Image via WikipediaOnce upon a time, there was an art conservator who was given a new job. At first, it did not strike her as different from all the other jobs she had done. She restored large numbers of paintings, and holy icons that bore the likeness of saints were nothing new. What was so special about this one? The curator in charge of the picture needed everything explained to him. Why did they send a novice with this important-looking artefact? Everything about this job was strange, including the x-rays they took and the technical images that popped up on her computer.
The conservator soon found out what it was: another picture, hidden for many long centuries, was stuck underneath the one she could see. Why was it hidden, and by whom? She needed some explanation for this mystery, and the curator could only come up with answers she could find for herself. Or so she thought. Finding symbols that needed deciphering was not rare, but these were very unusual. And it seemed that there was someone else who thought so too. Someone, perhaps, whose footsteps could be heard following hers as she walked home through the silent winding streets of Venice, at the dead of night.
Telling a story to describe a story is the perfect way to describe how my forthcoming book starts. Even though you can access Chapter One and read it free on my website, telling it in this way brings a new kind of excitement to me too. Is it possible to be excited about a book that has shared my days for the last two years or so? It dogged my waking moments, baffled my efforts to plot it neatly, defeated my struggle to tell the story smoothly... but I got there in the end.
I re-wrote it several times, and even had to add a whole character one time, with the almost impossible task of weaving him seamlessly through the whole book so no one would notice he was an afterthought!
The book is now out of my hands, and instead of feeling baffled and defeated - which was something that went away when I found that the several re-writes had worked - I feel deflated and bereft. I can't play with it any more. I can't fiddle and re-work and re-write and edit. It's gone off and is in the hands of others as they design, collate and format it for the first print. The characters are what the characters are. The locations are there. It's going to be set in the concrete of publication.
So the story will be told, and readers will, I hope, benefit from the telling. I have striven for a satisfying ending, one that - with some effort - ties up all the ends. And there were many! Entertainment was my aim: and the creation of atmospheres, for readers to enjoy a vicarious trip through some romantic locations and startling situations.
Now one problem remains: how do I conjure the same feeling in my next book? Where shall I find my characters? And where shall I put them? What story shall I tell?
You are an inspiration for all those people that dream of becoming an author, myself included.
ReplyDeleteIt is a difficult thing to keep returning to the same story over and over again, and this is an issue I have with my short stories of 300 words or so, let alone 300 pages. Cheers for persistence, and best of luck with sales.
http://shanegenziuk.wordpress.com/category/my-poems/
shanegenziuk, thank you! The classic short story is about 3500 words or so. Some people write to about 5000, which is the limit on competitions and some literary magazines. I used to write very comfortably to that length, but According to Luke is over 123,000! It was hard work, but worth it, I hope.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, my apologies for taking so long to write you back. Thanks for taking a peak at my blog and leaving your comments too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you mean by your last comment - 'I thought I wouldn't write again but the opposite is true.'I hope you're not experiencing the writer's block. My only experience in writing was my dissertation - I know it's very different to writing a novel but, still, it kind of gave me a taste of what an author goes through in preparing for his novel. It takes a lot of will power and concentration to finish a book. Good luck with your next one.
As to your comment about Malta - all the things you remember are still here but have decreased due to urban development. Gozo on the other hand has more or less preserved those memories of yours.
I meant having children might have been an obstacle, but it has proved to be the reverse: I seem to be very inventive when I am interrupted all the time!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad the atmosphere of rural Malta still exists: perhaps those who read my novel Death in Malta can look for it and find it. Your comments are appreciated, and I'll return your visit soon.
Thanks for stopping by today! I was an exchange student in Adelaide years ago. I love Oz!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see you, Caroline: I hope this felt a bit like a holiday!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued! Loved the 1st part I read ;) how can I get hold of a copy? Do you think it will come here (Malta)? Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like it, La Delirante! It will be released by my publishers later on this year and will be available globally of course, online, as a paperback through any online bookshop, and as a downloadable eBook in any platform you choose. Finding a distributor in Malta is almost impossible. Ask for it at Sapienza's or Aquilina's and see what happens: they might order it in for you - but wait till it's out!
ReplyDeleteOh, ok. Sapienza doesn't exist anymore :( Aquilina doesn't ring a bell either...
ReplyDeleteGee - the place HAS changed! Okay - the best book shop you can find. I think there's one on Bisazza St in Sliema.
ReplyDeleteI do know what you mean about the post-novel blues. It's a real feeling of loss. But then the next idea comes along and sweeps you up and suddenly you aren't so lonely anymore :)
ReplyDeleteYes - I do miss my old characters, Merrilee! I do have a great idea: now all I need is the motivation to set it on fire. Maybe next week?
ReplyDeleteI can understand your feelings of disappointment with not being able to continue and work with the piece once it's out of your hands. I often get to see work I've done online after it's been accepted and published, and there it sits, permanent and unchangeable. It doesn't help that I am one of those who is never satisified or content. As long as I am able, I'll likely continue to tweak and modify endlessly.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Paul - a piece is never finished: the artistic side of a writer always sees room for improvement.
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