Field notes (August)

4th August

Walked the estuary path before the tide turned. The mudflats were full of oystercatchers — forty at least, all working the same short stretch of shoreline and ignoring each other completely. Took the long way back past the boatyard, where the blue hull has finally been righted, and made notes for the piece I owe Marguerite on Friday.

9th August

Rewrote the opening three times. The version that finally held was the one I dictated walking home in the rain, which is annoying but entirely consistent with everything I know about my own process. Filed at 6:40pm, well under the wire. Ordered the good noodles as a reward and read someone else's book instead of rereading mine.