Finding Time - Sara El Sayed
I know what I am capable of, and receiving a Queensland Writers Fellowship has validated that for me. It has confirmed what I know I can do, and, mostly importantly, given me time to do it.
Queensland has a lot of great writers – particularly young, non-white writers – who are excellent at what they do, but are seldom given the chance to show it. We’re often told that if we love the craft enough, if our stories are urgent enough, we’ll find time for it. And if we can’t find it, we’ll make it. But not everyone can do that. There are only so many hours in the day. Only so much energy we can use. And for a lot of us, we spend that energy on trying to live. Without financial support for the arts, the stories we read are written by only those who can afford to write them. This is what makes the Queensland Literary Awards so critical.
This opportunity represents a milestone in my development as a writer. One where I can take a moment to feel proud of how far I have come, but also one where I consider what I need to go further. I don’t know what my career will look like, but whatever the trajectory, it is wonderful to I have some support in taking the next few steps.
The Queensland Writers Centre takes care of its writers. They ask what I need to develop as a professional, and do their best to make it happen. I appreciate that the Fellowship is not a prescriptive program – it’s genuinely tailored to the needs of each individual writer. As a young writer, I find myself seeking guidance from those who are experienced, but I also value the level of autonomy that this Fellowship provides. It strikes a good balance, in that sense: one that allows for direction when you don’t know where to look, but also one that instils a sense of confidence that you know what is best for your practice.
I think about all the stories that are out there, waiting to be given time. I am grateful for the time this Fellowship has afforded me, and I hope it can continue to do so for others in our community.
Sara El Sayed