I don't know about you, but (along with social media), I'm kind of sick of being 'busy'. Of my own busy. Of the relentless busy of others. Of the collective busy. It's really doing my head in, and I've long felt us busy peeps are careening headlong into a collision with a return to Slow Living.
We are bombarded, from every angle, with attention-seeking issues, people, events, obligations and things to measure ourselves against. There are cobwebs in our room corners and crisped hydrangeas in our garden beds. The fridge looks like someone spilled something sticky in there (well, maybe that's just mine) and our contact lenses are so outdated, we can't really see.
We never have time to do anything much it seems, and at the end of any given day, we collapse into bed and wonder, yet again, how the day got away from us.
Where has time disappeared to?
Emma Grey and Audrey Thomas know. Thank God. And even more thank God ... the amazing Emma is here right now to talk to me (and you) about too much busy and too much disappearing time. February sees the release of Emma and Audrey's book idonthavetime/" target="_blank">I Don't Have Time, which basically, in 15-minute ways, makes it clear that you DO have time.
I read this book in one sitting on Saturday. Seriously. It's ravenously good.
Thanks so much for visiting, Em. Can I start by asking ... what the heck is going on? Why is everyone so busy? Or are they ...
We exist in a ΓÇÿcultΓÇÖ of busy. Exhaustion has become a status symbol. If youΓÇÖre not flat out or frantic, people look at you a little strangely. Sometimes, even when weΓÇÖre not completely snowed under, we tell people we're ΓÇÿbusyΓÇÖ when someone asks how we areΓÇöalmost as a default response.
I think it’s what James Gleick calls ‘hurry sickness’. It’s this concept that the bulk of our stress comes from areas under our own control—high-pressure jobs we choose to apply for, extra activities we enrol our children in voluntarily, commitments and social events we say ‘yes’ to, social media rabbit holes we enter into, standards we select on the home front, our own behaviours …
Recognising the extent to which we have power over our use of time isn’t meant to be an exercise in self-blame, but in finding freedom. If we got ourselves into much of this frazzled, over-commited mess, it stands to reason we can also dig ourselves out of a lot of it … and that’s an enormous relief.
How do we manage to lose so much time? Can we make time? Is it malleable and just a matter of perspective?
Some astro-scientists have proposed that all time (past, present and future) exists now, and itΓÇÖs only our perspective on time that changes. The idea of that baffles me completely, but what I do know is that, as Brian Andreas says, ΓÇÿThere is exactly enough time for everything that matters mostΓÇÖ.
If thatΓÇÖs true, it also means thereΓÇÖs simply not enough time to do everything. When we accept thatΓÇöthat our ΓÇÖTo DoΓÇÖ lists will never be finished, and that we wonΓÇÖt ever accomplish ΓÇÿall the thingsΓÇÖ, then it becomes about choices. It means ditching some things and cutting other corners in order to pour time into the most central things (whether thatΓÇÖs health, relationships, career, hobbies or whatever is really vital in each of our lives).
We tend to get in our own way quite a lot. In what specific ways do we do this? Does perfectionism and self-esteem play a part?
Definitely. When weΓÇÖre worried about our performance we hold back for fear of failure or being ΓÇÿfound outΓÇÖ. We go over and over our work unnecessarily instead of releasing something and moving on. We people-please. We grapple for control by hoarding tasks that could be delegated or outsourced, thinking it saves time because, ΓÇÖnobody does this as well as I doΓÇÖ. WeΓÇÖre ΓÇÿbadge of honourΓÇÖ busyΓÇöstaying busier than others and taking on extra things we really donΓÇÖt want to do, because being busy gives us a boost to our self-esteem.
Were you once too busy? When did you realise enough was enough?
Yes, about a decade ago I was living a life of self-inflicted chaosΓÇöstaying busy to run away from other challenges. I was working full-time, studying a Masters degree, writing my first book, volunteering at school and in other organisations, going to the gym every day, playing netball and all of this with two children under five. It was ludicrous.
The low-point was when I’d just received a publishing contract for Wits’ End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum. I was bed-ridden with glandular fever, contract in one hand, divorce papers in the other … thinking ‘life doesn’t have to be this hard. I’m making it this hard.’.
Are humans excuse-makers by nature? Why do we do this???
I think we all love a good excuse. (I know I do!) It feels good to let ourselves off the hook. After Audrey and I wrote a book with one of our personal go-to excuses, ΓÇÿI donΓÇÖt have timeΓÇÖ in the title, we realised we wouldnΓÇÖt be able to use that one any more and remain authentic. WeΓÇÖve caught ourselves saying it often, only to self-correct with the truth: ΓÇÿI havenΓÇÖt made time for thatΓÇÖ.
It’s so much easier if we can blame something or someone else for our lack of time. Our boss, our partner, the kids, our parents, ‘modern life’ … It’s uncomfortable when we realise it’s not really those things that get in the way most of the time.
Perhaps we didn’t go for that promotion not because there ‘wasn’t enough time’ to submit the application but because we were scared we’d fail. Maybe we do the bulk of the housework because early on it felt nice to be needed and now we’ve taught our co-inhabitants how to treat us. Perhaps we haven’t reached for that secret dream because, if we don’t give it a go, theoretically it’s still the perfect plan …
Are women busier than men?
They donΓÇÖt have to be.
What kind of effect does busyness have on creativity?
A brutal one. We need time to ΓÇÿplayΓÇÖ. Our brains solve problems, finds solutions, imagine and dream when we switch off.
How important is it to be liked?
More important than it needs to be, for lots of us (including me). ThereΓÇÖs a huge difference between being liked, genuinely, and being taken for granted, walked all over and stifled. Author Jacqui Marson calls it ΓÇÿthe curse of lovelyΓÇÖ. I think itΓÇÖs more important to be admired than likedΓÇöI have admiration for people who have the knack for being kind while being assertive about their personal needs and space.
How important is it to say no?
