late nights (and tears)
As some of you may be aware, I was one of 26 writers selected for the ACT Writers Centre HARDCOPY manuscript development program last year. It was an incredible experience.
Unlike many of the other writers, I didn't begin HARDCOPY with a full manuscript. I didn't have a first chapter, let alone a first draft. I knew it was a coming-of-age memoir set in Canberra but not much else... who expects to work out a 'narrative arc' to their life, aged 24?!
All the same, the selection panel saw potential in my proposal and for that, I'm grateful.
I found out that I hadn't been selected for the final round (one-on-one feedback from agents and publishers) while at NYWF 2015. Sure, I was disappointed but unsurprised. Perhaps if I had worked harder, had more direction, I might have been selected... but life got in the way.
'Is the ultimate goal to write a book?' a friend asked.
While I admitted the book was a goal, the 'real' goal is to have my work read. I'd rather have my work read than a manuscript that never sees the light of day. Online articles, reviews and essays have changed my life too. Good writing is good writing, whether print or online.
I wasn't ready then, emotionally and skill-wise, to write the book I want to write. I was still living the memoir, after all. And so, I put the manuscript aside for a year. In the meantime, I:
Unlike many of the other writers, I didn't begin HARDCOPY with a full manuscript. I didn't have a first chapter, let alone a first draft. I knew it was a coming-of-age memoir set in Canberra but not much else... who expects to work out a 'narrative arc' to their life, aged 24?!
All the same, the selection panel saw potential in my proposal and for that, I'm grateful.
I found out that I hadn't been selected for the final round (one-on-one feedback from agents and publishers) while at NYWF 2015. Sure, I was disappointed but unsurprised. Perhaps if I had worked harder, had more direction, I might have been selected... but life got in the way.
'Is the ultimate goal to write a book?' a friend asked.
While I admitted the book was a goal, the 'real' goal is to have my work read. I'd rather have my work read than a manuscript that never sees the light of day. Online articles, reviews and essays have changed my life too. Good writing is good writing, whether print or online.
I wasn't ready then, emotionally and skill-wise, to write the book I want to write. I was still living the memoir, after all. And so, I put the manuscript aside for a year. In the meantime, I:
- produced Noted writers' festival
- wrote for BMA Magazine, Feminartsy, The Writers Bloc, Peril Magazine, Seizure
- edited for Voiceworks
- was an artist at Emerging Writers' Festival and National Young Writers' Festival
- did readings and was a guest panellist for a writers segment on local ABC radio
- reached 500+ followers (!) on Twitter
- co-founded and -hosted Canberra chapter of Write Here (a monthly writing group)
- continued reading, blogging, and attending writer-ly events and book launches
As I've said before, HARDCOPY was just the beginning. Writing is anything but glamorous (dressing up for readings, yes); it is late nights (and tears) but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm still not ready for 'the book' but I've come a long way since last year.
