Time: noon today. Place: Oak Island, NC. Temperature: 70. Activity: Revising.
Today I was working on revisions. At the beach. Truly. Received long, eloquent editorial letter yesterday, with astute observations and questions on the work-in-progress. The questions are complicated and not easy to resolve, but if resolved, they will make the book stronger. And so today, with the questions in mind, I walked the beach. And sat. And walked. And sat. And thought.
The value of thinking/gazing time is enormous. It's an essential part of writing, and it is why many writers take on that glazed, daft look: they are off in the world of the book, resolving problems, even when they are not at the computer/typewriter/paper--maybe especially when they are not at the computer/typewriter/paper.
These are the times when I put the phone in the fridge, the milk in the oven, keys in the freezer. It is hard to live in two worlds at once, mm?
Described so perfectly. I'm excited to see the results of this Eloquent Editorial Letter.
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally get this! (And revising at the beach sounds heavenly)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like the beautiful beach to inspire your muse. Good luck with your revisions!
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the revisions don't take too long or your fridge will start ringing, your milk will turn to pudding and you'll lock in freshness in the freezer in a way those little burpy containers can't possibly manage.
ReplyDeleteMy greatest ideas come when I'm pulling weeds!
ReplyDeleteI've been known to drive off without my groceries when I'm in that state. What great inspiration every morning! Good luck on the edits.
ReplyDeleteRe-visioning at the beach. I'm ready to do so.
ReplyDeletenellie
Ahhh, the gazing time! Yes. (I've been revising lately sunk up to my ears in the steamy bath, but it's too cold right now for beach-gazing here.) Good luck on the revisions! Also so excited to find your blog--here via a tweet from Molly O'Neil.
ReplyDeleteGood with your revisions! I wish I could be sitting by a beach! I am sure your book will be a huge success!
ReplyDeleteSuch inspiration....and so beautiful compared to what we are looking at here!
ReplyDeleteoh 70 degrees, please come visit me! love the beach pic, and i get a lot of inspriring thoughts when i am in the barn cleaning stall...just me and the stalls and a few cats running around. pure bliss!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great spot you picked to think and work on revisions.
ReplyDeleteMy best ideas seem to bubble up to the surface while I'm at places that begin with the letter "b"...bathroom, bed, behind the wheel, beach.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found time to post amidst your wonderings and wanderings!
ReplyDeleteBeaches have a wonderful sort of silence that allows one's thoughts to organize themselves. Did you know Susan Cooper used to blow bubbles when she needed to think? (And get annoyed when someone caught her and accused her of not writing--because she was doing the important part then. :)
I hope you are very satisfied with the revisions that hard work and inspiration will bring about.
(And I'm trying not to be jealous of the 70 degree weather...)
Thank you for validating that "glazed-over" look.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to share that contemplative walk. I love the insight into your process of working with your editor. Wishing you a fulfilling and peaceful weekend! – g
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful news about your new book!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, I'm so happy for you!
Léia