Saturday 18 August 2012

On the edge

I heard from the publisher at last. Of all my ideas, the one they like best is the complete book I sent them, which I wrote a few years ago and stars three young women in their twenties and thirties. They want the ages changed, the locations changed and lots more sex put in, and I have a deadline of 3rd September. That's two weeks away. If I succeed and they decide to go ahead with the book, there is the possibility of a series.

I thought Mr Grumpy might be pleased for me. After all, my writing career has been in the doldrums for the last seven years. Ever since I moved into his house 'temporarily' and he had his two strokes. We writers don't ask for much. Just peace and quiet, and to be left alone while we're working. But is he prepared to give it to me? Is he hell! He has commandeered the only quiet room in the house for his own office, which he sits in downloading movies and pieces of software. He keeps the front door on the latch, which terrifies me, and his loud, shouty friends barge in and out - and I am working in my bedroom right next to the front door, with traffic roaring by.

Now I am under this terrible time pressure, I find myself tense and in tears. I asked him if he could possibly postpone the party he is planning just for a week, in order that I may have that weekend to work, and he went mad. "So you're asking me to put my whole life on hold, are you?" he railed, then I got the 'it's my house and I'll do what I want in it' tirade.

I've been offered a flat to rent for a fortnight, but it has no internet access and my publisher wants us to bat chapters back and forth, which I can't do if I have to find an internet cafe each time. Also, without a car, I can't transport my desktop computer with the big screen, that I need for my appalling eyesight. Wish I could persuade Mr G to go away for a fortnight, but there's no chance of that. Oh, and I don't have a smart phone with internet on it. Though I don't think I could send whole book chapters on that.

My head is in my hands... and so is my writing career.

P.S. 9 fleas were in the water dish on the bedroom floor this morning. Bloody useless flea-bombs!

9 comments:

Teresa Ashby said...

Could you use the flat you've been offered and just return home now and then to use the internet? There must be a way! Don't give up - you're so close x

joanne fox said...

Fantastic news on the book. Well done. Can't you pay someone, if necessary, to transport the computer for you? There must be a way to resolve the practicalities, for the sake of something which could be so wonderful. x

Caroline said...

Grrrr to grumpy old men! Teresa's idea is a good one. Don't give up tho. Please! Caroline x

hydra said...

I managed to write three versions of the opening pages today, as Mr G went out. He's going out again tomorrow morning. I shall see how it goes, as the flat is going to cost £225 a week! Joanne, thanks so much. There's no guarantee they will take it, but it would be so wonderful if they did!

hydra said...

P.S. As for giving up, I shall join the spiders and mice in the shed if necessary. That's as long as there are no wasps in it, too.

Jackie Sayle said...

Can you go to Merrylegs' house for a fortnight? You could see your sister and get on with your work. Even if she's away, she'd surely trust you to look after things.

Jackie Sayle said...

Just had another thought - is there a library or cybercafe nearby you could work in?

hydra said...

Unfortunately Merrylegs has a semi-permanent house guest who house-sits for them and has Sky Sport on 24/7. Otherwise it would be a jolly good idea, Jacula. Can't work in a cafe as I need to spread the pages of the original manuscript all round me, as I am trying to combine new work with old. The publisher calls it 'splicing#.

hydra said...

Oops. No hash mark intended there!