Platform 7 calling for submissions

If you haven't seen the new-look Platform, go and grab yourself a copy. It looks sensational -- kudos to all of those involved. Bruno tells me that issue seven is now taking submissions, so here's a little more info.

Tracey



Youth, VCE and Community education (TAFE)

VU College
Victoria University

Publishers of PLATFORM
(age to youth/youth to age)
Copies/class sets are now available.

NEW WRITING for edition 7 is now being called for!!!!!

Email: bruno.lettieri@vu.edu.au if you ‘d like copies and please send your pieces and poems to same address.

Pieces and poems in P6 by:

VCAL students
Work Education students
Helen Garner
Lisa Gorton
Paul Bateman
Carolyn Garner
Kristin Henry
Anson Cameron
Michael Hyde
PWE students

Photos of PWE students
Barry Garner
Madeleine Herron
Kim de Koning and much more.

Brimbank Literary Festival: free writing workshops

Here's something fresh in from Bruno that might interest you students and other writers in the community:


Free Writing Workshops with Published Authors

As part of the Brimbank Literary Festival, Brimbank City Council presents a series of free writing workshops. Book your space now!

ESL Workshop with Amra Pajalic
Amra’s short stories have appeared in the 2004 and 2005 Best Australian Short Stories, various magazines, journals and anthologies. Her novel The Good Daughter won the Melbourne Prize for Literature's Civic Choice Award.
This workshop is conducted in English and aimed at an ESL audience – all welcome.
Thursday 24 June
1pm-2pm
AMES
16 Victoria Crescent
Victoria Square
St Albans
Bookings Tel: 9366 0433

Adult Short Story Writing with Margaret McCarthy
Margaret McCarthy is a published poet, writer and teacher working in Melbourne’s west. Her creative writing work has won awards and is published widely.
Monday 28 June
6.30pm-8.30pm
Hunt Club Community Arts Centre
775 Ballarat Road
Deer Park
Bookings Tel: 9361 6600

Poetry Workshop with Tara Mokhtari
Tara is a well respected poetry and creative writing teacher at Victoria University, has completed two verse novel manuscripts, and is regularly published. Tara believes in making poetry a more accessible genre, particularly for young people.
Tuesday 29 June
6.30pm-7.30pm
Sunshine Library
301 Hampshire Road
Bookings Tel: 9249 4640

Kids and Teens Workshop with Michael Wagner
Michael will unravel the art of storytelling to reveal: the basic ingredients of all stories; the three main types of story ending; how to bring any story to a satisfying conclusion; and how to effectively create moving pictures in the reader’s mind.
Wednesday 30 June
10am-12noon
Sydenham Community Centre
7 Community Hub
Bookings Tel: 9390 3977

Write a novel in a month short course

And more news in from Bruno:

Would you think we were crazy if.....


>>>>>>>>we told you, you could write 50,000 words of your
memoir
sci-fi novel
biography
who dunnit
historical drama
chapter book in a month


>>>>>>>>we told you , you could carve out 6
delightful
crisp
uninterrupted
energetic
affirming
SATURDAY mornings (2 and a half hours)

to really get into that mesmerising Writing zone.

READ ON!

WRITE a NOVEL in a MONTH short course is just around the proverbial corner.


Write a Novel in a Month short course
Teacher: Margaret McCarthy
Dates: Information session Saturday 12 June at 10.30 - 11.15am (free)
Course begins 26 June, for 6 weeks
Day & Time: Saturday mornings 9:30-12:00 noon
Cost: $240
Venue: Point Cook / Werribee area (exact place to be advised –stay in touch!)

Novel in July is inspired by NaNoWriMo, an international writing competition to write 50,000 words (a novel draft) in a month. Participants with any level of writing experience, including first-time writers, can take part. This short course is for anyone who wants to have a go.

Why do this class? You will write and finish the first draft of a novel!

Many things prevent people from writing. Novel in July offers a way around lack of experience, writer’s block and perfectionism. As long as you meet your word count, you can’t fail. Novel in July keeps you writing—not re-drafting, stopping or editing.

Can’t I just take the challenge at home? Yes, you can. But writing with a class greatly improves your chances of meeting the total:

· Percentage of Novel in a Month class members who reach the 50,000 word target: 80%!

What if I’ve started a novel already? While our November class focuses on new work only, Novel in July you allows you to continue with an existing writing project or begin something fresh – you choose.

What do you have to do? Come to class for discussion, support and novel writing strategies; then write your quota every day. By the end of the month, you will complete your novel and be ready to debrief and celebrate.

