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Island Life, Word Birds & Process
At the end of May last year, I ran a story idea past my mentor, Janet Thomas. (I blogged about it here.) I had 2,000 [random] words down. Ten months later, dear reader, I did it. I finished Book 3.
Checking my writing diary this morning, I saw that on 7 October, I was ‘back in the chair for Bk3.’ (The bit in between involved copy edits for Snow Sisters, getting the book ready for it’s September release & the blog tour.) I still managed days here & there, writing the beginnings of the story.
It feels longer than ten months. I’ve struggled with parts of this book & I’m by no means out of the wood. (Note to self: Order more bread crumbs.) Nonetheless, it’s done & I hope, like the ecclesiastical egg, it’s good at least in parts. Time to step back & leave well alone for a while.
In terms of a completed first draft, The Dark Drawer is often a metaphor. Not everyone prints off actual hard copy & stuffs it in a literal drawer. In my case, I do. It’s part of my process & when it comes to the first round of edits, I prefer paper, sharpened pencils & a box of tissues. (Weeping may be involved – I have to shift a minimum of 20 k to make this story viable.)
I’m not normally very good at not writing, but I’m fairly relaxed at the moment. No idea how long it will last; I have a couple of talks to polish (& a neglected house to be kind to.) For the rest, it’s thumb twiddling time I guess. I’m taking bets on how long I can resist opening The Dark Drawer.
Jan Baynham said:
I can imagine how hard not writing is for you, Carol, so I’m pleased to read you are quite relaxed about it. I love the fact you’ve put the manuscript away in ‘The Dark Drawer’. You will view your novel with a fresh pair of eyes and be able to begin the editing with enthusiasm.
Looking forward to your talk at Llandeilo. 🙂
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Carol Lovekin said:
Thanks, Jan. After almost two weeks I’m even more relaxed. Seeing to the overdue housework is a distraction!
I hope my talk lives up to expectations! xXx
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Terri-Lynne DeFino said:
Woohooo! Congratulations, darling! That’s quite an accomplishment.
Really, thumb twiddling is still writing, even though there is little to no pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. A writer brain never takes a break. It’s the noisiest, if outwardly silent, part of the job.
I have a week “off.” I will enjoy leisure time with my husband, my son, the beach. But I will be thinking those magical thoughts that’ll end up making 30 Days brilliant.
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Carol Lovekin said:
Thanks, Terri! You’re lovely! Looking forward to ‘Bar Harbor’! xXx
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Elizabeth Jane Corbett said:
I know that not writing feeling. Dreadful. Maybe start thinking about the next one… 😊
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Carol Lovekin said:
Oh, I am! And the one after that! 🙂
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