I would have waited for, like, forever
Acclaimed writer Witi Ihimaera is on the hunt for an emerging Māori writer, as the newest judge of the Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards. In this piece written especially for Stuff, he says the main requirement for becoming a writer is simple: stamina.
This year is the 50th anniversary of Pounamu, Pounamu.
It’s my first published book, and a new anniversary edition has just come out. So, I decided to accept being a judge of the Sunday Star-Times short story competition this year as a thank you for the career I have had as a writer. Look at those who have also made their names writing short stories! Patricia Grace, Janet Frame, Owen Marshall, Fiona Kidman and many other luminaries. And Owen is a fellow judge, wow!
I’ll probably be reading all the entries on a plane on my way to Tahiti to appear at the 21st Tahiti Book Fair ; guess who’s a lucky boy. I attended the first book fair and I’m looking forward to meeting old and treasured friends like Flora Aurima Devatine, Chantal Spitz and others from the Pacific. We grew up together as writers and we’ll take the time to mourn Dewe Gorode, one of our great Pacific novelists of New Caledonia.
Link to article: Witi Ihimaera: 'If I had waited to be patted on the head I would have waited for, like, forever' | Stuff.co.nz
