Beachside Ruminations

Yesterday I spent a precious hour working in a café in the Victorian seaside town of Lorne, knocking back the espresso (well, actually caffé latte - city slicker!) while sitting out at one of the tables set out on the pavement in front of the café. The experience was pleasant but a little disorienting; I started my day in bustling downtown Melbourne, but by eleven in the morning I was in this tiny little beachside town mixing it up with the locals on their morning promenade. The surf was rolling in across the waterfront, the sun was shining, the stiff coastal breeze was temporarily at bay, and the seat was comfortable. Nevertheless, I found it hard to settle in for some serious writing work. 

Part of the problem was the limited time - I only had an hour before I had to move on to a project briefing at the local Aquatic Club, located near the Lorne pier. The other problem was the sense that I was only in town on borrowed time. I found it hard to settle in even for an hour because I knew I was zipping through, stopping only for a while, before grinding back to the city. 

This reminded me that my writing habits are a little highly strung. I need a buffer of space and comfort around the writing moment in order to focus in and block out the extraneous. This usually means a period of mucking around prior to the actual work, and yesterday I simply didn’t have the time. Nevertheless, it was great to see the Southern Ocean - Bass Strait is wild, and the water is a brilliant aquamarine colour. The day was clear out to a very distant horizon. 

I love being by the water, it is simultaneously energising, calming and encouraging of a positive brand of introspection, just the kind of introspection that good writing thrives on. I will plan a winter writing jaunt for next year, it’s a little too late this year, and I have other travel plans - but perhaps I will organise a trip somewhere with a view of the ocean, and stay a few weeks, giving myself the time and space to settle in and do some calm, serious work.

A literary start to the week

This morning I got up early and started my new regime of writing before work. I have never written first thing in the morning before, and it is a little different, but my head was quite clear and there are no distractions, which is a very good thing. Two coffees and some cereal, and I was away and running. Happily, I have revised 'Strip Poker', and put it up on the Unfiction website. Check it out, it is markedly improved. You will find it at this link.

A new writing instrument

​Yesterday I was in a writing instrument fetish mood, and I acquired a new pen. It is an E-Motion fountain pen by Faber Castell, as shown in the image below. This is a nicely weighted pen with a lid that shouldn't actually be posted as shown in the photo - the pen is designed to be used without the cap sitting on the end. If you use it as shown the pen is top heavy, and the cap sits somewhat loosely when posted.​

The pen feels good to use, but it is not yet as smooth as I expected it to be. I need to wear it in, and it might need flushing out. ​I got this pen at my favourite writing instrument purveyor, Pen City on Elizabeth Street. Pen shops have a special magic for me, and Pen City is my favourite local shop. They are in a new location, just across the road from their old spot. I liked their old shop, which was really cluttered - in a good way - it was like something out of Harry Potter. The new shop is much more spacious, and it is still being set up. I suppose it will grow on me. They've got lots of lovely things in there and I always seem to leave with something new and, strictly speaking, unnecessary. I have a total lack of impulse control when it comes to pens, pencils and stationery. 

Faber Castell E-Motion Fountain Pen in black resin with laser-engraved Hungarian Parquet​ pattern