Exercise Mind and Body cont…

My last blog told you about my body having had it’s quota of exercise (for the next 30 years) now it’s time to tell you about the exercise my mind found in Bundaberg.
‘WriteFest’ – proudly presented by the Bundy Writers. Novelist, Sandy Curtis and her team of willing workers should be very proud of themselves. This is the second year I have attended… for me it’s a twenty hour trip either way… so it has to be a worthwhile event for the challenge presented by travelling there. 2oo9 saw a great line-up of presenters, and at $55 for a full day of workshops, morning and afternoon tea and lunch provided, it’s the best value a writer can find anywhere.

An intensive and individual Advanced Editing Masterclass with Sue Abbey was limited to ten participants, but all other workshops were open. This year’s workshop presenters were New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens (historical romance), quirky crime writer Kirsty Brooks, children’s author Mark Svendsen, and dramaturg Peter Matheson.

Kate Eltham, CEO of the Queensland Writers Centre, senior agent Sophie Hamley of the Cameron Creswell Agency, and UQP children’s publisher Kristina Schulz were also attending and holding pre-arranged interviews.
On the Saturday I attended workshops with Kirsty Brooks and Stephanie Laurens, both ladies were encouraging, enjoyable and very knowledgable presenters, having the opportunity to come to WriteFest and further writing skills and industry knowledge is worth so much more than the price paid. Before the delicious lunch – and I don’t say that lightly – I had an appointment with Kristina Schultz, I didn’t have anything to present as a proposal to her but we spoke about my already published work (which she already had in her posession) the interview went EXTREMELY well and I do believe Ihave made a great contact and possibly a new friend.

Sunday’s event was at the beautiful Bundaberg library – a free event. The authors from Saturday appeared and held book talks and signings, they were joined by new author on the block Jason Nahrung presenting his book ‘The Darkness Within’ and children’s author and illustrator Kim Michelle Toft. Kim demonstrated with a gorgeous silk painting showing everyone in the audience her process of illustrating, she was a hit.

I can’t recomend WriteFest enough, I can’t wait for next year. To find out more go to their website www.bundywriters.com it gives full details of the workshops and the masterclass from this year, book mark the site, subscribe to newsletters, it all helps for happy and successful writing.

Jacque