Festival Reflections

Reflecting back on the Bendigo Writers Festival, it was the best independent experience of my life. I have two overall reflections I have made about the festival which perfectly sums up my experiences. 

One would have to be the freedom I was given to mould the program to my interests thanks to my university subject, Writers in Action (WIA). As I’m interested in both journalism and creative writing, there was an array of sessions which suited both, for example the ‘Tools of the Trade’ and ‘Make it New’ sessions. I was exposed to an abundance of knowledge and insight into the processes of writing, publishing and journalism. I wouldn’t have discovered this if it wasn’t for the freedom we were given as WIA students.

The other aspect of the festival I enjoyed was having the opportunity to explore a new town and its society. By the end of the festival, I did feel a sense of community in Bendigo and felt sad when I had to leave after it all ended. However, I will come back one day though, how can I not? Through the festival in Bendigo, I was able to observe the community at its best. I definitely see myself coming back again for the next Writers Festival.

And speaking of the next festival, if I were to attend again there would be two things I’d do differently. They would be:

1) Allow more time to chat to authors briefly at the book signings'

  

2) Fit in some more practical sessions from the Writer’s Fringe Program

The only author/s I talked to were Lauren Mitchell, Briohny Doyle and Barry Jones. I felt a bit down after an amazing session knowing I couldn’t go to chat to a particular author because I had to run off for my other sessions. At future festivals I will make sure I leave a 30 minute break or so between sessions that I think would stand out the most.

Throughout the festival I also felt like I didn’t attend enough sessions from the Writer’s Fringe Program. The only session I attended was ‘Creating a Digital Presence through blogging’ on Thursday 11^th August, which was a great learning experience about blogging. During the festival, I was thinking of going to the ‘Zine Making’ session with Kelly Robson and looking back now I wish I did. When I come to the festival again, I will have more balance in my program so I may experience all aspects of the festival. Till then, I will focus on developing my writing in journalism and fiction.  

The Power of Words

The concept of words and how you use them is very powerful in today’s society. Developing your vocabulary over time can open the mind to new words you’ve never used before and the way you use them can form your unique language.

Knowing that, the highlight for me on the last day of the writer’s festival was the Wordburger and Life of My Mind sessions. Attending the Wordburger session with David Astle introduced the power of words in the most entertaining way I could think of. The way he talked about how words can create more words was truly brilliant. A benefit he mentioned for word play was that it keeps the community connected. One thing I got away from attending this session was that everybody should go out there and learn as many words as they can. Enhancing one’s vocabulary in this way will develop our reading, writing and the way we speak. I for one can see it does and will continue to read books so my vocabulary bank can increase to higher lengths.

The second session of the day I was absolutely captivated by the language used was from Barry Jones in Life of My Mind. He didn’t necessarily talk about words in such detail as David Astle but he did speak in his words in a very engaging way. It was funny because I never intended in going to this session but due to a last minute change of speakers, there he was. His stories about how music, literature and theater inspired him throughout his life was inspirational. Every few moments he would say something and the audience would laugh. Even though I didn’t know who he was, I felt like I did know him by the end of the session. It wasn’t just his words which were so powerful, it was also the way he projected himself to the audience in a confident and friendly demeanor. It was enough to keep me in my seat that’s for sure. I can’t wait to find stories of my own that I can share like Barry, to an audience or anyone I may meet in the future.

After another long day, I headed back to my accommodation absolutely exhausted from all of the inspiring sessions I went to. It was time to enjoy my last night, having dinner out with a fellow Writers in Action student. 

Saturday Struggles

With the start of the second day of the festival, I knew it was going to be a long day. How long though I had no idea. It wasn’t until I had gone to a particular session did I already start to feel the day was going to be slow.

After going to the awe inspiring ‘Making it New’ session with Brionhy Doyle, Sam Cooney and Lauren Mitchell, I instantly felt like my mind was exploding with an abundance of ideas. A lot of things they talked about related to what I wanted do for my future career. Giving amazing tips to do with: building networks to receive support from like-minded writers and developing your community within your writing was really insightful. It was that wonderful, I found myself dropping my jaw in astonishment every time they said something of value, which was most of the time. So knowing that, where did my struggles start?

Well, it was of course after that session. I found I couldn’t focus mentally on the other sessions during that day. My awareness of the real world disappeared as I started to become overwhelmed from all the information I received from that session. All I wanted to do from that point on was head back to my accommodation and rest, removing myself from the thoughts and feelings of the day. However as much as I liked to do this, I had to push on with the rest of the day.

Finally back in my accommodation room with some nice pizza and garlic bread, I was able to unwind and enjoy my reward for getting through the day.

For the third and final day of the festival, here are the sessions I was eager to go to:

- The Wordburgher with David Astle

- Tools of the Trade with Gabrielle Tozer, Mark Dapin & Dianne Dempsey