Friday 27 June 2008

Dilemma!


Hi,


I've not been on here for a while I never seem to have the time at the moment or if I do I don't have the bloody inclination! Those of you who read DJ Kirkby's blog will know that I've been unwell with a mystery illness, well a mystery to the doctors anyway. I'm not going to bore you all with the details DJ's been keeping up to date with that but just to say it makes me tired and irritable. "Nothing new there then!" I hear from the cheap seats at the back. No, you're probably right but never-the-less I'd like to thank DJ for putting up with me through the grumpiness.


While I've been avoiding Blogging I've been working on a project I started a few (or more) years ago. I had great designs on writing a book, (Motorbikes, ducks and crispy sweet apples.) I had the start, middle and ending which just (just pah!) needed putting down on paper. I wrote 30,000 words or so and didn't like it so I tried changing the characters names, that didn't work. Then I took some bits out added other bits in and changed the names again, this didn't do it for me either! I put it away in the drawer and it was left but not forgotten. DJ kept asking when it would be finished "soon!" I'd lie. Then I had an epiphany (this is probably why my stomach is sore I'm sure you're not supposed to do that with a hosepipe and cold coffee!) and decided though the storyline was sound I was approaching it wrong, so I started again. I've worked on it on and off for the last few months and now the first draft is finished. It still needs a lot of work but its got a start, middle and end though it's short a few thousand words but I think I can sort that.


Now I have my dilemma, what to with it now? I think it's okay and DJ likes it (she may have a bias) so at the moment it's 100% success! Do I hide it away and leave it now the monkey is off my back or do I let other people read it who may think it's crap and bring me to tears? Answers on a postcard please!


I'm off to find my red biro. You all enjoy the weekend

10 comments:

Kahless said...

I am so pleased to see you back; I saw you on my fridge tonight!!!!!!

I hope the docs get you well soon.

I have missed you.

I think DJ has sound judgement so just dont think about the bias because she is sound. period. !

Otherwise, why dont you send it to the publishers to find out?

Or ask some bloggers to read it?

Trixie said...

I wanna read... I wanna read!!!!

How about putting a chapter or two up or doing the same as DJ did with her book, posting a chapter a week?

Welcome back by the way!

DJ Kirkby said...

Hi honey
I am so glad you are blogging again. I don't mind you being grumpy, I don't think I would even get to work on a daily basis if I was in as much pain as you are somedays. I think you are coping very well. I love you with every beat of my heart and I don't care if you are a bit grumpy sometimes. As long as I am lucky enough to have you by my side, I will take you anyway I get you. I think that if you want a very honest and non biased opinion about your reading then you should either send it to Kahless and a certain snail with glitter on her shell, like I did, or, as Trixie suggested, post excerpts on a blog.

Caroline said...

Divaboy honey,

In my humble opinion ...

You redraft, then you email to trusted people, people who you value/will listen to what they do/don't say. You get feedback, you redraft. And then you live happily ever after.

I think too much feedback is not always good. Keep it simple at this stage.

As my grandad used to say, "Shy bairns get nowt."

Don't give up on it.

xxx

ps - rather glad I've found your blog.

xxx

Anonymous said...

omg chopper has posted how happy am I yipee he's back grumpy or not you have been missed mate x
ditto to what everyone says about the book and good luck with it x

Kahless said...

I would feel privileged if you wanted me to read your novel. I guess it depends on your target audience?

Lady in red said...

so pleased to have you back, just noticed your last post was on my b'day lol

from what I read of your earlier go at it I am sure it will be good. I would love to read it.

Chris King said...

K; It was difficult coming back after a break mainly because I forgot how to log on! I don't think the doctors have a clue what's wrong with me and I'm starting to think it's all in my head! I'd be happy for you to read the book which really doesn't have a target audience as I wrote it for me and DJ!!
T; Hi Trixie, you seem like someone I used to know? You got a twin?
DJ; Thanks hon!!
C; Nice to see you and thanks for the advice, where's your grandfather from? Sounds like something my grandma would have said!
L.W. Hi! Do you also have an alter ego? I'm going to have to go do something with my blogroll!!
LiR; Thank you!!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I think Caroline has the right idea. It's hard letting other people read what you've written but if DJ likes it then it must be rather good I would think.

Chris King said...

Hi Debs. I don't mind other people reading it, it's what they say that bothers me!! Lol!