Visiting local homes built in the era of my story is such a great thing to do, and I have a valid reason for traipsing all over the countryside. Research reader, that’s what it’s all about, and this weekend I went to Tocal Homestead.

Tocal Homestead built in 1841.

A local house that was contemporary with my story’s setting. There were several homes built in the same era as fictional “Shelby”, one was Dalwood House, we’ve been there before, Tocal and another is Windermere House, I need to contact the owners to gain access there. I am fortunate to have a small degree of prior contact with both houses.

I used to work at Tocal Agricultural College where Tocal Homestead is located and know the Principal and Manager Cameron Archer slightly from my time there. I’m reasonably confident that I can approach him for some assistance as he has already written several books relating to the history of Tocal and the convicts assigned there, I’m pretty sure he will be happy to help me with my own research.

One of the first things you notice on your arrival reader is the noise and funny smell! If you look down into the gully, you can see that the place is dripping with bats. I’m not exaggerating reader to say there would be a good kilometre or more of gulley filled with them.

Aside from the bats, Tocal is a beautiful place steeped in Australian Colonial history, here are some interior shots of the house. You can visit yourself, here is the web address, http://www.tocal.com/index.html

The Hall with beautiful staircase.

Drawing room.

The first settlers lived in crude bark or slab huts, then this small brick building was built as the first homestead at Tocal.

Tocal's first homestead, built in 1830's

As for Windermere House, my mother used to cook for the bus tours that visited the  Hunter Valley’s oldest homestead, so I have met and spoken to Peter and Lorna Capp on several occasions over the years.

Still approaching someone to have a sticky beak around their home is a bit daunting, but I need to be brave and just do it. There’s no historical accuracy for the feint hearted reader!

Dear Reader,

My life is considerably more isolated than it ever was, writing is a solitary existence. Not lonely reader, but mostly alone. I am fortunate that while I write and spend most of my time alone, I can also write with my husband watching tv (flicking channels) beside me.

If you think about it, most jobs involve some degree of interaction with others. Writing does too, but not while you’re actually writing. You spend a lot of time in your head, thinking about characters, what they look like, what are their motivations, why they are doing what they do. Then you scribble it all down, have piles of notes, either electronic or hard copy, or both if you’re like me 🙂

Then comes the doubt demon, sitting on your shoulder, pointing out that your writing is rubbish, that you are a housewife, stick to that! Well that’s what my personal little beastie says. Reader, the very essence of writing is what causes so much agony. We work alone, with people we’ve mostly made up. We have no workmates cheering us on, or pointing out bits we’ve missed. Helping us learn the skills needed to be efficient and useful to an employer. Working alongside us.

We do have ever patient husbands, sisters, friends and family who we can bore spit-less. At least I know I do reader, but essentially, it’s a pretty much flying solo.

And then along came such things as face book and twitter, who’d ever heard of a blog? I mean reader, what is this about? This thing has taken the world by storm, and now as a writer, I couldn’t even imagine being without the interaction I get from these.

The likes of social media sites have allowed me to connect with published writers, editors, even agents. I have become friends with people whom I’ve never met face to face, but have copies of their books. What’s even more marvellous reader, is they take an interest, they encourage and give the odd kick in the pants when it’s needed.

So mockers, go right ahead, we writers would be still sitting chewing our pencils without our word wars and fb friends. I think, quite possibly, that these sites help get more writers writing and help to keep the doubt beasties at bay.

What do you think reader?

I have a huge list reader, and to be totally truthful, I’m not sure where to start.

I know I’m going to read through my manuscript, I’ve already started that, but from there, where?

1. Scene Cards
2. Story Arc
3. Time Line
4. Character Cards (complete these, as they are started)
5. Play dumb games on face book?? (no no no!)
6. Research all those important historical points
7. Just begin editing and re-writing

And all of this is just the beginning reader, just in the editing, I will need to check points for historical accuracy. Insert new scenes to create bridges between incidents. Re-write scenes that just don’t make sense.

No reader, that’s not my new hair do. . . it’s how I feel when I start to think of what I do next. (PS, please someone – move that cow!)

I know reader, none of this is really that difficult, it’s more a case of where to start. I know, a journey of thousand miles begins with one step, but in which direction do I head?