Roger DeBlanck's Blog - Posts Tagged "writers"
Novel Writing
Having surpassed 42,000 words since starting in June of last year, I’m much further along than I’d anticipated with my next novel, The Destruction of Silence. It's about a Native American character with an Apache Mescalero heritage. He suffers from an abusive childhood and substance addiction. To overcome his past, he goes on a journey of self-discovery. At this point in the long process, the story most definitely has attained its own life, a reality in which I am now bearing witness to all that transpires. It’s amazing to see how events develop and play out and how the characters respond to what they are experiencing and the challenges that cross their paths. I feel as though I’m merely along for the journey, which is exactly the way you want your story to feel. My hopes are to finish the book by the end of this year and have it ready to share with all of you. Once again, allow me to express my gratitude to everyone who has shown such tremendous interest in the progress of this new book. That interest is what's promoted me to begin a blog here on Goodreads in addition to the news updates I've been posting up on my website.
Roger 8-)
Roger 8-)
Adele and the Influence of Music on Writing
Adele’s new album 25 has been a source of inspiration as I continue with my next novel. The lead track “Hello” is a glorious song. It is the powerhouse on a record that delves at the core of love, loss, pain, sorrow, compassion, and forgiveness. 25 is a somber record, but Adele explores her emotions and handles her content with great dignity and grace. She is honest, humble, vulnerable, and ultimately hopeful. I can only keep working as hard as I know artists such as Adele do to reach the heartfelt essence of their subject matter, a point we’re all striving to capture and convey.
The challenge for writers is that language can feel like an obstacle. How do we take the words we use every day in speech, communication, and interaction and make that language beautiful, unique, and original in our literary endeavors? I believe language becomes literature when we’re striving to create emotional impact. Music is the higher language. Music achieves pure emotion, which becomes the elevation of language. That is why when I’m writing I rely heavily on listening to my favorite musical artists as much as I do on reading and rereading the authors I admire. It’s a commitment to immersing myself in the creative process. Music helps me focus on the emotional bearing and mood I’m seeking to create with the reader.
Roger 8-)
The challenge for writers is that language can feel like an obstacle. How do we take the words we use every day in speech, communication, and interaction and make that language beautiful, unique, and original in our literary endeavors? I believe language becomes literature when we’re striving to create emotional impact. Music is the higher language. Music achieves pure emotion, which becomes the elevation of language. That is why when I’m writing I rely heavily on listening to my favorite musical artists as much as I do on reading and rereading the authors I admire. It’s a commitment to immersing myself in the creative process. Music helps me focus on the emotional bearing and mood I’m seeking to create with the reader.
Roger 8-)
Rating and Reviewing Books
My approach to rating books is on a scale of three, four, and five stars. First off, I’m always scouting for titles that I hope will enlighten and compel me to give them four or five stars along with an accompanying stellar review. It’s what I want to happen with every book—to have a reading experience that transports me, lifts my spirits, and makes me encounter the world with more compassion and understanding. The inevitability is that not every book makes me want to celebrate it as brilliant. However, even if I’m not thrilled with a book or if I dislike it, there is always something worthwhile or redeeming about it, which makes me appreciate it on some level. That to me earns or deserves at least three stars. When I’m struggling to get into a book, I consider if the problem is me. Perhaps I am unable to connect with the writer’s voice or find a rhythm with his or her style. In these cases, I often give a three-star rating to the book and move on to the next.
Stephen King once said that if you’re unable to engage with a book, wish the author the best and find another title that suits you better. If I offer a review on a three-star book, it is with a constructive outlook because it’s probably me who fails to relate to the writer’s vision. Besides, I know how hard writers work to compose their books. I respect how much time and effort has been put aside and sacrificed. It is a commitment and an achievement to complete a book or any art form for that matter. In the end, it must be remembered that all art is subjective. Readers’ reactions to books will run the gamut from love to hate. My hope would be for every book I pick up to be one I love, eliciting a four or five star rating and review. The reality is we cannot like everything, and there is nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t mean the book is horrible and warrants a one or two star rating and a scathing review. Approach each book as a piece of art that has some value. If it does not appeal to you or fit your tastes, don’t condemn it and crucify the author. Think about his or her effort and move on to the next.
Roger 8-)
Stephen King once said that if you’re unable to engage with a book, wish the author the best and find another title that suits you better. If I offer a review on a three-star book, it is with a constructive outlook because it’s probably me who fails to relate to the writer’s vision. Besides, I know how hard writers work to compose their books. I respect how much time and effort has been put aside and sacrificed. It is a commitment and an achievement to complete a book or any art form for that matter. In the end, it must be remembered that all art is subjective. Readers’ reactions to books will run the gamut from love to hate. My hope would be for every book I pick up to be one I love, eliciting a four or five star rating and review. The reality is we cannot like everything, and there is nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t mean the book is horrible and warrants a one or two star rating and a scathing review. Approach each book as a piece of art that has some value. If it does not appeal to you or fit your tastes, don’t condemn it and crucify the author. Think about his or her effort and move on to the next.
