Where do you start when you aren't a professional writer?



Colac Hotel Port Adelaide

I mean- so much material in hand, so much to discover and so much to create, then shape it into a good read. Some of it will be profound, some will be mundane but it has to be put together in a way which will hold a reader's attention and interest.  Put in a picture - that's a good start.

Ridley's office at Irwin House

Why would I write a book about Ridley? From what I know of him and can deduce from his life choices he was energetic, a pious Anglican, adventurous, made friends readily, intelligent but probably not a deeply critical thinker, attracted people but wasn't "charismatic".

I have to find out if he was not only born in a pub but lived there for the early part of his life, and did that have any effect on his upbringing, his life and his attitudes? His father was listened as "Licenced Victualler" but was that of the Colac Hotel?  Easy to assume as Ridley was born there, is it the truth?  The Colac is right on the docks and newspaper reports from the late 1890's and early 20th Century are pretty colourful - fights, murders, and shock horror playing Euchre on a Sunday!! Sailing ships, and sailors in a port well-supplied with hotels, what a mix.