Action Stations!

Mes Amis

After a week of cogitation, deliberation and all other kinds of "ation"-esque activity, I finally talked to Editor Emma today to form an action plan.

THE GOOD SON is getting a good kicking. We're shaking out his pockets and seeing what's in there. We're gonna pummel him to within an inch of his life and he's gonna come back stronger. What's good is that the basics are all there. It just needs to be stronger, shored up. And, Mr MacBride, yes I may be a big girl's blouse, but it looks like this action plan may increase the length of this book. I'm still (probably) not writing a doorstopper, though.*

Its a good action plan, I think. There is one thing on which I was fighting but have now compromised on my own terms (having come up with an alternative approach that may solve other problems, too).

The thing is, as a new writer, I have to take my time, I think. Work at this. Get. It. Right. Because as a very wise person said somewhere you only get one chance to make a good debut. I'm lucky to even be at the stage where I am now.

Au Revoir

Russel

*Incidentally the two books that were my favourites last year were 170 pages and 250 pages respectively. My least favourite book (THE BOURNE IDENTITY) which was slow moving, filled with endless talky sequences which repeated shit we had heard before and just could have been good if were told a straightforward story was around 500-odd pages. There are good larger books out there but they have to work a lot to harder to keep my attention.