writer's kryptonite ...

This is a long one, so you might want a cuppa or a glass of something.

Last night, thirty people gathered for a glass of something, and to listen to my book reading at the Tamar Valley Wine Centre. Locals mostly, some people from my place of work before retiring, some ever encouraging book club members AND three gorgeous young women from the Gold Coast, here for a girls’ weekend! One of these girls mentioned to me that she never read, but would consider taking up a book after listening to everyone’s enthusiasm for the written word. It gladdened my heart to think that she might become part of the wonderful tribe of people world wide, who love words and are never lonely if they have a book beside them.

Coby Gore represented the centre’s family and beautifully mc’d the event. She told us that the number attending this gathering was more than the wine centre attracts for the bands! She declared it a sell-out.

Coby directed the Q and A segment, interspersed with selected readings from my as yet, unpublished SHAMEFUL GIRLS and took questions from the audience.

One of Coby’s questions got me thinking … what is my writing kryptonite and how do I counteract it? I’m guessing my answer might be universal to all writers, waiting for that elusive call from a publisher.

My reply? Am I good enough, or just fooling myself?

A weekly affirmation in my phone diary reminds me I AM good enough and to write every day. AND to keep writing! EVERY day.

Coby summed my answer up beautifully - my weak spot is my head talk, and my strength is in my head.

We started the readings with the rider that SHAMEFUL GIRLS is about forced adoption and could raise issues for people. In the breaks, several women shared stories with me about their experience of adoption in the 60s and 70s - either personally or through family connections. Shame and secrets were common threads woven through these heartfelt stories. I was reminded about Katherine Scholes telling me that this is a powerful story and one that needs to be told.

We finished the night on a lighter note, when I read a scene from the book about an amorous encounter. This was for Eileen, a mature member of our Exeter book club, who we rib outrageously as the one of us who loves sexy bits in books. Well, the one of us who admits to liking the sexy bits. Coincidentally, Eileen won the lucky seat prize, a voucher for our Launceston book shop - Petrachs.

Must add, that my two lovely girls were squirming in their seats during this reading.

Such a wonderful evening. Coby said she couldn’t get to sleep after the event - she was too excited. I was too. I coaxed myself to sleep remembering the lovely comments people had generously offered. Perhaps I am good enough, and this is a story that does need to be told. It certainly resonated with many people who shed some tears.

A special thank-you to the management of the Tamar Valley Wine Centre for this fabulous opportunity to get my training wheels oiled, practicing for the REAL event. We are so blessed to live in this little semi-rural community where people care about each other and support creative endeavour.