iris

an encouraging email…

…from an ex commissioning editor for Time Warner, who liked my previous novel and would have taken it if her fiction list hadn’t been full for five years ahead (see what first time novelists are up against!??) I sent her some sample material from the new book. Her response was to say that she likes the concept and location and my writing is fine but…she no longer commissions work, she is in a purely administrative role now and, though she had considered  taking it to one of their editors, she knows they won’t look at it unless it comes via an agent. But how incredibly thoughtful and kind of her to take the trouble to send such a positive email and to wish me luck.

pigeon and golden ash

star of bethlehem under the trees

and a riot of blackthorn, lilac, apple and cherry when we took the dog to Aston’s Eyot this evening. The sun was setting in a ball of orange flame over the river, almost opposite the moon, which is huge now it’s nearly full. Wisteria on all the houses, and flowers in shades of purple, blue and yellow in the gardens. The hawthorns are packed with flower buds. Everything is making up for the long, harsh winter we’ve had and it’s all bursting out a month early.

Hmm, don’t think much of the camera on my iPhone 4, even in good light there seems to be a lot of digital noise. Maybe mine’s faulty. Must take my camera out with me like I used to.

None of this is getting my book revised!

burgeoning spring and not getting on with my book

It’s so beautiful out in the world at the moment. the sun is shining for all it’s worth. In the woods the bluebells are out, though not fully opened yet, there are wood anemones, primroses, wild white cherry blossom and chestnut candles. You can’t help but feel joyful in the midst of all this frivolity and bounty. A word that comes to mind is bosky, which means leafy but which, to me, sings of naughtiness and abandon and an excess of life.

I need to get on with editing my book, but it’s incredibly hard to get down to it. Having worked intensively for seven months and then had encouraging feedback but no takers, I know I should be pressing on with it but I can’t seem to muster the energy or inclination for it. Maybe the next rainy day!

you need to edit your novel

It’s been far too long since I wrote in this blog.

The second agent didn’t take on the book. However, she was very complimentary about my writing. She sent a very long email full of advice on editing, particularly concerning the structure of the book. She also said she would be interested in seeing it again if I made the changes suggested. Although it would have been wonderful if she’d agreed to represent me subject to editing, at least she didn’t reject outright. I’ve had two more positive rejections along the lines of you have talent and there is much to like about your novel, but we’re taking on so little now.

Meanwhile spring is fully upon us. After the summer heat of last week, the apple blossom has flowered and is now beginning to fall and the bluebells are out in our garden. It’s cold again now, but the sense of joyous energy lingers. Birds are singing and everything is that amazing, tender bright green that only happens at this time of year.