Saying ΓÇÿnoΓÇÖ gives meaning to your ΓÇÿyesΓÇÖ. When youΓÇÖre clear on what is centrally important to you, it becomes easier to weigh up a request and decide whether itΓÇÖs going to give or take from what matters most in your life. It makes the difference between a year filled with resentment (because youΓÇÖre at everyoneΓÇÖs beck and call and have an endless list of things you think you ΓÇÿhaveΓÇÖ to do) and one in which you grow, personally and professionally, because youΓÇÖre existing within clearer boundaries.
ItΓÇÖs also important to say ΓÇÿyesΓÇÖ to things that may feel uncomfortable, like goals that stretch you, or offers to help you. We live in an eco-system perfectly designed for give and take and mutual help-giving. Our lives are so much easier when we learn that accepting help doesnΓÇÖt make us any ΓÇÿless'.
Em, do we simply have too much choice nowadays? Does that weigh into time management?
I think weΓÇÖre bombarded with choices and opportunities, and thereΓÇÖs a real skill in being able to let an opportunity pass you by. We fear that weΓÇÖll never have another chance, so we try to cram all the action in our lives into one chapter, instead of spreading it out over the course of a whole book.
Six months ago, you experienced the unbearableΓÇölosing your husband Jeff. How much of your darling man is inside this book?
Jeff read one of the simpulan chapters, in which Audrey and I discussed our families and our most intimate relationships and what they mean to us. He wasnΓÇÖt into Public Displays of Affection, but he strongly approved of those words.
When he died, Audrey and I realised we stood by every word that weΓÇÖd written. These messages were now even more important to us than ever. Because life is short. It really is. ItΓÇÖs far too short to waste time letting mindset gremlins win. So what if weΓÇÖre afraid? Do it anyway. ThereΓÇÖs nothing to lose.
IΓÇÖm choosing to let JeffΓÇÖs memory turn the light up in my life, not down. Being here at all is an enormous privilege. IΓÇÖm acutely aware of that, now. I just wish more than anything that he could hold a copy of this book in his hands and read it, after supporting me all the way to write it and develop my career as an author.
What would Jeff say to you on publication of I Don't Have Time?
He was the author and editor of over twenty books. HeΓÇÖd smile and say, ΓÇÿVery good. WhatΓÇÖs next?'
On that note! You're working on some incredible projects this year. Can you tell us a little bit about them?
Audrey and I are writing our second book together, The 15 Minutes that Changed Your Life. WeΓÇÖre talking to people whoΓÇÖve made bold decisions, taken remarkable action or risen from adversity. IΓÇÖm also working on a sequel to my first teen novel, Unrequited: Girl meets boy band, and that novel has been turned into a musical in a collaboration with my school friend, ARIA-winning composer Sally Whitwell.
On the personal front, IΓÇÖm focused on healing from the shock and grief from losing Jeff last year. IΓÇÖm caring for my children and weΓÇÖre all having the counselling we need to recover from this. I think IΓÇÖll probably write a book about grief in the next 18 months or so. I donΓÇÖt think we talk about death enough in Australia and, because we run away from it, we donΓÇÖt know how to handle it when it happens. ItΓÇÖs terrifying, and IΓÇÖd like to contribute something to making it less so.
When Jeff died, I was surrounded by support from family, friends and strangers. IΓÇÖm establishing a charity called CanberraΓÇÖs Heart so that our amazing community can rally behind other families who find themselves hit by sudden, unexpected loss.
Congratulations! You have won a copy of Emma's fabulous book!
Please email me (contact details on this website) with your postal address.
To win, just leave a message to Emma below, and she will choose a winner. This comp is limited to readers with an Australian postage address. Comments close at 5pm on Wednesday 25 January 2017, and the winner will be added to this post, right here that same evening, so do check back. This is a game of skill, not chance, and judge's decision is final. If you miss out on the win, you can grab yourself a copy of the book right idonthavetime/" target="_blank">here.
About the Book
I Don't Have Time, Exisle Publishing, February 2017, $29.99, 9781925335323
We live in a time of ΓÇÿhurry sicknessΓÇÖ. ΓÇÿBusyΓÇÖ has become a competitive sport ΓÇö and itΓÇÖs a sport with no winners. But somewhere, underneath all of this hard slog, there are the things we really want to do. The things that bring us joy and give our lives meaning. More often than not, the only thing standing between us and getting on with those things is ourselves.
Our lives donΓÇÖt have to be as complicated as we make them. Through stories, theories and practical exercises, I DonΓÇÖt Have Time explores 50 excuses we make that keep us from getting on with the things that really matter to us. These are the excuses that hold us back in our health and wellbeing, our careers, relationships, finances, home environments, personal development and recreation.
Using humour, anecdotes, research into productivity and Emma and AudreyΓÇÖs proven ΓÇÿMy 15 MinutesΓÇÖ approach, this is a practical guide to ditching overwhelm and making progress in all the areas that matter most. It flips the notion that we need great swathes of time to get ahead with things, instead encouraging us to use the nooks and crannies in our day to achieve big things over time.
About Emma
Emma Grey is a life-balance specialist who uses a suite of innovative concepts and tools to provide organisations and individuals with practical solutions to the modern challenge of ΓÇÿhaving it allΓÇÖ. Emma runs seminars, workshops and executive coaching, writes regularly for national media, and together with Audrey, is co-founder of the highly successful ΓÇÿMy 15 MinutesΓÇÖ aktivitas (my15minutes.au/">my15minutes.au).
About Audrey
Audrey Thomas is an experienced coach and facilitator with a background in project change and management, human resources and operations management. After a corporate career spanning the UK, Europe and North America, she now specialises in working with clients in both the public and private sectors to discover and develop their untapped potential.
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My kids are still off school (back next week), and today I ran them around a little and went to a new bookstore, Book Face, in Gungahlin. No matter how long you're in this game (10 years next year for me), seeing your book facing outwards (with over a dozen copies!!) in a bookstore is just the most beautiful feeling.
And on top of that, when I rounded the corner, a woman was leafing through the book while her kids played at her feet. I wanted to say 'OMG, you're holding my book!' but I would never dare!
I did, however, introduce myself to the bookstore manager and signed a few copies. It's so nice to see local stores supporting local authors.
