Story Sparks!
A first kiss in a park, so many years ago…
Memories are infinite and some we don’t share. Others may be transient or we think gone. Until a prompt restores them and they return vividly – kindly, harshly, surprisingly, horrifyingly, romantically. Not necessarily for real or true – after all they were so long ago.
Creativity of thought can come spasmodically or constantly to creatives. Often a whiff, a sniff, a song, a colour, a hint of weather and we’re off – into imagination. Other times we fear the launchpad of those smells, sounds, vivid recalls will never return.
Unless… inspired by a gathering of like minds at SCBWI Vic’s Creativity Workshop and author/facilitator Simmone Howell. Simmone opened a floodgate of memories for me. Particularly in our final session on childhood memory. Not an illustrator, by any stretch, I created a visual map of my childhood – the Saturday afternoon Mr Whippy treats, the make-believe of two sisters creating older personas and the long forgotten Jenny Bigger. An epic James Bond drive-in fest accompanying a dad who had no son as yet to share such masculine movies. (Loved them!) An illicit ciggie in the park, playing truant from Sunday Mass. Sandy sandwiches and a back sticking to the sweaty seat of a station wagon, counting the colours of cars on the way to Chelsea beach. There seemed more colours back then.
Most importantly I found a way into an upcoming scene and tricky turning point in my new YA novel, as well as an enjoyable and inspiring gathering of like-minds and creators in SCBWI. Who said writing/illustrating is a solitary occupation? It can be positively inspirational in a room crowded with like-minds and scintillating story sparks.
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Categories: Creativity Creativity for Writers Inspiration SCBWI SCBWI Victoria
Dear Canberra people, if you're attending this week's Canberra Writers Festival, please come & see @suzanne_leal @ViggersK @NGFeathers @SulariGentill & myself tell our winter tales!
https://www.canberrawritersfestival.com.au/event/winter-tales
#SCBWI VIC’s PD Day on Sat. 13th will include speakers @GabrielleWang @MeredithCostain @SarahLEpstein @ReneeTreml @JessRacklyeft @wendyorr @kayebaillie @AmyAdeney, Annie White & Lauren Draper, Mktg Mgr Hardie Grant. For info: https://mailchi.mp/343989ed244c/scbwi-vic-february-event-11800224?e=6c7573f8f5&fbclid=IwAR1iqYwmmzeQZhBGNd0WRdW3fFaSCaTkNnuDzCbfXRNlA6RZJJ2BKNM4dx0
A very informative, generous, insightful thread from @katydidinoz on the programming of lit festivals and why genre is generally overlooked.
So a few days ago, @Petermball tagged me in a thread about genre fiction & festival engagement here in Aus in a very complimentary manner (thanks Peter!). The thread went a bit hectic & I have things I want to say, but it didn't seem useful in replies, so I present my own thread!
Leisl Leighton
It’s wonderful when you get inspired like that, isn’t it? That’s why having writing groups and going to writing workshops are so important – helps to fill the well. I look forward to hearing about it all, Chris.
Chris Bell
Yes, it is wonderful, Leisl. The after flow of ideas is wonderful too. Beautifully put how writing groups and workshops “help to fill the well”.
Corinne Fenton
Sounds like it was a great session, Chris.
christinemareebell
Yes, it was great, Corinne. I always come away from SCBWI meetings inspired, but even better if it solves a plot point. 🙂