The Winton Writers Festival is drawing to a close.
Some have already left. Some are off exploring dinosaurs or sitting quietly with new books and thoughts. There were sunset drinks and final conversations, photos taken in golden light, and that strange sense of holding something while it’s still happening — knowing it’s about to become memory.
I’m even in a photo or two.
Standing tall. Smiling. Not tucked away at the edge like I used to be. That’s a new thing, and a startling one.
I almost didn’t post it. That old voice, the one that worries I’ll seem smug or silly or “too much,” tried to talk me out of it. But I’m learning to hear it, give it a hug, and gently move forward anyway.
Because what I really want to share — what matters most — is this:
When you are among fellow writers, fellow creatives, it’s not about performance or prestige. It’s about shared language. A common vein of thought. And that vein leads, always, through the heart.
As a fairly solitary person, I don’t often find that kind of connection outside of my immediate family. But it does happen. On artist residencies. Yoga retreats. And now, here — on this festival weekend, under the wide western sky.
This is how our hearts are meant to work.
Why they have chambers.
They are designed to grow stronger in company — the right company.
So if you ever get the chance to go where the creative thread is shared, where others speak your strange internal language without asking you to translate — go.
Even if you’re nervous. Even if you feel like you don’t belong.
Go.
It might change something in you that’s been waiting for years.
—
I’ll be sharing a few more images and moments from the road home over the next few days. And from that hollow log that is Substack – I’ll send out the newsletter somehow- on Sunday as usual. Probably written from my bed in Blackall. The Oasis motel has the most divine beds by the way. Like clouds. I slipped between the sheets the other night and muttered “this is too soft – I’ll never sleep” and woke up several hours later!
Header photo: age of dinosaurs – a bit of fun.
Even when John uses a smart phone for capture – in this case mine, his photographs have an essence. John photographed all Slim Dusty’s album covers, has been commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and exhibits widely. He is also a wonderful writer who has published many books, his talks on the craft and his approach to not just writing but also publishing were riveting, I think my main takeaway from John’s talks was his direction to not get carried away with all the social media and fluff – to instead live an interesting life and thereby become an interesting person.
Because then – when we invite people to see through our writing and photos and when they view the world how we do…it’s interesting.
It’s a philosophy I heartily agree with and whenever I’m feeling “stuck” I always travel and speak with other people – when I come home I’m far more interesting to myself – if not others. And I’m not longer stuck.
Enjoy 💕
Love love this , Kate. Thank you.
Yassy ❤️
♥️
Great choice to go B&W, Kate.
Writers Festivals … you shifted me from Nah! to
for a reason season or life time.
Well – I think there are writers festivals and writers festivals – this one I could talk to every one of the other writers. There was room and space to breathe and eat delicious food between acts. And even though the number was small I still took ages to get around to some people and didn’t go deep enough with others. I would get caught up in these really intense conversations and that’s what I found so inspiring – we writers are solitary, most of the time. But writing comes from deep wells and so to talk to someone who writes – you are hearing the pebble plop deep deep and far away. It’s incredibly beautiful.
But one of those other writers did say they sent to a festival on the sunny coast and he didn’t talk to a single other writer there though he did get to chat to a publisher. Just saying – they are all different. I’m hoping to get to Byron later this year and I’m already patting my enthusiasm down – I know it won’t be the same. But different is fine – makes to a world go down after all. This one will be a yearly pilgrimage now though.
You truely did have a great time. It will undoubtedly come through in your work, I’ve no doubt of that.
Hundred percent! I’ve got creative energy to live off for months DD – and I just can’t buy that at Woolworths in Roma – it’s priceless
But you can get some Roma’s From Woolies
🍅
Hahaha yes 👏 😂
Your words gave me chill bumps, Kate. You’re so inspiring and talented, and supportive of others. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us and cheers to your bold and beautiful “new thing.” 👏🏻
Chill bumps are lovely things to hear in response to my writing Michele – thankyou for those kind words. I love story, I love people’s stories, they are so important – we are alive at this tiny miraculous slice in time together – I think we need to create, if drawn to it – not for legacy, not for perpetuity – but because we are sparks lighting fires around us that we aren’t even aware of. And I’ve warmed my heart at plenty of others – yours included 💕
Thanks a million for your response. You’re speaking my language, in your own beautiful way. Chill bumps and a welling up of emotion. So grateful for our connection and for you sharing your art. 💕🙏🏻
I loved this so much, Kate” your words , the great pics; hang on. I’m going for another read through !!
Hahah that’s lovely to hear John – I’m quite high on inspiration and as I said in my rather cobbled together talk at the end of the festival, learning is different to inspiration. I learned so much from the wonderful people I was surrounded by this week. But the inspiration is that fire in the blood sparks in the mind sort of thing that lasts for ages and is impossible to buy with money. You only get it from the direct experience of being in another persons soulful presence. Priceless.
I think the benefits of this, Kate, will be with you a long time —
it’s funny: you too hear that voice saying, don’t post it ! that’s what I heard when I wrote and rewrote ‘Origami Bats’ but I posted anyway and people didn’t run away: they read it and commented; and some loved it —
It’s not your job to be the audience John – it’s your job to do the work that wants to be done. I tell myself that all the time. I am the my own biggest hurdle believe me. Things would be so much simpler if I didn’t self edit – can’t help it though. It’s the idiots that don’t doubt – as the saying goes. So at least we’re not idiots. Are we?
that’s a great answer, Kate — ‘it’s not your job to be the audience’ ; brilliant ; yes !!!
The only time I went to a writers’ conference, I didn’t feel comradery, but snobbery. It really turned me off the whole thing. I know I should try again as it’s been 10 years, but the outsider feeling is still fresh in my mind.
Oh Jeff I feel for you that would have been awful. I’m thinking of going to Byron this year as I’ll have a new book out by then – one that I’ll actually happily and shamelessly sell but I already know it won’t be like this.
They are only as good as the writers that go. This was actually not many people around 20. It was such a great time and allowed us all to chat. We really don’t want it to grow much bigger (I’m a we now) I’ll be back to this one every year or as often as I can because I love it so much. And hopefully I’ll always love it.
You should go try a few others and you’re a great writer. I’m sorry you had an awful experience.
This sounds like a beautiful experience, Kate, and the photos are amazing!
Thankyou Ingrid and congratulations on your new book, I will certainly check it out
“It’s about shared language. A common vein of thought. And that vein leads, always, through the heart.” – Amen to that, dear Kate. I’m glad to hear the experience in Winton went so well. and thanks for sharing you wonderful monotone photographs. I love the gnarly gum tree, and the shot of you feeding peanuts to the dinosaurs 😉
I love that photo because you would obviously only get it here. I’m going to print it out when I get home to remind me Phil.