On the way out, I grabbed their Summer Reading Guide and was surprised to see Australia Illustrated tucked inside. It's the loveliest feeling because writing books is such a 'blind' career--you rarely get direct feedback, and often feel like you're stumbling along in a darkened room!
It was also lovely to get EK Books' latest kids' catalogue last week and my little bee from Australia Illustrated is on the cover!
And there are some lovely book promos inside... You might even see a little new book(s) preview if you look hard enough...
And in super lovely news, Smile Cry is coming out in paperback and jessesmess/" target="_blank">Jess Racklyeft and I are working on a sequel AS I TYPE! We also have some VERY exciting potential book news ... but need to await confirmation; hopefully soon.
The year is about to begin in earnest, and I have a lot planned and a lot to embark upon, which I'll reveal these coming months. Trust me when I say I will be stepping outside my comfort zone... a good thing!
Tomorrow I'm hosting a This is Banjo Paterson blog launch right here, so check back then for some cool posts on the production of the book, and more about Banjo's life. You can even win a copy of the book. Click the poster below for more.
And if you're in or near Canberra, don't miss the book's launch at the National Library on Sunday 12 February--more details nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">here! I'll also be appearing in a live Periscope video (my very first, yikes!) on 17 February--Banjo's birthday. More on that soon.
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On Day 1 of our blog launch, I'm revealing some facts you may not know about Banjo's life. It was absolutely fascinating researching this talented man, and learning more about his extraordinary life.
How many of the following facts are new to you?
Stay tuned for Day 2, where I'll be revealing some internals from the book! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.
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Christina Booth's divine watercolour illustrations so beautifully brought Banjo's story to life, in these backyard play scenes (more about the parallel visual storyline on my blog tomorrow).
With children playing key figures in Banjo's life story (even the hobby horses!), we're taken on a journey through the life of an extraordinary man, who was not only a prolific poet, but so very much more.
The aim of these images was to make Banjo's life accessible to the very young (ages 3 - 8) in a way that's not been done before. Even children in early education need to be exposed to inspiring and life-altering stories of real life people that once so deeply affected--and continue to do so--our lives, our history and where we are going.
Enjoy these page peeks. My favourite page of all is the simpulan scene at the end of Banjo's life--it brings a tear to my eye every time I see it, and of course it includes one of Banjo's most famous poems--The Man from Snowy River. You'll have to grab a copy of the book to see it!
Following are some of Christina's roughs for This is Banjo Paterson. Roughs help 'visualise' the storyline and where it's going, ensuring the illustrations perfectly carry the text, and also provide pacing and drama. Roughs are always so fascinating to see! I hope you enjoy them. To me, they are just as beautiful as the end result. Note the changes that were made along the way!
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Welcome to day 3 of our Banjo launch. Today we are talking about This is Banjo Paterson's unusual visual storyline.
Most good picture books have some kind of dual narrative going on--another 'story' that's quite apart from the text. In this way, illustrations should not be simply a direct reflection of the text--they should be much more than that.
The illustrator is (or should be!) equally responsible for carrying the storyline and creating something new and novel from the text. A visual narrative lends depth, scope, emotion, humour, detail and so very much more, but most especially nuance. So much can be gleaned from a picture, and much of it can depend on the viewer and their interpretation.
Illustrator Christina Booth is an expert at this.
When Christina and I created importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">This is Captain Cook, I made mention to Christina that I envisaged the book's characters being played by children. So, basically, kids would take the roles of the real people from Captain Cook's life. She came up with the brilliant idea to set the entire book as a school play, with almost every scene unfurling on a stage.
This worked so very well, not only in terms of allowing lots of extra 'happenings' as the story went along (including a well-meaning rampant chook!) but in terms of allowing modern children to more deeply connect with the story of Cook's life. His world, after all, is achingly removed from how children live today. Children need to relate to the characters in books--it draws them in and keeps them engaged. And the kids playing the roles in a school play certainly did that.
Similarly, Banjo Paterson's life is told in a backyard scene, with kids in full play. Swinging on the washing line, camping outside in a tent, picnicking on a blanket... all things many modern day kids understand and experience at some stage in their lives. These elements allow kids to engage with a storyline that, again, is set back in the age of the dinosaurs (at least, I'm sure that's how they'd see the late 1800s!).
The wonderful thing about working with Christina, is that while (as author) I can suggest or intimate how things might look (this is necessary in terms of accurately conveying the narrative, especially when it comes to historical books like this one), she takes those guidelines and expands on them in ways that surprise and delight me, not to mention our editors and eventual readers!
It's the little things that add visual dimension to a picture book--and help children connect with story. Our optic nerve takes up a whopping 30% of our brain's cortex, meaning 90% of all information we absorb is taken in through the eyes (read my post on visual literacy importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here).
What children see has an impact on what they enjoy, learn and retain--and picture book images that are clever, entertaining, detailed and beautiful, are the books kids will return to again and again. Kids GET nuance. They really do. Even if they can't outwardly explain what they're getting, and I love that This is Banjo Paterson is resplendent with nuance, thanks to Christina's beautiful illustrations.
I also believe it's important to expose children to the lives of inspiring, uplifting, talented and memorable people. This is Banjo Paterson brings to life the story of a remarkable man in a way that's accessible to even the very young. And a large part of that connection will be found in illustration ... that divine visual narrative picture books rely on.
Stay tuned for Day 4, where illustrator Christina Booth talks about her illustrations. Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.
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Take it away, Christina!
I will confess ... the idea of collaborating with another author on a picture book used to send shivers down my spine. Not in a good way, but in one that I wanted to avoid. You see, as creators, most of us are control freaks, we have a vision and we want to hold the reigns tightly as we manoeuvre through the creative process. I had always thought it would stunt the natural evolution of creativity, the spontaneity of having things grow, if someone else was also holding onto the reigns. Which way would that horse go?
Then Tania contacted me regarding a book idea she had and that she wanted to work with me on it before presenting it to the publisher. I was just getting to know Tania and I was flattered when she said she had always wanted to work with me (I think she had me on a slightly higher pedestal than I deserved and I am afraid of heights!).
