BENDIGO writers were given a fresh perspective on poetry recently, when award-winning poet Bronwyn Lovell presented an intriguing workshop to members of the Bendigo Writers Council.
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Ms Lovell is no stranger to Bendigo, having been a presenter at the 2013 Bendigo Writers Festival.
She first made an impact on the Melbourne poetry scene with her powerful performances, but more recently has turned her focus to the printed page.
With a string of awards to her name, including a short-listing in the prestigious Montreal Poetry Prize, Ms Lovell was included in The Best Australian Poetry 2014 and was recently the recipient of an Arts Victoria grant and a Veruna Residential Fellowship to complete her Sci-Fi verse novel, Migration, inspired by the real life Mars One project.
Writers Council members were treated to a sneak preview reading from the book before being led through a series of hands-on poetry challenges and a discussion on the intricacies of reading and understanding poetry.
“I think there’s an impression out there that poetry isn’t very relevent in the modern world,” Ms Lovell said.
“But the voices of those who write authentically, not because they are paid to do it, not because they are trying to sell something, but because they want to share what it means to be human – those are voices that need to be heard.”
Moved and inspired by the art of others, Ms Lovell said she particularly liked getting out to regional areas and connecting with people through poetry.
“Bendigo feels like a second home to me these days,” Ms Lovell said.
“There are so many people who are passionate about literature and the arts, and the writers festival has already gained a huge reputation nationally.
“It really is a beautiful city. I feel honoured to have been invited back.”