an emotional day - my book's finished
I've never written a blog before so bear with me if it turns into
an incoherent ramble but I'm feeling very emotional today and
thought: who better to share my feelings with than the Clouders who
have helped me on my journey.
I'm submitting my novel to an agent today! And no, it's not my first, but my most important. And here's why. I've wanted to be a novelist for as long as I can remember, but the combination of a dry English teacher who thought that handwriting was more important than a vivid imagination and a the pyrotechnics of mad nun chemistry teacher sent me down the science path. But the dream never died. Perhaps I'll write in my seventies, like Mary Wesley, I thought.
Six years ago a close friend died at the age of forty. We never know when life's going to be snatched away from us; we have to pursue our dreams while we can. I started writing a novel which stalled at 12,000 words. The writing was dry, stilted, unemotional. I was no writer, but at least I tried. Then two years ago I visited an American friend who'd taken a year off to write a novel. I told her of my failed attempt and she persuaded me to try again. Somehow her no-nonsense 'just try it and see' approach freed my writing and I finished 'A Stardust Year' about a year ago. It wasn't bad, so I posted it on the Cloud. People savaged it! In retrospect they were right; it had too much backstory and too many subplots but I was devastated at the time. I submitted it to five agents anyway. Four stock rejections and one kind one, praising my writing style. Similar positive feedback at the Getting Published seminar last August.
In the meantime I finished the abandoned one, The Primal Mark. Hard work, but satisfying. But while editing that one in January, I had an idea to write something based on the settings of my childhood, with each chapter a song title. Summer (The First Time) took over my life! In one day I wrote 9,000 words and the first draft was completed in a month. I've never lived and breathed a project like this. I was even disappointed when my husband came home from work and I had to stop! I became so immersed in my characters it was like having an affair! Has anyone else had an experience like this when writing?
Sometimes I felt I wasn't writing it at all; that someone else was taking over. And the number of details that fell into place were unbelievable: football fixtures, film releases, appropriate song titles that were summer hits. As for the novel title; I was toying with a few ideas then wandered into a second hand shop where the first thing I saw was Bobby Goldsboro's record Summer (The First Time)! Everything about this book has felt special. Finally, the acid test: dare I post it? Well I did, and the feedback from the Clouders and friends has convinced me that this time I've got it right! But even if I haven't, this book has taught me something important. I'm a writer, and I always will be, and finally I've discovered what I'm meant to do with my life.
But now's the time to let go. I've been obsessing over every small detail of the book for three months now and I need to move on.
Now I'm not stupid; I know I'm likely to face rejection. But today feels like an important day so I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all Clouders who've given me advice and support along the way. I may be needing you all for comfort soon!
I'm submitting my novel to an agent today! And no, it's not my first, but my most important. And here's why. I've wanted to be a novelist for as long as I can remember, but the combination of a dry English teacher who thought that handwriting was more important than a vivid imagination and a the pyrotechnics of mad nun chemistry teacher sent me down the science path. But the dream never died. Perhaps I'll write in my seventies, like Mary Wesley, I thought.
Six years ago a close friend died at the age of forty. We never know when life's going to be snatched away from us; we have to pursue our dreams while we can. I started writing a novel which stalled at 12,000 words. The writing was dry, stilted, unemotional. I was no writer, but at least I tried. Then two years ago I visited an American friend who'd taken a year off to write a novel. I told her of my failed attempt and she persuaded me to try again. Somehow her no-nonsense 'just try it and see' approach freed my writing and I finished 'A Stardust Year' about a year ago. It wasn't bad, so I posted it on the Cloud. People savaged it! In retrospect they were right; it had too much backstory and too many subplots but I was devastated at the time. I submitted it to five agents anyway. Four stock rejections and one kind one, praising my writing style. Similar positive feedback at the Getting Published seminar last August.
In the meantime I finished the abandoned one, The Primal Mark. Hard work, but satisfying. But while editing that one in January, I had an idea to write something based on the settings of my childhood, with each chapter a song title. Summer (The First Time) took over my life! In one day I wrote 9,000 words and the first draft was completed in a month. I've never lived and breathed a project like this. I was even disappointed when my husband came home from work and I had to stop! I became so immersed in my characters it was like having an affair! Has anyone else had an experience like this when writing?
Sometimes I felt I wasn't writing it at all; that someone else was taking over. And the number of details that fell into place were unbelievable: football fixtures, film releases, appropriate song titles that were summer hits. As for the novel title; I was toying with a few ideas then wandered into a second hand shop where the first thing I saw was Bobby Goldsboro's record Summer (The First Time)! Everything about this book has felt special. Finally, the acid test: dare I post it? Well I did, and the feedback from the Clouders and friends has convinced me that this time I've got it right! But even if I haven't, this book has taught me something important. I'm a writer, and I always will be, and finally I've discovered what I'm meant to do with my life.
But now's the time to let go. I've been obsessing over every small detail of the book for three months now and I need to move on.
Now I'm not stupid; I know I'm likely to face rejection. But today feels like an important day so I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all Clouders who've given me advice and support along the way. I may be needing you all for comfort soon!
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16 Comments
Be sure to keep us posted on its progress!
I meant to read this earlier, but I couldn't find it. Honestly, the whole WW site has gone hatwire on my laptop - I suspect it's due to the latest version of I.E which I installed a week ago. (try haywire!! although hatwire has a certain ring to it)
One of your comments struck a chord with me: it is the part where you say it was like having an affair with your characters. I had that. Not so much now, as I still try to mend their little foibles, but when I first set them free, it was wonderful. I didn't want to suffer any distractions, and I became grumpy when I had to be separated from my loved ones. I even gave my bladder a severe control test for them on several occasions.
Another good point is about going for it. I am convinced we - as human beings - are not here to spend our days in idle relaxation. I believe in doing, and a day spent away from doing is a day wasted.
One more point: you are a writer, and you have not finished. The novel you lavished all your tlc on is now in the past. Let's hope it flourishes, but start something new with just as much commitment.
Ha, good luck; corresponding with you is always rewarding.
All the best
Mac
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