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Welcome to my website!
Here you will find information on writers and writing in Bass Coast, Victoria, Australia, along with information about me as a writer and my books and essays. You can also click on the blog to read my essays on a wide variety of subjects on the online journal Bass Coast Post. Enjoy having a browse! If you are writer yourself, or would like to be, please feel free to contact the two community writing groups within Bass Coast Shire, and take advantage of the free writing-related sessions available through the library service, Myli.
See below for more information on all of these - including my brief review of a really important online author talk which was held on Monday evening 26.8.24.
My Books Available at Turn the Page Bookshop, Cowes, Phillip Island Millowl.
Some of the many reviews of my books from happy customers:
“Lane loves your book. We are learning to read it. Thanks so much for writing it.” Wendy O.
"Thank you for the beautiful book you sent – The Lost Blanket. It’s lovely – such a light touch, and a gentle story that has all the ‘almost, but’ features of those picture books I, and my children, loved as a child. The pictures are perfect, with the color pencil working well. They add a lot to the feel of the story.
Thank you – and on Artie’s behalf too, for you. It's a book I'm glad to have." Catherine B.
“I am thrilled with the books you sent me, they arrived today. My Japanese friend’s grandchildren were also thrilled with your books, as you can see!” Irene E.
Gail says: "Hi Christine, after getting your Lost Blanket book for myself and a couple of other members of Cowes CWA, we decided to use it in one of our display tables, with numerous props representing animals in the book, including the blanket, for the annual Country Women’s Association Art and Craft display.”
“Wonderful to have a new book in stock by local writer, environmentalist and historian, Christine Grayden. "Minibeasts of Phillip Island Millowl" is now available at Turn the Page.” Brendan, Turn the Page Bookshop, Cowes, Phillip Island Millowl.
Minibeasts of Phillip Island Millowl - Land insects, spiders, molluscs and crustaceans
Children's non-fiction book
Writer, environmentalist and historian Christine Grayden draws on over 40 years of volunteering in conservation activities and education on Phillip Island Millowl to guide young minds through some of the features and behavior of a variety of minibeasts that go about much of their busy lives above the soil on this often busy island.
With 30 pages of engaging text illustrated by over 100 wonderful colour photographs taken on the island by many local photographers, this book aims to encourage children to dive into the fascinating realm of the minibeasts. Includes map of the best free places to explore for minibeasts on Phillip Island Millowl.
$19.99 AUD (+ postage if applicable)
https://turnthepagebookshop.com.au/p/minibeasts-of-phillip-island-millowl?barcode=9780646890982
The Lost Blanket - children's story
Late at night, tired from the long drive home from their holiday, the family discovers they have left their favourite picnic blanket behind.
Now it’s dark, and the park is too far away to go back. What will happen to their lovely blue check blanket? How long will the lost blanket stay lost?
Through story and colour pencil drawings with added clock faces and digital clock screens, we discover just how many adventures a lost blanket can have over two days! The book includes four bonus pages of animal sketches and story-writing space for young artists to create their own picture story, plus a beetle to find on each page - children can make up their own little story about the green beetle!
$19.99 AUD (+postage if applicable)
https://turnthepagebookshop.com.au/p/the-lost-blanket?barcode=978046880419
Mentoring children to write for performance...
Belinda Phillips of Phillip Island Millowl, runs the Marrina Mouse's Theatre House, and welcomes any children interested in any aspect of theatre - including writing plots, characters and action scenes for her theatre school's own performances. Belinda says:
"We do write all our shows, we have a wonderful process of a melting pot 'Melting Pot Mondays' where the children write all their ideas for a show. I then take those ideas and process into a storyline and then onto staging a production. It's quite the process, but extremely fun and rewarding for the children when they see their ideas take shape."
If you want to see how this process turns out, you can book tickets to go to their next performance, titled "Rise of Scribblers Academy" at Berninneit Theatre on 23 November 2024. See more on the Marrina Mouse's Theatre House FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/marrinamouse
Meanwhile, Belinda sent me the poster and an example page from the writing development process for the Scribblers Academy. Looks like so much fun for both Belinda and her students!
A privilege to work on this project...
It's such a privilege and a joy to work with my dear friend and research colleague for decades, John Jansson, to finally get his books out into the world. We now have a good working draft of his 4-part Source Book of Western Port Maritime History, 1797 - 2000. Ive proofread the four books and now correcting the text with assistance from a helper on keyboard to save my eyes (allergy from pollen at the moment). The Source Books are the most extraordinary trove of information about maritime activity in the bay from European exploration. John has entered every single mention he could find chronologically from George Bass and his whaleboat crew entering the bay in 1797 until about 1900, then selected highlights of maritime activity for the next century.
