Writing retreats

One of the secrets of getting books done is sometimes to run away to some secluded little spot that allows complete, uninterrupted writing time. This month I’ve been lucky enough to find a house in the perfect location for my next novel. Where it is will remain a mystery until that novel is done. Some of you might recognise it. Others will wonder where to find that magnificent sunset… or that brilliant cloudscape … ah the wonders of Tasmania.

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Back in 2005 I was fascinated by a photograph at the National Gallery in Melbourne. It depicted 72 items on a table – a rose, a bottle of oil, a chain, razor blades, bread, grapes, a gun, a bullet. It was from a performance piece in Milan in 1972 where the visitor to the gallery was invited to use any of the items in their interaction with the performance artist in the room.  The artist was Marina Abramovic and the short bio at the side of the photograph intrigued me. Ever since then I’ve been pursuing a novel that captures both Marina’s history, but also the impact her work has on the people who see it. In 2010 Marina gave me permission to use her as a character in the novel.

The pursuit of this story has taken me to New York for The Artist is Present at MoMA in 2010 – and lately to Sydney with John Kaldor to discuss the new novel but also to participate in the Marina Abramovic In Residence experience. Later in 2016 Jane Palfreyman at Allen & Unwin will be publishing the new novel.

In June this year I had the opportunity to meet Marina for the first time, in rather unlikely circumstances. At the invitation of David Walsh, I read an extract of the novel to her during her conversation with David in Hobart at The Odeon. David has been the most extraordinary supporter of this novel. I found back in 2008, by a little stroke of serendipity, that Marina’s work was collected by David – and his personal library housed every book published about Marina. For a few months I read those books in a cupboard at the back of the warehouse that then housed the MoNA collection. After MoNA was built, David gave me a room at MoNA to work through 2012 – 13. (My thanks also to two wonderful women of MoNA – Mary Linzjad and Delia Nichols for being pivotal in making this happen).

David has read drafts and given insightful and generous feedback. For a long while he was the only person who had read the final draft. So while I may not yet have decided on the novel’s title yet – I do know to whom it is dedicated.

This video shows the complete (and fascinating) interview with David and Marina in Hobart as part of Dark MOFO. At about the 44 minute mark David segues to the reading. But enjoy the interview!

 

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]For ten years, I’ve been working on a novel about Marina Abramovic. Now John Kaldor is bringing Marina Abramovic to Sydney for a unique show from June 24th to July 5th at Pier 2/3. The show comprises artists in residence and Ms Abramovic ‘conducting’ in the exhibition space, inviting visitors on both a physical and emotional journey.

The two weeks will also feature a number of guest speakers. On Sunday July 5th at 2pm I will be talking about the work of Marina Abramovic, the novel I’m finishing, and the relationship between Marina’s work and shamanistic practice.  I’ll be drawing on my experience with Native American spirituality and ceremonial life through my twenties. My first novel, White Heart, details some of these experiences.

Please come along!

This image was taken from the webcam at MoMA in New York in April 2010.  This was the first day I sat with Ms Abramovic during her 75 day performance The Artist is Present. Marco Anelli documented the faces of everyone who sat in his book Portraits in the Presence of Marina. Abramovic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The sequel to Finding Serendipity is here! It’s called A Week Without Tuesday and it’s launching Friday May 8th at the new (and beautiful) Moonah Arts Centre in Hobart. Everyone welcome.

Book signings for our younger readers from 5.30pm.

Fullers will be selling books, and signings are from 5.30pm – formalities at 6.30pm – followed by cupcakes and lemonade!

Attire is pyjamas! Optional for those over 12 – but highly advised.

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Today is a great day! Our children’s book Finding Serendipity was published in the USA! This is the first in a series for primary school readers that I’ve co-authored with the wonderful Danielle Wood (www.daniellewood.com.au). Finding Serendipity launched in Australia in 2013, Germany 2014 and now the USA in 2015. The first sequel will be launched in Australia in May 2015. And we’re currently completing the third book! So over the next three years, readers across the world will have the fun of discovering Tuesday McGillycuddy, her dog Baxterr and her fearless friend Vivienne Small. There have been reviews flooding in – so here’s a few from our readers:

“Cleverly blurring the line between writers and the worlds they create, Finding Serendipity is both an entertaining adventure and a charming portrayal of the wonderful connection people feel to the stories they read and write. Through Tuesday, we are reminded just how ‘real’ the characters we love can become to us and how much they can influence and teach us. Tuesday McGillycuddy is a wonderful heroine – brave, clever, quirky and full of energy – and I’m looking forward to seeing what the author Angelica Banks (actually two authors from Tasmania, Heather Rose and Danielle Wood) has in store for Tuesday in the future.” Kids Book Review

“Finding Serendipity was a joy to read. I know my 12-year-old daughter will love it and it is the perfect story for advanced younger readers looking for a more involved story with content that they can still enjoy and appreciate. The story is an entertaining adventure combined with clever wordplay and appealing characters.” My Book Corner

“With cinematic imagery and keen wit, the authors construct an inventive novel that raises intriguing questions about the relationship between authors and their characters, and reaches “The End” all too soon.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“A middle-grade fantasy about the magic in writing stories . . . An original, wholehearted affirmation of the written word and the imagination.” Kirkus Reviews

“A classic tale that will be loved by many.” Lamont Books

“A fantastic adventure story brimming with imagination, a love of books, and a big dash of magic. . . . Finding Serendipity has pirates and adventures, sailing ships and oodles of magic, and a silver thread that creates words and stories. . . . You’ll never read a book in quite the same way again!” My Book Corner

“I loved this book because it was adventurous, exciting, descriptive, and a mysterious story.” Lilian, age 9

“This is an exceptional book for grades 3 – 6. It’s not simply full of wonderful (and hilarious) characters and a wildly imaginative plot – it is also a story about the nature of storytelling and is sure to inspire many young writers. It’s reminiscent of the real classics – The Hobbit, Peter Pan, Carbonel, the FarAway Tree. And this is the first in a series …so we wait with much anticipation for whatever happens to Tuesday, Baxterr and Vivienne next.” Goodreads

“This enchanting story (which may remind readers of the fully imagined worlds created by Edith Nesbit) celebrates the imagination and the connection writers feel with their stories. Spunky characters; spot-on pacing, providing perfectly timed plot revelations; and fully imagined worlds make this a charming winner for curling up with a good book or classroom read-alouds. Even those struggling a bit with reading will be tempted to up their game with this one.” Macmillan School & Library, STARRED REVIEW