Wednesday 4 April 2012

New author crush

How have I never read any of Lisa Jewell's books before?

Am reading Ralph's Party for the first time, and she had me hooked within the first few pages. I love Lisa's writing style, it's exactly the sort of book I like to get lost in for a few hours.
And then I read an interview she gave to Novelicious, and this is what she had to say about her approach to writing:



I am the most chaotic writer I know. I slightly hate other writers for being so organised with their whiteboards and first drafts and their thousand words a day and then lunch. I come to a book with nothing more than a sense of how I want the book to feel, a couple of characters and a vague idea of what I want to happen to them. I stumble around for the first hundred pages having absolutely no idea what’s going on, spend weeks writing barely nothing, then finally get a light bulb moment and think, aha! that’s what the book’s about, feel elated for about five minutes and then disconsolate again when I hit another brick wall five minutes later. I don't do a first draft. I do a bit of editing here and there, but usually pass on a complete manuscript to my editor which I have only finished the day before.  Writing really stresses me out because I seem to have no control over it. Which is why I so love holding the book in my hands for the first time, because it is proof that beyond all the chaos and lack of planning I have, against all the odds, managed to write a book.

I think I *proper* love Lisa Jewell for saying that. It made me giddy with relief, because it's just how I am too. Up to now i've always feel like a bit of a donkey for not being more organised and plotty, but no more.

If it's good enough for Lisa Jewell, it's more than good enough for me. 



3 comments:

  1. Lisa Jewell is one of my FAVOURITE and BEST authors. I LOVE her! You must read After The Party next. I waited years between the two books but you're lucky and can get the goss straight away :)

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  2. Am now feeling superior and suer lucky! We tend to like the same authors, have you noticed, Rach?

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  3. I love Lisa Jewell, too! I really recommend One Hit Wonder and Vince & Joy :)

    And yes, I love her a little more for that fabulous quote!

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