tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post8637182396825085579..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: A little heresy before bedtimeDThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-25280316435262275332012-07-11T08:29:30.030+01:002012-07-11T08:29:30.030+01:00Gillian - nothing's ever wasted if it's re...Gillian - nothing's ever wasted if it's recycled! <br /><br />Kath - hello there! You may be right, but I've found that leaving a novel behind works best when I'm moving towards something rather than moving away from something. It's a tough one. And, just to really muddy the waters, having too many novel ideas is a great way of not getting any one novel the attention it requires. But enough talk about me!DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-32531801865488412742012-07-10T22:51:07.288+01:002012-07-10T22:51:07.288+01:00Ha Derek, I remember that meeting well. And as one...Ha Derek, I remember that meeting well. And as one who went on and on and on and on until she did in fact edit the life out of her first manuscript, I have come further around to your way of thinking! A lot of that time would have been better used getting on with something new. But we live and learn.<br />:)Kathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-38568633495456347242012-07-10T15:13:28.682+01:002012-07-10T15:13:28.682+01:00Derek, it's www in the recycled bin.com.Derek, it's www in the recycled bin.com.Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-66921737918426747322012-07-10T12:17:56.471+01:002012-07-10T12:17:56.471+01:00Gillian, you forgot to include a link for that boo...Gillian, you forgot to include a link for that book. And speaking of, erm, stylistic idiosyncrasies, check out The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman!DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-42268610451443321382012-07-10T11:53:29.937+01:002012-07-10T11:53:29.937+01:00When I read my very first completed book (Under Th...When I read my very first completed book (Under The Bed publications, circa 2006), I wince with pain. There are the common errors, including six points of view in one paragraph!Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-69030172562077443102012-07-10T10:41:52.334+01:002012-07-10T10:41:52.334+01:00Thanks for your comments, Joanna and Jo. So often,...Thanks for your comments, Joanna and Jo. So often, I think, we build up expectations from a variety of sources that are at odds with who we are as writers (and people). <br /><br />It can be painful to accept that we're not going to do everything, but it's better in the long run to try and see things as they are. For one thing, a clear understanding of our current position makes it easier to determine the next step. Which, in my case, is another edit!DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-55206328543823838212012-07-09T09:14:50.330+01:002012-07-09T09:14:50.330+01:00Some years ago (when I was 50!) I tried to climb K...Some years ago (when I was 50!) I tried to climb Kilimanjaro. There was a dreadful half hour when I snivelled and had to accept that there are just some mountains I can't climb.<br /><br />And when I got down I thought of all the things I could have done differently - eaten differently, taken different medication - then had to remind myself how ill I had felt at altitude.<br /><br />There are moments, when I'm writing, that I have to accept that this piece just isn't working. And others when a spit and polish will make all the difference. But it's much harder to tell the difference with writing than it is with mountains.JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-27112298194158692722012-07-09T08:39:13.389+01:002012-07-09T08:39:13.389+01:00Thank you for a really enjoyable post.
I keep sen...Thank you for a really enjoyable post.<br /><br />I keep sending work out after a rejection. I look hard until I find the cringeworthy parts, then tweak, cut and try again. Some stories have succeeded at the fourth attempt. One man's trash is another man's treasure. <br /><br />I stop after five or six attempts and concede that the story may yet appeal to someone, but not to someone I have the time to find. And I keep on writing.Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10346863303904973315noreply@blogger.com