Also, a strategy for overcoming writer's Block
Writing a book is hard. Even though I’ve been around the block, having completed two novels and working on a third (and, technically, a fourth), and despite a vast world inside my brain screaming to come to life, sometimes the words just won’t come. This is not a revelation to any writer anywhere, I know. It’s just one of those well-known obstacles we all face when staring at a blinking cursor or notebook page. Good ol’ writer’s block. And since that is currently what I’m suffering from, I have decided to use this alternate creative outlet to get my fingers zipping over those keys once more. So, for anyone interested, here are my favorite things about writing a novel.
This is what happens when you ask AI to create a tree made out of descriptive words.
Painting Word Pictures
I love wordsmithing and descriptive language (though I do balk at an entire paragraph dedicated to describing the color of a door or the smell of a meadow). My goal when writing is to make readers feel like they are watching a movie of the story in their minds. One of the most satisfying comments I got from early readers of The Shiver Tree was about that very thing, the person thrilled by the feeling of a cinematic experience. One of the least satisfying comments from a publisher I submitted to was, “Holly is, at times, overly descriptive.” To each his or her own, I suppose. I’m clinging to the positive reviewer’s comment and not looking back.
Side note for aspiring novelists: The amount of contradictory feedback one receives about one’s novel is confusing and sometimes unsettling. Eventually I had to laugh about it because what else is there to do? Not everyone is going to like your book—ever—and that’s fine.
Dialogue
Stilted or unnatural dialogue is one of my biggest pet peeves when reading a story. While I’m not going to claim to be a master of the art of dialogue, it is one of my favorite things to write. You get to take on so many different personalities and perspectives. Try out that joke you’ve been wanting to tell. Say things to your fictional characters that you’ve only dared fantasize about saying to your real-life acquaintances. If you’re an anxiety-ridden introvert like me, maybe you can write things your brain has told you to say in conversation but, like, twelve years too late. And at 3am.
Entertaining Readers
Books are my passion—both reading and writing. I love diving into a good story, getting lost in the magic of new worlds and vivid characters. My biggest hope as an author is bringing joy to even a handful of readers. Getting positive feedback on a labor of love is always gratifying, but knowing you helped light a spark in someone’s day is such a good feeling.
At the end of the day, I just love writing.