Creativity journal #25
I'm up to the author events part of being an author!
Monday
Dentist appointment at midday. The below note says it all really …
Once home I’m back into proofreading. With my editing hat on I’ve been told that most editors don’t particularly like proofreading, which I find interesting because I do enjoy it most of the time. Combing through a manuscript, spotting typos, inconsistencies, formatting errors – it’s lovely box-ticking kind of work! And this particular project is the memoir of one of Australia’s most well-known Aboriginal models. I don’t know if specifics have been announced yet so I won’t share the name just yet, but I’ll be sure to post about it when the book is out.
I sent out the Creativity Month week two video (you can find out more about Creativity Month here if you’re not already familiar with it) – and my dogs barked again while I tried to talk over the top of them … the realities of my chaotic life. My neighbours are incredibly rude for being in their own yards and getting deliveries and such things.
Have you heard of
? It’s run by the wonderful Claire Venus who uplifts us all as we’re working on our platforms and presence here. For the first time since the beginning of the year I managed to catch a live call! It was 6:30pm my time and my kids were in the background listening along too while they read books and then coloured in, so my concentration wasn’t always fully on the call, but I was so happy to be there. I wrote in my journal and just felt great about my progress this year.Tuesday
I had an author session at my daughter’s school today with the primary writing group and it was SO good! I knew I really wanted to do school sessions but it wasn’t until after this one that I felt like yep, this is such a fulfilling way to share not just my books but my own experiences with kids who are (mostly) interested in what I have to say.
I popped home for a quick lunch and a tiny bit of work then I was back up at the school for a CBCA Shadow Judging session. The CBCA is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on promoting Australian literature for children, and they run the CBCA awards each year. Shadow Judging is a relatively new program where the children get to have a say in the awards, and the students in the group I’m facilitating are already so excited to be a part of it!
After two (different kinds of) sessions at Miss 8’s school, she said it was the best day of her life 🥰🥹
I was supposed to attend my writing critique group meeting tonight but my husband had a work emergency so I couldn’t make it – more of the chaos of life!
Wednesday
Life coach session – another big breakthrough with the realisation that I never feel like I’m actually ‘out-of-office’.
Discussing some changes to my email signature to include my working days and hours, and perhaps for future having an auto out-of-office response at certain times like when I’m away … lots to think about.
Had lunch outside for some fresh air and spent some time in the sun – we’ve had so much rain lately that it felt nice to feel sunshine again to help warm my bones.
Sent out the latest in the What does it mean to live a creative life interview series – this one with Jacob Souva. Here’s a link if you missed it:
Wrap up
I’ve got a couple of public events coming up! The first being storytime plus a fun activity at Words on the Waves Writers Festival on 1 June.
And the second at Where the Wild Things Are bookshop on 7 June!
I’ll also be recording a session for the Koori Curriculum 2025 Book Summit – the summit is a virtual event that takes place on 16 & 17 August.
This is your opportunity to embrace embedding an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective through storytelling. Whether you are an early childhood educator, primary teacher, OOSHC educator or you are looking to include more First Nation perspectives at home this summit has something for you.
Now I’ve got a few events under my belt, I’m feeling more excited than nervous about all these upcoming ones. I hope to catch you at an event soon!
This is getting way too long again, but before I say yanu (goodbye), don’t forget you’ll be hearing from me a bit more this month (sorry?). Coming up this week:
Wednesday there will be a new Creative Project chat
If you’re a member and signed up for Creativity Month, there will be a week three video post headed your way on Monday and a week three check-in post and chat thread out Friday.
Your turn
What have you been working on? Join us in last week’s creative chat and tell me all about what you’ve been up to.
I acknowledge the Darkinjung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I am writing from today. I walk, talk, write, and create with respect on this land, and I acknowledge the enduring connection the Darkinjung people have with this Country; I thank them for their care of this Country, and I pay respects to the Elders past and present, and extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here reading or listening.