Tayari's Blog: Getting Ready for the Wrap-Up

Posted by TayariJones on July 15, 2008 08:11 AM
Filed under Writing

Well, the votes are in. Everyone seems to think that I should move forward with the manuscript rather that look back through the pages I White Water Lilyhave already written. I tried, but I got all jammed up. I revisited the paged, added some paragraphs, fixed a little something here and there. I feel better about the chapters. I reordered them. But I haven’t moved forward. Well, that’s not exactly true. I took a couple of baby steps. (5 pages or thereabouts.)

I am not sure what this is all about. Maybe am just refilling the well. I wrote those 53 pages like I was on fire. The words came pouring out and maybe I have just run out, a temporary condition, I’m sure.) Or It could be about the fact that I am ready to get back home to my own bed. (And my own phone. This cell phone ban is freaking me out. Phone Friends, I MISS YOU!) I also miss my life. I miss my friends. I have already set up lunch dates, happy hour gatherings, and even a spa day for the moment I get back. I guess it’s good that at the end of a residency--4 more days--I am just ready to go home.

But back to the writing. I am ready take inventory for the time spent Blue Mountain. Although sixty or so pages isn’t the 100 I’d hoped for, it’s been a good run. I accomplished more in these four weeks than I did all last school year. When I get home, I am going to dedicate myself to fixing up my writing room and getting into a rhythm. It doesn’t make sense that I have to leave home to get my work done. I have to learn how to get inspired wherever I am.

(Photo on the left is of a water lily. I snapped it on an 11-mile canoe adventure.)

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There are 2 comments on "Getting Ready for the Wrap-Up". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Papatya [TypeKey Profile Page]

Zadie Smith has an interesting article in the April/May Believer on her writing process. She takes a long time to get the voice right in the first chapter (sometimes a really long time) and then moves on. Though of course that's only what works for her.

July 16, 2008 07:55 AM

Comment #2, by jamey [TypeKey Profile Page]

60 pages is fabulous. Period.

July 16, 2008 10:27 AM

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