Landmarks: Jennifer Porter

This week we talk to Jennifer Porter about her piece ‘Ochre’ which appears in Landmarks, the latest anthology curated by Spineless Wonders. During this interview we discover Jennifer’s favourite Australian landscape, who inspires her writing and what inspired her mirco-lit ‘Ochre.’

 

Tell us about a landmark that is significant to you

The skyline of Melbourne city is a landmark for me, especially approaching the city from the north, along the Hume highway. When the city comes into view it feels like I’m coming upon the Land of Oz. I can see it from my home in the suburbs too. In the busy shifting of everyday life, it remains a constant, a reminder of possibility. It probably stems from having grown up in the country. It still holds mystique and excitement.

What inspired you to write ‘Ochre’?

I wanted to explore the idea that when the landscape of your life shifts unexpectedly or violently, familiar constant landmarks can be a buoy to cling to and gain reassurance from. I’m also interested in the notion of ‘mother earth’, how the land can act as a surrogate parent in some ways, from which to gain comfort or upon which to enact anger and despair.

How do you find the experience of writing to a theme?

I find writing to a theme, if the theme is well chosen, can be quite inspiring and challenge me to write about things I may not have thought to write about, in ways I may not have written before.

Describe your writing space

I write on a large deco dining table, which we use to eat off, draw on and work on. I either write there or propped up in bed. The house is small and we have young kids, so sometimes it’s the library.

Tell us about a writer or work that has inspired you as a writer

Christos Tsiolkas and Lionel Shriver have both provided inspiration by their tackling of issues and emotions that are not necessarily palatable or spoken of. Helen Garner for her precision and again, for tackling difficult topics with insight and intelligence. In complete contrast I have spent a lot of time reading Victorian era women’s fiction, like the Brontes, Austin, Eliot. For beauty I read Cate Kennedy and Dorothy Porter.