Where do I begin......
As a first timer, experiencing this festival was great. I loved the vibe, atmosphere and authors. As I didn't know what to expect this festival was brilliant and a great first impression.
My favourite sessions were "Influence and the Media" with Tasneem Chopra and "We're All Going to Die" with Leah Kaminsky. These two women were not only empowering, but incredible individuals that showed knowledge, insight and great passion. They displayed the importance of if you really love something you should do it, and for that I not only learned something but I am very grateful and appreciative.
The other sessions were also fantastic and beneficial. It was interesting to see and hear authors views, opinions and facts about all things writing. Each author showed and shared knowledgeable insight of what it is like to be an author.
Not only was it tiring and exhausting but a great opportunity to gain knowledge and help on how to be a writer and the tools you must have to go about it. I have always thought about writing a book, but never really believed that I had the ability to, but also the drive and motivation. Somehow, the writers motivated me and I'm sure many others, instilling in them that if you believe in your abilities you can achieve anything you put your mind to. THANK YOU!
A big sincere thank you to Sue Gillett, who was a brilliant, enthusiastic and lovely lecturer that showed and displayed absolute professionalism and passion through out the whole festival. Not only was she helpful but you could see the love she has for the subject. If only all of my classes were like this I would be one happy university student. THANK YOU SUE.
All in all, WRITERS IN ACTION was a fantastic subject and opportunity for anyone pursuing to be a writer or anyone that is generally interested in books and reading. I would highly recommend it as I learnt so much in just a few days. I will definitely be back.
- Written by Hediye Besim.
Saturday 1 October 2016
Death is inevitable, we're all going to die.
QUOTE OF THE SESION: "If we sanitize death, we sanitize life" - Dr Leah Kaminsky
Death is something that will happen in each one of our lives, yet we dismiss it and tend to avoid it. Are people scared? Do they not think about it? Or is it one of those melancholy subjects that no one wants to hear?
I was eager to hear this session, yes, I know what 22 year old female wants to hear about dying? But the truth is, it will happen. Maybe not today or tomorrow but it certainly will happen one day. Anyway, as I was walking to the VAC I noticed many older people lining up for this session. Men and women in there 40's, 50's, 60's and here I was.
Entering the session I was feeling excitement, I must admit the session was full! As it began the audience were greeted with the lovely Sue Gillett interviewing Dr Leah Kaminsky. Dr Leah had a very brilliant way of interacting with the audience, she used anecdotes about her own life and her Jewish faith, and spoke in such an engaging way where the audience was in awe. She discussed her book "We're All Going to Die" and how its about learning to confront death and facing your fears. Through this, its looking at life more authentically and fearlessly, coming to terms and accepting that death will come, but embracing and appreciating life.
I loved the way she spoke about her book in such a passionate and exciting way. She summed up her book saying "I can't go on, I will go on". Alarm bells went off in my head, because its so realistic and true. Everyone goes through many ups and downs through their life, with positive and negative aspects. We have to continue to remember to get back up and continue to try and embrace life in every shape and form. Life isn't meant to be perfect, its meant to be imperfect and I think thats an element that many people forget. THANK YOU LEAH!
Death is something that will happen in each one of our lives, yet we dismiss it and tend to avoid it. Are people scared? Do they not think about it? Or is it one of those melancholy subjects that no one wants to hear?
I was eager to hear this session, yes, I know what 22 year old female wants to hear about dying? But the truth is, it will happen. Maybe not today or tomorrow but it certainly will happen one day. Anyway, as I was walking to the VAC I noticed many older people lining up for this session. Men and women in there 40's, 50's, 60's and here I was.
Entering the session I was feeling excitement, I must admit the session was full! As it began the audience were greeted with the lovely Sue Gillett interviewing Dr Leah Kaminsky. Dr Leah had a very brilliant way of interacting with the audience, she used anecdotes about her own life and her Jewish faith, and spoke in such an engaging way where the audience was in awe. She discussed her book "We're All Going to Die" and how its about learning to confront death and facing your fears. Through this, its looking at life more authentically and fearlessly, coming to terms and accepting that death will come, but embracing and appreciating life.
I loved the way she spoke about her book in such a passionate and exciting way. She summed up her book saying "I can't go on, I will go on". Alarm bells went off in my head, because its so realistic and true. Everyone goes through many ups and downs through their life, with positive and negative aspects. We have to continue to remember to get back up and continue to try and embrace life in every shape and form. Life isn't meant to be perfect, its meant to be imperfect and I think thats an element that many people forget. THANK YOU LEAH!
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| Sue Gillett interviewing Dr Leah Kaminsky in the session "We're All Going to Die" |
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