The WFC, the American Launch of 209 A Story and a friend of Elizabeth Taylor?

I sit down on the lounge, put the rug over my knees, and place the notebook pc on my lap. I lean forward and press the play button on the remote control...
I begin to type...
One thing I find amazing about the travels I have undertaken with 209 A Story (since 2004) has been the large amount of people I have had the opportunity to meet. In each country, which I have been lucky enough to visit, the accents have been different and the people kind. Most of time, they have been happy to share their thoughts of RMS Titanic and just like at home, most people around the world do not know there was an Australian passenger on the ill feted voyage in 1912.
In 2006 I was in New York and had fulfilled a lifelong dream of staying at the Waldorf Astoria at 301 Park Avenue. I was writing the chapters of Dabria Livingstone and I threw myself into the life of that amazing city and the ideas just flowed on and on and on... I lived the story. I believe briefly that I captured the adventurous spirit of the protagonist of my novel.
During that visit I asked an American friend, George, ‘Have u seen Elizabethtown?’
An odd look appeared on his face. His eyes focused on me with purpose and he replied, ‘No, I don’t know Elizabeth Taylor.’
My expression must have mirrored his as he then quickly added... ‘What did u say?’
The differences in the Australian and American accents had caused confusion and we both laughed.
More about this later...
This past week the WFC (World Financial Crisis) finally come to visit my life. My planned 209 A Story Book Tour of the United States and Canada was postponed for a period of 12-18 months. It was suggested that it would be best to hold off until 210 and 211 are ready to ‘hit the shelves’. I was disappointed because there was not only the tour, I was to attend a dinner at Capriati, which was organised by the American Australian Association. Also, I was to meet with representatives of the Titanic Society of Canada in Toronto. More pointedly, it was my first opportunity to revisit Halifax in Nova Scotia and pay my respects to Arthur at the Fairview Cemetery (post the completion/publication of my interpretation of his story).
To say that I was gutted by the postponement is an understatement. It is difficult to write about the subject. Over the past week I have been trying to come to terms with ‘not getting what we think we deserve’. Like everyone else who faces disappointment I went through the range of emotions. I have questioned, revisited ideas, made pleading phone calls, gotten angry, laughed it off, cried a bit, shared the load with friends, received many messages from supportive friends on Facebook and finally... acceptance of the situation.
The DVD continues to play as I am writing this blog entry and I am distracted because I am being drawn into the storyline.
And then it happened... a realisation.
Sometimes when things in life disappoint you – one needs to look for the little flickers from the candle of life.
Funnily enough, as I finally gave in and just relaxed and watched the television screen in front of me... this movie became brighter than I could have possibly imagined. It was the story of a young man whose father had suddenly died. It was the story of his journey from his home in California to reclaim the body. It was the story of family in all its dysfunctional madness. It made me laugh and made me cry... and on this sunny day in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in November 2009 – it reminded me of my friend, George, in New York City... and then I smiled.
The movie was called Elizabethtown.
However, it was more than just the thought of my friend (who does not know Elizabeth Taylor). It was the smiles at the vision of places I have been lucky enough to visit. It was the familiar music which I happen to enjoy. It was the giant burning fake eagle that made me laugh. And it was the many, many lines of dialogue that made me realise everything is as it should be...
‘It takes time to extract joy from life...’
‘You have 5mins to wallow in the delicious misery... enjoy it, embrace it, discard it... and proceed...’
‘Sadness is surrender. Make time to dance alone with one hand waving free.’
‘Look for the girl in the red hat who’s waiting for you with an alternate plan.’
‘Have the courage to fail big and stick around and let them wonder why you’re smiling...’
And my personal favourite...
‘Those who risk... Win’
Have a good week people
Cheers
Steven

Past... Present... Future...

