One of several issues Im having with this series is, while I do want to explore their origin story, I really struggle to establish them.
I just... know how they are.
And I want my reader to come in knowing them how they know characters in fanfic.
Cuz, to me, #Mudlarks feels like ff of my own OCs.
Aaaaaaaand stalled out on #Mudlarks at this point because I am struggling to keep the characters interested in the plot.
If they’re bored, I’m bored.
I have little hints of things (some of which they dont even know) but nothing overall to suggest there is any real case here.
Back to the outline.
On the upside, I did get to waste some time today writing two of the 'cool' scenes I had envisioned for this #Mudlarks story.
Back to back.
We've got a Charlie nightmare and then a rather absurd Jack song and dance🥰
Bumping into a typical-for-me problem with #Mudlarks that I didnt expect...
The "difficult FMC" problem.
Charlie is my funniest, smiliest, most playful FMC, but Im struggling to put her on page in a way that wont look rude.
It's not coming across as fun and banter-y as it is in my head.
Not reaching a flow state with this #Mudlarks project. Every paragraph is a struggle. But I dont hate it, I feel like Im getting somewhere, and I know this is definitely something I need to try.
Nearly at 10k and feeling like Im roughly on-target for novella length?🤞
#Mudlarks
Ok, while I dont love the details Ive come up with, there might ne enough there to make the story and themes make sense.
Will cogitate for the next few days till I get another chance to write...
#Mudlarks update cuz its been a few days and truth is, Im stuck on a plot point. Or rather a background point. The plot remains largly the same, but theres some motives and themes that need fleshing out and Ive had that in the stewpot for a few days cuz I can't move forward without those details.
😓
#Mudlarks musing...
As an American with less than comprehensive knowledge of London, should I clumsily use British terms when I can? (Lift, rubbish, boot, Lucozade etc)?
Or should I Americanly describe my Londoners to avoid major cringe but lose vibe (Elevator, trash, trunk, lemonade etc)?
🤔😓🤷♀️
i had it set to character, not word count. Didnt even know that was a thing.
Anyhow, my #Mudlarks update is that maybe I got to the end of chapter 2 today.
Not sure if Ive caught drafting fever in this one. Its a struggle. I do enjoy it, its not a slog, and want to finish it, but Im stressing😅
#Mudlarks UPDATE!
I was so depressed about this and couldn’t believe it, so I checked again. 2,700
Ive written long chapters before, but I knew that couldn’t be right. I wonder what my wordcounter was reading…
#Mudlarks
Me sitting down to write this story: Hm, maybe I can keep this first story to novella length. That would be a cute way to do this series.
Me after todays session: Cool! Almost done with chapter 1! Now lets just peek at my wordcount…
10,500
Me: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
#Mudlarks
Ok, I think Ive worked out the basic plot elements and put them in the right order as an outline with a few notes about character development.
Now I think I can start focusing on writing this. Im aiming at plantsing, so I dont want to over-outline.
#Mudlarks has a tentative title for its debut story!
"The Curse of Dodham Estate"
Now I have to pants up a real plot to fit all the vague ideas I have for it and see if I can fit all the pieces of worldbuilding and character establishment I need for this intro story.
Going through #Mudlarks notes and boy, Past-Me...
Sometimes you are on point and other times😥
Found a list of story ideas.
"Ripper in Reverse" I remember.
"Lost Flesh" has notes.
One is simply titled "Dead Tongues"
What the Hell idea is that?
Past-Me needs to get over here and explain herself.
Keeping the #Mudlarks tag for this thread for now.
Spent about 1.5hrs tonight making up a timeline of which stories will be when.
Then compiled all dozen of my random sketchbook docs into one long doc so I can systematically organize the snips into docs according to which stories they could go in.
Furthermore, and to my consternation, Ive been calling this series #Mudlarks, but now Ive stumbled across videos of people doing real authentic mudlarking on the shores of the Thames, and realize...
Thats not a word they use.
You are not a "mudlark."
You are a "mudlarker" or a "larker".
🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
Time to name the demons Im fighting with my #Mudlarks and why they are stuck in production hell, and what I might do about it.
- I have grown to dislike the “copaganda” adjacent smell with their affiliation with law-enforcement.
