Time in Writing

The story starts. At first I focus on the one thing, the one thing happening to this one person, a seemingly small act or a monumental one. Either way, it is important. The story develops, something more happens, details show themselves. This first person is joined by another and another. More people want in, want their say, want to claim their part in the story.

At first it’s great. It’s exciting to meet these new people. At first they are pretty polite, take turns, stay in their own spaces, but that doesn’t last. Their spaces and places and conversations happen more frequently, closer together, then they have interactions with other people at the same time in a different place. Such important things are revealed. But it’s not that easy to put onto a piece of paper and integrate into the story, scenes that happen at the same time. I want to get it all into words and paragraphs and chapters that flow.

Looking out at a stream or river or runoff in a gutter flowing by, it seems effortless and easy.

On The Road Again

One of the most enjoyable activities in marketing my novels is going on the road visiting independent bookstores. The people who own and run these stores are always happy to support local writers like me, taking my books on consignment. Having my novels on the shelves in these beautiful bookstores is no less than a dream come true.

Besides Amazon, A Better Life and The Price of Secrets can be found at lala books in Lowell, MA; Andover Bookstore in Andover, MA; Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, NH; Main Street Bookends in Warner, NH; Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London, NH; and Henniker Book Farm and Gifts in Henniker, NH. If you have an opportunity to visit any of these amazing bookstores, you are in for a treat.

Releasing my novels into the world is life-changing. Finishing such a long and involved project so close to my heart is not only incredibly exciting, but a bit traumatic. The people of my novels become part of my life, part of me, and it feels like I lose a little of myself when I let them go. For a couple of weeks, even with the excitement of publishing The Price of Secrets, I felt a little down. I had trouble focusing on my new novel, which is not a great feeling for a writer. Then my brother bought me a coloring book.

When I open to a new, pristine coloring page, there is a sense of newness, not unlike a blank page in a notebook. And there are decisions to make. Where to start? What color/tone to use? As with writing, I just begin. It doesn’t matter where I start, as long as I start. Start filling in the blank spaces and a picture gradually emerges. Not so different from writing. Creating a scene, a conversation, a character’s observations, coloring in a space, big or small, all add to the complete picture.

The more I think about losing part of myself by sending my work into the world, the more I realize it’s just a transition. It’s huge, but simply writing this post helps me know I am still here and I am whole. I will keep showing up to the page every day with faith and persistence. Keep getting words down, keep coloring in the story.

Joy

The Price of Secrets has come to exist over the past five years: written, revised, edited, formatted, covered, published, printed and bound and delivered. And now, more than a hundred copies are in the hands of readers.

I had ordered 65 copies for the book launch to make sure I had enough. I have two left. And 42 have been sold on Amazon, as well as eight of my first novel, A Better Life. I am amazed and proud and so grateful.

The book launch two days ago came together quickly. The books were magically delivered sooner than expected, the venue (Mt. Pleasant Golf Club) was available. No reason not to do it. Then a flurry of Emails, Facebook posts, word of mouth and it was happening. The launch was a wonderful night and a joyous opportunity for me to share some of the story, share some of my writing process, and share the joy. Everyone shared the joy.

To all of you who bought a book, thank you so very much. I hope you enjoy the story and pass it along to other readers. I would love to hear how you felt about the book, whether through a review on Amazon or Goodreads, an email, or an invitation to your book club–all are much appreciated.

Wishing you a healthy, joyful year ahead.

Turning a Page

Last week I received a proof copy of my second novel, The Price of Secrets. It is such a magical gift to hold this book in my hands, this story of family and love, loyalty and secrets and revenge.

It’s an amazing experience to have a manuscript, almost 300 pages of a story I have lived with and labored over, characters I have loved and not loved, wondered and worried about, transformed into a book. Because this is my second novel, I had the thrill of adding an “Also by Norma Murphy” page, with my first novel, A Better Life, listed. It’s not exactly a list, but it’s exciting just the same.

Turning a page of a manuscript, a loose page, is so very different than turning a page in a bound book. Yes, the words are the same, but they are transformed, as if given a promotion of sorts. Elevated. That’s the word. And now the story is nearly ready for the world to see.

The Price of Secrets will be published and available on December 9. I am in the process of organizing a book launch and will get that information out as soon as possible.

I am in a unique place as an author, finished with the writing of this novel, beginning the promotion and marketing, while working on my third novel. Between two worlds. And turning a page.

Endings

In life, endings can be messy. Endings can be complicated. When readers reach the end of a novel, however, they are not looking for messy. Readers look for happy endings, or at least some sense of resolution for all the problems and travails our characters have gone through. But what if the end of a story is both joyful and sad? What if things are resolved but new challenges still lie ahead? Does this mean it’s messy?

I am struggling right now with the very last few paragraphs of The Price of Secrets, satisfied that what happens is true, but not quite satisfied with how I have written it. Yet.

I did a brief search online for “Writing Endings” and came up mostly with ways stories end, checklists of things endings should include. I wasn’t searching for a formula; I was searching for advice and inspiration, or maybe inspirational advice.

After looking through my writing books, I pulled out one of my favorites, Hooked by Les Edgerton. It’s a wonderful book about beginnings, advice on engaging the reader from the very first sentence. I picked up the book, checked the index and found “Endings.” When I turned to page 14, I saw I had underlined this when I first purchased the book, more than ten years ago:

All good story endings and resolutions should involve both an element of a win and an element of a loss.

Yes. Exactly. My ending isn’t messy; it’s complicated. Like life. Now I just need to get my words as right and true as I can. I want to leave readers of The Price of Secrets still wanting to know how the characters are doing long after they finish the novel, but satisfied I have told their story.