Well, the Rest of my House is Neat
Honest, it is!
Every writing task takes me much longer than I think it will. Here I am, still revising BEFORE THE STORM. I’m rewriting the ending now–it’s technically the same ending, but I’m expanding on it a bit. Or a lot, actually. And writing it in more of an immediate here-and-now way instead of having character A explain what happened to character B. At some point, I really do have to stop working on this book and move on to the sequel!
The mess on the floor is the old manuscript. As I finish making the changes in my computer, I toss–literally, obviously–the old page on the carpet. As of now, I have about 400 old pages littering my floor. The globe is working its way back to the shelf I keep it on. Jet is getting ready to lie down, and Keeper is beneath my desk (behind my chair).
I finished A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS and thought it was wonderful. If I get another break in the next day or too, I promise to write more about it. I found it very moving.
Back to revising
Oh, LOL Diane! This is what a private office is for, right? It’s very obvious to me you are definitely in your element…writing, creating and looking darn comfy at the same time…because you are very happy at what you do. And it doesn’t surprise me that the pups hang out with you… Actually, your writing studio doesn’t look much different than my art studio (lol) but like you, the rest of my house is very, very clean and neat. I can’t believe all those pages on the floor are the OLD manuscipt! When do you sleep?
I think I will have to look at A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS from all you’ve been telling us. I just finished NORA, NORA which I really enjoyed and last nite started SWEETWATER CREEK by Anne Rivers Siddons.
If you’ve listened to the new Bruce CD, would love to know how you like it…am off to the bookstore today and might buy it. (-:
Admit to being one of those folks who check into your blog every so often, but never comment. But I really wanted to say how much both A Thousand Spendid Suns and the Kite Runner affected me. I learned a tremendous amount about craft just from reading them. He is a superb story teller who kept me engaged throughout, something that usually only happens with the potboilers that I read on the plane hidden inside a technical book, and your books of course ;}. It also gave me tremendous insight into life in a different culture that should be of interet to everyone at this point in time. Recommend both of them heartily.
Margo, I HAVEN’T been sleeping much lately. Doing these revisions has been like trying to do Rubiks (sp?) cube: I make a tiny change and it affects the six other sides of the cube. Or rather the 430 other pages. Of course I don’t know exactly WHAT has been affected, so then I need to go through them all to figure that out. Whew. Soon, I’ll be able to print it out on my speedy new laser printer and see where I’ve gone wrong.
Lynne, nice to see you here. I totally agree with you about the Hosseini books. He’s really given us a gift with them, making the muslim world more accessible and understandable.
Diane, from your comments and Lynnes, it sounds like I’m really missing some good literature. At the bookstore today I noticed they have an illustrated version of KITE RUNNER with photos. Thank you both for enlightening me on these 2 novels. I think I will have to read them for sure.
Diane, hope you can get some nice snoozing in soon…little sleep is probably not too good for your RA.
Am reading J. Mitchard’s latest-I enjoy her so much.
I am grading essays from college classes (they are working toward r. papers also), and poetry books and essays from high school. (Have to switch gears sometimes.) the only time I rest is reading.
I hope to do some painting this weekend-no Margo, the wall kind. 🙂
Have been doing C’mas shopping-my family does it at T’giving this year when my daughter and her family, and my son comes home…We will fly to Miami for C’mas. My daughter and her family takes turn with those where they live-we get them every other t’g and every other c’mas…fair that way.
Take care-back to papers.
Margo, you’re gonna love the new Bruce! Some of it familiar territory, but a lot of it fresh. You’re also going to love KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, but they are not cheery reads. Very moving, though.
Brenda, why am I not surprised you get your Christmas shopping done in October? LOL. I usually get mine done on Christmas eve.
What is Jaqueline Mitchard’s latest called? I believe I’ve only read one of hers, and can’t recall the title. I just started Ann Packer’s latest—blanking on that title too! I need more sleep. . .
hi Diane, sorry I’ve been MIA for awhile–busy at work and home, and went to the NJRW conference this past weekend. Love your office, including your furry writing partner. I used to spread papers out on the floor when I had a small desk in a hallway in my old apt. and my cat would plop down on the papers. I called it her editorial comment!
lol Brenda. For a minute I thought you were a painting artist too and just hadn’t told us yet (-:! Diane, I’m glad to know about the Bruce CD and will definitely buy it along with the 2 books you’ve mentioned. I enjoy many kinds of books so it won’t bother me if they aren’t happy, happy. I think Brenda is referring to J Mitchard’s new book STILL SUMMER which I bought but have not read yet. Have never read her but can you believe I bought this book because I liked the cover!
>>I called it her editorial comment!
It was good–hectic but fun. The last two years they’ve held an after-party–karaoke, dancing–for those who stay over Saturday night. We’ve been staying over anyway so…we danced well into the night! One of our chapter’s members won the Golden Leaf (published) in the regency category, one placed 2nd in the history catgory in the Put Your Heart in a Book contest (unpublished), and two finaled in the single title category in PYHIAB. Single title final results aren’t in yet b/c the agent who was the final judge didn’t live up to obligations. Add to that sessions, agent/editor appts., and it was an intense weekend–I’m sure you know what I mean! I took off Monday just to regroup…
pattie, sounds like tons of fun, as usual! Congrats to your chapter for a great showing.
Diane, with your books I buy them because YOUR name is on the cover and YOU wrote it. I know I’m going to get a fabulous read whether the cover looks good or not. But honestly, I remember ALL your books having great covers…can’t recall any that weren’t good. (-:
Sweet of you to say, Margo, but I could show you a few!
I agree with Margo. I wouldn’t care what the cover looked like. I buy books by D. Chamberlain and B. Delinsky (and used to buy about l0 other authors…) because your names are on the cover. I also like Jan Karon’s series…I like C. thompson-WV writer…
The thing about you, Diane, you don’t write just any thing to get a book published each year or every 6 months…plus your stories are intriguing.
Thousand Suns…a book that makes us think and wonder…Mariam-I can totally relate to her…I prayed nightly all my life for my father to come to see me…when I finally met him, it was overwhelming. Was he ever a real part of my life? No…two cultures (hers and my) and actually something in common. My mother married and divorced way too young. Thankfully, she did not have emotional problems, but her mother did-something we might now think of as Bipolar.
This author amazed me with book two…