The Brit and P2A
Long ago, when I was wildly naive, I took some novel-writing classes at a local venue. At this place was the instructor, a rather surly guy from somewhere outside of London. He expressed great interest in the book, after the first class reading took me aside and set my mind on fire with ideas of agents, big money deals, etc. Like a fool, I believed him.
After the next reading, which was on a different and more complex chapter, his attitude changed. It seemed he had decided to rewrite the book himself. I had included various things that I thought helped the book to come alive -- including suggesting what music to listen to while reading. This was not to his liking, nor were my references to other writers, such as William Blake, in the preface. He wanted the book stripped down. He also told me to use a nom de plume, so that everyone would realize this was a novel. Really. There is more that I will save for a later time.
I allowed all this garbage to enter my mind, and these lies created blocks to my writing. In addition, I found that I was relinquishing my faith in my own ability to create to someone else, someone who may well have had an agenda of their own.
I wrote not one more draft, but three, of P2A (Piper), not including the prequel. I spent a two-week vacation in France working on it in the evenings. I loved it, but it still was not right, so I set it aside. It was still not finished.
Recently, the Brit emerged again. He had been hired by some sort of start-up publishing house. He proudly proclaimed that he wanted P2A in his 'queue' for publication. He badgered and pestered by email, still entirely obnoxious. I explained to him that his wish was simply not an option. He continued. So I finally confronted him with the damage that I believe he had done to my earlier draft of the book by attempting to hijack it for himself. He sputtered and fumed, but finally went away.
And I was free to work again, having confronted these demons.
In short, when you create a project, stay empowered. Be very careful whom you work with as it evolves. Don't talk about it to your friends. Keep it safe. And keep moving forward.
After the next reading, which was on a different and more complex chapter, his attitude changed. It seemed he had decided to rewrite the book himself. I had included various things that I thought helped the book to come alive -- including suggesting what music to listen to while reading. This was not to his liking, nor were my references to other writers, such as William Blake, in the preface. He wanted the book stripped down. He also told me to use a nom de plume, so that everyone would realize this was a novel. Really. There is more that I will save for a later time.
I allowed all this garbage to enter my mind, and these lies created blocks to my writing. In addition, I found that I was relinquishing my faith in my own ability to create to someone else, someone who may well have had an agenda of their own.
I wrote not one more draft, but three, of P2A (Piper), not including the prequel. I spent a two-week vacation in France working on it in the evenings. I loved it, but it still was not right, so I set it aside. It was still not finished.
Recently, the Brit emerged again. He had been hired by some sort of start-up publishing house. He proudly proclaimed that he wanted P2A in his 'queue' for publication. He badgered and pestered by email, still entirely obnoxious. I explained to him that his wish was simply not an option. He continued. So I finally confronted him with the damage that I believe he had done to my earlier draft of the book by attempting to hijack it for himself. He sputtered and fumed, but finally went away.
And I was free to work again, having confronted these demons.
In short, when you create a project, stay empowered. Be very careful whom you work with as it evolves. Don't talk about it to your friends. Keep it safe. And keep moving forward.
posted by Pamela Brown | 8:33 AM
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