Since I began the transition from emotional word weaving like the poetry and prose in my first two books, to attempting to write a full length novel, I have come to realize some of the agonies in which writers speak of. I will be documenting my journey from poet to novelist as I want you to be a part of this with me. So keep an eye out for future posts under my ‘Author Notes’ category to read about my latest challenges and my writing process. As a bonus, when the book finally nears publication, you will be given the opportunity to participate in character naming and more!
From a short piece of prose that I wrote a few years ago, I decided to work off it and write my first book. I chose the piece because the tremendous amount of feedback you gave me was quite intriguing. Most of you directing me to tell you more about the old man who led my prose and how it read like a prologue to a book that you would like to read. (Thank you for the encouragement by the way!)
After a year of debating whether or not I wanted to do it, and of course doubting my abilities on whether or not I could do it…I took the leap and dug in, composing layers of this old mans life and the story seemed to tell itself…at first. I found myself drawn to his loneliness and despair because at that time I was still going through the grieving process over losing two very important people in my life. My grandmother and my uncle, for which if you follow me, you know they were the inspiration behind the majority of my work in Magic in the Backyard. So, writing from a place of sadness made it easier to tell the story of this man.
As time has now began to heal my pain and I am able to reflect more on celebrating their life and not so much on the fact that I have lost them (which is a good thing), my old man has begun to suffer. I was able to immediately punch out 2,000 words on his behalf when I came to a stand still. I needed direction, focus to get me back on track. That’s when I started posting my woes to my Facebook…of course, right? In my time of tragedy, or so it felt, someone reached out to me in my time of need and offered to help. Rebecca T. Dickson, (writing coach and personal ass kicker) stepped up to bat, encouraging me to go on. This old man has a story to tell and Becky was there to make sure I did it. Reminding me in her subtle way that I am his voice and if I don’t put down the words, no one else will. She is the ‘writer whisperer’ in my opinion. That did it…I was back in the saddle and on a roll! I went from a dead end of 2,000 words stampeding my way past the 8,000 word mark in just a matter of a couple days. It was amazing!
Suddenly, I had the wind at my back (more like Becky breathing down my neck telling me, ‘Just flippin’ do it already’) and I was seeing my characters world come to life before my eyes. It was almost like directing a Sims character in a video game. He was moving along just as I wanted him to. I still don’t know how Becky actually does it, because she doesn’t do the writing for you, oh no, she is the just the coach, you have to do the running to make the touchdown. Only YOU know the story and no one can tell it like YOU, she says.
Today, I sit here in front of my laptop, reading and re-reading the old mans story, trying to hear him speak to me. Trying to hear him tell me about his day, his feelings, his past…and he, once again has become silent. Now, I am certain he is just napping and will wake up soon (maybe for a Spam sandwich or some cheese and crackers), but I have now become his puppet. He directs me instead. And while I wait for him to sit up, rub the eye boogers away and tell me what he wants to do next…I share this with you.
Stay tuned and keep reading my Author Notes as I continue the journey and document my struggles and triumphs for you. I want you to be a part of this! In the meantime, what can you share with me about your writing journey?
Related articles
- Blogger Profile: Poet and Author Kellie Elmore (en.blog.wordpress.com)
Pingback: Author Notes: Narrative & Re-Writes – In Other Words, ‘I Thought It’d Be Easy’ | Kellie Elmore
Pingback: Author Notes – The Old Man Sleeps | Kellie Elmore
Pingback: Author Notes: Losing Momentum – My Writing Challenges and Advice from Author Erika Robuck | Kellie Elmore
I love reading your posts and I’m happy to be part of your blog readers. I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
http://adventureforwords.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/very-inspiring-bloggers/
I’ll get back to you on the novel writing thing, Kellie. I just had to tell you how much I love your background pic. Are they cherry blossums? Beautiful.
I will tell you one thing about the writing; Never give up. Never.
Thank you, Charles. And yes, I believe it is cherry blossoms ♥
I’m happy you like it. Just working out some kinks right now, so I hope it is appearing correctly.
Hi Kellie,
I’ve nominated your blog for the Reality Blog Award. I love reading your blog, keep on inspiring us with your writing.
http://woosha8poetry.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/reality-blog-award/
Best Wishes
Sharon
I am so proud of you for keeping at it – and so excited to read it! Have fun on this journey Kellie.
Thanks, Heather ♥ I can’t wait to read yours too!
Pingback: Author Notes; Day One | Kellie Elmore
there with you
Best of luck on your journey ♥
Writing a novel is easy, you just type and hey presto 50,000 words have appeared. Yep I’m talking bull
My novel was started in 1999 and as I am an idle writer of the longer stuff I finished it ten years later. I always new the ending, to me this is important because without a destination your words will travel, beautifully no doubt, but they will travel and travel and you will get frustrated at not knowing how to end the thing. Buy the ticket!
Once you know where the end of the string lies you can weave and add as much as you want so long as you have a point to aim for.
Although there are authors who simply write (I say simply ha ha) and end when they end and it is wonderful.
I don’t plan a novel, but I need to know where I am going even if it is just a sentence, a word or a feeling I need to know. However, saying that, my novel is finished and the ending is in the same place but in a different arena with the same result but better then my original idea because as we create worlds we can do what we want
I am currently working on two more novels both of which the endings are in my head and with the one, the ending I keep feeling is the word ‘leaf’. And that’s all I need to give my words a foothold so they can climb and become
That’s enough from me, good luck Kellie and don’t forget… a novel should be felt, not read.
Martin, I completely agree with you. It absolutely should be felt and not read. This is much of my dilemma.
