Seniors moving house

This is a free ad in one way, but it also provides some food for thought. Relocating to a retirement village or an Aged Care facility can be a daunting prospect. There are always two aspects - emotional and physical - and both can be overwhelming. This company, Moving On, is based in Sydney, and provides a "beginning to end service" to "de-stress your move." Lisa was a finalist in the 2010 Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year Award, nominated by a happy client!
 We both think these services can be invaluable, especially when there are few family or friends capable of helping with the physical side of things, even if they want to. At this time, there may be extra emotional issues that can be made a little easier with a company specialising in senior clients and their families. We would recommend checking the credentials of any company before using their services. One way could be asking the facility you are moving to what they know of the company you have chosen. Local seniors groups and networks are great places to let each other know about positive or negative experiences. Or ask someone you trust to look into it for you. If you are in hospital, ask the Discharge Planner, or the Social Worker. Sometimes downsizing, or moving to somewhere with a bit more company or help, is put off because the physical effort seems too much. This is where getting the appropriate help can assist you in moving when you decide the time is right for you.  We love having choices! It is one of the reasons we wrote our book. The famous saying "knowledge is power" applies at 5 and 95. Look into your options before you need them. See what you like or not. Find out about this company, Moving On, or others in your area, so that you have options, rather than crises.
Happy discovering :) Trish and Lynda   PS What a great telephone number!

Dr Seuss . Never too old at Bendigo Writers Festival

Picked up this postcard at NMIT Fairfield Campus. What a great Dr Seuss quote! In a way, this is confirming we can get better as we get older - simply by virtue of having been around longer, to read lots more!
Bendigo (Victoria) Writers Festival is on August 10-12 2012 
Visit www.bendigowritersfestival.com.au or 
freecall 1800813153


Interviewing a publisher with a large company for my Degree, I asked what advice she would give for writers. Her emphatic reply was "to read widely". This gives an appreciation for what is considered succesful, supports other writers, and increases the writer's knowledge of the body of work in the genre in which they are working.

There is another aspect to this. Set yourself a task to read one book, every now and then, that you would not normally read.Make yourself read it to the end and then critically appraise it as to why you did or did not like it.
This is a simple method to broaden your literary experience and analytical thinking. Last year I instituted the principle that I would read any book that came my way that had an interesting cover (front to get my attention and back if the storyline seemed interesting). I have subsequently become quite interested in cover design and how it relates to my actual experience reading the book. Discovering why you don't like a book, can provide a fascinating insight into yourself! Encourage young and older to read as widely as possible! Lynda
Please click on the word "comments" below to add your thoughts. Thanks. Trinda :)

Writing your memoir

The Mind of a Thief

Trish and I were fortunate to attend a memoir writing workshop with Patti Miller at the NSW Society of Women Writers. She explained the highs and lows of good research and its crucial role in making an interesting history into a great story. Should be a great read, and maybe an inspiration for us to write our own stories - we all have one! The article below is from an email sent by the Australian Writers Network.

The Mind of a Thief, published by UQP, is Patti Miller’s sixth book. It tells the story of a native title claim in her hometown and reveals her own connection to country and the past. A narrative non-fiction, it explores belonging, reconciliation, kinship and identity. ‘It's both a beautifully written and timely book that speaks directly to white Australians about what reconciliation means to us all, at a most personal level. It traverses public issues and private life in the way that the best memoirs do.’ John Hunter, UQP Reviews ‘A seamless narrative. [Miller’s] powers of observation give her stories a colourful cohesion. She has produced a remarkably fluid, virtuoso piece of writing.’ Saturday Age ‘Native title is a complex and vexing issue. This thoughtful, well-researched and beautifully written personal story helps us to understand why it is so important to indigenous people.’ Herald Sun ‘Great Reads’ ‘The Mind of a Thief deals with the big issues. .. the book unfolds into one of the best descriptions I've seen of the native title mediation process. This is complex stuff but Miller sets it all out calmly and clearly, using the craft of storytelling.’ Weekend Australian ‘Thoughtfully and perceptively relayed, this is a story all about identity, connection to place and how we gain a sense of self through stories of the generations.’ Courier-Mail Next Author Event in Sydney Patti Miller in Conversation with Caroline Baum, Kings Cross Library 6pm 18th July The Mind of a Thief is available at all good bookshops. For more information: www.lifestories.com.au For Author Event Updates: Life Stories Workshop Facebook Contact: pmiller@lifestories.com.au