I looked at the story in progress and then, when a story is a good one, images and ideas started to grow. I drew up a sample image and we chatted about the direction we could head in and our horse seemed to be going in the same direction. I was relieved, I was in a collaboration and it seemed to be working. This was the beginning of This is Captain Cook.
You might ask, ΓÇÿisnΓÇÖt any work with an author and an illustrator a collaborative work?ΓÇÖ Well, to a certain extent yes, but the communication once commissioned to illustrate a picture book is usually mediated through the publisher. The story is written, edited and ready to go. This is then offered to an illustrator (or two) to see what they can do with the text and bring to the visual story line.
When two creators collaborate, they work together from an initial concept and tease it out together. It works very well when there is a strong trust and when each creator respects the other creators ideas and direction. They then present together to the publisher, or sometimes, the publisher is a part of the collaboration from the early stages.
This is Banjo Paterson is our second collaborative work for the National Library of Australia. This is Captain Cook did so well, Banjo became the second child, and I suddenly did a little private panic. We had set a precedent with the Captain and now, we had to equal that. There can be no hiding in the shadows of an older sibling.
What were we to do? I knew it couldnΓÇÖt be another play [This is Captain Cook's entire visual narrative is set as a school play]. Though that concept would still work well visually, it would be just a repeat of the last book. I wanted something else to make it shine but remain interactive with the audience. We went back to our childhoods, where playing dress-up and imaginative play happened in the backyard. Where story telling was practiced and role playing was fun. Banjo was an outdoor kind of guy so it seemed to be a natural fit.
Tania desired horses, I considered horses in a paddock next door but they would have just been observers. I always dreamed of owning a horse as a child, but alas, it was not to be, so we made our own. Along with cubby houses made of boxes and branches, flying on the clothesline, playing under the hose, chatting with our neighbours. It was so Australian and that was the feel we wanted. And the homemade horses were born. Brooms, hobbyhorses, human horses! TaniaΓÇÖs wish was granted.
Recently I have created a lot of my illustration work digitally. I love it but I do miss the smell of paint and the beautiful mistakes that you must keep and adapt on paper, I try to do that with my digital work but the undo button is very convenient, so it was delightful to pull out the watercolour paper and pencils and swim in erasings all over the carpet once again.
I chose to work in the same mediums as I did for Captain Cook because in a series we need a certain amount of consistency. It also lends itself to the airy outdoors, the clouds, the grass, the wind in the clothes on the clothesline. I also enjoyed placing backyard icons into the illustrations: a Hills Hoist (made like they used to), a dog, a neighbour over the fence and the kids jumping fences to play with each other. A paddling pool, the hose, and what a delight to discover when doing my research that what we now call Totem Tennis was first invented and was very popular in BanjoΓÇÖs time. Perfect!
So, am I now converted regarding collaborations? Yes. Though IΓÇÖm probably at my happiest steering my own horse, the beautiful thing is, Tania and I can go riding together, side by side as we support and share our careers.
We have just finished working on a third collaboration, this time a stand-alone book (you have to wait and see what it is!) but the best thing that comes out of a successful collaboration is that we are bonded for life as wonderful friends, and journey that creative path knowing we have help and support.
Stay tuned for Day 5, where you'll learn more about Banjo's poetry and his influences. You may be surprised! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.
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Sabtu, 05 Januari 2019
Rabu, 02 Januari 2019
I Don't Have Time! Interview With Author Emma Grey
idonthavetime/" target="_blank">
I don't know about you, but (along with social media), I'm kind of sick of being 'busy'. Of my own busy. Of the relentless busy of others. Of the collective busy. It's really doing my head in, and I've long felt us busy peeps are careening headlong into a collision with a return to Slow Living.
We are bombarded, from every angle, with attention-seeking issues, people, events, obligations and things to measure ourselves against. There are cobwebs in our room corners and crisped hydrangeas in our garden beds. The fridge looks like someone spilled something sticky in there (well, maybe that's just mine) and our contact lenses are so outdated, we can't really see.
We never have time to do anything much it seems, and at the end of any given day, we collapse into bed and wonder, yet again, how the day got away from us.
Where has time disappeared to?
Emma Grey and Audrey Thomas know. Thank God. And even more thank God ... the amazing Emma is here right now to talk to me (and you) about too much busy and too much disappearing time. February sees the release of Emma and Audrey's book idonthavetime/" target="_blank">I Don't Have Time, which basically, in 15-minute ways, makes it clear that you DO have time.
I read this book in one sitting on Saturday. Seriously. It's ravenously good.
Thanks so much for visiting, Em. Can I start by asking ... what the heck is going on? Why is everyone so busy? Or are they ...
We exist in a ΓÇÿcultΓÇÖ of busy. Exhaustion has become a status symbol. If youΓÇÖre not flat out or frantic, people look at you a little strangely. Sometimes, even when weΓÇÖre not completely snowed under, we tell people we're ΓÇÿbusyΓÇÖ when someone asks how we areΓÇöalmost as a default response.
I think it’s what James Gleick calls ‘hurry sickness’. It’s this concept that the bulk of our stress comes from areas under our own control—high-pressure jobs we choose to apply for, extra activities we enrol our children in voluntarily, commitments and social events we say ‘yes’ to, social media rabbit holes we enter into, standards we select on the home front, our own behaviours …
Recognising the extent to which we have power over our use of time isn’t meant to be an exercise in self-blame, but in finding freedom. If we got ourselves into much of this frazzled, over-commited mess, it stands to reason we can also dig ourselves out of a lot of it … and that’s an enormous relief.
How do we manage to lose so much time? Can we make time? Is it malleable and just a matter of perspective?
Some astro-scientists have proposed that all time (past, present and future) exists now, and itΓÇÖs only our perspective on time that changes. The idea of that baffles me completely, but what I do know is that, as Brian Andreas says, ΓÇÿThere is exactly enough time for everything that matters mostΓÇÖ.
