Community
6 November, 2020
Inspiring Women Writers
A TRIO of highly inspiring local female writers will speak at an upcoming Writer’s Breakfast to be held on Friday November 13, at Flynn, a Crystalbrook Hotel from 7.00 to 8:30am.
The event, organised by the far northern branch of Women in Media (WIM), will feature the inspirational Kerstin Pilz of ‘Write Your Journey,’ whose writers retreats at her home in Mission Beach and recent TED X talk in Townsville extol the healing power of writing.
According to Ms Pilz, personal expressive writing is a simple and powerful self-care tool, freely available to everyone.
“In our grief-adverse culture that commends positivity over vulnerability, writing can be a helpful tool that builds resilience by giving a voice to ‘messy inner lives’ and negative emotions,” she said.
“Writing is a way to let go of storylines and memories that keep us stuck so that we can write new and empowered self-narratives.”
Also speaking at the event will be Cairns local journalist, poet and playwright Laurie Trott whose play ‘To Kill A Cassowary’ opened at Bulmba-ja Theatre on Friday March 13 this year.
Opening night was a sell out and the performance received a standing ovation.
But this work that was honed over five years enjoyed just one more night of an eight-performance season at JUTE Theatre Company before it was shut down due to COVID safety regulations.
Ms Trott said resilience was key in surviving a major disappointment, as well as ‘keeping the faith’ in oneself and one’s projects.
“Things happen for a reason and the gold is in how you respond and prepare for what comes next,” she said.
“The shutdown provided me with the chance to take stock of my story ideas and to reorder them in the face of a changing world.”
Also speaking at the event is Angela Murphy, whose play Prospect Terrace will appear at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre from November 20 will share firsthand insights of both writing and producing a play.
In Far North Queensland, WIM was launched in 2014 with an event attended by patron and esteemed journalist, Caroline Jones AO.
Founding branch committee members, ABC Radio Far North chief of staff, Fiona Sewell and public relations specialist Pip Miller are joined by radio producer and presenter Sarah Speller, ABC Radio Far North journalist Marian Faa and WIN News journalist and news editor, Sophie Lester.
This event is not to be missed by anyone with an interest in writing. Tickets are $35 on Eventbrite. For more information visit the ‘Women in Media FNQ’ Facebook page.
