Have you ever read a novel and wondered what the author was thinking about when they wrote the first word? Like what was Charlotte Bronte thinking when she started Jane Eyre or J.K. Rowling when she started Harry Potter? Did they know at the moment of the first word that it would be a success?
As I started my last novel I was thinking, will someone want to read this. Will it make the New Your Best Sellers list? I typed the first word and suddenly the words were flowing from my fingers. It was as though the story had to be written and I’d been chosen to write it. I knew what had to be said and what the characters had to go through to get to the words The End.
As the story evolved I became immersed in the lives of the characters. It was as though I was watching the story from a distance. I could see the house, the people, the horses, and feel the pain, love or just happiness. I even cried at one point which is so in character with myself.
To make the great novel what do you do? You put everything inside you on paper. You leave nothing unsaid and no feeling unfelt. I’m not saying my novel is the great novel by any stretch of the mind, but instead I’m saying it could be to me or maybe a fan of my writing. I can dream of the day it soars to life in someone else’s heart.
The one thing I hope to achieve from my writing, other than making a little extra money, I hope to take the reader to another world, another time and help them to experience love through my characters. My Christian series was created to help others cope with something in their life. My romance novels were created to inspire romance. Everyone needs it.
So as I close this post, I glance out my window and watch the sun shine on the golden leaves as they fall from the trees. My mind is working on the novel at my fingertips and I smile. Maybe one day after I’m gone, someone will read my books and say, “I wonder what she was thinking as she wrote these words.”
As always good writing and May God bless you.
November 17, 2012 at 9:38 am
“The one thing I hope to achieve from my writing, other than making a little extra money, I hope to take the reader to another world, another time and help them to experience love through my characters.” These are my thoughts too Stephanie. 🙂 When I write or read a book, the first thought in my head is- the author wishes me to visit the land where the story took place. Every word, every stage of the story takes me to another realm of the Universe. I try to do the same for my readers. I’ve only just tried my hand at writing romance and I hope I do give right vibes to my readers. 🙂
Happy Weekend!
November 17, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I like how you came full circle in your blog post, ending with how you hope others will read your work long after you’re gone and wonder what inspired you to write that story. And I have to agree, emotional depth in a novel is one of the key factors that gathers fan, IMHO. (I’m still working on connecting with my characters….lol.)
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