If thatΓÇÖs true, it also means thereΓÇÖs simply not enough time to do everything. When we accept thatΓÇöthat our ΓÇÖTo DoΓÇÖ lists will never be finished, and that we wonΓÇÖt ever accomplish ΓÇÿall the thingsΓÇÖ, then it becomes about choices. It means ditching some things and cutting other corners in order to pour time into the most central things (whether thatΓÇÖs health, relationships, career, hobbies or whatever is really vital in each of our lives).
We tend to get in our own way quite a lot. In what specific ways do we do this? Does perfectionism and self-esteem play a part?
Definitely. When weΓÇÖre worried about our performance we hold back for fear of failure or being ΓÇÿfound outΓÇÖ. We go over and over our work unnecessarily instead of releasing something and moving on. We people-please. We grapple for control by hoarding tasks that could be delegated or outsourced, thinking it saves time because, ΓÇÖnobody does this as well as I doΓÇÖ. WeΓÇÖre ΓÇÿbadge of honourΓÇÖ busyΓÇöstaying busier than others and taking on extra things we really donΓÇÖt want to do, because being busy gives us a boost to our self-esteem.
Were you once too busy? When did you realise enough was enough?
Yes, about a decade ago I was living a life of self-inflicted chaosΓÇöstaying busy to run away from other challenges. I was working full-time, studying a Masters degree, writing my first book, volunteering at school and in other organisations, going to the gym every day, playing netball and all of this with two children under five. It was ludicrous.
The low-point was when I’d just received a publishing contract for Wits’ End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum. I was bed-ridden with glandular fever, contract in one hand, divorce papers in the other … thinking ‘life doesn’t have to be this hard. I’m making it this hard.’.
Are humans excuse-makers by nature? Why do we do this???
I think we all love a good excuse. (I know I do!) It feels good to let ourselves off the hook. After Audrey and I wrote a book with one of our personal go-to excuses, ΓÇÿI donΓÇÖt have timeΓÇÖ in the title, we realised we wouldnΓÇÖt be able to use that one any more and remain authentic. WeΓÇÖve caught ourselves saying it often, only to self-correct with the truth: ΓÇÿI havenΓÇÖt made time for thatΓÇÖ.
It’s so much easier if we can blame something or someone else for our lack of time. Our boss, our partner, the kids, our parents, ‘modern life’ … It’s uncomfortable when we realise it’s not really those things that get in the way most of the time.
Perhaps we didn’t go for that promotion not because there ‘wasn’t enough time’ to submit the application but because we were scared we’d fail. Maybe we do the bulk of the housework because early on it felt nice to be needed and now we’ve taught our co-inhabitants how to treat us. Perhaps we haven’t reached for that secret dream because, if we don’t give it a go, theoretically it’s still the perfect plan …
Are women busier than men?
They donΓÇÖt have to be.
What kind of effect does busyness have on creativity?
A brutal one. We need time to ΓÇÿplayΓÇÖ. Our brains solve problems, finds solutions, imagine and dream when we switch off.
How important is it to be liked?
More important than it needs to be, for lots of us (including me). ThereΓÇÖs a huge difference between being liked, genuinely, and being taken for granted, walked all over and stifled. Author Jacqui Marson calls it ΓÇÿthe curse of lovelyΓÇÖ. I think itΓÇÖs more important to be admired than likedΓÇöI have admiration for people who have the knack for being kind while being assertive about their personal needs and space.
How important is it to say no?
Saying ΓÇÿnoΓÇÖ gives meaning to your ΓÇÿyesΓÇÖ. When youΓÇÖre clear on what is centrally important to you, it becomes easier to weigh up a request and decide whether itΓÇÖs going to give or take from what matters most in your life. It makes the difference between a year filled with resentment (because youΓÇÖre at everyoneΓÇÖs beck and call and have an endless list of things you think you ΓÇÿhaveΓÇÖ to do) and one in which you grow, personally and professionally, because youΓÇÖre existing within clearer boundaries.
ItΓÇÖs also important to say ΓÇÿyesΓÇÖ to things that may feel uncomfortable, like goals that stretch you, or offers to help you. We live in an eco-system perfectly designed for give and take and mutual help-giving. Our lives are so much easier when we learn that accepting help doesnΓÇÖt make us any ΓÇÿless'.
Em, do we simply have too much choice nowadays? Does that weigh into time management?
I think weΓÇÖre bombarded with choices and opportunities, and thereΓÇÖs a real skill in being able to let an opportunity pass you by. We fear that weΓÇÖll never have another chance, so we try to cram all the action in our lives into one chapter, instead of spreading it out over the course of a whole book.
Six months ago, you experienced the unbearableΓÇölosing your husband Jeff. How much of your darling man is inside this book?
Jeff read one of the simpulan chapters, in which Audrey and I discussed our families and our most intimate relationships and what they mean to us. He wasnΓÇÖt into Public Displays of Affection, but he strongly approved of those words.
When he died, Audrey and I realised we stood by every word that weΓÇÖd written. These messages were now even more important to us than ever. Because life is short. It really is. ItΓÇÖs far too short to waste time letting mindset gremlins win. So what if weΓÇÖre afraid? Do it anyway. ThereΓÇÖs nothing to lose.
IΓÇÖm choosing to let JeffΓÇÖs memory turn the light up in my life, not down. Being here at all is an enormous privilege. IΓÇÖm acutely aware of that, now. I just wish more than anything that he could hold a copy of this book in his hands and read it, after supporting me all the way to write it and develop my career as an author.
What would Jeff say to you on publication of I Don't Have Time?
He was the author and editor of over twenty books. HeΓÇÖd smile and say, ΓÇÿVery good. WhatΓÇÖs next?'
On that note! You're working on some incredible projects this year. Can you tell us a little bit about them?
Audrey and I are writing our second book together, The 15 Minutes that Changed Your Life. WeΓÇÖre talking to people whoΓÇÖve made bold decisions, taken remarkable action or risen from adversity. IΓÇÖm also working on a sequel to my first teen novel, Unrequited: Girl meets boy band, and that novel has been turned into a musical in a collaboration with my school friend, ARIA-winning composer Sally Whitwell.
