Lisa, It does indeed. Not a lot, but enough. Or so I hope. And let me know what that official website launches, o kay?

Oh, dear Ms. Shoreacres, I think of you as fearless, so do not let writing in any way create any sort of fear, okay? If you write only what you want to write, which for me is pretty much only what i love to read, you will be fine. And you are right to resist all urgings that you do things you don’t want to do!

OP — Yes, it is, isn’t it!!

Dear Ben, I think you might have to pick up some armor at the sunblock store. xo

You’ve inspired me to dig out and finish my own story of murder and general upsets!

(Funnily enough, speaking of this post’s lead-in, I’m going to have an official Web site here pretty soon–and just for the reasons you state!)

It helps to make the writing process itself more accessible to those of us who are still scared to death of it. In the midst of all the inconceivably casual chatter about writing – “I just finished the 19th chapter last night, whilst preparing a lovely sorbet for the dinner party” – comes a perfectly straightforward example of good writing, without any hype at all.

I not only appreciated the writing, I found myself encouraged by it. The fact that it’s still “in process” may be the key. In any event, thanks for the decision to post.

Add me to the list of those who think that’s a great line. I have a new appreciation for my skin. I’m going to better about applying sunblock.

in fact, everything in the listening hut is rubberized — making it (theoretically at least) difficult to eavesdrop on the eavesdroppers.

and thanks

Very nice… I admire what you’re doing with your writing.

One question: why a rubber pouch?

Regards

But I will say that I’ve realized, after posting this excerpt, that one reason I’ve never done it before is because it’s not really a proper blog post. In fact, I think it’s a little embarrassing to your friends, and I do think of the people who come here and visit as my friends, to read what you’ve written because it seems so personal in some ways. Now, I don’t think of my fiction writing as personal in the least — it’s the furthest thing from autobiography there is, in fact. But what do you say when someone offers their writing? (Well, of course, you say you like what you like …. but it’s still a little awkward for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, and not always awkward at all, because I’m always interested in the things my friends invent.) I do know that reading an excerpt on your friend’s blog is quite different from reading someone’s entire book — you get to do that in privacy, on your own terms, liking and disliking what you wish, and you don’t have to say a word about what you’ve read. But I know some people are curious about how the writing is going, and what it is about, so there you have it. I think what I will do in the end is find someone to make me a beautiful website, and then I will have a little section where I put excerpts of my fiction, for those who want to read that. But a blog is for other things! Except, of course, a blog that is all about writing, and one’s work, and then this sort of excerpt is just what you come expecting to read. Also, another place I’ve seen my friend’s work is when they’ve done something like the write a poem a day thing, and posted the day’s draft, and then made it disappear a day or so later. (Marie Gauthier, who is an accomplished poet, does this, and I love reading her drafts.)

thanks for posting an excerpt.

Sue — I’m so glad. And thank you for the post/base clarification. I’m sure if I ever manage to sell this an editor will have plenty of things like this to say.

Dear lovely Charlotte — you’re so sweet. (I’m looking forward to reading your book, by the way!!)

Thank you ms. Jade.

Marie — I will indeed. I just e-mailed the journal and I think November. xo

let me know when it comes out!!!