Debuting at the Melbourne Writers Festival
September 1st, 2010 § 2 Comments
For the ten years that I was an aspiring novelist I made it a goal to attend at least one session at the MWF. Each year I’d sit in the audience and dream about the day when I was on a panel talking about my book. Well, yesterday my dream came true. I was on a panel called Family Matters with Robyn Bavati, author of Dancing in the Dark, and with moderator Ruby Murray as part of the schools program.
The panel was everything I’d imagined. The Festival organisers did a great job in matching me and Robyn together. Sabiha, the protagonist of my novel The Good Daughter, and Ditty the protagonist of Dancing in the Dark, have a lot in common. While the books are vastly different in their depiction of the subject matter at hand, they shared a lot of the same themes and it was a pleasure to be able to chat with Robyn.
When I first sat down in the auditorium while we were doing the sound check I was so excited I literally could not sit still. The sound guy put the headset on me and I broke out in Madonna’s Vogue moves. He didn’t look too impressed. I’m guessing it was a joke that got old fast.
I’d managed to dress to impress. These days it’s usually an achievement to leave the house with brushed hair but yesterday I took Sofia to childcare and then was able to get properly gussied up for my big debut. I managed to put on make up and have great hair. All in all I was feeling fabulous.
The session was so quick. One minute I was sitting there feeling nervous and wondering when all this was going to be over, the next I was chatting and getting a few laughs, and then Ruby was calling an end to the session. It was like being Cinderella and the ball was over. We went down to the bookshop and I had a few students gather around for a chat and was signing bookmarks for them.
My friend Jodi came with me and we made a day of it. I felt like a teenager who was sneaking away from Mum and doing naughty stuff. It’s been so long since I had a day to myself without the baby that I was giddy with excitement. We had a lovely lunch and then I bought some books. Among them Cath Crowley’s Graffiti Moon which I’m looking forward to reading.
I came home exhausted, but feeling so high with pleasure and joy. It was a wonderful and I’m so glad I was able to share it with someone. Jodi ended up being my photographer so I actually have some photos to share.
yay! amra – I’m so glad you had fun – sad I couldn’t be there
So you’re back in Aussie land. Can’t wait to catch up when your tour ends. It was fabulous and such good fun.