On the personal front, IΓÇÖm focused on healing from the shock and grief from losing Jeff last year. IΓÇÖm caring for my children and weΓÇÖre all having the counselling we need to recover from this. I think IΓÇÖll probably write a book about grief in the next 18 months or so. I donΓÇÖt think we talk about death enough in Australia and, because we run away from it, we donΓÇÖt know how to handle it when it happens. ItΓÇÖs terrifying, and IΓÇÖd like to contribute something to making it less so.
When Jeff died, I was surrounded by support from family, friends and strangers. IΓÇÖm establishing a charity called CanberraΓÇÖs Heart so that our amazing community can rally behind other families who find themselves hit by sudden, unexpected loss.
1.bpspot/-bGXFs6V1q0g/WIRVCWjiwYI/AAAAAAABKjQ/zP1cGR-hGM08gIklxk43TsRBd_XcUTeSACLcB/s1600/Emma%2BGrey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> |
| Emma Grey |
Inspired? Read more about
I Don't Have Time at the
dedicated idonthavetime/" target="_blank">website.
exislepublishing.au/I-Don-t-Have-Time.html" target="_blank">
JOHN AND MARGIE MAHER Congratulations! You have won a copy of Emma's fabulous book!
Please email me (contact details on this website) with your postal address.
To win, just leave a message to Emma below, and she will choose a winner. This comp is limited to readers with an Australian postage address. Comments close at 5pm on Wednesday 25 January 2017, and the winner will be added to this post, right here that same evening, so do check back. This is a game of skill, not chance, and judge's decision is final. If you miss out on the win, you can grab yourself a copy of the book right idonthavetime/" target="_blank">here.
About the Book
I Don't Have Time, Exisle Publishing, February 2017, $29.99, 9781925335323
We live in a time of ΓÇÿhurry sicknessΓÇÖ. ΓÇÿBusyΓÇÖ has become a competitive sport ΓÇö and itΓÇÖs a sport with no winners. But somewhere, underneath all of this hard slog, there are the things we really want to do. The things that bring us joy and give our lives meaning. More often than not, the only thing standing between us and getting on with those things is ourselves.
Our lives donΓÇÖt have to be as complicated as we make them. Through stories, theories and practical exercises, I DonΓÇÖt Have Time explores 50 excuses we make that keep us from getting on with the things that really matter to us. These are the excuses that hold us back in our health and wellbeing, our careers, relationships, finances, home environments, personal development and recreation.
Using humour, anecdotes, research into productivity and Emma and AudreyΓÇÖs proven ΓÇÿMy 15 MinutesΓÇÖ approach, this is a practical guide to ditching overwhelm and making progress in all the areas that matter most. It flips the notion that we need great swathes of time to get ahead with things, instead encouraging us to use the nooks and crannies in our day to achieve big things over time.
About Emma
Emma Grey is a life-balance specialist who uses a suite of innovative concepts and tools to provide organisations and individuals with practical solutions to the modern challenge of ΓÇÿhaving it allΓÇÖ. Emma runs seminars, workshops and executive coaching, writes regularly for national media, and together with Audrey, is co-founder of the highly successful ΓÇÿMy 15 MinutesΓÇÖ aktivitas (my15minutes.au/">my15minutes.au).
About Audrey
Audrey Thomas is an experienced coach and facilitator with a background in project change and management, human resources and operations management. After a corporate career spanning the UK, Europe and North America, she now specialises in working with clients in both the public and private sectors to discover and develop their untapped potential.
Minggu, 30 Desember 2018
Australia Illustrated And Australia Day
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The modus operandi behind the creation of Australia Illustrated was to celebrate Australia in a way that's inclusive, is respectful of our First Australians, and celebrates diversity and multiculturalism.
I am happy to celebrate an 'Australia day' when the date can be changed, and we can honour, with equality, the original custodians of this land and the enriching ethnicities that have come to call this land home.
facebook/hashtag/peace?source=feed_text&story_id=10154256524829562">#peace facebook/hashtag/changethedate?source=feed_text&story_id=10154256524829562">#changethedate
In the meantime, it's so great to see the book going strong since its release last year. An author's greatest fear is that your book will melt into the ether and disappear from shelves let alone the consciousness of beloved readers. ekbooks/" target="_blank">EK Books have a strong publicity arm (thanks, Alison!) and I'm so grateful for it. Indeed, I've had a week of radio interviews for Australia Day, and gosh, there are some gorgeous radio hosts out there; have had SO much fun chatting and talking about the importance of multiculturalism and diversity.I am happy to celebrate an 'Australia day' when the date can be changed, and we can honour, with equality, the original custodians of this land and the enriching ethnicities that have come to call this land home.
facebook/hashtag/peace?source=feed_text&story_id=10154256524829562">#peace facebook/hashtag/changethedate?source=feed_text&story_id=10154256524829562">#changethedate
My kids are still off school (back next week), and today I ran them around a little and went to a new bookstore, Book Face, in Gungahlin. No matter how long you're in this game (10 years next year for me), seeing your book facing outwards (with over a dozen copies!!) in a bookstore is just the most beautiful feeling.
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And on top of that, when I rounded the corner, a woman was leafing through the book while her kids played at her feet. I wanted to say 'OMG, you're holding my book!' but I would never dare!
I did, however, introduce myself to the bookstore manager and signed a few copies. It's so nice to see local stores supporting local authors.
On the way out, I grabbed their Summer Reading Guide and was surprised to see Australia Illustrated tucked inside. It's the loveliest feeling because writing books is such a 'blind' career--you rarely get direct feedback, and often feel like you're stumbling along in a darkened room!
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It was also lovely to get EK Books' latest kids' catalogue last week and my little bee from Australia Illustrated is on the cover!
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And there are some lovely book promos inside... You might even see a little new book(s) preview if you look hard enough...
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And in super lovely news, Smile Cry is coming out in paperback and jessesmess/" target="_blank">Jess Racklyeft and I are working on a sequel AS I TYPE! We also have some VERY exciting potential book news ... but need to await confirmation; hopefully soon.
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The year is about to begin in earnest, and I have a lot planned and a lot to embark upon, which I'll reveal these coming months. Trust me when I say I will be stepping outside my comfort zone... a good thing!
