My new book, and the writing of it

Over two years ago, I sold a book idea to Farrar, Straus & Giroux, one of the most respected publishers in the book business. My editor was very praiseful and encouraging, and I liked him. I expected to jump right in and turn it around quickly. But I haven't submitted a word yet. I've written a lot: written long segments and thrown them away, written others knowing that I was just trying to get my thoughts down and that they weren't good enough to submit. But I haven't yet produced a chunk long enough and good enough to feel I should send it to my editor.


It's a good idea for a book, I know that. And I believe I'll do a good job with it. When I talk to other writers they tell me that not only does it sound like a good book, I'm just the guy to do it. But so far the book defies me. It will allow itself to be written only if I don't commit myself to the "real writing." When I commit to the "real writing" it laughs in my face.

This blog will be the story of how I got here, an exploration of what the book is, a showcase for excerpts, a platform for your comments and advice, a confession of my madness, and, in the end, the vehicle through which the book gets written.

It had better be, anyway.