Confessions of a lazy perfectionist

Eek!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:26:00 +0000

I've just taken the plunge and splashed out on lots of course books for my new degree course. I don't know whether it will mean that I spend less time blogging, because I'll have so much to do, or whether I'll spend more time procrastinating, which could lead to a blogging explosion...

Seriously?!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:32:00 +0000

I have ONLY JUST noticed that I have three characters with the same name. Oh well, I've only been writing this for A YEAR.

This has not been a good weekend for my brain. I'm going to take a brief chocolate break before I carry on with the text edits.

Blushing retraction

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:18:00 +0000

In future, when I am driven to such lengths of frustration by my computer that I am compelled to post a ranty blog on the subject, I will endeavour to check that, for example (hypothetically, of course), I haven't set the default language to Italian.

Sigh.

I growl at technology

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:44:00 +0000

I am taking a break from re-plotting to go through the top-line text edits of my first draft, and for reasons of version control, am doing these edits in Scrivener, rather than in my over-sized and rather lumpy Word document of the whole 100,000 words. But, for some INFURIATING reason, EVERY new word I type comes up with a red line underneath it. And sometimes the word next to it too! I KNOW HOW TO SPELL 'THERE'. AND 'MIND'. AND 'TO'. But currently, my computer doesn't believe me.

Heaven Can Wait - Cally Taylor

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:22:00 +0000

I don't read a lot of chick lit, but 'Heaven Can Wait' had two major advantages for me. Firstly, I know the author, Cally Taylor, and secondly, I have a bit of a weakness for all things supernatural. I started reading as soon as I got home. Every time I tried to stop and get on with the many jobs I needed to do that evening, I thought, 'Oh, just one more chapter...' and eventually I realised resistance was futile - I finished it in one evening.

Something about the writing reminded me of Neil Gaiman, possibly the mix of the everyday with the supernatural, and the unlikely hero (or rather heroine in this case) overcoming bizarre obstacles to achieve the 'right' thing, not necessarily their heart's desire. The humour was also a wonderful mix of juvenile guffaws with clever observational gems, but the ending achieved something special, as it brought a tear to my eye. This is easier said than done, because I have clinically dry eyes - I have to use eye-drops with the worst name ever (I can't put it here, it could have an interesting effect on my searches profile...). I've also persuaded one of my colleagues to buy her own copy, by cunningly letting her read the back, then refusing to let her borrow it! It's a risky book-selling technique I realise, but it's working so far...

That autumn feeling

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:49:00 +0000

It's been a while since I posted, but lots has been happening behind the scenes. I finished my read-through of 'Unseen' last night - it's taken me ages! At the moment the holes are so big I'm feeling rather daunted about what I need to do to patch the plot up, but at least I know where they all are now. Tomorrow night I'm going to have a massive plotathon, then start writing the missing scenes and cutting the rubbish ones. S says he wants to read it too, and I think it would be useful to have someone else's opinion, though it's too shaky for me to show to any of my readers yet...

But while I am excited about moving 'Unseen' to the next level, the chill in the air is making me think about NaNo. I know it would be crazy to start a new WIP now (not least because I've just signed up to do a part-time degree in Italian Literature... gulp!), but I've been working on 'Unseen' for so long that it's only natural that my brain is percolating the ideas for the Next Big Thing. I just need to let them simmer a bit longer!

The Dogs and the Wolves - Irene Nemirovsky

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:14:00 +0000

While it is set earlier than Suite Française, and not exclusively in France, The Dogs and the Wolves is nevertheless a similar mixture of the epic and the intimate. The divisions in the Sinner family run deep, with one branch privileged and cultured, the other struggling for stability. Ada Sinner glimpses her more fortunate cousin Harry several times throughout their childhood, and feels herself drawn to him, much to her other cousin Ben’s disgust.

As the families move to Paris, the distinctions between them grow, and yet Ada remains convinced Harry is part of her destiny, and is unwilling to let this go despite the obvious barriers between them. The poignant prose leads to a feeling of inevitability, highlighting the barriers constructed by society that were generally insurmountable, especially for Jewish foreigners in Paris between the wars. However, it is clear throughout that the wheel of fortune is always turning, and none of the protagonists know where the next revolution will take them.

Did I write THAT?!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:39:00 +0000

So, after a bit of a break, I've started on the bizarre process of the Second Draft. I've never got this far before, so I'm slightly making it up as I go along, but that's fine. It's fun, and fresh, and different from trying to churn out words. Now I'm trying to recognize the ones I wrote 8 months ago.

I've got a shiny new notebook with handy sections, and I've started reading through the 1st draft, making notes on what happens in each chapter in the blue section, while I'm making notes about the characters in the red section. I found that when I was getting to the latter stages of writing, I couldn't remember what I'd called some of the more minor characters, and other little details, so having the main points jotted down should help when I start putting it all back together. My 1st draft is printed out in a big blue folder, and I've been making quick edits on obvious things I've spotted as I go, and also underlined important things in green. It's quite weird - I've foreshadowed things that I hadn't even thought of when I wrote the beginning and I'm also trying to highlight all the little clues I've left through the text to make sure they all come to something later on.

When I've finished my read-through, my plan is to draw a map of the book on a piece of A3 paper, and start working out what needs to change and where the extra chapters that I've thought of need to go. I might start off with this on Post-Its so I can move them around, but I want to end up with a chart I can stick on the wall (if I can persuade S to let me stick something up! Blue tack stains, you know!). And then comes the actual writing again. Phew, it all seems rather complicated now...

