2023 wrap up
Looking back on 2023, and forward to 2024 (6 minute read)
I have a weakness for beautiful notebooks. My favourites are medium-sized, with thick, unlined paper and a heavy cover with botanical imagery, but I own a wide selection. If I rummage around in the bottom of my handbag, I find a small, lightweight notebook in lime green, containing random backup information for various trips (in case my phone packs up), lists of plant names and fragments of writing. On my desk, I’ve got an A4-sized notebook I use when I’m brainstorming or planning a piece of writing and I need something more physical than digital. And I’ve got lots of notebooks of writing from when I was younger, most of which I think is rubbish.
It’s only in these last few years, when I’ve come to understand that writing is more skill than talent, that I value the writing in those old notebooks. I don’t value the content, and I have no desire to read it again. But I value the time and effort I put into writing that rubbish. The practice made me a better writer today.
At this time of year, I pull out a blue and silver notebook with magnolia flowers on the cover which is starting to show signs of age. It’s served various roles over the years, but the most consistent is as the home for my annual goals. It’s always interesting to see what I hoped I’d do. On average, I end up achieving about half of the things on my list. I don’t see the point in setting goals that are too easy.
This year I had some writing goals, but I realise that they were mostly about my fiction writing (which I’m loving, but I’m a long way from publishing anything). I didn’t give much thought at the time to developing my non-fiction, particularly the writing I publish here. But I realise that I have developed as a non-fiction writer. I’ve experimented with a wider variety of styles. I’ve written about how I see nature, and how it makes me feel. I’ve interviewed some wonderful experts.
Since I’m looking back on the year, I decided to share a few of my favourite articles. I’ve included a couple of articles which were paywalled, but I’ve unlocked them to share with you now.
The first article is one which allowed me to nerd-out on a topic I’ve long found fascinating – a wonderfully weird group of microbes called cyanobacteria. I spoke with a leading expert on the subject, and our conversation sparked a new obsession in me – understanding what’s wrong with our water. I’ve been exploring that question ever since.
Something in the water - by Melanie Newfield (substack.com) (10 minute read)
The second article I’d like to share is an interview with Chris Phillips from Manaaki Whenua/ Landcare Research. He’s an expert on erosion and offers some valuable insights into the disastrous erosion seen during Cyclone Gabrielle – and how we can do better in future. This article was previously paywalled but is now open.
Slipping away: follow-up - by Melanie Newfield (substack.com) (13 minute read)
The third article is something I wrote remembering my visit to Antarctica in 2009. I returned from that trip obsessed with the place (yes, another obsession, it happens to me quite often). I read dozens of books on the subject, including many original accounts from early explorers. This is a fragment of what I learned.
Observation Hill - by Melanie Newfield - The Turnstone (substack.com) (5 minute read)
The final article I’m sharing is one I wrote when visiting the central North Island. I went walking in a few different forests, most notably Pureora. The walk in Pureora was the first time in many years I’d been in a forest of that kind, and I hadn’t realised how much I needed it. And it provides a good link to what I want to talk about next – my plans for 2024.
A tale of two forests - by Melanie Newfield - The Turnstone (substack.com) (11 minute read)
The first thing I want to say about 2024 is that I’m excited about my non-fiction writing. I’ve already done a few interviews, and I have more that are in planning. There’s more to come about water – both fresh and sea – and there’s also more to come on Kenya. There are still some wonderful people doing great work there that I want to share with you. I also recently met a couple of experts who are good at explaining artificial intelligence, so I’m taking a slight diversion there. It’s a little outside my usual area, but it’s an important science-related issue and we all need some understanding of it. I’m particularly interested in a couple of specific areas, like the environmental implications and approaches to regulation.
I also want to spend more time experiencing and writing about the New Zealand environment. Visiting places like Pureora and Mt Ruepehu was so inspiring. I’d forgotten how the forest and the mountains make me feel. There are places I haven’t been in years that I’d love to revisit and write about. And there are parts of the country I’ve never seen. I’m looking forward to sharing that with you.
Most of the people I’ve interviewed so far have been scientists. Those I’ve spoken to have been wonderful and I’m looking forward to more interviews in 2024. But my interview with Zoe Studd made me realise that there’s another group of people that I should be talking with – dreamers. Not just any dreamers, though. Many people have dreams. We need to hear more from the kinds of dreamers who turn their dreams into actions to make the world better.
I’m already making plans for people I want to speak with. But if you have any ideas, either specific individuals, or more generally, let me know. It was a reader who suggested that I should talk to Zoe Studd (thanks Dr Sea!). Perhaps you know someone who has been helping to solve an environmental problem. Do let me know if you’ve got some ideas.
While I’m on the subject, if there are any other topics you think I should tackle, let me know. Or if there’s something you want to see more of, or less of, let me know that too.
While I have lots of writing ideas, I also need to do some more serious thinking. I love what I’m doing, but I’m spending too many hours a day in front of the computer. My main job, the one which pays most of the bills, comes to an end in June. So I’ll have some adjustment with whatever I end up doing next. Also, some good people have left Substack for understandable reasons. I’ve got a lot to think about, but I’m not in any hurry.
I’m taking next weekend off, so there will be no article on Sunday the 31st of December (which is probably Saturday the 30th for my US readers). The article which I would usually send on a Friday, for my paying subscribers, will go out tomorrow. Yes, on Christmas day. It’s a small Christmas gift, and it’s for everyone.
Thank you all for reading The Turnstone this year. Your support means so much to me. I wish you all the best for the holiday season and the New Year. You will receive my Christmas gift article tomorrow, and then I’ll be back on the 7th of January. Until then, take care.
Thanks for all the energy and thought you've put into this writing this year Melanie - have really enjoyed reading. Have a fab festive season!
I love all your writing. Please keep doing all you're doing.
I'd love to read some of your fiction!