Sunday, February 1, 2009

Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor?

I've been working on requested revisions from an agent this past week that I hope very much will float her boat. Even if they don't, I think this revision makes my manuscript so much more focused. Revisiting it can't be a bad thing. (And yes, I'm keeping an original version on file, just in case it is.)

Often amidst all the cutting and slashing and rewriting, I hit a creative snag -- when that happens, I take a walk around the neighborhood. Creature of habit that I am, it's generally on the same circuit. Join me, won't you?



Despite the Neue Gallery standing steps from my apartment, I've never actually seen the collection. Pathetic, right? Philistine. Nice restaurant inside, though. I'm all about eating.




That spiral building there on the right is the Guggenheim, who, aging socialite she is, just got a brand-new facelift. She also has a decent place for lunch.





I love the entrance to this building. They have a gorgeous garden in the back, but right now it's filled with ugly construction equipment and wasn't worth taking a photo.

When I tell people I live in NYC, I think most picture a crazy-busy Times Square neighborhood. There isn't anything noteworthy about these pictures except that, hey, not so many people, right?

Tell me about your neighborhood. Or about how you deal with creative snags. Your choice.

16 comments:

Rafael said...

Why do I have this image of Eddie Murphy stuck in my head?

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

GORGEOUS neighborhood! It makes me proud to be a native New Yorker. ;-) And, best of luck with the revisions. Keep us posted. Go Wendy! (BTW: Is this the same book you were working on at the Algonkian conf?)

Lyzzydee said...

I have only been lucky enough to visit your city once and I am in love with it. I can only have seen the smallest piece of it, the weather was great, December the first and we did the tourist thing on the top of an open topped bus!!!!last day it snowed, proper snow brilliant. Good luck with the rewrite

debra said...

My daughter is a student at the New School in the City. Loves it there. Thanks for a look at your town.

WendyCinNYC said...

Rafael--LOL I actually had to think about that one for a second. Duh.

Debbie--Thanks! Yes, same book. I stopped querying for a while.

lyzzydee--If you were on the uptown loop on the double-decker bus, you might have passed me.

Debra--Glad she's liking it here. What a fun place to be a college student!

Sepiru Chris said...

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for the trip around the block; I hope it cleared the cobwebs.

I have started going online when I hit snags, but it is becoming problematic as I sometimes spend too much time here.

This is the fun part of MTMs... seeing what others consider their town and what they feel like sharing on any particular day, or Monday.

Tschüss,
Chris

Angie Ledbetter said...

Nice shots. When I get bogged down on the WIP, I'll switch to a different project or blog hop. Rewriting---ain't it fun?

Reb said...

Wow, love your neighbourhood! I think the Guggenheim is one of the neatest buildings in recent history and I would love to go and see it. Good luck with the rewrite.

Barrie said...

I think a walk works for me. Or else a trip to the gym. Or else trying to do something completely different so that I'm not focused on the ms. Fingers crossed that the agent loves this revision!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I love these pictures! My neighborhood isn't quite as scenic, but I do keep telling myself I'll need to do a photo tour before we leave.

When I hit a creative snag, perusing writing books seems to help. Good luck with the revisions!

Travis Erwin said...

I added you to the MTM gang again. Enjoyed the look around your neighborhood.

WendyCinNYC said...

Sepiru Chris--Time seems to get away from me when I'm online. I can't seem to just check one site to clear my head.

Angie--Oh yes, rewriting is super fun. Not.

Reb--The Guggenhiem is very cool on the inside as well, especially when they have something huge hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the spiral.

Barrie--The gym works, too, but I *hate* to work out. Still, it's good for clearing the mind.

Melanie--I love when you post pictures. Seems very scenic to me.

Travis--I noticed the increased traffic. Thanks!

Amy said...

I love NYC. Thanks for sharing your pics. And congrats on getting an agent to ask for some rewrites. That's half the battle as far as I'm concerned. I love revising, but when I get bogged down w/my novel, I work on short stories.

Anonymous said...

The love the City. I'm lucky enough to live outside of NYC so I get to enjoy all that it has to offer.

Love my Broadway shows!

Linda McLaughlin said...

Wow, you live in a great neighborhood, not like my boring suburban one. I've always found walking to be a good way to boost the creative juices. Good luck with your revisions.

Linda

WendyCinNYC said...

Amy--I love working on short stories as well.

AC--Hey there, neighbor!

Linda--Thanks. I think downtown is much more cool and youthful, but uptown has its good points as well.