Who is Melanie Cheng?
Melanie Cheng is a writer, mum and general practitioner who struggles to do all these things at once and whose idea of the perfect day is an empty schedule and a new novel by a favourite author.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would like more balance in my life – less time working and driving and looking at Instagram and more time reading and walking and having conversations with friends and family about the things that really matter.
Who inspires you and why?
I take inspiration from the carers of the world. And by carers I mean the grandparents and the mums and dads and the friends and partners caring for the young and the old and the sick. It is exhausting and challenging work but if done well and with grace, it is the purest form of love.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
If I could change one thing, it would be to ensure that every child grows up in a home where they feel safe. This should be a right but, unfortunately, in our world it is a privilege. In my decades of working as a GP, I’ve learnt that one of the greatest protections a person can have against physical and mental ill health is the experience of feeling safe and loved as a child.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
One of my most memorable holidays is still the one I took with my partner, now my husband, to Italy when we were young. We drove from Rome to Florence through the Tuscan countryside and stayed at a fattoria (farm house) in San Gimignano. Most of the other guests were holidaying Italians and we all ate together at one big table every night. The food was simple and sumptuous and the wine, made at the fattoria of course, was delicious. It was a magical trip.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I live in Melbourne and so visiting friends would have to sample our coffee and eat our great food. I would take them for brunch at Tin Pot café – an oldie but definitely a goodie, with devoted regulars like me! – and then for snacks and drinks at Rocket Society, a neighbourhood wine bar serving Lebanese sondwishe (delicious flatbread sandwiches) and classic cocktails.
What are you currently reading?
For many months, whilst reading other things, I have been dipping in and out of Helen Garner’s final volume of diaries, How to End a Story. I just love her perfect sentences. When I get stuck with my own writing, I will go to my bookshelf and read a paragraph by Garner or de Kretser or Cusk to reset my brain and feel inspired again.
What are you currently listening to?
Every Thursday, when I take my son to soccer training, I walk around the pitch at dusk and listen to the latest episode of Read This, an excellent podcast about books, hosted by Michael Williams.
Happiness is?
A fleeting emotion. Contentment is what we should be striving for. I think we would all feel a lot better and a lot more relaxed if we abandoned this relentless pursuit of what is a transient feeling. Many people are getting very rich selling us the promise of happiness.
What does the future hold for you?
I have no idea. And I’m okay with that! I’ve reached an age and stage of life where I’m able to sit with uncertainty.
Melanie is the Author of The Burrow – which is published by Text Publishing and available from all leading book sellers. For more information, visit: www.textpublishing.com.au for details.
Image: Melanie Cheng – photo by Toby Chahal