For many years, Associate Professor Marcelle Freiman displayed book covers on her door – the published works of Macquarie students whom she has taught creative writing to for almost 20 years.

The posters may have been recently removed ahead of the Faculty of Arts’ upcoming move to the new Arts Precinct. But many of her students will always remember that door.

“I dreamed of having my own cover on that door one day,” worldwide bestselling author Liane Moriarty recalls, in her recent interview in Macquarie Matters.  “I am very grateful to both Marcelle and Rose Moxham for all their support when I was writing Three Wishes, which went on to be published around the world.”

Marcelle herself has published two books of poetry – White Lines (Vertical) (2010) and Monkey’s Wedding (1995) – and her creative work has appeared in numerous literary journals. Her research is focused on writing as process, creativity and cognition, and she is particularly interested in how visual images can generate poetry writing.

1) In a nutshell, my job is to…
Teach student creative writers and encourage them in their writing and research – and to help them understand how important it is to slow down in order to think. The other nutshell is to be a good colleague.

2) The question I hear most often in my work is…
‘I love to write, but I don’t think my writing is very good… how can I be a better writer?’

3) The thing I find most rewarding in my role is…
Helping students to improve and gain confidence in their writing – and at the other end of the scale, seeing the publication of my students’ creative works.

4) This year I want to…
Do more of my own writing.

5) The bravest thing I’ve done is…
Metaphorically – jump off a cliff!

6) A place that’s special to me is…
The paperbark groves in Centennial Park.

7) My mother/father always told me…
My father told me learn ballroom dancing (this was not much use to me). My grandmother told me ‘do not neglect your talent’. I have never forgotten her words.

8) I’m scared of…
Not being able to finish what I started.

9) My hidden talent is…
Seeing both sides but landing on one – eventually.

10) A moment I’ll always remember is…
The acceptance of my first poem in an Australian literary magazine. It was such a validating moment! This was soon after Margaret Atwood told me, at a Macquarie writing workshop run by her as our writer-in-residence, that the poem I had submitted for the workshop was not yet conceptually developed – which was when I realised that I’d been playing it safe submitting that particular, uncooked piece of work; and that I was afraid of what she’d say. She said it anyway.