Tomorrow I'm hosting a This is Banjo Paterson blog launch right here, so check back then for some cool posts on the production of the book, and more about Banjo's life. You can even win a copy of the book. Click the poster below for more.
And if you're in or near Canberra, don't miss the book's launch at the National Library on Sunday 12 February--more details nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">here! I'll also be appearing in a live Periscope video (my very first, yikes!) on 17 February--Banjo's birthday. More on that soon.
importantnutrientsspot/search?q=this-is-banjo-paterson-blog-launch" target="_blank">
Kamis, 27 Desember 2018
This Is Banjo Paterson Day 1 - Banjo Facts
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On Day 1 of our blog launch, I'm revealing some facts you may not know about Banjo's life. It was absolutely fascinating researching this talented man, and learning more about his extraordinary life.
How many of the following facts are new to you?
- Banjo was born on 17 February 1864 at Narambla, New South Wales, and was the eldest of seven children--Rose Florence, Emily Jessie, Mary Edith, Hamilton Howison, Grace Sterling and Gwendolen Alexa. Children were often called by their second name, and this was the case with many of his sisters.
- His middle name, Barton, was his mother's maiden name. Banjo's mum, Rose, was born in Australia while his dad, Andrew Bogle Paterson, was a Scottish immigrant.
- His family called him 'Barty'.
- Banjo's grandmother, Emily Mary Barton, was an accomplished poet. When he was 10, Banjo went to live with his grandmother in Sydney (where he attended Sydney Grammar), and she was instrumental in encouraging her grandson to read and write verse.
- Another influence was a local bushman named Jerry the Rhymer. When Barty was a lad, he was fascinated by the way Jerry spoke--in rhyming slang.
- Banjo's right arm was broken as a toddler and the break went unseen until he was a little older.
- Before he left for Sydney, Banjo used to ride a pony to school!
- Banjo was a keen tennis player and an accomplished oarsman. He rode to hounds at the Sydney Hunt Club and was a fine polo player. He also rode as an amateur jockey at Rosehill and Randwick racecourses in Sydney.
- Originally, Banjo's writing nickname was The Banjo, but the article was eventually dropped and he became known as Banjo Paterson. The name Banjo came from one of his family's favourite racehorses.
- Banjo was not just a poet and author. He was also a journalist, editor, war correspondent, radio announcer, bushman, horseman, jockey, clerk, solicitor, speaker, traveller, vet, farmer and a fine sportsman. A true Renaissance man.
Stay tuned for Day 2, where I'll be revealing some internals from the book! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.
periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where
she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library,
and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items,
along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!
And for those in or near Canberra ...
nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">
Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson
11am
Sunday 12 February 2017
National Library of Australia
Canberra
FREE!
..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more isu and reserve a place...
Senin, 24 Desember 2018
This Is Banjo Paterson Day 2 - A Peek At The Pages
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Christina Booth's divine watercolour illustrations so beautifully brought Banjo's story to life, in these backyard play scenes (more about the parallel visual storyline on my blog tomorrow).
With children playing key figures in Banjo's life story (even the hobby horses!), we're taken on a journey through the life of an extraordinary man, who was not only a prolific poet, but so very much more.
The aim of these images was to make Banjo's life accessible to the very young (ages 3 - 8) in a way that's not been done before. Even children in early education need to be exposed to inspiring and life-altering stories of real life people that once so deeply affected--and continue to do so--our lives, our history and where we are going.
Enjoy these page peeks. My favourite page of all is the simpulan scene at the end of Banjo's life--it brings a tear to my eye every time I see it, and of course it includes one of Banjo's most famous poems--The Man from Snowy River. You'll have to grab a copy of the book to see it!
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Following are some of Christina's roughs for This is Banjo Paterson. Roughs help 'visualise' the storyline and where it's going, ensuring the illustrations perfectly carry the text, and also provide pacing and drama. Roughs are always so fascinating to see! I hope you enjoy them. To me, they are just as beautiful as the end result. Note the changes that were made along the way!
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Stay tuned for Day 3, where you'll learn about the inspiration for the book's unusual image storyline. Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts. periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where
she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library,
and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items,
along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!
And for those in or near Canberra ...
nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">
Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson
11am
Sunday 12 February 2017
National Library of Australia
Canberra
FREE!
..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more info and reserve a place...
Jumat, 21 Desember 2018
This Is Banjo Paterson Day 3 - The Unusual Visual Storyline
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| Christina Booth rough for This is Banjo Paterson |
Welcome to day 3 of our Banjo launch. Today we are talking about This is Banjo Paterson's unusual visual storyline.
Most good picture books have some kind of dual narrative going on--another 'story' that's quite apart from the text. In this way, illustrations should not be simply a direct reflection of the text--they should be much more than that.
The illustrator is (or should be!) equally responsible for carrying the storyline and creating something new and novel from the text. A visual narrative lends depth, scope, emotion, humour, detail and so very much more, but most especially nuance. So much can be gleaned from a picture, and much of it can depend on the viewer and their interpretation.
Illustrator Christina Booth is an expert at this.
When Christina and I created importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">This is Captain Cook, I made mention to Christina that I envisaged the book's characters being played by children. So, basically, kids would take the roles of the real people from Captain Cook's life. She came up with the brilliant idea to set the entire book as a school play, with almost every scene unfurling on a stage.
This worked so very well, not only in terms of allowing lots of extra 'happenings' as the story went along (including a well-meaning rampant chook!) but in terms of allowing modern children to more deeply connect with the story of Cook's life. His world, after all, is achingly removed from how children live today. Children need to relate to the characters in books--it draws them in and keeps them engaged. And the kids playing the roles in a school play certainly did that.
Similarly, Banjo Paterson's life is told in a backyard scene, with kids in full play. Swinging on the washing line, camping outside in a tent, picnicking on a blanket... all things many modern day kids understand and experience at some stage in their lives. These elements allow kids to engage with a storyline that, again, is set back in the age of the dinosaurs (at least, I'm sure that's how they'd see the late 1800s!).
