Unveiling My Writing Journey: Crafting a Novel from Scratch
Ever wondered what it takes to write a novel? Me too. So, I’m diving headfirst into this wild, daunting task, eager to share it with you—all while being absolutely terrified. Writing is personal and exposing. Until now, the writing I truly call my own has been kept close to my heart, veiled from the world. Teaching writing was one thing, but can I translate that habit into something captivating, engaging, and worthy of being read? This fear, I believe, is a natural part of any creative journey. The act of creation is one task; sharing it is an entirely different one.
In this post, I’ll give you a glimpse into my book—covering its genre, a few characters, style, and themes. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a curious reader, or just here for the ride, I hope this peek behind the curtain will leave you eager for more. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s dive in!
Discovering the Genre
Choosing the genre for my novel was one of the first steps in my writing process. I wanted to create a story that resonates with readers on multiple levels, blending elements that fascinate and challenge them. My book falls within the contemporary fiction genre, with strong elements of romance, drama, and mystery. This genre allows for a rich tapestry of narrative possibilities, enabling me to explore complex characters and intricate plots. It’s a genre that has always captivated me, and I’m excited to contribute my own voice to it.
The romance in my novel is a slow burn, one that builds and even unravels slowly, allowing readers to deeply invest in each character. The drama comes naturally and, I hope, unexpectedly at times. My goal is to keep you guessing, ensuring that life’s twists and turns are anything but straightforward. The element of mystery is perhaps my favorite—and most challenging—aspect to write. If you’re not thinking about it when you close the book, I haven’t done my job.
Breathing Life into Characters
CCharacters are the heart and soul of any story. They drive the plot forward and connect with readers on an emotional level. In my novel, I’ve crafted a diverse cast of characters, each with their own distinct personalities, backgrounds, and motivations.
- Adeline “Ada” Lawrence: The protagonist, a former social worker navigating post-career life while grappling with past traumas and new challenges. Ada is determined, passionate, and fiercely independent, yet vulnerable as she tries to find her place in the world. She’s no stranger to trauma, having worked closely with those affected by it. As the story progresses, an unexpected moment in Ada’s journey will change the course of events for her in an unanticipated way.
- Cooper: Ada’s love interest, an art student with a deep, unnerving past. He is drawn to Ada’s fire and passion, despite his own lack of direction and his desire to escape his troubled life. As the layers of Cooper’s past are peeled back, his struggles and resilience add depth to his character and to his relationship with Ada.
I won’t pretend this story doesn’t bear resemblance to my life. It absolutely does, and some moments are pulled directly from my memories. They say to write about what you know, and I know this. That being said, after a few chapters, things begin to fictionalize. Once again, important to get right.
Finding My Style
Every writer has a unique voice and style that sets their work apart. For me, developing my writing style has been a journey of self-discovery. I aim to create prose that is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the world I’ve built. My style leans towards vivid descriptions and dynamic dialogue, ensuring that readers can visualize the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. It’s a balance of showing and telling, and I strive to maintain that balance throughout my novel.
Exploring Themes
Every writer has a unique voice and style that sets their work apart. For me, developing my writing style has been a journey of self-discovery. I aim to create prose that is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the world I’ve built. My style leans towards vivid descriptions and dynamic dialogue, ensuring that readers can visualize the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. It’s a balance of showing and telling, and I strive to maintain that balance throughout my novel.
Exploring Themes
Themes are the underlying currents that give depth to a story. In my novel, I explore several themes that are close to my heart:
- Resilience: Ada’s and Cooper’s journeys both spin a web that is riddled with overcoming adversity, facing past traumas, and finding strength in oneself and relationships.
- Identity: The struggle of defining oneself outside of face value and the search for new purpose and passion while examining the past under new light.
- Trust: Trust, or lack thereof, in others and oneself is an ongoing battle for our protagonist and her love interest, as it is never straightforward.
- Love and Relationships: The complexities of romantic and platonic relationships, interlaced with familial ties, and how they shape and support personal growth.
- Mental Health: Addressing the impact of trauma and the importance of mental health, highlighting Ada’s journey through therapy and self-discovery.
- Mystery and Intrigue: As Ada navigates her new life, unexpected twists and turns challenge her in ways she never anticipated, keeping readers guessing and engaged up to the very end.
The Writing Process
Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to revise and refine. My writing process involves a mix of meticulous planning and spontaneous creativity. I start with an outline to map out the major plot points and character arcs. However, I allow room for the story to evolve naturally as I write. This flexibility keeps the writing process exciting and allows for unexpected twists and turns.
Overcoming Challenges
Every writer faces challenges, and I’m no exception. There are days when the words flow effortlessly, and days when I struggle to write a single sentence. Overcoming writer’s block, managing time, and staying motivated are all part of the journey. I find the refining process to be the most challenging part yet. It is what I am most drawn to do as I read and reread, but it is hard to think outside of what is on the page and it is even harder to open yourself up to critique.
I’m learning to embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth. Each obstacle overcome makes me a stronger and more determined writer, or at least that is what I will continue to tell myself.
The Joy of Creation
Despite the challenges, the joy of creation is what keeps me going. Seeing the world I’ve imagined come to life on the page is an incredibly fulfilling experience. Knowing that my story has the potential to touch readers and leave a lasting impact is a powerful motivator. I write because I love it, and that passion fuels every word I put down. To have this chance and this moment in my life to slow down and pull apart a moment with my words is invigorating, and I am trying desperately to savor this experience.
Conclusion
Writing a novel is a deeply personal and transformative journey. It’s an adventure filled with highs and lows, moments of doubt and triumph. Sharing the specifics of my book—its genre, characters, style, and themes—offers a glimpse into the world I’m creating. I hope that my journey inspires others to embark on their own creative endeavors, whatever they may be. Keep an eye out for more updates on my writing progress—I can’t wait to share this story with the world.