About the teacher

Margaret McCarthy is a published poet and writer teaching in Melbourne’s west. She has taught creative writing for many years and her creative writing work is published widely. Margaret’s manuscript “Entitlement” was short-listed for the Harper Collins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development 2006. Her 50,000 word young adult fiction draft “Subject to Change” was completed in the November 2009 Novel in a Month challenge. She holds a MA in Creative Writing from Melbourne University.

Find out about

Ø Ideas about writing novels
Ø Plot
Ø Character
Ø Setting
Ø Writing to deadline
Ø Writing forward without looking back
Ø Problem solving

This Course is run by Professional Writing & Editing (PWE) TAFE, Victoria University.
Apply direct through the Creative Industries website at http://creativeindustries.vu.edu.au/
For more information, contact Isabelle.LeBouder@vu.edu.au or phone the PWE Office 9919 2681.

Raimond Gaita coming to Rotunda

Here's the latest in from Bruno:

Breaking news!


Professional Writing and Editing (TAFE) presents

Rotunda in the West: Conversations with Australian Writers

Next Guest:

Writer/moral philosopher

Raimond Gaita-"Romulus, my father"

"The Philospher's Dog"

"Towards a common humanity"

at Rotunda.

Thursday 24th June @ 6.30pm @ Footscray Park.

Wave back and let us know you're interested.

Grazie!

Bruno

bruno.lettieri@vu.edu.au

Writing competition

Funnily enough, we've been talking in class today about building up a writing CV before you approach an agent or publisher, and then I was going through my inbox on my email program and found this, which Bruno had forwarded to me. I haven't heard of this competition before, but here it is.

Tracey

SENTENCES ANNUAL LITERARY COMPETITION  2010

Entries are invited in the following sections:

SECTION 1 OPEN SHORT STORY Limit 2,500 words

SECTION 2 OPEN POETRY Limit 40 lines

All entries to be previously unpublished work.

No entry form necessary. Name, address and entry details to be submitted on a separate cover sheet please.

PRIZES : lst - $100 2nd - $75 3rd - $50

Closing date : August 31st, 2010

Entry fees - $5 for one entry $12 for three entries

Results published on our website http://www.bridgefoundation.net.au/

Entries to : The Bridge Foundation, P O Box 9279, Sale, Victoria 3850

Closing date : August 31st, 2010

Letting the voices speak through you

Now that I'm writing this novel, I feel like I'm channelling the spirit world which is doubly funny because most of my characters are dead. The story keeps evolving as their voices tell me about their past, present and future. I'm not sure if I'm in control of it all at the moment, but I don't really care because it's exciting and I'm enjoying the ride. I have to trust the process and not worry about whether the plot, the style, the symbols, the motivation-reaction units, etc. are all going to come together. Eventually they will, if I manage to maintain my enthusiasm, strengthen my resilience and build my endurance. I know I'll learn new stuff with each step of the process.
If only I can stop my kids' voices getting into my head while I'm trying to write. I think I need to get an iPod so I can block them out. Sometimes I shut myself in my bedroom and do my first drafts longhand with an HB pencil in my spirax notebook (which I'm petrified of losing). At night, when they're hopefully asleep, I tap away on the keyboard while my partner watches television next to me. He and the TV are much easier to ignore than the kids. It's a good thing I grew up in a noisy household, because I learnt to block my family out and retreat to a world of stories—such an important part of life. Fiction versus reality; sadly fiction wins a lot of the time. I'm a born escapist.
When I'm doing the first drafts I have to tell that nasty voice of self doubt to shut up, and just let the words flow. Often the writing is shit but there is always something there to work with on the rewrite, which I find the most creative and fulfilling part.
I've wanted to write since I was a kid so I'm getting a huge buzz out of learning all this amazing stuff.
Cheers,
Annie T

Shortlisting judging

Being a shortlist judge for the Ada Cambridge Prize was a remarkable experience. As a writing student you can never underestimate the value of these sorts of opportunities. When I first heard about the offer it sounded like something that would really be great. But then I got cold feet. Being a mere student and nowhere near the level of a true professional writer I wondered whether or not I had the right to judge other people's work. I mean, in figurative terms, I’m basically in the same boat as the entries: all trying to get our laboured work out there, continually scratching through to the other side of that great brick wall where book deals and high paid writing jobs are just a skip and a jump away.

But luckily for me my thoughts soon settled when I realised that’s not what this writing thing is about. I’ve been told that if you’re a writer, a true writer, you write because you love to. Not because you want fame, money or a fan base of loyal subjects. If you’re a writer you're always continually going to be perfecting your craft, trying to be get better and better, and anyone can help you do that, writing student or not.

