Inspiration flows at 3-day camp for Huon Valley school students
Tasmania is called the 'Island of Inspiration' and what better place to hold a writers' camp than in the south west wilderness forest on the banks of the Esperance River where the only ripples are created by the salmon jumping.
It was not just a chance for the students to take three days off school, but an opportunity to venture into a richer realm of writing (note the alliteration - Heidi!), to be creative in more ways then one, and to let their hopes and dreams flow onto paper.
Attended by over 30 students from the Huon Schools' cluster, the camp was enjoyed by all participants both teachers and kids and everyone gained something for the experience.
This is the second camp I have attended as Author-in-Residence so some of my pics are from 2007 and some from Oct 2009.
The Olegas Truchanas Lodge and Far South Wilderness Camp
The Olegas Trushanas Lodge is situated in a secluded Swift Parrot Forest Reserve on the estuary of the Esperance River.The Far South Wilderness Camp has been called, 'backpacker heaven' and was reported as "...one of Tasmania's finest backpackers" in the LONELY PLANET '04.
Accomodation is provided in log cabins which each contain several 6 bed "bunkstyle" dormitory rooms. There is a large dining hall and commercial kitchen, a separate lounge in the Olegas Truchanas Lodge, and a BBQ area for outdoor eating.
Huon Schools' Writers' camp - October 2009
An interesting group of primary and high school students, plus one teacher and two invited workshop tutors.
Why do writers write?
To create and alternative world.To tell the story within them.
To heal.
Finding inspiration in the forest
Inspiration is everywhere around us, in the things we do, the lives we lead and the places we visit.The sights and sounds of the bush, the colour of the sky and sound of the wind all tell their own story.
My own inspiration began with a herd of goats, then drifted to a voyage on a sailing ship, to a dirty black canal in the north of England, to the snow-capped Andes of South America, to the vaste pampas of Patagonia and to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic Peninsula.
For me the sea and sailing ships are my best sources of inspiration.
But life and loss and heartache are intertwined in my stories.
Tasmania's beautiful Huon Valley
Driving to the camp along the banks of the Huon River, made the journey to the Far South Wilderness Camp a sheer pleasure.
Guard your ideas jealously
Ideas are like freshly germinated seeds just broken from the husk, the first shoot unfurling two tiny fresh green leaves.But what happens if you pick the immature plant at this stage and show it to everyone?
It will most likely die.
Story ideas are as fragile as that new shoot.
They are fresh and new and haven't had chance to take root and get established.
You must nurture your thoughts. Hold onto them and guard them jealously and don't share your inspirational ideas around until they are firmly established in your mind or on paper.
Pic: A clutch of plover's eggs - as fragile as a fresh shoot or a new idea
Describing your characters
Don't be conventional when describing characters.Think about the description of the old sailor in the poem, 'Driftwood' by Australian poet, Bryn Griffiths:
"Your lank hair drapes the worn drifwood
of your skull like sun-dried seaweed;
your mouth holes the wood
like a socket from which the pin has gone.
A crab crawling from that hole
would not suprise anyone."
Griffiths' poetic voice and use of similies paints a dramatic picture.
Structuring a story
Its simple really.A short story has a beginning, a middle and an end.
In the beginning you set the scene and introduce the charaters and give an indication of the problem or conflict which the protagonist faces.
In the middle - the story enfolds and tension rises .
At the end, the conflict comes to a head. A solution is achieved. The problem is resolved leading to a satisfactory ending.
Telling it from the heart
The best writing is honest writing.Sometimes such writing my be painful but only you can relate the experiences which come straight from the heart.
It may be the joy of love, or the devastation of loss or separation.
Putting your words on paper will bring you closer to your reader and will touch their hearts also.
Dialogue versus narrative
Balance dialogue (what people say) with narrative.Make conversations sound natural and not stilted.
Make the dialogue meaningful by using it to show character traits, tension and to carry the story along.
Pic: A bush barbeque is a great place to get to know each other (2007 Huon Schools' camp)
Using the senses
The use of the five senses can draw the reader into your story.Let them experience who you are, what you are smelling, seeing, hearing, tasting and feeling. It's a good way to enrichen your work.
Pic: Huon Valley school students listen to a story around the campfire
Poetry - the nursery rhyme to the epic poem, Beowolf
Telling stories is as old as man himself.One of the earliest epic poems is the Anglo Saxon epic, Beowolf. Although translated into English a thousand years ago, it is thought this classic was told in the year 700.
Nursery rhymes are interesting in that they hide connotations of death and destruction unequalled on children's TV of today.
Rhyme and repetition in TV ads are tools advertisers employ. Through Rhyming verses - jingles - they quickly instill their products in our minds.
