Literary Birthday – 25 March – Melina Marchetta

Happy Birthday, Melina Marchetta, born 25 March 1965.

Nine Quotes

Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?
It begins with the character. When I write, I know how the story starts and how it ends, but I need to figure out how to get there. My first draft is generally awful. Before I share it with anyone else, I’ll rewrite it several times. I am obsessed with getting the words right.
I think that we vote, not to get the best party in, but to keep the worst party out.
Writers need to use dialogue to move the plot forward, to reinforce a relationship, or to tell more about the character.
The key is that I let the characters live in my head for a really long time and I listen to their voices before I commit them to paper.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the English syllabus was made up of books that students love?
I’ve never had feedback on a novel where I was told, “It’s a complete rewrite.” With a script, there are often structural issues that need to be addressed. A script is a thousand times worse than a novel.
It’s against the rules of humanity to believe there is nothing we can do.
I will not read a book that is part of a trilogy, or part of a series, until it is finished. There is no way I will read something that has a cliffhanger.

Source for quotes

Melina Marchetta is an Australian writer and teacher. She is the author of the novels, Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca and On the Jellicoe Road.

by Amanda Patterson