After I finished my book I waited six weeks before I looked at it again. The idea is to forget as best you can the story you’ve just spent a year writing. At the same time eight of my friends are reading copies and on the 31st of August we will meet up at my apartment and I will fill them with good food and booze and we’ll talk about the book.
In order to be prepared for this book club event I need to get reading my book so last week I started the process of reading. Of course its not really reading. I know what happens in the story and what happens to each character so its more me looking for mistakes, plot holes, ideas that go nowhere, pointless dialogue, etc.
To do this you need certain things.
1. A book that you wrote. Have it printed off as I find writing on computer screens is counter-productive and messy.
2. A pen. I went for the red pen as in school I mark my kid’s work with a green pen and as good as it is for my student’s self esteem there is still nothing that screams “FIX THIS!” than the sight of red ink.
3. A notebook. Inside you can record all the pages you need to return to, ask yourself questions (i.e. why did you just write description of Washington instead of actually describing it? Thanks Past-Sean), write your acceptance speech when you win the Booker prize or doodle a picture of a train with human legs.
4. A bookmark. Mine was made for me by my nearly two-year-old nephew and is awesome as you can see.
5. Tea. Ahhh tea, elixir for the soul. The best thing about tea is that my wife, knowing my love of it, brings me tea when I look in need of tea and as a bonus I get a big smooch off her as well so its all good.
6. Chilled orange juice because it’s hot as Hell in Turkey at the moment.
7. Scented candle. The scent of choice? Mint choc chip. Helps me relax and makes me think of ice cream. Brilliant.
8. Spirit Animal. Just in case you need someone to talk to who always agrees with you.
9. Music. At the moment its LCD Soundsystem, M83, John Legend, Fleetwood Mac, Kanye, Big Boi, Nick Cave, Radiohead, Bloc Party, Mumford and Sons, Gold Fields, Otis Redding, Rolling Stones and many many more.
And that’s it really. Remember to stay hydrated and that the best cure for procrastination is to wash the dishes or go for a long walk.
