I’m grateful for Corrugated Lines...

Broome is the perfect setting for creative inspiration and artistic output. It is the home of six seasons, the staircase to the moon, the ‘Broome pearl’ and sunsets people travel across the world to see. So it’s no wonder that its inaugural writers’ festival – Corrugated Lines  – hosted by Magabala Books, was such a raging success. I was thrilled to be part of the three-day event, grateful for being hosted by the Indigenous publishing house and the Pinctada Cable Beach Resort, and made to feel welcome by the hospitable locals.

I just wanted to share a few of my highlights of the event: 

VISIT TO CLONTARF ACADEMY: I was thrilled, and grateful to be able to visit the West Kimberley Academy of the Clontarf Foundation before my ‘official’ festival duties began. In what was a whirlwind visit where I spoke about my books and inspiration, I got to meet a number of students (pictured above) who I must say won me over instantly because they laughed at all my corny jokes! A highlight while there was meeting young author Azmen Sebastian (pictured below) who wrote and illustrated The Snake and the Boy,  which I reviewed some time ago. How lucky am I?

BRUNCH AT THE PINCTADA: Who would’ve thought that Saturday morning in Broome could bring books, bubbly, locals, travellers, politics, laughter and a bevy of young beauties frocked up for the races? Well, Corrugated Lines and the Pinctada Resort managed to pull that off. There I was poised on a bar stool, fascinator in hair (thanks to Hatsby Felicity) and in-conversation with the West Australian’s Flip Prior talking about my writing career and the road that lead to the writing of Am I Black Enough for You?

I’m grateful to all those who came along to share my story (and the great tapas) and be part of a bigger conversation about books and writing. A special shout out to my Facebook fan Marion Baumgarten - above - who drove 600Km (that is not a typo!) to meet me and to get her books signed. What an extraordinary effort.  And to my Twitter-tidda Sharon Davies (pictured with me below) who also took time out to come and meet me. And this is what I love most about doing festivals, meeting my readers, and hearing first hand why my words mean something to them. I was / am one incredibly blessed woman.

With thanks also to Veronique at Kimberley Bookshop for being there on the day, and Jessie from Bohemian for Hair for making fit for public viewing.

KIMBERLEY RACES: Not strictly a Corrugated Lines event, but the deal with the brunch was we all toddle off together to the Broome Cup afterwards, and so we did. The Broome Races are no Randwick, and for that I am also grateful. Everyone there was friendly and hospitable and easy to get a seat, a drink and put on a bet. The charming fella at the bar gave me a couple tips (that weren’t at all helpful) but also a few laughs. The women at the ticket booth (is that what it’s called) helped me on more than one occasion, as did a few fellas I politely asked for assistance. I am no gambler you see. As a lady, I was pleased to say there was no quieting for the loos. No-one was drunk’n’disorderly (well no-one that I saw!) and the weather, well, that was simply prefect.

 I want to thank from the bottom of beautiful pink fascinator, local designer Felicity (pictured with me above) who designed my headpiece for the day. In fact, I’ve got a feeling all the glamour-pusses there on the day were wearing creations by Flic, and a number of women in the salon that morning were getting her work expertly positioned on their freshly styled hair. I don’t remember the last time I felt so beautiful, so thank you again.

POETRY @ THE PUB: Captain Murphy’s Irish Pub was the venue for a deadly spoken word event on Saturday night. I was grateful for the opportunity to sit back and be inspired by local poets and playwrights, including deadly writer and performer Jub Clerc.

 

KIMBERLEY STORIES: See that pic at the top of this blog post? That’s what I was looking at while I waited for the Sunday morning event to begin at the Cable Beach Club and Resort. That’s right, readings by the sea! If that doesn’t make you want to pick up a book, or a pen and write for that matter, then nothing will. I felt privileged to sit beneath the palms and listen to local writers Jacqui Wright and Luisa Mitchell (only 14 years old) read their contributions to the recently released anthology - Kimberley Stories - and describe their inspiration behind their stories. It was so overwhelming, I needed to take the afternoon off to just focus on some of my own current projects. 

CABLE BEACH: Most people know that Maroubra is my favourite beach in the world. It is my temple. I go there to reflect, to heal, to plan, to dream and to meet friends. I go there to exercise also when the weather is warm. BUT, I have to say, having a morning walk along Cable Beach every day was the perfect way to start my day; for my head, my health and my heart. I do recommend everyone try it sometime in their life if they possible can.

And finally, to the wonder woman who made it all happen, the delightful, always cheery, fabulously fashionable and passionate about books, the deadly Nic Murray from Magabala. Love your work, love your skirt. Thanks so much for everything! MWAH!