Poetry - bush ballads and classic Australian poems to haiku
Bush ballads such as 'The Man from Snowy River' by Banjo Patterson and also 'Walzing Matilda', have both rhyme and rhythm and tell a lighthearted tale.Conversely, the poetry from the classic Australian poets of the 1890s often has dark undertones.
'Marion's Child' from John Shaw Neilson is one of my favourites.
Writing Haiku is a challenge. Just 3 lines. Less than 17 syllables. And a theme usually about nature.
Writing animals into your stories
There are stories about animals of all varieties - I was amazed, when I asked the group, just how many there were - from whales to ants, and donkey's to kangaroos, not to mention the familiar dog and horse stories.You can however introduce animals as secondary 'characters' in a story to add emotional impact to the narrative.
Pic: In the evening the students put on a 'sod's opera' or idol competition (2007)
Editing your work
I believe inspired writing should flow with a passion uninterrupted by concerns of incorrect spelling or sentence structure.The most important thing is to get the words down on the page.
Only when your ideas have been captured and a draft copy completed, then it is time to edit.
Some people choose to edit work regularly, by page or chapter.
For me, if my ideas are flowing, I keep writing and only edit when the ideas run out or the work is finished.
If you intend to present work to anyone, be it a teacher or a publishing house, then your finished work must be the best you can make it.
Pic: from 2007 Huon Schools' wilderness camp.
Writing for the newspaper
Damian Bester, journalist with The Mercury newspaper based in Hobart, has a particular interest in education through his role in print media.Damian provided workshops on the journalistc approach to writing in both the 2007 and 2009 camps.
Journalism requires tightly disciplined writing, as against the flowing prose of the author.
Learing to write for a paper or magazine is something all writers should do to improve their writing skills.
Pic: Damian Bester at the 2007 camp
Creating cartoons
This year local artist, Barfield, provided the students with the basic outlines to draw caroon character faces.He also produced cartoon strips to illustrate some of the writers' work.
Later in the day the students were able to create their own artistic structures in the bush - unforntualtey I do not have any pictures of the extraordinary designs they produced.
Pic; Wildflowers - like ideas - are there to be found. You just have to look for them.
Tasmania's French connection re-enacted by students from Huon schools
Dressed in period costume, the students from the Huon Valley schools cluster helped Paddy Prosser, local historian and writer, tell the story of the French explorers who left their mark on the southern coast of an Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
Hard Tack - staple diet of sailors in around year 1800
It's over ten years old and as hard as a rock but the sailors in the old days had to susbist on this triple-baked biscuit.It makes you wonder how the weevils managed to eat their way through it.
Paddy Prosser, in French costume, introduces everyone to hard tack.
The French land in Van Diemen's Land in search of La Perouse
Sitting around a campfire on the banks of the Esperance River, historian, Paddy Prosser brings to life the early days of Tasmania.For many years Tasmania was known as Van Diemen's Land following the charting of the west coast by Abel Tasman.
However, in the south of the state, names such as Bruny Island, the Esperance River, Huon (as in river and pine) and Recherche Bay remind us of the French landing.
If things had been different - Tamania may have had a French name.
Using flashbacks in your story
Writing a flashback can form the basis of the story as the aged Rose Dawson tells in 'Titanic'.Jamal Malek has a flashback every time he is asked a question in 'Slum Dog Millionaire'.
The movie, 'Wolverine' is a total flashback. It tell the back-story to X-men and explains how Wolverine got his name and evolved into the mutant character he is today.
Using a back story or flashback in a small segment can also be very effective.
Huon Schools' Writers' camp - 2007
There were a few students who were lucky enough to be on both camps.
Can you pick them?
There were also more boys in the previous camp - I wonder why?
The 2007 Camp as reported in The Mercury
Workshop and writing sessions by author
While writing is my main source of pleasure, sharing my writing knowledge with goups of all ages is both enjoyable and stimulating to me.I'm not a teacher but I have a dregree in Creative Writing. I have had four novels published in England, numerous articles
published in newspapers and magazines and my poetry has appeared in several anthologies.
I live in the Tamar Valley not far from Launceston but I am happy to travel around the state.
You can contact me through the Contact Me page on my website.
Pic: Off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula
Where to find me on the Net
- Margaret Muir's website
- A rather static animal
- Margaret Muir's blog
- Liquorice allsorts of interest and regularly updated
Historical novels by Margaret Muir
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The Black Thread by Margaret Muir - canal story set 1895
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British canals are steeped in history. Having been superceded by the railways in the late 1800s they fell into disrepair. But today they are modern and attractive and offer a popular and relaxing form of travel. The Black Thread, is my third no...
