I was rather shocked today to realise that it was about 6 months since I'd done any serious writing. Of course I have been involved in the editing and re-writing of The Malice of Fairies and I have written considerable chunks of The Devil's Chapel, The Dog-Walkers Book Club etc. but despite applying my bottom firmly to my chair and typing so much that I seem to have RSI or something in my elbow, no new work is forthcoming. What I mean by serious writing is what I do when I'm writing a book, 2-3,000 words a day, and a smart answer for anyone who is foolish enough to interrupt me (cups of tea and coffee delivered silently are acceptable). Everything in the last few months seems to be a bit scattergun.
This is due partly to the slow progress of TMoF - although if agents were getting back and asking for changes and so on, I wouldn't have much time for other writing. It is also due to an underlying "is there any point?" feeling. Yes, I would enjoy writing them, but I am not so sybaritic that I can simply lounge in the pleasure of writing for its own sake. It needs to earn me some money.
At present, I have gone beyond sorrow, into a place of incredulity. However, yesterday I discoverd a US website called Query Tracker, which lists about 1400 agents, so clearly I have barely scratched the surface. The trouble is dealing with each individually crafted submission, as well as my paltry attempts at a social media presence. I feel happy because I'm getting on top of it, but at the same time, the unplanted summer plants, the ironing, the state of the spare room, dealing with our listings on the AirBnB website, the redecoration of Ned's room etc. all are neglected as I sit here, close cousin to Mrs Filth-Packet, in my dressing gown, awaiting the CALL!
The other projects I have begun, or am continuing, include: screenplay treatment of TMoF, because everyone says it would be a great filum entirely, a sarcastic but helpful book about approaching agents, working title "Other Agents May Feel Differently", the Beastly Betty idea, a thorough overhaul of The Romantic Feminist since apparently there is still interest in the 70's. But I am not working consistently on one thing. I cannot tell if this is good. I like to focus on one thing, but maybe it's more "creative" to diversify one's interests. Maybe I should just go with the flow and do a bit here, and a bit there. I am reading more, and doing odd bits of research for The Devil's Chapel. In fact I've just had an idea for another element of it...I haven't "lost it". This is just a different phase. Maybe it's a better one, multi-tasking could be more stimulating. Now, what am I giving the guests for dinner tomorrow night....?
This is due partly to the slow progress of TMoF - although if agents were getting back and asking for changes and so on, I wouldn't have much time for other writing. It is also due to an underlying "is there any point?" feeling. Yes, I would enjoy writing them, but I am not so sybaritic that I can simply lounge in the pleasure of writing for its own sake. It needs to earn me some money.
At present, I have gone beyond sorrow, into a place of incredulity. However, yesterday I discoverd a US website called Query Tracker, which lists about 1400 agents, so clearly I have barely scratched the surface. The trouble is dealing with each individually crafted submission, as well as my paltry attempts at a social media presence. I feel happy because I'm getting on top of it, but at the same time, the unplanted summer plants, the ironing, the state of the spare room, dealing with our listings on the AirBnB website, the redecoration of Ned's room etc. all are neglected as I sit here, close cousin to Mrs Filth-Packet, in my dressing gown, awaiting the CALL!The other projects I have begun, or am continuing, include: screenplay treatment of TMoF, because everyone says it would be a great filum entirely, a sarcastic but helpful book about approaching agents, working title "Other Agents May Feel Differently", the Beastly Betty idea, a thorough overhaul of The Romantic Feminist since apparently there is still interest in the 70's. But I am not working consistently on one thing. I cannot tell if this is good. I like to focus on one thing, but maybe it's more "creative" to diversify one's interests. Maybe I should just go with the flow and do a bit here, and a bit there. I am reading more, and doing odd bits of research for The Devil's Chapel. In fact I've just had an idea for another element of it...I haven't "lost it". This is just a different phase. Maybe it's a better one, multi-tasking could be more stimulating. Now, what am I giving the guests for dinner tomorrow night....?
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