Sunday, February 01, 2009

Bits and Pieces

I’ve had an uppity downy type week when it comes to writing. I’ve been worrying about the release of information and what, if I can’t release and reveal yet, goes in the middle 40,000 words? Do things just keep getting worse and worse?

I’ve been traumatised by the past participle of 'to glide' being simply 'glided'. I mean I know it is but if ‘to ride’ is ‘rode’ why isn’t it ‘glode’? Or if ‘to slide’ is ‘slid’ and not ‘slidded’ why isn’t it ‘glid’? It’s such a mystery to me.

I’ve just finished reading ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ and it made cry about four times right at the end. I don’t cry at books very easily. I must be a stony hearted old bag. I really loved it. I found it difficult to conceive that we are living in the same world.

I’ve just started reading ‘Wild Mary: The Life of Mary Wesley by Patrick Marnham. I loved her books back in the eighties and I used to wait for the next one, worrying that she’d left it so late to write. (Her first book was published when she was seventy.) I think, twenty years on, that I need to read them again. I shall have a look in the second hand bookshop this week, as my copies are all stowed in my attic in England.

11 comments:

Cathy said...

I loved Mary Wesley's books back then too...still have a couple upstairs. Every time I wish I hadn't left it so late to start writing, I just think of Mary Wesley!

Cx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Knowing that Mary Wesley left writing to late always makes me feel a little better.

Queenie said...

I love Mary Wesley too and, like Cathy and Debs, her story cheers me up. I'd like to read that biog, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Pat Posner said...

I'm struggling a bit with release of information, too, JJ. This time my characters 'came into the world' shrieking - telling me almost too much at once *sigh*
We just need to throw a few rocks at them before revealing.
Off to 'practise what I preached'.

HelenMWalters said...

I don't think I've read anything by Mary Wesley. Gulp! Obviously a gap in my education.

Lane Mathias said...

Isn't A Thousand Splendid Suns magnificent.

And I used to like Mary Wesley too. There is hope for us 'oldies':-)

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

"Getting worse and worse" is a pretty good strategy. And your word count is impressive, my dear!

Anonymous said...

I loved the Camomile Lawn, I liked the adaptation too. I think Elizabeth Bennet (well the actress) was in it.

Jenny Beattie said...

Cathy, you're so right. I shall think of her whenever I feel despondent.

Debs, see, sometimes we need to have lived a bit. However, I think Mary Wesley might have been so busy living, she didn't have time to write before she was 70!

Queenie, I'd really recommend the biog. The first chapter delving into ancestors is all a bit dull, but I'm loving it now. She was one racy woman.

Pat, This time my characters 'came into the world' shrieking - telling me almost too much at once. That could've been me saying that about this book! Perhaps that's the problem. Still I'm finding stuff to write about... Good luck to you too.

Helen, don't feel guilty but do go and find her in a charity shop. You're in for such a treat.

Lane, I loved it. Book Club to discuss it is tomorrow. I can't wait.

Zinnia, thanks honey. Okay, I'll stick with getting worse and worse then!

M&T, me too. Very sexy adaptation. I really liked it. It's no good, I have to reread them all! And maybe order the DVD.

Flowerpot said...

I often re-read Mary Wesley - and still think she's SO good!

Beth said...

have you seen the eddie izzard thing with him talking about declining the verb 'to handglide'? It ends 'we handglided'. Is funny :)