If your stories are good, they will shine through no matter what.

That thought eased me into the judging role. Of course I looked at the grammar and punctuation and all that technical stuff. But most importantly I looked at the story. And at the end of the day that’s the most vital thing.

Reading through more than forty short stories can be a tedious task, especially when you only have a couple weeks to do it in. So if the story caught your attention it usually was a good sign.

Each piece was given a grading from A to D, which was marked down for when we shortlist judges got together and made our final selection. When it came to that point I was amazed to see how one story I thought deserved a giant A rating received a horrid D from another judge. Luckily we had a score system in place that worked with the grading; otherwise we’d still be sitting in that small room, arguing away until the world’s ending.

It was a pleasure to read all the stories entered and to work alongside the other judges in determining who went forth to the final ten. It was an experience that not only enriched my own writing but also made me hopeful for the thriving writing culture we have.

Andrew Roberts

Novel 2 Student

My Writing Process - The Conflicted Mind

My writing process. Where do I begin?

The start is usually the most common place, though I know several people that begin halfway through their novels with ripper middle scenes, but then find themselves with all this excellent writing with few links between. I know people that like to write the ending to their stories first, I've never tried it myself, but from what I've seen, the results can be great or ghastly.

Me? This isn't called 'The Conflicted Mind' for nothing. John Marsden told me (amongst others; while I wish I knew Mr. Marsden personally, I don't think that will happen) that there are four kinds of writers: Brick Layers, who create one perfect sentence at a time; Water Colourists, quick, talented workers that produce a good first draft; Architects, who plan extensively then write their piece; and Oil Painters, who don't plan and let the writing flow from them, saving editing for later.

I find myself to be a hybrid between a Brick Layer and an Oil Painter. I can create these wonderful 'one-liners' and have the rest of my scene mediocre, or I can just let the writing flow out of me... and have all my writing meager.

I am a writer full of self doubt, and because of this, every one of my stories has begun well(ish) and then given up on, because I've asked 'Where is this going?' and haven't gotten a response, I've thrown down the pen or slammed the laptop shut in frustration, unable to continue with such a horrible piece; even a simple negative workshop has the power to tear down the walls of my writing stronghold.

My physical writing process occurs when it's dark outside and way past bedtime. The only sound that can be heard is the tapping of fingers on keys or the scrawling of a pen. Perfect silence, no chance of interruption. Sleep deprivation is a small price to pay for a couple of hours of coherent writing. Being a young adult, there are many obligations to meet. I'm not saying that others don't have similar priorities in their lives, but the constant parental buzzing in the ears when one is trying to write is worse than a reoccurring drop of water on the forehead that can't be prevented. At night, silence is solace. The only problem once my mind has been emptied and the words are before me is trying to fall asleep. It's way too hard to slumber when you're exploring a fantasy world.

That's it, I suppose. Those writers who are in self doubt, I can't give much advice, because I haven't been given much myself; all I can say is what you write is yours, and if your heart and your creative mind tell you it's good, then don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Rhys Parkhill

Novel 2 Student

PWE 2010

My writing process

I would like to say that my writing process is a well-oiled engine that churns out words on a regular basis, but that would be a lie. Sometimes it is a well-oiled engine, but at the moment it seems to be fitting and sputtering along. Life has got in the way -- something I always swore wouldn't happen to me. And the trouble with this is that because I'm working on two (or sometimes even three) books at the same time, and because I have multiple drafts, I lose touch of where I'm at. What this means, in real terms, is that I have to spend a lot of time re-immersing myself in the story before I can write, and this means reading time. Lots of reading time. Oh, I'll think, didn't he do that? But that was two drafts ago, and I've since removed that section, which has repercussions right through the book. Why can't I find the scene where he does this? Is it cut or have I moved it? Oh, her motivations for her actions have changed; their relationship is different. And so it goes on.

The trouble with not writing regularly is that I sometimes seem to spend more time re-immersing than I do writing. I just get back into the story, the juices are flowing, and another interruption comes. I definitely work best when I'm writing every day. During the end of last year's NaNoWriMo, I wrote over 26,000 words in four days, and one of those days was an "interruption day" where I achieved very little, which meant I had to write over 8,000 words on each of the other three days. I could only do that because I was fully immersed. I know students have been impressed with that, but I see it more as a failure of organisation -- that I was forced into such a position because I hadn't built up enough words earlier. It's all in the organisation. Sit down. Bum on seat. Write.

