I went to a writing workshop and the worst thing happened....

I saw someone from my old school. It wasn't actually that bad but it was really awkward cause Chloe said her name and then pointed at her, she probably thought we were talking trash about her. WE WEREN'T. Lemme just clarify that.

Anyway today (Friday) me and a group of other students went to Turanga library where we got to talk to two authors, Eileen Merriman (Pieces of You, Catch Me When You Fall, Invisibly Breathing, and Moonlight Sonata) and Mandy Hager (Singing Home the Whale, The Nature of Ash, Dear Vincent, Ash Rising, The Crossing, Into the Wilderness, and a bunch more). They talked about their experience in writing as an author, how they started, why they write, and the process.

Session 1 - Eileen Merriman

Our first session was with Eileen Merriman. She told us about how she had started writing her first book around the final year of high school and, after her friend showing enthusiasm in her book, sent the manuscript to Penguin Publishing. They rejected her, unfortunately. She said that after this she decided to focus on medical school which didn't allow leisure free time. After a establishing herself as a doctor she started being drawn back to writing. After finding success in entering many short story competitions she decided to sit down and try writing a book again. Luckily, this book was accepted and was published with the Pieces of You. 5 months later she published her second book known as Catch Me When You Fall. After telling us how she came to writing her latest book, Invisibly Breathing, she talked about what the book was about.

Invisibly Breathing tells the story of a socially inept boy named Felix. He gets bullied at school and overall finds life hard. Felix eventually meets Bailey who also finds life hard. Bailey's farther is an alcoholic, and Bailey himself has a stutter. Merriman proceed to read two chapters, one from each character's point of view, and although they were bother good I don't think I'll read the book. I'd seen the book around some stores and I don't really think it's my type of book if that makes sense. Talking to Merriman though was very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

  

Session 2 - Mandy Hager

After wandering around the library we headed back for the second speaker - Mandy Hanger. Mandy Hager was probably my favorite of the two speakers, why? I don't exactly know. Anyway, Hager talked to us mostly about why she started writing and why she writes what she writes. She mainly writes about politics and her book The Nature of Ash focuses on a corrupt and power-hungry government. Hager showed as videos of Aleppo and a Ted Talk from a women born and raised in war torn Syria. Her talk was politically thought provoking in how she asked what we would do. Hager claims her inspiration for being so political is her parents and family. Her Father was a victim of the Holocaust and her Mother came from a small island off of South Africa. Growing up in New Zealand she found school hard due to the rumors and comments made about her family because they were foreigners.She talked about how even if her story only connects with one person, she hopes it evokes change in that person and pushes them to stand up for what they believe in.

Her book, The Nature of Ash, and Ash Rising, tell the story of Ash and the rebellion he creates to fight back the corrupt government that rules over New Zealand. He exposes them and, by doing so, makes himself public enemy number one. In the second book his brother, Mikey who has down syndrome, and their grandmother, who is deathly ill, are taken by authorities and Ash has to get them back. Hager read us a chapter from her book and it was very enjoyable. I may or may not read the two books as I have gone of teen dystopia for a while but we'll see. 

Overall

I really enjoyed this trip and enjoyed talking to the two authors. I think choosing two authors who write about very different things was a good choice as I was able to learn more about what motivates people to write and share their stories. Both talks were deeply inspiring and gave everyone something to think about on the ride home. I hope that more opportunities similar to this one are available to attend in the future.