When I finished my first draft, two weeks ago, I thought I’d jump straight in and start an editing re-write. Well, I did do that and it was not a good idea. I started getting sucked into a familiar black hole of sadness and I was overwhelmed. I’m condensing some pieces for competition, so I was rereading some very raw and dark material, over and over. It’s cathartic, to a point, writing this grief stricken story, but there’s a limit to how far down the rabbit hole I can let myself fall.
So, after reflecting back on what all the excellent writing craft books I have been reading suggest, I’ve put it in a virtual draw. Just for six weeks. To sit and rest, to prove, like pizza dough. This allows me to come back to it with fresh eyes. The space will help me see the mistakes I no longer see, because I’ve read it so many times. And, I can read it front to back to make sure I don’t have holes in the story line. It’ll also allow me to work out what is and isn’t important. What stays, what goes, and what I need to expand on.
So, what to do for six weeks, if I’m not writing, I hear you ask. My other favourite pastime, travelling. Stu and I are going to Japan for three weeks. We met in Japanese class and are both qualified sake sommeliers. We’ve both been five times before, three times together and twice before we met. We’re mad Japanophiles, as are all four of our kids. However, this trip is just the two of us. Ewan, Stu’s eldest, is working in Hakuba, so we will visit him in the snowfields. We’ve not been to Japan since Covid, and I’m very excited.
My first trip to Japan in 2015, with my two kids, Steph and Mya, was the beginning of my writing journey. I spent a month in a country I couldn’t speak the language, and my kids were thirteen and nine years old. I kept a daily travel blog on Blogger, and it was a lifesaver. It often felt like my only adult conversation, writing about our adventures and sharing them on Facebook. I would get lots of responses from friends and family, and I enjoyed the connection while far from home.
After my second trip, I moved my blog, Blossomkitty, to WordPress. I also started blogging while I wasn’t travelling. I have written about Japanese history, culture, sake, restaurants and bars outside of Japan, movies, books, composers. Anything I thought was interesting to remember. The blog is a great source of information when I want to look back on my travels, but also on my interests and things I’ve learned.
During this trip, I’m intending to write my daily journal blog. Probably with lots of photos. But, I’m also going to be beginning some research on my next writing project. While ‘You Can’t Say That: Regarding Suicide’ is having a well earned break, I’m going to do some research on an idea for historical fiction. Of course, it’s set in Japan, and I can’t wait to get to know my fierce, intelligent, and amazing protagonist. I’ll visit some places she lived and also the ruins of the castle where she died, in tragic circumstances.
If you haven’t seen my Japan blog, it’s Blossomkitty.com. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, or interested in going one day, there is a lot of information here. I also have a Blossomkitty page on Facebook, and a blossomkitty_japan page on Instagram.
Kylie Eklund-Denman 