I tell you, you know you’ve got the hang of this writing lark when the inevitable impression of ‘this book is rubbish, I should give up and become a milkman’ sneaks upon you, the reflex reaction is not one of gin-imbibing despair, but the notion of ‘Aha! This is all part of the process’. I have considered becoming a milkman many times during the writing of all the PorterGirl books and experience has taught me that once you get past the self-loathing, a really productive phase of writing emerges – as long as you keep on writing. If you give up on the writing bit and focus on the self-loathing, things rarely end well. But anyway.
You can imagine my surprise at being strangely heartened by the realisation that my work in progress is rubbish. For this can mean only one thing – that a brave new era of revision and rewriting looms like breaking dawn upon the horizon and before long, my book will be brilliant again. There is no need to drink myself into a miserable stupor after all. The option of drinking myself into a cheerful stupor remains very much on the table.
There have been many moments just recently when I’ve felt like I can’t really do this – I can’t possibly carry on pretending to be a writer and surely I will never complete the various projects entrusted to me to any kind of professional standard. After all, I’m just winging it, aren’t I? Isn’t this all just one big joke?
And then the big wide world has a way of giving you that little metaphysical hug that you need. Way back in February I engaged in the fearsomely intimidating submissions process for literary agents Curtis Brown. For experience, more than anything. I heard nothing back and forgot all about it. Until an email arrived in my inbox the other Friday asking to see the full manuscript for Sinister Dexter. They’ve missed the boat with that one, but the encouraging words of the agent certainly put a spring in my step. Later that afternoon, I received this…
The moral of the story – never, ever give up. You never know just how close your next success might be.
Also – probably don’t look to writers to provide morals. Pretty sure the ones we have are not fit for purpose.
Lucy Brazier 
Sounds seriously exciting, like things are getting serious. Go gurrrrlll, it’s only world domination left
Well, I like to remain slightly cautious, but there is progression, at least. I have just the right trousers for world domination, so looking forward to that 😉
I never lost faith in your ability to write and cope with all the eventualities thrown at you… but it is amazing how much easier it is to believe in other people!!
I am extremely pleased that the self doubt has lead to optimistic productivity which will no doubt lead to something absolutely awesome!!
You have been the most awesome and amazing support and with you by my side I know I can do it! That’s if we don’t get whisked away to government in the meantime…
I will always be there to support you if you need extra support…and if you don’t need it I’ll be there anyway 🙂
If we do get whisked away to government, which, lets be honest is only a matter of time, we will just have to delegate enough so that we can still do writing, and photoing and gin drinking!!
I know you will, my friend! You will support me as much as mad Boris woman supports Boris… although you are much more helpful…
https://cyberboris.wordpress.com/2018/07/10/after-chequers-the-wimps-snakes-and-heroes-of-brexit/
I have briefed the Wombles – they are perfectly happy to oversee Brexit while we get on with our important tasks. The country will be ticking along nicely again in no time!
Marvellous! I knew we could rely on the wombles!!
I shall have a look at the crazy lady’s post 😀 I do like to think I am more helpful than she is mind you 😀
Infinitely more helpful!! Actually, she is probably more of a hindrance to Boris, come to think of it…
Keeping my eye firmly on Nigel at the moment. First sign of a spray tan and I will take decisive action!
Excellent!! I think a hindrance is probably safer for everyone concerned…
yes!! As soon as orange Farage appears we need to mobilise!
‘Orange Farage’ is how I shall think of him forever more. Orange and trouserless…
*Shudder* Orange and trouserless!!
At work someone yesterday mentioned Farage getting involved…to which I instantly replied:
“aaargh no, too orange and not enough trousers”
they all just looked at me!
Ah… those fools will see soon enough. Then they will wish they hadn’t! *shudder*
hahaha…I shall await my vindication 😀
although…I might have to see it too *shudder*
That’s why we have so much gin…
we need it!!
Superhero??
I it is only a matter of time before she declares him royal!!
Doom!!
Also, I am pretty sure she is advocating David Davis’s suicide O_O
It’s another classic post, isn’t it?! Absolutely bonkers – but compulsive reading! When I read ‘Queen Cobra’ in reference to May, I had to hurriedly scroll through to check there was no King Boris – but you’re right, it’s only a matter of time!!
Totally bonkers!!
I am pretty sure she’d take your place in the peace treaty negotiations… but we don’t really want her involved O_O
Minister! That is a very Good Idea! We can slip her in at the last moment! Brilliant, I’m not quite so worried now. Well done, have a promotion!
Fantastic 😀
thank you very much Prime Minister!!
😀 😀 You are now Minister for Best Ideas and Big Gin 🙂 (I think that’s how the promotion works, anyway)
sounds like a promotion to me 😀
I like the sound of Big Gin!! Big Gin will definitely lead to the Best Ideas!! 😀 😀
😀 😀 😀
😀😀😀