October 21 saw the usual assortment of WA writers venture out from behind their computers to soak up some new knowledge, inspiration and comradery. This time the event was the inaugural Australian Short Story Festival held at the Centre For Stories in Northbridge. The first of anything is always a bit tricky but I’m pleased to report that from my experience the festival is here to stay, and definitely one that you should check out next year.
The Ponder Room
Held over three-days the Festival included 25 events that ranged from discussions about: Voice; Editing Short Stories; Gender; Experimenting with Form; Structure; Publishing Advice; Flash Fiction and Poetry to name a few. There were chances to hear from emerging voices, plus a range of interesting ‘In Conversations’. The Festival also included the launch of The Westerly Magazine: New Creative issue, and the fifth celebration of the Margaret River Short Story Competition.
Walk Trail Thanks to Anna Solding
Two of the more interesting initiatives held over the weekend were the yarning from Warakurna artists and elders, and the Streetside Readings Walk Trail.
Thanks to Centre For Stories
The Walk Trail was a free event that saw people join authors as they read extracts and short stories on a walk trail around local Northbridge traders. What a fantastic idea especially on a gorgeous Perth spring day.
The Ponder Room
While I was unable to attend the Saturday program there was no way I was going to miss the ‘In Conversation’ with Cate Kennedy. Many years ago I attended one of Cate’s workshops and to this day I still counts amongst my top five most valuable educational experiences for writers.
Seven things I learnt from Cate this time around were:
- Learning to write is an ongoing process not a final destination;
- There is nowhere to hide in a short story whereas a novel can have flat spots;
- It takes a while to learn about distillation;
- In a short story the writer has to move from the universal to the specific;
- If there is no surprise for the writer, there is no surprise for the reader;
- A metaphor lifts ten times its weight;
- Do something just for the love of it.
‘No one has ever become an expert in something and then stops saying they’re finished. Even a golfer when they reach the top they don’t just stop.’ Cate Kennedy
The Ponder Room
One of the last sessions on Sunday was an interesting panel discussion with Richard Rossiter, Paul Mitchell and Michelle Michau-Crawford. They explained the process behind the Short Story Cycle and how they went about pulling together their closely linked stories. Along the way I learnt that:
- If a piece doesn’t work it just means it needs more work;
- It’s easy to get all fancy about your writing after the event and it’s all done;
- Sometimes your characters can feel more real than your real-life friends;
- The Short Story Cycle began in the 1940’s.
Thanks to Centre For Stories
An added benefit of being in Northbridge was the number of lunch outlets nearby. I ventured out to Varsity Burgers, somewhere I’ve been trying to get to for months. The Field Day burger – two staked marinated field mushrooms, semidried tomatoes, spinach, red onion and blue cheese sauce – was one of the best vegetarian burgers I’ve had. The mushrooms easily took the place of a meat pattie, and meant I didn’t need any dinner. When I asked the Varsity staff about their coffees they directed me to the shop next door saying they had the best coffee. It was as if the collaborative spirit from the Festival had exuded out onto the streets of Northbridge.
The Ponder Room
As I reflect on the weekend and look at the stack of new short story collections waiting for me on the corner of my desk, I pondered:
- Whoever thought of the idea needs a massive thank you;
- Immense congratulations to all the organising committee for such an inspiring and educational festival.
- I can’t wait for the next one, which I believe will be held in Adelaide.
For more information about the festival go to The Australian Short Story Festival.
