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For ECH resident Annie, writing has been her constant companion for as long as she can remember.
Over the decades, their relationship has taken different forms – from competitive when she was a speech writer, creative when she was writing short stories, nurturing when crafting inspirational quotes for a daily calendar, and professional when compiling pamphlets when working as a counsellor in Sydney.
To Annie, a pivotal point in her relationship with writing came when she was awarded a mentoring grant in poetry from Arts SA. She was inspired to write and publish in 2017 her first book, A Slide into the Invisible – a collection of poetry and photography.
“When you’re meant to be visible as an artist you do it. That is what art is – showing up for ourselves,” Annie explains.
A recent opportunity to hear from and meet one of Adelaide’s most successful contemporary authors at an ECH Book Club event was ideal for Annie.
The evening at Dymocks, Rundle Mall, was hosted by Jane Doyle, who interviewed Pip Williams, whose first novel, the global best seller The Dictionary of Lost Words, was recently adapted to the stage by the State Theatre Company South Australia.
“It was a joy to meet the author Pip, she was humble yet truthful, she’s inspiring and the whole evening was a delight,” Annie says.
“For ECH to be involved with arts and culture really shows what is important to the organisation.
“The arts help us understand each other as people and society and if we didn’t have arts, we would only have a savage world, we wouldn’t have any culture.
“I’d definitely like more events like this one.”
Annie is now in the process of finalising her own book project, titled What causes heterosexuality and can it be cured?
While the book is currently being edited, she hopes to receive an offer from a publisher soon.
“The book will land where it’s meant to land; my job was to write it,” she says.
“The book is my overview of why we have war, terrorism, homophobia, paedophilia, domestic violence and femicide. If we are connected to ourselves, we don’t need to have war, so I’m challenging the ego.
“It’s my take on empowering ourselves and claiming back our power as human beings.”
This has been a work in progress for 15 years; Annie deleted the manuscript three times due to self-doubt and trauma. Nevertheless, the idea persisted.
“What has encouraged me to write are these thoughts that have been in me as a writer. Any type of art, we feel we will be judged by our performance,” she says.
Annie has lived at Torrens Court for about 18 months since moving from Kangaroo Island and says she enjoys being part of the wider ECH community.
“I enjoy the community in the village. Going out to your mailbox, there’s always someone there and I feel safe,” she says.
“I’m 4km from the city, I just hop on the bus. I really like the area, I’m very close to Norwood and there’s a nice bunch of folk.”
Do you have a talent or hobby that you would like to share? Let us know at keepconnected@ech.asn.au
Posted: December 12, 2023