Roger 8-)
Writing: Starting and Keeping Going
Every time I begin drafting the next chapter of the book I’m working on, a nagging fear resurfaces. It questions me, “Oh, no, what if you’re unable to pull this off?” This doubt, however, is always transient. Instead of derailing my intent, it fuels me. The best advice I’ve ever heard about writing comes from one of my favorite poets, Seamus Heaney, someone I revere and had the great honor of once meeting. Heaney says that in order to be a writer you must make a commitment: “Get started, keep going, and get started again.”
The second I remind myself of his cure against any fear of writing, I get to work. I rely on my notes and research to provide guidance. The feeling that I’m putting garbage sentences and mindless ideas on the page always surprises me later when I have my longhand typed up and I start my initial revisions. Most often I find myself overjoyed with the starting point I have. There’s usually a rhythm, a structure, and an overall outline for how the story and characters are developing. In other words, I have something good to work with.
No first draft is ever close to being finished. In fact, it usually takes dozens or more drafts before I can see the end. But once I’ve made that initial start with words on the page, my fear disappears and seems foolish, for of course I can pull off what needs to be done. So each start is a little battle against doubt, which for me is a driving force. Keeping going is never hard for me—until I must begin the next chapter. But I can forever hear the soothing, reassuring Irish voice of Mr. Heaney reminding me to get started. At that instant, I know everything will be fine.
Roger 8-)
The second I remind myself of his cure against any fear of writing, I get to work. I rely on my notes and research to provide guidance. The feeling that I’m putting garbage sentences and mindless ideas on the page always surprises me later when I have my longhand typed up and I start my initial revisions. Most often I find myself overjoyed with the starting point I have. There’s usually a rhythm, a structure, and an overall outline for how the story and characters are developing. In other words, I have something good to work with.
No first draft is ever close to being finished. In fact, it usually takes dozens or more drafts before I can see the end. But once I’ve made that initial start with words on the page, my fear disappears and seems foolish, for of course I can pull off what needs to be done. So each start is a little battle against doubt, which for me is a driving force. Keeping going is never hard for me—until I must begin the next chapter. But I can forever hear the soothing, reassuring Irish voice of Mr. Heaney reminding me to get started. At that instant, I know everything will be fine.
Roger 8-)
Starting My Next Novel
Last year after finishing The Destruction of Silence, I wondered whether I’d ever have another book in me. “How can I ever push myself more than I did with that novel?” This question had been haunting me for months. The emotional drain of completing The Destruction of Silence hit me hard. I was separated from the characters of Thomas and Great Star for the first time in three years, and it hurt to the point where I broke down and wept. I started to think I could never again experience anything with that type of intensity. I realized, however, my emotions were similar to the way I’d felt after finishing my other books.
But something was different with finishing The Destruction of Silence. The pain and redemption of that story made me nervous about ever wanting to commit to another work if the new work was unable to produce the same emotional impact. Seven months after the book was released, I had no new project on the horizon. With the completion of my other books, I found myself immersed in a new idea within a few months. But not until last week did the idea for my next novel come to me. It now feels as powerful as anything I’ve ever considered writing about. The root of this new story is now firmly planted in my heart, and it’s beginning to course through my blood, and so I have no choice but to undertake this next journey. What’s most interesting is that this new idea has been stored in my head for over twenty years. But only in the last week have I been able to see it clearly after all these years.
This next novel will take place in the antebellum south and will cover American slavery and the Civil War years and its aftermath. More specifically, it will deal with enslaved African Muslims and the presence of Islam in America during the Civil War era. That’s all I know right now, but I will be charting my progress with all of you over the next two, three, four, or however many years it takes to tell this story. I realize I'm on the verge of the most challenging endeavor I’ve ever undertaken, and thoughts of fear and doubt are swirling, but mostly I’m driven by the need to relive the past and tell this story. The decision is not mine. The story must be told. I can hear the great Irish poet Seamus Heaney echoing to me, “Get started, keep going, and get started again.” So I’m on my way.
Roger 8-)
But something was different with finishing The Destruction of Silence. The pain and redemption of that story made me nervous about ever wanting to commit to another work if the new work was unable to produce the same emotional impact. Seven months after the book was released, I had no new project on the horizon. With the completion of my other books, I found myself immersed in a new idea within a few months. But not until last week did the idea for my next novel come to me. It now feels as powerful as anything I’ve ever considered writing about. The root of this new story is now firmly planted in my heart, and it’s beginning to course through my blood, and so I have no choice but to undertake this next journey. What’s most interesting is that this new idea has been stored in my head for over twenty years. But only in the last week have I been able to see it clearly after all these years.
This next novel will take place in the antebellum south and will cover American slavery and the Civil War years and its aftermath. More specifically, it will deal with enslaved African Muslims and the presence of Islam in America during the Civil War era. That’s all I know right now, but I will be charting my progress with all of you over the next two, three, four, or however many years it takes to tell this story. I realize I'm on the verge of the most challenging endeavor I’ve ever undertaken, and thoughts of fear and doubt are swirling, but mostly I’m driven by the need to relive the past and tell this story. The decision is not mine. The story must be told. I can hear the great Irish poet Seamus Heaney echoing to me, “Get started, keep going, and get started again.” So I’m on my way.
Roger 8-)