I know my ending, I know exactly what happens (generally) beginning to the very end. I see it in my head and it has this ‘feel’ to it that I want so much for the readers to feel also. In adding all the ‘filler’ and detail, I get frustrated because to me, it’s as though that feeling I want to convey begins to get lost in all the small stuff. If I could have actors play it out instead of me trying to explain it, it seems I could better produce how I want it to come across. Does that make sense? For example, my main character has a past (like everyone) and yes it affects who he is and why he is doing and going through things BUT, while I have three paragraphs that go back explaining those things, my lead is just sitting there, twiddling his thumbs waiting for the reader to come back. I want to keep him in motion, I want no part of the book to be ‘skimmed’ over because of boring, needless detail. I understand it is important to tell the whole story including the past BUT my trouble is finding a way to do it without leaving the narrative and main storyline for too long.
I’m sure it will all weed itself out in the end…I hope!
Thanks for your feedback, Martin. xox
Backstory can be a drag indeed, and I have skimmed because of this. A good way to include backstory and to keep it short is through the use of dialogue or a memory here and there. Dialogue through another character is good as it moves the story on by taking on a slightly different tack and so the reader moves with it and as it isn’t directly the main character talking about himself the reader doesn’t get bored because they have another character to interact with.
And you’re welcome
I recently just finished my first novel that just went to a publisher! It is a very exciting time and I am proud of you! It is not easy. As my friend said after reading my manuscript, “WOW it has a beginning, middle AND end” It is not a task for the weak but the strong and you are strong. Push through!
I’m pushing! While all the while saying, “I think I can. I think I can.” lol
Thank you for your encouragement and congrats to you!
Hi Kellie,
I am compiling a book of poetry with the help of my wonderful & supportive girlfriend. For me this journey has been about finding ways to communicate & organize my words/poems. So it’s not even a matter of work to pull from, it’s merely how to display it.
Happy New Year!
That’s great! All my best to you for your future collection! ♥
There’s nobility in “cheese and crackers”…
lol
Of course there is!
Do you REALLY want people to share their writing experiences? – they can be boring, of no interest to others, too focused on unrelated topics … I mean, I write non-fiction, while you glory in fiction. So: REALLY want input?
Of course I do! I love hearing about what fires your pen and what cracks it into! lol! I don’t find it boring at all
I can tell you that I hammered out 20,000+ words of my novel attempt through spring and summer last year, and at the same time wrote my poetry book. On reflection I think the poetry was procrastination… Or (as Randy Pausch might suggest) a head fake. My procrastinating activity became a real book, whilst my novel collected dust. I am anxiously considering getting back into my novel, I wrote too many words to walk away from – didn’t I? I do now feel that the poetry helped me clear out and declutter all the mind baggage that I had been trying to give a voice in my novel where it didn’t really belong. I hope that when I get back to it I can continue with a better focus…. I’ve just got to be brave enough to get back to it!!
I agree. There was so much that needed to be let go of in my poetry collections that were trying to seep into the novel. Just because they needed a voice, as you said.
I realize it’s going to take time, but this is something I want to do and no matter how long it takes, I know that feeling of accomplishment will be well worth all this in the end 
Go back to your novel. You will be glad you did.
Also… I encourage you to reach out to Becky. She is really phenomenal at getting you back in the groove!
I may well do. I just have a couple of other things to clear out of the way first and then it all starts again… hours spent staring at an empty screen and asking myself what the hec I think I am writing about, convincing myself my story is unoriginal and dull, and wondering why I think I’m so special as to be able to write a novel anyone would want to read anyway… ouch my inner critic is so mean!
There is absolutely NO WAY that YOU could write something unoriginal and dull!!!!! I promise you that!
I’m sure i will still be punching these keys when you decide to jump back in so, if you need me, I am here. I got your back
And I’ve got yours too then.
As we seem to have very different stories, perhaps we can review and feedback on chapters of each others manuscripts… Although that could be a bit too scary!! Will keep you posted on the developments of my pen….
Sounds fun!
i usually write by sitting in the character’s seat. sounds kind of crazy but it opens up many doors to travel through
Good idea. Thank you, Terry. ♥
As I am the character of my manuscript I agree with you 100%!
Sometimes, I find when the characters won’t tell the story I’m working on, I ask them about other aspects of their life instead. Most of these side stories are for myself, but sometimes that helps to get the juices flowing again.
Sometimes weird stuff pops up this way. Like…what does this character carry with them in their pocket or purse? What does their closet look like? What kind of music do they listen to?
Oooh, yes! I like that idea… the contents in pockets and the closet… little subtleties like that really do make a difference in the overall vision. Thank you for that. And for the encouragement! xox
The most important thing I’ve learned about writing while writing my books is not to sit looking blankly at my computer screen, waiting for the words to form perfectly in my head before putting them down.
It’s not that there wasn’t anything in my head to write, it was I wasn’t sure what order to put things in (words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters). So I would sit there thinking…….and thinking……..and think – well you get the picture.
Now when I write, I WRITE. Letting the words come as randomly as they might be. It creates a flow for me, often triggering more ideas. And I find it easy to go back and see quickly how all of it needs to be organized.
Hope that helps.
- David
wow. That really does help. I am finding myself doing the same thing. Editing in my head, trying to figure out the way it should be laid out; chapters, paragraphs etc… Like you said…and it’s not doing me any good either.
I appreciate your feedback.
Write Raw. No one cal tell me the story like you.
Write Raw, baby. xox
Hi Kellie, I feel you. As a poetic writer I know the angst and experiencial expectations that our ilk carry. I hope you leap over every wall as you enjoy your writing journey. Many are following you at every word and idea. Write it and make a difference. Thanks
Thank you for the support and encouragement. xox