“Remember we’re all in this alone.”

— Lily Tomlin

In a recent post, I explained my plan to start my long wrought novel completely over from scratch, and try to write it right. I thought someone out there might be interested in how it’s going so far.

ha ha ho ho and hee hee

Well I’ve worked on it every day, for as long as possible. I’ve written six sections, or short chapters. Maybe they’re scenes. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I think they are better. More truthful, deeper. Some of it is based on previous work, some is brand new.

I’m writing in first person. It’s a much different world. Shall I tell you a little about myself? Perhaps another day.

I’ve been writing in coffeehouses a lot. I go to one in nearby Summerland, which seems to have a good … hmm … vibe. Yes, it’s a vibe. A vibration. No crazies. (Well, there’s a psychic that offers readings at a table sometimes, but I don’t think she’s a nut. I call it prelest, a Russian word essentially meaning spiritual deception or illusion. But I’ve digressed. ) The starbucks here in Carpinteria is OK sometimes too, but more distracting. Some crazies, and loud tourists. Do they really talk that loudly in European cafes?

I’ve taken to carrying with me at all times a pair of ear plugs and my trusty iPod. The plugs are always useful for writing, unless there’s inspiring conversation going on. The iPod is great unless the cafe has it’s own music going.

The writing is going well, considering my other priorities don’t afford it my full time attention. See, I’m looking for a full time job. And I’ve got this trying to survive and recover from morbid obesity shtick going. That takes more time and effort than you might think.

No, I’m not posting any samples for your annoyance. I’ve learned my lesson on that.

“Writing a book is a very lonely business. You are totally cut off from the rest of the world, submerged in your obsessions and memories.”

Mario Vargas Llosa , Peruvian Novelist and Essayist