‘It will come as no surprise to anyone that everyone else is busy! With some people you begin to wonder if they are so busy as to avoid contact with you...’
That was the comment made to me at a lunch-date earlier this week. I had finally had the chance to catch up with a friend of mine, whom I had not seen for over two years. For the purpose of this blog, let’s call her MDP – that’s Ms MDP to everyone... including her friends. Funnily enough, we (that’s Ms MDP and Self) live in the same fabulous city of Melbourne. We once worked together. At that time, she was quiet and somewhat shy. She was not a drinker and her nature was overly considerate of others. We would often sit at lunch and discuss her University Study and my desire to write a novel about the only Australian who died on RMS Titanic.
We now find ourselves in completely different careers and (obviously) different social networks. She is a ‘groover and mover’. She now likes fast times, fast men and fast food. Her career is ‘successful’ (*). She has been promoted twice in the short time she has been at her new firm. Furthermore, from the way our conversation was progressing, it was becoming evident that she has gotten to know all her male colleagues in a way that is... umm... let’s suggest... ‘colourful’.
More about Ms MDP later...
Since the Melbourne Writers Festival, where I presented a paper called ‘Bring the Past into the Future’- (my observations of the book industry of the past/present/future) I have retreated away from the public side of 209 A Story and been working on the editing of 210 and writing 211. This trilogy has become my life. It is what I think about. It is what I dream about. I discuss it on the phone. I talk about it over dinner with family and friends. My flatmates put up with it because they know how important it is to me. It is constantly in my face because – as I pointed out at the Melbourne Writers Festival – ‘being a successful writer today has less to do with the skill of writing than it does with the ability to market oneself as a successful writer’. Please don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. However, when travelling around the globe on this ‘209 A Story World Book Launch Tour’ many people have suggested that it all just flows so easily. (This is a nice thought!)
As a writer in 2009 – the challenge to me is about the way, in which, I present my work. In the medium of ‘the novel as we know it’ – most things have been ‘done’. For perpetuity, I have developed a 4 year project around 209,210,211 – I know it is unique. I know it has not been attempted before ... this will ONLY become obvious after the launch of 211. It dances in my mind constantly... how incredibly amazing it all is... HOWEVER – only time will tell.
Ms MDP leans across the table to retrieve her ringing iPhone from her bag. She answers in a gruff tone. Like everyone else on the planet who finds themselves in a similar situation, I try to pretend that I am not listening to the one-sided conversation that is being played out in front of me. I look around the courtyard of the cafe on Chapel Street. I look up into the large tree. I see the new buds of spring. I see a small bird sitting on a branch. It is feeling content with its view.
Suddenly, she slams the phone down on the table. From the corner of my eye I see the bird fly off. Several ‘colourful’ words slip from between her pursed lips, her eyes widen and she throws back the remainder of her glass of Shiraz. I look blankly as she continues to tell me how she is going to ‘beat this **** to a pulp’ ... that’s if she attends the ***** proposed meeting the following morning... that’s if she has not contacted his **** boss first...
With a snap of her fingers she motions for the waiter to bring her another drink. I begin to think time has changed her...
While I was in New Zealand last week (pic above in Christchurch), someone asked me why I was writing a trilogy and not just one book. It was a valid question. What’s funny about meeting strangers who have bought your work is they often ask questions that I have to answer immediately. I don’t really have time to think about what I am about to say. I tried to formulate a response... I thought of Arthur McCrae (the only Australian to die on RMS Titanic and the protagonist of 209 A Story) – I thought of his sense of adventure. I thought of his life and how excited I was while researching the man. Obviously, the information I could find out about him was limited – remember it was 1912. Due to this question, I began to draw a parallel between his life and mine. It was the first time I had ever done so. I was travelling – just like him. I was living my adventure of life – just like him. I was an Australian – just like him. And I was going to New York in a few weeks – just like him. His future looked bright and optimistic – exactly how I feel at the moment while writing 211. My answer was something quite dull... I said, ‘The story of 209 finishes with Arthur boarding RMS Titanic so I wanted to elaborate as to what could have happened.’
The poor waiter happened to spill some of the wine down the side of the glass. Well... you can imagine the reaction. Glaring at him, Ms MDP demanded that she get a new glass... and to make it snappy.
Steven begins to think – WHO IS THIS PERSON?
For the next hour and half I listened. I listened to someone I did not know. I listened to her complain about her firm. I listened to sordid details of her sex life. I listened to her tell me about her trip to Greece last year, about her new found wealth, about her wild weekends of substance abuse and how she’d ‘***** anyone who stands in her way’. At no point did she ask me about my family or my book. At no point did she enquire as to other people, with whom we had worked. She did not ask me about possible relationships or lack there of... There was nothing...
Ms MDP now stood and told me how she had to ‘go and ****’ and told me to order her another drink.
While she was at the bathroom, I thought... ‘What am I doing?’ Not just at that moment... but about why I was writing a trilogy... the question that had been asked of me came back to me... my response was better formed from what I was experiencing currently ... and here it is...
Over time people can change. They can change for reasons of good and be affected by events that are bad. They can go out and discover the world. They can close their minds. They can find happiness in the coming of spring. They can lose their life. They can remain on a band wagon and fall into patterns. Or they can live their dream...

