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| Waiting to hatch |
Excitement abounds – the draft is about to
start moving again. I have accepted a place on the Hardcopy program. I first
heard about the program through uni. When I looked up the details and
discovered that 2015 was all about non-fiction, I thought I should at least have
a go at applying. It was the first time I had shown anyone the draft so it was
almost simply a challenge to myself to stump up the courage to push it out into
the world.
I couldn’t believe my luck when I got the
e-mail offering me a place. I burst into tears, quite messy tears. To get some
external validation of my idea and my writing felt amazing. The program
consists of two workshops to help writers further develop their manuscripts.
Then a few people will progress through to a third workshop which looks at the
publishing side of things. I have plenty of work to do, but this is going to be
a wonderful opportunity to get some help.
 |
| Writing for work |
The panel’s preliminary feedback notes that
I need to work on my characters, show don’t tell and consider introducing some
dialogue. This echoes much of the feedback I have been getting on my
assignments too. And this morning I worked out why. I have done plenty of
writing – albeit usually for work. And this is where the problem lies. Writing
for work is issue based. I explain the issue and often explore options for
solving it. There are no characters, there is no showing not telling. In fact
it is completely round the other way. I tell the reader what is coming in a
short pithy summary and then logically explore the arguments before reaching
the conclusion.
 |
| The possibilities |
So I accept and understand the comments and
am getting just a bit excited about working out how to address them. I have
been reading Story Craft by Jack Hart
and trying to understand his suggestions and think through how I can
incorporate them in my work. Creating a visual landscape for the reader – of
the characters and the places they go – is going to be an interesting
challenge. But I haven’t touched the draft yet. I want to wait and soak up the
ideas and then return to my work with clearer eyes.
 |
| A future project |
My flights and accommodation in Canberra
are booked. I am flying up a day early so I can soak up some art and culture. I
have already decided I shall go to the war museum to see the new exhibition on
Afghanistan. This relates to another idea I have about a writing piece – so
let’s call it research! I am really looking forward to meeting the other program
participants and am curious to learn about their projects and their writing
practices. There are at least two others from Melbourne, who are also from my
uni course!
 |
| Making time for fun |
Getting the manuscript finished is going to
require some serious commitment and discipline on my part. I have decided to
take a leave of absence from uni for second semester so I can concentrate on
the draft. I want to make the most of this chance and feel that if I stuck with
the course too I would feel conflicted and would never have time to see my
family and friends.
