tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post7546161100379876060..comments2024-03-22T21:55:42.651+00:00Comments on Elizabeth Baines: How long does it take to write a novel?Elizabeth Baineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17193751871434773972noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post-70794360091053967542010-05-12T13:05:48.796+01:002010-05-12T13:05:48.796+01:00She certainly is a great mentor, and I am extremel...She certainly is a great mentor, and I am extremely lucky, I know!<br /><br />Yes, this stage is weird - very exciting, but kind of scary too: you have to know when to let it go so as not to fossilise the thing, and because there are some things that will only resolve in the actual writing.Elizabeth Baineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193751871434773972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post-6666331638204201582010-05-12T12:37:36.823+01:002010-05-12T12:37:36.823+01:00I love this point of the process when you're f...I love this point of the process when you're fiddling with structure, taking notes, playing with coloured pens -- everything other than actually writing. It seems more like play, although it's actually often more difficult, don't you think? Best of luck with it. I know it will come out right. And Fay Weldon? Now that's a good friends to have!!Sue Guineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13556228394020314560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post-2545001482138084992010-05-12T12:10:54.390+01:002010-05-12T12:10:54.390+01:00Ha! I hope so, Adele!Ha! I hope so, Adele!Elizabeth Baineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193751871434773972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post-31614133667715841202010-05-12T11:21:37.961+01:002010-05-12T11:21:37.961+01:00And of course you will, and like in all the best s...And of course you will, and like in all the best stories, you and Novel will live Happily Ever After!adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15826710558292792068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post-62282794259063955852010-05-12T10:58:03.335+01:002010-05-12T10:58:03.335+01:00Yes, it is...! If someone says 'Do it like thi...Yes, it is...! If someone says 'Do it like this' you simply can't do it, even if it's the obvious or only way, because you have to be able to own it and feel it's come from you...Elizabeth Baineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193751871434773972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33010980.post-20324635966859075452010-05-12T10:30:23.290+01:002010-05-12T10:30:23.290+01:00Interesting point you make about friends, spouses,...Interesting point you make about friends, spouses, fellow authors trying to help writers with work in progress: dont tell them how you think they could 'improve' their work when asked to look at it. Instead do the builder's estimate thing? intake breath, barely audibly - writers are sensitive creatures - through teeth? Tell them what jars, where a road bump slows the plot, where you have to double back to check a name, a fact...But don't make suggestions about how to deal with the problems. Sounds like sound advice.gonzopixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01818690898486716581noreply@blogger.com