A short while ago, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by the lovely Emiline Barnett from Macquarie University. She asked me questions about my relationship with the organisation WestWords and my writing habits. The result of this is below. I’m pleased to say that Emiline earned herself an HD for this assignment!
“Reading is a form of escapism, I want to provide that for myself and others.”
Blake Curran, an author hailing from Western Sydney, is an individual profoundly fascinated by the enigmatic realms of morbidity and moral ambiguity. His literary oeuvre deftly navigates across various subgenres, most notably horror and fantasy, while delving into themes that encompass intergenerational trauma, the facets of queer identity, and the mystique of demonic possession. With an uncanny ability to craft chilling narratives, Curran stands as a burgeoning luminary in the literary sphere, distinguished by his active participation in the WestWords Fellowship program. His distinct presence in the WestWords Fellowship program culminated in the publication of his works in a notable crime fiction anthology, intrinsically linked with WestWords. Furthermore, Blake Curran routinely contributes insightful literary reviews to the esteemed pages of Aurealis Magazine, and his discerning acumen has led him to serve as a judge for the prestigious Aurealis Awards on two occasions. He graduated with a degree that majored in Creative Writing from the University of Wollongong, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his craft.
Curran’s odyssey into the world of literature was ignited by an early affection for reading, cultivated under the nurturing guidance of a dedicated teacher who provided him with books for contemplation and discussion. He reminisced, “I was a bit of a loner and a bit of an outsider and my teacher at the time would set me books to read and talk about them with me.” This profound connection with literature kindled the spark of his storytelling ardour. His journey as a wordsmith commenced in high school when he realised the plausible prospect of transforming his passion into a vocation. Reflecting on his nascent ambition, “I didn’t really think of it as a career option until Year 11. I didn’t even realise you could study it at university.” His academic sojourn led him to the University of Wollongong, where he encountered the challenge of reconciling his predilection for genre fiction, particularly Fantasy and Horror, with the academic emphasis on literary fiction. He articulated that, “I tend to stray more towards Fantasy and Horror – that’s not something that’s talked about very much academically. That was a big struggle, not being able to have the same merit as a classic work or whatever.”
Transitioning from the structured, deadline-oriented world of academia to the autonomous realm of professional writing posed its own set of trials. “You have to carve out your own time for it… Then you have to pay the bills so you’ve got other work in the background, so you really have to want it. It’s very easy to put writing aside. You really have to choose to make time for writing.” His initial foray into the professional world was as a copywriter, though seemingly aligned with his writing aspirations, paradoxically enervating his enthusiasm for independent creative work. Reflecting on this experience, he said, “I thought that would be really good because it’s writing and a bit of creativity, but I found that kind of sapped my motivation to do my own writing outside.” Finding a role in advertising which has allowed him to channel his energy exclusively into his own writing has been a significant milestone, “My advice would be to find a job that isn’t necessarily based around writing, unless it’s specifically what you want to do.”
A pivotal juncture in Curran’s literary journey transpired with his victory in a writing competition jointly hosted by WestWords and the Fisher’s Ghost Festival in Campbelltown. This accomplishment, resonating closely with his geographical roots, kindled his deep interest in WestWords and its mission, ultimately leading to his selection as one of the four individuals awarded a Fellowship in the Blue Mountains. The Fellowship endowed him with a precious mentor who continues to illuminate and guide his ongoing literary expedition. The grant also facilitated the establishment of a dedicated workspace, a development that he cherishes, exclaiming, “I’ve got a computer now! – it’s cool to have a dedicated writing space.”
Blake Curran attests to the profound impact of the Varuna House WestWords Residency, an experience that invited him to inhabit a historical abode nestled in the Blue Mountains, accompanied by a mentor who breathed life into his creative vision. He underscores the immense value of external support and encouragement in the often solitary realm of writing. “It’s really good having someone external that’s following up and holding you accountable. Writing can be so solitary, having that external validation and external encouragement is super helpful.” Curran believes that the most cherished aspect of his involvement in the program has been the mentorship, declaring, “Having someone who’s on my side and wants me to succeed is just incredible. You feel like you’ve been doing it by yourself for so long, then having someone with you for this part of the journey is really cool.”
WestWords, as an organisation, offers numerous opportunities to burgeoning writers. In response to a query regarding the standout features of WestWords, Curran highlighted that “they have different competitions always happening, opportunities to stay in the Blue Mountains for a week or two to get away from life and focus on your writing, they offer mentors, they offer time and space to write at their Parramatta offices, they offer community as well with different programs you can join and the WestWords Academy.” WestWords not only provides a literary community but also forges a collective of kindred spirits united in their quest to craft compelling narratives; “ a cohort of people trying to do the same thing as you”. Curran emphasises the profound impact such support can have on emerging writers, contending that “writing can be very solitary and if you don’t have that support network or those friendships with people trying to do the same thing you can feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall sometimes because you’re not really sure if you’re going anywhere. Having someone outside of you to be supportive can be really exciting and encouraging, and to be able to do the same thing for someone else as well is really validating and makes you feel good.”
In reflecting upon his foremost literary influences, Curran cites renowned authors Stephen King and Clive Barker, whose work has significantly shaped his own contributions to the horror genre. His current literary undertaking, tentatively titled “Those Who Came Before,” traverses four distinct timelines, delving into the intricate labyrinth of intergenerational trauma infused with supernatural elements, prominently featuring demonic possession within a lineage of women. The narrative unfurls through the experiences of two primary characters, with one being Nellie, ensconced in a remote Outback town in New South Wales, living under the oppressive dominion of her uncle, who is deeply embroiled in the arcane practices of demonic invocation. The second character, Nellie’s daughter, embarks on a quest thirty years later to investigate her family’s history, unveiling a tapestry of secrets and horrors she had not anticipated, uncovering more than she had bargained for.
Blake Curran wholeheartedly champions WestWords’ overarching mission to spotlight and celebrate the narratives of Western Sydney. His own literary endeavors frequently showcase this diverse and burgeoning region, shedding light on stories that have long remained untold. He states, “I think having writers from these places that often don’t often get talked about is really exciting and really cool because there are stories that don’t get written about. There are so many people here and it’s such a growing area with so many stories and most that haven’t been told yet”.
Concluding the interview, Curran imparts valuable advice to emerging writers, advocating the primacy of perseverance. “I think you just gotta keep writing. To be a writer, to quote Stephen King, you have to read a lot and write a lot. The more you write, the better you’re gonna get.” He underscores the profound importance of community, an ethos diligently championed by WestWords, urging aspiring authors to actively seek out writers’ groups, classes, and similar avenues, not solely for the skills they acquire but, more importantly, for the invaluable sense of camaraderie. He asserts that “we should wear rejections like a badge of honour. You’ve gotta really want to be a writer and rejections are just part of the journey. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything personal, it just means that maybe our story isn’t the right fit for that publication, or they’re not the right fit for us.” Blake Curran stands as an exemplar of resilience, a steadfast advocate for the power of community, and an emerging luminary within the realm of literature, actively shaping the narratives of Western Sydney and beyond.