Sandra, I didn't know about your husband. I'm so sorry to hear this. And I hope the words flow freely with your new book. I know what it feels like to not have anything in the works. It's our sustenance, and it can be scary.
Hi Russell, Thank you for your note. I'm finding that having just one sentence is an excellent way to begin. I now have a project on the go. I hadn't realized how important that was to me emotionally. "Sustenance" in so many ways. :-)
Dear friend Sandra: it's okay to stop for awhile! But it usually doesn't last because writing is what we do..like marriage vows--in sickness and health, for better or worse, etc, etc! Living with grief and missing someone is its own country and it takes time to get used to those new landscapes. Would love to read your memoir!
Sorry for your great loss during the pandemic. A little over a decade ago, I lost my first husband of 31 years. I can see how your writing helped console you. I’m glad you are thinking about your memoir.
I am so sorry to read about the loss of your husband. Grief is hard enough but in covid years it was extra lonely and isolating, if that is possible. I am so glad you continue to write, your books give so many, such pleasure.
Dear Sandra - I cannot wait to read Princess of Hearts - ever since you first mentioned it as an idea several years ago ( or was it the version that involved a young girl as a falcon trainer for the scary king ? either way I was / am intrigued) and have been impatient to get my hands on it, being a huge fan of historical fiction.
I have finally - 12 yrs since beginning - finished my own novel 'Relative Magic' It is much too long I am sure - 61 chapters - so perhaps it should be divided into two separate but connected stories? The story concerns 3 teens from vastly diffrent social backgrounds who meet in a time slip scenario in 1917 Renfrew County. What to do with the story at this point? Would you be interested in being an early reader or do you know of someone who would enjoy the exercise? It is as polished as I can make it at this point but I do not know how to proceed further. I know it is a big ask of anyone but I would love some feedback and I am open to making necessary editing changes. I have shared one chapter with Nicole, our librarian to read as it concerns one of my characters in present day, trying her best to navigate a volunteer job at the library and failing in her own eyes, rather miserably. Other elements in the story concern WW1 and the effect it had on the local population, along with old farming techniques, integration ( or not ) of the local indigineous populaton, and train transport one hundred years ago. There are a couple of nasty villains of course, serving to move the plot along with necessary conflict. So a lot is going on, but with the underlying theme of family and friendship bonds through time.
Hi Patricia! I'm glad you identified yourself! First: congratulations! This looks to be a very challenging story to write, but you're obviously up for the challenge. Be aware that first novels rarely make it to print. I wrote 2 "practice" novels that thankfully did not get published. (I wasn't thankful at all at the time.) But YES: cut it by half or to 100K words, whichever is less. Then print it out double spaced and reread it with a pencil in hand and a notebook close by. Read it out loud. Give yourself a month. Make notes in the margins: sleepy! good! confusing! check! Or "see note!" And in the notebook jot down bigger questions & concerns with the page number for reference. Once you do all this, AND make needed changes, I will read the first 50 pages. I know that doesn't sound like much, but the first 50 show a good deal (and I'm a very slow reader). Sorry for sounding like a school marm! Email me directly at sgulland AT gmail.com. And keep the faith! xoxox
Hi Sandra - thank you for these helpful suggestions - cutting it in half - hmmm, can I do that? Will get right on it though it may be a challenge. I am happy that now colder weather is here as I may not be as tempted to run outdoors to do yardwork - so many excuses one can make to avoid the challenge of sitting in front of the keyboard... I will let you know how I am getting on with things.
Yes, daunting to cut that much, I know! Maybe print it out and read it first, see where it slows. Sometimes two characters should be combined. Identify what the novel is about and make sure that everything is supporting that. The book "Save the Cat Writes a Novel" is helpful. Cheers, Sandra
Sandra, I didn't know about your husband. I'm so sorry to hear this. And I hope the words flow freely with your new book. I know what it feels like to not have anything in the works. It's our sustenance, and it can be scary.