Usually, when I am immersed, I'll start by reading over what I've written the day before and edit as I go, and that will put me back inside my main character's head, and I'll be ready to go. I can write between 1000 and 1500 words in an hour. I'm not one who sits and agonises over every comma. I have enough of a handle on my grammar and punctuation that I'm not thinking too much about it, and so I can splurge on the page. It's not always that easy, of course. Some days are harder: the words don't want to come. I might try some free writing. I might play a few games of spider solitaire, but the only way to get over the block is to do it. Sit down. Bum on seat. Write.

If I'm aiming for a particular mood in a scene, I'll put some music on. Usually a soundtrack. It works best if I'm not singing along. Humming I can handle -- that doesn't fill my head with words and leaves me room to write.

I don't often plot ahead. With my first two books I had the start and end points and a rough idea of what had to happen. The last is a bit more sketchy, but I do know where it has to end. Sometimes I find the not knowing what's going to happen exhilerating; sometimes it's just downright frightening. When I had finished my third draft and had sent my novel out and it came back with a detailed reader's report, I decided I had to weave a second storyline through the first, and that involved extensive plotting, extensive thinking about structure and where things were going to fit. More often, if I'm stuck, I'll do a little plot noodling -- I'll sit with a pen and paper and start asking "What if?", which helps me explore possibilities. That's always hard but rewarding.

I have extensive character and setting notes -- one of my favourite tools is Patricia Wrede's article on worldbuilding questions -- a fantastic resource for any spec fic writer, and available on the SFWA site. Filling those questions out was perhaps the hardest thing I ever did with my novel, but also the most enriching. I knew so much more when I had finished.

I don't make pictures in my head, so I can't "see" the scenes unfolding as I write them. It's more that I hold the idea of what's happening conceptually. It's the same when I read, so it's no disadvantage, though I must say I envy people who say they can see the whole book unfolding for them, just as if they're watching a movie. Still, I find it amusing when people tell me my work is so visual that they can see a movie unfolding. How can that be? Perhaps because I'm used to the cues that other writers use -- and that's why reading is such an important thing, for all of us writers.

Tracey

Advanced notice

Here's a note from Bruno:

Please be aware that ALICE PUNG ("Unpolished Gem") will be our next guest at Rotunda in the West: Conversations with Australian Writers (all details in attached flyer)

June 3rd
7pm
Footscray Park.

Please keep your diaries free too for


Raimond Gaita "Romulus, My Father"
June 24th
7pm
Footscray Park.

Brought to you by Professional Writing and Editing (TAFE)

Grazie mille!
Bruno Lettieri
Rotunda in the West
0422 29 86 43

Williamstown Literary Festival this weekend

Hi, everyone,

Hope you're all geared up and ready for the Williamstown Literary Festival this weekend. Last year I went to lots of great panels and really enjoyed myself and caught up with lots of students -- present and past. As always, I'll be attending the Ada Cambridge Award, to see which of the great stories we listed has been announced as the winner. It's always fantastic to see who entered and to match faces with stories.

In the meantime, I just have to sit down and work out exactly which sessions to book -- I've already highlighted a lot, but of course there's some overlap in the sessions I want to go to, so it may be a matter of negotiating with a friend to swap notes!

For our on-campus students, there are copies of the program on the table outside our office, and on the noticeboard. Three of our teachers are involved this year: Sherryl Clark will be interviewing Tasma Walton as one of our Rotunda events on Saturday (5.30--6.30 in the supper room), Lucia Nardo is presenting a workshop on unblocking creativity on Sunday (11.30 am in the carpark marquee), and Chris Beck is "On the Couch" with Jeff Sparrow and Steve Grimwade on Sunday (3.30--4.30 in the ballroom).

Hope to see you all there!

Tracey Rolfe

Opportunity for students to read their work

Here's an opportunity I've just copied from the intranet

Dear Colleagues,

VU Library and Student Life (St Albans) are proud to showcase readings of original poetry and prose as part of VU’s sponsorship of the Williamstown Literary Festival.

The event will feature:
· Readings of original works by students, staff and invited guests
· Great prizes/giveaways

· ***Free coffee and cake for everyone!***

Date: May 3, 2010
Time: 11am til 12.30pm
Venue: Library/Learning Commons, Building 7, Victoria University, St Albans Campus

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST!
Please register at libraryevents@vu.edu.au by April 26, 2010

· Please include a brief description of your work (Including title and if poetry or prose)
· Each reading will be limited to 2 poems or 3 minutes of prose

Classes are welcome! Just let us know your approximate numbers by sending your RSVP to the address above.

