The goalposts have moved continuously since I began writing this book, and in the beginning I didn’t even set any timeline on it. Maybe I should have done since it has dragged out far longer than I ever imagined it would, but I’ve not had the luxury of time to do little else but spend all day writing either. Or not working on the book anyway. The paid work has always taken priority. But now – today – I can say with absolute confidence that I will be able to write The End on or before the end of May 2025. Phew!
There are just a couple of interviews to edit for the In Their Own Words chapters, and finishing off the final chapter that really meant we could claim the campaign to stop a pulp mill being built in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley was over, and that the community had won it. The saga might have ended with a whimper rather than a bang, and for most people it had ended when Gunns went broke, but for those on the frontline it wasn’t over until those permits expired and the government of the day announced they wouldn’t be renewed.
Only then could we have a party, put those twelve campaign years behind us, and stop looking over our shoulders - metaphorically speaking.
So on 31st May I’m planning on putting the writing of this book behind me, although I know it’s really just the beginning. My mentor will undoubtedly have suggestions for rewrites, moving parts from one section to another – and perhaps ditching some bits altogether. But if this tome is to interest a publisher then that’s all part of the process. So I’ll look upon the next stage as akin to putting a jigsaw puzzle together and slotting things into a more natural (and readable) place.
But at least I've 'got it down' and the story is complete. And that’s quite an achievement – even if I never really doubted I’d finish it eventually. I’m only sorry there are several people who were involved but who are no longer around to read it.
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