I hate flying. Not the actual process of taking off and landing that stresses some people: I can frequently sleep through bith of them. No, I hate the time involved; the going away from home (although I almost inariably enjoy the events I go to) and the process of being processed that flying now involves.
In that case today should have been a bad day. An early start for Heathrow, an eight hour flight that became nine because of delays, and the usual US immigration experience.
But today turned out OK. Once at Heathrow, early of course (I am always early), I went into writing mode and did not leave it until we landed, 8,4oo words later. I've only beaten that total once in a day before.
I'm not saying I recommend flying to get stuff written: the carbon always bugs me badly now. But days like that when words just flew (sorry about the pun) off the fingers are a rare joy.
When I was fifteen a wise mentor, who was himself a very good but largely unpublished writer, told me if I wanted to change things I had to write because nothing achieved change like a well written argument does. I will leave others to decide on the well written bit in due course, but today made me feel quite close to my late friend and the wisdom he imparted on so many issues. It was the best flight I've ever had.
But there are a lot more words to go on the new book as yet.
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8,400 words in one day, that’s some fluency. I can remember writing an M.Phil thesis when 1,000 words a day felt exhausting! I have been told by writers that the more you write the quicker it gets in terms of writing technique and embodying ideas. This is your third book(?) so you are well into things by now?
Good luck with the trip, pity about the carbon footprint -but still enjoy it!! Go easy on the late night champagne parties and artisan $50 pizzas! (Only Joking)
There is no doubt that like many things the more you write the easier it is. I guess that like the musician who plays for many hours a day you develop a muscle memory: structure becomes innate. That doesn’t necessarily make it good, but it does assist flow.
And I will avoid those pizzas
I dare not tell my friend who has been writing his magnum opus for 20 years. It was lovely seeing you again on Saturday and getting my books signed. I forgot to tell you that I am also one of those few sad people who gets very excited by tax;o)
Glad to be in your comoany Carol
Your persistence is an inspiration
‘comoany’ that’s an amusing typo, Richard – a new word meaning ‘those that congregate to have a good moan.’
The inexhaustible possibilities of language! (Sorry, my jokes are an acquired taste and usually have an appreciative audience of one-me!)
Two in this case
Imagine how many typos there are in those 8,400 words yesterday
Best of luck, but when I was but a teenager I was taught that a good well organised cavalry charge worked wonders in a very short time. He was a 17/21 Lancer Colonel and went on to be Director of Military Intelligence. Also, we had the 4th Hussars among others, Omdurman and all that.
I know you remember the introduction of the Ivatt Atlantics but you’re not that old
1955, the 17/21 Colonel was G1 at HQ 7 Armd Div, one of the tank regiments in the Div was 4 Hussars at Hohne, their Colonel in Chief was Winnie Churchill. I played rugger against them, bunch of thugs. At Omdurman in 1898 the 21 Lancers made the famous charge, and a young 4H officer was with them, Winnie no less. I believe he went into politics because he was thought not to have the qualities for a good staff officer.
So we were in the era of the Ivatt Atlantics then
I knew I was right!
I hope people dragging you all the way over there have paid up for a decent seat on the plane so you can spread out while writing!
Baggage class, I assure you