Writers Fest - a Feast on Day One

The first day of the fest can often be a bit of a lottery; sound equipment not quite right, writers running late, not flash organisation in getting people into the various venues, signing queues a bit of a dogs' breakfast etc. Some of it was there this year but apart from the seemingly interminable wait to get into the venues and the heating on 'let's all sweat together' it didn't go too badly.

Jostein Gaarder

First session of the day at 10 with DBC Pierre and he came fully prepared with hangover, red wine and a sample of the perfume featured in his latest book. Session went well, although he was not the most stimulating of speakers. Not many people in the queue for signing after and he was most affable to meet. Almost straight into another session this time on the subject of Russia with three writers who'd written books about Russia from various angles - returning to their home country after settling elsewhere, being the daughter of suspected Soviet spies and examining Russian literature. Very entertaining and interesting.  Had a nice chat about editing of books with Maria Tumarkin who wrote a not great travel memoir 'Otherland' and surprised me by how young she looked and seemed delightful. A break for a snack at Melbourne Central before returning to Fed Square.  Caught up with an old friend who had a stall in the Book market, such a nice surprise.  Then in to a session I had high hopes for with Jostein Gaarder, author of 'Sophies World', a book I had not enjoyed. To be frank I may have been wanting to see if he was as big a wanker as I thought he probably was. truthfully, he was terrific and entertaining and fascinating. really enjoyed the session.

Jon Bauer

Had a nice long break then which was just as well because I was getting tired.  Went home for a breather before coming back in for a lively and fun but also sometimes profound session called 'Motherhood - not all nice'. There was a lot of talk around how we perceive motherhood in its many forms and how writers represent that.  Jon Bauer, Fiona McGregor and Susan Maushart exchanged their ideas and didn't hold back on what they thought.  Jon did at times look embattled and we talked afterwards about that and he said he appreciated my 'solidarity'.  Nice dedication from him in my book, also had a good chat with Fiona.  She had made a comment in the session about every woman feeling at some point that they are becoming their mothers and I assured her blokes occasionally have the same thought and it's usually something they say that gives them that pause.

The City was starting to come to life at the end of a sunny Saturday as I walked across Swanston Street on my way back to the car, some people were still straggling back from the footy - the two great cultural pursuits of Melbourne, writing and footy were momentarily as one.

A great first day, some interesting topics and some charming 'engagements'.