My proofreading tools for the memoir. I’ll do a few runs before handing it over to a professional copy editor.
My Proofreading Tools
Memoir
Fitzroy: A Rare View
This is an ordinary picture. But to a kid like me who grew up in Fitzroy during the 1950s and 1960s it means much more.
Before I took this photo in 2013 the area where the cars are parked was once an automotive garage. As kids we would climb on top of the roof for fun on Sundays, when it was closed. We played cricket in the lane way beside the lot, using an old wooden crate as a wicket, a hand made bat and a tennis ball.
The building with graffiti (‘are rebel’) was Mr O’Brien’s milk bar and my mate and his family lived behind the shop. I’d visit my mate’s place to watch shows like the American western, Bonanza, on his black and white television set. During the summer we’d also meet at the top of the lane to start our journey to the yabby ponds in Carlton.
A few years ago a four story apartment building was built on the lot which now obscures the view of my 2013 photo.
Note: The former Mr O’Briens (‘rebel’ graffiti’) building is on the corner of Argyle Street and Brunswick Street in Fitzroy.
Nick’s and Eve’s Shops
In this photo are two of my favourite shops of the 1960s, in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (between Argyle and Kerr Streets).
On the left was Nick’s milk bar where I shopped for my parents and bought lollies, drinks and ice creams almost on a daily basis. The next two buildings were Eve’s haberdashery and toy shops. I always looked into the toy store window and dreamed of the toys I wanted and couldn’t afford.
My sister worked for Eve as a teenager for several years. Eve later moved down the street to a single building next to Frank Dempsey’s butcher shop.
I miss those shops and although Nick and Eve are no longer there, the happy memories of those times are still etched in my mind.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
There is light at the end of the tunnel because I’ve just received the last few chapters of my memoir to correct. After eight drafts, I’ll have a ‘fair dinkum’ one, hopefully that’s readable.
The next step is to go over the manuscript a couple of more times and make any further corrections needed or restructuring before I start the process of getting it published.
I plan to hire various professionals to complete the tasks necessary to publish the memoir.
I’m still hoping to have the book available by the end of the year.
The eleven year journey of writing a memoir is almost over – I can see the last stop in the distance.
Image courtesy of Kevin Jinner via Unsplash
History: 357 Brunswick St Fitzroy
Researching my memoir on Trove (online Australian data base), I discovered the following snippets from newspapers in the late 19th century about my former home in Fitzroy, 357 Brunswick Street (Kon’s fish shop – near the corner of Kerr Street).
24-12-1881
Attention is directed in our advertising columns to the special stock of Christmas, New Year presents to be seen at Stockton’s Fancy Repository, 357 Brunswick-street (Fitzroy City Press).
5-6-1882
THIS DAY.
At 12 o’Clock.
On the Premises, 357 Brunswick-street, Fitzroy.
Stock-ln-Tradc
CONFECTIONERY and FANCY GOODS.
Shon Fixture?, Counters. Shelving, Glass C&ac?, A all in Excellent Condition, and Nearly New, Fancy and Plain Lolly Show Glasses, Cake a Fruit Stands, 50 Tius Lollies, Biscuit?, Fruit R kets. Cordials, Wines, Tea, Tobacco, Cigars , a Pipes, Scales r.ud Weights, Quantity Fancy Goo< Toys, Jewellery, Perfumery, Glassware and Lot Mcellaneou? Goods. TTOHN .T. DENTIN and Co. are instructed to sell 4>ji public auction, on the premises, as above.
Without any reserve. Terms— ca’
19-12-1882
Family Notices
Deaths
MOGDRIDGE.— On the 18th December, at 357 Bruns-wick-street, Fitzroy, Isabella Rosina, infant daughter of Thos. and Anna Mogdridge, aged 4 months and 3 weeks (The Age).
2-5-1887
MOGDRIDGE.—On tbe 1st May, at Brunswick-street, Fitzroy, Thomas John Mogridge, of London, England, aged 47 years, beloved husband of Anna Mogdridge, leaving a widow and seven children to mourn his loss. Respected by all who knew him. Home papers please topy- MOGDRIDGE.—On the 1st May, at his late residence, 357 Brunswick-street, Fitzroy, Mr. Thomas John Mog-dridge, draper, after a long and painful illness, in the 47th yesr of his age (The Age).
13-3- 1891
That the brick houses, Nos. 357 and 359 Brunswick-street, having been certified to in writing as unfit and unsafe for human occt pation or habitation by the officer of health apipointed by this Board, an order be and is hereby made declaring that the said premises are unfit for human occupation or habitation, … (Fitzroy City Press).
In the photo, the second storey is as it was back in the 1950s, but the ground floor front has been altered – the entrance and door were on the left hand side. Also the metal canopy was rectangle shaped.