An annoyingly discreet and oblique post

[desperance]

Umm. I ought not even to be posting this, because if I've learned anything in thirty years (man and boy at the word-face, wheeze, shuffle, arthritic cough), it is that disappointment is always the order of the day, and nothing carries any weight until offers are made and contracts are signed.

However.

Someone I love & admire has just expressed an unexpected degree of enthusiasm for something I've written. No offer or anything, you understand, at the moment it's just being shared around the office for other views; but, well, I just hadn't expected this, y'know? So I am foolishly excited despite my wiser nature, and not at all focused on my day's proper work.

Also, this was said:

"I wanted to cut a fair amount (just phrases, really: he says something once beautifully, then again more beautifully, then again even more beautifully, and after a bit of that you just want him to stop indulgences and get on with the story)"

and that just made me grin, because it is so familiar and (I am sure) so true; and before that, this was said:

"Well, I loved this, of course I did,"

and that just made me grin also, because that is so exactly my own turn of phrase, and I'm not sure if it was a deliberate parody or an unconscious taint of voice, but either way I'm grinning. Pattern recognition.

There is a promise made, that we will hear again next week. I don't, of course, believe this. But it's nice to have in my pocket all the same, to carry me through the weekend.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

If I recall correctly, one of the first things I actually said about one of your books was "Dear God, you could get drunk on the language." (And yes, it was praise.)

[julesjones]

[grumble] Didn't notice LJ had logged me out...

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Hic.

But what would be the hangover, next morning...?

"Ooh, I really wish I hadn't read all that Brenchley last night, today I can't even stomach my newspaper..."