Today, after more than three months, I finally got the 'breaking news' from the publisher I had sent my manuscript to. She wrote the following:
'I have read your book with pleasure. It reads quickly and easily. I think it is a thrilling story. Especially the passages that are set in 1963 are lively and well written. As we do more literary works, it does not fit within the fund of our publishing house, but I am sure that you will have no trouble finding another publisher keen to publish it.'
Needless to say that I am on cloud 9! It means that I am on the right track, my whole new 'project' is viable and the manuscript has the potential to become a good book. A big encouragement, not only to continue writing, but also to improve myself as a writer again. She was kind enough to also give me some tips on style plus names within other publishing houses, offering to use her name as a reference (something that is crucial in this world). But back to earth again, as there is still lots of work to be done, apart from writing the other 2/3rd of the book!
Last weekend I pushed myself to think about the 'urgency' of my manuscript again. Why would people want to read my book? Why does it need to be published? What distinguishes this story from others? To give you a 'sneak preview': one of the story lines is the life in a tiny village, where everyone is like one big happy family. As long as everyone gets along fine... That specific atmosphere needs to be more anguished, more grim, more alarming then it is now, I decided. Something the publisher pointed out as well. Anyway, as you can imagine, enough great, challenging goals to be met this coming period! Love, M.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Internal and External Critics
Few weeks ago, I discovered a very nice website, called 'Ikvertel.nl' ('Itell.nl'). The website is a great initiative to promote the writing of short stories. It is an ongoing writing contest as well. Writers, 12-99 years old, can send in one short story every three months. Readers can comment on the stories and rate them. At the end of each quarter, a top five of best stories will be announced on the website. At the end of the year, a book with 30 short stories, selected by a professional jury, will be published.
To participate in this contest, I edited a story I wrote nine years ago. It is a story about the night my mother died, something I wrote immediately the morning after. It is very much a story about the tears and smiles that go hand in hand when you lose someone you love so dearly. The story was published on the website and I asked about 40 people to comment on it. Most reactions gave my ego a great boost. Some people (who did not know my mother...) even had to cry while reading it, so they told me. That is wonderful, considering the fact that you want to be able to touch people with what you have written. However, there were two people who really criticized the story on its content.
I had not been able to touch them. It had become too much of an enumeration of facts and events. There was not enough emotion (left) in the story... Even though you have to swallow a few times before letting it sink in, this was exactly the kind of criticism I was looking for! It made me focus on the story again to analyze what I will be able to do better next time. Even though my internal critic talks to me in a loud voice all the time while I am writing, as a writer you are still very much wandering around in your own small world. If your goal is to improve yourself, you have to be able to embrace these criticisms and make it work for you instead of against you. So, do swallow a few times, but make sure to let the external critic speak as well! Love, M.
To participate in this contest, I edited a story I wrote nine years ago. It is a story about the night my mother died, something I wrote immediately the morning after. It is very much a story about the tears and smiles that go hand in hand when you lose someone you love so dearly. The story was published on the website and I asked about 40 people to comment on it. Most reactions gave my ego a great boost. Some people (who did not know my mother...) even had to cry while reading it, so they told me. That is wonderful, considering the fact that you want to be able to touch people with what you have written. However, there were two people who really criticized the story on its content.
I had not been able to touch them. It had become too much of an enumeration of facts and events. There was not enough emotion (left) in the story... Even though you have to swallow a few times before letting it sink in, this was exactly the kind of criticism I was looking for! It made me focus on the story again to analyze what I will be able to do better next time. Even though my internal critic talks to me in a loud voice all the time while I am writing, as a writer you are still very much wandering around in your own small world. If your goal is to improve yourself, you have to be able to embrace these criticisms and make it work for you instead of against you. So, do swallow a few times, but make sure to let the external critic speak as well! Love, M.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Downside of Passion
The word 'passion' is probably one of the most beaten paths of our time. It is used and, most of all, abused to randomly describe or express any strong emotion. Especially when presenting ourselves to other people, the word 'passion' is used quite often. Anything to make sure that we do not look boring in any way...
