Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Scaling a mountain

I've been working on the edits for my novel. Slowly going through, moving a mass of words around. Putting all that thinking into action. And you know what? It feels pretty good. Now that I've actually started, I'm remembering that I was the person who wrote the book in the first place. Of course I can make changes to make it better!

I'm about 100 pages in at the moment. Still in the foothills, with an enormous climb ahead of me. The big changes are still ahead, waiting, looming, but my travels through the foothills are helping me to set up a good base for when that moment arrives.

I think it's going to be okay. At least until I find myself hanging out over a precipice with no safety net and nothing between me and a very thin plot line (not that this will happen, of course... no way).

Starting really is the best cure for fear. You can't focus on the anxiety while you're trying to flesh out a character or build a setting.

All will be well. Just as long as I keep climbing - and don't look down.

[image: mountain notebook by LittleAlexander/Etsy]

14 comments:

  1. Oh Al. You're such an inspiration. I bought 'Career Mums' last week and can't wait to read it. I was wondering if I could possibly get you to send me a little card with your signature that I could stick inside it - what do you think? J x

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  2. Revisions suck. But having done revisions is AWESOME! Keep going and they'll be done in no time. It really is starting that's the hardest bit and I find making a very detailed list of how you're going to attack those revisions helps a lot. Otherwise it all just looks to be too much. Good luck!

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  3. Think of those gorgeous men in lycra in the Alps on the Tour. If they can climb mountains, so can you Al. I can not wait to read it! x

    PS How cute is Jane? You are a celebrity!

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  4. Jane is very cute. Thank you for making my night. Send me your address and I will pop something in the post for you. :-) And now I am thinking of nothing but men in cycling shorts. If Cadel can do it, on his own, chasing down the Schleck brothers then, dammit, so can I!

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  5. You are just amazing, I am so in awe of you as I would LOVE to write a book, but I have NO idea where to start, including what to write about lol xx

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  6. The toughest part is getting moving - once you've put one foot in front of the other, momentum kicks in. When that fades, the finish line jumps up.
    I'm in awe too.
    :-)

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  7. Oh God! If only I could finish to get to the revision stage!!

    Good luck with it Al (not that you need it) :)

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  8. Sounds wonderful Al, I love a climb and the feeling of being on the precipice...thats when you are reminded you are really living.

    I'm popping over and take a peek at Career Mums now.

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  9. Edits aren't that bad. I'm currently going through my first written novel but third to be published, and I do it every Sunday. I know I can sit down, no interruptions and get through the whole thing.

    At least you got picked up by a publisher, but by self pubbing, like me and so many others who are told our novels are great but they don't have the space to fit it into their schedule, we get more of the profits and the knowledge we did it all ourselves.

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  10. Your honest words keep me going with my own things :)

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  11. Best of luck! Can't wait to read it.

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  12. Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down. Keep your eye on the goal.

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  13. I can only imagine what a tough job it is going through it all. Especially for a full-blown novel. WIshing you lots of luck for your journey up the mountain. You'll get there soon I'm sure.

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  14. Do you know if I can get your books in the states? Perhaps I just need to send the money to one of my Aussie ladies and have them forward the book to me! Anyone?

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