Blog: Writer’s Notebook

Almost five years ago, I attended my first Carmel football practice. Armed with a note pad and pen, my were intentions clear: document what I saw. What wasn’t so clear was how long the journey from sight to written word would be.

I am writing to say the journey is almost complete.

After hours and hours of interviews, thousands upon thousands of words, starts and stops, edits and re-edits (and more edits) and countless cups of coffee, The Boys in Brown is near the finish line.

 

 

If I had known five years ago it would take me this long to finish, I don’t know if I would have started. Writing a book is a strange process. You spend years on something in relative isolation–just me, my notes, computer screen and again, copious cups of coffee (again with the coffee. I know).

You hope what you are writing is leading to the truth of the story. And that’s ultimately what matters–is it truthful. Not names, dates and places. Facts will get checked and re-checked. Some errors still might occur. You can live with that as an author.

But what a writer must get right, cannot miss the mark on, is purity.

What makes the people and place you are writing about unique? Why should we care about what they have to say, about how they live their lives? What message are you attempting to convey that needs to be shared with the world? If these questions are answered, there is clarity in a story. There is purity. There is truth. And in the end, as a writer, you have done your job. I have then allowed you, the reader, to decide for yourself where that truth lies within the words on the page.

I will have much more to share in the coming weeks. More information on when and where you can get a copy of the book. Check your email box and The Boys in Brown Facebook page for regular updates.

As always, thanks for reading. Enjoy your summer!

Jon