This week I'm focusing on the good of writing my book PLUMB CRAZY. It was the fifth novel I've written (the other 4 are unpublished) and it is the closest to my real, every day life. There is much good that wraps into a book like this. Here are some of the layers.
One layer of good comes from basing a book in a world close to my own. The setting was easy to visualize. You really know the space you are working in. I know what it feels like to drag in after a seventeen hour day, my hands bleeding and back aching, even though I'm just a girl of seventeen. I know the heat of Texas and understand it is actually a character on the stage in this part of the world. I know how a drill feels when it jams and then beats against my fingers. This knowledge of setting saved some research hours, added authenticity, and gave this writer needed confidence.
Another layer of good that comes from basing a book on a world close to my own is all about mining memories. I mean we all have gold in our hilly pasts or even mountainous pasts. It was good to reexamine my younger days from the perspective of adulthood. I see things differently now than I did then. The Dragons that roared at me as teen seem like puny lizards now. My drama feels bland. I also see strengths in myself that I didn't realize at the time. I found myself celebrating who I am. Any journey that causes that is a good one.
The last layer of good that I'm going discuss (but by no means the only good I found) is all about the redo. Fiction is not exactly life. Life isn't always interesting. It doesn't always make sense. Good doesn't always triumph in real life. Writing a story gives you the freedom of what if. I found that writing PLUMB CRAZY reopened a few old wounds but then allowed them to really heal. Writing from the heart of my life helped me appreciate who I am. This is such a good thing. You might try it.
I hope you come back next week for more of the PLUMB CRAZY journey. I'm glad you dropped by. Happy creating.
It's Easter. Here's a whimsy doodle for you: Superhero egg designs.
Put this in your back pocket and bring it often.
I CELEBRATE myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
Walt Whitman
6 comments:
It is nice when we can pull from the things around us to paint our stories.
Good luck on keeping at it.
Love the egg designs.
When I write contemporary pieces, I almost always look around me for inspiration.
ADORABLE EGGS. lol
I also love that poem. I'm going to pull it up and read it.
Hi Brandon! I love that you say "paint our stories." I feel exactly that way, adding shades and colors.
Thanks for the egg design love.
Hi Debra! Keeping your eyes open is an excellent plan.
More egg love! Thanks. :)
Walt Whitman is one of lodestone poets. I'd never find my way without him.
Super eggs! Great advice ... all those itty-bitty magazine pieces were my life with the kidlets. They were *our* stories -- doing laundry, baking, gardening. I love how much of you is in PLUMB. Although we were 40-somes I got to know the 17-you too! Thanks, Molly. A blessed Easter to you and your family.
I find patches from life work through all that I write. Lovely days in the 40 somes. The Lord be with you, friend.
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