Ashlee sets her intentions for 2021 and reflects on her Te Papa Tupu journey and the second workshop held in Auckland last month. Oh, the joys of a new year – that heady feeling of a fresh start, new opportunities, the desire to be better, do better. Resolutions and reflections that may or may […]
Olivia explores the past and what life was like for Māori communities, including her own whānau, to help to develop her story. My book has two timelines, one is the 1960’s – 70’s and the other is 2010. It is the story of a family and how events from the past reverberate through time. To […]
As our rōpū approaches the second Te Papa Tupu workshop and Jade gets closer to her goal of a completed (first draft of a) manuscript, she reflects on reading, research and making space for writing. It feels super meta to be writing about writing, but I’ve been doing so much substantial, immersive writing working on […]
Christmas approaches and like Santa I need to deliver on time. Two months into the writing schedule and I’m slow to catch up. Creative writing had a hiatus because I had three university assignments due in October that couldn’t wait. The delay was draining, humbling and yet weirdly it made me feel special. […]
The co-existence of career and writing. I want to be writing. Instead I’m helping my colleague Tumbleweed lay-up carbon fibre. It’s an icky, sticky, process that involves gluing layers of the stuff and squishing the whole lot into a mould. There’s never quite enough space. We’re saved from cracking heads purely by the fact that […]
Te Papa Tupu writer Ashlee Sturme explores the feelings that come after completing a manuscript and realising that the journey has only just begun.. Yay! I wrote a book! Cue the celebrations! Pour the champers, order in takeout, light candles and let us dance! I am done, I am done! Well, it’s not a book […]
Putting yourself first is about taking care of yourself and creating a pathway to fulfil your goals. It doesn’t mean you’re ignoring the needs of others. When your needs are met and you feel good, it is easier to give back to others. Olivia Aroha Giles shares her story and how she put herself first […]
It’s been three weeks since the first Te Papa Tupu wānanga in Te Whanganui-ā-Tara where Jade met her mentor Simon Minto, and the other writers and mentors on the programme. Jade reflects on this past week and her work/life/writing balance. It’s 8pm on a Thursday evening, and I’m sitting on the floor of a […]
From One Tree Point, Whāngārei, Deborah Williams (Ngāi Tahu) is a teacher, outdoor-enthusiast and crafter of many things including stories. She has recently completed a Master of Creative Writing at Auckland University and looking to progress her novel to a publishable standard and connect with other Māori writers.
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Chances are you’ve been lost in limbo at some point on your writing journey and an opportunity to take a step forward has presented itself. To be considered, you have to put your writing out there but you’re terrified it will be rejected, you’ll be rejected. This is how writer Ashlee Sturme was feeling when […]