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The Twisting Vine - historical novel and hints on writing a book
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THE TWISTING VINE is a saga set in Yorkshire in 1898 where times of peace and war, grief and joy are linked by the unobtrusive presence of a French Bru doll. If you have an interest in Antique French Fashion dolls or just enjoy a fast moving sto...
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The Condor's Feather - the pampas of Patagonia on horseback
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Mobs of wild horses, pampas winds, Tehuelche Indians, and mountain lions are just a few of the problems awaiting this unsuspecting group of English riders. Add to that four escaped convicts whose diabolical deeds defy comprehension..... It's said...
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'Sea Dust' - dramatic story set on a tall ship
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In order to escape the clutches of a drunken husband, Emma stows away on a sailing ship bound for Australia. Despite the help of a French sailor, nothing can protect her from the diabolical evil which lurks on board. Set in 1856 in Whitby, Cape Town...
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FLOATING GOLD - tall ship fiction story due 2010
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If you enjoy reading CS Forester's, Horatio Hornblower or the adventures of Jack Aubrey by Patrick O'Brian then you will enjoy this dramatic age-of-sail maritime adventure. Set in 1802, during the fragile Peace of Amiens, Captain O...
Marg's seafaring lenses
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TALL SHIPS - 'Mary Rose' & 'Victory' to the modern day
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When I visited the Royal Naval Dockyards in Portsmouth I was blown to pieces by the tall (historic) ships I visited. Imagine walking the decks on Nelson's 'Victory' and standing at the very spot on the deck where he fell!! Imagine step...
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Italy, Greek Islands, French Riviera - Cruising the Med
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Join me on a cruise ship sailing around the Mediterranean. Starting with the sights and sounds of Rome, to Florence and Pisa. The French Riviera. Monaco. Scicily then on to the Greek Islands - Santorini, Mykanos. Travelling by cruishe ship is a great...
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Sailing the Atlantic on a Tall Ship
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What a voyage! - Join me as I sail across the North Atlantic following in the wake of the great adventurer's. Pass the Pillars of Hercules. See the house Columbus lived in. Meet King Neptune. Face gale force winds. Take the helm....
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SAIL ON A TALL SHIP - live the adventure
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It was a voyage to remember. I joined the replica LADY NELSON as she headed out into the notorious Bass Strait then sailed south to meet four meter swells on Storm Bay. In 1800 the original wooden colonial brig, was the first vessel to sail Bass Stra...
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Go Cruising - Pacific Ocean to Caribbean via Panama Canal
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On 23rd April, 2008, I sailed through the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Atalntic. It was on a voyage from Santaigo in, Chile, South America to Boston, USA on the cruise ship, Norwegian Dream. As I had written a book set on the Leeds/Live...
Matthew Brady - Tasmania's gentleman bushranger
A new book coming soon
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Matthew Brady - Tasmania's 'gentleman' bushranger
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Matthew Brady was just 20 when he was transported to Van Diemen's Land. Six years later he was hung from the gallows in Hobart Town. But what was it about Brady which endeared women to him so much that his trial had to be interrupted because of th...
Visit my Tasmania - the Island of Inspiration
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VISIT MY TASMANIA - the island of inspiration
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Two years ago I visited Tasmania for a holiday and fell in love with the place. Two months later I came back to stay. Not only is it a beautiful island, with huge wilderness areas, spectacular scenery and the cleanest air in the world (true), but it...
My other lens - a mixed bag of goodies
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Funicular, Abt, chain ferry, cable cars and other unusual railways
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Funicular railways date back to 1515 but were most popular in late 1800s. The Abt rack and pinion railway system was built to combat very steep inclines. The underwater Chain ferry pulled a vehicular ferry across a river. Around the world...
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Antarctica - Tierra del Fuego to the Antarctic Peninsula
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It's a blue and white world at the bottom of the globe. And its cold! I was fortunate enough to cruise around a little of it recently, my voyage starting in Valpariso, Chile - sailing down the Chilean Fjords to Tierra del Fuego, across Drake Pass...
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AMBERGRIS aka Floating Gold
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AMBERGRIS is created from the vomit of a sick whale. It is virtually unprocurable and usually discovered accidentally. It has been washed up on beaches since whales first swam in the sea. And ambergris is worth a fortune. It was given the name,...
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Buenos Aires, Argentina - the tango, the pampas and much more
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A city of seduction. The tango - danced originally by men. The steaks - dinasaur size. The places to visit - unforgettable. The people - past and present. And plenty of pics. THE CONDOR'S FEATHER - an equestrian adventure set in Southern Patagonia in 1885....
by throughglasseyes
Hi, my name's Margaret Muir. I'm an author and I live in Tasmania (Au). I enjoy writing and have had four novels published. I also love tall ships and...
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