Writing Magazine March 2020

110 MARCH 2020 http://www.writers-online.co.uk

I

have a confession to make. It’s a secret I’ve kept to myself for

over a decade, but I’ve decided finally to come clean and let

you all in on it. I hate writing! There, I’ve said it.

I don’t mind doing my articles each month. I always enjoy

writing this column and the other regular work I have. It’s the

novels I find so very hard to tippy tappy type out.

I love coming up with ideas, dialogue, characters, plots, situations,

crimes, resolutions – you name it, everything to do with creating a

novel is great fun, but the actual writing, the physical act of typing

roughly 85,000 words is not fun at all.

I will do almost anything to get out of sitting down and penning

a new chapter. The sight of a page waiting for me to put words on it

makes me suddenly remember all the important jobs that have to be

done and cannot be put off for a moment longer. I’ve been known to

clean windows that were already sparklingly spotless, but have insisted

I need to make sure there aren’t any lingering smears. I will go on a

cobweb hunt, search out dust bunnies under the bed, polish brass and

clean silver before I’ll add words to the manuscript languishing on my

hard drive – and I don’t even like any of those jobs.

In the past I’ve pulled out heavy, awkward furniture to vacuum

behind and then nearly collapsed trying to shove it back again. I’ve

scrubbed floors (well, maybe not scrubbed exactly, but have gone at

them with a mop). I’ve cleaned the oven and polished the hood above

the hob. I’d offer to do my neighbour’s ironing, but she’d probably

think I’d lost my marbles if I suggested it.

At various times, I’ve neglected the latest manuscript in favour of

plucking my eyebrows, painting my nails (can’t type with wet nails)

and dyeing my hair – anything other than writing. On one occasion I

decimated the contents of my wardrobe and delighted the local charity

with bags of donations. I ended up giving away some of my favourite

clothes, so have never repeated that particular procrastination effort.

How I’ve managed to write six crime novels (and three children’s

books) is a mystery to me. Obviously, even a serial avoider of writing

such as I has to admit defeat every so often and accept there isn’t a

blasted thing I can find to do other than write, but I don’t enjoy it.

However, once I’ve forced myself to complete a book, I then get to

the part I love. If you could wave a wand and magically provide me

with a manuscript of my own writing to edit, I’d love you forever.

Wild horses can’t get me away from the computer once I’ve finally

finished a first draft. I’m all over the words after they’ve been written

and are ready for tweaking and some serious editing.

I am much happier when in rewriter mode. I don’t mind editing

fourth, fifth, or even sixth drafts when necessary, but oh how I loathe

writing that first draft.

I used to believe this must be how most writers felt, but I don’t

think that can be the case. I have two crime writer pals who had their

first books published in the same year as me. They have both written

loads more books in the time I’ve taken to create mine.

David Robinson has just had his nineteenth published in the

Sanford Third Age Mystery series – and he’s now on another series

with two of those published. In addition, he’s written a few standalone

novels, but even if I only count his series, that’s 21 books against

my six crime novels (really five and a half as I haven’t quite finished

number six).

My other friend, Catriona King, has just had number 22 published

in her Craig Crime Series. I can only conclude they both enjoy the act

of writing. I wish I did.

What about you? Are you a writer or a rewriter? Do you enjoy

editing more than getting the first draft down? Or is it the other way

round and it’s the rewriting you find tedious? I’d love to hear from

you about your writing likes and dislikes. Send emails to: lorraine@

lorrainemace.com. I’d be delighted to give everyone who responds

a digital copy of Retriever of Souls – the first of those books I forced

myself to write but then took enormous pleasure in rewriting.

Just because writing’s her job

doesn’t mean she has to like it,

admits Lorraine Mace

NOTES FROM THE MARGIN