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Rewriting

11/09/2011

In which I abandon my novel and run away to join the circus.

I went out to the Going West Literary festival yesterday and heard Owen Marshall talk about his latest novel, ‘The Larnachs’. He said that before he was a full-time writer, he used to write short stories, because they were much easier to fit around his other commitments. Novels, he said, required large blocks of time. So why am I working on a novel again? My life is so much more suited to shorter, more manageable mediums. Oh well, it’s too late now – I just have to keep writing until I fall off the high wire.

8 Comments leave one →
  1. 11/09/2011 5:40 pm

    Keep going! Being a part of the circus is the most fun job, anyway. The spills….the thrills! And the fat lady will one day sing.

  2. 11/09/2011 7:26 pm

    your illustrations are awesome! and I’m so in awe in anyone that can write a whole novel. can’t imagine ever getting there…Big ups to you lady

  3. Kirsten McDougall permalink
    11/09/2011 7:35 pm

    Keep going. At the risk of sounding sexist, OM has a male constitution. A woman can do kids and novels – Pat Grace….and um lots of others. And if you have a draft you’ve already done some hard yards. And (I always tell myself when I’m running) – nothing’s as painful as childbirth….

  4. 11/09/2011 8:39 pm

    Oh yes! Please keep going Sarah. I’m super-excited about your new book. YAY!

  5. 12/09/2011 12:43 am

    This is gold. It resonates in so many ways. And yes, you will get there – I have no doubts about this at all.

  6. Sarah Laing permalink
    12/09/2011 10:36 am

    Thanks for the encouraging comments! Kirsten, that’s what I tell myself when I think about taking up running. Which I am still thinking of doing.

  7. 14/09/2011 1:22 pm

    Yes keep going – but also, feel free to write another short story collection since we all know Coming Up Roses is the book I judge all short story collections against.

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