Sunday, January 17, 2010

Clocking up the Hours

For the past week or so, I have been on holidays from my "day job" and have been busy working on some major revisions to my middle grade novel To the Feral Tree. I have to say, that I have been thoroughly enjoying the process and have been really proud of myself, especially with the amount of energy and focus I have been able to maintain each and every day.

I'm not sure whether it is the change in routine, or whether it is because I have a deadline and a limited amount of "writerly" time to make that deadline, but I have been hammering away at the keyboard for between 8 - 14 hours each day for the past nine days (plus a few similar random days over the Christmas / New Year period). I have to tell you, this is some kind of record for me. I am the one who usually manages an hour or three, then suddenly remembers that she must mop that floor, or ring her sister, or get some groceries ...

I think it was Edison that said "success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration". If this is the case, then I have certainly put in the perspiration for this project, here's hoping the inspiration doesn't let the team down.

Nevertheless, it is back to the "day job" and I will be hopping onto the 7.10 train tomorrow, secure in the knowledge that the revised manuscript is already in my editor's inbox. Yay!

And the best part is, I am all fired up and itching to get on to my next project. Double yay!

11 comments:

  1. That's fantastic, Sue! Your fingers must have scorch marks from all that typing. I love the title and am looking forward to reading it already. Hope the day job is kind to you this year.

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  2. PS I tried to leave my URL but it wouldn't let me. You can find me at http://www.karencollum.com.au :)

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  3. Thanks, Karen. Just had a look at your website. Sounds like you are up for a big year this year! Congrats on the new books.

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  4. Hi Sue, got onto your blog site via Claire's site- well done with that writing marathon- very proud of you- I'm just tucking back into work after the arrival of a new grand daughter... by the way Happy New Year!
    Lorraine

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  5. Wow! 8-14 hrs a day, that's a fantastic feat in itself, Sue! Congrats on getting it all done - and I love the name, can't wait to see it on the shelves. Cheers, Trudie

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  6. Well done Sue, I've been hanging out for your next middle-grade work since "Freaky" and "The Hairy Legs Heist" Personally, I've been in edit-mode but feel slack hearing how much you have been achieving. I'll have to knuckle down.

    Jeff

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  7. Thanks guys! And congrats on the latest addition to the family, Lorraine.

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  8. Good job :) I will make you my person to keep up with!

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  9. I may not be the best one to keep up with, Peggy, as this type of focus is quite unusual for me and may never be repeated - though I do have a long weekend coming up and am feeling suitably inspired again ...

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  10. Hi Sue, congratulations on meeting that deadline! I had the same experience with my most recent manuscript "Henry Hoey Hobson" - the deadline set by my publisher made me more productive than I've ever been (unfortunately self-imposed deadlines are a bit too rubbery I think). Good luck with the coming year.
    Cheers
    Chris

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  11. Thanks Chris! Nothing like a deadline to keep those words flowing. Started a new (uncontracted) story today and wasn't nearly as disciplined or focused! All the best for Henry Hoey Hobson.

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