I’ve just returned from a holiday to Tasmania, my birth state. I went back for my cousin’s 21st birthday, and tacked a couple of days on at the beginning for writing.
I stayed in a cottage at Branxholm, a rural town in the northeast of Tasmania. I’ve stayed there before and returned because it’s perfect for writing. The Ringarooma river runs through the property, and there are pastures and alpacas, and forests and hills. The district is full of farms and the pastures are like patchwork, and beyond them, lie the mountains.
I also returned in winter because I wanted to remind myself of just how cold it gets in Tasmania, and check that my memory wasn’t exaggerating. No, it had remembered well. We had plenty of clear, blue skies and air that was so cold we could see our breath, our cheeks turned pink, and our eyes and nose ran.
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For those who are bored with updates on the (slow) progress of my novel: stop reading here and skip to the photos below.
For those who aren’t bored (yet): I worked on my novel while I was in Tassie, and I’m now nearly half-way through this rewrite.
A few people have asked why I’d want to rewrite a novel that was shortlisted for an award, and that’s a fair question: it sounds silly to rewrite something that was good enough already. The thing is, I could have sent it out as it was, and I might have even found a publisher, but I wouldn’t have been happy, because I knew it had flaws. I didn’t know exactly what they were and I certainly didn’t know how to fix them, but I knew there were things wrong with it and that it could be made better.
I have patience, and I don’t mind redrafting this story over and over again in order to improve it. And it does improve each time I rewrite it—I see more in it, more textures, more layers.
At first, I wasn’t sure I had the ability to do it, being relatively new to writing and this being my first novel. I wondered if I should put it aside and say, ‘That’s as good as it gets for a first attempt. I’ll make Novel #2 better …’
But then I was given feedback from an agent. Basically, it was three pages of blunt criticism, along with a printout of my novel that she’d annotated. It wasn’t very encouraging, except that she took the time to provide me with feedback, and she told me she doesn’t finish reading many of the novels she’s sent but she did finish mine.
She pointed out the flaws in my novel, and I have something to work with. I want to fix them. I want to improve my novel. I had a story before this rewrite, and I can always go back to that if this fails. But first, I have to see if I can improve it …
You see, not only do I want to be published, but I want this story to be the best I can give, not just my ‘good enough’. I’ve found something to strive for, something into which I want to put a huge effort, my best effort. This won’t be the best novel ever written, but that’s not the point—it will be my best. I’ll have tried my hardest.
So, that’s why I’m rewriting my novel.
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Some of my photos from Tasmania:
The cottage at Branxholm
My neighbour, who looked warm
After some rain
At times, I felt as if I was in a Devondale ad
Giant Swamp Gum, just east of Weldborough
Giant Tree Ferns
Myrtle Park, just outside of Launceston
St Patrick’s River
Ice on leaves
The Conservatory in the City Park, Launceston
Roses outside the Art Gallery, Launceston
You are what I call an artist. Someone who is never satisfied with what they’ve produced but who will inevitably present an absolute masterpiece. I have a very strong feeling about this novel, Louise. I congratulate you on your fastidious resolve.
Thanks, Michelle. There are some things about which I really don’t care—housework being one of them—but for this, I want to turn in my best effort. Thanks for your encouragement (again!).
Louise, I had silently wondered why you were rewriting a shortlisted novel but now I understand, and I admire you for your dedication. I look forward to reading it when it’s published.
Great photos of Tasmania. One of my favourite places because it’s beautiful, and I love cold weather.
Take care. x
I actually felt a bit silly announcing that I was rewriting the damn thing! I really felt it needed it, and it was confirmed by the agent’s feedback—I’m just grateful she saw enough good in it to give me what she did. She pointed out a plot development I’d been worried about, and also something to do with a major character that others had mentioned but that I couldn’t see. Now I’ve changed a few scenes around, and I can see how much better the characters are! Thanks for your encouragement and I’m glad you liked the photos!
Good for you, Louise. I know it will be worth it and that you will be proud of both your efforts and the finished book. All the best with it. x
Thanks, Natasha—I knew you, as a writer, would understand! It will never be perfect, but I know it can be made better—it already is!
Those photos are stunning! And I ‘get’ why you are still working on it, and really can’t wait until you are published and I can read it.
Thanks, Theresa! I’m glad you ‘get’ it. I’ve chosen to be a bit of a perfectionist about this baby of mine! And I’m glad you like the photos. x
Did you shoot these photos yourself, Louise? They are incredible!
Thanks, Nicole. Yes, I did take the photos, and one day I’d love to learn how to take them properly. That day will be after the novel is finished, of course!
Good luck with the rewriting! And your photos are gorgeous by the way.
Thanks so much and I’m glad you liked the photos. (PS. I haven’t forgotten about your book! x)
I admire you greatly! And am in awe of your stamina.
The admiration is two-way, and stamina is the word—I’ve never been one to give up easily! Also, I love ‘Preceden’—I’m still using it and needing it! The other day, I had to change the ages of some of the characters and it made it all so easy!
What stunning photos, Louise, you are such an inspiration! And I totally understand your ‘why’ around revising. I’m starting on the next round of editing soon as I feel exactly the same way. Lovely to read your update!
I’m so glad you like the photos—I loved taking them! Good luck with your revisions and keep us posted on how you’re going. x
Thanks, Louise, will do 🙂
🙂
You are so right Louise, I’m glad you found the time for you and your book. I can see by your photos that you are in the right space xxxx
Yes, the few days of just me and my book were invaluable, and it was the perfect place for a writing retreat. x