Authors North Summer Social 2012
This year's Authors North Social was in Bradford at the Media Museum - which has magnificent views of what was once a thriving northern town.
After an introductory talk by Paul Goodman we were free to wander around their collection of exhibits on television, radio and film, collecting together again
for lunch and in readiness for
the star attraction - Joanne Harris!
Joanne Harris gave us an entertaining talk about her life as a writer: her motivations (following her own inclinations, rather than chasing anyone else's idea of what a reader wants); her resistance to becoming a 'brand' (which has resulted in her writing novels in many different genres e.g. historical gothic and crime/thriller); and the importance of her 'designated space' (her shed - which assumes a different personality each day). She also spoke of the 'fabulous business' of being a writer and how little marks of paper are like a form of voodoo if they reach the right people.
We also heard about the genesis of her latest novel, Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure. It is a follow-on from Chocolat and an exploration of what happens to the French village when a community of Muslims take up residence. One of our members had manged to read it already and vouched for its excellence so I am looking forward to reading that in the very near future.
A lively question and answer session followed, and we all went on our merry ways encountering along the way some unusual Saturday people
accosting tourists
(who didn't seem to mind)
with such enthusiasm
they had apparently forgotten the main man...
Another memorable day for Authors North! Thanks very much to Lisa Dowdeswell for organising it.
 |
| Bradford Vista |
After an introductory talk by Paul Goodman we were free to wander around their collection of exhibits on television, radio and film, collecting together again
 |
| Photo by Pam Grant |
for lunch and in readiness for
 |
| Audience with Sarah Burton from SoA, and our former secretary, left. |
the star attraction - Joanne Harris!
 |
| Colin Shelbourn (committee member) with Joanne Harris |
Joanne Harris gave us an entertaining talk about her life as a writer: her motivations (following her own inclinations, rather than chasing anyone else's idea of what a reader wants); her resistance to becoming a 'brand' (which has resulted in her writing novels in many different genres e.g. historical gothic and crime/thriller); and the importance of her 'designated space' (her shed - which assumes a different personality each day). She also spoke of the 'fabulous business' of being a writer and how little marks of paper are like a form of voodoo if they reach the right people.
We also heard about the genesis of her latest novel, Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure. It is a follow-on from Chocolat and an exploration of what happens to the French village when a community of Muslims take up residence. One of our members had manged to read it already and vouched for its excellence so I am looking forward to reading that in the very near future.
A lively question and answer session followed, and we all went on our merry ways encountering along the way some unusual Saturday people
accosting tourists
(who didn't seem to mind)
with such enthusiasm
they had apparently forgotten the main man...
Another memorable day for Authors North! Thanks very much to Lisa Dowdeswell for organising it.
 |
| Audience with Lisa Dowdeswell (turning round 2nd left, third row) and John Rice (end of second row in striped shirt) |
posted by Clare Dudman at 7:33 pm
4 Comments:
Oh good grief, those zentai suits!!
I like the sound of that Joanne Harris talk - writing for yourself and refusing to become a brand is just the sort of thing I like.
Yes, same here - Die!
(I had no idea those suits had a name!)
Lovely to have such a group... (And jolly huggers, for that matter!)
Yes! We get some excellent speakers - and very nice to have the comradeship too.
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