Sunday, February 20, 2011

Running away

With the need to look critically at my novel my demon critic is back sitting on my shoulder; and he's... well criticising. I have written numerous blog posts during this last fortnight and deleted them all. B*stard.

The problem is that I can't entirely silence him. I need him and his constructive critique to help me make my book better but he's a devilish little thing and sometimes he just creeps in and criticises everything - he must be a bit dim because he can't tell the difference between constructive and destructive.

So let's start slowly, with some pictures.  We went away for three days to Hua Hin this half term week. I had a look on the internet for things to do and found Hua Hin Hills Vineyard forty kilometres away. I had heard a vague rumour that Thailand was growing grapes to make western style wine but I thought it was up north. I have minimal interest in vineyards (although my sparkling wine at lunch was incredibly good) but when I saw that we could tour the grapes and olive groves on elephants the deal was sealed.

I adore elephants. I thought five years ago that we would do an obligatory elephant ride during our first holiday and then it would be ticked off the tacky but essential tourist list but I go back again and again. I am in love.

I think I might run away from home and become a mahout.


6 comments:

Queenie said...

Gorgeous pics. You know that demon critic? He may not be able to tell the difference, but you can, and I bet you can learn to distinguish between his constructive and destructive voices. Try only listening to him when he's making specific comments on actual sections of your work. If he starts saying general things like 'you're crap, you'll never be any good, I don't know why you bother', hit him firmly over the head with a frying pan until he shuts up. In time, he might stop using his destructive voice altogether.

Sue Guiney said...

Don and I were just talking last night about whether we really did want to use 1 of our few days in Laos tongo to the elephant park. but seeing these pix, maybe we do!

Chris Stovell said...

Good to hear what you've been up to. Ignore the demon and keep going!

Jenny Beattie said...

Thanks Queenie. Of course you're right. I should be able to recognise that. Mind you, I'm clearly a bit dim too as it's taken me two weeks to realise why I'm not writing (blogging).

Sue, I LOVE them. If you find a nice elephant place then it's wonderful.

Thanks Chris. I will try...

Unknown said...

Great photos... make sure it's the inner voice you are listening too and not the demon one. The inner voice wont lead you astray but the demon...
lx

Jenny Beattie said...

Thanks Liz. I am trying...