Simply book in to any Books and Writing event in the Peninsula Festival of Arts & Ideas: arts alive 2011 for your chance to win one of the following prizes:
Prizes proudly donated by Farrell’s Bookshop – the Official Bookseller for the Peninsula Festival of Arts & Ideas: arts alive 2011.
The winners will be notified in early November.
Stressed out about homework? Don’t struggle anymore!
Get help and connect to a tutor before 8 April for your chance to win an iPod Touch!
Our Library can help take the stress out of your homework with the yourtutor service, which connects students with expert tutors for live, one-to-one individual learning sessions via the internet.
Don't let your homework get you down. Ask for help with our free, safe, online tutoring service 'yourtutor'. Plus, go in the draw to win an iPod touch!
It’s free and available for students in years 4-12!
All you need to get started is your library membership. If you’re not a member then that’s OK – you can join online.
Our place or yours?
You can connect to expert tutors from Our Library’s computers or from home using your own computer.
Get started today!
yourtutor is available online each weekday from 4pm-8pm. The tutors are experts in English, mathematics and science.
Competition closes: Friday 8 April 2011.
Posted in yourtutor
Enter our competition here!
Entries close: Saturday 21 August 2010
You could win this book and make your dad's day! Competition closes Saturday 21 August.
Tell your dad how much you care with Dear Dad: Poems by Australians about Fathers.
We have one copy of this very special book to give away to a lucky member of Our Library.
Your dad will love this book, which contains a selection of poetry that explores what fatherhood means to Australians. It includes contributions from esteemed poet, Chris Wallace-Crabbe as well as TV and radio personalities, Alan Brough and John Clarke, and the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. John Brumby.
Dear Dad has been produced by Relationships Australia, the Australian Poetry Centre and designers/publishers, Gracia and Louise.
Hurry! Get your entry in for this special prize.
Entries close: Saturday 21 August 2010
Are you a local poet?
Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to be a Café Poet in residence at Mornington Library. Applications close: Friday 27 August.
Wakefield Press, RRP $24.95 (paperback). ISBN: 9781862548237
You could win a signed copy of Exposure: a journey.
Simply, read our interview with Joel Magarey and enter for your chance to win! It’s that easy.
The winner will be notified in early June. Good luck!
Our Library spoke to author Vivienne Ulman about her poignant memoir, Alzheimer’s: a love story. Don’t miss the chance to meet Vivienne at Rosebud Library on Friday 28 May.
Along with presenting a beautifully observed account of your mother’s gradual decline, Alzheimer’s: a love story meditates on your parents’ enduring love and your father’s devotion to your mother. This painful journey is also peppered with your family history, how your father founded the Gloweave men’s shirt company, and his connections to the Australian Labor Party. Did you always know that you wanted to share this story with a wider audience or did the decision to write a memoir come later?
Many years ago I had a terrible accident involving a chainsaw and my left index finger. Even as I sat on a gurney in the emergency ward, shaking with shock, I took mental note of everything around me for later use. In the same way, at the back of my mind, in that cold-blooded section that probably all writers have, I knew I’d write about my mother’s Alzheimer’s and its effect on our family. Still, it took my youngest daughter suggesting it as a topic for a nonfiction book for me to begin to think about it seriously.
Meet author Vivienne Ulman at Rosebud Library on Friday 28 May at 10am. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1230
Because I have been a journal-keeper for many years now, I already had a lot of material. When my mother began showing the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s, I recorded everything, though I had no idea what I was documenting. I wrote about her terror and despair and my own horror at what that must have felt like to her. In my journal I also wrote letters to the mother I felt I’d lost, the mother in my head, letters I knew she’d never read, in which I told her how I felt, how I missed her and how I loved her.
Once I decided to write the memoir, I began to scour my journals for anything that might be relevant and then I transcribed it all onto the computer. At that point I had no idea what I would do with this word soup.
The book itself began to come to me in the same way my fictional stories do – with an image that I wanted to explore and understand. In this case it was the image of my mother eating with her hands that haunted me and made me ask, Who is this woman? How did she get here and what will happen to her?
Almost immediately I knew I wanted to include my parents’ history, partly because it’s interesting in its own right, partly so the reader would see my mother’s illness in the context of her life, and partly to make reading the book a more complex experience, with both light and dark notes.
The historical section required a lot of research. I interviewed my father and his sisters; I studied immigration records and the history of the ALP. I had to understand the politics of the time, the geography and even elements of textile manufacture. Then I had to decide what would add to the story and what would bog it down. I was sad to sacrifice some interesting material in the best interests of the book.
