Road Trips and Other Things

When I do these monthly blog posts I always look back on my iphone calendar and photos to jog my memory, and October has been no exception. In fact, it has probably been the busiest month I've had for a while. I'm not complaining though (well, maybe a little bit).

To start at the beginning then, on the 8th I headed off to Gisborne, or I should say Tairāwhiti, the first day of my 8 day adventure. I stayed in a motel close to the Poho-O-Rāwiri marae, where most of the events of the 3-day hui called Ngā Kaituhi Māori, were held. It focuses on supporting Māori writers to achieve their goals, and there were only 50 spots available, so I was very lucky to get in.

Without going into too much detail, I attended several workshops and panel discussions, and ate copious amounts of yummy kai. I also made some new best friends, one of whom is my hero from forever, Witi Ihimaera. He was kind enough to BUY my books and insisted that I sign them. Talk about tables turning! Anyway, I came away with a mountain of knowledge from listening to him, as well as Paula Morris, Monty Soutar, Sir Haare Williams, Shelley Burne-Field. Tania Roxborogh, Perena Quinlivan and Regina de Wolf-Ngarimu, plus many fellow participants.

On the Sunday morning I drove 7 hours down to Wellington, via my cuzzies Peter and Raewyn in Lower Hutt. In the city I stayed in a 130-year-old pub called The Shepherd's Arms, which was very cheap for a large room, so full of character. I attended a talk by author Charlotte Grimshaw at the library, which was interesting if not a little controversial.

Next stop was Hastings to stay with my friends Lynda and Lawrence, and while there I gave two talks, organised by Lynda, at her writing groups. I met more interesting people there, both writers and readers, who I hope to keep in touch with from now on. Oh, and I bought a t-shirt just to prove I was there.

Last stop was Rotorua to attend one day of the Kupu Festival. Once again I was overwhelmed by the presence of so many of my favourite writers and media personalities: Maiki Sherman, JP Pomare, Mike McRoberts, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Airana Ngarewa, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku and Paula Morris again. Also screenwriters Karen Te O Kahurangi Waaka, Ramon Te Wake, Hamish Bennett and Tim Worrall.

Finally, as usual I have listened to many audiobooks, but I'll just pick out two local writers who have particularly impressed me this month. They are Lauren Roche, who wrote Mila and the Bone Man, and Anne Tiernan, whose latest novel, The Good Mistress, I'm really enjoying.

So that's some of October, enough for now.

Next month (tomorrow) I'm beginning a 50k-word ProWritingAid sponsored challenge, which means I'll have to write over 1600 words a day on my new novel, Our Unbroken Spirits. Wish me luck!

So for now, Arohanui xo