Author seeks inspiration in Paris underworld
Thu 24 May 2007
Jenny Hammer, Journalism
A nine day visit to Paris opens up a world of possibilities for sight-seeing and adventure.
Would you spend it can-canning at the Moulin Rouge? Perhaps taking an inspiring stroll admiring the artwork that adorns the hip Montemarte or sipping an aperitif in one of the many chic restaurants that line the Champs-Elysees? Without question, you would visit the magnificent La Tour Eiffel.
Why then would you choose to head far below the brilliant city of lights to explore a labyrinth of ancient tunnels filled with mass graves?
For Maria Arena, the answer is simple.
The exploration of this subterranean grotto of death is all in the pursuit of creative expression.
Maria, a published author and creative writing tutor at the University of the Sunshine Coast, is heading to the French capital in June to research material for her new novel.
But she will not leave her explorations of all things macabre to just the catacombs of Paris.
She is also heading to Edinburgh to explore a network of underground vaults used to house the poor in the late 17th century.
Rumour has it the ghosts of these poor wretches now inhabit this dark world.
By visiting these two unusual sites, Maria hopes to gain greater vision for her novel ideas.
“I want to write a novel that is partially set in Paris and Edinburgh, cities I have not visited before. I felt that in order to write with any sort of veracity, I needed to go to these places and capture their essence and character,” Maria said.
Knowing a trip of this type would be difficult to achieve financially, Maria applied for a Sector Project Grant through Arts Queensland.
The grant program offers financial support to Queensland’s cultural and artistic community and gives artists the opportunity to promote existing work or as in Maria’s case, research the creation of new work.
“The grant has provided me with the opportunity to travel to places where my novel is set, allowing me to provide truth to the story and deepen my experience and knowledge as a writer and researcher,” she said.
Maria has one published book under her belt, a young adult novel titled, Mira Falling which was published by Hachette Livre Australia in June last year.
She said the publication of her first novel was a life-long dream come true.
“A dream is an ethereal thing and when it becomes a reality its amazing. It’s overwhelming,” she said.
Maria has been inspired by author, colleague and USC creative writing lecturer Dr Gary Crew.
“He’s such an amazing writer and I can only hope at this stage to be able to emulate the example he sets in terms of the beauty and depth of his writing,” Maria said.
This is Maria’s first solo overseas adventure and she is both excited and apprehensive.
“Sometimes I catch myself thinking, I will soon be in Paris and Edinburgh on my own and I think, oh my god, but then the excitement catches me again and I can’t help grinning,” she enthuses.
“And of course the writer in me is itching to get on that plane.”
Maria said the experience would not only enrich her but also students and other writers, as she shared her knowledge and perhaps inspired them to travel a similar road.
Inspiration, it seems, is a two-way street.
“My colleagues at USC chase their dreams with passion and commitment to their craft, while our students are always eager and interested in learning about writing.
It reminds me daily that I should always follow my heart and bring my own dreams to fruition; and going to Paris and Edinburgh is a part of doing just that.”
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