2019 Sydney Writers’ Festival

On Friday 3 May, twenty-seven enthusiastic readers and writers from Years 7 to 11 were thrilled to attend the 2019 Sydney Writers’ Festival at The Concourse, Chatswood. Accompanied by Resources Centre staff, Linda Roden and Jenny Butler, the boys listened to four YA (Young Adult) fiction authors speak about their writing process and inspiration for stories. A lively Q&A session followed the presentations with the opportunity to then meet the authors at book signings. The featured authors were Neal Shusterman, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Dhonielle Clayton and Will Kostakis.

The students summed up the day by saying: “All the boys thoroughly enjoyed the Sydney Writers’ Festival. We listened to and interacted with the authors, both local and international, in this unique experience. The highlight of the day was most definitely getting to hear the different approaches, ideas and perspectives of the speakers and the way this broadened our horizons as writers”. The boys’ favourite authors were Neil Shusterman and Will Kostakis for their humour and gift for great story-telling. In chatting with the boys after the festival the books they are most inspired to read are Scythe and Dry by Neal Shusterman, The First Third by Will Kostokis and The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton.

Take away messages about writing

• Writers block does not exist. Just push yourself through and write
• Be true and authentic
• Write about stuff you know about and are passionate about
• Be honest in your writing.