Rose knows ‘‘who dun it’’

From Transylvania to Docklands.  Now, there’s got be a story there!

Docklands resident Rose Mercer has many stories to tell.  Growing up an hour away from Vlad Tepes’s castle is just one of them.

But the Watergate writer’s genre is crime.  So stories about Dracula will be left for others to write.

Rose is starting a Docklands writers’ group.  And all writers are welcome.  The first meeting is not until October 6, between 7 and 9pm at The Hub, 80 Harbour Esplanade.

“The new group is for everyone who would like to work towards the future together, whatever their genre,” Ms Mercer said.  “It might lead to something absolutely wonderful.”

She said she envisaged a workshop-type format where writer’s analysed pieces of text to help them learn new skills and techniques.

“My imagination is so much more well tuned than my writing skills,” she said.

She has had a number of short stories published and has won an award.  But now the 58-year-old is attempting a novel.  As usual, it is full of bodies.

“I don’t know. Dead bodies are just so much fun,” she laughed.

Ms Mercer is the convenor of “Sisters in Crime Australia”, a mutual support group for writers.  She has arranged for two members, Phillipa Martin and Lindy Cameron, to visit the new Docklands writers’ group.

She is also keen to establish a writers’ competition.  “It could be any genre, but has to be a bloody good read and have Docklands in it.”

Rose arrived in Australia in 1963.  She came to Docklands via Sydney, Alice Springs, Balwyn and Warrandyte.  Now that she’s here, she says she’s never living anywhere else.

Interested writers can email Rose on [email protected]