Wednesday, 27 October 2010
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Finishing the Tale...
I've finished this story that it feels like I've been trying to write my whole life. I started it the summer I was fifteen and taking swimming lessons from a set of twin brothers. Handwritten in a spiral notebook, when school started that fall, it was passed around and around and when it made its way back to me, I wrote the next chapter. And it was terrible stuff- but everyone waited breathlessly to see who would emerge in the next chapter and before long, I had three on-going stories. At some point, I didn't know how to end the stories and put the notebooks away. People complained, but as the writer, I was in charge of what was out there and what wasn't. I still have those notebooks stashed away in a box in the basement, and I didn't consult them for this story I just completed. They weren't relevant to the story I was writing- as if they were practice drafts.
I couldn't have written the story I just finished when I was fifteen. I didn't have enough perspective to see the big picture. I didn't have the writing skills and a sense of tone, pace, and character. I didn't know how to make transitions or how to carry a theme without overdoing it. But I knew a good plot! I knew what made people want to read and I had to write for readers. I could have been content to scribble my tales and stash the notebook under the bed with everything else I kept under there, but I longed for readers. I wanted their input, their reaction, and lived for their begging for more. I still write for readers. Don't we all? Isn't that why we blog? If we didn't, we'd write in private journals and lock them up with tiny keys.
The reader is the missing part of any story. They bring their own preconceptions, experiences, relationships, beliefs, and ideas to the story. It enriches the tale and brings it to life. Without readers, it would be just another file on my laptop.
This is why publishing is a critical part of writing for me. I have a burning need to publish- to see my books in stranger's hands, to watch them from a distance while they giggle, frown, or even throw the book down in disgust (may that not happen too frequently!).
I'm in that funny place that I'm always in after I finish a project- at loose ends with myself, a bit off kilter, trying to figure out what I need to do next. It's too soon to begin the next project or even to begin the marketing for this one. I need to get feedback from its beta readers and until I have that, I'm in limbo. What to do?
Off to watch Taiwanese dramas... maybe. Maybe I should add a coat of red paint to the storage unit I'm working on - nearly as long as the cross stitch that I've been doing every Christmas for thirty years.
Maybe... I can begin thinking about a new idea. I was wondering about something where the main lead is a modern day pirate- a real one- except what career would a real modern day pirate have? Corporation Acquisition? Hasn't that been done to death? I told you it was too soon to start a new project! If that's the best I can do, maybe I should just go outside and pick up sticks and rake leaves into piles to mow over.
The grandbaby arrives Thursday for her first no-parent overnight. I have my brother's four youngest Saturday overnight at his house. My parents are coming Monday. So it's just today I have to occupy myself.
I'm wondering if I'll do NANOWRIMO this year since I just finished a marathon writing journey. I can't decide.
In other news- two-thirds of Vanness' new Chinese CD is done! And he's signed with a new company so there should be more regular CDs after this. It's been a long time since his last one. I heard that Terry Tye Lee has created a couple of songs at least for this one... which makes me ecstatic!
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Comments (16)
Congrats, that was a big project and a long time coming. :)
Congrats. Have you been published before?
@guestbrief - thanks!
@gwennieg - publishing hasn't happened yet- it's always hiding right behind the next book! but this one was written for a specific contest and should be what they're looking for- fingers crossed! :)
SE Hinton wrote The Outsiders when she was 15, though her english teacher was very critical of her writing.
@dingus6 - have you read the outsiders recently? there is a lot to not like about it. but saying that- she wrote MUCH better than i did at 15, and i read a young author who wrote a killer book at 15- such talent and skill! i had talent, but not much skill- i had to work to get that! i'm still getting it! ;)
This is an interesting perspective on the interface between writer and reader. I think you're completely right...I just never quite thought about it that way before.
@AprilsPlace - some writers talk about how the book is no longer theirs once it's published- that it has a totally new life in the hands of the reader and is no longer a familiar part of themselves. i'm not sure i'd go that far. :)
Hey, congratulations on finishing the project! Mine - a 9-year long effort on a narrative of my tour in Vietnam and the aftermath - is currently stalled out. Probably half of the 600 pages of draft should be edited out. I do have an editor but she is currently AWOL - probably because she has been waiting on two final chapters I promised her 6 months ago. So I'm back on Xanga seeking inspiration - you are a good example for me!
@RakkaRay - the best advice I've heard is to keep at it, to demonstrate discipline and endurance, and to keep writing. It may be that you have two books already written in your 600 pages. Finish those last chapters asap!
modern day pirate...i like it!! ; )
@againstmybetterjudgment -so what career would a modern day pirate have?
I think that you should come and visit me, clear your mind and enjoy beautiful blue sky with sunshine. I am so thrilled that you have completed your writing project. Congrats.
@jerjonji - You know, I think you are right about the 2 books and that has been a big problem with regard to envisioning how to end the book and how to go about editing it. This is a big help to me - thanks!!
@RakkaRay - let me know how it works out!
@jerjonji - I reread it a few years ago and thought it held up pretty well. Granted, it was way over-romanticized because she had more talent than life experience.