Marianne de Pierres
Hi All,
sorry for complete radio silence for so long. Between a PhD, two house moves, and significant personal issues, the last year or so has proved to be a time-sapping black hole. However, I am back with renewed verve, and am looking forward to bringing you stories and ideas.
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a think camp at Think Place in Canberra. It was an event being held for the RAAF in conjunction with their project Plan Jericho. I got to meet some ultra cool people (including some rather brilliant women among them) working in the defence area and we built possible future worlds from scratch. You know how I like to build worlds! The workshop was well-facilitated and many ideas were generated. I’m looking forward to seeing the outcomes of the next innovation stage.
Once I submit my PhD (next month or so), I’ll be returning to a normal writing and appearances routine. In early August, I’ll be doing a tour of regional Queensland (around the Rockhampton area) with the Gondor Writer’s Centre, and stay tuned for a big announcement about this years Brisbane Writers Festival.
My application for a Fulbright scholarship is about to go in, so keep your fingers crossed for me. If I am fortunate enough to be selected, I will be overseas next year writing the biography of my American ancestor, Colonel Thorn. I’ve been hankering to write this book for some time (I like to call it the original Gatsby tale), but so many obstacles have been in my way. Then a few weeks ago, out of the blue, an Irish gentleman contacted me to say that he is also descended from Herman Thorn’s line and has a copper engraved image of him and his son, Albert. I think life is finally giving me the green light.