The book will hopefully become another free pdf for download from the local historical society website. Watch this space. There are no plans at this stage to produce hard copies of this set, other than for the local history reference section of the Phillip Island Library, the resource section of the Phillip Island & District Historical Society, and one copy each for John and me. Here are the front covers of the four parts, and an example of the content to give you an idea of the detailed entries.
The Memoir Experience - A Free Writers' Workshop hosted by the Bass Coast Writers
Join us for an exciting and inspiring writers' workshop at Inverloch Community House on Thu October 24th, 2024. This in-person event will kick off at 1:30pm and will run to 3:30pm. Back by popular demand, this workshop is perfect for seniors who have stories to share but might not know how to get started. Explore your memories and connect with like-minded individuals.
This interactive workshop includes sessions on:
· The Why, Who and How of Memoirs,
· Writing from the Heart, and
· The Hidden Truth.
Get the ideas flowing with our quick-start writing exercise and get the first page of your memoir drafted in our 'Give It A Go' session. Each participant will receive a randomly selected memoir as a gift from the Bass Coast Writers.
Location: Inverloch Community House Inc., The House in the Hub, 16A A’Beckett Street, Inverloch.
Date: Thu Oct 29, 2024
Time: 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Afternoon Tea: Provided
Admission: Free, but bookings are essential.
Bookings: https://tinyurl.com/memoirexperience or ring Gayle Marien on 0414 627 155.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot by registering in advance.
The Bass Coast Writers was founded in Inverloch in 2003 to support local writers, foster literary creativity, and to promote learning through friendly discussion and ad hoc writing exercises during the weekly meetings.
Presenters:
The Memoir Experience is an interactive workshop presented by the Bass Coast Writers members Gayle Marien, Penny Walder and Gill Ryan.
Gayle, (left) the current president of the Bass Coast Writers is MC and will lead the session ‘The Why, Who and How.’ Participants will examine why they are writing their memoirs, who they are writing them for and will briefly look at mentorship and publication methods. Gayle is a past winner of the Boroondara Literary Awards. Her work has appeared in Award Winning Australian Writing, The Umbrella’s Shade, Vegemite Whiskers and Mosaic.
Penny, (centre) a Bass Coast Writers member since 2010, will lead ‘Writing from the Heart.’ Penny will discuss writing intuitively and dealing with emotional stories. Penny lives in Venus Bay, a place in the world that feeds her soul. Penny says storytelling is a driving force of her creativity and stories come through her, demanding to be told and so they are.
Gill Ryan, (right) a prolific writer of short memoir, joined the Bass Coast Writers in 2021 and will lead ‘The Hidden Truth’, where participants will be encouraged to confront any disbelief in their own abilities. Gill has written her memoirs but has forbidden the full reading of them before she goes to the great library in the sky. Gill has a knack for seeing the humour in life and incorporates this into her writing.
A free Myli event to held at Inverloch Library, 16 A Beckett Street Inverloch, VIC 3996
Event Details - Join Inverloch Library in hosting the wonderful Tim Forcey to discuss his novel on energy efficiency, "My Efficient Eletric Home Handbook".
Ticket Details - Registration is required for this session. If you need to cancel your booking, please log into your Eventbrite account or contact your library branch. We have limited spaces available at some of our events. If you are no longer able to attend an event you have booked a ticket for, please let us know so that others don’t miss out.
Contact Us - If you require more information, please phone the Inverloch branch on (03) 5674 1169
To register, go here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tim-forcey-author-talk-inverloch-library-tickets-1024543686747?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
An exciting author event coming to Phillip Island Winery
Friday 25th October 2024
Readers of The Age newspaper can read a review of Jock Serong's new book Cherrywood on p12 of The Spectrum edition 21 Sep 2024. Reviewer Adam Rivett summarises the book as "...a fiction about cities both stable and shifting, filled with figures drownig in love and overwhelmed with sorrow, moving to and fro across the 20th century", and concludes: "In the novel's own words: "That year as one of the few remaining when a great deal was known of the world but not yet so much that the world had become over-known." This what the novel summons, and where it skillfully leaves us - between the familiar and the magical, the surveyed and the still to be discovered." Sounds exactly like the sort of book to be filled with "I wish I'd written that" content!
Note this is a paid event. To book, go here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1284872
If you're like me and interested in writing history, I can recommend Kate Carpenter's "Drafting the Past" podcast...
Kate Carpenter's recent guest Helen Betya-Rubenstein is a general writing coach who includes historians and history writers in her coaching role. She has so many fantastic insights to share in this episode. She also has most interesting articles and books in her suggested reading list, such as Michelle Caswell, “Feeling Liberatory Memory Work: On the Archival Uses of Joy and Anger,” Archivaria (PDF) and Zoe Schlanger, The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth - I've just ordered that one from Turn the Page bookshop in Cowes.
