Writing That Book
Thinking about writing is easy. Sitting down to write is hard. For me, the writing dream was like my stove’s dim blue pilot light hidden behind grocery lists, laundry, and career anxieties. Forty-five years and layers of detritus threatened to smother the tiny flame until my husband asked me, “When are you going to write ‘that book’?”
“That book” floated into conversations like an unreachable wish to win the lottery. Remember that joke about the woman who asked God to let her win the lottery? Finally, God told her to buy a ticket. So, I quit my job. Before I began “that book,” I dedicated a week to organize my life, so I’d have no excuses and few distractions. It was time to write.
On a quiet Monday morning, I took the stairs to my office, sat behind a clean desk, and reality hit. I had quit my job to pursue my life’s dream. Who does that? I had no clue where to begin.
My hands rose to the keyboard and I asked Google how to begin. Google answered my question and directed me to an online class through Writer’s Digest that began that morning. Later, I would realize my good fortune to land a spot in one of KM Weiland’s classes. From outlining to character development, Weiland is an award-winning author of acclaimed writing guides used by best-selling authors.
Before that morning, I had constructed a rough sketch of the novel I hoped to write—in my head. Weiland’s first lesson required students to write a summary of the book they were writing. My brain processed the instructions slowly. Write a summary, essentially the back cover copy. For a book I haven’t begun writing? Talk about the main characters. The characters I hadn’t fleshed out? What. The. Hell. Have. You. Done. Kris?
I abandoned the lesson, walked the dogs, drank a cup of tea, and perused Facebook on my phone. Finally, I made the slow walk to my spotless desk. Give it a whirl, Kris. Just try.
I had a strong sense of the setting, but only rough ideas about the main characters. That exercise forced me to connect the dots. Word by word, my characters came to life. Paragraphs filled a page. Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy was born.
KM Weiland’s books and website served as my training wheels as I learned to structure my story, build my characters, and create interesting arcs. To this day, her guides hold a special space in my writing cave. Check them out at www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com
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