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Just push on through
January 4, 2015 | 5 Comments | Betsy Woodman
This morning I found the original outline (55 pages worth) of Emeralds Included.
My first concept was unrecognizable from the finished book—different characters, different subplots, different everything. There was stuff about an accident in a roller-skating competition and about a retired judge suffering from memory problems. All pretty groan-inducing.
My editor, Marjorie Braman, had entered comments. On page 15, she said, “So far, you don’t have a lot of plot.” And later, “Not sure if this is going anywhere.” Yet further on, she simply asked, “Necessary?”
Even the titles I was considering I now think are awful:
Blues and Greens
Memories are Made of This
A Matter of Judgment
Kiss, Please
The thing is, drafts two–three-four–five–still looked a lot different from the final version.
Writing a novel is like a hike through different landscapes. It reminds me of my one notable athletic exploit, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. (I had to be pushed the last 500 feet.)
The rain forest at the start of the climb gives you no idea of the alpine meadows coming up, let alone of the steep slope with the loose stones near the summit. To get to your destination, you just have to say goodbye to one zone and keep on going into the next.
People too are unrecognizable from one stage to the next. Here’s my granddad James B. Woodman at one, sixteen, and seventy-five years of age.
Photo credit: Woodman family collection
So. Happy New Year, all, and good luck on the project you have going, whatever stage it’s at–or whatever stage you’re at.
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You must have written this for me, Betsy–the part about all the drafts looking so different from the final book. I’m taking heart from it…now that we’re in 2015, it’s on to Draft Six for me.
Happiest New Year so far to you!
Love you.
Betsy how do I order this book in India? It seems only the international edition available here, because the price is 7 times that of your other 2 books? And those were available almost immediately after release
I can’t locate an ebook version either and I’ve been looking forward to reading this. Would you know when they’ll release here?
I believe this is still being discussed between the publishers. I wish I had a better answer for you. In the US, Amazon.com offers the book on Kindle and Barnes & Noble has it on Nook. I will let people know that you want it!
Thank you so much! I realise now my query was very abrupt. 🙁 My apologies – I’ve been unwell and was still in the initial stages of recovery till a day or so. Emeralds Incl would have been a lovely read 🙂 I’ve enjoyed your books very much. I discovered the first one at the local library and knew from the blurb that I had to read it. Small hill stations in India and life in them fascinates me. Reading about them in the 50s is even more endearing.
And everyone I recommend this series to loves it as much.
I also showed your blog to my parents; they are in their 70s and from Chennai though they lived there for very few years. They were fascinated by the posts and delighted by the pictures of the Travancore sisters
Dear NS,
Not to worry, your query wasn’t at all abrupt! I really appreciate that you took the time to write, and am delighted that you liked the books. Also, I’m so happy that your parents enjoyed the Travancore Sister pictures. Please give them my best wishes.
Take care.