My Author Journey

After years of exploring the academic and report writing worlds, I was finally in a life position to pursue my dream of creative writing. Exploring my creative side has been absolutely liberating and soothes my soul.

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In 2026, I join the Society for Women Writers Tasmania as a way of connecting with other women writing and reading. 

 

In 2025, seeking a calmer space in which to read and write, I moved to Lutruwita/Tasmania, the land of the Palawa People in Pataway/Burnie. I went in search of writing groups to join across North West Tasmania. At a book launch held in a community hall where people bought home baked biscuits, slices and cakes. We sat in front of a crackling, warm open fire and listened to Francesca Cairns share her experiences of writing about water and her character Kayla - who had rivers running through her veins. Falling For Water is a beautiful story and has become one of my treasured reads. I met several wonderful, supportive, caring women at this book launch. I feel grateful that some of these women are still in my life. 

​Keen to find a women's writing group, I reached out to Nettie who helped organise the book launch and her and Fran decided that perhaps they could host a women's writing group. And from there our Women Who Write was formed and flourished. Meeting fortnightly then monthly we shared food and our stories. I shared pieces of my memoir that I was writing about my fifth brother. And, in 2026,  I wrote this song about our group, further exploring my creative urges.

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In 2023-2024, I participated in workshops supported by the Queensland Writers Centre and Avid Reader, in my view one of the best bookshops in Brisbane alongside Bent Books. I continue to connect with a community of like minded people interested in reading and writing.

 

Avid Reader Workshops:​

Ashley Hay - Show Up and Write

Kristina Olsen - Writing Memoir

Patti Miller - Sweet Mangoes - Writing the Senses

Olivera Simic - Writing Trauma​

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Queensland Writing Centre (QWR):

Write Friday group

Malaina Faranda workshop - Get Unstuck

​Nadine Davidoff - Mastering Your Submission short course

Tess Rowley - How to Plan Your Memoir

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Guidance and Mentoring:

Anna Featherston - Self Publishing

 

Brisbane Writers Festival:

Nova Weetman - From Memoir to Historical Fiction

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