Caroline Reid Writes

Don Barthelme So it's 2013. Resolutions? Yup. Some. There's the health (more exercise, less booze), family (talk to them), environment (spend some time in it) and the writing (finish the damn collection). Then there's all the in-between stuff, the nit and grit, breaking things down into itty bitty bits so I get things done. It's the only way I know. And then there's the not knowing ... Heading out of 2012 and into 2013 I've been obsessed with the writing of Donald Barthelme. Currently reading his 60 stories and Not Knowing - the Essays and Interviews . He has this to say, and I've copied it out and stuck it on my door: 'The not-knowing is crucial to art, is what permits art to be made.'  and this:  'Writing is a process of dealing with not-knowing, a forcing of what and how.'  and then:  'The anxiety attached  to this situation is not inconsiderable.' Barthelme makes me laugh, and humour can be a rare thing in the serious ...

Independent Performer and Theatre maker Emma Beech is creating a new show on a shoestring budget. You can help. Donate a few dollars this Christmas and you'll be:  Contributing to Australia's cultural life and   Helping to keep independent art alive in Adelaide and Making a fine actor very very very very happy. And for that you deserve a kiss. Mwah!! Good on you. Caroline x

Curator's Report on November Short Story Readings: The final event for 2012 was another relaxed and happy occasion. The goodwill and good cheer at these readings continues to impress, and cement my suspicion that Adelaide is a town that truly treasures its artists. The night kicked off with the sweet sounds of a choir, Choral Grief , who have the perfect balance of wit, melancholy and interest in obscure songs. It's just so lovely hearing a choir of young voices, especially singing under fairy lights! Then it was on with the stories. Young actor Lizzy Hay gave a beautiful reading of Dael Allison's 'dreaming poets dreaming', which is a favourite of mine, not just because of the wonderful surreal quality of the prose-poem but because I know all the Darwin landmarks mentioned in it. Then Urban Myth Theatre actor Patrick Zoerner melted hearts (including mine) with his wonderfully paced delivery of Jo Langdon's story 'Pause'. It's a ...

The final Spineless reading event for 2012 Sad but true, the final Spineless Wonders Presents night of short story readings is fast approaching. It promises to be a night of firsts: Firstly, after a winter hiatus we're back with more readers and stories than ever before; firstly, all the stories read on November 6th are from the Spineless Wonders publication 'Small Wonder'; firstly, the 'Small Wonder' publication will be available for purchase on the night; and our final first - we have a choir 'Choral Grief' as the musical talent for the evening. Super!    This is what one punter had to say about our May event: "Standing room only at the Wheaty! Loved it! What a great night it was, too." Adelaide, how can you stay in on such a night? :D See you there, The Curator x

Talented? Or just hard workers? 2012 has been my year of learning the art of grant writing, and I'm pleased to say I was successful in my first grant application (Yay for ARTS SA !). How did I manage it? I started writing it months in advance, asked  a dear friend if I could have a look at one of her successful applications [the dear friend say yes, thank you Emma Beech ], and then spent hours getting it 'just right'. I also had two people proofread it and give constructive criticism. I was going to write a more detailed 'how to write a successful grant' post.. but when I started looking around this amazing world wide web I discovered there's already plenty out there on this subject. I'd just be repeating heaps of others, so here's where I direct you to Lisa Hannett's website and her most excellent blog on 'Applying for Grants' ). I recently completed a two part workshop with Lisa at the South Australian Writers Centre, and what are t...