Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Somebody loves me ...

I've realised it's been a long time since I posted about what's happening with my own writing.

Truth is, my current book - the 5th in the Nirvana series - has taken longer than any of the others for a complex set of reasons.

What I needed was a boost.
Something to reassure me that I'm not wasting time with my creations.
That there are people out there who care about my characters and want to see more of them.

And - hey - thank you, life, because yesterday I received a wonderful email from fellow blogger and Bookarazzi pal, Zinnia Cyclamen.

I read Nirvana Bites on Wednesday evening, and Trading Tatiana this afternoon. (Er, yes, quick reader.) And now I want to read the next two! I loved them both ... because they're damn good books. I thought the characters were original and delightful. I like the way you don't make heavy weather out of their damagedness, but weave it into the story as and when it's relevant to what's going on, rather than beating the reader over the head with it. I loved some of the cameos like the Rasta guy in Trading Tatiana.

Trading Tatiana seemed, and I hope you don't mind me saying this, more accomplished than Nirvana Bites; more as if you knew what you were about. (Although I did really like Nirvana Bites too, honest - and I love the energy and the humour and the humanity in both books.) And, again, although I learned a lot about human trafficking, I didn't feel as if you were beating me around the head with the Issues, but telling me a very human story.

I really liked the way you made Trading Tatiana a kind of sequel that wasn't entirely a sequel, with a different main character and, initially, a different setting. I was interested to see how you dealt with backstory from Nirvana Bites so that Trading Tatiana could be read as a book in its own right but also worked as a sequel. You made it look easy. I bet it wasn't! But for me as a reader, it worked really well.

So, anyway, thanks for writing them!

Right! I'm on the home run of the 1st draft of The Gene Pool now and it's whispering insistently in my ear again.
Thanks for giving me such a well-timed and motivating kick up the rear, Zinnia!

17 comments:

Marie said...

I can certainly relate to needing reassurance about my creations, as sometimes I wonder if I'm deluding mself and paranoia takes over.

Anyway, I read Trading Tatiana and I loved it. You are a great writer. Just keep writing!

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

You're welcome! And: what Marie said. Keep at it.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Debi have been waiting very patiently to know what happens next - wanna know!!!!!

Debi said...

You're all fab - you do know that, don't you?

As a direct result I've suddenly bubbled up with ideas for The Gene Pool and my fingers can't keep up with my brain. A wonderful feeling!

Thank you!

Saaleha said...

kicks up the rear of the motivational kind are wonderful. glad yours came at the right moment

Debi said...

Thanks, Saaleha. Is there ever a moment that's NOT right for motivational rear kicks?

S. Kearney said...

It's great to get this kind of feedback! Well done, Debi. And I'm glad it's been motivating! :-)

pundy said...

Get writing Debi - your public demands it.

Debi said...

Thanks, Shameless.

Oooer, Pundy - I have a public?

Unknown said...

Good for you and so glad you're in the flow again. Go for it! Although I've only read Nirvana Bites your characters are strong, your take on their experiences is profound - you don't muck about, you tell it like it is but without sentimentality. It's gritty stuff, disturbing, in your face but not without humour and compassion.
Here's hoping Gene Pool takes you to still greater heights!

Unknown said...

Blogger ate me comment!

Here now, and saying again, that support and encouragement is always important, needed and wanted. I think many forget that this is so important to a writer - keeping us going and gluing us into the writing chair.

Tappity tap, Debi, good things coming....

Loves you bad!

Unknown said...

There is a large, pink thing on my blog for you.

Unknown said...

Great that you needed the kick you needed Debi. Keep tapitty tap tapping.

Debi said...

Ab Van - that's a lovely comment. Thank you.

Minxy - I sometimes forget that myself, honey. As for the large pink thing ... oooh ... dare I look?

Debi said...

Ab Van - I think that was the point at which I was supposed to urge you to read Trading Tatiana. Probably by some knowing little witticism about her being jealous so I don't come across as too pushy ...

Damn. I'm so crap at this self-promotion racket ...

Debi said...

Oh and hi, V. Please don't kick me - I've heard about the kind of footwear you're into and it would hurt!

Rachel said...

Thanks Debi - just checked my links.

I will reciprocate later in the week as have to be all political for the nex 48 hours