Writer breaks her silence for Artists Talk series

Jason Tozer

Ms Rendle-Short gave an insight into her creative process Photo: Ben Brillante

5 September 2006: Creative writing lecturer Francesca Rendle-Short has finally spoken in the Artists Talk series she originally developed to showcase the works of other practising artists.

Most of her peers and students saw it as her 'breaking her silence,' but Ms Rendle-Short simply felt it was the right time to reveal the mysteries behind her creative process and current work.

"The question of whether to speak about your writing process is about being ready," she said.

"You can never push this, the timing has to be right, but these talks provide a wonderful focus, an opportunity to shape and fashion your practice and have the floor."

Her latest work is an autobiographical novel that combines the taste of pineapple and smell of humidity to paint a picture of growing up in 1970s Brisbane.

While Ms Rendle-Short doesn't want to give too much away just yet, she did use the chance to talk about the process of self-discovery involved.

"This kind of story takes a lifetime to write, to garner courage and self-knowledge," she said.

"When you write imaginatively, from the heart, shaving the bone, you sometimes just about sweat blood, but the rush afterwards is intoxicating."

Now she has had her 'head on the chopping block', Ms Rendle-Short will continue the Artists Talk series in the same mould she initially envisioned for it.

"My idea for the series has always been to hear other artists in conversation," she said.

"The imagination is our currency in creative practice and the space of the Artists Talks gives weight and value to this idea."