"Write like no one is looking over your shoulder..."
The art of enjoying the process
“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say.”
I found this quote yesterday, after watching Barbara Kingsolver win the Women’s Prize for Fiction for the second time, with her novel Demon Copperhead. I’ve not read the book yet, but it’s on my list. She’s one of my favourite authors, and I’m so pleased to see her win; her grace and ability to connect with people is something I aspire to. I’ve put the quote in my file of inspiration, and will use it as a sign post to guide me on my own writing path.
This one too, from Terry Pratchett:
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”
has gone in the file. As I move into the last leg of writing the book, or at least the first draft of the book, and prepare to start working with the editors to bring it to a shine, I am beginning to look back at this stage of the journey with something like nostalgia. I’ve learned so much about myself as a person, and as a writer, on the way. One of the things I have learned, a skill really, is to trust my own voice and my own story, to ‘shut the door’ and write. There were times when I felt blocked, and the block came from me worrying about the validity of my story; comparing myself to other writers and their intimidating, blazing talent. Whenever this happens, my writing starts to thin out, my voice starts to peter out like the thin waves at the edge of a lake. I have to pull myself back and back, remind myself that the passion is always what saves a story, that writing authentically, about what interests you, is the way to make your writing sing. To write freely, as if no one is watching you, as if social media doesn’t exist, as if no one will read your book; that’s the key. I’ve stepped back from social media in an attempt to nail the final stretch of the book. I am ‘figuring out what I want to say’ and how I want to say it, and it is like solving a glorious puzzle. I haven’t missed social media as much as I thought I would. Stepping back has allowed me to embrace the life I want - writing, thinking. I hope I look back on this time and recognise the absolute joy of existing in this moment; getting up, writing, walking, writing. I shall miss writing this book, I shall miss the discoveries, the journey it has taken me on. But I’m ready for the next part of the journey too. How strange the act of writing, that a person could exist entirely in words fished from the air.
'Literature is how we make our hearts grow bigger. And that's how we change the world'
Another Barbara Kingsolver quote, this time from the speech she gave at the awards ceremony for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Imagine all the people who have ever written a book - poetry, fiction, non fiction, narrative non fiction. There must be billions of stories out there. I imagine all the voices, all the stories in the world in some great library, an infinite library where new voices are added, where no voices lost. A great wall of stories, a great aviary of voices - everyone who ever wrote a book is in there, their voices singing - all connecting, influencing, inspiring, provoking. It is thrilling to be there with them.
What I’m Reading
I’m slow with my reading this year, mainly because I’m writing more. But I started Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang on Friday night and finished it before Monday. You know when people talk about books they couldn’t put down? This is one of those for me. I’ve not read any of her previous works but will definitely seek them out now I’ve read Yellowface. It is phenomenal. Tense, witty, clever, horrifying (esp. if you’re an author- stuff of nightmares). I hated, but somehow also felt a great deal of compassion for the protagonist, which is testament to the skill of this author, who subtly deconstructs the perception of creative and cultural ownership, and the influence of social media on perspective, whilst telling an utterly thrilling story. This is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time. Just brilliant.
Book Club News
The June Books from the Margin book club choice is Helen Mort’s brilliant novel Black Car Burning. Come and join me for some zoom book chat on Sunday 25th June 10-11am UK time. You don’t have to have read the book, just come along and enjoy an hour of book love with the group.
Helen has very kindly offered to read and chat about Black Car Burning on zoom, and you can come along too. It’s pay what you can. Friday June 30th 7-7.45pm UK time
Don’t forget, if you have questions for helen, you can send them to me. Just comment on this post and I’ll make sure they reach her.
Following the Breadcrumbs
The feedback package has now sold out for my July writing challenge, but you can still book a place on the community package or email only. Come and join me in July for a month of re-writing fairytales.
Coming Soon
Eyes peeled for an announcement coming in July, I have something exciting up my sleeve that I hope you’ll be a part of. I don’t want to say what yet, but I can tell you it’s FREE.
Until next time, take care.
x