The Australian Association of Writing Programs

At Varuna, no one can hear you write..... well I hope so anyway. I'm off to that writing Valhalla next week, the literary equivalent of the Australian Institute of Sport, I just hope they don't make me eat Uncle Toby's Muesli...to say I am looking forward to it is an understatement, for years I have opened the front of Australian books to find the words "Thanks also to Varuna, the Writer's House, for my time there." I feel a little like I imagine Charlie did when he unwrapped that Wonka Bar to find the Golden Ticket. While the PHD is rumoured to be a three year "bring me another cocktail Jeeves I've just had another brilliant thought " scholarly holiday; my experience so far is that I have been on an unending, slightly dull hometown holiday which is punctuated with the odd day uncovering spell binding local attractions I never knew existed. I am told this is normal. And while I contemplate hiring a small taxi truck to take over the books I might need while away from my PHD cubby hole, what I really hope is that I will just write, with the alluring temptations of housework, baking, and a walk in the park, 4000 miles away. I'd like to declare at this point that I have no children, no pets, and the world's most understanding partner ("No, you keep writing, I'll boil up this half mouldy carrot I've been saving...") yet I am still looking forward to being fed and housed and left alone to write. What I'm hoping will happen is my manuscript will stop looking like a GT enthusiasts lounge room (engine parts everywhere) and will look more like something those Top Gear chaps would actually test drive. Wish me luck.