Have a good week everyone.
Cheers
Steve

(*) you can put your own interpretation on the meaning of ‘successful’

Time Begins Again

Hello Everyone

Thanks for all the email over the past few weeks regarding 209 A Story. I have allocated tomorrow to update the blog. I have been so incredibly busy with the marketing, launch events, travel and writing 211 that this will be the first opportunity for me to catch up with you all.

Thanks Again
Speak tomorrow
Steven

209 A Story in the Leader News Paper

http://mornington-peninsula-leader.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/mccrae-tale-of-epic-proportions/

U R Invited to the Writers Festival in Melbourne #209MWF

I’ll try to brief... Here’s the go... I have to come up with a unique angle for the paper I will give at the Writer’s Festival TOMORROW and I will tell you what I have in mind... in a minute...

I will give u some background information first...

OK – here goes... in March – there was a conference on Education Reform in the USA – it was held in New York – there were 40 people who attended. At the beginning of this conference – they were asked to TWEET on Twitter as to what they were doing. Within minutes there were hundreds of people who were following this through the HASHFEED or ‘#’ feed on Twitter – AND – also providing comments, suggestions, humour and their thoughts on Education Reform in the USA...

To quote... ‘Injecting Twitter into that conversation fundamentally changed the rules of engagement. It added a second layer of discussion and brought a wider audience into what would have been a private exchange. And it gave the event an afterlife on the Web.’ (Time Magazine June 15 2009 p26)

Here’s the angle I want for my Paper...

We plan to have a large Television screen on display and the computer linked up to it with TWITTER...

I am going to ask those who are in the crowd with Twitter to post using the hash line feed - #209MWF – (standing for 209 Melbourne Writers Festival) –

All I would like you to do is to follow the feed and add a tweet. I have asked a number of my friends around the world to Tweet at the event – to get it started and that is where you come in – so you will be able to log on to Twitter and follow me – http://www.twitter.com/StevenRafter

The only problem that is envisaged is the time difference – My allocation of time is at 4pm EST Australia on Friday, 21st August – which could mean that it will be fairly early in the morning/late at night for you...

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

We'll post a video of it on youtube so you can see your tweet at the festival...

I really would appreciate your support on this – because your TWEET will become part of history of the Writers Festival. My paper will be setting precedence and it will be a great help for me in demonstrating where literature is going in the new millennium –

It’s just important to me that’s all.. steve x

So - HERE ARE THE STEEPS

1. Go to www.twittter.com
2. Join TWITTER (IT'S FREE & u DON'T HAVE TO GIVE OUT PERSONAL DETAILS)
3. On YOUR PAGE - there will be a long white blank space at the top - this is where u can ask a question or simply say HELLO! THIS IS THE IMPORTANT THING.... ready? Anywhere in the message (or TWEET as it is called) you MUST INCLUDE the follow ... #209MWF
4. Once you have 'TWEETED' the #209MWF will turn purple - click on it and u can follow the feed from around the world and be part of my paper of the Writers Festival in Melbourne...
5. Finally, if you want to follow me - u can do so by simply going into 'FIND PEOPLE' (top right hand side... in the tool bar) - click on it and then enter Steven Rafter... you're done...

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

London England 1908

Australia Wins Gold at the Olympics

The warm towel was lifted. His face was then lathered generously with soaping foam and with each stroke of the shaped razor blade the beard was slowly removed. Arthur's skin tingled and upon completion of the final stroke, the elderly barber moved efficiently toward the sizeable mirror attached to the wall within the mahogany cubical. In front of the mirror was a bench, upon which were placed the tools of the trade. From one crystal bottle he removed a silver lid and poured a generous amount of lotion onto his open palm. Arthur had been advised that a relaxing experience was something that gentlemen anticipated from a visit to Geo F Trumper's. It lived up to all expectations.

He was delighted to be in London. Theo had continued on to Russia, and before leaving Africa, Arthur sent word to Aberton Chartres-Hume advising his school friend of his imminent arrival in England.

Strolling along Curzon Street, he was amazed at beauty of the city and the tall buildings that lined the streets of Mayfair. He made the decision to walk back to South Molton Street as the summer afternoon was warm and the air was far cleaner than he had expected it would be. Previous to his visit, the many conversations he had had with various people about London were often dotted with negative experiences. However, this was not what he found; nor was it what he sort.

