I Wrote A New Novel

So this happened:

Working title ‘Beks Lauer’. It will change. !!!

If you’re wondering where I’ve been. (Ha!) I’ve been writing. And writing and writing and writing. This time last year, I was also writing and writing and writing for National Novel Writing Month. I wrote the first draft of the novel I’m referring to here. I wrote the outline for this novel before that, in July whilst at the Stone and Sky Artist Residency on Pelee Island. And so, as novel-writing goes, the time elapsed since inception (thus far!) is one year and four months. 

Oh yeah, I’ve been writing. 

I’ve been writing steadily two-to-four dedicated times a week. 

I started and completed the Humber certificate mentorship/correspondence program Writing Creative Non-Fiction, Fiction and Poetry between January and August 2024. This meant I had to submit up to twenty pages of the novel every other week. It made for a solid discipline. I was given feedback and guidance, and then made changes as I went along. I graduated ‘with distinction’ and felt a surge of joyous heat and pride when the certificate arrived in the mail, snug in cardboard protection. 

At that point, I was about twenty-five chapters in. I set a personal goal for myself: complete the draft by October 2024. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I wrote at home. I wrote in Tim Horton’s with  my writing partner Christian. I wrote in the mornings. I wrote in the evenings. I wrote as much as I could…sometimes with focused dedication, sometimes with fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants abandon. I laughed out loud. I wept. I wept. I wept. I felt like there was a family living inside my head – all the characters in the book, constantly with me. And.Oh.We.Had.Fun!

And, then, at 1:39am, Monday, October 28th – I finished the novel. I wept again!

The ‘I’m finished!’ journal entry.

Then I did something I hadn’t done before when I finished a novel. I requested a beta read from friends and writers I know. 

The Beta Read. This is when you share a draft (a pretty far along, but can still be rough draft) with people you know and/or don’t know to get general feedback on the story. This is a big ask as it is not a paid exchange. It is understood that the beta read is meant to offer feedback on overall story, plot, structure, development, etc.. but in a very brief way. And, in fact, doesn’t have to even be that much feedback. It can be ‘I loved it!’ or ‘these are my favourite parts’…

I made a list of people I hoped would give me a beta read. I sent an invitation via email and/or asked in person, including asking whether the reader would prefer a digital or hard copy. I included in the request what my hopes were in terms of feedback, as well as a timeline for responses. Perhaps this is breaking the beta read rules, but I did my best to make my request kind and honest. I requested overall feedback about any glaring problems as well as help with a title. 

Then I got the manuscript bound (the pics shown at the beginning of this blog). Goodness, it felt great to hold a hard copy in my hands! If you’re wondering about cost…it was cheaper than Staples by far. It was more than printing a typical book because of its size (8.5 x 11 – regular paper size). I used a local printer (PrintWorks) because I’ve been printing books and marketing material there for years. Also, I budgeted for it knowing that this was part of my plan. 

I mailed books (before the strike, phew!). I dropped copies off. I hand-delivered copies. It was a pretty exciting experience – the giving out! 

And I waited. 

Guess what happens when you wait for beta read responses? Your imagination, that lusciously soft and hopeful right-brain awe, spins and spins the most extraordinary yarns! 

In movie-bright-lights, Kirkus-esque blurbs flickered and shone in my mind:

Best.Novel.Ever.Written!
Don’t Change a Thing!
Heartbreakingly Amazing!
When Can I Read More?
Where Can I Buy This?
I Couldn’t Put It Down!

That was the first few days. 

Then the left brain bullies arrived with their story ideas.

This is Crap. I couldn’t finish it. 
Never. Gonna. Be. Published. 
Bo-ring!
Clearly, this author has no idea what she’s doing. 
If you’re day job’s writing – Quit!

I’m chuckling to myself as I write this. Ah, the creative mind is a buzz of woes and woots! I managed to manage all the Parts in my mind, and to keep a steady connection to my heart as time passed. 

And now responses are coming. They’re arriving via email, texts, and talking. And I am soooo freakin’ grateful! 

The responses have been precise and developed. Some folks even listed typos and continuity errors. I’m honoured. And humbled. And I must keep up the energy that I had whilst writing, for the task of revising.

Revising…re-vision..re-vision-ing…oh, it is a tall task. I can see the flaws with a clarity that I couldn’t see before when the writing was hot and messy. I know that now comes the Hard Parts – the killing of darlings, the letting go of plot lines that fell short, the changing of names, the chopping of entire scenes…it will be…difficult but it is necessary. 

I’ll write my next blog about how I’m going to actually do the revisions…Here’s a sneak peek!

The Revision Tools – Part AIn other news….

I’m reading this:

Purchased from Biblioasis as it’s published by them! Thanks Cristina!

And this:

Thanks to Rebecca for suggesting this incredible story!

I got new tattoos…Big ups to Advanced Tattoo and artist Vanessa Ruth for her stellar skills once again!

The moon phases and ‘1234’ – magical numbers…The ‘Sally’ doll. Miller drew it when she was 2!

We started some home renovations….that will continue into the holidays…but then we’ll have a beautiful new kitchen and dining room! And…a dishwasher!

I’ve started dreaming about the new year, new commitments for writing and creating. Changes continue to thrive.

And…I attended a workshop led by Martha Beck and Elizabeth Gilbert. Very educational, indeed. And…last week, I attended the Newbery Award (as in the most prestigious children’s book award in the USofA!) Symposium at The Ohio State University in Columbus. Super inspiring!

And…this is coming up! (Squeeee!)

I’m THRILLED to be sharing the Biblioasis floor with the grand Molly Peacock! Do join us! There will be cookies!

I will be blogging more. I promise. This has been a sacred practice for me for over two decades. I want to reignite my passion for writing in this format. Thanks for your patience! And, as always, thanks for reading!