Amra Pajalic

As part of the Melbourne Prize for Literature there was a Civic Prize category which was decided by popular vote. Well the votes were in and amazingly I won in this category. To see the announcement click on this link and hit the news link.

I’m so stoked because it was by popular vote which is so amazing. I want to thank Senada Softic-Telalovic for her support by advocating on my behalf in the Bosnian community, and everyone who voted for me. There will be a little ceremony on the 16 December where I will receive my $3000 cheque.

Also in more good news there is a bid in my Ebay auction of my services in critiquing a manuscript to raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Fund so I’m wrapped that I’ll be able to support this amazing cause and hopefully help out a fellow aspiring writer.

The other night, during a restless night of sleeplesness and phleminess from a cold, I got a brilliant idea. Usually in the light of day these brilliant ideas turn out to be sleep deprived hallucinations that burn away under the rays of sunshine and cold hard rational thought. The next morning I discussed the brilliant idea with friends and family and it seemed I hit upon something worthwhile.

The brilliant idea was a merging of two trains of thought. The first was from watching Jay Leno’s segment Items Sold in Ebay where he presents strange things that were listed on ebay and the audience guesses whether they sold or not. One of these items was someone selling their Team Spirit which involved baracking for a team of the winning bidders choice, attending games, buying merchandise etc. This item was listed for $100 and sold for $10,100. As Jay said this proved there was still too much money in their country, but it also made me realise that amazing potential of ebay where there is a market for everything.

The second train of thought was being good. I don’t think I’m a bad person, but I don’t feel like I do anything particularly good either. Lately I’ve been in a funk, feeling uninspired and unmotivated. I’ve been thinking about different strategies to get myself out of it and some of the thoughts I’ve been having are about doing something new.

I was a guest of honour at a Year 12 Awards night. The teacher conducting the night spoke about the graduants being good citizens and contributing positively to their community. I used to do volunteer work in a breakfast club for kids in the high rises, and later as a mentor to teenagers at risk of leaving school. But now that I’m a mother volunteering in this capacity is not an option, so I’ve hit upon a solution that will provide me with the opportunity to do something new, as well as contribute to others. I’m going to offer my services critiquing a novel on ebay with proceeds to be donated to charity. So if you’re interested in getting your novel critiqued by a published author, look at my listing here.

The announcement was made on Wednesday 11 November and Nam Le won the Best Writing Award. It was a great night and the exhibition was hysterical. I cringed as I watched my video, and giggled when I saw Simmone Howell’s. Her video was so natural and funny. I loved it. I collected a catalogue as a momento and have enjoyed reading about the  other writers  nominated in my category.

I’ve been working on a side project. I’m going to auction something aspiring writers might be interested in to raise money for Indigenous Literacy. Come back on Tuesday to find out what.

I have a cold and have been suffering for a whole week. I think it’s the tail-end now and will hopefully be on the way up. Haven’t been sleeping well, but at least the baby has.

On Wednesday night the Melbourne Prize for Literature winners are announced. I’m hoping that I’m all better and can get excited about the event. Have spent the past few months dreaming up big all the ways I’m going to spend the money so it’s going to be a thud down to earth when the winner is announced-and it’s probably not going to be me.

Tonight is my tv night and I’m looking forward to The Vampire Diaries. A bit depressed because I’ve already spectacularly failed Nano-yet again. I think I should start a Facebook group-Deluded writers who keep signing up for Nano only to fail miserably every single year. For now I’m slinking back to the couch with a cup of honey and lemon tea to soothe my sore throat.