Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Catch up...

I was sequestered away in a rainforest cabin on the weekend while E had a boys' weekend at Tarzali, (this mostly involves complicated barbecuing of expensive meats). Of course, I was supposed to be writing madly -- and I made fairly good progress, but it was verra cold and dark in the rainforest.  At least I had my dressing gown and slippers.
And I went for a lovely, revitalising walk around the beautiful Lake Eacham. I could not get internet and mobile reception, so I was a tiny bit lonely, but I had a companion in the form of a rifle bird. The brochure said I could put fruit on my veranda railing for the birds, so I shared my apples with them. Mostly with this guy.
This one particular bird -- a Victoria's rifle bird, was very daring and got quite bossy after a while. He'd come and tap on my window where he could see my fruit bowl, letting me know he wanted more, and he'd put his wings up and look quite ferocious when he wanted to frighten other birds away from the food.



As far as my writing's concerned I found when I sat down to write this story (telling myself that I had to hurry) I hit a brick wall. Why? Because I didn't really know my characters and I'd been busy and hadn't had the usual thinking, dreaming musing time leading into writing this book.

So I decided to take another tack with it -- I've been outlining. As soon as I gave myself permission not to write the story, but outline instead, I relaxed and started writing madly. (Which I found rather interesting) So I now have eleven scenes outlined with snippets of dilaogue and little details about my characters' pasts etc. What I think I've actually been doing is "dreaming" on paper. Visualising the unfolding of my story but recording it as well, so that I at least have words on the page.

It's true that no two books ever emerge by the same process (even though we think we have a set routine). We have to keep adjusting our processes to meet the circumstances and context in which we're writing. I'm really glad I have this outline down now and I'm underway with writing the actual story as next week I'll have all five grandchildren here (plus their mothers, thank heavens) and then the other family members will arrive for a Christmas in July style gathering. Should be crowded (14) and fun!

But I'll need my writing outline to get me back on track when it's all over. Wish me luck.

4 comments:

Lacey Devlin said...

Fantastic photos! I hope you're not too cold up there.

Have a great time next week and lots of luck with the writing at the other end!

Zoe said...

Ah, Lake Eacham, Tarzali, Malanda... Malanda Milk... Memories from such a long time ago. My uncle owned the sawmill in Tarzali and I lived with them in the mill house for nearly two years. That was back in the days when there was a General Store and a Post Office there. In fact, I believe years before that my Grandmother used to go there to dance! There used to be a number of pubs there! Okay, those of you who don't know where Tarzali is, you have something missing from your lives...

Barbara Hannay said...

Thanks, Lacey. I hope your writing is firing after the roadshow.

Barbara Hannay said...

Zoe, I can hear the nostalgia in your voice. Did you know that the Tarzali sawmill has closed down -- and the pub burned down last year? Poor old Tarzali township is disappearing -- but the views and the countryside are as beautiful as ever. And we've had the most spectacular weather for the past couple of months. Fingers crossed that it lasts another week.