I try to avoid using the word. It is difficult though, as I love passion. Passion in its pure form is beautiful to me. The passion (love, affection, eroticism) between two people. People that handle things in life with passion (engagement, spirit, enthusiasm, verve, elan), instead of just letting days pass by. A great song, sung with passion (zealousness, impetus). A good story, told with passion (excitement). I love Italy because there is passion (spirit, liveliness, zealousness)! Passion is life to me. Life is passion.
What do you get when you put two passionate people together as a couple? For sure, a lot of energy! They will probably have lively discussions. Laugh like crazy together. Create something. Flirt. Enthuse each other. Dance like madmen. Stimulate each other. Get drunk. Challenge each other to extremes. Make crazy love. They will push each others limits. Passionate people are usually optimistic, sanguine, cheerful, competitive, enthusiastic, vivacious and zealous. Everything in top gear.
However, that's the bright side, because the higher the highs, the lower the lows. They can passionately linger in grieve, complain, hold grudges against someone, be 'passionately' lazy or totally down. And all of that with the same intensity as the fun things... As much as two passionate people can reinforce each other, they can also destroy each other with an equal force. It's the other side of passion. The downside. Just think of it whenever you read the word... Love, M.
I try to avoid using the word. It is difficult though, as I love passion. Passion in its pure form is beautiful to me. The passion (love, affection, eroticism) between two people. People that handle things in life with passion (engagement, spirit, enthusiasm, verve, elan), instead of just letting days pass by. A great song, sung with passion (zealousness, impetus). A good story, told with passion (excitement). I love Italy because there is passion (spirit, liveliness, zealousness)! Passion is life to me. Life is passion.
What do you get when you put two passionate people together as a couple? For sure, a lot of energy! They will probably have lively discussions. Laugh like crazy together. Create something. Flirt. Enthuse each other. Dance like madmen. Stimulate each other. Get drunk. Challenge each other to extremes. Make crazy love. They will push each others limits. Passionate people are usually optimistic, sanguine, cheerful, competitive, enthusiastic, vivacious and zealous. Everything in top gear.
However, that's the bright side, because the higher the highs, the lower the lows. They can passionately linger in grieve, complain, hold grudges against someone, be 'passionately' lazy or totally down. And all of that with the same intensity as the fun things... As much as two passionate people can reinforce each other, they can also destroy each other with an equal force. It's the other side of passion. The downside. Just think of it whenever you read the word... Love, M.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Publishers and Latin Lovers
Three things get pretty clear when you visit the websites of publishers:
1. Don't be impatient: your manuscript will end up on the bottom of a pile of hundreds of other manuscripts and it can take months and months before an editor even takes the time and effort to read it
2. Don't get your hopes up too high: presuming that the publisher likes your manuscript, it still has to fit into one of the funds
3. Don't show any assertiveness: don't call us, we'll call you!
Not very encouraging for a novice writer... Last week I got the name of an editor within a reputable publishing house through the sister of a colleague of a friend of mine. Are you still with me...? As I was in a bold mood, I decided to give her a call right away. To my surprise I had a great, very relaxed conversation with this editor. After listening patiently to my story, she immediately requested me to send her everything I had written so far, including the extra scenes! Within 3-4 weeks I will have her feedback by email, she promised me. Even though she still has to read it (and, most of all: like it!), she had made my day already! What a great start!
Because of the DSK-affair, there is a lively discussion going on within the French media at the moment: do they need to report about the private lives of public figures or not? So far, no one did. In a 'Latin Lover' country like France, flirtatious behavior of powerful men has always been generally - not to mention proudly - accepted. A Latin man is made to seduce women, period. However, where does the 'art of seduction' end and does harassment start? There is a thin line, between innocent flirting and touching and obtrusiveness...
The above shows a big similarity with a phenomenon I have described in my book. When a married Italian man has a mistress, no one - apart from the wife - will probably blink an eye. There is an almost silent, general acceptance, like men can't help themselves being born in a culture of machismo. Even though the younger generation seems to deal with this a bit differently, having an 'amante' is still very common in Italy. For me it is just one of the many factors that makes the Italian culture intriguing, for numerous Italian wives it is a pain in the neck... Love, M.
