On Impulse: The Sampler Session

Queenstown Lakes is growing, and so is our creative output. Meet six of our rising local writers and hear readings from either a published piece or a work-in-progress. This year’s theme, “on impulse” is likely to get hearts jumping and nerves jangling.

Enjoy work from poet Jane Bloomfield, songwriter Violet Hirst, writer Darren Lovell, children’s author Margaret Amor, Elizabeth Noel and Alastair Thomson.

Jane Bloomfield is probably better known as a children’s author, more recently she describes herself as an accidental poet (for grownups.) Her poetry and creative-non-fiction have been published in numerous literary journals.

Violet Hirst is a singer/songwriter born in Tāhuna, and now constantly coming home. Violet writes, records and performs her own music, often incorporating film and movement into her music, and vice versa.

Darren Lovell is a writer, reader, cook, gardener, global explorer, husband, queer, English lit nerd. He is currently writing a gay, coming-of-age story set in Brisbane in 1985 against a backdrop of AIDS hysteria and illegal homosexuality.

Margaret Amor has self published her first pukapuka for children, Poihau Whero – Red Balloon, written in both te reo Māori and English, and painted free hand.

Elizabeth Noel writes to understand the past, herself and the world she inhabits. Her debut novel is an exploration of the home of her ancestors; Austria during its interwar history and its devastating collapse into Nazism.

Alastair Thompson has no writing experience apart from co-writing the Otago University Capping Revue in 1974, which was rapturously received by his immediate family and grandmother. He always wanted to write, so in the twilight of middle age, has taken up the quill, Tales of the Pale Victor being the fruit of his first attempt.