Your "little pieces" reference am reminded me of this experience. I was walking out of a library in Santa Fe one day and saw a small woman bent over a table looking at a thousand pieces or more of a jigsaw puzzle. Part of it was filled in and she was staring at the puzzle, intently concentrating. I stopped and watched her, keeping quiet for a few moments, and I saw her finally fit a piece into the large puzzle. I said softly, "That looks very complicated." She looked up at me, smiled, and said, "It's just like life, a lot of little pieces." I offered a thank you and walked away, thinking about what she said. That was 10 years ago and I am still thinking about it. And, fitting the pieces together one at a time.
Loved the interview. I still can’t fathom writing that many books Alice!! I really enjoy your newsletter Alice, the experiments too! Thanks Eleanor for this.
Thanks so much, Kim. It's all the other books along the way that I can't imagine managing to write now I'm stuck in my novel ;-) When I'm in a good writing phase, I always have other books that I don't end up sharing with the world, or that get rejected...
"I've learned as a writer that being edited is the best way to get better" Maybe that's my problem. I could never take another writer's opinion over my own : )
I agree--a good editor helps you think about what the piece of writing is trying to do, and helps you understand its limitations and strengths so far. Edits look like questions--lots of them. You can do this for yourself, too, and it sounds like you probably do!
Thank you! I need to remember it myself fairly often, which starts to feel like a good practice. Even last night, dealing with the wilds of family, I could pull back to that feeling that writing gives me.
Your "little pieces" reference am reminded me of this experience. I was walking out of a library in Santa Fe one day and saw a small woman bent over a table looking at a thousand pieces or more of a jigsaw puzzle. Part of it was filled in and she was staring at the puzzle, intently concentrating. I stopped and watched her, keeping quiet for a few moments, and I saw her finally fit a piece into the large puzzle. I said softly, "That looks very complicated." She looked up at me, smiled, and said, "It's just like life, a lot of little pieces." I offered a thank you and walked away, thinking about what she said. That was 10 years ago and I am still thinking about it. And, fitting the pieces together one at a time.
I love this so much, Gary. What an impactful story. Thank you.
Loved the interview. I still can’t fathom writing that many books Alice!! I really enjoy your newsletter Alice, the experiments too! Thanks Eleanor for this.
Thanks so much, Kim. It's all the other books along the way that I can't imagine managing to write now I'm stuck in my novel ;-) When I'm in a good writing phase, I always have other books that I don't end up sharing with the world, or that get rejected...
This is just me, wondering, do you really mean 'supplant' ...supercede, replace?
No. I don't. I had to look through and figure this out (before coffee this morning). I've been using the wrong word for years. I'll fix. Thanks, Lou.
"I've learned as a writer that being edited is the best way to get better" Maybe that's my problem. I could never take another writer's opinion over my own : )
Editors aren’t writers, they’re editors. Think of it that way.
I agree--a good editor helps you think about what the piece of writing is trying to do, and helps you understand its limitations and strengths so far. Edits look like questions--lots of them. You can do this for yourself, too, and it sounds like you probably do!
"The more I write from a place where I feel centred, curious and compelled, the better the space works for me."
I love that, Alice.
Thank you! I need to remember it myself fairly often, which starts to feel like a good practice. Even last night, dealing with the wilds of family, I could pull back to that feeling that writing gives me.
Another great interview. I was already subscribed to Alice's publication or this would have done the trick for me!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's good to hear from you here--thanks for the support!