Still just writing

Over a year ago, I took the decision to stop writing this blog and to put my writing focus back on my fourth novel.  Now I have completed a (near-final) draft of that novel, I'm back and I'd like to take a moment to fill you in on what's been going for me in the intervening year. 

When I asked myself that question 'what have I been doing?', Anne Tyler's phrase 'Still Just Writing' immediately came to mind.  This phrase is taken from an essay she wrote, one of my favourite essays that I share with many of my clients.  In the essay, she writes of the many tasks that get in the way of writing, the daily, repetitive things that prevent one from reaching the blank page.  Tyler writes so eloquently about 'interruption' and what has always inspired me most about this essay is the fact that, though she has clearly led a life full of interruption, she has also, somehow along the way, produced many wonderful works of fiction.  What strikes me most, whenever I read her words, is that it's actually ok to be interrupted, just so long as we always return to the work.  So long as we lead a 'writing life', so long as our writing continues to be a pull for us, we will, in the end, produce many works.  To be honest, given the many interruptions that have come between me and my writing over the years, I'm still astonished that I have produced five novels:  the first, unpublished and stacked in the attic somewhere; the second and third published in the UK and abroad; the fourth, not published in the UK, but having been translated into Dutch and enjoyed in the Netherlands and the fifth - the manuscript of which sits on my desk, awaiting revisions.

So, it's finished then?  Well, not exactly.  I completed a draft around two months ago now, forwarded the novel to my agent who was pleased with the result but also - being a former editor - desirous of revisions.  So - a summer of revisions beckons and only today I began marking up the manuscript with her notes and those of a couple of my writing girlfriends who have been kind enough to give their feedback.

But what else has been going on over the past year?  What happened to The Writing Coach?  Well, the business has continued to thrive - simply I haven't been shouting about it!  I've generally worked with 5-6 clients at a time, referring a lot of prospecitve clients onto other literary consultancies, determined not to take on too much work, determined to get the book right.  What's been exciting about the last year for me however is that I've had an opportunity to really think about the direction of the business.  For a long time, I have wanted to run a coaching-only business 'Essential Artist' and I will now be launching this in the next couple of weeks.  This will focus on creative mentoring and development for individuals and organisations.  My aim is to work with creative people who are seeking to be successful in art and in business.  To enable me to do this, here at The Writing Coach, we have three new consultants available to work directly with you on your writing work.  I'll also be running one last group here at Writing Coach, the 'Creative Vision Writers' Group' an eight week teleclass from September, limited to twelve writers and I will include more details about this in the next post.

One thing I've been having fun with over the last year is learning to draw and paint.  It seemed, to me, essential, to develop my creativity in a broader sense and to allow myself to be a total beginner again.  I have so enjoyed classes with local artist Stephanie Wilkinson  and am very much looking forward to developing this work in the year ahead.  I'll be writing much more about this experience on the Essential Artist blog when it launches.

But in the meantime, the rewrite of the novel beckons.  It isn't a major rewrite.  My agent called it 'a bit of a haircut' which I thought was a charming way of putting it.  The plot is just fine (thank goodness) but a little tightening is in order, the central character needs to have a bit of a boost, some of the name-dropping needs to go.  All very do-able in the evenings after the children have been tucked up in bed, I feel.  I am looking forward to having a book 'out there' in the market-place again.  I'm also looking forward to a holiday in Barcelona, which promises to be rather wonderful if my last visit there was anything to go by.

But much of the summer, of course, will be taken up with ordinary pleasures.  I shall give the last word to Anne Tyler,

"As the outside world grows less dependable, I keep buttressing my inside world, where people go on meaning well and surprising other people with little touches of grace.  There are days when I sink into my novel like a pool and emerge feeling blank and bemused and used up.  Then I drift over to the schoolyard and there's this mother wondering if I'm doing anything halfway useful yet.  Am I working Have I found a job?  No, I tell her. 

I'm still just writing."

Comments

[fiona robyn]

Love this, Jacqui - where did you find the essay?

[Jacqui Lofthouse]

Thanks Fiona. I was sent it years ago by another ex-UEA student. I have never managed to find it in print since, but perhaps I will contact her and ask her, so I can share that here. In the meantime, will send you a photocopy of it.

[Stacy]

Hi Jacqui,

So great to read your blog again. I was one of the ones taking inspiration from your blog when you were working on the outline for your Writing Coach ebook. Since then, I'm happy to say that I've been published numerous times in short romantic fiction and one novel plus a children's series. I still use what I learned from you to help me stop forcing perfection the first time and simply let the words flow freely. Thank you!

I do understand what you mean about art and the creative venues. I've sketched and painted all my life and find that one creative outlet definitely helps the other. I've even recently got to illustrate the covers of my children's ebook series.

So, for everyone just joining Jacqui on her blog, I highly recommend you come back often! Inspiration, support and confidence are just a few of the things I've gathered from her words. Thank you, Jacqui!

[Jacqui Lofthouse]

Hello Stacy,

That is just wonderful news about your publication - many congratulations! And I'm so pleased that my earlier work helped make some contribution there. I look forward to taking a look at your children's book covers. And thank-you for your support.