notes 15 March 2010
As you may know, The Husband has taken an interest in the novels I write, though given a choice he’s more of a history book man. Anyhow, he’s one of the people who reads the first draft and gives notes and they are usually very good and very helpful. It is That Time with the latest novel as I begin rewrites on this very day. I had 2 great sessions with Clare, my editor, last week in London. And, last night I ‘got my notes’ from Richard. And very insightful they were and are too. The good thing is that he really likes the book, as does Clare. I am so close to it now that I can’t tell the shape, heft or worth of it, though I expect the next 2 weeks to bring it into my heart properly again. And for once I didn’t really get the ‘you’re better than this’ note so the material is up a notch. But it is not without its moments…and when he reads those moments out loud (usually phrases I don’t particularly like myself and put in so I could move on BUT also, sadly, moments I thought quite poetic and a little beautiful) the cringe factor is massive. But I must admit, it can also be very VERY funny. His low, crisp voice can take a thing apart without any effort at all!
Now to fix the thing…
