Leaders

Her Agenda: Michelle De Kretser

The two-time Miles Franklin winner reveals her daily writing routine, the books that changed her, and how she handles writer's block.

By Astrid Edwards

Leaders

The two-time Miles Franklin winner reveals her daily writing routine, the books that changed her, and how she handles writer's block.

By Astrid Edwards

It’s reassuring to know an award-winning author still battles writer’s block. We have Michelle de Kretser to thank for that. The two-time Miles Franklin Literary Award winner, who was most recently recognised for The Life To Come following Questions of Travel in 2013, reveals the art she has mastered is still a struggle at times. Born in Colombo, raised in Melbourne and educated in Paris, de Kretser’s honest and humble persona is a veil hiding one of the most awarded literary talents in Australia (her resume includes a long-listing for the international Man Booker Prize for The Lost Dog). Here, Michelle reveals her writing routine, reflects on having a relationship with a fellow creative, and explains her powerful, political acceptance speech for the 2018 Miles Franklin Literary Award. Today, she shares Her Agenda.

 

Her Agenda is a series highlighting the routines and rituals of remarkable women through their daily schedules.