Scotch Literature Festival 2003  >  Dr. Karen Brooks

Dr. Karen Brooks

Dr. Karen Brooks Dr. Karen Brooks is a Senior Lecturer in Popular Culture at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a columnist for the Courier Mail, Brisbane, a regular on ABC radio Brisbane as well as nationally, and the author of three YA fantasy novels. The first of these, It's Time Cassandra Klein, was published to rave reviews and has just gone into reprint. It's success was followed by, Gaze of the Gorgon and The Book of Night which was released July 2003.

'Myths and Legends: Imaginative Writing in the New Millennium" (Yrs 7-10)
Drawing on her love of ancient (and not so ancient) myths and legends, Karen will explore the role of myth in writing fantasy and explain how she incorporates characters from beloved tales - from vampires, to Greek heroes to dragons - and many new ones, in her stories.

"Re-Imagining the Popular: Finding inspiration to write - from journalism to novels"
(Yr 11 and 12)
Why is it that we take for granted the images from films, TV, advertising and music that surround us? How can we learn to read these "texts" and understand the messages inherent within them and, better still, use them to broaden our creative capacities? From Aladdin to Disney, from The Simpsons to the Matrix, Karen will explore the role of popular culture in writing - for novels and for the media.

Click here to visit Karen's web page.