Notes on the Writing Life: Going into seclusion

Notes on the Writing Life

Notes on the Writing Life

Friday, July 17, 2009

Going into seclusion

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I've been hitting my targets — although Chapter 7, which must be finished on Sunday, is proving challenging. I'm pleased the way the story and the characters are blooming.

But writing makes me dumb in the world — "walking into chairs" is how Margaret Atwood once put it — yet the stuff of life keeps piling up and must be properly attended to. For this reason, I've just now decided to have my VA answer my fan mail for me (in her name, of course). Reading and answering letters from fans is a great joy, a task I'm passing on reluctantly. It's temporary, I reassure myself, until I emerge from this "the swamp."

2 comments:

Stace said...

You have to do what it takes to protect your writing and your sanity. Fans will understand - or at least they should.

Sandra Gulland. said...

Stace, I'm actually quite pleased the way it's turning out. Diane (VA) writes such wonderful letters -- my readers are so nicely looked after, it makes me feel good.

And yes, fans will understand.

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