Writing should be about commitment to doing something important, that would link you up with the world.
This is the encouragement to young and upcoming writers, by PNG’s renowned writer and scholar Dr Steven Winduo.
His message follows his participation at the Melbourne Writers Festival – the biggest Melbourne attraction for the world’s best writers and thinkers.
Dr Winduo was featured among many of the best, including over 250 Australians and international writers.
He was one of five writers from the Asia-Pacific, under another fellowship - Writers Immersion Cultural Exchange (WrICE), to participate in the MWF 2017.
Their participation was a component of the residency program under WrICE, which also required each of the WrICE participants to present in three different sessions at the MWF.
Dr Winduo’s first presentation was on Friday alongside two other indigenous writers.
“The presentation was on indigenous voices and perspectives, how we envision ourselves and what kind of conditions we find ourselves in and how we write,” he said.
His second session was in the evening of the same day, where, with fellow WrICE members, presenting about what it means to write across borders – different writers coming together.
His final session was on Sunday based on the theme Revolution.
While his team joined on the final days of the festival, MWF itself started on August 25 through to September 3.
This annual event brings together writers from around the world to celebrate literature, explore ideas, and inspire readers.
Presenting over 300 events in the 10-day period, the festival is suitable for people of all ages and more than a quarter of the program is free.
“This really helped me a lot in a personnel way, firstly, to develop my network that I really need as a writer,” he said.
He hopes his participation sets a stage for young PNG writers to aspire to participate at international level.
“There are so many good things happening outside and many people with similar experiences out there where you can learn from, engage with and develop your network.”
Picture sourced: Dr Steven Windou (by Ali Barker)