The Birth of a New Book

This past Friday, I thought of a book to write! Now this mightn't seem like such a suchamuch, but I can't tell you how excited I am about it, though of course you know I'll try.

I have a new book due for AVON. They hadn't liked my latest proposal.

After wailing and gnashing of teeth (which of course, I stoically kept to myself, thinking I'd soon come up with a better one), I realized I couldn't think of another book to offer!

This isn't so rare, or strange, at least, for me. Once a novel starts reeling off in my head, there's little room for anything else. This also explains the piled up newspapers, forgotten bills, and the general air of inattention I sometimes - often - usually have, only worse. But my idea was gently rejected. So I had to set to work on a new one.

Crickets echoed in my empty brain.

Not these Crickets, mind you.

December - it was easy to slough off the idea of new book. New grandson Hugo the Magnificent! Christmas! Chanukah! Presents and goodies and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Warning: This baby is bad for authors!

January - not such a new year after all. No new ideas. Morass. Went to LA to visit brilliant Adam and gorgeous Jeanne. Pretty flowers and good company diverting.
<-- Edith was in La La Land!

February - finally getting that skulking affect, like a petty thief creeping around the mall. Feeling guilty. Panic enters, stage right.

And then - Lo! And Behold! It came to me. Completely. A good book. One I could enjoy because if I don't love writing it, how can I expect anyone else to ever like reading it?

Sometimes novels come to you slowly, bit by bit. Sometimes you wake up with them sitting on your forehead, full-blown and whole as an egg.

And sometimes you have to forget the whole thing for a while, and let ideas simmer in the back brain. But now I have it, and now I'm writing the proposal. It feels wonderful.

(Do NOT ask what I'll do if my editor hates it.)

Comments

[Nina P]

Hurray! I am so happy for you, Edith. Though, I'm scowling at your editor. How could s/he not like something that dripped from the sage pen of Lady Layton? Posh!

Anyway, I think I would love having an idea come whole, sitting upon my brow as pretty as you please. But, alas I slave for a devil of a muse. [sigh and double sigh]

But, you must tell… when will the book be out? I’m already chomping at the bit.

Nina, finding Hugo the Magnificent quite a magnificent distraction

[Kathy Kremer]

Having a book appear full-blown (like Minerva) is your reward for keeping at at the job when the Muse is not so kind. That sort of thing keeps you slaving away with a happy grin on your face. It doesn't happen every time, but we know from psychology that random rewards are much more effective motivators than predictable ones.

[Maggie Robinson]

You have the cutest grandchild on earth at the moment (my first and second are due in March and September, respectively, and then we'll see).

I'm so glad you've had a breakthrough. I have a bunch of random---and probably perfectly awful---ideas but not the will or the time to execute them without killing myself or dying first! I MUST stick to the 82,000 word wip which is slooowly advancing to its end. I guess I'd better finish before March, huh? Those babies are bad for business!

[Edith]

>>But, you must tell… when will the book be out? I’m already chomping at the bit.>.

That one? Cannot yet say. But BRIDE ENCHANTED will be out in September.
Now, needs must write the one that will be out after that!
But thanks for asking, Nina.

[maryjoputney]

Edith--

It's funny how sometimes books assemble themselves piecemeal over years, sort of like cobbling together Frankenstein, and other times they appear in a flash. The flash ideas are more exciting in their appearance. :) I don't know if they're better books, but they definitely get the writerly adrenaline revved up!

Mary Jo

[Sherrie Holmes]

Congratulations, Edith, on giving birth to a full grown baby. *g* I'm so glad you have a new story that you are excited about.

I love starting a new book. When an idea hits, I usually think about it for a few days or few weeks. It's back there, simmering away, and when the pot boils over, I'm ready to sit down and write like a fiend. That first adrenaline rush usually carries me 1/3 to 1/2 way through the book before I come up for air. I just love the excitement of starting a new book.

I hope your editor loves your new proposal and that time will pass very quickly so that I can read it the minute it comes out.

Have you thought about naming the hero of one of your future stories "Hugo"? *g*

[Patricia Rice]

Each book, like every child, makes its appearance in its own way. Yours sounds like it's going to be a humdinger already!

[Joelle]

Wow what a good "muse" was in the air !!!! A new book and for sure a winner !!!! Dear Edith, you know how much I love them !!!!

[cooper]

Wow, Edith! I can't tell Hugo's hair color from the photo and I haven't met Susie or her husband, but from the pictures of Susie on the net, the boy looks alot like her. Lucky boy!