Wednesday 30 September 2009

One Just Asks the Servants to Do It

I'm sorry I've not posted for a couple of weeks but my new enterprise has been taking up all my time and energy. I'm very excited about it and I hope to post about it in the next few days.

In the meantime, this caught my eye in The Author yesterday - somebody had written in to say that in an interview with The Metro , Katie Price, a literary artist of wide renown and huge sales, when asked about how she goes about writing (and we're always fascinated, aren't we, by how other writers do it) answered that her ghostwriter 'sits down and writes it all. I don't have time, I'm far too busy and wouldn't be able to do it. But I come up with the storyline and then she puts the rest of it together.'

Shock revelation!

I'm reminded of Edith Wharton - now, she really was a literary artist and her books are brilliant - but her way of composing was to sit up in bed and cast the pages as she filled them to the ground, whereupon a minion would gather them up for transcription.

Where are the decent servants (aka ghosts/amanuenses/gofers/dogsbodies/spouses-with-no-rival-ambitions) to be had when one wants them? No wonder I struggle with my Art!

8 comments:

Karen said...

Love it!

Although I'd settle for a servant to do all the housework so I could concentrate on the writing :o))

Mind you, I'd have no excuse for procrastination then ...

Jean said...

Interesting! After all my hard work with blood, sweat and tears to write my memoir, I feel slightly niggled when people ask me: 'Did you write it yourself?' But I can see where they're coming from.

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

If someone would only cook supper, or even tell me what to cook, I'd be happy.

Lane Mathias said...

I'd be happy with a cup of tea, on the hour, every hour.

I'm fascinated with Ms price's face. It looks like it's drooping under the weight of the make up. I presume that's one of the reasons why she's so busy:-)

Lorna F said...

Karen - you're so right about having no excuse for procrastination. Many's the time I'll even do the hoovering rather than actually get down to writing.

Jean - what a bleedin' nerve some people have! Slightly niggled? You're showing admirable restraint. Hope the book sales are going well for you.

Fia - I'm OK with the cooking - it's the eternal washing-up I resent.

Lane - Maybe Ms Price could hire servants to hold up all the drooping bits ...

PinkPetal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
PinkPetal said...

I came to the conclusion some time ago that what I need is a wife! There just aren't enough hours in the day and I never catch up with anything! However, Jamie did cook a delicious spaghetti bolognese for dinner - he made it for his girlfriend - the Lovely Laura - and I made sure the quantity was enough for four plus tomorrow's evening meal as well!
Hope you had a fab birthday! Am reading Christopher Rush's 'To travel hopefully'on your recomendation - superb xxx

Lorna F said...

Susan - glad to hear Jamie's cooking for you! And I'm also glad that you're enjoying the Christopher Rush book. xx