100 Voices
By Miranda Roszkowski
100 years after getting the Vote, 100 female writers share their story
If I say it out loud by Branwen Davies
If I say it out loud it has to happen right? That’s been my mistake in the
past. Keeping it to myself. Allowing myself to just day dream. But if I say
it out loud, I have to go through with it. Make it happen. I’m good at
dawdling and skirting around and let’s face it, excuses. Nothing will
change unless…well unless I change it and I’m running out of excuses. Maybe
running out of time.
So I choose my most sceptical friend. The one I think will laugh the
loudest and convince me that I’m going insane. I drag her out for a drink.
Only she doesn’t laugh. She says go for it. So now not only have I said it
out loud I have validation and encouragement too!
I’m stuck. Agitated. Biting at the bit. Needing to do something. Go
somewhere. Anywhere. Hell I’m bored and even worse feeling boring. I need
to shock my senses. Scare myself a little. Take a risk.
I’m in my favourite Japanese restaurant and over a bowl of steaming ramen
I’m thinking – Japan!
A week later a letter arrives and I recognise sceptical friend’s scribble.
A postcard and a cutting from a newspaper and I spit out my coffee and I’m
like – What the fuuu - Do you want to live in Japan? Can you teach English?
Be there by September!
Is this real? I mean, I’d pulled out September from mid air when I told her
bold as brass after my third glass of wine that I was going to move to
Japan and that I was going to be there in 9 months and…oh my god - this is
my green light!!
There’s a small matter of an interview first but…I can pull that off right?
Everyone is in suits. Grey suits. I don’t own a suit. I’m in blue. Bright
blue and purple. Purple with a splash of pink. Neon pink. And you know.
Yellow shoes. With pink bows.
I’m sweating. Squirming. He’s frowning at me – the big boss guy, and he’s
asking me, in front of everyone, like thirty of the suited ones – what
possessed you – what possessed you to come to dressed like that?
The kids in ill fitting suits are sniggering.
Me? I don’t own a suit. I’m an actor. I don’t usually do interviews. I do
auditions. I try and dress the part of the part I’m up for you know. As
this is a teacher position, teaching young children I thought I’d dress the
part.
Silence.
I’m offered the job on the spot. And I’m here. On the floor of a strange
city at night in just my pants, a cold Asahi in my hand, feeling free in
the warm Japanese air.
Say it out loud. I dare you.
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Empower your book club with this reward! The chance for a 100 Voices writer near you to give a special reading at your bookclub, talk informally about their writing and answer questions. Expect anecdotes and gossip as well as a one-off chance to see behind the drafting process. Writers will be allocated depending on location and your interests; you could be talking to a bestselling crime writer, literary fiction prize winner or renowned playwright. A great night for all is guaranteed. 6 signed copies of the book included.
Your choice of in person (writer's travel costs not included) or by Skype.
Your choice of in person (writer's travel costs not included) or by Skype.
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