Week of 25 March 2002

After finishing Nights in Rodanthe last week, I turned my attention back to The Guardian and began the process of editing it. Unlike Nights in Rodanthe, the edits required for this novel are more substantial and time consuming for a couple of reasons. One, the novel is more than twice as long, and two, this is much more complicated novel. In a way, there are two complete stories within the novel, and though they compliment each other, there is a balance between the two which has to be just right to be effective. I worked through half of the novel, the easy half, and will turn to the second half this coming week.

At the same time, I'm having second thoughts about the title, because of the CBS television series of the same name. No decision has been made, but part of me thinks the title will change. I'll keep you updated on this.

I've also spent a lot of time reading -- I read five novels this week, and will probably do the same next week. Because I've been so swamped finishing Nights in Rodanthe, I haven't been doing enough of that lately, and it's as if my mind begins to crave it. Stephen King's new book of short stories is wonderful, The Easter Parade by Richard Yates was great -- the other three not worth mentioning. Right now, I'm reading Up Country by Nelson DeMille. So far, so good. But then, he's always great. One of the best in the current field of fiction writing.

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