Tomorrow, When the War Began

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now. Above is the trailer for a movie that I really hope will make it to cinemas in North America. It's the film adaptation of the remarkable book Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden.

Mr. Marsden, when I was still in high school (I can't remember exactly when. I think I was in grade nine.) came to my school (Blackheath and Thornburgh College) in Charters Towers and gave a talk on what it was like for him to be an author. I should have known I would be an author when I got prickles on the back of my neck when he talked. Some things he said struck a chord in me and were similar to my experiences writing - even back then when I was certain I'd become a fighter pilot.

I remember his talk in pieces. There are certain things he said that made me nod my head and smile. 'That is how writing feels!' I would think to myself when he related to his writing process as like being on a roller coaster. The story is tumbling out at breakneck speed, and the pen, being in the cart that is the story, has no choice but to scribble it all down as fast as possible. It can sometimes feel a little out of control.

He also said something else that at the time I found sad, and now I find it profound. Mr. Marsden did not receive a lot of support in his youth. He was told by a teacher (I believe it was his English teacher, ironically... though it was a long time ago, and I might be making it up) that he would never get anywhere in life. Hah! Didn't he show them up! I find it profound now because I am so very deeply grateful that I did not have to suffer through that. I do not have to struggle against everyone else's doubt as well as my own, as Mr. Marsden did.

Sure, I was bullied incessantly by my peers. However, not one person I respected ever told me that I couldn't do [insert dream here], or that I would amount to nothing. Even now, with my online network of friends, I have found some incredible support from people I've never actually met. I'm looking at you Chuck and Jaimey.

I don't think I could have done what I have done in life without such support, and so I have a profound respect and admiration for John Marsden.

Also, this movie was filmed in Australia, with an Australian cast and it looks AWESOME! One of my favourite parts of the story - the little love story between Lee and... that girl whose name I can't remember right now.

It has already opened in theatres in Australia and New Zealand, and will be shown at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival. Let's hope it'll open in theatres in North America soon as well.

Go see it.

But read the book first. It is available at Chapters and probably Amazon as well.

Also, sorry this post is late... I almost forgot to post at all today. It's a long weekend this weekend, so I probably won't be posting Monday. Have a great weekend all!