Catherine Mair: A COLLABORATIVE HAIBUN

Collaborative writing for Pat and me is a very enjoyable sharing and communicating practice. Mutual experiences are heightened and recorded. In this particular haibun, “Chasms, Holes and Indentations,” the focus shifts from viewing a huge open cast mine in Waihi, to Waihi Beach itself. Much of the ‘story’ concerns three-year-old William’s reactions to both scenes. A small child’s perceptions are fresh and in sharing his responses and activity the day out is sharpened for both of us. The ‘fun’ of collaborative writing is the second dimension brought to the exercise by two minds. Because writers have their own ‘DNA’ a new slant is contributed by both writers, which if blended successfully, creates a lively piece of writing.

Catherine Mair
Bay of Plenty
New Zealand
2007