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!

What if I want to slay dragons?

I had an epiphany while I was cleaning the bathroom today. It was right after I dislodged the showerhead slightly, resulting in a complete soaking of myself in a dry shower. As I untangled myself from the wreckage of the plumbing, I thought to myself, I don’t want to be a travel writer. I don’t even really want a travel blog.

So…. what on earth am I doing writing this post I hear you ask?

To be fair, the epiphany was the culmination of a few months of real thinking on my part, and then an interesting author talk at the local library this morning. The author wasn’t a travel writer at all, in fact he wrote children’s books and his presentation was followed by a mad Irishman teaching us how to draw dragons (literally), but I digress.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Dragon’s are real!

My point, is that an author from a completely different genre and with a completely different approach to his writing journey, highlighted the one thing that I think I have been missing lately. The one thing that the travel writing lists of great places to visit in Broome isn’t doing for me or my development as a writer. The one thing that goes back up to the top of my list. Imagination.

Maybe it was the fumes from the cleaning agents, but I realised that this ‘journey’ I am on at the moment, is less about travel and more about writing. But not writing about travel, if that makes sense, but storytelling. My novel is stuck in ‘boredom town’ and my travel articles are not inspiring me. I read so many articles that say the same thing as well. Where is the imagination and individuality?

Storytelling is definitely a word that is overused. It has become a buzzword in business and for this reason I tend to resist using it, but it is fundamentally at the heart of what I want to do, tell stories. How, what format and what stories are the challenge and this chapter of my life is the time for me to explore and work this out to pursue a direction.

So, what has the shower drenching resulted in (other than forcing me to create more washing). I am going to re-purpose my blog…again. Yes I know, but this is my personl blog, its not my business calling card or my job. It’s just me. This will now become my ‘life journal’ and now the fun can really begin. I want to talk about my writing, about travel and about life.

So while I haven’t really got a plan to slay dragons, in fact I didn’t even stay to try and draw one myself, I can imagine that I was able to, and I can imagine that I was successful. It’s time to take the next step.

PS – In case you are wondering, I still plan to keep working towards my Top 12 Broome travel experiences (I have ticked off 5 so far), as these are all things that I want to do and experience, but I will be using them in a slightly different way in my writing in the future.

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…