Good Question. Well, here’s a taster. And it might give you a sense of why I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.
Exhibit 1: For the past month or so, on ABC Australia, I’ve been re-watching the TV series I co-wrote: ‘The Pacific (etc. etc. longest title ever conceived – and not my choice) with Sam Neill.’ “Good times… great memories”? Criminal understatement. Working on it, and writing the book to accompany the series for HarperCollins, was a life-changing experience.
Exhibit 2: Then last week, thanks to Smith & Singer and The Age, I got to hang out with two Frederick McCubbin bush fairies and throw some words about art across a page (https://www.theage.com.au/culture/art-and-design/what-the-girl-saw-a-mccubbin-that-sat-beside-a-masterpiece-20210304-p577sf.html) – published in the paper today. Yes! Art! On pages 2-3 of The Age! The editors must have decided we needed some good news. And… FAIRIES!
Exhibit 3: Somewhere in between all that, I interviewed the “god-like genius” (Trent Dalton’s words), producer, director, actor, and audiobook narrator legend, Stig Wemyss… Though the man I encountered was closer to what someone on the interwebs described as: “child-friendly Billy Connolly meets Metallica.” I was speaking with him for an article to appear on Bolinda audio’s soon-to-be-launched new website, but we gas-bagged for so long and covered so many topics, it didn’t feel like work at all.
Exhibit 4: Filling the gaps in between? Research for BlinkTV’s broadcast of this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for SBS Australia. I’ve done this for the past few years, speaking with the organisers of the floats – everyone from Oceanic Pups and Handlers, to Dykes On Bikes, Deaf Rainbow NSW, Harbour City Wrestling Club, Haka For Life and everyone in between. And every year I hear stories that make me weep with admiration for a pretty awesome bunch of people who band together every year to show us what the world can be if we all open our hearts to diversity and tolerance. Plus, glitter, sparkles, and beats to die for. Kudos, people.
So. That’s why I love my job. Never a dull moment.
And… HAPPY MARDI GRAS!
Meaghan Wilson Anastasios 