::mslexia magazine issues::


	MARGARET ATWOOD • MAGGIE GEE • MICHELENE WANDOR • RUTH PADEL • CLAIRE RAYNER

	EDITORIAL I USED to be terrified of growing old: losing my looks; losing my marbles; finding I’d arrived over the hill without having climbed very high. Researching the subject for the United Nations years ago, and now more recently for this issue of Mslexia, has reassured me. Especially on the marbles front. Latest research reveals that women, like good light-bulbs, stay brighter for longer than men. And that there are steps most of us can take now to keep our little grey cells in fine fettle. One of the best ways to exercise the mind is to read. Maggie Gee believes the stretch and exhilaration of reading really good books is the best training an author can provide for herself. Katrina Crosbie urges us to add music to our creative workout and let the Mozart Effect work its magic. There are far more writing years left in each of us than we perhaps realise. Which means we may still be in the foothills of whatever mountains we’ve decided to climb. As for my looks, I think I’ll just quote Germaine Greer: ‘If a woman never lets herself go, how will she ever find out how far she might have gone?’ Debbie Taylor Editor			Contents: Issue 10 Summer/Autumn 2001 Special features AGENDA: AGEING The future of writing In just a few years women over 60 will be the biggest age-group in the UK. Debbie Taylor sees a revolution brewing in literature and concludes that there has never been a better time for a woman writer to grow old. THE MSLEXIA INTERVIEW Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood talks to Debbie Taylor › Read from the interview › Read the Author's Method › Browse interviews OTHER FEATURES Have book, will travel Why do most aspiring writers read so little? Maggie Gee argues that if we don’t read, we deny ourselves the information and inspiration we need. Face off Elsbeth Lindner of the Women’s Press thought she knew all there was to know about the balance of power between the author and editor. Then she wrote a novel. The book of the film Jane Harris explains how the principles and disciplines of screenwriting can help a novelist structure and prioritise her work. MIND AND BODY: The Mozart Effect Katrina Crosbie on how the rhythms of music can influence the rhythms of your brain New Writing CONVERSATION Poetry and prose selected by playwright and poet Michelene Wandor › Read new writing 10 › Browse new writing REGULARS • Letters • First Person Singular Kath Mackay swims and philosophises across Leeds • News • Getting Started… travel writing • Nuts & bolts Costing out your time, calculating your fog index, publishers’ jargon, the apostrophe • The Blank Page: BREAK THE HABIT OF OVERWRITING with Margaret Wilkinson › Try this workshop › Browse workshops • Guide to guides: New Year’s resolutions • Poetic forms: Linda France's regular tutorial on the main poetic forms: Tanka with a specially-commissioned example by Ruth Padel • The Slush Pile at Thorson’s • Word Surgeon: Dr Ingrid K tackles a case of Flat Rhythm BOOKS Literary analysis: Back when we were grownups by Anne Tyler Reviews: Poetry, Family Life, Short stories, War and peace Small press fiction: Zoe Fairbairns dips into our box of small-press and self-published prose Best ever books by women Sarah Dunant chooses My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin List profile Black Lace Bedside Table Claire Rayner DIRECTORY Competitions, submissions requests, grants, courses, events, contacts, venues › Add me to the Mslexia listings

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