September 6, 2016: Online book launch of The Spawning Grounds
- Thread starter Gail Anderson-Dargatz
- Start date
This is interesting, Gail! I wrote my novel La Brigantessa (to be published in 2018 by Inanna Publications!) because of my ties to Italy, where I was born. I was only three when my family moved to Canada, but we did return several times, and I have always felt nostalgic about it. I've used my memories, along with research and personal trips to create the fictional landscape in my novel. Although I sometimes fantasize about owning a villa in southern Italy and doing tons of research and writing there (yes, I like to dream big!), I have done all the writing of this novel in the northern Ontario city of Sudbury. Someone penned the expression "taking a reverse metaphorical journey to your homeland" which is what I feel I have done. (It helped get me through the long, cold, snowy winters!)
Finding time to write is, of course, the big one. I had to keep reminding myself that if I just found an hour a day to write, then I could hammer out 250 words a day. That’s a rough draft in a year. But of course the real work comes in rewriting. I find having set goals necessary here. I use Scrivener in my rough drafts and that helps. I just focus on a given scene each day, and that little bing of a reward when I reach my day’s word count goal really helps (I get my piece of chocolate).
"Or am I “allowed” to find inspiration in the stories of others, or other cultures? In short, do I have the right to tell this story?" This is exactly what keeps me back! It actually pains me to know end. I will check out your blog. Thank you for acknowledging this, and how beautiful to have the admiration and acceptance of Dene Moore.
The extreme of this is the notion that women can't write from a man's POV or vice versa which knocks out 50% of the field. My belief is that writers should write what they feel compelled to write. Once you send your novel, short story or poem into the world, as you say, it belongs to the reader who will view it through their own prism. Stay true to yourself and your art, not to the fear of what others will think.
Mitch, for starters. He listens and lets me blow off steam. Then, my kids. I can't tell them to keep moving forward, if I don't. 
But the real thing is the writing process itself. As long as I'm in the habit, I feel driven to write. I love it, just for the sake of doing it. Of losing myself in it, and that numinous feeling that comes with it. I write for that.
But the real thing is the writing process itself. As long as I'm in the habit, I feel driven to write. I love it, just for the sake of doing it. Of losing myself in it, and that numinous feeling that comes with it. I write for that.
I'm not sure if this was meant as a question for Gail or a general question, but I read everything I'd written the day before. I find that to be a good way to ease back into the writing, get my mind in the right place, focus, etc. Somehow it takes the pressure off having to "perform" immediately. You just naturally flow into the new writing.
Those who have worked with me before know this one ... Our workshop mantra: write crap! Just throw it on the page and move on. Leave the rewriting for later.
Do I take that advice myself? Not always, of course. I'm a fiddler. But I do try to just write scene and worry about making connections and cleaning it all up later ...
Do I take that advice myself? Not always, of course. I'm a fiddler. But I do try to just write scene and worry about making connections and cleaning it all up later ...