Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Stuffed

My head feels like it's stuffed with cotton wool today, ready to pop all over my dark green duvet. (yes, I'm in bed again, hurray for writerhood!)

Perhaps I'm a little under the weather that is having a tantrum of nuclear proportions outside?

Or maybe it's because of the documentary about Stephen Hawking last night, which I could follow until they started talking about String Theory and stretched my gray matter to breaking point?

Whatever the reason, I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. But I did manage 956 words so far. Not my best work, but it's still something.

I also finished Maggie O'Farrell's After You'd Gone which I really enjoyed. I found the style and colour of her writing to be so original and emotive. She really let the characters speak for themselves and I couldn't help but care for them. Incredibly well-paced too - I couldn't believe it was her first novel.

One minor quibble, I found the dialogue stilted and unrealistic at times, it reminded me of the dialogue in my first draft which actually gave me hope. If I could produce something in my first draft that reminded me of a published novel I enjoyed, I might have a chance in the publishing wilderness!

17 comments:

Alix said...

Well 965 is better than nothing so well done!

I am about 2/3 way through After you'd gone and am loving it, I really like Maggie O'Farrel's style. Although I can't read it when I'm tired you need to concentrate!

Dr Sam Becket explains string theory really well ;)

Alix said...

Your welcome on the award :)

CL Taylor said...

Interesting comment on Maggie O'Farrell. I read and loved that book a few years ago (before I started on my own novel). It would be interesting to see what I think of it now I've redrafted my novel several times. I hope it still holds the same magic but, from reading novels recently and finding myself editing them in my head, I'm not holding out much hope!

Yvonne said...

Alix, thanks for the support, you are right, something is always better than nothing. Maggie O'Farrell's style is just brilliant and I'm such a fan of Dr Becket!

Cal, I still absolutely loved the book even though I'm in full editing mode, so kudos to Maggie O'Farrell for holding up to my impossible standard!

Jenny Beattie said...

Sorry to hear you're feeling rubbish. Is the weather there still going full pelt?

I must read that book. I've considered it before, and the Esme Lennox one, but not bought either. I will do so soooooon.

Feel better soon. Hugs.
JJx

Yvonne said...

Thanks for the hugs JJ! The weather is still all over the place, but nothing a load of chocolate can't fix. ;)

Karen said...

That's the only one of Maggie O'Farrell's books I didn't like for some reason - the style wasn't for me. I'm reading one at the moment where occasionally I've thought 'that doesn't sound right - I could definitely do better.' Doesn't happen often, but it's rather reassuring when it does!

I definitely couldn't get my silly head around String Theory :o)

Hope you feel better - maybe when this horrid wind has died down?

Yvonne said...

Karen, it feels great when you can say - my writing's better than that! I'm feeling better already due to large chocolate ingestion.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Hope you're feeling much better tomorrow, mind you I should think that the best place to be right now is in bed under the duvet.

Yvonne said...

Debs, I am taking your advice right now!

Anonymous said...

Yvonne, chocolate and a warm duvet are the best solace when the weather is so shitty.

I shuddered and shivered in the school playground waiting for my son. No amount of cladding was going to warm me today.

Then I got back to the flat and felt cheered by the geranium seedlings and flowering plants.

Spring really is just around the corner. It's just that it's a howly, tantrummy, maelstrom of a corner.

Stay warm and well done for writing 965 words today.

H
xxx

Yvonne said...

Hullabaloo, lovely comment. Hope your mother is on the mend, and that you've dried off.

Lane Mathias said...

965 is a good score for a fuzzy day:-) And under the duvet is definately the best place to be.

I'd like to dive under and come out when these gales are over:-)

Yvonne said...

Hi Lane and welcome! The gales are terrible here by the coast and the duvet is my comfort blanket.

Jen said...

I'm all in favour of in-bedness. I don't approve of string though the 956 sounds impressive.

Really must read that Maggie O'F book one these days. Unfortunately, my TBR pile is groaning more than the weather...

HelenMWalters said...

String theory you say? That's enough to make me stuff my head under the duvet even without the weather!

Yvonne said...

Jen, glad you are an in-bed fan. It's all good. I also have a huge TBR pile that's just getting higher and higher...

Helen, I reckon that's what landed me in bed. String Theory, you have a lot to answer for.