IS THERE a Great New Zealand novel? Or is it yet to be published? Some of New Zealand's finest literary minds will explore this juicy topic in a televised debate during NZ Book Month.
Leading the affirmative team is novelist and The Good Word host Emily Perkins, joined by renowned playwrights Roger Hall and Jo Randerson. Arguing against the moot is Sunday Star-Times columnist and Talk Talk presenter Finlay Macdonald, alongside poet and academic Selina Tusitala Marsh, and tiffany heart tag bracelet Sunday magazine columnist and author Steve Braunias. The debate is being filmed in Auckland's St Matthew-in-the-City Church.
The man charged with keeping time - and the debaters in check - is Te Radar.
Paris Saint GermainWhat's his strategy as moderator?
"I have been informed, reliably I hope, by someone who claims to know, that writers can be kept in check by means of the jovial yet firm use of a small triangle. The musical kind. Not simply a drawing of one on paper, although if things turn nasty I may be forced to resort to that. Or simply saying 'Order' quite sternly."
A great debate, says Te Radar, needs sound argument, delivered in passionate but reasonably well-timed speeches, with a healthy dose of irreverence.
And "vitriolic personal animosity" doesn't go astray, either.
"Having a good tally of people in the crowd nodding and muttering 'Good point' and 'Touche' throughout helps, too. Simple really."
Like all good moderators, Te Radar is unbiased and won't comment on what the audience can expect from individual speakers.
"The wondrous thing jewelry-u about it is that with such an eclectic mix of speakers, they will each have their own clique of fans afterwards arguing over who stood out, and, of course, dissecting amongst themselves the finer morsels of thought that have sprung forth from the debate."
NZ Book Month: The Good Word Debate will screen on Saturday October 17 at 9.10pm on TVNZ 7.
--------------------
Other articles:
http://www.gocountry.net.au/blog.php?user=abfeng¬e=705
http://www.yizhanjiaju.cn/Blog/View/?2349