Voices and Visibility

 

I was lucky enough at the end of last month to be involved in a Voices and Visibility event held in the town library here in Aber.  This event brought together writers, artists and academics whose work engage with historical and contemporary experiences of women and was part of the celebrations for Aber being given the City of Literature Home — Aberystwyth Ceredigion Dinas Llên City of Literature

I don't fall into the list above but we had been invited to talk alongside H as part of Aberystwyth Book Club

The above is a picture of me at the event and honestly apart from thinking a) did I brush my hair and b) why am I slouching , I  loved being back in a book club type setting again. However, this time it was a bit different as a) there was a live audience of over 70 people some of which i knew and b) the author was sat next to me.

I had been a bit apprehensive when I first read out the people at the event to J. It was a very women/ feminist focused event and there were some people attending who I wouldn't probably normally go to see. 

But I dutily read the book and actually enjoyed it and then went back in to read the book again and highlight bits I loved. We had got asked to read parts out loud so I wanted them to be the parts that made me feel the book. 

The book is fantastic and great if your a historical fiction girl.  I would show you the book with notes but I erased them and the book itself went to Malta with a friend. 

Being a part of the audience for the second part of the event was awe inspiring for the most part.  Below are my favourite highlights.

There was an academic who gave information about the book she had written on The Welsh Peace petition, a petition signed by almost 400,000 Welsh women in 1923 and taken to America. The story is so powerful and I think I've found relatives that signed it. 

A young Welsh advocate for Women's health was present. She had been trolled by the far right after appearing on a BBC interview and spoke clearly and honestly about her experience. You can read about her here I spoke up about menstrual health – then the far-right came for me | Glamour UK

We were given a Ji Jitsu demonstration and although we only learnt one move ourselves I can so take any man down now! Maybe - not tried on J yet but will see!

As I had sat next to Mari (the author on stage) I then sat next to her in person and we did chat a bit. Now, although I write blogs I am also trying (its been a long try) to write a book because everyone has a book inside them apparently and this idea came to me one evening. I spoke to Mari a bit about my book and whether it sounded interesting and she seemed to think it did. However, I only have 6,000 ish words and that doesn't a book make so I do need to get on with it.

Anyone else have a book inside them? Or have tips for a would be writer then send them this way!