Next book — a massive effort
Was out around the Bay for a few days, thinking Book Thoughts. Am trying to get my second book off the ground, and–while I think I’ll ultimately write it–it’s feeling awfully sticky and unwilling right now.
Have you ever been in a change room, trying on pants, and nothing will fit? You try on pair after pair, and after a while you’re hot, and frustrated, and the changing room feels cramped and clingy. That’s sort of how it is with my second book right now. I think, if I just look at things this way it will work, or maybe that way, or I could try it like this.
And nothing really clicks. None of those pants, to torture the metaphor, really fit. I know this is part of the creative process, but it’s a part of the creative process I don’t like. I just want the next book to appear fully formed in my head. That’s childish, I know: Lonely was a long time in gestation. But I want the second book to fall into place now.
Am being a bit tight lipped re subject of next book, but it will be about loneliness. I just don’t feel finished with loneliness yet. And, yes, I will be asking for help and viewpoints and interviews — so I look forward to speaking with some of you who’ve been reading this blog. I’m just not at the interview stage yet. Am still kicking around with other people’s ideas, trying to find the story that’s mine to tell.
This entry was posted on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 11:50 am and is filed under the category First Time Writer Stuff.
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6 Responses to “Next book — a massive effort”
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A distinctly unpleasant stage, in both writing and clothes-buying. It’s probably why I don’t own very many pairs of pants.
I’m so pleased to hear you’ll be doing more writing on loneliness.
I feel that way when I am in between reading books that touch me. Books are my friends and when I don’t have a book to embrace and connect with, I feel very alone and lost. When I found Emily’s book yesterday, I immediately felt better, and as I read it, I felt that I had found a new friend.
I think we reach a stage where we accept the things we cannot change because we need to stop our suffering. There is no cure, remedy or hope for loneliness and I think that is why you are stumped.
You have accomplished a wonderful thing Emily – you have opened people’s hearts to let us know we are not really alone but that other people suffer the same malady. This point alone has helped people.
The fully formed book is closer than you think. The sensations of restlessness, longing, ambling, and exasperation are always littered with clues. And those moments when your entire being is attuned to……………..well, it is there, just about to step forth. Those are the most satisfying moments of living.
WOW – That hit home! I spent a couple of hrs trying on pants just yesterday … frustrated with my body, feeling ignored by the nice but unhelpful sales-staff, and exasperated with my bored kids who, by circumstance had to put up with the ordeal. Three of us stuffed into a too-small change room, me sweating and near-tears … people and chaos everywhere, and I have not felt so alone and unsupported in ages.
Oh god do I know this one. Well, in perhaps a different way. For years I’ve been planning my PhD dissertation. Jut a couple of months ago a book came out and it essentially IS my project. I feel like I’ve put too much work into it already to stop, but all I want to do is sit around and cry right now. My hair dresser confirmed that I am losing too much hair from stress right now. Glargh!!!!