Hi Russell, Thank you for your note. I'm finding that having just one sentence is an excellent way to begin. I now have a project on the go. I hadn't realized how important that was to me emotionally. "Sustenance" in so many ways. :-)
Dear friend Sandra: it's okay to stop for awhile! But it usually doesn't last because writing is what we do..like marriage vows--in sickness and health, for better or worse, etc, etc! Living with grief and missing someone is its own country and it takes time to get used to those new landscapes. Would love to read your memoir!
I think of you often and am grateful to know what is and has been real for you. Sending care and always remembering RG.
Sorry for your great loss during the pandemic. A little over a decade ago, I lost my first husband of 31 years. I can see how your writing helped console you. I’m glad you are thinking about your memoir.
Oh my, Sandra, I knew your husband died, but not the details. As a fellow widow and creator we need to talk. I will be in S M on Wednesday.
Absolutely, Heather. Come see me and your painting. 😊
It is not surprising that you had trouble writing after such a devastating event. So glad you are back at it!
I am so sorry to read about the loss of your husband. Grief is hard enough but in covid years it was extra lonely and isolating, if that is possible. I am so glad you continue to write, your books give so many, such pleasure.
Hang in there. Keep writing when it feels right
Dear Sandra - I cannot wait to read Princess of Hearts - ever since you first mentioned it as an idea several years ago ( or was it the version that involved a young girl as a falcon trainer for the scary king ? either way I was / am intrigued) and have been impatient to get my hands on it, being a huge fan of historical fiction.
I have finally - 12 yrs since beginning - finished my own novel 'Relative Magic' It is much too long I am sure - 61 chapters - so perhaps it should be divided into two separate but connected stories? The story concerns 3 teens from vastly diffrent social backgrounds who meet in a time slip scenario in 1917 Renfrew County. What to do with the story at this point? Would you be interested in being an early reader or do you know of someone who would enjoy the exercise? It is as polished as I can make it at this point but I do not know how to proceed further. I know it is a big ask of anyone but I would love some feedback and I am open to making necessary editing changes. I have shared one chapter with Nicole, our librarian to read as it concerns one of my characters in present day, trying her best to navigate a volunteer job at the library and failing in her own eyes, rather miserably. Other elements in the story concern WW1 and the effect it had on the local population, along with old farming techniques, integration ( or not ) of the local indigineous populaton, and train transport one hundred years ago. There are a couple of nasty villains of course, serving to move the plot along with necessary conflict. So a lot is going on, but with the underlying theme of family and friendship bonds through time.
oh right, re the previous post my nom de plume showed up here, but I am actually going through life as Patricia Thurston. cheers.
Hi Patricia! I'm glad you identified yourself! First: congratulations! This looks to be a very challenging story to write, but you're obviously up for the challenge. Be aware that first novels rarely make it to print. I wrote 2 "practice" novels that thankfully did not get published. (I wasn't thankful at all at the time.) But YES: cut it by half or to 100K words, whichever is less. Then print it out double spaced and reread it with a pencil in hand and a notebook close by. Read it out loud. Give yourself a month. Make notes in the margins: sleepy! good! confusing! check! Or "see note!" And in the notebook jot down bigger questions & concerns with the page number for reference. Once you do all this, AND make needed changes, I will read the first 50 pages. I know that doesn't sound like much, but the first 50 show a good deal (and I'm a very slow reader). Sorry for sounding like a school marm! Email me directly at sgulland AT gmail.com. And keep the faith! xoxox
Hi Sandra - thank you for these helpful suggestions - cutting it in half - hmmm, can I do that? Will get right on it though it may be a challenge. I am happy that now colder weather is here as I may not be as tempted to run outdoors to do yardwork - so many excuses one can make to avoid the challenge of sitting in front of the keyboard... I will let you know how I am getting on with things.
Yes, daunting to cut that much, I know! Maybe print it out and read it first, see where it slows. Sometimes two characters should be combined. Identify what the novel is about and make sure that everything is supporting that. The book "Save the Cat Writes a Novel" is helpful. Cheers, Sandra