Machinations
I have a problem. Lately I’ve been happy with my writing; I don’t want
to make a whole big thing out of it, but the words have
been good words. I like them. They make me happy. One day, not too
long from now, I hope other people will see them, and be happy, too.
I haven’t mentioned this recently—by “recently,” I mean, “for the last 18 months”—because I got myself into the slightly embarrassing situation of publicly declaring my excitement for a book that, in retrospect, didn’t quite deserve it. I don’t think I had gone through the essential “falling out of love” stage, which must occur so that an author can stop making goo-goo eyes at her new baby and start dismembering it, to build a new body around the interesting parts.
Also, I figured it’s frustrating to hear an author talking about how great his writing is going when he’s not putting out any frickin’ books.
But clearly this has backfired—or at least run its course. I first got an inkling when a friend sent me a podcast on “Writers and Procrastination.” Then there were the growing number of emails and comments, like this one from Ian:
What do you do all day? I read Twilight for frack sake. I’m so bored. And you….watch movies and grow facial hair? Books! WRITE BOOKS! Short stories…..anything
People think I’m not doing anything. It’s a little strange, because if I’m on book tour for some paperback edition, people seem to figure I’m at least keeping busy. But if I bunker down and write, they assume I’m sipping daiquiris in the Bahamas.
I decided to tally up the number of words of fiction I’ve ever written. It’s 1.5 million. My finished novels tend to wind up around 80,000 words, so that’s about 19 books. Since Company, I’ve written about half a million words, the equivalent of seven novels.
But not seven good novels. I’m a pathological rewriter: I believe that if a book hasn’t had more words cut from it than it is long, it needs more work. Right now, I have quite a lot of fiction that is promising. Some of it is almost there. But not quite. And I do not want to give you a bad novel. I never want to do that.
So here is my problem. Even if I escorted a manuscript to my publisher tomorrow, it would be a year, minimum, before that thing reaches your hands. It would make you happy, I think. But it’s a long time to wait. It’s too long.
So I am going to do something. I know what the something is. It will be good. And it will be in March.
Comments
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Location: Colorado, United States
Posted: 5846 days ago
I wait with breath considerably bated.
Location: Fremont, California
Quote: "www.caffeinatedmuslim.com"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Location: the Stygian Empire
Quote: "Flesh is a design flaw."
Posted: 5846 days ago
But now I'm excited. Can't wait for March!
Jak (#2464)
Quote: "The Straight-Jacket makes it hard to type."
Posted: 5846 days ago
On a side note about the twilight series rubbish, a link to what I think other fans will find amusing(may contain spoilers): http://www.cracked.com/article_16878_if-twilight-was-10-time-shorter-100-times-more-honest.html
Phill Sacre (#1822)
Location: London, UK
Quote: "Computers are like air conditioners. Both stop working, if you open windows."
Posted: 5846 days ago
Looking forward to whenever it does come out though, and whatever it is that you're doing in March :)
Kx (#1449)
Location: UK
Quote: "inspirewithhope.com"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
*is excited*
Kx
Picto (#64)
Location: United Kingdom
Quote: "Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light? - Maurice Freehill"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Oh.
Shame.
Location: Morristown, Indiana
Quote: "Why do I blog? Simple, because Max Barry blogs."
Posted: 5846 days ago
If you don't post some new writings in March after this enticing blog, I will de-friend you on facebook. Yep...the ultimate facebook insult.
sincerely,
-adam speicher
Ruth (#288)
Location: Bath, United Kingdom
Quote: "Only the insane have strength enough to prosper. Only those who prosper may truly judge what is sane."
Posted: 5846 days ago
Location: Saukville, Wisconsin
Quote: ""A hamster's like a small camel" - Ben Katz"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Brittany O. (#1688)
Location: Montana
Quote: "people are kind of overrated "
Posted: 5846 days ago
Tommy Mandel (#2554)
Location: nYc
Quote: ""Hah," she said."
Posted: 5846 days ago
Just a word of warning. But a great metaphor you gave about putting the baby's parts back together after dismemberment.
Tommy Mandel (#2554)
Location: nYc
Quote: ""Hah," she said."
Posted: 5846 days ago
Would you say that one of the biggest challenges to a successful writer, is writing more stuff, unselfconsciously? Oops, I said that. Another wannabee reveals himself!
Yubi Shines (#1664)
Location: Canada
Quote: "HOPE RIDES ALONE!"
Posted: 5846 days ago
God, I turn 20 in March. What have I been DOING?
Emily (#609)
Location: New York
Quote: "When in doubt, fuck it. When not in doubt, get in doubt!"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Duly excited!
Location: Rockford, IL
Quote: "Insert witty quote here."
