I’ve just returned from an inspiring week in the Pilbara – and, frankly, it was the kids inspiring me most of the time.

The Literature Centre and I ran creative writing workshops at high schools in Port Hedland and Newman, and after school we met the amazing Follow the Dream students.

The honesty and effort these kids showed in their writing was phenomenal. I had goosebumps on more than one occasion. I reminded the young writers that I was looking for quality not quantity (because some kids immediately piped up: ‘How much do we have to write, Deb?’), and that I wanted to hear their version of things, their perceptions, no-one else’s – because that is what makes good writing.

And to top it off, check out Newman SHS’s bike racks!

Thanks to everyone involved; hope to see you again some day!