JB 89 with Michelle Johnston and Dustfall.
b'The fabulous @eleytherius. You may know her as Dr Johnston, as a long term LIFTL contributor, as a Mega-FOAM performer, as a some-time feline choreographer or as a Fabulous Female of FOAM\\xae. She sings, she dances and she writes books.\\n\\nShe is a creative powerhouse. She is an educator extraordinaire. But we\\u2019re not going to talk about that. We\\u2019re going to talk about Dustfall; a new novel by someone who you can relate to, somewhat works in critical care, someone that has not much more time to spare than you do. Michelle has written a book. It took years.\\n\\nOf course she can write, I am just learning. Check her blog here;\\n\\nhttp://michellejohnston.com.au/category/dustfall/\\n\\n\\nIt would have to be a labour of love? It was. Love of words. Love of reading. Love of the classics.\\nAs Michelle puts it; \\u201cI like words and they like me.\\u201d\\n\\nWhere does a story like this start? It starts, like so many things do, near Port Hedland. In the Pilbara. In Western Australia. In a part of Australia that most Australians will never see. It\\u2019s out there, right out there.\\n\\nIt starts in Wittenoom. Covered in blue asbestos, dead but still dangerous. \\n\\nMining happens in dangerous places. Physically and metaphysically. \\n\\nFor Dr Johnston, there was not so much writing as there was re-writing, submitting, waiting and getting rejected. Bad feedback. Good feedback. Even when people liked it they told her to re-write it. And here there is a parallel with medicine. Feedback. Feedback. And more feedback.\\n\\nFeedback is sometimes hard but it is something that can make you better.\\n\\nHow many medical people do you know that have written a novel, a work of fiction? Not many. Now you know one more. Dustfall by Michelle Johnston. She didn\\u2019t want to push it so I will.\\n\\nFind the book here;\\n\\nhttps://uwap.uwa.edu.au/products/dustfall\\n\\nGo and listen to her speak about it, there will be book launches, promotional tours, lectures and a brand new pen.\\n\\nSee Michelle speak;\\n\\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/words-with-wine-michelle-johnston-dustfall-tickets-42452631965\\n\\nThis was recorded at SMACC in Berlin. We had just heard the fantastic talk by Annet Alenyo ( @aalenyo) about #UBUNTU which was a special moment. Have a look for that talk when it is available and please, please, please consider supporting a delegate through @Supadel and maybe help a talented young doctor or nurse attend a fantastic event like #dasSMACC was and like #BadEMfest2018. Read more at www.BadEM.co.za Then read a novel.\\n\\n\\nBig thanks to Tired Lion, Perth Post-Punk Feminist Combo getting us moving with their break out hit I dont think you like me, chosen to introduce Dr Johnston because of the lyrics, the provenance and presence of Sophie Hopes. If your not Australian you\\u2019ve probably never heard her before. Now you have. Go and get some Tired Lion on iTunes.\\n\\nBig thanks also to Lloyd Cole for a little clip of the mid-80\\u2019s classic Brand New Friend of his second album, chosen for the lyric \\u201cam I asking oh for so much, i\\u2019m not asking to be understood\\u201d but also because the tune jumped into my mind and refused to leave for three days after Michelle used the phrase \\u201cBrand New Pen\\u201d. You surely have some Lloyd? If not, iTunes again.'