1. Don't be impatient: your manuscript will end up on the bottom of a pile of hundreds of other manuscripts and it can take months and months before an editor even takes the time and effort to read it
2. Don't get your hopes up too high: presuming that the publisher likes your manuscript, it still has to fit into one of the funds
3. Don't show any assertiveness: don't call us, we'll call you!
Not very encouraging for a novice writer... Last week I got the name of an editor within a reputable publishing house through the sister of a colleague of a friend of mine. Are you still with me...? As I was in a bold mood, I decided to give her a call right away. To my surprise I had a great, very relaxed conversation with this editor. After listening patiently to my story, she immediately requested me to send her everything I had written so far, including the extra scenes! Within 3-4 weeks I will have her feedback by email, she promised me. Even though she still has to read it (and, most of all: like it!), she had made my day already! What a great start!
Because of the DSK-affair, there is a lively discussion going on within the French media at the moment: do they need to report about the private lives of public figures or not? So far, no one did. In a 'Latin Lover' country like France, flirtatious behavior of powerful men has always been generally - not to mention proudly - accepted. A Latin man is made to seduce women, period. However, where does the 'art of seduction' end and does harassment start? There is a thin line, between innocent flirting and touching and obtrusiveness...
The above shows a big similarity with a phenomenon I have described in my book. When a married Italian man has a mistress, no one - apart from the wife - will probably blink an eye. There is an almost silent, general acceptance, like men can't help themselves being born in a culture of machismo. Even though the younger generation seems to deal with this a bit differently, having an 'amante' is still very common in Italy. For me it is just one of the many factors that makes the Italian culture intriguing, for numerous Italian wives it is a pain in the neck... Love, M.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Una Donna Per Bene
While everybody was out enjoying the wonderful spring sun (it has been extremely warm for this time of the year), I have been indoors writing, writing, writing this last month to make my deadline. After all, I had promised my friend a real manuscript to hand to a publisher. The first part of my book! So I wrote, read and rewrote. And wrote, read and rewrote. And wrote... Anyway, I guess you get the point by now. I have even been too busy to update this blog!
And then... a phone call from my Italian friend. Her mother had passed away, at age 86. Even though I had met her only once, I had a strong feeling of involvement. Despite of her age, she was still a goodlooking, very sophisticated lady. 'Una donna per bene' you would say in Italian. A woman from a good family. Refined. Classy. She is one of the characters in my book. After the news, I wasn't able to write for a day or two. I couldn't 'touch' her character in the book. It felt like I had to let the book rest for a few days, just to honor her. So that's what I did.
But as always... life goes on. Every now and then, I give part of what I have written to a good friend of mine to judge it. She is one of the few people that I can trust in this process on being completely honest with me. She has told me before to rephrase things or to 'sharpen' the story here and there. After a few days she sent me a text message:
'I am deeply impressed with what I have read this time. Please finish the story soon! You can call yourself a writer now.'
Wow, what a pleasant surprise that was! The next challenge is now to find a publisher that shares her opinion... Love, M.
And then... a phone call from my Italian friend. Her mother had passed away, at age 86. Even though I had met her only once, I had a strong feeling of involvement. Despite of her age, she was still a goodlooking, very sophisticated lady. 'Una donna per bene' you would say in Italian. A woman from a good family. Refined. Classy. She is one of the characters in my book. After the news, I wasn't able to write for a day or two. I couldn't 'touch' her character in the book. It felt like I had to let the book rest for a few days, just to honor her. So that's what I did.
But as always... life goes on. Every now and then, I give part of what I have written to a good friend of mine to judge it. She is one of the few people that I can trust in this process on being completely honest with me. She has told me before to rephrase things or to 'sharpen' the story here and there. After a few days she sent me a text message:
'I am deeply impressed with what I have read this time. Please finish the story soon! You can call yourself a writer now.'
