
Hanging out with my tribe at the HNSA 2017 conference.
Is it really over a week since the HNSA conference in Melbourne? Well, Hawthorn, to be exact, at Swinburne University, where I work as a sessional tutor. At the conference, I enjoyed being part of a rather powerful panel on Saturday, chaired by the twice doctor Gillian Polack. Barbara Gaskell Denvil, Stephanie Smee and Rachel Nightingale and I did our best to answer Gillian’s probing questions about how we transmute research into compelling historical fiction. She even gave us objects from the past to demonstrate to the audience our processes of imagination. I’m afraid my imagination refused to engage with my tiny piece of 14th century pottery – rather, it left me with many questions only research would answer.
Then on Sunday I looked after the brilliant ‘Lie of History’ sessions. Dr Glenice Whitting, Dr Di Murray, Dr Gillian Polack, Cheryl Hayden, Chris Raja and Professor Josie Arnold all discussed ‘the lie of history’ and left me in awe with their deluge of ideas and synergy.
One great thing about conferences is the opportunity to catch up with friends and being energised and inspired by others of your tribe. I even had the lovely Alex Stark, one of our Swinburne writing students (someone who I look forward to mentoring as she writes her first historical novel), give me a few lessons on using Instagram.
A brief taste of the weekend in photos.

Hazel Edwards, Kate Forsyth, moi and Belinda Murrell

Kate Mildenhall, Christopher Raja and moi

Getting ready to talk about transmuting research into fiction.

HNSA 2017 Panel:
HOW TO TRANSMUTE RESEARCH INTO COMPELLING HISTORICAL FICTION
Converting research into page turning novels with Wendy J Dunn, Barbara Gaskell Denvil, Stephanie Smee and Rachel Nightingale.

Glenice Whitting presenting at the HNSA conference.

My wonderful professor, Josie Arnold. Josie supervised me during my PhD.
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