CQU's Dr Lynda Hawryluk, lecturer in Literary and Cultural Studies, is once again looking forward to being the Writer in Residence at the annual Writers' Workshop.

The workshop, held each year at the Environmental Education Centre on North Keppel Island, is sponsored by the Regional Centre of the Arts (CQU).

The 2006 event is scheduled for Friday June 16 to Sunday June 18. Last year, Lynda took on the role of 'Writer in Residence' for the first time and said it was an "excellent experience". She is looking forward to returning this year.

The theme for 2006 is 'Space and Place'. Poetry and fiction writers will be encouraged to 'capture images' of the environment. Being surrounded by the beautiful environment on North Keppel Island should help people feel the environment and should provide plenty of idyllic 'images' for people to write about.

As Lynda says: "Anyone can write; they just need to do it". As such, she takes a very practical approach to workshops, helping participants towards "doing". Lynda classifies herself as a "post-ironic" writer, primarily of contemporary literary fiction, although at the moment she is writing quite a bit of poetry.

“ I really enjoy being involved with community workshops and activities. The instant feedback between participants is just great. You can't write in a vacuum and my own creative process is really fuelled when we all get together to discuss our writing".

Lynda has been involved in working with other community groups to develop people's writing, namely with the 'University of the Third Age', and the '60 and Better' group.

She was recently involved with the latter's annual conference (May 9-11) on 'Living and Aging Well - Today, tomorrow and beyond' where she presented on 'Writing life stories'.

In addition, as lecturer in the two CQU 'Creative Writing' courses, and with a number of M.Litt students doing fiction and poetry writing, Lynda is often encouraging and guiding students in the creative process.