I can\u2019t wait to add more words to that story! But I may have to wait a while because, as most writers will tell you, story creation is as much about literary passion as it is about balancing writing time against family commitments, work that pays money (more reliably than writing fiction), health and fitness.<\/p>\n
Those twenty-two kids certainly knew how to make the most of our workshop \u2013 they kept going for the entire five hours!<\/p>\n Manly Arts Festival 2015, NBWG Writing Workshop<\/p><\/div>\n We\u2019ll now give their stories life by publishing them in a magazine to be stocked at Manly Library where it can inspire other young writers, along with the magazines we\u2019ve produced from previous workshops.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, there are twenty-two kids in this room right now, quietly writing, and they have been for hours! They could be down the beach or playing computer games \u2013 but no, they\u2019re here!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Thanks to my amazing NBWG author buddies for their help with the workshop: Chris Lake, Kristin Prescott<\/a>, Sue Steggall<\/a>, Theresa Holliday and Leah Boonthanom<\/a>.<\/p>\n A ‘thank you’ card keeping me smiling as I work.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2018Thanks\u2019 is such a simple word, but it\u2019s so important to hear. I got a card myself last week from a client, expressing appreciation for everything I\u2019d done to help her book. She didn\u2019t need to say it, but I\u2019m so glad she did \u2013 it made my day!<\/p>\n Encouragement is also important, which is why the highlight of my day yesterday was meeting a fan…<\/p>\n The fabulous Susanne Gervay!<\/p><\/div>\n Again braving Sydney\u2019s spring rains, I attended the inaugural \u2018Writers in the Park<\/a>\u2019 Festival, organised by the incredible Susanne Gervay \u2013 an inspirational woman and author whom I greatly admire and respect (read about her awesomeness here<\/a>). She was kind enough to launch two books for my writers\u2019 group last year, to raise money for The Kids\u2019 Cancer Project<\/a>: Scribbles in the Dark <\/em>and A Dolphin for Naia<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n The Residences, Centennial Park<\/a>, the festival’s beautiful backdrop.<\/p><\/div>\n Setting up books to sell for the Kids’ Cancer Project<\/a>, with author buddy Kristin Prescott<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n Books complete with a ‘poster’ made by my daughter Ophelia: “Come and get your BOOKS!”<\/p><\/div>\n This one’s about a boy who is swept away in an outback flash flood and thrown into a different world…<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Zena](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Zena-Shapter-Manly-ArtsFestival-2015.jpg\")
<\/a>For me, it\u2019s also about helping others where I can. So last week I organised a free writing workshop for young writers at Manly Library, as part of the Manly Arts Festival 2015. It involved getting some professional authors from my amazing writers\u2019 group, the Northern Beaches Writers\u2019 Group, to tutor twenty-two young writers into writing a complete story, as well as illustrating it.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a> <\/a>Big thanks go to our sponsors: Officeworks for printing the magazine, Pizza Hut Balgowlah for delivering some yummy hot pizza for lunch, Coles Balgowlah for providing our young writers with snacks and drinks, and Manly Library for the location. It was an incredible day bursting full of unique and crazy plot ideas, the careful nurturing of young artistic minds, and countless moments where I’d think:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>I also got \u2018thank you\u2019 emails from some workshop kids, Manly library, and another card from my daughter \u2013 it wasn\u2019t even Mothers\u2019 Day! Thanks like these help because, no matter what struggles life throws at you, it\u2019s good to know you\u2019re doing some<\/em> things right. Is there anyone you could say a special \u2018thank you\u2019 to today? If so, say it!!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>This weekend, she managed to convince fifty amazing authors and illustrators to talk and entertain readers for free<\/em> in Sydney\u2019s Centennial Park. I was there representing the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group and selling books for The Kids’ Cancer Project. Meanwhile there were two streams of programming<\/a> \u2013 one for children and one for adults \u2013 where authors and illustrators spoke about their craft and the publishing industry. The dreary rain gradually stopped and, despite continual clouds, whole families made the most of the event by enjoying: book signings, a drawing table, wildlife stalls, book stalls, a BBQ, cuddly yaks and more. Congratulations, Susanne, it was a terrific success! Here are some photos from the festival:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>