'You've got mail!' exclaims the cheery automaton at America Online. The flag on the mailbox icon waves invitingly on my computer screen. For a second, I'm 10 years old again, waiting for the postman's whistle to slice the stillness of an Australian afternoon. Geraldine Brooks afternoonamericaaustralian share on social
I had this story that had been banging around in my head and I thought, 'I'll just see if there's anything there.' So I wrote a few chapters of the book that became 'Year of Wonders,' and lucky for me it found its readers. Geraldine Brooks bangbookchapter share on social
There are always a few who stand up in times of communal madness and have the courage to say that what unites us is greater than what divides us. Geraldine Brooks communalcouragedivide Change image and share on social
Writing is like bricklaying; you put down one word after another. Sometimes the wall goes up straight and true and sometimes it doesn't and you have to push it down and start again, but you don't stop; it's your trade. Geraldine Brooks bricklayingpushput share on social
Certainly I'm still mining my experiences as a journalist. I think it's no coincidence that all three of my novels basically are about how people act in a time of catastrophe. Do they go to their best self or their worst self? Geraldine Brooks actbadbasically share on social
Yes, the small village that we live in, in Virginia, is a very interesting place, in terms of its Civil War history, because it was a town that was founded by Quakers in 1733. Geraldine Brooks civilfoundhistory Change image and share on social
The dirty little secret of foreign correspondents is that 90 per cent of it is showing up. If you can find a way to get there, the story, the reporting, it's the easiest you'll ever do. 'Cause the drama's everywhere. Geraldine Brooks centcorrespondentdirty share on social
I'm a praying atheist. When I hear an ambulance siren, I ask for a blessing for those people in trouble, knowing that no one's listening. I think it's just a habit of mindfulness. Geraldine Brooks ambulanceatheistbless Change image and share on social
September 11, 2001, revealed heroism in ordinary people who might have gone through their lives never called upon to demonstrate the extent of their courage. Geraldine Brooks callcouragedemonstrate Change image and share on social
One thing I believe completely is that the human heart remains the human heart, no matter how our material circumstances change as we move together through time. Geraldine Brooks changecircumstancecompletely Change image and share on social