Australian writers talk about writing

[ElectricBlue]

Here's an interesting article about writers in Australia:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06...evenson-jock-serong-writing-process/103996084

Noteworthy, the author who took ten years to write her book, won a $10,000 prize (= $1000 a year, retrospectively), and because of it, now calls herself a professional writer. That's perseverance!

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

Nice to see profiles of contemporary Australian writers. Thank you for that! I'm ashamed to admit I haven't read too many aussies... Henry Lawson comes to mind...

 

[ElectricBlue]

Nice to see profiles of contemporary Australian writers. Thank you for that! I'm ashamed to admit I haven't read too many aussies... Henry Lawson comes to mind...

That's a bit sad, since he died in 1922. We do have a one Nobel Prize winner, Patrick White, although that was in 1973, so that's also a bit sad.

Unfortunately, Australia tends to push money towards sport rather than the arts - although our cinema, and film actors, punch above their weight, I think.

 

[Bramblethorn]

That's a bit sad, since he died in 1922. We do have a one Nobel Prize winner, Patrick White, although that was in 1973, so that's also a bit sad.

Also J.M. Coetzee, though he earned his Nobel before moving to Australia.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Also J.M. Coetzee, though he earned his Nobel before moving to Australia.

Doesn't really count then, does it? It obviously counts as a Nobel, just not an Aussie one.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Doesn't really count then, does it? It obviously counts as a Nobel, just not an Aussie one.

Next you'll be saying we don't get to claim Phar Lap, Crowded House, and Russell Crowe.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Next you'll be saying we don't get to claim Phar Lap, Crowded House, and Russell Crowe.

I was going to mention Russell Crowe, being a Kiwi. But then, the Tasman Ocean is basically an extension of the Bass Strait, with the islands a bit further away.

 

[mildlyaroused]

I will formally claim Russell Crowe, on account of the Kiwi nation. You might argue he was only four when he moved to Australia. But they say that early development is vital in providing a foundation for someone's life, character and health. I believe, ahem, we provided that early development over here. Thanks very much.

 

[MrHereWriting]

 

[TheLobster]

I believe, ahem, we provided that early development over here. Thanks very much.

What is this “we” you are talking about? Everyone knows there is no evidence that this purported state of “New Zealand” even exists!

 

[THBGato]

Also J.M. Coetzee, though he earned his Nobel before moving to Australia.

You can't count him?! The whole point about his writing is the documentation of the South African experience!


Among Aussie writers still alive, I really like Thomas Keneally - read a lot of his. Also Kate Grenville, and magical erotica fans should check out Freya Markse's Marvellous Light triology, which is brilliant.

 

[ElectricBlue]

You can't count him?! The whole point about his writing is the documentation of the South African experience!


Among Aussie writers still alive, I really like Thomas Keneally - read a lot of his. Also Kate Grenville, and magical erotica fans should check out Freya Markse's Marvellous Light triology, which is brilliant.

South Africa is on the other side of the Indian Ocean, it's not Australia. It's like New Zealand - that's not Australia either. Coetzee won the Nobel Prize in 2003, and became an Australian citizen in 2006, so at the time he won the Nobel, he wasn't an Australian writer, and as you say, he wasn't writing about Australia, either.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

For anyone into magical YA stories, the Nevermoor series by Australian Jessica Townsend is very good. Well, the first three books are, and she's finally written the next one after getting long Covid (being published this September after originally being expected in 2021...) Rumour has it there should be 9 books eventually, but i have to admit I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[Bramblethorn]

You can't count him?! The whole point about his writing is the documentation of the South African experience!

Oh, you underestimate the ability of Australians to lay claim to the life achievements of anybody who spent so much as five minutes in this country. It's a national pastime.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I will formally claim Russell Crowe, on account of the Kiwi nation. You might argue he was only four when he moved to Australia. But they say that early development is vital in providing a foundation for someone's life, character and health. I believe, ahem, we provided that early development over here. Thanks very much.
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I'll grant you Rusty, but I'm not letting go of John Clarke. Miss that man terribly.

 

[oneagainst]

Oh, you underestimate the ability of Australians to lay claim to the life achievements of anybody who spent so much as five minutes in this country. It's a national pastime.

And now we have the litmus test, since Old Mate Julian landed here yesterday.

 

[Bramblethorn]

And now we have the litmus test, since Old Mate Julian landed here yesterday.

Not touching that one. Not even with rented fingers.

 

[MrStill]

Now you've all got me wondering, what is the Great Australian Erotic Novel?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Now you've all got me wondering, what is the Great Australian Erotic Novel?

Tobsha Learner writes some pretty spicy stories. Not novels though.

 

[MrStill]

Tobsha Learner writes some pretty spicy stories. Not novels though.

Thanks for that suggestion. I've been meaning to look at the works of Kris Kneen, but I don't know, I just haven't got there yet.