Offspring fans will have a chance to get into the creative mind of screen writer Debra Oswald when she visits Mollymook for a long table lunch at Bannisters on May 14.
During the lunch, Debra will talk about her first adult novel, Useful, and also reveal the inspiration behind the hit television series.
She told the Milton Ulladulla Times she was looking forward to a two-day "indulgent" break in Mollymook immediately after returning from a hectic trip to London.
"I love Mollymook and have friends with holiday houses down there, so visit quite often," she said.
"I'm really excited about the Bannisters lunch and meeting the locals."
Debra is returning to Bannisters after attending a long lunch in 2011 in honour of her writer husband Richard Glover.
Richard is coming back as well, but this time, the spotlight will be on Debra who says she is open to questions from her guests.
"Everyone says I'm pretty open," she said.
"I'm happy to talk about my book and Offspring, as well as my experiences as a writer over the past 35 years."
Useful is described by Debra as a "smart, moving and wry contemporary novel about the search for meaning and self-worth".
Once a charming larrikin and perennial underachiever, Sullivan Moss is now in his late 30s and so hopeless he can't even commit suicide properly.
After he trips and hits his head when trying to jump from a building, he wakes up in hospital determined to become useful.
If he can donate a kidney to a stranger he will feel he has done something.
As Sullivan pursues his mission to become a donor, he almost unintentionally begins to transform his life for the better.
Funny, warm, but with a sharp eye, Useful is an original novel featuring an ensemble of the compelling characters Debra is renowned for creating.
Touching on the contemporary issues of suicide and organ donation, Useful also reminds readers of the power of friendship, both existing and surprising.
Debra said the book was similar to Offspring in the sense that she has created "characters that you care about".
"It a blend of humorous and serious material," she added.
Tickets for the long lunch are now available from bannisters.com.au.
Milton Ulladulla Times
