This is the first couple of chapters of the V novel, put into Wordle (thanks to Meg McKinlay).
Neat, huh?
It seems to me as if I've been writing this novel forever, and one of the things to come out of my editorial meeting was the decision to push back (to coin a phrase) the publication date to early 2012 (as my publisher said, it's not exactly a stocking filler :)). The pressure of day job means that I can't do the book justice otherwise, so I am both a bit sad and relieved to have some more time. And I think that unless something extraordinary happens (like Lotto), this will be my last YA novel, as I can't continue to try to write such complicated, long work amidst the rest of my life: I have run out of steam, and have got to the point where effort far outstrips rewards. I am satisfied with the YA novels I've produced, and now need to be realistic about what is possible, given all the other constraints I have. So I want to go out with a bang - and to do it right.
no julia! - don't stop writing YA - I know what you mean but please don't :) there is a space that you fill that would be blank and sad without you. (intelligent, feminist, frank and funny - I could go on but I don't want to embarrass you! oh well, maybe I have anyway.
ReplyDeleteNONONONONONONONONONONO
ReplyDeleteIf for NO other reason that I MUST keep reading your YAs. And you can't let me down!!!
Argh this is awful, awful, awful.
Although a small part of me understands, most of me is screaming:(
Julia - that's a big one. Haven't you wrestled with the adage 'never say never'? Frankly, I doubt your commitment to giving it up. You know as well as I do that it's a nagging, clawing beast and while your work might tax you until there's nothing left for YA, as long as you are conscious that beast will be feeding. Grazing on the detritus of life. You can run but you cannot hide ...
ReplyDeleteDear Julia, I just read about this on Megan's blog. God, I so understand. I don't write YA but there are many many days, weeks, months, that i find writing (yes, even junior fiction) so incredibly taxing, not just the storytelling part but the whole stressful caboodle, no money, lead times that stretch to the crack of doom, isolation, a touch of madness, blah blah blah. But like Scot of the antipodes up there in the box above me i have faith that your decision lacks commitment! LOL. Please don't give up. Not forever anyway. just allow yourself the luxury of a little dummy spit then come back to it later.
ReplyDeleteVery very best wishes! Jx
Thanks you guys, I really am touched. I didn't actually mean it to sound like such a big deal - I guess I've been coming to it for a while, but with my new job I realise I can't go on working full time and writing/editing on weekends: I'm well past exhausted, and something has to give. I'll keep writing, just not YA, not for the moment. I'm disappointed that reality hasn't been a bit kinder, but hell, there are worse things. And maybe Scot's right, the beast will feed regardless ...
ReplyDeleteHi Julia, I've really enjoyed all of your YA novels and I agree with Scot: 'Never say never'. Maybe you can just put it on hold and come back to it later. Like books, life's made up of chapters. Maybe the coming chapter of yours isn't meant to feature YA, but there are so many chapters still to come. And that's the beauty of writing - you're never too old to do it, and when life calms down, or the kids grow up, you might just be able to find the time...
ReplyDeleteHi Julia,
ReplyDeleteI think you need a big rest - who knows what you'll end up doing? Writing a long novel is very demanding - there are times when I think I'll stop; in fact I have for now ... my aims for today are to bake a banana cake and some fruit bread, keep reading the final book of the Raj Quartet ... and think subliminally about the novel that's not working. As Scot says, it's a nagging clawing beast - but if you haven't a current YA project that nagging and clawing, enjoy your family, plant some roses, do some other kind of work. best wishes
just me again,
ReplyDeleteI was just now cleaning the kitchen floor and realised I hadn't really listened to what you are saying.
I think that in YA, effort often does outstrip the rewards... I often wish I could get ideas for books for younger readers, as I used to - the kind that take 6 weeks to write, instead of 2+ years or more. And people always assume that because you're a writer you must love love love what you do, and you do, kind of ...
They say, 'Oh, you'll never stop writing,' but you might! especially if there are daffodils and things.