime in 2008.


Currently she is working on two fantasy novels for children. Six fantasy chapter books in the Signatures series were published by Clean Slate Press New Zealand; three in 2008 and three in 2010.

___________________________________

Course length: 2.5 hours every week for 6 weeks
Begins 28 August, 2010.
Saturdays 10 am - 12:30 pm at Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee
$240 / $210 concession
___________________________________


This Course is run by Professional Writing & Editing TAFE, Victoria University.


For more details, email isabelle.lebouder@vu.edu.au or phone 9919 2681.