Wow, what a pleasant surprise that was! The next challenge is now to find a publisher that shares her opinion... Love, M.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Scenes, Deadlines & Title
During the whole process I have found out that I am better in writing emotional scenes than scenes that are just there to connect everything. When writing the emotional scenes, I can actually place myself in the position of the protagonist and feel the phase that she is going through as if I am living it myself. It is so real and costs me so much energy, that sometimes I am completely exhausted after writing it! It also makes me feel like I want to take some distance from what I just wrote.
May 1st, the deadline, is approaching fast all of a sudden. When I promised my friend 150 pages to take to the publisher, I might have been slightly overoptimistic. Right now I have written about 80 pages. I will do my very best to finish the 150, but in the end I think it is more important to deliver a good story than quantity.
Yesterday I have found another novice writer through Twitter, or better said, she found me. She has found a publisher already and is working on the cover of the book now. That made me think again about a title. Right now the story still has very uninspiring titles like 'version 1.1', 'version 1.2' etc. I want to make sure that I do not overwrite something without being able to go back to the way it was written before. After all, the book has had several beginnings already. Anyway, I trust on the fact that a title will come up somewhere, somehow... Love, M.
May 1st, the deadline, is approaching fast all of a sudden. When I promised my friend 150 pages to take to the publisher, I might have been slightly overoptimistic. Right now I have written about 80 pages. I will do my very best to finish the 150, but in the end I think it is more important to deliver a good story than quantity.
Yesterday I have found another novice writer through Twitter, or better said, she found me. She has found a publisher already and is working on the cover of the book now. That made me think again about a title. Right now the story still has very uninspiring titles like 'version 1.1', 'version 1.2' etc. I want to make sure that I do not overwrite something without being able to go back to the way it was written before. After all, the book has had several beginnings already. Anyway, I trust on the fact that a title will come up somewhere, somehow... Love, M.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Milestone
- Writing is a verb -
Last week I have reached my first milestone: the first ten chapters of my book are finished! Okay, they still need to be rewritten and some things might need to be added, but considered all this, it feels pretty good to have completed this part! All of a sudden it is the beginning of a real story with body, where characters come alive. The good thing about the way I started, with writing short stories per chapter, is that I have already written some material to use later on in the book.
Apart from writing I still keep on doing research per topic. Still looking for tips on how to improve myself as a novice writer as well. I keep on searching for information, confirmation and input to check if I am still on the right track. The question came to mind: 'What makes a novel a GOOD novel?' Well, that depends on who you ask, as it mostly based on personal taste. Of course there are guidelines and formulas to write a book, especially a novel. A great website to consult for this is www.schrijvenonline.org with many forums and tips from professional writers. Another thing I am doing at the moment is rereading novels, with the eyes of a writer this time, to analyze them.
I have summarized tips and personal opinions of readers and came to quite a list. Are you ready? Here it comes! A good story: needs to be original, unpredictable, exclusive and credible, has lively characters, is written in clear language and a fluent way, triggers emotions with the reader, gives the reader something to think about, has to have continuity, contains some threat, mystery or suspense, 'draws' the reader into the world of the book, challenges the reader to come to new insights, provokes the imagination of the reader, shows good research and, last but not least, seduces the reader to read it more than once... Still a long way to go, but I am enjoying the view along the way!, Love, M.
Last week I have reached my first milestone: the first ten chapters of my book are finished! Okay, they still need to be rewritten and some things might need to be added, but considered all this, it feels pretty good to have completed this part! All of a sudden it is the beginning of a real story with body, where characters come alive. The good thing about the way I started, with writing short stories per chapter, is that I have already written some material to use later on in the book.
Apart from writing I still keep on doing research per topic. Still looking for tips on how to improve myself as a novice writer as well. I keep on searching for information, confirmation and input to check if I am still on the right track. The question came to mind: 'What makes a novel a GOOD novel?' Well, that depends on who you ask, as it mostly based on personal taste. Of course there are guidelines and formulas to write a book, especially a novel. A great website to consult for this is www.schrijvenonline.org with many forums and tips from professional writers. Another thing I am doing at the moment is rereading novels, with the eyes of a writer this time, to analyze them.
