Just in case you think writing's easy... today's entry is meant to set you straight. This week, I spent most of my days working on DRAFT NUMBER FOUR of Miracleville, my novel due outthis spring with Orca Books.
I have to admit that the rewriting is sometimes ... well ... a bit of a drag. But I did it, and I tried my best, and now it's done.
Also, my most dear editor Sarah Harvey had some questions for me about the care of a person who's been paralyzed (I'm being careful here not to give too much away.) Anyway, I asked another dear person about this: my neighbour Liz, who is now retired after working for many years as a nurse in a rehab centre. As luck would have it, Liz had a friend over -- another retired nurse named Anita. And between the two of them, they answered all my (and Sarah's) questions. Which goes to show you that though rewriting can be difficult tedious work, sometimes assistance comes in wonderful surprising ways. Here's to some wonderful surprising assistance in YOUR life, dear blog reader!!
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
Comments
Hi Monique
I could not resist sending you this poem I wrote ages ago - entitled Rewrite
She was a writer -
An "author" -
Not too shabby.
Had done the obligatory Chapters tour.
Now she was on CBC radio ----- Sounds Like Canada----
"I just loved your last novel" Shelagh gushed,
"But I want more !!!"
Why are you here talking to me
When you could be home writing?"
"I'm doing re-writes" the author replied.
"Darn re-writes take as long as the original draft.
But that's part of the writing game."
And I wondered why.
Here is an artist
Dipping her pen into a palette of the alphabet.
Laying words on vellum instead of canvas.
But an artist still the same.
Would Tom Thomson bring a new painting to the gallery
And the curator say
"Mr. Thomson, we would be happy to hang you.
But that tree ---
A few less branches perhaps?"
"Mr. Dali. Just a wee problem about size.
Our buyers just don't have room to hang that large a canvas.
Could you cut off a bit?
Say eighteen inches on each side?"
"About that statue.
Uuh, "Venus de Milo" I believe you call it.
We just can't fit her in that corner spot
with those outstretched arms.
Yes. it's settled.
Those arms will have to go."
Cheers Monique, and happy re-writes!
Dee