Melissa Lucashenko is an award-winning novelist who lives between Brisbane and the Bundjalung nation. She was born in Brisbane and grew up there. After working as a barmaid, delivery
driver and karate instructor, Melissa received an honours degree
in public policy from Griffith University, graduating in 1990.
Her writing explores the stories and passions of ordinary Australians with particular reference to Aboriginal people and others living around the margins of the First World. Melissa has been an independent screenplay assessor for Screen NSW and Screen Tasmania, and a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council.
She is also a regular contributor to Griffith Review.
In response to the question 'why do you write?' she has said:
Like most writers, I started off fuelled by egotism and neurosis as much as by creativity. (I believe there's a very fine line between those qualities anyway). Once I'd gotten over that a bit, I think I wrote in order to show people that there is a living breathing Aboriginal culture in Australia, and also to satisfy the urge to create interesting work. Tell stories. These days the impulse is more towards writing the best work I can possibly put out. Maybe that's why I write more slowly...the political element is still strong though.
Source: www.melissalucashenko.com.au (Sighted 19/10/12)
