Thursday, July 13, 2006

Only Correct


Here’s a picture of the corner of my office where I’m currently working in the copy-edited manuscript of Players. It has already been subjected to my editor’s scrutiny, of course, but having taken her comments to heart and made the appropriate modifications, the manuscript is back again. This time just about every page contains corrections and suggestions for micro-improvements; it’s time to rethink every line all over again. More importantly, it has been marked up for the typesetter with time-honoured hierogylphic instructions, and you realize that the novel that has been a more-or-less private conversation with yourself for the past year or so has begun its journey towards the bookshops.

I once visited Longfellow’s house in Cambridge, Mass; the view from the study, down to the Charles river, is preserved for the nation. Maybe poets need to look out of windows; most writers I know face away from potential distraction, like so many penitents.

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

My window looks out on the abyss.

And I don't mean the James Cameron film.

I'll try to post a photo later.

July 14, 2006 12:26 pm  
Blogger Frederick Paul Kiesche III said...

Darn. Can't read the titles on the CD's or most of the books!

July 17, 2006 3:42 am  
Blogger Frederick Paul Kiesche III said...

Well, I'm no spambot...you can turn comments moderation on (I have and it helps). I took a look at the desk shot but can't really read titles. What's in the music mix? If having a view is distracting, what music helps the writing muse?

August 12, 2006 1:28 pm  
Blogger Paul McAuley said...

Titles on the desk currently include the Police Officer's Handbook, The Complete Idiot's Guide to the CIA, Eric Partridge's Usuage and Abusage, The CIA's Black Ops, The Wizards of Langley, Psychedelic's Encylopedia . . .

You know, the stuff. I'll get back to you on music in an actual post, I think.

August 12, 2006 2:17 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Paul, I think your set up looks great. Neat and tidy and very well organised. I find windows near computers obsolete - too deep into my own head I guess. LOL.

August 21, 2006 7:57 am  

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