On 14 May, 40 students from across the Level 3 English Writing courses and the Scholarship English programme had the privilege of attending the Auckland Writers Festival. This annual event holds special days exclusively for schools, designed to connect young readers and writers with some of today’s most exciting literary voices. It was a day rich with inspiration, creativity, and insight, brought to life by a diverse and exciting lineup of speakers.
The day began with British actor and writer Dame Harriet Walter, best known for her roles in Succession and Killing Eve, as well as her acclaimed Shakespearean stage work. In a sit-down discussion, she spoke about her latest novel, “She Speaks!”, which reimagines the voices of Shakespeare’s female characters. Walter even read a few excerpts from the book, bringing emotional depth and modern relevance to these classic figures.
Next, award-winning writer Lee Murray spoke about speculative fiction, from what it is to how it can be used to explore real-world issues through imaginative lenses. A particularly memorable and resonant moment was when she spoke about feeling out of place as a Chinese New Zealander, encouraging us to “write the stories we want to read,” – a reminder that no one else can tell your story the way you can.
After a quick lunch break, the day of inspiration continued with Neal Shusterman, the New York Times best-selling author of young-adult novels such as “Scythe”, “Challenger Deep”, and his latest, “All Better Now”. He shared his journey as a writer, reflecting on the importance of persistence, how his love for storytelling developed, and the value of not being afraid to write badly before writing well. The final speaker was Maori actor and director Scotty Cotter, who spoke about his audio project “Mauri Tau”. We listened to the opening of the first episode together – a calming and immersive experience that brought the day to a reflective end.
Throughout the festival, we browsed the wide selection of books and even got our purchases signed by the authors who spoke to us (a definite highlight for me). It was a rare opportunity to talk to them one-on-one, share our respect, and receive a token of their appreciation.
Each speaker offered something unique about writing, but they all emphasised the power of storytelling to connect, question, and create change. They reminded me – and, I’m sure, every other student – that great writing doesn’t start perfectly, but with honesty and a willingness to persevere even if it feels difficult at times. More than just a day out of school, the Auckland Writers Festival was a reminder to all of us young creatives of why we write. We left not only inspired but equipped with the belief that our words have value and our stories are waiting to be told.
By Rachel Kim 12WGO