Among the many fine Swedish authors I've read Bodil Malmsten stands out as one of the most important. This many people know. Bodil also has a blog(in Swedish), where she writes long and short things, sometimes fiction about a faimly of tejp, sometimes small sad observations of life, a life she used to live in France but now does in Sweden. She has humor, like when she linked to this article in The Guardian titled 'Ten rules for writing fiction'. Her only comment to this link, with numerous novels written? 'I've always wondered.'
The article lets authors give their advice on the writing process, and even though I am against rules in fiction writing there are some good things, like reading what you have read out loud or Magraret Atwood's suggestion of what to think about when writing on airplanes: 'Take a pencil to write with on aeroplanes. Pens leak. But if the pencil breaks, you can't sharpen it on the plane, because you can't take knives with you. Therefore: take two pencils.'
I finished a novel in Swedish this past week, and in the spur of the moment sent it out to some people who I trust. This was, according to Atawood a good plan as her number 8 rule is: 'You can never read your own book with the innocent anticipation that comes with that first delicious page of a new book, because you wrote the thing. You've been backstage. You've seen how the rabbits were smuggled into the hat. Therefore ask a reading friend or two to look at it before you give it to anyone in the publishing business. This friend should not be someone with whom you have a romantic relationship, unless you want to break up.'
Anyway, read the article, its funny and even though I do not agree with many things I always find it interesting when authors discuss the writing process.
I spend my days looking for people. When I have found them I evaluate them, then I contact them, or do I contact them first? I'm not sure at this point. I send them emails, trying to be nice, trying to make it sound interesting, as if I am not stealing their time. People need their time and who am I to take it? I say it is for a good cause, and it is, cause I say so.
The people have to believe me, and they give details to me, and I write them down in a document and I send the document from France to The people in France. They answer with blue font color. Or if they would answer it would be in blue, but so far they don't. So while they don't answer I keep on searching for people. And even though looking for people is not that fun, every time I get someone that fits the bill for my study I feel happy. As if I can cross out something from my to do list. I never liked to to lists but my father, who treats his to do lists like the bible, maybe managed to influence my work view a tiny bit. Tiny.
For those of you who really does not care about my everyday concerns or what t-shirt I am wearing (The Kramer) you can take a look at this trailer for the movie Nine Lives. Very strong and beautiful movie if you are ok with slow tempo and at times brilliant acting.
I'm really into France right now These are the reasons:
I'm reading Bodil Malmsten's – Priset på vatten i Finistère (in Swedish), about her first year in France after leaving Sweden. A bit too much about gardening, but full of wisdom.
I'm also reading her blog where she writes about life in France, and Finistère.
I'm in love with Phoenix new song 1901 I wrote about here. It was the most blogged about song in the world the past week. If you haven't gone to their website and downloaded it, you really should. They know how to craft a hit, Paris based Phoenix.
I'm going to French speaking Brussels tomorrow for three days of cultural, beer and European Commission action. I will try and write something about my experiences in 'Urine City' on the blog.
I've rediscovered Une année sans lumière, the part French song from Arcade Fire's monumental debut album Funeral.
And I'm watching this video of Eddy Izzard explaining how difficult it is to say the monkey is on the branch in French, in France.
It's all about France and nose spray here in my room.
