I’ve been blessed this year.
Two newer members of my writing group represent my main readership — women and gay men, and I’ll get back to why this is relevant later in this blog. I’ve been presenting the ninth draft of a manuscript which is hindered with early draft scenes. These newer chapters are the result of an assessment where I was advised to strengthen the plot.
The novel takes place in Sydney’s gay scene during the 90s. A while back I mentioned this work on a podcast and the interviewer instantly remarked, “pingers.” This was 90s slang for the drug, ecstasy. In a scene I read to my group recently, one of the male characters has his first male to male encounter, several days after partying on pingers.
After sex, my characters display romantic affection which the female writer in my group felt was too intimate for a one night stand. I explained that taking ecstasy several days before, can lead to this type of intimacy.
But a week later, I wrote this fact into the scene.
‘I’m surprised you changed your mind, Lane. You were initially dead-set against us having sex.’ He ruffled Lane’s hair, then wondered if he was being too affectionate.
‘Well, let’s call this my good deed for the day.’ Lane ran his fingers through Ken’s spiky follicles, then gave Ken a quick peck.
The mood had definitely changed. The final residue of their weekend eckies had replaced raunch with romance.
Early this year I had the same type of feedback which had more relevance several days after attending my writing group. The oldest member of our group assumed that the nightclub referenced in a scene was fictional. I assured him The Midnight Shift was an actual gay club back in the day.
I then had a light bulb moment during rewrites.
I had written this nostalgic novel for those who experienced the clubs, the rave parties, the drugs, the music, and everything else the Sydney queer scene had to offer back then. I also knew UK readers would relate as our scenes were similar.
The story is more inclusive now in the way it’s written, so readers can discover this magic period for themselves, through the characters. The project is all the more richer for this.
All readers read differently.
An author friend has pointed this out to me, and it’s true within my writing group. Having a female give feedback has made me understand how the bulk of my audience connect with my work. She remembers the minor plot points of the story from scenes I’ve read earlier in the year. And when the villainess of this tale organised to have a picnic with another male character, my fellow female scribe remarked how this villainess was targeting the weakest link within a circle of friends. I was heartened she picked up on this.
Our new gay attendee is only four years younger than me and recalls this fabulous period of Sydney well. He’s reminded me of things I’ve forgotten from that time.
I began this project seven years ago.
The period has been researched at our state library. A very early draft was beta read. Several drafts back, the manuscript was professionally assessed. Plot changes have been made. DJs from that time have given me permission to use their names. And a main character has had his introduction moved from the first chapter to much later in the book, so that the overall message I want to leave the reader with is clearer.
I think of this book as a love letter to my husband who I met in 1990. It reflects a time most dear to us, when we were discovering each other, while meeting some wonderful people who we still call friends.
And it’s a tale I look forward to sharing with you soon.
