Alive, alive-o

[pameladean]

The book is behaving like a book. The sequel, I mean. When I sit down to write, I write. I don't fidget and fuss and reread the pitiful previous prose and move commas around, I don't squirm and look at the clock every five minutes and in the intervals try to at least bleed all over the keyboard, only to produce about as much as you'd expect from a turnip. Instead, words happen. I have no more conscious notion than before of what's going on. This notion is not inconsiderable, mind you; I've got a decent framework, some later scenes already visualized, enough plot to go on with. But that's exactly what I was producing turnip juice with last week. But somewhere, some part of me does know. I'd love to know what I've done to make it so happy. Unfortunately, it seems probable that what I did was what I describe above, the continual stubborn effort to get blood out of a turnip.

Pamela

Comments

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

*dances*

I am re-reading The Dubious Hills right now and enjoying it thoroughly (again).

Let's hear it for bleeding turnips!

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

It's the new year, that's what it is. That's what I'm chalking it up to, anyway. Congrats on the smooth wordflow! :)

[raphaela.livejournal.com]

I've forced myself into the habit of writing something every night. I love the nights when something flows and feels easy. I do not like the turnip nights.

Glad to hear that you are no longer a root, but sprouting!

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

This is so thrilling!

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

My own work, which is of a different sort but does involve a lot of writing and, if you will, plotting (if strategic planning isn't plotting, I don't know what is...). It, too, has been going far more smoothly since the new year.

Change in plantetary alignments that affects us boomers, perhaps?

[papersky.livejournal.com]

I expect the wind changed.

I'm exactly like that too, on and off and no logic or control, and the head banging on keyboard is, I suspect, part of the process.

I'm so glad it's moving.

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

Think of it has having to prime the pump. You did and now it's putting out what it's supposed to put out.

MKK

[1crowdedhour.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, it seems probable that what I did was what I describe above, the continual stubborn effort to get blood out of a turnip.

But what a turnip!

I'm delighted to hear that the metamorphosis is working. Better living through alchemy.

Caroline

[rysmiel.livejournal.com]

Oh good.

Re: Alive, alive-o

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

yay for getting past the bloody turnip-squeezing part!

[pameladean]

Not only are all of you splendidly kind, for which I thank you, but you are almost gruesomely good at picking up a metaphor and juggling with it, even when it's pretty sticky.

Pamela

[briarsequinox.livejournal.com]

*sighs* Wow.

[bunnymcfoo.livejournal.com]

::falls over with a loud thunk:: Pamela Dean has a Live Journal. Oh dear gods. Why didn't I know this sooner??????

Ok, am friending you. Fair warning, you're one of my favorite authors, and have been since oh, 1991? I may lapse into fangirl sqeals at any moment. ::Grin::

As a brief way of introduction, I'm Jessa, am 23, work in a bookstore, and sell your Secret Country trilogy as fast as we can get it in stock. Three sets sold in December, and we're a dinky little store in a dinky little town! Am so so so so excited to hear that you've more in the works, and must now run off and find my copy of Dubious Hills to reread. :D

[pameladean]

Welcome! People who work in bookstores rock, as far as I'm concerned.

I haven't done anything to publicize the LJ, I think largely because I worry that parents of kids who find it will have hissy fits because I don't live in a traditional way. It's not anonymous because the notion creeps me out. (For me; I don't see anything wrong with other people's being anonymous or having pseudonyms; I just don't want to do it.)

Pamela