I had a fascinating conversation with Anthony Bell. He is a winemaker. He is in Yountville, California. Writing novels and making wine have much in common. The long period of time required to make the product. All of the variables… in wine it is about the fruit, the sun, the rain, the clouds, the temperatures. It is the dance from one year to the next, everything is slightly altered, always shifting, never the same.
It is about sincerity. It is dedication to the craft. It is the devotion to that intangible quest for the sublime. A great novel is like a great wine. It is more than the sum of its parts. Enjoying a novel or a glass of wine can open our minds to wonder.
My current work is with the editor. We are putting the finishing touches on the manuscript. Will we do a deeper developmental edit? I don’t know yet. In terms of the risks taken there is much to consider. I’ll be waiting for their reaction to how I’ve ended this book. It is fun to end a book. A lot of time and effort goes into getting a book ready to end.
I’ll be in the wine country the next few months scouting experiences and locations for the next novel. For now I’ll decompress and relax with some light blogging and recreational reading. Perfect……..
