This is so wise and equally true. Fitzgerald called the first part “stripping.” But I’d never heard the term ghost pages before. I really like your idea that writing is a cumulative process. Some say that about meditating too. Over time, the connection gets stronger. Thanks for this, Alison!
I think we have to create such words/ideas to enable going onward with writing at times. When the idea came to mind, it felt so much more liveable to have cut and cut and thrown away entire drafts; it all seemed to be necessary at that point, and worthwhile!
Thank you, always, for reading, Andrew!
(Know that I am enjoying your novel in your Jazprose Diaries, yes!)
"Ghost pages" is a good description of these pages that, even excised, are still part of the work that produces the novel. Like ancestors, they are not scary ghosts.(mostly) but nurturing. What you say about work never being wasted, for an author, is so true (in my experience). Sometimes, this work even takes place between the productive writing hours, when you think you are stuck.
Yes, Maureen, this is so significant--to account for all the hours and deeds, the thinking, the processing. The staring out the window, and at the laundry... Nurturing, yes--love the ancestor thought. Thank you!
This is so wise and equally true. Fitzgerald called the first part “stripping.” But I’d never heard the term ghost pages before. I really like your idea that writing is a cumulative process. Some say that about meditating too. Over time, the connection gets stronger. Thanks for this, Alison!
I think we have to create such words/ideas to enable going onward with writing at times. When the idea came to mind, it felt so much more liveable to have cut and cut and thrown away entire drafts; it all seemed to be necessary at that point, and worthwhile!
Thank you, always, for reading, Andrew!
(Know that I am enjoying your novel in your Jazprose Diaries, yes!)
"Ghost pages" is a good description of these pages that, even excised, are still part of the work that produces the novel. Like ancestors, they are not scary ghosts.(mostly) but nurturing. What you say about work never being wasted, for an author, is so true (in my experience). Sometimes, this work even takes place between the productive writing hours, when you think you are stuck.
Yes, Maureen, this is so significant--to account for all the hours and deeds, the thinking, the processing. The staring out the window, and at the laundry... Nurturing, yes--love the ancestor thought. Thank you!
PS Love the photo!
They really were manuscript pages... Felt good to crunch them up into snowballs!
Thank you again for sharing the tough bits of your writing life. I've never tossed that many pages but maybe I should have. Hmmm.