A work in progress (a novel and a life)

“Everywhere I go I’m asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.”
― Flannery O’Connor

Six summers ago, I began a personal writing project, just after starting my blog, that I labeled, “Fifty Life Stories” (fifty short stories from my life). Without expectations of what might show up or the order of stories, I began writing, letting one memory and one story lead to the next. A revealing writing journey that was a creative and reflective response to turning fifty a few months prior. Seven months after beginning my project, I completed my fiftieth story. A total of seventy-thousand words that represented countless hours and plenty of tears—healing and discovery, too. A beautiful gift to myself.

Grateful for the experience and proud of the accomplishment, I realized a few of those stories weren’t done with me. After much internal debate, I decided to listen and set out to turn those select stories into a novel. Although daunting, deciding to fictionalize my novel allowed me to move forward and my belief in the story’s potential to offer hope to even one reader is what kept me writing.   

Two years (to the month) after completing my personal story project, I completed the first draft of my novel (over 86,ooo words). Initially called, the “Book of Hope,” with several drafts labeled as such. The story is now titled Jade’s Broken Bridge.

So much has happened with this story since completing the first draft over three years ago, including numerous edits and revisions. Through the process, I’ve also learned how to write a query letter, how to properly select and vet literary agents, and how to submit queries, either directly to agents or through various platforms. Although not aggressive with this approach, I have received some positive feedback and encouragement from literary agents who wished me well, even though the story wasn’t a “good fit” for their clients. Knowing that agents took the time to read my submission and respond at all has been inspiring and the learning has been priceless, especially about myself.

That continues… my manuscript is currently with a final proofreader, due back to me sometime next week. I will then set about making the final changes to the document based on suggestions. The manuscript is already typeset, with all but the back cover ready to go. I’ve received a few blurbs from published authors to include on the back cover with hopefully more quotes to follow and the cover was designed a few months ago. A gorgeous one that will be revealed in August.

More things are happening behind the scenes with this book project, growing me as a writer and a woman. I have my share of moments where it all feels, too hard, too much… I just want to write (right?), but I keep returning to what gave me the strength to write this story… a vision of one reader finding hope from Jade’s story.

I would like to thank Melissa Lemay for agreeing to read my manuscript a few months ago, just after I decided to move forward with this project “on my own.” Melissa came to mind as someone who felt trustworthy and as a reader who would engage thoughtfully with a story that deals with heavy themes and content. Written in poetic prose, I also believed her sensitivities as a talented poet would be a match for this story. An intuitive thought that I am glad I listened to because Melissa offered several suggestions that strengthened my story, and that was just in the first few chapters!

Something else transpired from Melissa’s generous time and our interaction. A realization that, despite being “professionally edited,” my manuscript needed more polishing. I let go of any resistance to the contrary and set about revising my manuscript. The work has been arduous; however, I am grateful to Melissa and appreciate her discerning and detailed eye that set me on the path toward a more polished story. This story and future readers deserve the added attention. Thank you, Melissa!

Please visit Melissa’s portfolio to learn more about her editorial work and publications. If you’re looking for a detail-oriented and knowledgeable editor dedicated to the process and your success, I highly encourage you to reach out to her and if you’re not familiar with her online journal that features writers and poets, please click on the “Collaborature” link to learn more and possibly submit your own entry.

Thank you for reading and following my writing journey. Not an easy one as every writer knows. Every writer also knows that, like breathing, we have to write. Found this funny little photo when I was looking for a dad photo for my last post. My daughter Sammi took this photo when she was a kiddo – with one of those disposable cameras that needed to be developed. Remember those? Artist Sammi also created my Tumbleweed Spirit logo, recently adding the word “Press.” Thank you, Sammi. Of course I can’t do this “on my own,” nor would I want to. Kind regards. Michele

featured photo by Everett Collection / vintage typewriter by spongePo

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