Report from VarunaMy unexpected week at Varuna
by James O'Hanlon
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The mist was so thick that it seemed as if raindrops were hanging motionless in the air. It was late afternoon and the sky grew dark as I pulled into the driveway of the old homestead. Thick bushes overhanging the driveway blocked out all light and even the car headlights struggled to pierce the encroaching darkness. I could think of no better place to write a book about spiders, than an old house, nestled in the cold misty mountains, once owned by the Dark family – or as I pronounce it, the Daaaaaaaaaark family. As night fell, I prepared myself, rosary beads and Ouija board in hand, for the spookiest week of my life. I was soon to be sorely disappointed.
Inside the house was nary a patch of cobwebs and not a dimly lit corridor in sight, instead there were brightly coloured walls and soft, tasteful furnishings. I was greeted by Varuna’s disconcertingly delightful staff and ushered into the dining room where I met my equally delightful housemates.
Nowhere in our meandering dinner conversations were confessions of dark deeds or ulterior motives for bringing us all together in this house. Instead, I was forced to sit and listen to polite conversations about Jungian philosophy and advanced grammatical technique. |
Not wanting to be misled by my first impressions, I lay awake that first night awaiting the arrival of some creepy spectre, who would reveal to me the true nature of this haunted mansion. Unfortunately, all that happened was a good night’s sleep interrupted in the morning by nauseatingly cheerful birdsong.
When I sat down to work on my writing, I got distracted by the space and freedom for silent contemplation and before I knew what had happened, I had written a few thousand well-crafted words. I had completely forgotten to go searching through the house by candlelight for skeletons in closets. After managing to shake myself free of the focussed flow-state of writing I was in, I went exploring the gardens in search of spiders. Under the guise of doing research for my book, I was ready to find some enormous tarantulas, or venomous funnel-webs hidden in the eerie recesses of the Dark family’s gardens. Again, I left disappointed only being able to find brightly coloured orb-weaving spiders hanging from fragrant rose bushes. After a week at Varuna I had to concede defeat. I left feeling refreshed, inspired and accomplished, not to mention extremely well-fed. In other words, it was a terrible disappointment. Be warned, should you decide to visit Varuna, not a single haunting, bodily possession or any other shred of spookiness awaits therein. 
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In partnership with Varuna, The National Writers’ House, the New England Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the winner of the third year of the Varuna/New England Writers’ Centre Fellowship, Dr. James O'Hanlon for his entry "I Love Spiders".
A love letter to spiders and a plea to the spider-averse for some compassion towards these misunderstood animals, told through the stories and perspective of a former zoologist. Judges were impressed by this submission's concept and the vivid conversational/anecdotal style allowing the reader to immerse themselves into the world of spiders. Interesting facts are warmed by enthusiasm and a passion to provoke a positive discussion around spiders. Please join us in congratulating James and wishing him the best for his project. |
Inaugurated in 2019 with the generous support of the Copyright Agency, the Fellowship is open to all writers, at any stage of their career, either currently living in the New England region or who have previously lived there for at least five years.
The 2021 Fellowship will be taken up in 2022. James will have a week’s inspirational writing residency in the beautiful surroundings of Varuna, in the Blue Mountains, that includes full board and accommodation at Varuna. He also receives funds towards travel and a one-on-one consultation with a Varuna expert and more. We would also like to extend our congratulations to our shortlisted finalist, Dr Jane O'Sullivan, who will receive two free workshops of her choice from NEWC’s 2022 program. 
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Thank you Jane!
The team at Varuna had a difficult choice to make between two excellent shortlisted candidates. Jane's submission was praised for the captivating writing style and resonant insights into Australia's cultural history, Judges also highlighted the skillful use of dialogue, purposeful description and sound structure. We would like to congratulate Jane on being a shortlisted candidate and wish her the very best for her writing. |
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Varuna, The Writers' House
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In partnership with Varuna, The National Writers’ House, the New England Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the winner for the third year of the Varuna/New England Writers’ Centre Fellowship. Inaugurated in 2019 with the generous support of the Copyright Agency, the Fellowship is open to all writers, at any stage of their career, either currently living in the New England region or who have previously lived there for at least five years.
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The 2021 Fellowship, to be taken up in 2022, offers a week’s inspirational writing residency in the beautiful surroundings of Varuna, in the Blue Mountains, and include full board and accommodation at Varuna, funds towards travel, a one-on-one consultation with a Varuna expert and more. Shortlisted finalists will also receive two free workshops of their choice from NEWC’s 2022 program.
