blog post 2 - how does a tale begin…
What inspired the story?
It’s a hard one to pinpoint! – for me writing is such a mosaic of inspirations. This story began as a convergence of the bush stone-curlew’s wail; a friend’s passing comment about a dam with crystal clear and yet highly toxic water; and the rocks, cycads, tropical storms, build-up clouds and wildlife I love here. As well as dreams, nightmares, fairy-tales, imagination and the twists and turns of life!
I’m inspired too, by how people reconcile their past with their present; and how they navigate life in situations where they are vulnerable or in a state of not-knowing – an outsider, a stranger, a visitor.
So much in our modern world focuses on knowledge, mastery, winning – get it right, don’t make a mistake! I’m interested in how a character navigates uncharted territory when they aren’t in control of everything. Not riding through all armoured up and brandishing a sword – but sensing what they’re given when others brush against them with a thought, an insight; taking the time to absorb and hear people and place.
Greta is trying to find her way in a world that’s strange to her, convincing herself something is familiar and then finding it shifts into the uncanny. It’s unsettling, but also rouses her curiosity.
A little note on inspiration… In a writing workshop Tony Birch gave in Darwin, a while ago now (great workshops through NT Writers Centre!), one of the things he spoke about was don’t underestimate the inspiration of what’s around you. I found it really heartening because I had young children, was trying to work, write, juggle home life, keep it all together! I couldn’t travel to research a place overseas or even in Australia, I really had to ‘write from where I was’ – the backyard so to speak. And walking through the bush… alone, or with children chatting away as they filled my pockets with little gifts – a cicada shell, a bulb of sap, a tiny bird’s skull, a leaf of many colours, burned cycad nuts…. I treasure these times – in the company of children, with their spoken and unspoken thoughts; and the way nature presents itself in a given moment, and holds you, takes you in, passes into you.
ABC Darwin Radio’s Miranda Tetlow asked me to describe one of my bush track rambles in this interview about the book, reading, writing and inspiration!
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/darwin/programs/latelunch/late-lunch-with-karen-manton/13545038
fire tree, photo by KM
Reflections….
What inspires you as an artist or writer?
How do you transfer those first inspirations?
Do you have particular workshops, practices, music or places that you use to generate ideas or bring in a creative moment?
I like Tim Winton’s image of being on a surfboard, waiting for a wave to ride.