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“Hi, I’m Sarah Price and I’m reading from my work in progress, a young adult novel called Chasing Butterflies.
This is crap.
Sunday nights should be dumb reality tv and leftovers on the couch. Or roast lamb around the dining room table with talk of how you all lived your weekend. They should be nagging from your mum to get your assignment finished for school tomorrow, and your dad, lazing in front of the football, before another long week in the job he hates.
Sunday nights should come after another weekend of listening to the familiar sounds of your family. The sounds and words and noises that have been heard for years, and that are as familiar to you as your own breath. You should be able to rely on that. The good noise.
Not this. This weekend of dad not talking, but yelling, and two days straight of my mother pleading and crying and of shaking her pretty head. And my older sister, with her red face and no tears yet, but eyes wide like a frightened horse, scared to go and scared to stay, because for the first time in her life she doesn’t know. And if she doesn’t know what to do and how to stop it, then I have no chance.
These new flinging words that have cut through the still air in our small house, they have torn tight into my chest and dried out my mouth and put a sting into my eyes.
Me. Two days of living in this tight bedroom. Of toast for breakfast and lunch and dinner, and of shutting the windows to stop the neighbours from hearing. And of opening them again, to let out the silence when it was over. “
ABOUT SARAH PRICE:
Sarah lives in Sydney with her young family where she works as a high school English teacher. This is her first novel.
“I have had three wonderful visits to Varuna and hope to have many more. It is a mother’s dream week of writing in solitude, profound conversation and uninterrupted sleep!” Sarah Price
CONTACT:
sarah.grah(at)gmail.com
In March 2012 Varuna is hosting its inaugural “Doctors Who … ” event. You can view the program and MJA writing competition by clicking here.
Varuna has been funded by the Australia Council to produce a Varuna Writer-a-Day “app”. When we have recorded 365 writers the app will be made available via the iTunes store. In the meantime, if you subscribe to this free blog, you can receive a daily reading delivered to your email inbox which can also be directed to your mobile phone. To find out more about Varuna’s programs, residencies, events and support services for writers click here.
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Looking forward to reading more, Sarah!
Thank you Alison, much appreciated!
SO IMPRESSED Sarah!! I am so proud of you. Well done – can’t wait to hear/read more.
Thank you Leanne! As you know it has been a long process!
I’d love to hear your thoughts when it’s finished (very soon…) x
Great words Sarah! Aptly used and so relevant to experiences…love the title!!!
So lovely to hear from you, Rebecca! Thank you x
Hello Sarah,
Wahou! Bravo, when can I read the all novel??? Love it. Lots of bisousss
Thank you, Joelle! It is nearly finished…x
.Great stuff! Well done, Sarah.
Thank you, Diane!
Love it and want more!
Great opening line ‘This is crap’
Well done!
So pleased you want more! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thanks Terry x
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!!! How wonderful. Congratulations! And can I use this excerpt for my ESL listening class next week??
Jane x
Of course, Jane! Thanks for your support. And you also need to book that week at Varuna… x
Sarah – such great writing – can’t wait for futher instalments! Tord xx
Thanks Tord x
What a wonderful opening page.
Perhaps it is not just a ‘young adult’ novel.
I would love to read the rest. Well done!
Hi Mike
A few other people have suggested the book may be a suitable read for adults as well. As soon as it’s ready I’d love for you to read it.
Thanks for your lovely comments x
Brilliant! So proud of you and also very pleased to finally get a taste of what’s been your mysterious ‘labour of love’. Can’t wait for the finished product now. Glad you’re are another step closer. I’d buy a copy based on the opening page alone. xxx
Thanks Bridge x
Hi Sarah,
Congratulations. The first page has me hooked. I look forward to the next….
Beste wishes
belinda macdonald
Thank you, Belinda. And how great to hear from you! x
Concur with everyone else. Great opening page. Can’t wait for the rest.
best wishes – especially hope you get that peace and solitude you need and crave.
Deborah Klika
Thanks Deb. And I hope the Procrastinators can meet at Varuna again this year so we can all enjoy some peace and solitude (along with our favourite red) x
Wow!
Amazing achievement! From the day you told me at the sports carnival you were going to write a novel, you should be very proud!
I cannot wait to read more!
So glad you followed your dreams
Nicole x
Nicole! How great to hear from you! I’d love you to email me when you get a chance so we can catch up – sarah.grah@gmail.com
And thanks for the lovely comments x