Alzheimer’s: a love story also utilises a range of writing styles that include journal entries, letters, emails and narrative prose. Why did you choose to chronicle your experience this way?
I knew from the start that I wanted to include the letters I was writing to my mother. In fact an early title I considered for the book was Letters to a Lost Mother. When I’d assembled all my raw material I felt it would enrich the story if the reader could watch it unfold – share the craziness of my dreams, experience my guilt and anger, eavesdrop on my journal and my plaintive emails – so they could better understand what the experience felt like to me. I thought these inclusions would add to the immediacy – at times perhaps even giving the reader a shock.
How has your father responded to the book?
I was extremely nervous about how my father would respond. While I was writing, I tried not to think about this, telling myself that if the book were ever published the process would take so long my father might be too old to read it.
Scribe Publications, RRP $32.95 (paperback). ISBN: 9781921640001
It was important to me that the book be as honest as possible so I never showed Dad any of the sections that dealt with the current situation, though I interviewed him extensively for the history sections and continually revised those under his eagle eye.
As it happened, the book was accepted for publication even before it was finished and once it was in production I began warning my father that he might not like it, but that other people would. I was sure he’d feel I’d exposed my mother at her most vulnerable.
He began to nag me to show it to him. Finally, after I’d picked up my author copies, I left one on his bed one evening when I was at his place for dinner. I told him about it as he was kissing me goodbye.
The next morning he rang me. He’d read until the early hours of the morning and loved the book. He’s read it twice now and he thinks I’m wise and a wonderful writer. Some of the descriptions make him cry but I feel he even likes those because they bring my mother back to him, and even at her lowest point he cherished her and enjoyed her company. Also, he’s a man of great integrity so he completely understands that for me there would be no point in writing a less than honest account. Overall his impression was that I’m unduly harsh on myself and too lenient on him.
In your book you have thanked Varuna Writers’ House in New South Wales where you did a writing residency. How important was this residency for the development of Alzheimer’s: a love story?
My residency was pivotal in developing the book. The opportunity to immerse myself in my writing, with no other responsibilities, in the company of other writers, was very enriching.
Two things in particular moved the process of the book along. Firstly I walked late every afternoon with the Tasmanian novelist, Heather Rose, who was writing The River Wife at the time. As we walked she asked me questions about my background that probably only a novelist would. Things I’d taken for granted as part of the scenery of my life sharpened into focus.
The second thing was meeting Ann Moyal, a writer of about my mother’s age who was working on a follow-up to her excellent memoir, Breakfast with Beaverbrook: Memoirs of an Independent Woman. I told Ann about my mother’s illness and my father’s devotion to her. Ann thought this would make a fascinating story and encouraged me to write it. I ran straight up to my study and wrote the whole of the first chapter in longhand in my journal.
I had a lot of work to do after that, but somehow, once I had the first chapter I knew more or less where the book was headed.
How would you describe your writing practice?
I write very slowly, though occasionally I do get the gift of a chapter or a story that comes in a rush while I try to stay out of its way.
I write longhand with an Artline fine tip pen that seems to move along the page at just the right speed for my thoughts, in whichever exercise book I am using for a journal at the time. When I’m working on fiction I usually write those bits at the back of the book and my normal everyday musings in the front. Sometimes it’s a race to see which section is longer – the real or the not real. I have tried writing in expensive notebooks that well-meaning friends have given me but I always return to the kind of book that fits in a handbag and that I can manage easily on my knees in bed.
Afterwards I transcribe everything onto the computer and begin the revision process: revise, rework, print out, revise, print out, revise… I also have two wonderful workshop groups who give me feedback. Apart from them and one of my daughters who is my first reader, I don’t show my writing to anyone, no matter how nicely they ask. I learned that lesson early.
Where do you usually work?
I do my most creative writing first thing in the morning in bed, even before my first cup of tea, or later in the day in coffee shops. I have a study in my house in Tasmania where I work on my laptop overlooked by a picture of Virginia Woolf and overlooking a paddock where sheep and goats graze; in Melbourne I’m based at one end of the dining table and I also like working at the State Library.
When my mother was in a nursing home I often sat on her bed with my laptop on her trolley or my journal on my lap while she napped. Writing for me is a place – a destination in itself – where I can go no matter what else is going on around me. People often ask me if writing Alzheimer’s: a Love Story was therapeutic for me, and the answer is that the process itself was, I think. Having that place in my head to go where I was truly myself, engaged in the work that most sustains me, really did keep me sane.
Which writers have inspired you?
