Author Archives: viviennelingard

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About viviennelingard

I am an artist and writer. I have been an an art teacher and as an illustrator of children's books. I love writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, and have written many short stories. I am also a keen reader and write book reviews, among other art related articles on my blog site – viviennelingard.net

From Devonport to Christchurch and back: theatre, family, and scenes to take your breath away.

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I took this photo the day before flying to Christchurch; A good omen I felt. Kerry and I were off to attend the first night of a play selected to mark the opening of the new Court Theatre in the Christchurch CBD. The original theatre in the old university buildings suffered irreparable damage in the 2011 earthquakes.

The play, The End of The Golden Weather, written 50 years ago by New Zealander Bruce Mason, is a Kiwi classic, and my daughter Lara was honoured to be asked to direct the show. We were thrilled to be at the opening and to see how she would interpret this beloved play. Yes, this was a big deal!

Lara Macgregor: Director
Sumner beach

The morning of the play, we were with my sister in Sumner taking a walk along the esplanade. It was a stunning day, and naturally I took a photo, looking along the beach towards the Southern Alps (which sadly, were hidden behind cloud at the time).

Behind me were dozens of surfers, mostly women who were there for a competition. The air was chill, and they all deserved medals for their desire to brave the cold water.

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A bit of this and that, or a memoir in pictures

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Possible wrap around cover featuring ME!

This week I started in on some pencil roughs intended for the future graphic novel. Everything is guesswork on my part, completely experiential, as it’s the first time I’ve embarked upon this genre. Over the months I have picked up and examined many graphic novels, by women, mostly. This has been such an interesting exercise, as they are so different from each other and all brilliant.

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Things that fall

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Final image

I’ve spoken often about how I love to go walking in my neighbourhood, and I didn’t let the previous night’s storm put me off. It was still blowing furiously yesterday when I took off, cap on under my red jacket hood. Sunglasses too, to keep the wind and salt air out. The debris on the footpath had me stop at the end of the block, and there I stooped to uplift a fine collection of fallen goods. I picked up a large leaf, (from a magnolia I guessed), two small pōhutukawa leaves sporting radiant autumn colours, a seed of some sort and a small feijoa. Feijoas are loved and disliked in equal number here. I love them. To eat, one should slice them in half and scoop out the middle with a teaspoon, But this fallen delicacy was way too small to eat.

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A lull in proceedings

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For all my excitement about my new novel, and tripping about to speak at book stores etc., I admit the busyness over the past few weeks has seen me flop on my bed for ‘Nana Naps’ most afternoons, my thoughts of sketching lost in dreams.

However, I woke feeling fresh this morning (ye ha!) and made a start on sketching three small figs on a saucer, before taking off to walk by the sea. So lovely with the hint of autumn in the air and tui going crazy in the trees.

My batteries were re-charged.

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Interesting times

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This is a peek of bookseller with books, and wine.

This past week has been rather exceptional, and yes, I am still talking books. My book launch went well, with a good crowd out to support me, and Paradox Books, through whom I am selling my book locally. My old friend Liz, from Melbourne, introduced me and spoke about knowing me from age fourteen. She spoke so well, and was kind, as she’d promised. Then it was up to me to read a passage from my book. Fortunately I love reading aloud, and enjoyed this bit very much. Then came the feeling of being a little bit famous, as there was a queue for me to sign books. I would have posted a shot of me, but decided this image was better.

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I just had to show you this

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DustyShelves Book Reviews and BookBits

I apologise for the lack of posts and comments on others posts. The intention has been to write about something other than THAT book (a sketch for a change perhaps?), but truly it’s a topic I can’t get rid of, just yet. I’ve yet to prepare words for a speech, and practice reading a passage aloud for the book for the launch this coming Thursday, and also be part of the gang creating canapés for the occasion. Boy, have I been stressed! Even my usual bubble-bath soak hasn’t rid me of my anxiousness. And then, last Thursday I received the first review of Mrs Forsythe by Terry Toner from Dusty Shelves. (See image above).

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Books and more books

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Last week I put up a new page on my WordPress site about my books. I have yet to flesh it out, with links to reviews and the like, but take a look, I am open to advice.

This week I received cartons filled with my new book, Mrs Forsythe, and then a different kind of busyness began. My publicist had sent me a list of reviewers I was to send copies to, so they could read it and make fabulous comments (I hope!). Every part in publishing a novel takes time, and wrapping and addressing each book is just part of that process.

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The wheel turns slowly

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If you’ve ever written a book and wish to see it published I am not about to deliver false hope about how easy it is. Naturally the writing comes first; or perhaps I should begin with the writing courses you may embark on as you shape and refine your skills. My creative writing study (for want of a better description) began after I’d scratched out the beginning of a first novel. I used those fifty pages to apply for a Masters in Creative Writing, and the opportunity to complete a novel draft. I was accepted, and got the degree, but that was just the start.

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The things we do

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It’s been a very busy time with family staying (there were many spread over the weeks), and me working on promotional material for my novel throughout to meet the publicist’s deadlines. But there were nice moments, like drinking Prosecco on the patio with family. It was a brother-in-law who spotted the clay forms clumped on the outside table, and said “what are these?” “You may well ask? I replied. “I made them years ago, as part of my teaching degree.” I was a late starter regarding my education, and began this, my first degree, at fifty. And although I had been tutoring art to adult students for years before this, I decided to give academia a go.

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The new year is shaping up well

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Sculpture park 14 Dec

Yep, that’s me on my birthday (Covid positive day) looking every bit the rag doll I felt. I love this photo my daughter took, which resembles a still for a film I think. See, Kerry is there reading the script and feeding me cues! Fortunately I have come out the other side, and most pleased with myself. The main reason being is that I received the first proofs from the printers for my novel Mrs Forsythe not long after this photo was taken!

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