Snippet from a Conversation with Tim Powers

[pegkerr]

I had a nice phone call with Powers today. I'd sent him a copy of The Unstrung Harp which he'd never read before, and so he was calling to thank me, and we got to talking about our respective books. I told him that mine was finally moving, albeit slowly, and I was trying to keep my spirits up, even though my daily word count seemed so pitiful. "Although when I've done my daily session and I have only 100 words to show for it," I said ruefully, "if feels like I'm trying to bail the ocean out with a thimble."

"Nah," he said. "It's not that bad. It's just like trying to bail out a swimming pool with a thimble."

Wow, I guess that makes it seem better. Sorta.

Comments

[blackholly.livejournal.com]

It will get better. I think the first couple of chapters are the slowest part because of the enormity of decisions packed into them.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Well, it _is_ better. Bailing the ocean is an infinite job, bailing the swimming pool is large but finite. Sorta like a book, you know?

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Yay that it's moving again! Looking forward to hearing about your progress on a regular basis ;-)

Chris

[sraun]

You! It's your fault!

kalikanzeros had this sudden urge to do math relating to thimbles and swimming pools - according to this post, there are about 75 million thimblefuls of water in a swimming pool.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

You need to define the term "swimming pool." Probably also the term "thimble," as I have seen wide variance in sizes....

[sraun]

kalikanzeros did define both of those terms - follow the "this post" link in my original reply.