“Writing
is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”
~E.L.
Doctorow
They say writing a novel is a journey of discovery, and that’s been true for me.
As I work
through a plot and explore a theme, I have to refine my opinions and beliefs. It’s
an interesting process, and in the end I always seem to grow a bit with each
book I write.
At this point I’ve
written nearly five books. The process always changes me, but I never imagined
how writing my wip (work in progress) would affect me. I’m discovering more
than I ever imagined.
My character
Margaret travels through time. She doesn’t know when she’ll travel or even why
turns up at a certain time and place. In a moment of introspection she thinks
about her journeys: Surely her time travels changed something, like ripples in
a pond. How might she change the future by living in the past? By being the
tiny pebble tossed into the distant waters of a past time?
I’ve never had
to research for a novel like I’m researching for this wip I’m tentatively
calling The Journeys of Margaret Caruso. I’m more fortunate than most authors
because I have the blessing of being assisted by two genealogists who have
shared some amazing information. What’s even more amazing is that they are
distant relatives whom I have never met.
This past
weekend I realized that Margaret’s journeys are a personal map of my
spiritual heritage. I’m finding commonality with people I had never heard of
before—people who lived on another continent over three hundred years ago.
I’m on the edge
of a discovery. I’ve had an insight into my journey of writing Margaret’s
story that has stunned me. Writing this novel means something to me, something
more than tapping out an amusing tale. The exciting part is that I’m not even
100% sure what that something is.
But don’t worry.
One day I’ll share this epiphany with you.
4 comments:
I think that type of journey holds me back sometimes. Thank you, Megan, for sharing this. It encourages me to not be afraid.
It's exciting though, Bethany. I know you can do it too!
Reading "...edge of discovery... insight ... stunned me" I'm hooked and looking for what stunned you. At least I'm encouraged that you'll share later.
Enjoy the journey, Megan. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Blessings, Mary Kay
Thanks, Mary Kay!
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