Going West Henderson Library VIsit

On the 6th November the class went to the Henderson library in the van with Robert.  We were sent a list of authors in the archive.  I was interested in the writers and musicians who have performed their work at the festival - to name a few Robert Sullivan, Witi Ihamaera, Albert Wendt, Nalini Singh, Emily Perkins, Daren Kamili, Chad Taylor, Fiona Kidman, Bill Manhire,Janet Charman, Karen Hay, Dave Dobbyn.

We listened to Hone Tuwhare, Dorothy Butler, Kate DeGoldi, Tusi Tuisala.  They read some of their work out and spoke about their writing.

I am definately going to the festival next year as I think it would be really worthwhile. We can visit anytime we want and the staff were really helpful.  Loved the library which seems really current with it being attached to a Unitec.  Really enjoyed the van ride in with the class.

IKA Journal

At the beginning of Writers at Work with Robert Sullivan we assisted with the editing of different pieces that were being published in Ika.  I got to edit a long poem and a short story and Robert got us all to read each line from the bottom up.  We were asked to check for grammar, spelling mistakes and anything on the page that wasnt working.

The Ika journal is given out to all of us in class after coming out from the printers.  This is exciting as the work of students I have been studying with is in the journal - Thomas Brooks, Barbara Stanley, and Amber Esau.  Has a performance poem in it by Toa that I love, and a cool story by Munro.

We brainstorm the opening of Ika journal and talk about food, venue and when we are expected there on Saturday.  A warm up for our performance is needed and students suggest taking down posters in the room and singers from Performing Arts are invited to join in.