Since Sunday night I have been by myself in a cottage in Dorset. It's my favourite place to write. It's perfect because it's so beautiful, peaceful and quiet, and because there's absolutely nothing else to do. That's an exaggeration, of course. Today I read some of the weekend papers, and went on a walk to the sea, and spent a full hour and a half lying on the sofa watching the light change outside the window. Tonight I might read a book or watch a DVD or both. But there's no mobile phone reception; only dial-up internet, which means I can't access most websites without waiting for hours; and nobody I know within miles. I have already written more in the last two days than I usually manage in a week.
I don't talk much about my writing on this blog. It's something I'm quite sheepish about. As a successful author, I feel like I should really be better at it. Authors I follow on Twitter publish daily word counts I can only dream about. Meanwhile most of what I write ends up in the bin. People keep asking me how the new book is coming and what it's about, and I get coy and don't answer, and they probably think it's because I am protective of my great idea, when actually it's because I am on my fifth attempt at a new novel since publishing Gods Behaving Badly. I don't know if and when this one might founder on the rocks too.
I do know that I am very close to the end of my first draft. This is further than I have got with anything since GBB. In writing terms, or in my writing terms, this may not be as big a deal as it sounds. If it were a journey, the first draft is just deciding on the destination and buying a map. I still have to bloody get there, but at least I know where I'm going.
I'm scared. I'm slightly in shock that I might be on the brink of actually managing this again, a second novel. I don't know if it's any good. I am contemplating new careers where I don't have to put my soul on the line every damn time. But I'm not about to stop now.
In Dorset it's cold and dark and I can't get channel 5. What's it like where you are?
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Can't wait to read the book :-)
That is most brilliant and you totally deserve an evening of DVD/reading/feeling mildly self-congratulatory.
It's cold and dark too and I am in Belgium but I can get Channel Five, so at least I can watch shock docs about heavy machinery to my heart's content. I'm halfway through a first draft. So, what, I'm in the map shop? (that one on Long Acre I hope, it always looks good) But I can't find the map I want and who the fuck wants to go to Trifouillis les Oies anyway? Pah. Much admiration for you.
Wish you much luck at finishing the first draft. Also hope you have some thoughtful, but inspiring person/editor to help you start on the second, third, fourth edits. You have all of our best vibes being sent your way in Dorset.
Firstly, woohoo! You've nearly finished the first draft. Hope the peace of Dorset continues to inspire.
Secondly, deep breaths. Everyone gets second book syndrome. In your case GBB was such a huge success it puts more pressure on book 2, as there will be expectation as there wasn't first time. This is daunting and scary, but... you have so many fans worldwide, you haven't suddenly lost the ability to write judging by the continued wit and wisdom on the blog, and there may well be people wanting to knock you off your pedestal, but there will be more (like me cheering you from the side lines)
Third, I can't wait to read it!
sorry spelling and grammar all off cos 11 year old was chuntering in my ear, but I hope you get the drift!
How exciting! Seeing a new creation come to life! I hope things keep moving along well or you.
It is partly sunny and quiet here, tourists have mostly gone home. But the trees still look gorgeous. And I don't get channel 5 either. lol!
I'm sure you can write a second novel, and I'm patiently looking forward to reading it. Enjoy your DVD!
Weather is awful and it's making me feel awful. Cottages are wonderful. I can never get any work done at mine though. Satellite tv is the worse. First draft is a big deal. Keep up the good work. Really looking forward to more updates on your book.
Good luck! I'm sure it will be great, too.
Brilliant news, well done. I bet it's fab.
Here, it's dark and hot and humid. But I've suffered from writer's block since falling pregnant with Boy #3...who turned two years old a month ago. Am flying to Blighty for some dark and cold weather in 11 days to see if it might shock my system enough to get me writing again. We shall see. At least your dark and cold Dorset experience sounds very encouraging indeed. Well done!
Here Florence , It's hot and humid,but lucky you ...a cottage and Dorset,that's the place where I would like to be
Hot and not dark enough to keep the boys asleep much past 5am. Yawn. Re DVDs, 4 words: The. Wire. Series. Two.
PLEEEEEEEAAAAAASE!
Good Idea
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"I am contemplating new careers where I don't have to put my soul on the line every damn time"
*nods*
*shakes*
*cries a bit*
*drinks a lot*
Er, yeah, me too.
Marie! This message brought back wonderful memories of going down to Dorset with you and staying in that beautiful cottage, trying to study. I remember lighting the fire and going on a wonderful coastal walk- that turned wet and stormy and as we trudged back, we saw the fire still crackling away. Picturing you writing in the sitting room (or do you prefer the kitchen?) Loads of Love x
Yay! I have just been googling to see if you have a new book coming out (no pressure, no pressure I can wait) after reading 'Gods...' this year. Instead I have found this blog that is obsessed with Strictly (wuhoah) and while I can't agree with you about Chris and Laila ('s so cute and I like that he tried really hard to be authoritative last week) I'm loving finding out about the backstage gossip, as I don't seem to have picked up on the stories this year.
In summary very excited about the possibility of a new book (honestly you would think I didn't own enough already).
Thanks Jodie! Books take FOREVER to come out, even after the author has redrafted them, so you have however long it takes me to finish it + a good year in which to read all those other ones you own first....
"I am contemplating new careers where I don't have to put my soul on the line every damn time."
I confess I have taken that option, although have only ended up in another soul-threatening career. Bother.
What you are describing is really common amongst writers, particularly successful ones, and to be really selfish about it, it makes me glad I'm not successful! But one of the things about writing is how the timespan is so stretched compared to other careers. Despite the fact that you've already been doing it for several years, you're still at the beginning. You'll get used to it, and you'll find ways of not putting your soul on the line each time. And of course the fact that you do invest so much in it makes it more likely that what you're writing is way way better than you think it is.
{{HUGS}}, although of course this is actually quite an old post and you're hopefully over it by now!
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