Finally after a week in the sticks I’m back home and struggling to get the book finished by the deadline. For the first time it actually feels doable – OK there’s still a serous mountain to climb (the deadline is next Friday unless I can get a bit of an extension).
Why I ever said I would write a book in six weeks I don’t know but at least in future I’ll have a better idea of what is lunacy and what’s not. It’s going to be an insane few days but I can’t complain. After all, this is what I’ve always worked towards.
It’s been a bit mad since I got back. I’ve been writing between three and five thousand words a day after a very effective fire was lit under me by the publisher. Apparently one of the tabloids is interested in serialising the book which will mean massive publicity and quite a few guaranteed sales. I’ve also had another publisher approach me with some ideas they’d like me to consider for other books. After so many years trying to get published all this attention is immensely gratifying but scary as hell.
I know I earn my living by writing but for something like this I want to be at the top of my game. I want to build on this and not waste a second. Some of the ideas the second publisher had are really interesting and more what I’d like to write (something more in depth and less rushed with a lot more clear cut legal situation). I need to check out whether I can write for a different publisher so quickly. My contract is only a single book deal but there is an option on the follow up…this is why I need an agent!
The week’s research was in turns blindingly frustrating and highly rewarding. Problem is with the kind of subject matter I’m writing it’s difficult to get people to talk and as for getting the candid photos the publishers were looking for – not a chance! It did give me a feel for the location though – even though I’m not writing anything like In Cold Blood here you can’t beat a bit of description to set the scene.
I’m missing my fiction though. Can’t wait to get back to it whenever I have the chance. With any luck the route I’m taking now will open some doors in that direction as well and in the next few years I’ll be able to move in that direction. That’s the plan anyway.
I’d better get another few hundred words written before I knock off though. Can’t rest for long!
