Getting Free of the Words

One of the problems - yet another, you cry scornfully? - of being a writer is the endless chattering of words. The continual jabbering away in the head. Questions about life and general stuff, of course, but also worries about all sorts of things to do with writing visiting and events, both those to come, and those done. Then the briefs and ideas you are talking to yourself and the ones you should be talking to yourself about.

Then there's the nagging doubts about the actual writing: is it okay? does anyone read it? why is my head so empty? does anybody even know my book exists? Move from that into the constructing with and editing of words, the weighing of one phrase, word or sound against each other, one after another after another. Words. Words. I love words, but sometimes I feel as if I can never get away from them.

I tried to relax. Reading? More words. TV & screen stuff? The critic in the head keeps going, analysing all the plot options. Painting? Drawing? Working with the hands? Those make the mind even freer to keep talking.

But I've found a way, a totally brilliant way to get an hours peace. Djembe drumming! Otherwise known as African drumming! Even though I am the most feeble drummer, I just love it. One of reasons is that time spent djembe drumming is an almost totally word free zone. When I drum, there's no room for words in my head. If I stop concentrating-and-counting for a second - even to think the words "Yes, I've got it!", my rhythm is likely to go, and I'll have to work hard to get it back. Djembe drumming quiets the mind - and it's fun and it's a sociable thing. It's a very unwriterly experience.

Though there's a teeny tiny problem. I'm not good at music theory, and complex counting alarms me, so quite often I find myself muttering " "ONE and TWO and NO! and NOW" or "CHIP BUTTY, CHIP BUTTY, CHIP BUTTY" to keep a particular rhythm in my head and hands. So not quite truly wordless, but almost as good. Djembe drumming, the writer's friend.

DON'T PANIC! DON'T PANIC!

I am exhausted with worry! Late last week I read through the Uncorrected Proof of Mouse - see last post - only to discover it was indeed uncorrected and that some corrections I knew had been done with the copy editor weren't there on the page.

Panic. Sleeplessness. Guilt (Why guilt?)Why weren't the corrections there? Was it something I had/hadn't done? Should I keep quiet or . . erm .. raise the matter? I went for the latter, and was told with some gently amused patience that the "book copy" can indeed be taken from an early stage of the mansucript and that all is still progressing nicely.

There was also this Active Learning Written & Spoken Word project I've been involved in. At one level it's been truly great - seeing the same group of children, working out session by session which workshop should come next, seeing definite signs of development, getting to know some great people and children. But oh the paperwork! I have been battling with the session proformas - the downloading, the filling in with data, the observations and outcomes . . . Mercy! I'm a story-teller and my words don't fit easily into boxes.

Please let me have an easier day tomorrow . . .

DOOR WIDENING NEEDED, PERHAPS?

What can I say? My last post told you the uncorrected proofs of A Boy Called Mouse had arrived.

This post makes me feel even more boasty as I have now read from those very same uncorrected pages!

Last weekend, at The Federation of Children's Book Groupa Conference 2010, I gave a seminar - well two if you count the repeat - on the theme of Following The Mouse. (Mice do keep popping up in my books!)

And this meant that not only was I able to read from my beloved book "The Third Elephant" which is full of mice in minor but essential roles, but I was able to read a short extract from Tome One (ABCM). It was an amazing experience as this book has been a loooooooooooong time coming. but at last I feel it will truly exist. And I am so proud of it!

PROOFS AND PUDDING?

Hooray! Today I found a padded envelope on my doormat. I opened it up, half-hoping, and yes - there were two Uncorrected Proof copies of my children's novel, A BOY CALLED MOUSE.

I am so delighted. Thank you Bloomsbury! Now I shall have chocolate pudding with my lunch by way of celebration.

MORE THOUGHTS ON GETTING BACK TO THE WORK

Things are improving. The walking approach has helped. The "writing questions to my characters" and letting their answers start the engine of the plot again has helped.

However, after my various school visits, the thought of writing the whole Tome Two Task feels daunting. So daunting that I had to get my IT Expert to remove the cover of Tome One from its place as my screensaver!

So I have lately developed a sneaky, crafty approach.I have begun creeping up on the damn thing unexpectedly, so the Tome doesn't have time to grow to its full scary size.

I wander to the key-board, having left, for example, the supper simmering on the stove. I scroll down the already opened m/s. Suddenly, with a few swift strokes, I've snuck in a phrase or two, got the intended scene started after all. A few lines, and the thing has started to come to life again. Now what's that scent of burnt risotto?

GOING WALKIES!

The end of the World Book Day Travelling Circus circus is arriving, and I am longing to get back to Tome Two. I can feel this latest book lurking in my head again, ready to start speaking to me. I have 25,000 valid words there so far, but I have decided to do something different to get back into the thing. I am going to help Tome Two along by taking it for a walk each day.

Things have started well. Tome has been something that snuffled grouchily in the corner while I wetn out bringing in money. Now it has started to run about a little, show an interest in its general surroundings, make various noises of approval or delight. Yes, being almost eager again.

For example, yesterday, Tome spotted a new character in the distance. Today he raced right up to this personage, and showed me exactly how & why this new friend is needed in the plot. It all feels very promising - and in this surreal world, there's no hanging about by trees or carrying unmentionable plastic bags either.

I just hope his bark will grow loud enough to keep me walking the pavements and writing the words.

NOW JUST CLICK HERE . . .

Today I'm struggling with technology. It's such slow learning that it makes real writing seem fast. Made even worse by the fact that children of ten can probably deal with all this with speed, wit and giggles. I'm battling with transfering images from one place to another, and with nothing arriving where it should. So, as Resident IT Guru is not available, I am stuck.

Enough to make me get back to Tome Two and the To Outline or Not To Outline Question . . .