Saturday, November 24, 2007

A tricky start

Would you believe I'm still muddling with the start of this book?
I've written and re-written the first six pages countless times, have spent days at it and I'm still not happy. Unfortunately, I'm one of those painful writers who have to get it right before I can move on. It would be so nice to just fly ahead with a rough draft and come back to these pages later. But I can't.
I've wondered whether I'm starting in the wrong place, have tried other possibilities, but no this is where I need to be.
It's getting better -- like a lump of clay, slowly taking shape. One big thing that's helped is a change of name for my hero. Amazing how that tiny element can have so much resonance and impact.
The interesting thing for me, that I've noted many times now, is that writing a book is like labour -- the giving birth kind. I've had four children and each labour was different -- different speed, different rhythms, different levels of intervention, but fortunately each time there was a wonderful result.
The books are the same. Each one presents unique problems and develops in its own sweet way. I know that. I don't know why I'm so impatient this time.
We're off to Tarzali tomorrow...
It will be interesting to see if that makes a difference.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your beginning. The change of name for the hero and maybe a change of scenery for you will make the words flow more easily!!!

Anonymous said...

Well hopefully this new beginning will be the one! Good luck with your book, it will be exciting when it is finished!

Ally Blake said...

I'm right there with you Barb. Sitting on the first five or so pages of a enw book.

Have idea will travel? Here's hoping!

Ally

Phillipa said...

Barb and Ally. I sympathise too. I usually know where to start but I'm dithering and dilly dallying with this one. Guess I'll have to move on and fix it later!

Barbara Hannay said...

Thanks, Cindy. I think his new name is much stronger.

Move on and fix it later...
How sensible, Phillipa. I know that's what I should do sometimes, but it's hard. I think it actually takes discipline. :)

Ally you have such a gorgeous reason not to write! But good luck with your new book. Let's hope Bridget provides great inspiration. The emotion's sure to run high!!