Thursday 5 February 2009

Bones & Books

Time for an update on the Broken Wrist versus Writing situation. I think the Writing is winning. But I whisper it softly.

It has been an interesting and at times laughable few weeks as I've struggled to make sense of the daily frustrations, and I have made good use of my own personal Dragon. This Dragon - for those who aren't familiar with it - is a speech recognition programme for computers and it has enabled me to read out my left-handed scribbles to my computer. It produces on screen either something approximating what I'm saying or something that bears absolutely no resemblance whatever, depending on its mood at the time
.

The best thing is that Dragon does save on the chore of typing, but first I still have to write my words by hand. Fortunately the bionic metal-plated wrist is strengthening as each week passes, and I can now balance a precarious pen between fingers and thumb to produce a just legible scrawl. So I have no excuse. Time to chain myself to my desk once more.

But wait. I am relishing this extra unanticipated thinking time. I find myself reluctant to abandon it yet. Instead of plunging head-first into the story immediately after the Christmas break, I have had time to re-evaluate plot lines, to discover further research avenues, and - this is the big one - to delve deeper into my characters, taking them apart, layer by fragile layer.

So, Broken Wrist versus Writing? Writing is definitely the winner. And so am I!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Kate,
I'm really glad that you're wrist it getting better. I commented on your blog at the beginning of January to say that i had just read The Russian Concubine and absolutely loved it, and i wanted to message you again because i recently ordered "Under a Blood red sky" and I finally started it today!
I just wanted to say that I wish there were more authors out there with your style of writing...though then you wouldnt be special...Aheh, yea. Anyway, I'm really enjoying it! And i hope that your wrist is better soon!
From, Veronique :3

Kate Furnivall said...

Hi lainlanta/Veronique,
Great to hear from you again. Thanks for the style comments - it's always a test when producing a second book to see if readers feel it lives up to the first. But for Lydia fans, the sequel to TRC will be out soon - called The Concubine's Secret. Just for the record, the wrist is definitely on the mend. Phew!

Anonymous said...

Dear Kate,
I have e-mailed my local librarian (who is also a good friend, as she sings alto with me in a choir) with the details of all your books.
At present, my library only has the Russian Concubine. With any luck, her boss will be ordering the sequel.
It's such fun having contacts!!

Kate Furnivall said...

Hi e.e,

It's great to know libraries are stocking it. I am a huge fan of the work they do in spreading the word about books, and I have given numerous talks in libraries as a thank you for the lifetime of pleasure that they give.