Week 71: Dreaming stuff up

The wonder of creation

The launch of Love Like Your Head’s On Fire at Waterstones in Norwich on Tuesday was one of the happiest evenings of my life.  A room full of friends and some strangers, a lot of love and laughter, and my very first book signing queue. What more could any woman want?  A fantastic host in Story Machine’s Sam Ruddock, and the charming and thoughtful Yvvette Edwards, up from London, to chair the discussion. Yep, had those too. Plus, wine!

I’m writing this four days later and I’m still on a bit of a high. The older I get the more I know to treasure the sweet moments in life.

In the beginning

When I went to my first Introduction to Writing Fiction class at the University of East Anglia’s Continuing Education Department in 2004, the secret dream I had was of one day being published and signing a book I’d written in Waterstones. Dreams can come true. But in the laughter and playfulness of those first evening classes, I didn’t know how much work it would take. I had no idea back then how hard the task was and how much persistence, stubborn courage, and self-belief were necessary. I’ve worked that out in the almost twenty years between then and now.

Being a First Reader

I’ve just been reading the manuscript of a friend’s novel, feeling excited and privileged to be her first reader. I think it’s a masterpiece, destined for great things. I’ve enjoyed reading it so much that I’ve devoured it in three days. I know how long it’s taken her to write, the hours of work, the agonizing, editing, rewriting, pondering, researching, dreaming, and worrying over. Only for me to gobble it up in a few hours. I emerge from her carefully constructed fictional world wanting more.

I’m thrilled when people say they’ve raced through my novel, saying they couldn’t put it down, calling it a page-turner. I feel happy that people are enjoying spending time in my stories.

Someone elses baby

But this is the first time I’m reading a new manuscript where I’ve been closely involved in the writing process. As writing buddies we’ve had weekly phone calls updating each other on our progress. I’m like the midwife who has coaxed this manuscript baby out of its mother.

None of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the writing showed in the manuscript, nor should it. But because I know all the behind-the-scenes drama I’m amazed at the almost magical quality of this book’s existence.  I’m witness to the way that from those years of toil this beautiful, never-before-told story has arrived like a perfect new creation in the world.

The wonder of creation. I can never get over it.

Making things up

When I first met my husband who works in the construction industry he said, “we both make things, that’s good.” At the time I made television programmes and now I make novels. Making things, creating, is a vital part of being a human being. We are all creative beings whether we make buildings, pots, gardens, meals, or stories.

In the same way that the silkworm spools out her thread, the spider her web, or the bee makes honey, we human beings exist to create.  In whatever way suits our unique being, the act of creating something new is one that gives both to the creator themselves and to their community.

The instinct to create

As we live increasingly interlinked and specialized lives, where everything can be bought in, it’s possible to lose touch with that basic human instinct to create.

Go forth and create in play and laughter, make something new however humble, enjoy the process, and be proud of the result. You never know where those simple first baby steps may lead.

For anyone who couldn’t make it to the Norwich book launch please join us online on 20th July at 7pm - nowadays we are local and global and I’m looking forward to launching Love Like Your Heart’s On Fire into the wider world.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-like-your-hearts-on-fire-online-launch-tickets-633368220397