Last time I saw her, my editor said something that really set me thinking. (Actually, she said many things to set me thinking. This is just one of them.)
'This book,' she said, 'would make for a great discussion in a book group.'
Well, who wouldn't be flattered when someone who is there to be constructively critical says that! So I huffed for a minute or two - and have put time aside since then to think about it. I haven't written this book with groups in mind. In fact, I've been so absorbed in the narrative that I've had to make a big effort to consider one reader, let alone a group.
And - at the same time - I've attended a book group. I've read countless books and engaged in numerous conversations about them. Book groups are one of life's essential pleasures.
So how come I've made no real connection between my writing a novel and talking about novels in the book group? Like they are distint, unrelated activities?
What a plonker! (I've said it - I'm sure it's what you're thinking.) But, having admitted that, I can't help wondering if other writers have a corner of their mind on a possible critique from a book group when they are sitting down to graft out sentences.
Jo, I have never thought about anyone other than a general reader when writing, so I'm a plonker too. In that case. I've never belonged to a book group but I knew when my books were submitted to the Wishing Shelf Awards that they would be read by book groups as part of the judging process. But that was after having written them. I'd never have thought about the possibility while writing.
ReplyDeleteOh good - it's a great comfort to know it's not just me!
DeleteYes, I have thought about book groups...and talked to book groups. It's a good suggestion. I'd go to a bookshop, Jo, and have a look at the sort of books that ARE books group fodder (Try the Richard & Judy ones) See what questions get asked, then maybe write some based on your own novel to include in the back of the book when it gets published. It's a good selling point.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably why you're so good at marketing and I'm rubbish at it, Carol!
DeleteI wonder what makes a book good for a book group. I expect I should wonder elsewhere though, as I'm reading this post so late. Sorry about that.
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