I was reminded tonight the importance of just showing up/bum in seat for the writing process. Came to my first Sunday Creative Hour and was a bit frustrated by how little I got down on paper. I was struggling with structuring an ‘arc’ for a new writing project. Got up from desk, had a glass of water and took a shower where the arc landed instantly ☺️ Sometimes what looks like stuck is just limbering up? 💃🏻
Hurray for your exciting process and hurray for Sunday. I’ve been trying to find time to sit down and put down and flesh out a couple of ideas that have been rolling around my head the last few weeks but just haven’t had the life space to do it. This is just the appointment I need. I copy-edited (with absolutely no valid qualifications to do so) my husband’s masters dissertation and discovered he quite liked a semicolon. I very much suspect that like you, I lean more towards the humble comma. Maybe one day I’ll write something that actually needs to be copy-edited and we’ll find out! 😂. See you Sunday hopefully!
Great piece Hattie! It brought it all back! As you say, so much happens between writing and publishing a book. I don't know what surprised me most but one memorable moment was when the Publicity and Marketing team rejected the subheading that my (our!) agent, editor and I had come up with. My editor apologised and reassured me we'd find something else. I was thrilled though - I hadn't expected the range of expertise that considered the book from the off.
Enjoy this time and its particular busy, excitement!
Thanks Rachel. So far it has been very positive (although sometimes very difficult at the same time). I think there's also something to be said for being deliberate about who you want to work with, because they will be your colleagues on a project that means the world to you, and they will have such a significant and constant effect on what the work feels like. If you find yourself taking meetings with agents soon, I'd definitely keep in mind that it's as much about you choosing them as it is about them choosing you – they need to be someone you respect, trust and like – and the same is true when it comes to the stage of finding a publisher. (Apologies if I'm stating the obvious here!) Good luck with submission! x
I love the writing but loathe the picky part of the editing process. I did at one point say I felt like buying my book back from my publisher so I could light a bonfire and burn it! But I have come to feel that the painstaking editing process is a sign of respect for the craft of the writer, and it is respectful to the reader. I'm grateful that The Seasonwife went through such loving careful treatment by Louise Russell and the team at Bateman Books. It is such an honour to have a book published so if I have the honour to be published again I will grin, bear it, and hide the matches!
That's hilarious. Never burn one of your great manuscripts! I agree the fiddly parts are all about respect (I've actually written about that in my book!).
Ah, I'm so looking forward to your book Hattie. Thanks for bravely showing up for us today. I do hope you recover soon. I always find your sessions so helpful, they seem to bring a wave that rolls me forward. Thank you!!
I was reminded tonight the importance of just showing up/bum in seat for the writing process. Came to my first Sunday Creative Hour and was a bit frustrated by how little I got down on paper. I was struggling with structuring an ‘arc’ for a new writing project. Got up from desk, had a glass of water and took a shower where the arc landed instantly ☺️ Sometimes what looks like stuck is just limbering up? 💃🏻
That's fantastic – I totally know that feeling! Well done for pushing through the limbering.
Hurray for your exciting process and hurray for Sunday. I’ve been trying to find time to sit down and put down and flesh out a couple of ideas that have been rolling around my head the last few weeks but just haven’t had the life space to do it. This is just the appointment I need. I copy-edited (with absolutely no valid qualifications to do so) my husband’s masters dissertation and discovered he quite liked a semicolon. I very much suspect that like you, I lean more towards the humble comma. Maybe one day I’ll write something that actually needs to be copy-edited and we’ll find out! 😂. See you Sunday hopefully!
That's great Rebecca! So glad it's helpful timing for you. (I love a semi-colon too!)
Great piece Hattie! It brought it all back! As you say, so much happens between writing and publishing a book. I don't know what surprised me most but one memorable moment was when the Publicity and Marketing team rejected the subheading that my (our!) agent, editor and I had come up with. My editor apologised and reassured me we'd find something else. I was thrilled though - I hadn't expected the range of expertise that considered the book from the off.
Enjoy this time and its particular busy, excitement!
How funny! I agree, it's really nice to be able to tap into people who know so much about the business (that I wouldn't have a clue about). Thank you!
Just to say I am so looking forward to reading this book.
That's so lovely to hear. Thank you.
Can't wait to read it! You're making the publishing process seem very positive which is lovely - and sometimes rare I think. Thanks for that.
I'm just at the stage of sending my novel out to agents so it's good to get a positive vibe. x
Thanks Rachel. So far it has been very positive (although sometimes very difficult at the same time). I think there's also something to be said for being deliberate about who you want to work with, because they will be your colleagues on a project that means the world to you, and they will have such a significant and constant effect on what the work feels like. If you find yourself taking meetings with agents soon, I'd definitely keep in mind that it's as much about you choosing them as it is about them choosing you – they need to be someone you respect, trust and like – and the same is true when it comes to the stage of finding a publisher. (Apologies if I'm stating the obvious here!) Good luck with submission! x
I love the writing but loathe the picky part of the editing process. I did at one point say I felt like buying my book back from my publisher so I could light a bonfire and burn it! But I have come to feel that the painstaking editing process is a sign of respect for the craft of the writer, and it is respectful to the reader. I'm grateful that The Seasonwife went through such loving careful treatment by Louise Russell and the team at Bateman Books. It is such an honour to have a book published so if I have the honour to be published again I will grin, bear it, and hide the matches!
That's hilarious. Never burn one of your great manuscripts! I agree the fiddly parts are all about respect (I've actually written about that in my book!).
Ah, I'm so looking forward to your book Hattie. Thanks for bravely showing up for us today. I do hope you recover soon. I always find your sessions so helpful, they seem to bring a wave that rolls me forward. Thank you!!
That's so nice to hear! Thank YOU for showing up so often (and so early in the day) – it's always lovely to see you and you bring such good energy.