Monday, May 03, 2010

Totally Terrified, not Probably Poisoned


I’m definitely feeling a bit sick today. After lunch I found Daughter doubled over the dining room table in tummy agony.  At first I thought I might have poisoned us both with some geriatric feta cheese I put in our lentil leftover salad. Me, I just felt nauseous. When I thought about the combination of elderly ingredients I used in the lunch, they could all have been responsible. I couldn’t put a day on the leftover rice but it was easily last week; I had to reject a fair proportion of wrinkled squashy tomatoes before finding some firm enough to actually cut rather than press. The coriander leaves were crying out for chlorophyll and so wilted not even fresh cold water would revive them.

Anyway I still might have poisoned Daughter, but when I returned to my desk, I remembered why I felt sick. Encouraged by your comments to listen to my intuition I have made a terrifying decision. I have to write a parallel story to my present novel’s story. OMG.

I have to write a new X0,000 words when I thought I had finished the writing new words bit.

I am going to do what I said I wouldn’t ever do. (The parallel story is not set in the present day... *gulp* historical periods *hyperventilate...)

I am trying to remind myself that I have to write the best book possible. It’s not about finishing the book to some sort of false deadline.

This feels right; terrifying but right. It complements what my feelings are about the themes in the book. I am excited (as well as sick with nerves)

PS Daughter's tummy ache has gone. She is made of tough stuff. Me? I'm still feeling sick.

16 comments:

Simon R said...

Jenny - you should know better! Rice is one of the biggest sources of food poisoning.

Jenny Beattie said...

Yeah, but Simon, that's about it being warmed up and down slowly. Not about eating it really old, which is good for toughening up the constitution!

Jenny Beattie said...

And it was brown rice which is healthy ....

Queenie said...

Jen, this sounds very, very right. I rarely do a new draft without finding I have to write X0,000 new words, if it's any consolation. And you know what? You can do it. You wrote a book already! Now you're crafting it into the best book you can write. Go you!

Harriet said...

Daughter:
Yes, yes, all better now. The meal was delicious (just maybe forget the old cheese next time).

I'm sure you are going to do fine with the writing. I bet you thought you would never be able to write comedy, but I find your posts LOL (laugh out loud) funny.

Stay strong and positive and you’ll be published in no time. x
H xox

Denise said...

Glad you're not poisoned! Thought I'd brought down a whole group at a bbq once, but it turned out the child of one of the guests had gastroenteritus and infected the lot of us...

A whole new parallel story might seem intimidating, but it also sounds like an interesting book. Good luck! I wasn't happy the day I realised I needed to change my first draft from 1st person to 3rd - gulp.

HelenMWalters said...

Sounds like great idea re novel. Not such good idea re rice and dodgy salad.

Helen said...

I'm glad you are going with your gut intincts. Good luck. x

Jenny Beattie said...

Queenie, thank you...

Aw, splatter, thank you.

Denise, I guess there's always a big something that needs changing. (A whole BBQ party would've been dreadful.)

Helen, thanks. The salad was very nice actually... just a bit of a leftover lentil opportunity.

Helen, thanks - eek.

Karen said...

Sounds like an exciting challenge - just don't eat any old rice while you're researching :o)

Talli Roland said...

Well, you're definitely going with your gut! (haha - sorry, couldn't resist!). Maybe it's the verbal dirrhoea? :) Seriously, sounds like you're doing the right thing. Good luck!

Carol said...

I think your right to focus on the bigger picture...ie writing the best book you can. That's the important bit and I have no doubt at all that you can, and will, do it!!

Glad daughter has recovered :-D *waves to daughter*

C x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Glad you haven't poisoned anyone and good luck with the writing.

Chris Stovell said...

Yep - go with what feels right... go easy on the elderly contents of the fridge in the meantime though!

sheepish said...

Fancy another race!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear you're still feeling sick, I'm sure that will ease with time! And glad to know daughter is feeling better. I was reading your post with my nose turned up as I can't stand feta cheese!

CJ xx