Dear Character: Why do you have to die?

This seems to have been a popular topic going around lately. But, in saying that, it only really caught my attention while I was attending a panel with authors Kirsten Tranter, Shamini Flint and Georgia Richter at the Big Sky Festival last weekend “Choose your genre: crime, mystery, thriller or literary fiction?”

Obviously in these types of genres someone always ends up dead, right? It wouldn’t be much of a story without it.

Shamini Flint, author of the Investigator Singh series said that for her “Death is just a catalyst.” Huh, really? Is that how every writer thinks when wiping one of their characters of the grid? Shamini also pointed out that the death of a character in her novels had to happen so the Inspector could begin to ask questions and get the people talking about the ‘real’ issues that she wanted to talk about. “If I write a book to talk about issues such as terrorism or law no one will listen to what I have to say.” She’d said.

Ah, yes, but write it as a crime novel and you have everyone’s attention. And when you really think about it, doesn’t every book, to some degree have an underlying message the writer is trying to put forward to the reader to contemplate.

Personally, I haven’t killed any of my characters off yet, but I know at some point someone will die. Unfortunately for them it’s inevitable and, necessary to the story. After all, that’s life. People die all the time in the real world. Why should it be any different in a fictional world? Nothing is ever perfect.

Honestly, I’m dreading the moment I have to sit down and write that crucial scene.  

Let me ask you this:

What does it mean for you to kill off one of your characters?

Big Sky Readers & Writers Festival: Part 2

Another year, another jam-packed fun filled weekend of authors, books, panels and, coffee has come and gone again. Why does the good stuff always have to end? *sigh*

Saturday was an early start (earlier than I’m use to for a Saturday) for the keynote address: Words of Wonder with Ita Buttrose, who I think, is one of Australia’s most influential women. More than 100 people turned up to hear her speak, and it was well worth the early start to the weekend. Ita spoke about her new book ‘A Guide to Australian Etiquette’ and had said “The two most forgotten words are ‘thank you’.”

I couldn’t have agreed with her more. Both of my kids have more manners than some adults I know. Over all, there was a lot of laughter.  

After the keynote address, we had a little time to spare before the first panel was to start so we browsed the weekend farmer’s market and grabbed a coffee (first one for the day) and then had a hard time trying to decided which book(s) we should get our hands on. Really, it was a very tough decision. I would have loved to have walked away with them all.

Anyway, first panel: Choose your genre: crime, mystery, thriller or literary fiction? With authors Kirsten Tranter, Shamini Flint and Georgia Richter was a last minute decision to attend, and I’m so glad I did. Shamini Flint was hilarious, and Kirsten Tranter inspired me.

We braked for lunch, thank goodness. I was starving and just had to get my hands on another coffee, because next up it was: Finding your writer’s voice with Juliet Marillier, author of the Seer of Sevenwaters series (which I have only just started reading). Juliet gave us some great exercises. We found it hard to stay on subject, and found other things to discuss among our little groups. I had fun and, learned a lot to help me develop my writer’s voice.

When I came home that afternoon all I wanted to do was sit down and write like a mad woman, but my head was so full of information I flaked out and took a nap.

But wait, there’s more...

Sunday, a beautiful sunny day, one more panel.

Out of this world with Juliet Marillier and Lara Morgan, author of the Rosie Black Chronicles (and if you haven’t read it yet, you should). Juliet and Lara talked about the inspiration behind their novels. It was fascinating. But alas, that was the last panel I was to attend for the weekend and dragged myself home feeling more inspired than ever to write (which I did this time. I didn’t fall asleep).

Fantastic weekend and I look forward to next year’s festival which I’m sure will be bigger and better.   

Big Sky Readers & Writers Festival: Part 1

The Geraldton Regional Library coordinates an intimate, annual Readers and Writers Festival, named Big Sky. This festival is a wonderful opportunity for lovers of literary works of all types to come together, share thoughts and ideas or just soak up the atmosphere. Not to mention meeting a huge range of literary greats from all over Australia, and the world. Big Sky also hosts a chef, a musician or two and sometimes an actor. 

Some of the quests I will be seeing over the weekend: 

Ita Buttrose started her career at age 15 as a copygirl on popular Australian magazine The Australian Women’s Weekly, by age 33 Ms Buttrose had risen through the ranks with hard work and commitment to become the Weekly’s editor – the youngest ever, still holding that distinction today. She is also famous for her role as founding editor of Cleo magazine.

Juliet Marillier, writer of numerous fantasy titles including: Wildwood Dancing, Seer of Sevenwaters, Fox Mask and The Well of Shades.

Her historical fantasy novels have been translated into many languages and have won a number of awards including the American Library Association’s Alex Award, the Aurealis Award, the Sir Julius Vogel Award and the Prix Imaginales. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids). www.julietmarillier.com

Lara Morgan is a local writer; residing in Geraldton. She writes Science Fiction and Fantasy for adults and young adults. Her latest novel Equinox is due out in November.

Her debut novel, Awakening, was launched at Big Sky in 2008, it was the first in an adult fantasy trilogy, The Twins of Saranthium. The second book, Betrayal, was published in March 2010 and the series is now also published in Germany. In October last year Lara launched her new young adult series, The Rosie Black Chronicles, a dystopian sci fi adventure set 500 years in the future. www.laramorgan.wordpress.com

I’m really looking forward to going this year. 

I went to my first Big Sky Festival last year, but sadly didn’t get to stay and enjoy the entire weekend because I developed a cold the day before it all started. 

This year I’m determined to stick it out, and I refuse to get sick. This has been a challenge mind you. Both of my kids have been home from school sick and coughing all over the place the last few weeks.

Stay tuned for Part 2.