Last week, from the 5-12th of April, young creative types across the country converged for 8 days of discussion with some of Australia's brightest talent. Creative Writing played host to two discussion panels; 2018 the New Frontier in Digital Arts and The Creative Entrepeneur's Toolkit: A How-To Guide for Young Artists. Between the two panels, there were 20 discussion threads, 142 posts and over 2000 views.

A couple of weeks ago, we asked the question, why do we need to be having these types of discussions? Why does a week of online conversation about paving your way as an emerging writer/muso/artist/comedian/publisher need to take place? The numbers speak for themselves. Australia's Got Talent, and not just to showcase on bad reality TV. The sheer popularity of the creative panel's discussion is the only indication we need of this country's ever growing creative industry and the desire of its members to spread their work far and wide. Frankly, a week's worth of discussion wasn't enough.

And that is why we needed to have the discussion. It's all very well to have the wealth of talent that we do, but it's knowing what to do next that is what our E-Fest panels addressed ... with great success.

Some of the Best Bits ...

Finding Work/Work Balance: how to pay the bills and please the muse

From careers consultant Melinda Bufton ...

In terms of the day job, I agree that flexibility is a huge factor, whether it's a flexible boss or it's your own business. Basically you're poised, as Chloe said above, for the moment that things tip in favour of your creative work. I also think that you have to keep adjusting all the parts of the work/work picture as you go, and be really clear with yourself why you're doing something the way you are. For example, taking on more non-creative paid work can be a short-term cash injection that has to happen, or it could be filling up your time subconsciously because you're having a tricky time with your creative work. the more determined someone is about their creative work, the less likely this is to happen. But in my work as a careers consultant I often see people at this point of their creative work slipping aside, which in turn can leave them with even less confidence about what they're doing and why. On the flip side, a small break from creative work and a cash injection can be just the thing to get the juices going. Particularly if all you're doing is worrying about how you'll pay for things when you should be (creatively) working. Ultimately I think that balancing point is really finely calibrated and individual to the person.

From independent publosher and freelance writer Lisa Dempster ...

I think there's a fair bit of romanticism about being freelance or a full time artist, but it can be really hard. Personally there have been times for me when I have no creative energy at all because I'm working on a million projects for other people just to keep the money flowing in. In terms of working full time, there have been situations where my creativity has soared because I'm able to switch off after 9-5 and work on my own stuff without worrying about where my next job is coming from.

Space Cadets: where do you do your creative work?

From singer/songwriter Laura Imbruglia ...

I have lived in various houses/units across Sydney's inner-west over the last 7 years and I have the feeling that creativity has more to do with where you are mentally than physically, at least with writing music any way.
I have lived in messy houses with people I wasn't getting along with, which forced me to spend a lot more time in my room, but I didn't get many songs out during that time.
I've also lived by myself in a tidy studio and only had brief creative sparks there too.
So..as soon as I have inspiration I try to squeeze as much music out as I can, as I really do struggle to hold onto it. I find that I'm most creative when emotionally distressed.
In closing- It doesn't matter if you live in a mansion or a shoebox. What's most important is that you're unhappy. haha.

Money Matters: how do you manage it?

How to make friends and influence people

From freelance writer Chloe Walker

I read on a blog somewhere recently that the most successful people are often those who socialise the most, so that's a good place to start on your quest to make friends and influence people.

Getting involved with arts organisations is another one that springs to mind - I'm sure some of our other panelists will have plenty to say about the opportunities this can open up!
In terms of putting together a web portfolio, I've created one using Wordpress although I'm not sure that it works very well. (http://chloewalker.wordpress.com/) My theory was that I would use the blogging functions to create a folio that was both chronological but could also be organised by category. It's probably overly complicated and I plan to revise it at some stage. I also definitely want to set up a proper domain name that redirects to the site so that it looks a tiny bit more professional.

Have a look at other writers' websites and examine their structure to see what might work for you. Here are some that I like:
http://rachelhills.typepad.com/
http://www.benjamin-law.com/
http://www.annakrien.com/
http://www.simonsellars.com/ (this one's really good for people who do lots of different projects as well as writing)

From Lisa Dempstar

I can't stress too much the importance of getting in touch with the industry that you want to be a part of. Get involved wherever you can, go to launches, festivals and events and chat to people - chances are if you're at the same event you'll have stuff in common so it won't feel/seem like 'networking'. Other things you can do is what limbruglia suggested, get in touch by email or social networking sites, or join professional organisations.

The fact is, the more people that know who you are and what you do, the more opportunities that will come your way.

From Alice Angus, co-director of Proboscis

Going to events that are of specific interest are a good way to build a network - conferences give you things to discuss with strangers in the coffee breaks (sounds like a weird dating game) - but seriously these are the best bits of conferences. We have found a lot of our work has come through those chance meetings with people who you run into again and again and slowly ideas emerge between you.

Socialising is important because if you aren't around to be seen then people are less likely to think of you when an opportunity arises. If they saw you last night and had a great conversation they might think of you the next day when they happen to be looking for an artist or a partner to work with.

Up and at 'em: how do you stay motivated and avoid burnout?

From Laura Imbruglia

I have a chunky book on songwriting called "Songwriters on Songwriting". There are interviews with Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bacharach, Leonard Cohen...all kinds of cool cats...and after reading about 3/4 of the book I came to the conclusion that there are only 2 schools of artistic thought.
1) You need to clock on every day and force yourself to 'create', even if it's really terrible...eventually you'll get to the good stuff.
or
2) There's no point forcing creativity out if you're not feeling inspired.

From fashion designer, Natalie Wood

... we can all pretty easily conclude that creativity is not something you can simply switch on at 9am and off at 5pm and think to yourself "well that was a great days work"!
I have no idea about the balance, and i think i am on the constant brink of a burnout, but then sometimes I think that maybe that is almost what keeps me going. I dream of a life of no stress, no deadlines, no creative chaos...but then i could most likely be certain I would be bored out of my brain.
For me the intensity of a deadline and the final push are what creates the good stuff....the adrenaline gets pumping and the mind starts ticking.
As you get older and a few years of doing this under your belt it does get harder physically...so now I balance the craziness with seeking other people to fix me!!!
Exercise is super super important (and I wish i had figured that one out earlier in my life), acupuncture is great, having a massage to destress and a naturopath to keep me pumped full of the good stuff. Thats the balance for me nowadays.
Really the best thing is if you can get the balance right between work and play, include lots of nature and nurture and keep your mind and body healthy.

The Aftermath

And so, hopefully, the aftermath of E-Festival will see a better informed and more inspired crop of talent.  And, one of the best things to come out of something like E-Fest, is the sense of community it fosters. It is so important we support and encourage each other, and share our knowledge and experiences.

So to our panelists, contributors and readers, thank you for your participation in E-Festival and I would love to hear your feedback.

create@vibewire.net