PLACES ARE LIMITED AND SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS WILL BE BASED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS

Just want to be part of the audience? Great! Come along, bring your lunch and enjoy the programme!



Janetta Mascilongo
Marketing and Information Literacy Librarian
LibraryVictoria UniversityPhone 61 3 9919 2980

Literary exhibitions and other free events from Hobsons Bay Libraries

As well as The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria exhibition, Hobsons Bay Libaries are running a series of workshops on a great variety of topics. They're free, so why not sign up to one or more?

Exhibition Opening and Curator Talk - Steve Grimwade
Thursday, 22nd April 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Curator and Melbourne Writers Festival Director, Steve Grimwade will present an engaging session on the exhibition.
Bookings: http://www.stevegrimwade.eventbrite.com/

Children’s Books and Poetry - Publishing Your Work
Wednesday, 28th April 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Adam Wallace, poet and writer, will workshop tips on writing for children, rhyme, getting published, self-publishing and writing resources. Join us for warming soup at 6.00pm and bring some of your writing or poetry to share.
Bookings: http://www.adamwallace.eventbrite.com/

Books, Banjo and Bushmen - The History is in the Story
Thursday, 29th April 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Join storytellers Dave Davies and Jackie Kerin, and musician Greg O’Leary for an afternoon of traditional tales, from Banjo Paterson to Ned Kelly.
Bookings: http://www.booksbanjo.eventbrite.com/

Getting it Down - The Basic Steps to Becoming a Writer
Express Media workshop with Arnold Zable
Tuesday, 4th May 9.30am – 11.30am
Express Media are a key contact point for people under 25 wishing to enter the realm of literature. Author of Café Scheherazade Arnold Zable will workshop the basic steps to
‘getting it down’ and becoming a writer.
Bookings: http://www.arnoldzable.eventbrite.com/

Writing the Perfect Crime - Explore the Possibilities
Victorian Writers Centre workshop with Jared Henry
Saturday, 8th May 10.00am – 12.00pm
Have you ever wanted to write a crime novel or short story? No matter what kind of crime novel, be guided by leading Australian crime writer Jared Henry, author of Blood Sunset.
Bookings: http://www.perfectcrime.eventbrite.com/

Winning Writers - Secrets and Lines
Saturday, 15th May 10.00am – 12.00pm
Award winning writer and editor Glenys Osborne will talk about what to do, and not to do when you are writing and sending your stories out to competitions and publications.
Bookings: http://www.writersecrets.eventbrite.com/

Invitation to the opening of The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria exhibition

Rosemary Clark at the Hobsons Bay Libraries has sent through an invitation for students and anyone else who is interested to attend the opening of The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria exhibition. It's a free exhibition, which should be really interesting, and there's free wine on offer, and the chance to win tickets to the Williamstown Literary Festival.

Here's some more information:

The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria is a free exhibition that celebrates Victoria’s literary history, from the first stories to the contemporary scene. It highlights the stories, the voices and the spirit of independence that have made Victoria’s literature unique. The touring exhibition is presented by the State Libraryof Victoria and Public Libraries Victoria Network.

The Hobsons Bay exhibition includes the literary journey of local authors, Andy Griffiths, Claire Saxby and Jackie Kerin.

Steve Grimwade, the exhibition curator and Director of the 2010 Melbourne Writers Festival will give an overview of Victoria’s rich literary history.

Thursday, 22nd April, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning CentreCentral Square Shopping Centre,
2 Newham Way, Altona Meadows

RSVP by Thursday, 15th April 2010
tel: 9932 3020 email: libraryevents@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Rotunda at the Willy Lit Festival

A message from Bruno, our events organiser:

Professional Writing and Editing (TAFE) , Victoria University

Presents


Rotunda in the West: Conversations with Australian Writers

Special Collaboration: Rotunda goes to Williamstown Literary Festival (http://www.willylitfest.org.au/)

Tasma Walton (debut novel “Heartless”)
-actor, scriptwriter, artist and novelist
-“Blue Heelers”, “The Secret Life of Us”, “City Homicide”

in conversation with

VU’s Sherryl Clark (“Farm Kid”, “Sixth Grade Style Queen(Not!)), over 40 books published.....poet, (former) broadcaster on 3CR

5.30pm-6.50pm
Saturday, 1st May 2010
Supper Room
Williamstown Town Hall

$7 adults $5 concession

· Bookings Essential through Williamstown Literary Festival Website.
· http://www.willylitfest.org.au/
· Please see website for full program.

Grazie mille!
Bruno Lettieri
bruno.lettieri@vu.edu.au (0422 29 86 43)