All this year, I'm keeping a video diary of everything that goes into writing my third novel, It Started With a Kiss, due to be published in November. This week, I'll tell you what it feels like to write the last 6,000 words of the first draft - and complete it (woo-hoo!), show you the German edition of Fairytale of New York, discuss first/third person viewpoints and reveal what books I love reading - not to mention the ubiquitous HAT OF THE WEEK!
So, it's Week 4 of the vlog and finally I've finished the first draft of It Started With a Kiss!!!
I wanted to share with you the emotional, almost subconscious stage of completing the final 6,000 words to the end - it's something I've heard Stephen King and J.K Rowling discuss in the past and it's quite a uniquely strange and beautiful thing for a writer to experience...
Thanks so much for your questions! Keep 'em coming - literally anything you'd like to know about being a writer, publishing, hats, what I like for tea... it's up to you! This week I answer questions from Dot and Leah - and fabulous questions they are, too.
So enough of the waffling (can you tell I'm demob happy after two months of frantic scribbling?) - here's the vlog in all its glory!
E-e-e-e-e-enjoy!
p.s. This week the YouTube chosen still shot makes me look like I should be a guest on Newsnight. Serious, me? ;o)
10 comments:
Thanks for answering my question! Loved the hat!
You're welcome, Dot! It was a fab question :o)
I think the hat was a bit of a hit - it's nice to be able to share my hat collection with everyone!
M xx
Another great blog! And thank you for answering my question. I'm loving the journey, mainly because we never get such an insight into what it takes to publish a book and it's sort of like being let into a big secret!
Now I have another question (I'm sure by the last week in December I'll be on my knees thinking of questions, but for now they're coming well). You originally signed a three-book deal but just after Fairytale of New York came out you signed ANOTHER three-book deal. Do you feel much pressure about having to write so many books? I mean at that stage Fairytale had only just come out and I assume Welcome To My World was under way, but that still left four whole books you're contracted to write. You're now three books down, with three to go and obviously it must be exciting but do you ever panic you might not be able to do it or do you just take it one book at a time?
I know that's a bit of a depressing question but I do wonder how much pressure is put on an author when they have such a long contract and I really hope my question makes sense.
Also, I don't know if you've read her books but Tess Gerritsen is a fab crime/suspense author. The Surgeon is one of my favourite books ever and I don't usually read crime or suspense!
xxx
Thanks Leah!
Your questions are fab - keep 'em coming! It will be good to answer the question about pressure because it's one of the things I've found the hardest to come to terms with since becoming a published author. Will tell you all about it next week :o)
M xx
Who doesn't love questions day!!! How super fun!!!
I would love to know what your worst dating experience was and also your best!!
Since you're an author of romance I've always been curious about the dating life!
Ooh, thanks, Jen! I'll have fun answering that one - you want dating disaster stories? I've got them by the shedload!
M xx
Ooh, I love Jasper Fforde too! I interviewed him when I was just starting out on my training as a journalist and he was so kind to me, even though I didn't have shorthand and was very nervous and jittery. His books are really clever and absolutely hilarious.
Anyway, enough of that, I actually do have a question. I was thinking about this yesterday as I crafted a 150 word flash fiction story for a competition because it took me about 10 minutes to write but then around an hour to edit and perfect.
I assume you don't have that long to "play" with your novel after you've written it - don't you worry about sending rough copy to your editor? Or do you self-edit as you go along? Personally, I need to wait a good while to let things settle on my writing before I come back to edit, so I'm not sure I could finish a first draft and send it off straight away.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts if my question is picked!
PS Totally loving the vlog, it's really inspiring and always make me want to go away and write!
I'm so jealous you got to meet Jasper Fforde, Rin! He's my absolute hero :o)
GREAT question - I'll have fun answering that next week because it's a skill I've had to master since becoming a published author (I'm still a edit-happy copywriter at heart!)
M xx
Love the vlog Miranda!
All of the questions that the other readers have left are all wonderful. I am curious to hear the answers to all of them, as well as see you through the editing process. I am so curious about all of that.
Also, would you say that the copy that you sent to your editor was a "rough" first draft, or did you self edit first? I know that some authors refuse to let anyone read their work until they do a major over-haul on the first draft....but I wasn't sure about your strategy.
FYI...I am a pretty big fan....all the way from Austin, Texas! :) Can't wait for the next one in print! :)
Hello Miranda *waves*
My question is - are you a planner or do you prefer to just see what happens when you start to write? Has a minor character ever grown into a more important one as a story develops? My characters get to a point where they start doing exactly as they please ... is this normal or am I going slightly potty? :)
Jo
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