There is no good way to start a novel, for me at least, aside from diving right in. Over the course of my writing journey, I've written, rewritten, and tossed out hundreds of drafts over the past eleven years. And I've found that the most important parts of the writing process are to keep learning, keep reading other work, keep experiencing life, and--most importantly--keep making your mistakes.
I'll write quickly and from my heart because I know no other way to be. Also, I can hear my children celebrating some MLB win in the basement so I know I'm about to attacked with joy and laughter and massive amounts of physical touch :)
Writing this book wasn't ever in my plans. But, to be honest, it was much like falling in love. I was in the middle writing another book with a character I loved deeply and the idea for this book latched on and would not let go.
I tried my best to ignore it and put it aside. I told myself that I didn't want to write that story. I didn't want to be a women's book club or upmarket fiction writer but here I am---because that's where I was meant to be all along. Once I committed to writing this story, I couldn't stop. Not because what I wrote was perfect, but because it was a story worth telling. And I knew it. Deeply.
And after about six drafts, a ton of late nights, a barrage of emphatic 'Great story, but NO' from every agent I queried, I almost gave into my anxiety and put the final draft in a corner of my drive I would never revisit. But a very timely connection with an educational colleague, a few incredible friends that said, "If you stop, you're an idiot," and choosing to believe in my work; it's here and I could not be more proud.
There are so many moments that make this one possible. The good, the bad, the triumphs, and regrets that all coiled tightly within me, searching desperately for an outlet. And this is just the beginning.
Right now, I'm sitting on a cloud of gratitude and working hard to showcase my book to as many readers as I can. My family, my friends, and my hometown have been incredibly supportive. They show up, they congratulate, they ask questions, and give feedback---all the things that artists love.
I think what's most apparent on this side of writing and publication is this: There are so many things I look back on--- so many moments that I asked myself, 'Why didn't that thing work out for me?'
Well, now I know.
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