Made of write stuff
IN the world of writers festivals, what hurts you makes you stronger.
Cyclonic conditions last year had Byron Writers Festival organisers and volunteers manning the barricades, trying to stop the wind and rain from causing damage that threatened the three-day event.
But they survived and reckon they’re now invincible and ready for any challenge.
“It was the worst weather in 20 years,’’ festival chairperson Jennifer St George said yesterday.
“But it showed we can put a festival on even though we were subjected to the equivalent of a cyclone two days prior. And audience numbers were up 7 per cent!’’
Organisers calculated 10,000 people visited the festival across all its sessions and workshops.
They are expecting more to go through the turnstiles at the 21st festival, to be held August 4-6 in the grounds of the Elements of Byron resort and featuring more than 130 writers and “thinkers’’.
Former marketing and management consultant Ms St George, whose career has included launching Guinness in Russia and once giving away a pub in Ireland, is a widely recognised and award-winning author, having had seven novels published by Penguin imprint Destiny Romance.
She said she had put her work as an author on hold for a year after taking on the chair role from Chris Hanley, who did the job for 20 years. She is also teaching a public relations course at Griffith University.
“I do have a book on the boil though – another romance – but it’s in the early stages,’’ she said. “We have crime writer Michael Robotham coming to the festival. He’s doing a workshop, Character and Conflict, where he’ll talk about how to create compelling crime stories.
“I want to write crime. I’ll go to his sessions. I need the confidence to give it a go.”
Crime is a far cry from her usual style and could require a major shift in approach.
In her 2015 novel The Billionaire’s Passionate Revenge, the final scene was the moment true love finally won through.
“I was bawling my eyes out writing it,’’ she said. “Oh my God, I’m such a romantic.’’