FINISHED!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:31:00 +0000

At 100,794 words, the first draft of 'Unseen' is finished! I would have posted about this earlier, but I actually typed the final words in the car on Friday night, while being whisked away to the wonderful Losehill House Hotel for a surprise birthday getaway. I haven't drunk the pink prosecco yet, but I think a glass or two might be in order this evening...

Almost... there...

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:50:00 +0000

2.5% left. I can do this! I think I've sorted out what the ending is going to be, and even realised I have another little twist left. Despite distractions (like my birthday on Friday), I am GOING to finish it by Sunday. Honest.

Another inch

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:01:00 +0000

With 1000 more words since yesterday lunchtime, and a revelation that I've just started my penultimate chapter, I'm another inch closer to 'The End', and drinking the bottle of pink prosecco that's been tempting me from the fridge for months now. I just have one, tiny problem. I know what goes in this chapter, and even the first half of the next one, but I have no idea what needs to happen once all the loose ends are tied off and everyone knows everything. Is it good enough just to say '...and they all lived happily ever after'?

Did you see that?

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:13:00 +0000

My word count just crept up - 1500 words since Sunday. At this rate, I may actually finish it this weekend.

SQUEEE!

Don't tell my Italian teacher...

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Three days before my penultimate A level Italian exam I have finally finished reading my set text, 'Volevo i pantaloni', by Lara Cardello! I managed 80-something pages last autumn, when we were actually studying the book in class, but never quite got around to finishing the damn thing. However, as the old adage goes, pressure produces diamonds, and with the thought of having to write an essay (albeit only 250 words) on this book later this week, I had to get going on it. This weekend was mostly spent curled up with my HUGE but wonderful dictionary, my copy of 'Volevo' and a notebook for key vocab, and I just finished off the last 13 pages during my lunch break, helped along by the yummy Covent Garden soup of the month. Just don't tell my teacher I'm 6 months late with this particular assignment...

Another week, another lack of words...

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Yep, you guessed it, no writing this week. I don't even really have time to add this, but I've got 2 books to add to my 'Read in 2009' list (I know, I know - reading, not writing...) and I don't want to get behind in that as well. My only excuse is that I have been writing, but in Italian, preparing for my exams over the next 2 weeks. When they're over, I'll have completely run out of excuses so I'll have to start writing again!

Writing fail

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:28:00 +0000

Oops. Instead of writing during the many hours driving (Manchester - Bristol - villages near Exeter - Newport - Manchester) over the weekend, I did no writing at all. I listened to Radio 4, which included a surprising lack of comedy during the hours we were listening. Well, intentional comedy. I suppose when the news programming is focusing on MP's duck houses it sort of merges...

Zzzz

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:44:00 +0000

Maybe it was slightly over-ambitious to think that I would have the brain-space or time to start writing last week, but I've got so many ideas and I really miss it so I thought it might happen. But, unsurprisingly, it didn't. I did have a lovely weekend, with a barbecue (somehow avoiding the customary Mancunian rain), a Eurovision spectacular and a meat-filled birthday dinner for a carnivorous friend keeping me busy.

This weekend does have an extra day tacked on the end with the lovely second May bank holiday, but it also contains a friend's wedding in Devon. And, yet again, S and I are both singing, which will be lovely, but does take up a fair bit of time, especially considering the groom's composition (rather tricky...). That said, I have recently perfected the art of typing while S drives, and it's less anti-social than reading, which is one of the only other methods I have of staying awake when being driven. Maybe the journey to Devon and back is just what I need to finish off those last 7,000 (ish) words?

Normal service will resume shortly

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Last week was one of the busiest I've ever had, culminating in a big meeting in Dublin. Despite having a day off last Monday for the May bank holiday, I managed to work over 60 hours, and am still a little bit drained. I've found the lack of time for anything other than work really frustrating, and I want to try to address this, but I think that it might have to wait for a while... But hopefully, if all goes according to plan, I should have some time for writing before the end of the week.

Photo fun

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:59:00 +0000

As a bit of a bookaholic, I think my Book Nook is the coolest part of my flat.

Pay it Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Weeks after receiving this very exciting package, I have actually got my act together and taken a picture of the goodies Calistro sent me. This means that I can officially declare my part in Pay it Forward open, and anybody who would like a surprise parcel of excitingness should send me an email (eleanor dot steele at gmail dot com). The first three people who provide their address will be the lucky recipients of something suitably fun!

Yay for presents!

I have been eaten by the Evil Monster of Busy...

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:08:00 +0000

...but will return when I have fought my way through its Super-Sized Stomach of Work with my Burning Sword of Efficiency and my Sparkly Arrows of Initiative. But it might take a couple of days.

It's a big monster.

90,000!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:44:00 +0000

A slightly unexpected burst of speed (possibly induced by the contents of Calistro's Pay It Forward gift, which I'll post about properly on Wednesday when I've taken the pictures) on Saturday has taken me past the 90% mark!

It's arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:54:00 +0000

If I wasn't just about to leave the house (we're spending Mothers' Day with my in-laws and we need to get on the road!) then I would SO take pictures and put them up immediately, but frustratingly, I don't have time right now. But, my Pay It Forward package from Calistro has arrived and it is FABULOUS.

Holiday reading

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

ON HOLIDAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:24:00 +0000

Back soon!

Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:22:00 +0000

Still writing, just busy. Will blog again soon...