Blog RSS FeedOff and running on revisions!
Book 2 notes are in from the Delightful Editor! So I’m going to spend a week or so doing a preliminary plan and then start revising. I’m so excited. As usual, her insight is great and she has a fabulous way of pulling me back when I “cheat.” Her suggestions and questions force me to look at the root of the problem and deal with it, rather than patching over it. There’s something about an additional point of view that energizes me!
In preparation for the rewrite, I rearranged my sewing room. The room is a decent size, but the space is kind of awkward, so I’ve always had problems finding a place for my desk and sewing table. I think I came up with a good configuration… my little sister approves, so that’s good!
Speaking of Little Sis, she’s been here for two weeks and is doing wonderfully. She’s still looking for a job, but I love having her around. We have the same goofy sense of humor, and she puts up with me very nicely. She must be a saint. I keep thinking of “Emma,” where Mr. Knightley apologizes to Emma for always telling her what’s what and what to do. I’m like a less apologetic version of Mr. Knightly, ha ha. If she would just learn to close the garage door when she drives away, life would be perfect!
Thank you all for your comments, and I’m sorry I haven’t been good about replies. I don’t like feeling invisible at a blog, and I don’t like the thought of making others feel invisible. So booooo on me. I will make a real effort to get better!
I’ll wrap this post up with a quote I just read that really resonated with me. It’s from the introduction to the book Mystics, Mavericks, and Merrymakers by Stephanie Wellen Levine. The line itself is from Carole Gilligan:
Americans place a high value on individuality and independence, but these values quickly become hollow in the absence of practices that cultivate an inner voice and relationships that encourage its expression.
This really struck a chord with me. Lately, the thought running through my head has been, how many more Jennifer Anistons and Elin Nordegrens and countless other women have to be mistreated in their relationships for our culture to realize that good looks and money don’t equal the promise of a happy life?
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February 11th, 2010 Katie Alender
So, so true! I worry that there is going to be a deterioration of substance over the next decade due to venues like social networks that almost make relationships too easy. How much do we really value our relationships when people stop visiting with each other and just Facebook with people all day long.
Good looks and money definitely don’t equal happiness. Quality of life, balance, and a peaceful existence that is financially safe (and that has more to do with conserving resources as opposed to having a lot of money) – that to me seems to be the road to happiness…I hope anyway.
VERY deep quote there.
And, I admit, I probably Facebook some people more than I talk to them. Ah, if only changing that took less initiative, the change would’ve been made long ago. Alas, it’s not that easy. But improvement is a-coming.
Happy Revising!
I’m glad book II is coming along swimmingly. But be honest, don’t you feel the pressure (from various sources) to repeat or out do the success of BGDD? I’m sure glad a pro like your is in your shoes and not a complete neophyte like me. I think I’d be on Cymbalta right about now:0)
“Lately, the thought running through my head has been, how many more Jennifer Anistons and Elin Nordegrens and countless other women have to be mistreated in their relationships for our culture to realize that good looks and money don’t equal the promise of a happy life?”
Yes, I agree.
I often wonder, however, out of pure curiosity, what is the single most destructive habit Aniston and Nordegrens engage in (other than the ones you mentioned) that prevents them from avoiding turmoil before it starts (perhaps even contributing to it). It’s like knowing you are traveling in a path towards trouble, and yet you continue to travel in the same direction.
Of course, regardless of how anesthetized a person is to an eminent calamity, there is NEVER any justification for physical and mental abuse.
So excited for book 2! May your revisions be smooth and your access to chocolate unfettered.
You’re a model of persistence for us aspiring types. Looking forward to the next book.
Nathalie, I feel the same way. Then again, I’m still friends with people I met online when planning my wedding nine years ago! I think there needs to be a greater sense of balance–and I don’t think Facebook is the same as the tight-knit online community I was part of.
Tracy, Facebook is great in a lot of ways–I love using it to stay connected to people from my past. I think finding a balance is totally key. No one way of staying in touch with people is the best. I know I should call people more, but even that can be taken to the extreme.
Tom, I do feel pressure and I don’t. Mostly I feel pressure to write the best book I can! I sort of have a “let the chips fall where they may” attitude. Even if book 2 wasn’t well-received, that’s still not anywhere near some of the problems other people have (or problems I could have!). So I don’t worry about it.
As for the destructive habit… I think it’s probably allowing outside factors like money, fame, beauty, influence, to be a primary factor in their relationships, whether they’re aware of it or not. And truth be told, Elin and Jennifer Aniston aren’t really the ones responsible for their situations. The men are the ones who ran off. But I think it’s more that being that wealthy and that powerful is not so good for people. I think it messes you up, unless you have a very solid foundation. So maybe it’s not a mistake they made as much as a symptom of the negative effects of getting everything you want whenever you want it (on the men’s part).
Thank you, Eileen! So far, the need for chocolate has been relatively containable.
Thanks, Jason. I’m looking forward to being done with it!