Monthly Archives: August 2009

A New Way To Teach: Let The Students Pick The Books!

Evening all!

I just got home from a live television filming! Was very fun :)

I read the most fascinating article in The New York Times today, about two teachers in America who have changed the way they teach English, and now, instead of teaching classics such as How To Kill A Mockingbird, they are letting the students pick what they want to study.

It's the most fantastic article, and a whole new way to approach teaching.

Personally, in year eleven, out of the four books that we studied for the year, we could pick one. We were trooped to the library, where the librarian handed us a list of all the books we could pick from. We were told to pick, tell our teacher our selection, find it on the shelves and then ...

Randomness, Links – MWF/Julia Lawrinson Debate

Happy Sunday to you all!

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday - I'm attempting to limit my blogs cuz I'm almost at 200. And this slightly scares me as I haven't really planned anything... *Gulp* I emailed someone (let's leave it anon at this point, shall we?!) and asked something (again, with the anon!) about my 200th and as yet I haven't heard about. Fingers crossed!

This morning something completely random happened and it's got nothing to do with books but I want to share it cuz it's so random!

I have this friend I met at a party a few months ago and we've become pretty close. This morning she texted me to say that I've met her sister before. Impossible! I thought to myself, scanning my mind for any French people with the name Stephanie that ...

Flattery (Can Get You Everywhere!) & Links!

Afternoon all!

I've been having a very relaxing day. I woke up late and have been curled up in bed with my laptop since, writing and reading and listening to the wonderful Kate Miller-Heidke. Current fave songs include I Like You Better When Your Not Around (which is also my ring-tone) and Motorscooter.

In the last twenty four hours, I'll been very flattered in three ways:

1. Asked to be a bridesmaid for one of my close friend's wedding. Yes! Hoorah! Oh the excitement. We were looking at dresses and shoes last night, so exciting!

2. Read the following on Julia Lawrinson's blog: "...got to meet blogger extraordinaire Megan Burke" Massive hoorah! Julia was blogging about MWF and some of the people she's met, and I am very flattered to be included with the ...

Simmone Howell & Julia Lawrinson – MWF

Evening all!

This will only be a quick post as I've had an extremely busy day and I am literally falling asleep!

This morning/early afternoon saw the Simmone/Julia Suburbia event at MWF! It was very good!

Ahhh so informative!

Both spoke on growing up in suburbia, and there seemed to be two common themes between them, dispite growing up in different states (Julia: Perth, Simmone: Melbourne): boredom and alcohol!

Simmone also read from her current work in progress! It was so exciting to hear it! And because I'm a stalker, I recorded the whole thing on my camera. Hoorah!

And I'm so sorry but I am about to fall asleep. I am so tired! :( And up early tomorrow for work, before a class, before tutoring. Argh another full day...

Anyway, enjoy the ...

I need Advice on Schooling! Please Help! Also Awesome New Blogs/Links

Afternoon all!

So I decided it would be best to go to school today, considering I haven't been for quite a while. Interesting stuff!

And now the big question is: should I take my Cert Four of Professional Writing & Editing and run all the way to a Creative Writing Degree, or should I hang around and complete the Diploma and then the degree? Such questions are on my mind at the moment, and I have no idea what to do - help will be appreciated!

Also it's come to my attention that I am almost at my 200th post mark! What shall I do?! After my failed attmpted at an awesome 100th post (I still love the photo!), I need some plans for my 200th *shifts eyes back and forth*

Actually, re-reading my 100th post ...

I.AM.GOING.TO.BE.SICK.

OH. MY. FREAKING. GOD.

If you can't read what is in the little red seal, it says, "Bella & Edward's Favourite Book."

OH. MY. GOD.

Is it fair to say that Emily is rolling in her grave?

If I was her, I would be.

Since when does a Bronte need bloody Twilight to boost sales?!

*Bashes head again wall*

KILL. ME. NOW.

This is the DEATH of literature as we know it!!!

MWF: Julia, Kirsty and Justine!


Afternoon all!

Just got home from The Melbourne Writers Festival!

As you can see, I went and saw Justine Larbalestier!

I must say that she looked amazing, she had on these awesome cowboy boots and that green dress! So nice! Also, I noticed she wasn't wearing a wedding ring (you all knew she is married to Scott Westerfeld, right?). Hmmm....

I also went and saw Julia Lawrinson & Kirsty Murray (twice), and I also spied in the festival: Isobelle Carmody, Jack Heath, Lia Hills, Simmone (the first thing Simmone said to me was, "You're such a stalker!" in reference to the photo of her and Melina, you can see that here), John Boyne and Scott Westerfeld.

I was a bit disappointed with Justine's event on a whole, they barely touched the session outline at ...

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: MICHAEL PRYOR


AUTHOR INTERVIEW: MICHAEL PRYOR
As promised on Saturday, here is my interview with Michael Pryor!

Michael Pryor was born in Swan Hill and currently lives in Melbourne.

In other lives, he's worked as a drainer's labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, an Electronic Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher (teaching English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.)

But currently he's an author.

Over forty of his short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. His writing moves from literary fiction to genre science fiction to slapstick humour.

He's been shortlisted three times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and has also been nominated for a Ditmar award. His ...

This Week’s Stash plus The Idea’s Store & Randomness!


Hello everyone!

After Kirsty's brilliant launch this morning (which you can read about here), I went into the city and went to The Melbourne Writers Festival! Hoorah!

I picked up my lanyard, complete with an awesome little card thing with my name on it, and then wandered inside.

BAD IDEA.

Ended up in the Readings bookstore at MWF and bought Literary Melbourne, which, for those of you who don't know, is edited by Steve Grimwade, now Director of MWF and all around nice guy.

After that I went to Flinders Books (I LOVE that shop!) and bought another three books (Writer's Handbook, Self-Editing for Novice Writers, A Free-Dragging Manifesto) and finally called it quits and went home.

And yesterday, before my friend and I saw My Sister's Keeper, we went shopping and I ...

KIRSTY MURRAY: VULTURE’S GATE BOOK LAUNCH


Afternoon everyone!

This morning I went to the launch of Kirsty Murray's new book, Vulture's Gate, at Fairfield Library. And it totally rocked for a number of reasons:

1. Kirsty came up to me, kissed me on the cheek and gave me a hug and said it was great that I'd made it. And called me by my name. Which is totally awesome! I had no idea she even knew who I was. I mean, I'd seen her at various other events and we'd progressed to the head-nod and acknowledgement that we keep seeing each other, but I didn't actually know she knew who I was!

2. She then introduced me as "Megan Burke" (OMG SHE KNOWS MY SIR-NAME TOO!!!) to Michael Pryor, and we - Michael and I - had a lovely conversation ...