In some way every writer I’ve ever read has inspired me, beginning with Enid Blyton. Writers that leap into my head right now are Michael Chabon, Juno Diaz and Joan Didion; Anne Michaels for the poetry of her language. I read a lot of poetry while I’m working. I love short stories and especially the work of Alice Monro.
What are you currently working on?
I have two novels on my hard drive, both in first draft form, one young adult (the one that won me my Varuna residency) and an adult one. Before I move onto anything new I want to see what I can make of those.
I have begun a complete rewrite of the adult novel, changing it from third to first person to see if I can learn more about my protagonist in that way, even if I change it back again afterwards! There’s an idea for another nonfiction book percolating in my brain too but that doesn’t count as a project yet.
Find out more about Vivienne Ulman at:
http://www.vivienneulman.com
Plus, win a signed copy of Alzheimer’s: a love story!:
Enter here…
Our Library recently caught up with local writer Gary Morris for a chat about his debut novel, A Line of Dogs, which will be launched at Mornington Library on Thursday 27 May. Gary spoke to us about the inspiration behind his fast-paced historical novel and the journey from concept to print.
Why were you compelled to write A Line of Dogs?
As a sixth generation Australian, I have always been interested in the colourful characters scattered throughout our country’s early years. Our school seemed to concentrate more on British and European history but the stories that my Grandmother told of the ‘old days’ fascinated me much more. She would often settle beside the open fire and I would squat beside her, wide-eyed, as her broad Australian accent evoked images of settlers carving through the bush with broad axes, brothers lost in the Great War, bush operations, or strong women who could fight like men.
Through the years, even though I was caught up in corporate life and raising a wonderful family, I would often use parts of ‘Nana’s’ tales in poetry or short stories that I wrote and these were invariably very popular. Then, on a business trip to Tasmania, I was shown a sheaf of original convict records by somebody who shared my interest. One in particular stood out, the record of a young Irish woman convicted in the Assizes for ‘being unlawfully in charge of a cow’. That line stuck in my mind. Why? How? Who was this woman?
Join local writer Gary Morris for the launch of his debut novel at Mornington Library on Thursday 27 May from 4pm. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820
The answers to those questions, and more, led me on a voyage of discovery that unearthed some amazing stories that screamed to be told. I knew that I had to be the conduit for these little known voices of the past and wouldn’t rest until I could bring their tales to the world.
Through the years, even though I was caught up in corporate life and raising a wonderful family, I would often use parts of ‘Nana’s’ tales in poetry or short stories that I wrote and these were invariably very popular. Then, on a business trip to Tasmania, I was shown a sheaf of original convict records by somebody who shared my interest. One in particular stood out, the record of a young Irish woman convicted in the Assizes for ‘being unlawfully in charge of a cow’. That line stuck in my mind. Why? How? Who was this woman?
The answers to those questions, and more, led me on a voyage of discovery that unearthed some amazing stories that screamed to be told. I knew that I had to be the conduit for these little known voices of the past and wouldn’t rest until I could bring their tales to the world.
How long did it take to write and research it?
From then on, whenever I had the chance I researched more records, wrote letters, scoured the internet and visited locations, even England and Ireland whilst there on business. Every stone I turned seemed to unearth another tale that I ‘just had’ to include in my manuscript; the Balingarry Riot in Ireland, prison life in Cork, rape and murder in London, convict treatment on board transport ships. Accounts of ‘keelhaulings’ and whippings made me angry and the story of the Aboriginal genocide in Tasmania filled me with sadness. After eight years I had filled a filing cabinet with notes and was ready to begin the book. It would take me two more years to create the manuscript and another two to have the novel ready to publish.
What kind of research did you undertake?
Much of my ‘desk’ research began with records from the courts, prisons, shipping lists and Churches. I was a regular visitor to the Tasmanian Government Convict records office. As I dug deeper, the Internet was my best friend, unearthing quotes, facts, maps and even photographs. Armed with copious notes I used my business travels to visit the sites of old prisons, churches and locations of bombings and riots. I strolled at night down lonely, foggy London streets and bridges over the Thames, crawled through old sailing ships in Portsmouth and stood on the site of the great Maori War battles. Near the Port Arthur Penal Colony I shivered at the huge Bull Mastiff statue guarding the historic Dog-Line (hence the name of my book) where savage dogs were chained to deter prisoners from escape attempts. So many lives. So many brave stories. So much inspiration.
'A Line of Dogs', the debut novel by Gary Morris, which will be launched at Mornington Library on Thursday 27 May
Where do you usually work?
