It was a year
‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ has never felt more apt. I had the most exciting year career-wise.
After taking on few editing projects while raising babies over the last few years, I was back to it in 2023 with lots of projects with Thames & Hudson and mostly with Aboriginal Australian authors, which is one of my main focus areas.
Writing-wise, I signed with my amazing agent Annabel Barker early in the year, and then ended 2023 having signed three exciting publishing things that I’m not sure I can officially announce yet (stay tuned for ‘official’ news on this front).
Seriously amazing and so many champagne moments! I’m still wondering if this is real life.
Then in October the referendum happened. People of Australia had to vote yes or no for the establishment of an Australian and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. There shouldn’t even be a question, right? The answer should’ve been ‘Yes, a thousand times yes!’
Yet, the result was a big fat no from the majority, and a big fat punch down for the recognition of Australia’s First Peoples.
I cried myself to sleep.
The Voice might not have been a perfect solution. It would have needed tweaks and changes as the body found its way and as the years went on, but the establishment of a Voice to Parliament representing Australia’s First Peoples that could advise Parliament on decisions affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should’ve been a no-brainer.
I don’t have it in me to analyse the reasons it all went wrong, and I don’t have it in me to argue with the no voters who claim they’re ‘not racist but …’ or all the rest of the nonsense arguments they’re telling themselves and forcing on those who’ll listen.
I’m still angry, but I’m also tired.
The day after the vote and the result, I woke up and knew I needed to paint. At other difficult times I’ve needed to write; to get all the painful, swirling thoughts out of my head and into words on a page. But this time, I had an image in my mind that only paint could convey. Perhaps because I felt this time that my words weren’t enough; my voice wasn’t enough. I needed the pain and anger and frustration to be seen.
You can see that painting below.
Last year was also the hardest when it came to my health. I was diagnosed with more things than I can count right now and each one felt like a fresh blow that I could only joke about because what else can you do when you have a scan for something completely unrelated but discover you have spinal fractures too? On top of all the other things?
Yet, I’m okay and I will be okay, and all those things seem like nothing in comparison to wars being fought and the apparent attempt at genocide currently happening.
It’s all too much.
So I stepped back from social media and this newsletter for a bit. I focused on the things I can control. I focused on my work, writing, drawing, being around loved ones, and I continued to support people, businesses, causes without feeling the need to post about any of it. We can’t all endure the exhaustiveness of being a presence and a voice online or in the public eye, but we can still make a difference in ways that we’re comfortable with.
That’s my aim for 2024. Continuing to focus on writing and drawing, supporting causes I’m passionate about and sharing things online only if I’m comfortable doing so. And not feeling guilty about any of the non-sharing.
I’m interested to hear your thoughts. How do you navigate being present online while dealing with difficulties in your personal life or struggling with the state of the world?
I don’t really make New Year’s resolutions or challenge myself to create new habits because I’m not great at sticking to those things (unless we’re talking about my breakfast habit, which is eating the same thing day after day after day because I love it), so I’m going to continue going with the flow, prioritising my editing when needed and my writing and illustrating when needed too. All other things internet and social media etc. will happen when they happen, if it feels like a thing I want to do.
I’ve been embracing traditional art forms more so than digital lately, and I’ve started painting cards for loved ones (plus a small koala painting for my daughter’s teacher before she went on maternity leave).
Here are some finished pieces:
I’ll be updating my KidLit creators on Substack list very soon, so be sure to leave a comment over on that post if you’d like to be added. Plus, make sure you check out the lovely creators on the list already. So many amazing creators to follow and connect with.
Yanu (bye) for now!
I acknowledge the Darkinyung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, and I pay my respects to the Elders past and present.
Hi Melissa-Jane, your Voiceless painting is very powerful. 💔❤️ Thank you for sharing. I hope 2024 is a good one for you. Looking forward to hearing more about your new projects. Xx
Happy New Year Melissa and I’m so glad you are finding joy in old school painting. Love the cards!