Walter Mason: #Robinpedia

Walter Mason is a Sydney based writer, mentor, and teacher. He has worked in every part of the book industry and is one of Australia’s foremost literary citizens who always encourages the spirit of generosity and giving back to the writing community. His principles of Literary Citizenship can be found HERE</.

Walter Mason is the author of two travel memoirs, Destination Saigon and Destination Cambodia. Both have been well received by readers and critics.

Walter Mason teachers writing courses through WEA Sydney, City of Sydney Alexandria Library, NSW Writers Centre and many other locations around Sydney. His courses Fabulously Creative, Creative Groove and The Mindful Writer are particularly popular amongst writers.

Walter is so popular amongst Sydney writers that he has accumulated a group of followers affectionately dubbed Walterites. Some noted Walterites include writers:

Claire Scobie http://clairescobie.com/

Vanessa Berry https://vanessaberryworld.wordpress.com/

Sharon Livingstone http://sharonlivingstone.com/

Ashley Kalagian Blunt https://fullofdonkey.com/

MEEEEEEE!!! You’re here already!!!

 

Walter Mason is one of the founding members of The Universal Heart Book Club. This is an online book club and podcast which focuses on books that refresh and enhance your spirit.

 

Find Walter Mason’s Website HERE.

Find Walter Mason on Twitter HERE.

Find Walter Mason on Facebook HERE.

Subscribe to Walter Mason’s Enewsletter HERE.

Find The Universal Heart Book Club HERE.

 

Please feel free to comment with extra information that you would like  me to add to this Robinpedia entry. Particularly if you wish to be added to the list of Walterites. As I always say, if you don’t love Walter Mason you have either never met him or have no soul.

Learn more about Robinpedia HERE.

Happy Mothers Day, Here’s Your Damn Book Now Leave Me Alone

Few occasions say buy a book like Mothers Day. Ladies love reading, amirightoramiright? So I’m here to help you chose a book that she’ll actually like rather than one she’ll pretend to like but secretly wonder why the hell you bought her something about pirates and heaving bossoms.

My number 1 recommendation is Kerri Sackville’s Little Book of Anxiety. Don’t pretend like you don’t know why I’d recommend this book, us mothers are anxious, nagging, beasties, and this is a humorous look at anxiety that the anxious mumma in your life will enjoy.

My 2nd recommendation is Primary School Confidential by Mrs Woog. A truly hilarious look at all things Primary School. It’ll make your mum laugh and cringe at all those memories.

My 3rd recommendation is Lisa Fleetwood’s Destination Dachshund. It’s a beautiful family travel memoir about three generations traveling the world together. You could get this one for mum or grandma… it might even inspire them to take you to Europe for a family vacation. Free trip! Woot!

My 4th recommendation is a bit of a change of pace from the first three. Emily Maguire’s An Isolated Incident. An Isolated Incident is a haunting thriller that explores everyday violence. It has real depth and covers some unsettling themes. This is something that your mum can sit down with and really engage with. A novel that will stay with her and really make her think. Perfect for the mum who loves to explore social issues.

Coming in at number 5 is The War Bride by Pamela Hart. A beautiful tale set in 1920s Australia. It is the story of
Margaret Dalton who comes to Australia from England and has to create a new life and form new friendships. There’s a touch of romance for the mums out there who like a bit of a love story.

Number 6 is Lisa Heidke’s Callahan Split. Love, sibling rivalry and tennis. What’s not to like. Get it for the mum who loves tennis or has a sister.

Number 7 is The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth. It’s Beauty and the Beast meets WWII. It’s evocative, it’s romantic, it’s beautiful. Your mother will love it.

At number 8 I have Fiona McArthur’s Aussie Midwives. A heartwarming look at those wonderful people who work around the birthing process. Your mum is sure to be touched by this gift, after all, she probably gave birth to you.

9 is Incredible Bakes That Just Happen to be Refined Sugar Free by Caroline Griffiths. The name says it all. Delicious recipes that everyone can enjoy. If your mum loves to cook then this is the gift for her… and you because she can make you delicious treats from it. Bonus.

And coming in at lucky number 10 is Rhonda Roberts‘ Gladiatrix. Perfect for the mum that loves Speculative Fiction. Despite Spec Fic having a rep for being a “boy’s” genre the majority of the readers are actually females. And we love to read about kick ass female leads. So grab your mum a copy and she’ll give you a big thanks. This is Science Fiction with an Australian character heading things up.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get that mother of yours the perfect book.

Fabulously Creative With Walter Mason ( @walterm )

I love attending Walter Mason workshops because he is the writing equivalent of viagra. We writers can be a terribly insecure and depressive bunch, much inclined to wallowing and procrastination. Walter Mason is the antidote. An encounter with Walter never fails to send blood rushing to the brain and joy spurting from the fingertips to splatter words onto paper.

Those closest to me know that at the moment I’m not exactly winning my battles with depression. Hey, it’s a war, so I’m sure I’ll get there, but right now I’m just flat, tired, and not winning. These flat times make not only eating and moving hard, but also writing. These glorious notions of depression creating exquisite pain to tap into emotional brilliance aren’t entirely true. Sure, you need light and shade to truly feel and you want that in your writing but being in a depressed state isn’t really conducive of writing. It’s grey, not fifty shades of grey, just one shade of grey. And hard to climb out of or write from. Writing once out of it is easy. The stereotypes ring true, once out of the pit, not so much in it. So a pick me up is vital.

So if you need some inspiration or an extra dose of fabulous, I do urge you to attend a Walter Mason event or read either of his travel memoirs, Destination Saigon and Destination Cambodia. Everybody needs a pick me up every now and then.  Especially creative types.

For more information please visit:
http://www.waltermason.com/

P.S. when is a travel show going to pick Walter Mason up? Getaway, Sydney Weekender, I’m not fussy, but this man needs to be on television.