tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post4432911407918219687..comments2023-10-15T11:23:35.339+01:00Comments on Hawkins Bizarre: The fate of Not One of Us...Alishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-29548694313875143122009-06-01T10:21:10.461+01:002009-06-01T10:21:10.461+01:00Hi Akasha - thanks for this. How's your novel comi...Hi Akasha - thanks for this. How's your novel coming on? I'm dying to read it!<br /><br />Hi Meg - yes, I've clearly been too secretive by half. Not that Will didn't intimate that he might like a synopsis for NOOU, I just never gave him one! We live and learn...<br /><br />Hi Frances - yes, you're right, there were times during the writing of NOOU when I'd look up when my other half got home and realise I'd written six thousand words almost without stopping - the thing just flowed. Those were the bits that 'worked'. There just weren't enough of them!Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-56042863054720099272009-06-01T10:01:32.153+01:002009-06-01T10:01:32.153+01:00One last thing from me on the whole subject of re...One last thing from me on the whole subject of rejection - surely, while we all (or most of us) want to be published, the ultimate buzz comes from those moments when the writing flows, you can't wait to get back to it, when it seems to speak of its own accord. And this applies to 'failed' books as much as those which are eventually published. Isn't that why we all do it? And isn't that why it can never be a waste of time?Frances Garroodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614916006798375706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-78023225634264992009-05-31T22:39:45.362+01:002009-05-31T22:39:45.362+01:00You are so right about all of this, Alis. I feel b...You are so right about all of this, Alis. I feel bad that I should have said so before more explicitly - that for me the 14th century part of Testament (and in the original Toby long ago) worked so much better for me.<br /><br />And yes, definitely share at least your synopsis with your trusted editor or agent. They know where the gaps lie and will tell you immediately if you're barking up the wrong tree. I hadn't realised you weren't even sharing synopses or basic ideas.I can't say I'm overburdened with success at the moment myself but at least I know what's not wanted and a rough idea of what might be! Which is a start!<br /><br />But I also totally empathise. I have spent several months writing a book which will never be published too - but like you, I have learnt from the process and it has moved me into a slightly different direction which is enjoyable and stimulating. May it be so with you too!!!<br /><br />Much love, MegMeg Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461125464455502821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-76888313938176544752009-05-31T21:52:12.783+01:002009-05-31T21:52:12.783+01:00Alis, here comes a virtual hug!...not that I think...Alis, here comes a virtual hug!...not that I think you need it too much, you seem very enthused about your new novel. I must admit, I am one of those people - as you already know - that loved the medieval strain that weaved its way through 'Testament'. <br />Here's to 'The Black and The White.' xAkasha Savage.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13482147165827577180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-62729026081458086192009-05-30T21:03:31.654+01:002009-05-30T21:03:31.654+01:00For what it is worth (perhaps not much) I think th...For what it is worth (perhaps not much) I think that, as with so much connected with writing, one has to go by 'gut feel' as to whether to share work in progress with other people. In my own case, I usually do share it, but not always. I tend to be governed by whether I think that negative comment will completely destroy my enthusiasm for the story, or spur me to improve it.<br />Very best of luck, Alis.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-3596235829080101622009-05-29T16:18:06.709+01:002009-05-29T16:18:06.709+01:00What a very gutsy post! I am sorry to hear about t...What a very gutsy post! I am sorry to hear about this Alis, not least as I was looking forward to reading it. However your excitment about your new project is heartening to read. You are a truely fantastic writer of historical fiction but what struck me most about Testament was the sense of place *across* time as well as in time. The one fictional place in more than one era: Amazing work. But having done that once perhaps you are right to decide to go with one era at a time. When you get fed up of the fourteenth century I am sure you will make a success of any era you choose.Juxtabookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17102279698993288454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-42592897382404077102009-05-28T21:20:01.477+01:002009-05-28T21:20:01.477+01:00Hi David - I think Frank Santillo hit the nail on ...Hi David - I think Frank Santillo hit the nail on the head and I've found again and again that making mistakes can be as useful as getting it right.<br /><br />Here's hoping that you do get the green light for your next book...Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-29015255428874013082009-05-28T21:18:17.615+01:002009-05-28T21:18:17.615+01:00Hi Frances - Yes, our level of collective trust is...Hi Frances - Yes, our level of collective trust is interesting isn't it? Prior to Will's email I'd probably have said that I would try elsewhere if the answer was no but he so obviously hit all the nails right on the head that I knew there was no point. <br />To be honest, it was your post on the MNW collective blog that made me feel it would be safe to blog about failure so thanks for blazing the trail. And yes, I am enjoying thinking about the WIP and getting into the research. And I've taken the plunge and told my other half what it's about and how I'm thinking of structuring it - such a departure!Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-51808925078157829602009-05-28T20:42:39.536+01:002009-05-28T20:42:39.536+01:00Hey, I have 4 1/2 unpublished novels still hanging...Hey, I have 4 1/2 unpublished novels still hanging about. A lotta time and a lot of work and passion just sitting there in a stack. (Some of it may be fixable. I hope.)<br /><br />Frank Santillo said "If there’s any basic rule in the creative process, it’s this: the things you try that don’t work will always show you what does work." <br /><br />I've certainly found that the ways I've gone wrong have pointed me towards the right thing to do, and it sounds as though you are having that experience too--now you know what will work.<br /><br />And I have no doubt whatsoever that you can write a killer historical. <br /><br />PS Don't expect me to be as mature as you are here when Will tells me my second isn't getting a green light.David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-25659950416957093172009-05-28T14:42:03.301+01:002009-05-28T14:42:03.301+01:00Leigh, I think there's something about having the ...Leigh, I think there's something about having the imprimatur of your publisher which makes it easier to show work to other people. There's a feeling of 'well, that's ok then'. Having said that, I show my husband everything I write, but while he says he's being perfectly honest, I have my suspicions. Will at Macmillan has to be perfectly honest, and I'm afraid he's usually right (I say this from recent painful experience). It's interesting that none of us MNWs who have recently had disappointing verdicts from Macmillan have so much as mentioned submitting our work anywhere else. This says a lot for our faith in MNW. Alis, I do hope you're feeling less sore now, and enjoying your new WIP. I'm so glad that you - like me a few weeks ago - have found sharing your experience helpful. It's a difficult thing to do, isn't it, but I would have felt very isolated without everyone's understanding.Frances Garroodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614916006798375706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-20281001232946560932009-05-28T08:25:03.447+01:002009-05-28T08:25:03.447+01:00Hi Leigh - Yes, I'm sure there's something in that...Hi Leigh - Yes, I'm sure there's something in that. But then, when is any writer ever totally happy with what they've written?Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-58583844968269934512009-05-27T23:27:41.589+01:002009-05-27T23:27:41.589+01:00The first person to see my MS was my publisher, an...The first person to see my MS was my publisher, and the second person was the editor - who was ruthless in her critique , as you'll know if you've been following my blog over my long journey to becoming a published author. It was ridiculous, but I was reluctant to show <I>anyone</I> what I'd written... In two weeks time the MS will be published. I'll have to allow people to read it then! In fact, I'm busy now, with arrangements for a promotional tour to try and encourage as many people as possible to buy it. What was the point of being coy about the MS? I think it was lack of confidence. Perhaps I realised that my first draft didn't quite work. Now it's been edited and reworked, I'm quite happy for the whole world to read it. So perhaps your reluctance to show your MS to friends and family was, deep down, a recognition that you weren't completely happy with it?Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-75671069723318938282009-05-27T18:03:21.207+01:002009-05-27T18:03:21.207+01:00Hi Nevets! Thanks for your comment - I appreciate ...Hi Nevets! Thanks for your comment - I appreciate that very much. <br />I just hopped over on to your blog and I like your 'you're the author, take charge' line. <br />I feel like I'm definitely in charge at the moment.Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-59041229286853025922009-05-27T17:45:04.881+01:002009-05-27T17:45:04.881+01:00For all the possibility a story of a rejected manu...For all the possibility a story of a rejected manuscript has for depressing the hopes of new writers, I actually find this quite promising. Your use of this disappointing experience as a launching point for self-analysis and for improving your writing are inspirational.<br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing.<br /><br />.Nevets.C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-25704845206183253972009-05-27T16:36:55.500+01:002009-05-27T16:36:55.500+01:00Thanks, Doug. Let's hope your path is smoother...Thanks, Doug. Let's hope your path is smoother...Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9088473527308746266.post-67138241332010576582009-05-27T16:02:06.124+01:002009-05-27T16:02:06.124+01:00Alis,
Thank you for this honest, pained, and thou...Alis,<br /><br />Thank you for this honest, pained, and thoughtful post. My heart aches for you.<br /><br />I admit that I fear, as all writers do, that this will be the fate of my second attempt as well. So I'm grateful for your insights. <br /><br />Bless you. <br /><br /><I>doug worgul</I>Doug Worgulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999842399881132161noreply@blogger.com