This is a lovely, lovely edition. The production values are high - I'm guessing a sewn spine as there was no crack of cheap glue when I first opened the book. Care has been taken every step of the way. Each writer introduces their story and there's a biog. for each of us at the back of the book, which has a nice fat feel to it and I know is going to be a delight for every writer featured and hopefully for some readers out there, too. A big high five to Frances Lincoln and Tony Bradman, who organised the compilation!
After a quick, late breakfast with Ian at our favourite local cafe, I came into town. I took this photo before coming up to the sixth floor of the Royal Festival Hall. I love the way that the startling yellow is reflected in the puddle. I've finally organised my own membership at the Royal Festival Hall, which means I can now sit in the members' bar with my laptop whenever I like, gazing out at the London Eye or writing blogs, when I should be thinking about manuscripts. I've come here today to think about my third draft, prior to meeting my agent next week for coffee and a chat about the way forward.
Jenny has sent over her assistant's thoughts on the manuscript, which have thrown up another flurry of quite necessary questions. To be honest, it's all very exciting. These comments couldn't have come at a better time. After a necessary and well-deserved break from writing, I can feel the definite itch to get back to it and on to the next stage.
On my way over to the South Bank, I listened to a podcast of the BBC World Book Club where Lionel Shriver gave readings and answered questions about 'We Need To Talk About Kevin'. I urge you all to listen to this podcast. It is fascinating from beginning to end and it was fabulous to hear Lionel discuss writing violence (get rid of any extraneous words, just write the action), the nature/nurture debate, today's increasing divergence between those of us who have children and those of us who don't, and the oh-so-clever twists and tension of her remarkable novel. At times I was whisked back to Thailand and the holiday where I nursed my sunburn whilst reading Lionel's book. Cocktails were involved in that holiday - a lot of them.
I leave you with an insight into the twisted workings of a writer's mind. Having compiled a document featuring all the feedback I've had on my second draft, I decided to do a Wordle on it, and see which words featured most prominently. I admit, I was feeling a tad insecure at the time. I was picking at the scab of that insecurity. Part of me wanted to see the words 'appalling', 'give up now' and 'Loser!' feature large in the Wordle word cloud. (Despite the fact that none of these words were used by my lovely agent or her assistant.) I hit the create button and waited for the inevitable. But nothing bad came up! I couldn't find a single negative word, despite my own twisted hopes and certainties. See what a sorry case I am?
Okay, one last glance at the Thames and then I promise I'll start work. Any moment now. In a minute. Right after I check my emails...
Later!
Leave a comment