At a time when we are all concerned about the victims of Coronavirus, the downturn in the global economy, local floods, and all the other problems that beset us as a society, I wanted to say a few words about the good fortune we can derive as individuals from the kindness and support of others.
In response to someone else’s tweet, I recently commented online about what a thrill and privilege it is for me when an experienced editor reads and comments on my work. ‘A good editor’, I wrote – in a cliche of which my editor would disapprove – ‘is worth their weight in gold.’
We all complain when things go wrong (in my case, usually very quickly and vociferously. Patience is not my strongest character trait… ) I confess to losing my rag whenever there are repeated power cuts, or my internet is down, or my telephone line stops working… We pay for these services and expect them to deliver. But I am probably not as energetic in expressing my gratitude to others. There is a fear of sounding glib and sycophantic.
So often people do more for us than is expected, and our fate can turn on the whim of a stranger. When my publisher offered me a three book deal for my manuscript of Cut Short, the first in the Geraldine Steel series, that decision by a complete stranger completely changed my life in ways I had not even imagined possible.
Now, writing the sixteenth book in the series, it is easy to forget the debt I owe to my publisher, who took a punt on a complete novice, and to all the readers who have enjoyed my books so far.
The experience of fiction is a triangle: a tacit bond between the writer along with the team who produce the book, the book itself, and the reader. We all have our parts to play in the creation of a fictional world. Geraldine Steel lives in the imaginations of readers just as much as on the pages I create (usually when I’m sat at my desk, pictured left!).
So thank you to everyone who reads this newsletter, and I hope we all continue to support Geraldine in her investigations. Although I should warn you, she may have some rocky times ahead…
YOUR READING RESOLUTIONS
Thank you to everyone who sent in their new year reading resolutions as part of last month’s competition! I enjoyed reading through them. Lots of you said you aimed to vary the books you read this year, to read more as a way of relaxing and to read as many books as you buy. (I think we all struggle to do that!)
I hope you all stay dry and warm in the coming weeks. Thank you again for reading my newsletter. Best wishes,
