I went along to the Sydney Writers' Festival today. Perhaps it is a matter of shame that, in spite of being a journalist, writer, reader and critic, this is the first festival I have attended. I'm sure it won't be the last. If nothing else, the setting of the piers along Hickson Road, is simply gorgeous, and the facilities are people-friendly.
It was wonderful to be surrounded by words and books, and lovers of words and books.
Although it was daytime, I was still amazed to notice that women outnumbered men 20:1. Are more women involved in writing or reading; or do they just enjoy going along to hear writers speak?
I always fear that writers may be excellent at communicating in written form, but perhaps not so good at communicating orally… However, I was safe with the session I went along to: veteran broadcaster and living legend Caroline Jones.
She was delightful and funny and wise and poignant as she talked about her latest book: Through a Glass Darkly, a journey through the life and death of her father.
As well as beautifully lyrical descriptions of the process of grief, Jones talked about the craft of writing. She quoted advice from John Foulcher: "I just try to describe as accurately as possible what is before me." She suggested books are our companions for the journey of life.
In response to a question she said that writing is cathartic because it is a discipline that allows release.
"It gets the stones that might otherwise burden our heart out into the open where we may examine them."
There has always been a spiritual element to her musings and writing. Caroline Jones has released four books in a series called The Search for Meaning. In this book she quotes Christian poet Les Murray, and of course the title is from 1 Corinthians 13. In response to a question about afterlife, she gave a careful response, in which she described the Christian hope, but also admitted there was mystery. It was apparent that the audience were looking for words of hope.
I also found inspiring Jones' description of what she takes delight in:
"That life is lovely but doesn't last forever and is to be savoured, with a sense of gratitude. I notice what I have, rather than what I don't have, and enjoy the ordinary things."
Have you been to a Writers' Festival? What do you enjoy about it? How can we connect with the Festival in an effective way as Christians?
