Learning to write a novel

For the last 10 years, I have been on a writing journey. In the last 3 years I started to take it seriously and in 2020, I will be aiming to push forward to the next level and complete another draft. I heard a statistic the other day, that 80% of people who start to write a novel, never complete it. That’s really high and I am determined to buck that trend.

Let’s recap
So over the 10 years, and you will see some examples on this blog, I have been on a journey of travel, corporate communications and photography. What I have recently realised, is the close links between writing and photography as ‘storytelling’ opportunities and interestingly the cross-over of what makes a ‘good’ piece of writing with what makes a ‘good’ photograph. They are both very subjective but in both cases the process of learning and finding new ways to develop provides the interest and the catalyst to keep going. That’s why I call this my storytelling journey, because the written word and an image both hold the same level of challenge, interest, excitement, joy and satisfaction for me. So they both have and will form part of this journey.

What have I done recently
Over the last 3 years I have balanced working and travelling with writing the first few drafts of my novel, through the guidance and tuition of The Writer’s Studio. I have done this on-line, across states, sitting in coffee shops, on buses and at home on the laptop. Earlier this year I completed the first part of the Third Draft Course while throwing my life upside down and moving to Broome. I also took that opportunity to use some other resources with the Australian Writer’s centre, by doing some short courses and getting into podcasts. The year was frustrating and I considered being part of that 80%, but at the end of it I decided to take advice and keep moving forward.

What next?
So, the next step is the final part of the Third Draft, which is called Third Draft extension and runs for 12 months. It is much more writing and will take me deeper into my novel. Even at the preparation stage, which I am in currently, there is plenty of re-thinking and re-jigging to be done. Its daunting and exciting at the same time.

I thought this timeframe would therefore be a good opportunity to develop a regular practise and incorporate a blog update along with each piece of daily writing. Who knows, when I am hopefully one day published, this might be a great resource to look back on.

So the goal for now is to strive to develop a routine and look for some balance. The reality is I have to work to do all the things I enjoy and want in life – travel, writing and photography and I also need to stay fit and healthy and get out of the house. I look forward to sharing my experiences and resources.

The next step of the writing journey begins!

Broome Time

Its been just on 4 weeks since arriving in Broome, Western Australlia. Tipping the end of the wet season, the first week was humid with a few remaining storms that had lingered for our arrival. I spent the first month on-foot and changed accommodation in the middle. I now have my own ‘studio unit’ which is comfortable, cool (when the fans are on) and with a shared pool and garden to enjoy in the mornings and evenings when the sun dissapears but it’s still warm.

There are a couple of disappointments to be honest. The Town Beach café, which I fondly remembered enjoying breakfast and dolphin spotting at, has closed. This is where I was going to write my book. It seems not. The town centre has been undergoing renovations for a while and the streets are messy and closed with the end of construction. Locals say it needs to be finished by the end of May and I hope it is. I’d had enough of construction in Sydney, both in the city centre and in the Northern Beaches and it feels to me like the local businesses are suffering, they are quiet even with the impending start of season just around the corner.

But these are just adjustments, letting go of the ‘dream’ and creating a ‘reality’ was always going to be part of the plan.

On the positive side, some of the old favourites, Cable Beach, Matso’s, The Mango Place and Town Beach still remain as remembered. I have also discovered the Broome Library which will be a great spot for writing, reading and working on my blog posts!

A month on foot has given me blisters, a light tan and also re-aquainted me with some of these locations as I pounded the streets, finding my way around. I feel like I can visualise the town a little better and have set myself up for finding my local hangouts. Good coffee is still on the list. I have had a few mediocre ones, generally sticking instead to chocolate milkshakes and Iced Coffee if I’m honest!

Broome presents me with an interesting challenge. A mental toughness is needed to dig in and find structure and comfort (and work!) in a different environment, where there are probably only 2 shops to buy clothes from (but you live in shorts and tshirts), limited café’s and expensive toasted sandwiches (but cheaper to buy from the supermarket anyway) and a delicate balance between travel and work to be re-found.

And….there are galleries and bookshops to visit, pindan earth and tranquil waters. There is much to explore, learn and find out, about Broome and about myself. And last Friday, I purchased a car, to take me on the Broome journey and beyond. I’m loving him already!

This is my Broome journey…And Gecko my car!

Ebb and Flow

In the last 8 years, my life has been a serious of journeys. From travel, to photography to writing. From living overseas to returning to and exploring my homeland. It has evolved through the people I have met and the places I have been from a somewhat static life a decade ago, to one which is rich in experiences and growth. Since returning from our 4wd road-trip in October, I have immediately begun to focus on the next steps for me. I almost didn’t miss a beat and it is quite interesting and a little surprising just how motivated and focused I have become about many things that I would have procrastinated on for ages a decade ago. Maybe its my 40’s, the body getting older and complains more, the brain getting wiser or maybe it is just a series of journeys that I have had to take to get to the next step along. Who knows, but its my journey.

I have repositioned and renamed this blog to develop it much more over the coming year. The next big project is one which is quite different for me. It will involve travelling to exotic countries, meeting amazing and interesting people, trying new things, falling in love, facing challenges and most likely much much more, BUT this time I will be in the comfort of my home by the sea and I will be creating an adventure for (hopefully) others to share. You see next year I am progressing my writing dream in a big way, with a 10 month novel and script first draft course with the Writer’s Studio. I will be doing this on-line, working with a mentor and it will a challenging and amazing year I am sure.

I will be posting snippets of writing up, as well as some photography projects I am hoping to develop as well as any travel that can fit into the year. So, if you want to keep up with my creative pursuits, this is the place to be.
I came up with the name Ebb and Flow as I was doing a daily walk down to the beach while I was recently job hunting. It was the name on a building, but I thought at the time that it describes me quite well I think. Just like the tide and the ocean, I have times of intense excitement, travel and then times where I bunker down to earn money and do the small things. The ebb and flow of my life. Keeps me interested anyway! Hope you will join me on this latest journey and feel free to comments or ask questions along the way.

This is a quote that recently came up on my writing course and I think it sums me up right now

“Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say“. And this is where my story will begin…