My husband Shaun and I had just climbed into bed and were getting ourselves settled down for the night. I was engrossed in my book and he was half-heartedly watching a show on his iPad. I was getting drowsy and nearly ready to nod off, when Shaun abruptly turned to me and asked “Are you going to write that book?”
“Huh?” I asked as I quickly tried to come up with a reason why I hadn’t managed to start it yet.
Shaun just looked at me. After nearly twenty-three years of marriage, he was well aware that I knew exactly what he was talking about. He just patiently waited for me to answer.
It was shortly after New Year’s Day that I had braced myself and announced to my family that my one-and-only resolution for the year was to write a book. I was fully prepared to be teased about this goal. After all, I’m not known for my long attention span. I’m more of a short and sweet, instant-gratification type of girl.
Much to my surprise (and delight) my family was entirely on board with my grand idea. They were eager to help in any way that they could. My sweet girls started suggesting names for my characters. When I mentioned that I wanted the setting to be in a small town, my husband surprised me by taking me on a day trip to explore out of the way towns in our area. Then, to my amusement, they all started to vie over who the dedication was going to be made out to.
Despite all this support, when I sat down to start writing, I couldn’t find the words. I was baffled. The story was one that has always been a part of my memory. It should have flowed easily from my thoughts out onto the paper.
It didn’t take too long for me to realize that this story I needed to tell was too important to me. It was about how my parents met and fell in love. In my mind, to have their love story written down would be the perfect gift for their fiftieth anniversary. I had one year to do it.
I turned to my husband and said, “I’m scared. I don’t know how to write a book, what if I mess it up?”
“You won’t,” he told me. “It doesn’t have to perfect. Just start, the words will come.“
He’s right. There’s really no reason to fear the words. If it doesn’t work, all I have to do is start over again.
The words will come.
Photo Credit:
“Shakespear’s Words.” Some rights reserved by Calamity Meg
Susan, you and I are at similar points in time. I spent a long time researching a book that seemed to get pushed onto the back shelf, not forgotten about, just shelved for reasons that I am not entirely sure of. I too took the decision to begin writing it this new-year and I set up a blog in an effort to chart my progress and, maybe, provide some sort of impetus.
For you, of course, the impetus is loved ones.
I have given myself until the end of October to come up with a first draft and I have the mindset now that I think I need.
I will watch your progress over the months to come with interest, so please do keep us informed.
Phillip
Thank you Phillip.
The first paragraph was the toughest for me. I have no idea what I was so afraid of, they are just words, if they don’t work, I can just delete and rewrite. I like the idea of setting up another blog, I’ll be over to see how you are doing with it.
Good luck with your book as well!
Browsing your blog, i really do feel that the words will come. I love your ‘voice’ and know you will write an amazing book, especially as it is coming from the heart. Good luck and looking forward to reading more xxx
Thank you for your kind comments Katy. Your words help a lot with my confidence.
I admire you so much.
Wow…thank you!
Oh, that’s so sweet how supportive they all were! Yes, just write. I have a short attention span too, so if I ever get anything published it will be short stories, I’m certain. Anyway, just start writing. You can always edit and editing isn’t starting over. It sounds like a lovely story.
Thanks for the extra encouragment Lori.
I did finally start…and I can already tell there’s going to be a LOT of editing going on!
I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Patti
Knowing you, I willl love anything that comes from your mind. After all, a lot of this story revolves around you and your brother, and is always ongoing. You first started to write when you could not spell or read! and you have improved every year since! Any (most anything) you want to know, just ask and I will try to share my thoughts and emotions with you.
Love Mom
Thanks Mom!
Susan,
Go for,I for one would like to know how that story wokrs out
Dad
Interestingly, it doesn’t seem to be turning out anything at all like the real story!
He’s right, Susan! The words will come. When I first started writing, I had to just be in the moment of describing whatever I was writing. It was then that my natural voice kicked in and just told the story. I also had to not let my “editor” mindset intrude, and just get the skeleton of the story down on paper. Then I could later put more flesh on it if needed.
A trick that helped me – I sat down to write like I was writing a letter to a good friend. That gave me an audience, a known person who would be listening. It helped me get the thoughts down more informally.
http://lifeasahuman.com/2010/feature/i-find-my-writing-voice/
Good luck Susan, and keep us posted! 🙂
Dan
Thanks Dan. For both the words of encouragment and the letter writing trick. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Glad the encouraging words and the writing trick both helped, Susan!
Not to devalue the rest of your post, but for some reason I’m dying to know what show he was watching. lol
I’m pretty sure it was along the lines of “48 Hours” as that is what he’s been watching lately. I have NO idea how that prompted his question. 🙂