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 Ex-MCA Writing student, Glenn Johnson was one of five writers chosen by publisher Harper Collins for a manuscript development project at Varuna Writers Centre (Katoomba, NSW) during April, 2003.
Competition for these places is intense and the Faculty would like to congratulate Glenn on his achievement.
Did you expect to be chosen?
I think everyone hopes to be selected rather than expects to. There were over three hundred manuscripts submitted so you just keep your fingers crossed. Having said that I've always had a degree of confidence in the story I'm writing. This has been boosted every step of the way by support from Merlinda Bobis and John Scott and my peers from the Masters course. Perhaps if the early feedback had been negative my confidence would have waned somewhat.
What manuscript are you working on?
The manuscript is (currently) called "Between Strides". It is the tale of a thirty year old Sydney man who meets an enigmatic young South Korean woman. The relationship that develops leads the man to re-evaluate not only his but his morality and the nature of obsession and the paths it can entice you down.
Neil has been a member of an 'avant-garde' theatre company for the past seven years. He drives a taxi to pay the rent. Living on the bread line in pursuit of artistic integrity has begun to take its toll and led him to question the future direction of his life. It is at this point that a chance encounter with the beautiful Hea Eun occurs.
The story follows a series of meetings between the two in cafes and pubs around inner Sydney. As neil is ineluctably drawn into Hea Eun's world he finds himself becoming obsessed with the need to define the relationship. The more time they spend together the further away this goal seems to be. Hea Eun's seeming need to remain mysterious pulls him into the vortex of her unqualified desires and leads him into an attempt to manipulate a future of which he himself is unsure.
Just as he sees signs of her mystique receding she is forced to return to Korea indefinitely. Before leaving she asks Neil to show her Korean friend, In Sook around Sydney. While at first, Neil feels indignant at the imposition he reluctantly accepts. From the outset Neil is aware that In Sook is willing the relationship to develop further. When he comes to believe that Hea Eun is unlikely to return he begins to find himself prepared to explore this possibility. Hea Eun's unexpected return to Sydney forces neil to confront his desires and intentions.
What do you expect to glean from the Varuna experience?
Good question. Having just come to terms with the fact that I'm actually going I've had to think seriously about this. Obviously to work with an editor is a great opportunity. It will be exciting to work with someone who basically is there to help you to take your work to a higher level. One of the things I want to discover is how well I will be able to take on board suggestions to improve the manuscript. I have no fear that I can accept criticism, my worry is in my ability to be able to then re-write in way
that addresses the criticism adequately. I'm looking forward to this challenge. On top of that, I'm excited about the 'Varuna experience'. To be in a creative environment with like- minded people should be exhilarating, a chance to talk to other writers about their work and their processes.
More information on Varuna Writers Centre: http://www.varuna.com.au/
Page created August 22nd 2003
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