# @lisamessenger on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNF8EoLvv5w
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/59686824-lisamessenger-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f0415464cc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-08T11:43:56.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Lisa Messenger (@lisamessenger) — https://gondola.cc/lisamessenger

## Caption

Passion, Purpose… and a Whole Lot of Puddles

It was such an honour to be invited to speak at Byron Writers Festival this year. Sar and I were scheduled to speak about our latest book The Power of Two - but the universe had other plans.

The Northern Rivers more than lived up to its name. It poured. Think ankle-deep puddles, sideways rain, and a very soggy festival site. Sarah wore heels. I wore Blundstones. Between the two of us, it was less of a literary event and more of a slow-motion slip-and-slide.

We were so excited for our 4:30 session - after soaking up wisdom from brilliant authors like Gina Chick, Esther Freud, Zoe Foster-Blake, and Di Morrissey - but just 10 minutes in, BOOM.
Crackle.
Mic drop.
Lights out.
Rain hammering so loudly on the marquee we could barely hear ourselves think.

Still, we did what any resilient duo would do: jumped off the lounge chairs, perched on the front of the stage, raised our voices, and carried on - tech-free, soaking wet, and wildly under-amplified - until we were told it was officially too dangerous to continue.

So yes, a little gutted… but still smiling. The vibe was electric, the people divine, and the conversations continued well into the evening down at the North Byron Hotel - where we found ourselves deep in discussion with the likes of Chris Hammer, Georgia Harper, and PA Thomas.

For someone transitioning from non-fiction to fiction after 40 books, it’s endlessly fascinating hearing how these brilliant crime writers build suspense, structure plot, and dream up entire worlds.

Massive thanks to:
	•	Jessica Alice (Artistic Director)
	•	Clare McGregor (Program Manager)
	•	Cherrie Sheldrick (Travel & Logistics)
 .  Mandy Nolan (Moderator)
…and the entire Byron Writers Festival team for pulling off such a brilliant event under wild conditions.

We’re hoping to re-run our session on Sunday … stay tuned. 

For now, here’s me and Sarah, post-almost speaking gig, post-fiasco, and still grinning ♥️
#byronwritersfestival #writer #author #lisamessenger #sarahmegginson

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## Tags

sarahmegginson, author, byronwritersfestival, writer, lisamessenger

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