The Australian Association of Writing Programs

I'm sitting in Auckland airport; airports are half-way houses of a type, and I feel as though I am halfway between new zealand and australia.  I've been in NZ for the AAWP conference, and a few days later, I feel as though I'm still trying to absorb all the information that I was given by colleagues. 

What struck me most was the amount of support I felt from everyone there; an eagerness to share experiences, make contact, ask questions.  All the break times seemed to pass so quickly, as people moved from one interesting conversation to the next.  I went there knowing so few people and by the last day, I was being approached "So you're Natalie" .  I found it heartening to see that people did talk and listen, that people knew what others were researching in, and made attempts to meet those in similar areas. 

We spend so much of our time as writers locked away in our own skin, huddled over computers, closed into rooms that it is always wonderful to emerge and to greet those who also share our mushroomed experiences; to realise that the experiences we see as so different to everyone around us are being shared by people all over the place.

As someone who has just finished my PhD, who has moved from Perth to Melbourne, I found this conference to be a wonderful and timely thing.  I met so many people with whom I share a campus, yet have never seen.  I had so many memorable conversations. 

I invite you all to join in this blog, to continue the spirit of community that was established last week in NZ.  I look forward to hearing from those who were there, and answering questions of those who weren't able to go.  Let's keep talking