Storytelling and the State Library

Last night I went to the State library for a forum on 'The evolution of storytelling' featuring three different storytelling styles. Speakers were storyteller and author Jackie Kerin, author Gabi Wang and Radio National presenter Michelle Raynor. Michelle spoke first talking about the challenges of storytelling in a landscape of rapidly evolving media technology. Then Jackie shared some history of the oral storytelling tradition before captivating all with her performance of 'Edith's Lyrebird' and 'Shark'. For more of Jackie's doings visit her here.


Gabi talked about her Chinese heritage and her own history and how that informs her writing. She also showed us an amazing scroll that she completed as part of her art studies in China. She talked about her forthcoming novel, Little Paradise, and its origins. She also alluded to inheriting her mother's sense of style (sorry Gabi, couldn't resist) For more details visit her here.

Jackie is looking for the storyteller in Gabi's wonderful scroll. The detail and fine brushwork is amazing .

Good or bad idea?

In the last little while I've been working on a few projects. One is a second story in what may one day be a series. The others are in the research stage. The first is a story set in early Melbourne, but not to do with gold. The second is around traditional stories. The third is the differences between sheep and goats.

The first draft of the contemporary story is almost complete. In all three of the other projects, research is proving a little more challenging. The local library provided the starts, and the internet helps but I think I'm going to need to spend some time in town at both the Immigration Museum and the State Library.

Should I be pleased that I've discovered an opportunity to fill a gap, or concerned that perhaps the interest/market for these topics isn't there? Who knows? As my mother would say, time (and some more research) will tell.