Posted: 5846 days ago
John Reynolds (#2534)
Location: New York, USA
Posted: 5846 days ago
Aaron the Evil HR Guy (#2252)
Location: Denver
Quote: "'The HR Department is a breeding ground for monsters' Michael Scott"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Daniel DiFranco (#243)
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Quote: "Panic Years, a novel, out now."
Posted: 5846 days ago
Kevin (#3826)
Location: Calfornia
Quote: "(Insert Clever Quote Here)"
Posted: 5846 days ago
When I noticed that Paul Auster started doing that, his novels got smaller and smaller - just barely big enough to be considered a book I guess, and they all pretty much suck compared to Mr. Vertigo, which is I guess what you can expect when you count words.
If you are writing just for the sake of drawing another paycheck, then knock yourself out and good for you, I'm jealous. I do want to point out though, that the corporate culture seems to be seeping back into your life now that you are a monkey at a typewriter working for the man.
Draft some memos, read some reports, file some paperwork and keep yourself busy until 5:00 rolls around. As long as you look busy, then you are busy, and the boss won't catch on.
Anyway, my days consist of playing Age of Empires, so who am I to complain? I'm the smart ass in the next cube that is single and gives dating advise.
Kevin (#3826)
Location: Calfornia
Quote: "(Insert Clever Quote Here)"
Posted: 5846 days ago
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Quote: "When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."
Posted: 5845 days ago
Like a trail of bread crumbs that leads to me (gladly) giving you money, thats what this site should be.
I didn't know that you had to build the granite rock that you then carve "David" from. Your process is fascinating (honestly) and I'd love to hear more about it.
Thanks for quoting me and making my year. I hope I didn't hurt any feelings. If you're ever in Houston Texas (and no, I'm not Texan, so do not reread previous posts with an accent, I just moved here) I'll buy you a beer.
I'm sure you know this but, no one ever finishes anything, they simply run out of time.
Cheers,
Ian
Hobbie (#1359)
Location: Cornwall, England
Quote: "There was a little man in his hair!"
Posted: 5845 days ago
Personally I haven't been that bothered by the lack of new books. I mean, new books would be nice and all, and ultimately I'm here because I read Syrup way back when. But I still haven't read Company, because it's not out in the UK (considering I imported the other two, this might be a weak argument) and I haven't wanted the hassle of trying to find somewhere reputable to import from. I really lucked out with Syrup, getting a first-edition signed hardback from a speciality online book dealer in the US. Jennifer Government however, was a total pain in the hole to get hold of, with various failed attempts at getting it from eBay and the like, until finally Amazon UK decided it would import the US paperback edition.
Also, I'm not unfamiliar with writer's block and procrastination. I've been writing for years now and have yet to publish more than a single collection of short stories that was only read by 3 people, or so I gather from how my old publisher dropped me. I've written masses of stuff since, though I haven't been counting words, but nothing seems to have come out of it, and I've been working on my first novel for four years, so far through five complete rewrites. I would be a monumental hypocrite to bug my favourite writers to produce more, and besides, I like your blog. Sure, you've been writing about 'staches and chickens a lot, but your blogs are always amusing... EXCEPT when you're using them to sell your latest book, when your blog goes all pushy and mercenary telling people how awesome it is, and can we go buy it. We already like you, most of us will buy it anyway, that's why we're here. I'm more interested in reading about how you managed to ride something even better than a walrus in your bathroom, or how Fin has discovered she can get whatever she wants by headbutting you in the crotch.
Location: st. louis, mo
Quote: "yo dead bird, get up and fly"
Posted: 5845 days ago
Katy (#2345)
Location: Los Angeles
Posted: 5845 days ago
Go you!
Michael Ricksand (#2212)
Location: Terra
Quote: "You do not have a right to be stupid."
Posted: 5845 days ago
Dane O'Brien (#2362)
Location: USA- Virginia
Quote: "No, I don't need a miracle, but I could use a push in the right direction. - RCPM"
Posted: 5844 days ago
Richard Thomas (#3828)
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Quote: "What does not kill me makes me stronger."
Posted: 5844 days ago
Sophie (#891)
Location: Devon
Posted: 5843 days ago
Location: Burnie, Tasmania
Posted: 5843 days ago
jessica (#3063)
Location: austin, tx
Quote: "You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart."
Posted: 5842 days ago
Miles (#3535)
Location: The Internet
Posted: 5835 days ago
Looks like the use of alternating between genders when speaking hypothetically is spilling out onto your blog. Not that I'm complaining, of course.
M. Kilbain Lazer (#1709)
Location: Holland
Quote: "I guess we're awesome"
Posted: 5831 days ago
Location: new york general sort of vicinity
Quote: ""It's not working" -- Joseph Clark"
Posted: 5829 days ago
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