It’s been a while since I posted- so here is a brief run down of what I’ve been up to:

Silence was sold out 4 shows out of 5. Unfortunately it did not get regional arts victoria funding to tour. Currently I’m putting this show on hold- I have two other exciting projects I want to get my teeth into.

White Whale Theatre have commissioned me and 4 other writers to write a short play on a Melbourne suburb for their Melbournalia 2 season.

I’m currently writing a new novel! Tentatively titled “I could be you” it is a culmination of the past three years of ideas that have gestated and finally sprung into life. I am much indebted to the Footscray Community Arts Centre for giving me a desk and a space to write in, close to one of the best views of Melbourne from the Maribrynong River.

I have cut down my counselling days from 4 to 3 which has restored my sense of balance. And I am a fortnight off from handing in my masters work- which I am happy to leave behind me. I have learnt a lot from Kathleen Fallon and Jennifer Rutherford and I achieved two of my aims- to become better read and get kickstarted writing again- but the two and half year process felt rather constipated.

Last week saw Nam Le in conversation with Cate Kennedy. He gave a very intelligent answer to the oft asked question of ethnic writers- what does your cultural community think of your writing- and he said it ranged like any other part of the community. He also talked abouit the perils of being boxed in as an ethnic writer and how his collection of which only two draw on his Vietnamese background explodes expectations and the possibilities.

I see his success as a great gate opener for the rest of us- and shows Vietnamese writers can do anything!