The black hole of a new book
Hello,
Sorry for the long absence. I dove into what I call 'the black hole of a new book.' This is basically that bending of time and space where, as a fellow author so charmingly put it in a recent email, "Head down, bum up is the only option." In other words, deadlines approach and it's time to stop messing around.
For some reason, I seem to devolve as the book evolves. I wake up, put on my sweats, and proceed to wear them all day as I write. I shave once a week when someone reminds me. I move between the armchair I write in, the coffee pot, the sofa, back to the armchair, fall asleep in the armchair with the laptop on my lap, wake up and continue writing... I also watch my email pile up with this kind of fascinated atavism, like a caveman watching a tree on fire after a lightning strike. There have been moments when my girlfriend has gotten me to leave the house and I put my hand up and squint at the sun like Papillon being let out of his cell.
I've decided, because of all of this, that I need to make some changes... The big fault is that I let myself write across a seven day span. In other words, no days are off limits. I've written on Christmas day the last two years. I'm a pretty goal oriented person, so I worked out, if I was to write, say, X number of words per day Mon-Friday, then I'd be comfortable taking Saturday and Sunday off. Maybe.
I put this into motion at the end of last week. It's a pretty hefty word target, so meeting it tends to leave a lot of blood on the floor, but if... if if if... then I could have weekends off and not feel guilty about it.*
Something to live for.
Reading's been slow of late. Books I finished that I thought were very good:
The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick
Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham
*maybe
Sorry for the long absence. I dove into what I call 'the black hole of a new book.' This is basically that bending of time and space where, as a fellow author so charmingly put it in a recent email, "Head down, bum up is the only option." In other words, deadlines approach and it's time to stop messing around.
For some reason, I seem to devolve as the book evolves. I wake up, put on my sweats, and proceed to wear them all day as I write. I shave once a week when someone reminds me. I move between the armchair I write in, the coffee pot, the sofa, back to the armchair, fall asleep in the armchair with the laptop on my lap, wake up and continue writing... I also watch my email pile up with this kind of fascinated atavism, like a caveman watching a tree on fire after a lightning strike. There have been moments when my girlfriend has gotten me to leave the house and I put my hand up and squint at the sun like Papillon being let out of his cell.
I've decided, because of all of this, that I need to make some changes... The big fault is that I let myself write across a seven day span. In other words, no days are off limits. I've written on Christmas day the last two years. I'm a pretty goal oriented person, so I worked out, if I was to write, say, X number of words per day Mon-Friday, then I'd be comfortable taking Saturday and Sunday off. Maybe.
I put this into motion at the end of last week. It's a pretty hefty word target, so meeting it tends to leave a lot of blood on the floor, but if... if if if... then I could have weekends off and not feel guilty about it.*
Something to live for.
Reading's been slow of late. Books I finished that I thought were very good:
The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick
Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham
*maybe
posted by Cody McFadyen at
9:25 AM
5 Comments:
Cannot wait for the new book! Your subjects are darker than what I normally go for, but you are such a great writer that I forge ahead into the dark places anyway! I will buy your book, but I've also suggested to our library system that they purchase it as well. When you are a hugely successful author, I will be able to say I read you from the beginning!
Hi Cody! You've had several weeks now to put that plan into action - how's it going?
Just a reminder - tomorrow is Saturday. It would be great if you would get out of the house and breathe in some fresh air. Even if all you do is go to the park with your furry friends. It's healthier for the mind and body to break up that intense, concentrated work. No pressure, I just want a favorite author to be around for a long time! :)
Susan: thanks very much! I'm always appreciative when a reader recommends me to others - there's not really any greater flattery for a writer.
Joy: Thanks. Actually, I'm managing to stick to it about 90%. I have gotten out, thanks, and yes... wow... there is a world out there. The sun, though - it burns, it burns!
Hi Cody I have to say that from the time I first read your book I was unable to put it down, quickly followed by the second and then a torturous wait for the third. This was also outstanding. I'm an avid reader of 'serial killer' stories and can genuinely say "you are the best out there"!
I hope we are not waiting too long for the next one here in the UK! My mum and I are hooked!
Take care!
Hi Cody,
By the time I discovered you, you had written three books which I promptly devoured in two days. I can't wait for the next one. I have recommended you to everyone who enjoys my "type" of novels. Keep up the great work!
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