*May solve by just sucking it up, and also playing fast and…
🧵
1/3
#Mudlarks accountability tag train...
Ive decided to take a serious look at the characters and stories Ive been dreaming of for 20 years but have always been stuck in "production hell" in my head.
Im breaking down what stories to tell and where to begin...
🧵
1/2
Flyer for our last Hands on History exhibition of this autumn’s Totally Thames Festival showing St Paul’s Cathedral visible above the Northbank skyline & Thames Foreshore. The Cathedral will be hosting a mudlarking exhibition this weekend Sat 11th & Sun 12th Oct, 10-5pm, free entry.
This weekend sees the final Hands on History mudlarking exhibition of the autumn’s Totally Thames Festival 2025. Come and meet the Mudlarks within the historic walls of stunning St Paul’s Cathedral, Sat 11th/Sun 12th October, 10-5pm, free entry. Do come! #mudlarks #mudlarking #HandsOnHistory
Two spaniel dogs lying in a big muddy puddle enjoying a wallow on a sunny day.
A lovely walk on a sunny day, then this happens….. 🤦♀️ #SpringerSpaniels #mudlarks
Just enjoyed ace gig by #BellaHardy #WaterRats on my trip to London. And you’re not too late to catch her too as tour just started: www.bellahardy.com
On my trip also only say good things for #Munch #NationalPortraitGallery & #MudLarks #MuseumLondon
🏺 London has an amazing community of #mudlarks like Liz, people who know the Thames foreshore intimately. Collecting communities in intertidal zones such as the #Thames foreshore & Norfolk coast are the 'eyes on the ground' that expand our knowledge and understanding of archaeology & history. (1/n)
I keep forgetting about one of Jack's unexpected talents; he's an excellent trick driver. He doesn't like to show off, but...
Imagine, a perfect, buttoned-up English gentleman, expertly drifting that corner at breakneck speed muttering "Sorry... so sorry..." to his worried passanger...
#Mudlarks
"It brings together masterful storytelling with ancient objects and contemporary art"
@rachelblakemp.bsky.social reviews 'Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures' 🌊💍 @londonmuseum.bsky.social #mudlarks
bit.ly/43CAE2d
My photo shows a well-preserved wooden tankard with one handle dated to the 1500-1600s which was found on the foreshore of the River Thames by mudlark Peter Brown. The exhibition label reads: On long voyages, ships carried enough food and drink for the crew. This wooden tankard (2) holds three pints. Perhaps it was enough for a very thirsty sailor, or it was used as a decanter or a measure. Similar tankards have been found on board the famous Tudor ship, the Mary Rose. Discovered as a shipwreck with many artefacts still in the place, the Mary Rose gives useful evidence about life at sea. Tankards were found in different parts of the ship, suggesting they had many uses.
Yesterday I visited the fantastic exhibition ‘Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures’ at London Museum Docklands.
So many fascinating objects found by #mudlarks give a glimpse into London’s rich past.
Love this wooden 3-pint tankard from the 1500-1600s! Cheers!🍺
#Archaeology
A sensory map of the exhibition, designed to help visitors navigate the sounds, light levels and obstacles in the space.
A photograph of the main gallery, showing wooden columns and exhibition cases surrounded by piles of 'river mud and debris'.
The Battersea shield(350–50 BC) is a bronze shield of Celtic design found in the River Thames. A large rectangular shape with rounded corners and a design consisting of three circles with red 'jewels'.
#Mudlarks search the Thames foreshore, collecting artefacts deposited by the tide. This is a beautifully designed and curated exhibition which has carefully considered visitors, and tells stories with sensitivity. There are some surprising finds, and I enjoyed hunting for the easter egg objects.
#TIL that “mudlark” is a word and a vocation:
“The Curious Gems Of The River Thames”, Atlas Obscura (www.atlasobscura.com/articles/tha...).
Via HN: news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4268...
#Thames #Mudlarks #Gems #Garnet #London #England #River #PreciousStones
Hello! I work on the Tidal Thames and always encourage #mudlarks to report their finds. Please can I be added? Please can you also encourage FLOs to include alt text for images or at least a link to the PAS record? Thank you!
#mudlarking #CollectingHistories
