Read on Twitter
Been thinking about that tweet that was doing the rounds a few weeks ago, from a writer who said he runs a book manuscript by 41 different friends/contacts before publication. And 41 IS funny/excessive. But.
My first book was signed by the publisher at a time of Great Personal Turmoil. (I had to rewrite about a third of it in the three months after throwing my ex-husband out of the house.)
(One day, I am determined to write about this experience, which was Horrible, Made Me A Stronger Writer, and mostly took place in an empty flat in Glasgow which my uncle was able to lend me because I couldn't stand to be in my own home, which...endless gratitude/privilege.)
Anyway, all of which is to say that on my first book, timescales were tight, and there wasn't really time to solicit any extra opinions from friends/colleagues. To be honest, I didn't really *have* many writing colleagues yet.
This second book has taken me Far Too Long to write (although, if it had taken the correct length of time, it would have probably been out this year, so in a way...).
There's been a lot more room in the timeline, and so for the first time I've been able to have people other than my wonderful agent & editor read the book. This has been just fucking superbly enriching to what the book is...and everybody brought something different.
First up was Hester, my sister in law. She read the book at a strong-first-draft stage. Hester reads more than anybody I know. I'm talking three books per week, and she understands what a commercial or part-commercial fiction book needs to be. She gave me the 'yes' I needed.
(Side note, if any publishers need people to test books on, focus-group style, give me a shout to get in touch with her. I'm not kidding, she predicts the winners of everything and is NEVER WRONG.)
Next were my three dear friends Polly, Abi and Joey. They all read the penultimate draft, and I'm just...I actually don't know how to thank these people. I mean, I've thought extensively about how to thank these people, and I actually don't know.
First back was @AbiFaro. She won on speed (by a country mile 
) and hits it out of the park on consistency, tension and motivations. (She actually read an earlier draft too, and asked 'But why does he start the fire?', and I had to rewrite the whole god damned thing.)
) and hits it out of the park on consistency, tension and motivations. (She actually read an earlier draft too, and asked 'But why does he start the fire?', and I had to rewrite the whole god damned thing.)
Next back was @PollyCheckland and OH MY DAYS. If you need someone to put your MS under a forensic microscope, this is your person. Not a single layered allusion slipped through her net. The first few pages were so thorough that I was like 'she'll tire, she'll get tired'...
But then on p80 she was still there with her microscope and on p150 and on p175... It was like having somebody very patiently and kindly re-tie your sloppily-tied shoelaces. The book is more coherent and attentive, now.
Last back (genius takes time) was @joeyrconnolly with five gloriously discursive pages on what he thinks the book is ABOUT. (He's not a dick; this is what I asked him to do.) Illuminating and joyful and has made me realise that at least two mini-scenes are missing.
My second book will be different because of these people. I feel grateful - of course - and actually quite guilty for taking up their time. I would like to get them presents but sending a bottle of wine feels incredibly trite as a gesture in return for...what? Light in the dark.
Although, everybody likes wine. Anyway - it's a huge unrepayable luxury, but to the writers out there: if you *can* get friends to look at your book, when it's as good as you can get it on your own, then really really do.
More than ever, though, it might also leave you with the sneaking guilty feeling that as a writer you're only ever standing on the shoulders of something.
I had this feeling with book one, with my amazing editor and agent and publicists - but, in the end, they are professionally tied to my books, just as I am. Whereas what my friends have done - that's just like grace or daylight or the first day of spring or something.
I suppose I should have said, long thread.
