Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Dreamgirl

I've broken open the first draft of my novel which I finished just before Christmas and am currently attempting to improve it. A lot. A-lot-a-lot. How's the writing going? Hmmm. Let's say, I dreamed the other night that crocodiles ate my hands - both of them. I just had the arms and nothing at the end of flapping sleeves. Nice huh? I didn't even swallow down a little spoonful or two of that yummy green cold medicine before I went to sleep. I didn't even take a swift toke on the crack pipe. You don't need a dictionary of dreams to figure out my subconscious is not impressed with what I've done so far. I've thought about exactly what it might mean (and God knows, if I was still in counselling, this one would keep my psychotherapist going for weeks.) Among the options, I figure:
1. give up - you've not got the skill set
2. really, you should give up now before your hands drop off in shame at this tosh
3 (bearing in mind, you're supposed to be everybody in the dream and that includes the crocodiles)I'm damaging myself permanently by carrying on.
Ho hum. Maybe I'll get myself a nice job in PR.
"Why exactly are you interested in a job in our press office may I ask?"
"I thought it might help the nightmares go away. Can you hear the voices too? They're loud today aren't they?
"
That should clinch it.

27 comments:

scaryazeri said...

I always imagined that putting that first draft down on a blank piece of paper is the hardest task. Making it better, and then a little bit better-er....:)))) should be easier.
Increment! That's the only useful thing I learned on my silly MBA course. Increment the task so it does not eat you up alive. :)
Good luck. You can totally do it. I know it. You have a beautiful way with words.

Anonymous said...

Keep going. You know you want to. xx

Annette Piper said...

I am sure it's just nerves!!! Take a deep breath and keep going :)

Gone Back South said...

I think the re-writing must be way worse than the first draft - that's what puts me off writing a book (although I know I will write one some day).

Swearing Mother said...

Woohoo, thank God you're back, I've missed, missed, missed you.

Haven't had the heart to blog for months but have been checking on you regularly and had nearly given up looking. My life's got way too something or other to even broach the subject with myself, let along others, so I am relying on you to write me something worth reading.

Did I say I'd missed you? If you want someone to read your draft, count me in, I'll do it with pleasure.

I did say I'd missed you, didn't I?

Thumbelina said...

I think SM missed you.

Me too. :0)

Mimi said...

I think writing is a bit like walking a tightrope- just keep going, don't look up or down, just concentrate on the next step and forget about the one after that.
A bit like raising children, come to think of it.
So no bother to you then!
Just keep going, please!Missed you too!

Pam said...

You first book was wonderful and we all love to read your words, so please don't give up. I'm glad you're posting on your blog a it more too - I missed you.

billatbingley said...

Another Blog. The world is wonderful again!

Now to your new novel. You forgot the fourth option - KEEP GOING! Just read through all the comments you've had on your previous book, and the ones so far on this blog. then KEEP GOING - the world is waiting for your next piece of writing Judith!

I Beatrice said...

The best advice I had came from Samuel Beckett (not personally or directly, I hasten to add: I simply read it somewhere!).

Now though, I have it pinned to the wall of my writing hut.

TRY AGAIN

FAIL AGAIN

FAIL BETTER.

In some peculiar sort of way, it spurs me on.

Sarah said...

Reading 'The Talent Code' by Daniel Coyle at mo'; failure being the key to success, apparently.
Cold comfort when you feel shite but you can borrow the book if you want.x

cheshire wife said...

If your imagination is a vivid as your dream/nightmare, I am sure that the novel will a best seller.

A Mum said...

I'm with SM: missed your words. Glad you're back. As to the voices in your head, i think anybody who writes has those: to keep them company mainly?

hausfrau said...

Oh don't stop now, I've only just discovered you!

Livvy U. said...

It's joyous to find your return. I am gloriously later than everyone else in discovering this, of course, as usual, but it is joyous all the same, and sort of heartening to discover your previously staggering output, as mine, thinned a little over the chilliest months.
The dream sounds marvellous! I think you should make it into a children's book. It'd sell.
Livvy x

Anonymous said...

Why bother - you're a journalist, not a pr or a novelist

Tinkerbel said...

Pleased to see you back Wifey - had to find another blog of even more 'out in the wilds of Northumberland' - a shepherd who's writing is like a lesson in Life in the sticks of the North Tyne! Could I point you in the direction of http://blog.tarset.co.uk ??

- Am with SM tho - missed you!!!

Kath McGurl said...

Good to have you back blogging again. Good luck with the novel - I'll look forward to reading that some day!

Pig in the Kitchen said...

Jesus! You go away for ages and then when you come back there are STILL nasty little comments from 'Anonymous'. Plus ca change...

Hurrah for you coming back, I'd got fed up of reading that 'From Jam to Jerusalem' post!
Pigx
oh, weird. My word verification is 'backo'. Wife in the North is 'backo', must be a sign.

Anonymous said...

I think your post is a cry for help - if you need any tips just give me ring - it is the old number from the 'import export business' (ahem) if you still have my card. Nice to see you back by the way as once every six months is hardly blogging at all...

Unknown said...

Like the others, I'm so glad you're back! I've missed your way with words and am happy you've been putting it to use on a novel and not letting it waste away like that whale.

wife in the north said...

Thanks guys
re Swearing Mother - my problem at the minute is absorbing the feedback I have already but thankyou I might take you up on that. (Not till I feel more confident about it all though).
I Beatrice - I like that Beckett tag. The worst thing in life is not to try I feel - far worse than failure.
re Pig in the Kitchen. Yep I know. Tossers one and all. Comment moderation is on.
re Mutley - missed you too. Hope the medication is helping your urges.

Anonymous said...

Nothing quite satisfies my urges you know that...

Sometime PR Girl said...

whatever you do, don't get a nice job in PR. Far better to brave an author's life of anxt!

angie said...

so pleased you're blogging again. i bought your book and will buy your next one, crack on!

hear you on the nightmares, am about to start fertility treatment, dreamt i was being gored by a bull on the street 2 doors down from my parents' house. i was being gored in the shoulder, i hasten to add. perhaps a revolutionary new technique? or i am officially barking.

Paradise Lost In Translation said...

Hello! What's the novel about? Was it there rollicking around in your subconscious for years, steadily morphing into something or have you been struggling to think of a good yarn? How did it start for you?

Anonymous said...

What's the point of a blog if you never blog?!