The wonderful thing about working with Christina, is that while (as author) I can suggest or intimate how things might look (this is necessary in terms of accurately conveying the narrative, especially when it comes to historical books like this one), she takes those guidelines and expands on them in ways that surprise and delight me, not to mention our editors and eventual readers!
It's the little things that add visual dimension to a picture book--and help children connect with story. Our optic nerve takes up a whopping 30% of our brain's cortex, meaning 90% of all information we absorb is taken in through the eyes (read my post on visual literacy importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here).
What children see has an impact on what they enjoy, learn and retain--and picture book images that are clever, entertaining, detailed and beautiful, are the books kids will return to again and again. Kids GET nuance. They really do. Even if they can't outwardly explain what they're getting, and I love that This is Banjo Paterson is resplendent with nuance, thanks to Christina's beautiful illustrations.
I also believe it's important to expose children to the lives of inspiring, uplifting, talented and memorable people. This is Banjo Paterson brings to life the story of a remarkable man in a way that's accessible to even the very young. And a large part of that connection will be found in illustration ... that divine visual narrative picture books rely on.
Stay tuned for Day 4, where illustrator Christina Booth talks about her illustrations. Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.
periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where
she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library,
and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items,
along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!
And for those in or near Canberra ...
nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">
Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson
11am
Sunday 12 February 2017
National Library of Australia
Canberra
FREE!
..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more info and reserve a place...
Selasa, 18 Desember 2018
This Is Banjo Paterson Day 4 - Christina Booth Talks About Her Work
Welcome to Day 4, where illustrator Christina Booth talks about her work in This is Banjo Paterson.
Take it away, Christina!
I will confess ... the idea of collaborating with another author on a picture book used to send shivers down my spine. Not in a good way, but in one that I wanted to avoid. You see, as creators, most of us are control freaks, we have a vision and we want to hold the reigns tightly as we manoeuvre through the creative process. I had always thought it would stunt the natural evolution of creativity, the spontaneity of having things grow, if someone else was also holding onto the reigns. Which way would that horse go?
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| some of Christina's amazing roughs for the book |
Then Tania contacted me regarding a book idea she had and that she wanted to work with me on it before presenting it to the publisher. I was just getting to know Tania and I was flattered when she said she had always wanted to work with me (I think she had me on a slightly higher pedestal than I deserved and I am afraid of heights!).
I looked at the story in progress and then, when a story is a good one, images and ideas started to grow. I drew up a sample image and we chatted about the direction we could head in and our horse seemed to be going in the same direction. I was relieved, I was in a collaboration and it seemed to be working. This was the beginning of This is Captain Cook.
You might ask, ΓÇÿisnΓÇÖt any work with an author and an illustrator a collaborative work?ΓÇÖ Well, to a certain extent yes, but the communication once commissioned to illustrate a picture book is usually mediated through the publisher. The story is written, edited and ready to go. This is then offered to an illustrator (or two) to see what they can do with the text and bring to the visual story line.
When two creators collaborate, they work together from an initial concept and tease it out together. It works very well when there is a strong trust and when each creator respects the other creators ideas and direction. They then present together to the publisher, or sometimes, the publisher is a part of the collaboration from the early stages.
This is Banjo Paterson is our second collaborative work for the National Library of Australia. This is Captain Cook did so well, Banjo became the second child, and I suddenly did a little private panic. We had set a precedent with the Captain and now, we had to equal that. There can be no hiding in the shadows of an older sibling.
What were we to do? I knew it couldnΓÇÖt be another play [This is Captain Cook's entire visual narrative is set as a school play]. Though that concept would still work well visually, it would be just a repeat of the last book. I wanted something else to make it shine but remain interactive with the audience. We went back to our childhoods, where playing dress-up and imaginative play happened in the backyard. Where story telling was practiced and role playing was fun. Banjo was an outdoor kind of guy so it seemed to be a natural fit.
3.bpspot/-XS3BPSjJTs8/WIlBzrOgrLI/AAAAAAABKmc/beNIL_xI-L8BaLu3_lVHGz2AIEYKgEVdwCLcB/s1600/hobby%2Bhorses%2Bhead%2BA3%2Bcutout1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> |
| Christina's hobby horse |
Tania desired horses, I considered horses in a paddock next door but they would have just been observers. I always dreamed of owning a horse as a child, but alas, it was not to be, so we made our own. Along with cubby houses made of boxes and branches, flying on the clothesline, playing under the hose, chatting with our neighbours. It was so Australian and that was the feel we wanted. And the homemade horses were born. Brooms, hobbyhorses, human horses! TaniaΓÇÖs wish was granted.
Recently I have created a lot of my illustration work digitally. I love it but I do miss the smell of paint and the beautiful mistakes that you must keep and adapt on paper, I try to do that with my digital work but the undo button is very convenient, so it was delightful to pull out the watercolour paper and pencils and swim in erasings all over the carpet once again.
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I chose to work in the same mediums as I did for Captain Cook because in a series we need a certain amount of consistency. It also lends itself to the airy outdoors, the clouds, the grass, the wind in the clothes on the clothesline. I also enjoyed placing backyard icons into the illustrations: a Hills Hoist (made like they used to), a dog, a neighbour over the fence and the kids jumping fences to play with each other. A paddling pool, the hose, and what a delight to discover when doing my research that what we now call Totem Tennis was first invented and was very popular in BanjoΓÇÖs time. Perfect!
So, am I now converted regarding collaborations? Yes. Though IΓÇÖm probably at my happiest steering my own horse, the beautiful thing is, Tania and I can go riding together, side by side as we support and share our careers.
We have just finished working on a third collaboration, this time a stand-alone book (you have to wait and see what it is!) but the best thing that comes out of a successful collaboration is that we are bonded for life as wonderful friends, and journey that creative path knowing we have help and support.
Stay tuned for Day 5, where you'll learn more about Banjo's poetry and his influences. You may be surprised! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.
periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where
she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library,
and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items,
along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!
And for those in or near Canberra ...
nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">
Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson
11am
Sunday 12 February 2017
National Library of Australia
Canberra
FREE!
..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more info and reserve a place...
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