Good things happen to good people. Sometimes. But usually good people who work hard and quietly, writing and redrafting, taking on board feedback, staying sunny and optimistic, employing a strong work ethic. When hard work enters the mix, good things can happen. And they have! I was thrilled when my friend and colleague, Sara Grant, announced that she has a book deal with Little Brown in the US, courtesy of the expert negotiation of her charming agent, Jenny Savill of Andrew Nurnberg Associates. Sara's novel, Dark Parties, first began life as a short story in the 2008 Undiscovered Voices anthology. People liked it, and so Sara's journey began, working the story up to a full manuscript. And reworking. And reworking. And reworking. She never complained, she never stopped working. Along the journey, she has collected a group of supportive friends and done all she can to encourage others. It's a great template for writing. And living. When Sara's book is published, even more people will get to know her and her writing. Lucky them. She's definitely worth knowing.July 2009 Archives
Good things happen to good people. Sometimes. But usually good people who work hard and quietly, writing and redrafting, taking on board feedback, staying sunny and optimistic, employing a strong work ethic. When hard work enters the mix, good things can happen. And they have! I was thrilled when my friend and colleague, Sara Grant, announced that she has a book deal with Little Brown in the US, courtesy of the expert negotiation of her charming agent, Jenny Savill of Andrew Nurnberg Associates. Sara's novel, Dark Parties, first began life as a short story in the 2008 Undiscovered Voices anthology. People liked it, and so Sara's journey began, working the story up to a full manuscript. And reworking. And reworking. And reworking. She never complained, she never stopped working. Along the journey, she has collected a group of supportive friends and done all she can to encourage others. It's a great template for writing. And living. When Sara's book is published, even more people will get to know her and her writing. Lucky them. She's definitely worth knowing.
Am I in danger of becoming addicted to writers' retreats? I've booked another day with the Urban Writers Retreat in August and have agreed to join writing friends at another venue in September. I love retreats. Not only do they prick your own conscience, but they also flag up to the world around you that your writing is important, more important than the hum-drum chores of normal life that can so easily distract you. And, of course, they are a wonderful way of making new friends with people who share your interests.
But today, I have been on my own in an empty house, a sunny garden outside the window, washing on the line and a manuscript to complete. I have arrived at the end. Or, this end. Or, the end of this version. But something has been finished and I firmly believe that first drafts are the hardest part.
Now, I can only hope for encouragement and a reason to continue. Even without those things, I have found the process intriguing. I haven't at all told the story I expected to write. That last line that floated into my head during a run weeks ago? I didn't use it. But one thing has remained constant: the girl who inhabits this story, whose ending poured out unexpectedly and in a surprisingly optimistic way. She lives and breathes and I care for her. The two of us started alone and end this part of the journey alone, at a desk, in silence. It's funny how quiet a story can be. It's the quiet ones you have to watch...
The retreat was loosely structured with seminar sessions and five minute readings. There was no pressure to attend; if people preferred to work on their writing instead, that was fine too. I loved this approach and found it liberating to step in and out of my room, away from the manuscript or back to quiet thinking, as I felt the need. I got a lot of work done, revising the manuscript as it stands before starting on the final chapters. I edited out 7,000 words. Anything that didn't move the plot along was out! It was great to step back from the writing and read objectively: are you doing what you're meant to be doing. If not, why not, and what can be done?
In the evenings would be friendly socials. Quizzes, sharing sessions, games of French cricket, Pimms. In the afternoons I would write, nap, write. I can't remember the last time I had room in my day for an afternoon nap.
I have to mention the puddings. The Urban Writers Retreat proved that cake is a big part of writing. Charney showed me that puddings count, too. Jam tart, bakewell tart, chocolate roulade... You name it, I ate it.
I felt privileged to be around so many established children's authors with a wealth of experience to share. Memories of this week will stay with me for a long time to come. That Oxfordshire sunshine has scored itself onto my heart. The swifts darting in the dusk as we laughed on the lawn will never be forgotten. A small, modest space where I sat on a bed and worked in silence will be a room of my own for ever. Charney wasn't just four days away. It was a gift for life.
Thank you, SAS.
I am sat in bed with my laptop, a print out of the Charney Programme 2009 and a set of instructions, including a reminder to bring a towel and a bottle or two of wine. Soon I shall start packing and getting ready for the four-day writers retreat in Oxfordshire, organised so kindly and voluntarily by the Scattered Authors Society. I am meeting Moira Munro at Oxford rail station (we have never met before) and we are sharing a cab to the venue. I feel nervous and a bit of a fraud. Will I be found out as 'not a proper writer'? I feel excited. I feel doubtful that my manuscript is worth all the work of the past few months. This retreat marks a final stage for me; I hope to soon have something I can show an agent. Which means that rejection could be entering my life. Yes, something more positive may happen but I have to prepare myself for the dreaded, polite 'no'. For now, I am looking forward to green fields, new friends, quiet writing, laughing and sharing. And no day job. I'll tell you all about it when I get back! In the meantime, I post a photo of me for your amusement. I am stood beside a wedding car (whose wedding? I have no idea, we were walking past to the pub for lunch) and the chauffeur kindly allowed me to wear his peaked cap. Perhaps I have career options if everything else goes wrong...
I have posted my first blog for the Scattered Authors Society on their collective blog, An Awfully Big Blog Adventure. I hope I manage to live up to the excellent standard of blogging on all manner of subject, loosely linked by our shared perspective as children's writers. Please do take a look.