I have summarized tips and personal opinions of readers and came to quite a list. Are you ready? Here it comes! A good story: needs to be original, unpredictable, exclusive and credible, has lively characters, is written in clear language and a fluent way, triggers emotions with the reader, gives the reader something to think about, has to have continuity, contains some threat, mystery or suspense, 'draws' the reader into the world of the book, challenges the reader to come to new insights, provokes the imagination of the reader, shows good research and, last but not least, seduces the reader to read it more than once... Still a long way to go, but I am enjoying the view along the way!, Love, M.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Eureka!
The best ideas I ever had were always born during nightly hours. Few nights ago, at 3.30 AM, it all of a sudden clicked in my mind! Suddenly it became crystal clear how I should connect the different story lines, how to model the book. Do you know the feeling being in the middle of reading a great, interesting book and not being able to put it aside? That is exactly how I feel about writing now. I simply cannot stop anymore! Words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters... it feels like they have been there all along and suddenly got the start sign to come out.
So household, social events and social media are all on hold (never having too much trouble with the first one, by the way): I am a writer with a mission now. With new self- esteem and a clear story to tell. The comments of my friends did me lots of good as well. It gave me just the confirmation I was looking for. What is nice as well is that these people actually know what I am working on now. I have created expectations, on purpose. Now it is up to me not to let people down. Exciting!
The one who has not read anything yet is my Italian friend, on who's life the novel is based. In the whole process, this might be the most scary step I have to take: letting her read it. Even scarier than handing it to a publisher. Will she be happy with the way I describe her, her life story and the people in her life? Of course I have chosen fiction to be able to add, enlarge or leave out things to make the story more interesting, but in the end it is about her and the people around her. Maybe you can imagine this idea makes me pretty nervous. That will be the test of all tests. But first... some more writing to do! Love, M.
So household, social events and social media are all on hold (never having too much trouble with the first one, by the way): I am a writer with a mission now. With new self- esteem and a clear story to tell. The comments of my friends did me lots of good as well. It gave me just the confirmation I was looking for. What is nice as well is that these people actually know what I am working on now. I have created expectations, on purpose. Now it is up to me not to let people down. Exciting!
The one who has not read anything yet is my Italian friend, on who's life the novel is based. In the whole process, this might be the most scary step I have to take: letting her read it. Even scarier than handing it to a publisher. Will she be happy with the way I describe her, her life story and the people in her life? Of course I have chosen fiction to be able to add, enlarge or leave out things to make the story more interesting, but in the end it is about her and the people around her. Maybe you can imagine this idea makes me pretty nervous. That will be the test of all tests. But first... some more writing to do! Love, M.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Push, Comment & Boost
Every writer has his/her own speed and structure to work. Some are very disciplined; they write a steady number of hours or words each day. I also intended to do that, but unfortunately, that kind of structure and discipline just isn't me. Sometimes I am writing several hours a day, other days I do not put one word in writing. Go with the flow, that's typically me. The good thing is that I am not bound to any deadlines yet, so I can take it easy. But easy is usually no good for me, I know from experience. When deadlines appear in sight, that's when my mind works full speed. That is when I am most creative and productive!
Last week a friend of mine asked me how much I had written so far. Good question, because, as I am writing on more than one storyline and chapter 'at the same time', it looks more like a jigsaw puzzle than a book at the moment! Was I interested in letting a publisher have a look at it and give some specialized feedback, was his next question. Ok, now he had my full attention! What is more interesting than to have an expert give feedback on your work? What a wonderful opportunity! So when would I be ready, he kept on pushing. I hesitated a little more to give a hard commitment at once; I had to think carefully about what would be doable. Few minutes later we agreed that I will hand him 150 pages by May 1st and he will take it to the publisher. This was exactly the push I needed!
