You probably already guessed that the first Wednesday of the month belongs to the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG), a lovely online community of writers who at least once a month share hopes and concerns. Our mission to support each other as we pursue our dreams!
This month's question: Have any of your readers responded to your writing in a way that surprised you?
Yes! I was surprised when readers wanted to find out what happened to certain characters AFTER the story ended! For example, at the end of Standing Stones (which introduced the McDonnell family), one couple, Dylan and Moira, are separated. Now, in 'real' life, sometimes such separations, regardless of intention, become permanent. For a long time, I thought that's what happened to Dylan and Moira. Book 2 in this series, Years of Stone, follows Mac and Deidre to 1840's Australia. Book 3, Rivers of Stone, tells what happened to Dougal and Catriona in 1840's Canada. Mind you, writing each story takes me about three years.
Progress report: Readers really did surprise me by caring about my characters! And they truly wanted to know what happened to Dylan and Moira. With April being Camp NaNoWriMo (a writing challenge where you set your own goals), I can now report that I wrote an additional 15,000 words in April on Dylan and Moira's story. Hooray! Now for editing and, if all goes well, their story will go live before the year ends.
And Ripples: You may have noticed I haven't been posting so much here this month. Part of that is the Camp NaNoWriMo challenge, and part has been dealing with health issues in my family. Additionally, a family friend of many years died late in April, far too young at 43. Bright, curious, creative, he inspired many.
As spring has finally come to the Great Inland Northwest, we are surrounded by flowering trees, tulips, daffodils, and green, green trees. I leave you with this: Cherish each day. Celebrate your own creativity, and nurture those you love!
Flowering Ornamental Cherry Tree taken on one of my daily walks
The awesome co-hosts for the May 5 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, PJ Colando, Tonja Drecker, Sadira Stone, and Cathrina Constantine! Why not visit the IWSG writers to see what everyone's up to? And join in!
Congrats on your Camp NaNoWriMo word count! That's so great!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so sorry to hear about your family friend. Condolences and love to your families. <3
Thank you so much, M.J. I appreciate your thoughts!
DeleteSorry that your family has been going through health challenges. And so sorry about your loss of your family friend.
ReplyDeleteAwesome that you write so many words in April!
Thank you, Natalie. Not every month has such highs and lows . . .
DeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeletei am so sorry to hear about the health issues in your family and about your dear friend that died. I understand what you're going through. One of my dearest friends died in 2017. She was smart, creative, and a beautiful musician. She was 43 years old.
Take care of yourself and I pray that things get better and you can see the light at the end of tunnel.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Dear Pat, Thank you for your kind thoughts. Maybe we nourish the light within and share it with those we love to strengthen us all, for some days are hard.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your friend. That was way too young. And I hope your ill health in your family improves.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts. I'm still grateful for each day, especially spring! We're surrounded now by flowers and, finally, green, green trees.
DeleteYes, cherish each day! We shouldn’t take anything for granted, especially our health. Sorry to read about your friend. Congrats about making such great progress on Moira and Dylan’s story. I’m sure loads of readers want to find out what happened to them, me included.
ReplyDeleteHi, Liesbet. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging my latest story. Got a breakthrough on the ending yesterday, happily, since I did want that HEA. That 'cherish each day' fits you so exactly! Enjoy spring.
DeleteI’m very sorry about the loss of your dear young friend. Such a tragedy. I also hope that your family member’s health improves soon. On another note, it’s quite an achievement to have readers interested in following up with your characters at the end of your novel! Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteJulie