A BUSHMAN SLOWLY DYING

[Stephen Whiteside]

Fair point, John. But then you read a book like "Such Is Life" by Tom Collins (or, in my case, half of it!) and you realise there were some pretty extraordinary characters knocking around the bush a hundred years ago. Perhaps that is not so much the case now, though. Then again, I think of Ted Egan's song about 'Roger'.

[Peely]

G'day Stephen

There are always going to be the real characters that don't exactly fit what might be expected of their stereotype. Some of the bushies were not that simple either - they had the education, but chose the lifestyle for reasons of their own (preference for solitude, escapism as a couple of examples). If you write the story without mentioning the background, the language used might seem out of place.

Regards


John Peel

[Neville Briggs]

It's all a matter of adjusting the tone of your writing to the theme, I suppose John.

[Peely]

I would agree with you Neville

Regards


John Peel

[Stephen Whiteside]

Maybe, but sometimes it's also good not to explain too much - leave the reader guessing, challenge them to fill in a few gaps themselves.

[Peely]

G'day Stephen

Even then, if you want the reader to reach a certain conclusion, you need to tell them indirectly by leaving the clues in what you have written. You are just not telling them directly that that is the case.

Regards


John Peel

[Stephen Whiteside]

Fair enough.

[Duncan Williams]

G'day John, enjoyed your poem greatly, Good Thinkin Mate! well put together.

Duncan.

[Peely]

G'day Duncan

I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

Regards


John Peel

[mummsie]

This is the first time I've had the opportunity to read one of your poems, a great one John, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Sue