Dads stories

Being an author....and water tank specifics

Tuesday, 14th March 2000

I can't tell you how much your letter this morning moved me, I could have
cried. I am getting sentimental again in my old age! So we finally made it.
Now have a quick look that your screen shows the same thing in Outlook as
mine, apart from the language. It makes it easier for me when I need to
explain something.
Many thanks for your and Michael's letters. I am so happy that I don't have
to study any more, like Michael's girl friend. Even the thought of an exam
gives me the shudders.
Now ..where to start. With Jenny of course. ....it is an interesting thing
when writing a story. These characters become so familiar as if they are
your brothers or sisters. And I am so happy that you feel the same about
them. But if you think that in the future you should only comment on my
grammar, then you are not really doing me any favours! For me the story is
much more important than its grammar, which of course doesn't mean that you
should not correct my grammar, God forbid. These discussions between us,
surprised even me, because it also made me aware of the fact that I knew
these characters, and with what confidence one starts to write this and
that.
It is impossible not to have any doubts about what is written, especially
some of the things that come up. Sometimes I need to really overcome my own
reservations not to take things out but to leave them as is. Often I say to
myself you can't be right in the head. And then I argue with myself for
days. Because it is not as if I arrive at these texts through much clever
thinking and calculation, like for instance the crocodile killing in Jenny.
It writes itself, and then one is flabbergasted, that it stands there, and
then one gets ones doubts. But when it comes to our discussions, then I
suddenly know why it is so and that it belongs with the story.
So please do me a favour and write what you think, exactly how you find it,
just like before. Especially re the expressions that I use. I almost get an
inferiority complex about it, if I am expressing myself correctly. Not with
Trina. The Rhinish Platt I know in my sleep, and there are not many that can
outdo me there.
The next story (Justin) is full of it. The situation is so unusual. And I am
constantly in doubt. And still I tell myself to step back from it and then
read it again. There is particularly a place in the first third of the story
where Nanette comes out with these hair raising declarations (quasi
philosophical, but also funny). And I always come to the same conclusion,
but she is right! Which is well and good but to be able to write it in such
a way that the reader accepts it from you! And that is where it becomes
difficult for me with my expressions, probably because I am not as
comfortable with German, or because I didn't study it sufficiently.
I am so happy that you want to continue to work with me! I hope you like
Trina.

.........

So it looks like you will get to know Inge and Dennis this year. Great!
" my heart already sinks into my pants when I think about having to speak
English. By the way, one day I will probably also attend the French Open,
the check was already mailed a few weeks ago, the tickets are still on their
way..."
Inge speaks German, even if with some very small hiccups. That has something
to do with the tree and the apple which falls not far away from it. Dennis
is used to listening intelligently. He is one of the nicest people under the
sun. So please don't have any worries about your English.
You did write in the beginning that you were a Tennis fan. I had totally
forgotten. Well, if it comes to it, then maybe you can meet somewhere, you
and Gerd (and Anne?). Gerd speaks with bigger hiccups, he was only 4 years
old when we left for Australia.
I am sending you another picture that belongs to Peter's house, taken only
the day before yesterday. This shows some visitors in his garden. The water
tank is by the way not the collecting tank. That is a much bigger one which
stands on the ground. From there the water is pumped up into the smaller
tank, which is where it is because of the water pressure.
Peter lives 140km from here and has to travel 60 km to work, when he works
in Bendigo, the nearest city.
Heidelberg is 15 KM from the city, Inge lives 40 km from the city and 30m,
from here. The metropolitan area stretches some 80-100km, all in all (like
the Ruhr area?). The population is over 3 Million and the majority live in
one family homes with a small garden. Hence the large area.
Otherwise no news.
All the best and greet Anne for us.
Hegwig & Peter.

posted by Inge @ 1:26 am