I found out last week that it is pretty scary to let someone read your work! I have given the first two chapters to few of my best friends to read. Friends that I trust to read it in a critical way and to give me serious feedback, not to spare my feelings. My objective is to make a great book, not to be flattered. As writing is something you very much do in your own small world, you simply don't see things anymore at one point. I got back some very valid and valuable tips that I will definitely process! Luckily the general description on what they had read so far was 'very cinematic', 'written in an attractive way' and 'I would like to read more'. This is what friends are for: a push, a comment and a boost at the right time! Tnx, my dearests! Love, M.
Last week a friend of mine asked me how much I had written so far. Good question, because, as I am writing on more than one storyline and chapter 'at the same time', it looks more like a jigsaw puzzle than a book at the moment! Was I interested in letting a publisher have a look at it and give some specialized feedback, was his next question. Ok, now he had my full attention! What is more interesting than to have an expert give feedback on your work? What a wonderful opportunity! So when would I be ready, he kept on pushing. I hesitated a little more to give a hard commitment at once; I had to think carefully about what would be doable. Few minutes later we agreed that I will hand him 150 pages by May 1st and he will take it to the publisher. This was exactly the push I needed!
I found out last week that it is pretty scary to let someone read your work! I have given the first two chapters to few of my best friends to read. Friends that I trust to read it in a critical way and to give me serious feedback, not to spare my feelings. My objective is to make a great book, not to be flattered. As writing is something you very much do in your own small world, you simply don't see things anymore at one point. I got back some very valid and valuable tips that I will definitely process! Luckily the general description on what they had read so far was 'very cinematic', 'written in an attractive way' and 'I would like to read more'. This is what friends are for: a push, a comment and a boost at the right time! Tnx, my dearests! Love, M.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Adele
Insecurity has struck... Am I at all able to write a book? Still working on the first four chapters, I am trapped in despair at the moment. A lot of new books are being published lately. Successful Dutch writers are being interviewed on television shows about their latest novels. The way they describe the process of writing and the way they talk about the characters and the stories that have sprang from their brilliant imagination, make me wonder how I can ever measure up to these kind of people. Is this a normal phase to be going through being a newcomer?
Writing is as much a practical process as it is an emotional one, I have experienced already. No matter how much fantasy you have, how great the story is you have in your head or what kind of wonderful writing style you have, you have to be organized. Big time. You have to keep a very clear overview. You have to schedule. You have to structure. Not the best of my skills. You have to stay focused, otherwise you get lost. And that is exactly how I feel at the moment. It frustrates me and makes me wonder if and how I am ever going to finish this book. This morning however I came across one of the very first tweets of my favorite British singer Adele, saying:
'I don’t know what’s going to happen if my music career goes wrong; I haven’t had a proper job yet.'
That was June 27, 2009. Adele has launched two magnificent albums since. The first album sold 2.8 million copies worldwide and Adele definitely doesn't need to worry anymore about a 'proper' job anymore! Apparently insecurity is something we all have to deal with at one point in time. Not that I want to compare myself to Adele when it comes to being talented, but maybe I should stop worrying whether or how I will ever finish this book. I should stop wining and just write, as that is what I love to do. And listen to Adele singing whenever I feel insecure... Love, M.
Writing is as much a practical process as it is an emotional one, I have experienced already. No matter how much fantasy you have, how great the story is you have in your head or what kind of wonderful writing style you have, you have to be organized. Big time. You have to keep a very clear overview. You have to schedule. You have to structure. Not the best of my skills. You have to stay focused, otherwise you get lost. And that is exactly how I feel at the moment. It frustrates me and makes me wonder if and how I am ever going to finish this book. This morning however I came across one of the very first tweets of my favorite British singer Adele, saying:
'I don’t know what’s going to happen if my music career goes wrong; I haven’t had a proper job yet.'
That was June 27, 2009. Adele has launched two magnificent albums since. The first album sold 2.8 million copies worldwide and Adele definitely doesn't need to worry anymore about a 'proper' job anymore! Apparently insecurity is something we all have to deal with at one point in time. Not that I want to compare myself to Adele when it comes to being talented, but maybe I should stop worrying whether or how I will ever finish this book. I should stop wining and just write, as that is what I love to do. And listen to Adele singing whenever I feel insecure... Love, M.
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