Every writer will benefit from having a listen, or read the transcript here: https://draftingthepast.com/podcast-episodes/episode-52-helen-betya-rubinstein-coaches-historian-writers/
Previous author talks on Myli
Myli has an archive of author talks, which you can access here: https://www.myli.org.au/videos-category/author-showcase/
Next session: Monday 21 October 2024, from 1 p.m.
Come along to Wonthaggi Library, Murray Street Wonthaggi (opposite Woolworths), and join other writers for support in whatever writing journey you are on. Myli says: "A space for writers to meet and share writing passions. Each session also has designated quiet time for working on your own projects. Each week on Mondays at Wonthaggi Library from 1pm-3pm we welcome everyone to work on their writing projects."
For further information and to register for notification of any change of arrangements, go here:
AND...designed to get your to really focus in on your writing project - twice per month and free at Phillip Island library, Berninneit, Cowes:
Phillip Island Library has allocated a regular time and space each month for writers to get
energy from each other in a quiet space, while working on their writing projects!
This regular silent practice may just be the impetus you need to really get stuck into writing your novel, or poetry anthology,
blog posts, or even your dissertation.
Next session: Wednesday 23 October 2024, 10 a.m. - 12 midday
Every second Wednesday, 10 a.m. until 12 midday. Inside Berninneit (cultural centre) 91-97 Thompson Avenue Cowes, VIC 3922
Myli says: "Come along to Phillip Island Library to join the The Island Silent Writers - a group dedicated to providing a space for all writers to be encouraged in your writing discipline. This will run every month on the second Wednesday at 10am -12pm
This is a space perfect for writers of any project or any stage of the writing journey. Bring your laptop, notebook or writing device and immerse yourself in a silent writing session surrounded by fellow writers.
There will be opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals for the first 15 minutes and then the next one hour and forty five minutes is for you to dedicate yourself to your writing practice, each writer working independently in company.
There is no need to book for this event but if you would like an email reminder please register for a ticket".
Local Community Writers Groups
The Bass Coast Writers was founded in 2003 to support local writers, foster literary creativity, and to promote learning through friendly discussion and ad hoc writing exercises during the weekly meetings.
At the weekly meetings members are presented with a theme or prompt which forms the basis of the writing to be shared at the following meeting. The writing can be a story, an essay, a poem, an anecdote, a memory, an article or any other form. The diversity of interpretations of the theme is always a pleasant surprise. Members’ writings can inform, draw smiles, laughter or tears, inspire, encourage and spark discussion. It is a fun group to which new members of all writing style and capabilities are welcome.
The periodic production of an anthology, the first of which was published in 2003, encourages members through the publication of their work.
After the meetings, all members are invited to gather at a local café for a social get together.
Meetings are held on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm, February to Mid-December, at the Inverloch Community House, Inverloch Hub, 16 A’Beckett Street, Inverloch. For further details contact Gayle Marien on gayleb@ozemail.com.au or the Inverloch Community House on 5674 2444 or office-ichi@dcsi.net.au
Phone them if you would like to go along and participate:
Ibis Writers meet at the Education Room at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Newhaven Phillip Island Millowl.
Phone Jane: 0498 064 248.
Next Meeting: Next meeting is scheduled to be on Tuesday 5 November BUT may be changed due to Melbourne Cup Day - at the Education Room of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Newhaven.
To give you a taste of what Ibis Writers are working on, here's a report from their meeting in October 2024:
"Ibis writers shared a lively session at their October meeting, also welcoming a newcomer.
Steve, whose robotic nursing home friend Eena is grieving and therefore on furlough, read a story called Fathom, written with his usual wry mystery, about the launch of a submersible drone, developed as a back up to Aukus submarines.
Jane F’s story of the dance between Isabel and Ben, charts a young couple negotiating the complexities of their relationship. Will Isabel go back to Ben’s parents’ home, knowing they are out and will Ben arrange a meeting between his parents and Isabel, something he’s being avoiding? Answers pending!
Robbo read an interesting play he had crafted, depicting a soliloquy by a newcomer to a men’s group, discussing his relationship issues – from his point of view. As he always does, Robbo gave interesting insights into writers whose anniversaries fell on the day of the Ibis gathering.
Jane R, whose turn it was to facilitate the meeting, read a short piece she had lodged with The Age newspaper which has been calling for 200-word reader memories to mark the journal’s 170th year.
Creative writers are welcome to join Ibis, which meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 1pm at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Newhaven. Some enjoy lunch at the museum’s Nui Dat Café beforehand. Ring Jane on 0498064248 for more information."