Most of my actual writing is done in my office at home. When working on a book I try to get at least two pages typed each day, so I try to escape the phone and any other interruptions for four hours each morning. I take a notebook wherever I go, so often I will make hand-written notes whenever some idea comes to me, in a coffee shop, library or even at a dinner party (very boring of me). Most writers will tell you that when you are well into a story it obsesses you 24/7 and the plot and characters are in your head constantly.
There are some times when I feel that I can only write well about something from personal experience. For example, when writing the section about an escaped convict being lost in the bush I threw on my backpack and spent several days on the great Apollo Bay bushwalk, braving the snakes, leeches and the weird grunting sounds of the koalas in the treetops at night. Or the visit to the awe-inspiring secret places of Uluru, where the Aboriginal ancestors seem to whisper their secrets in ancient languages. I came back from that trip and wrote non-stop about ‘Wurrindi’, one of my characters who is the last remaining indigenous person from Tasmania. Where do writers work? Wherever they happen to be.
Which writers have inspired you?
The first books I can recall reading were westerns by Zane Grey. I would read them by lamplight in bed every night. Later I would read every single book in the William series by Richmal Crompton and, as I recall, these were the first books to inspire me to try my hand at writing. Thousands of books later I can point to a number of authors who have made an impression on my style; I can only wish that one day I will type even one sentence that deserves to stand amongst theirs. Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird had a powerful and sustained influence, Frank Yerby and Wilbur Smith for their larger than life characters and definitely Stephen King, who introduced me to the device of italics to express the thoughts of his characters. (‘God, I hope that readers of this Blog get that’).
But I must confess that there is one other tiny morsel of writing that I have loved more than any other…. That is my wife’s signature on our wedding certificate.
Find out more about Gary Morris at:
http://www.gary@garymorris.com.au
Love stationery? Then here’s your chance to win a gorgeous handmade Hammer & Daisy prize pack worth $120!
Enter our competition for your chance to win this gorgeous prize pack!
The prize pack consists of one A6 square knot journal, six notebooks and a journal pouch.
Simply, read our interview with Louise Jennison, artist, bookbinder and co-owner of Hammer & Daisy for your chance to win. Or enter here!
Connect with ideas, hear moving stories, tap into your imagination, learn a new skill and be inspired in Library and Information Week during 24-30 May.
Enjoy a jam-packed program of special events for all ages
This year’s theme, Access All Areas, celebrates libraries as the place to relax, communicate, connect, entertain and inform.
We have a jam-packed program of special events to delight and inspire you. From songwriting workshops, talks by authors Vivienne Ulman and Joel Magarey, a book launch and a journal making workshop to a book sculpting demonstration, a Facebook class, storytimes and the Biggest Morning Tea book chats. We will also be announcing two new initiatives for local writers along with celebrating Reconciliation Week.
Also, be in the running to win a range of prizes, including a signed copy of Vivienne Ulman’s memoir, a signed copy of Joel Magarey’s book and a gorgeous handmade prize pack from Hammer & Daisy worth $120!
We look forward to seeing you at Our Library for these special events.
Children will be able to take a walk on the wild side with the Summer Reading Club at Our Library, which is on now until 12 February.
Read on the Wild Side with the Summer Reading Club
This national initiative encourages and rewards children of all ages who keep reading throughout summer.
To get the most out of the Club, you and your child should visit one of our service points to register and receive a reading record. Then all they need to do is borrow and read books in order to receive a special giveaway every time they reach a reading milestone, such as tattoos, stickers and wristbands.
Be a part of the Summer Reading Club for your chance to win a range of cool prizes!
Children who then read at least 10 books become Summer Reading Club legends, which entitle them to go in the Paw-a-thon prize draw to win either Where the Wild Things Are prize packs, a range of cool books or gift vouchers!
Visit your local library today to register and take the challenge to become a Summer Reading Club legend by reading at least 10 books. The Paw-a-thon prizes will be drawn around the end of the Summer Reading Club period. Check with your local library for further details.
Are you a Twi-hard? Then here’s your chance to test your Twilight series knowledge and win an awesome prize pack that includes an iPod nano, a CD of the New Moon soundtrack, a copy of New Moon: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion, and Twilight on DVD!
Enter our super quiz to win this awesome prize pack!
How to enter
Simply sink your teeth into our Twilight super quiz and submit your answers by midnight on Wednesday 16 December, which will be the new moon for that month.
You can enter as many times as you like. All you need is your library membership card to get started! The winner will be notified on Friday 18 December.
Hope you have a howlin’ time… Good luck!
Posted in Competition, Twilight: New Moon
