Successful Writing Lives Workshop Held In Cootamundra

Earlier this month, twenty writers from around the region attended the ‘Writing Lives’ workshop.

The workshop was held in Cootamundra Library with ACT author Andra Putnis.

Attendees came from all across the region, coming from Young, Wombat, Boorowa, Galong, Stockinbingal, Jugiong, Grenfell, Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga.

Maree Myhill from the Lambing Flat Young FAW Writers Group said, “Attendees gained valuable information to write their family history and memoirs, with several writing exercises and sharing stories.”

“Andra went through writing tips from learning techniques for assessing personal memories, focused research, discovering how to follow memories and stitch them together to uncover narrative arc and plot, pacing memories in the broader context of family, place, community and history to hone meaning, through to staying true to your project and navigating the perils of telling your own story and the stories of others.”

“Andra shared her stories of speaking with her two grandmothers who immigrated from Latvia to Australia with their families, after living through the terrors of the Second World War.”

“She published these memories in her debut book ‘Stories My Grandmothers Didn’t Tell Me’ in 2024. It was also translated to Latvian and launched in Riga, Latvia in 2025. Her book has just been shortlisted for the ACT Book of the Year Award,” said Maree.

Andra is excited to be working as artistic director of the Canberra Writers Festival to bring an outstanding lineup of writers and speakers to Canberra from 22 - 26 October 2025.

• Topics:

• Creative Writing
• Workshops