Arthur was sure he would soon have word from, Aberton, and they would do all the things they had planned over the years past.

The Posters for the Melbourne Writers Festival

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

St Petersburg Russia 1904

‘Your Majesty’ said Charlotte as she lowered into a deep, respectful courtesy.

The Czarina was in an uncharacteristically good mood and commanded for the Countess Rominscov to immediately take a seat in her presence.

The ageing lady sat gracefully upon the newly upholstered chair.

The sitting room of Her Imperial Majesty, wife of Czar Nicholas II, in the Alexander Palace at Czarskoe Selo, about twenty-four versts south of St Petersburg was a room that could only be described as, 'warm'. Religious iconography was everywhere. It covered the walls and tables, and between these could be found silver picture frames and many albums that held photographs of members of the Czarina's family. It all clashed very badly as the colour of everything else, including the furniture, table cloths, cushions, drapes, pelmets and even the flowers was mauve. Directly in the middle of the wall, on the left, was an overly large photograph of Queen Victoria framed in mahogany and gold leafing; it appeared to survey the entire room.

It was not how Charlotte remembered the Grandmother of the woman sitting opposite her. And to Charlotte, the late English Queen, even at the worst moments of widowhood, was never as cold, puritanical, pertinacious or intolerant as the current Empress of Russia. Alexandra Fyodorovna had splashes of kindness and good humour but these were rare moments witnessed by few but the closest inner workings of the Russian Imperial Family. Charlotte had her own thoughts of why this was the case but kept them to herself.

Outside the powdery snow fell on an already white frozen ground. The date was 10^th February, 1904. Two days earlier Japan had declared war on Russia and surprised everyone with an attack on the Imperial Naval fleet at Port Arthur.

The last time Charlotte had be in attendance to the Czarina had been two days prior to the Japanese attack when the entire court had travelled by the Royal Train to attend the Purification of the Virgin ceremonies at the great Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in the capital. Charlotte's recollection of the event was prompted by her current surroundings and the everlasting memory of the colour of the Empress' dress and enormous hat; it was all mauve.

Latest Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qLFcfWoPEA

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

South Africa 1907

Nothing is as it May Seem...

A conscious feeling stirred in him. It may have only been due to the vivid memories which were recalled so clearly. It may have been the return to Port Elizabeth itself. Whatever it was, it sat uncomfortably on his shoulders and from the comment his appearance roused in Theo, it appeared painfully across his face as well.

'Are you going to tell me what is wrong?' he asked.

'With what, exactly?' Arthur asked in reply, his eyebrows remained crumpled inwardly and both hands clenched on his lap.

'Well, by the look on your face, we are heading to a dinner with the devil, and not a beach holiday in Port Elizabeth,' he chide.

When Theo accepted Arthur's offer to holiday with him in Port Elizabeth, he was unaware of the catalyst for heading south. Theo thought he was going to be journeying to the Eastern Cape to have a beach vacation similar to what he had experienced as a younger man with several members from his college days: when they would leave Boston in the early summer, and head to an extravagant beach house owned by the parents of one of the boy's on Long Island or the Jersey Shore. He remembered one year, in particular, when they travelled to Ocean Grove, New Jersey and had a whale of time at the Palace Merry-Go-Round on the corner of Lake Avenue and Kingsley Street in Ashbury Park. Although he did not say so to Arthur, he remembered the exact time, date and spot where he lost his virginity.

'I am sorry, Theo,' said Arthur. As they steamed southward, he informed, Theo, of all the details and the real reason why he was going to Port Elizabeth. Arthur took time to explain the correct order of events and why he was confused about the situation.

'So, let me get this correct... Paul... the fellow whose house at which we are going to stay has sent you that letter – he pointed to the letter Arthur was now holding in his hand - to tell you that you have someone impersonating you. And that person is trying to get hold of a package in your safety deposit box. That box no one, apart from you and I, know about. And you have no idea what the package contains. You have not had word from Professor Romins for over three years,' he summarised in his usual, loquacious fashion.

'More or less,' confirmed Arthur with a slight nod of his head.

Theo sat stunned for several minutes before he spoke again, 'There is never a dull moment with you, Arthur McCrae.'

'I am sure there is a logical explanation to it all. Paul has sent me his address and we will go directly to his house and await his return to from work.' advised Arthur.

Even though Arthur may have suggested that a logical explanation would be forthcoming, that unsettling feeling, which he had felt since the previous week did not leave him.