Sunday, February 20, 2011

Go for the fear

by Maria Geraci

This January I made a writing resolution, or a quest (as I like to call it in my more Quixotic moments) to have a completed manuscript to send to my agent by the end of June. I made a chart outlining how many words I'd produce in a week, the date I'd have my first rough draft, the date I'd finish the second draft, etc...

The lovely thing about this resolution is that it is self-imposed.

Which is also the scary thing about it.

Because for the first time since I've sold, I'm writing a story without a contract and there's that little voice niggling at me from behind my shoulder saying "this could all be a big waste of time."

Or not

This all started when I met with my agent in January to discuss my career goals. Back in October, I'd sent her a rough synopsis for a story I wanted to write and she said "Go for it!"

So I did.

But as these things happen, the story I started writing didn't fit the synopsis I'd pre-engineered.
A square peg does not go in a round hole.

I told her how the story wasn't the same anymore, and how for the first time I was writing in first person present tense, that there were elements in the story that were out of my comfort zone, etc. And for a second time she said, "Go for it!"

So I did.

And let me tell you, those areas that are out of my comfort zone are starting to get painful. And scary. Not in a horror kind of way but in a "Oh my God, can I write this and will it be "true" kind of way?" Because there is nothing worse than writing fiction and coming across as unauthentic.

Having worked for years as a labor and delivery nurse (my "day" job) I know that the one position a laboring woman finds most uncomfortable is often the one that produces the most progress. I was thinking about this the other day and relating it to my own labors as a writer.

Can I write characters who have experienced things that I haven't?

Can I draw from my own experiences and emotions and inject them into those unfamiliar situations to make them resonate with my readers?

God, I hope so. Because the characters in my wip are taking me places I've never been before, but I know that if I don't go there I'll let my characters down and my story will crumble.

I remember hearing Michael Hauge (if you ever get a chance to attend one of his seminars, I highly recommend it) talk about character arc and say "go for the fear." You have to take your characters to the places they fear the most. It's the only way they'll change. Same goes for me as a writer. If I don't take my writing to the places that make me squirm, my writing won't grow either.

If you write your book for yourself, instead of with a readership in mind, then the book will be true. And if the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.”
Wally Lamb

Maria Geraci writes fun, romantic women's fiction. Her newest release, THE BOYFRIEND OF THE MONTH CLUB is available in bookstores everywhere.

"Romance readers will revel in the Austen-perfect happy ending and the warm friendship among members of the club." —Publishers Weekly

To learn more, please go to her website at
http://www.mariageraci.com/

22 comments:

  1. I think it's exciting, taking your writing in a new direction. Wishing you the best success!!

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  2. Beautiful post, Maria, and you know I have every confidence in you that the story you write will be a wonderful one ;). Loved hearing Michael Hauge's speak -- he really inspired me, too -- and that Wally Lamb quote is excellent. Thank you for sharing your quest. I needed to read it today... xo

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  3. Thanks for the Michael Hague link. He has some amazing articles on his site.
    Best of luck with the new WIP.

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  4. Thanks for the good wishes, Anita and Karin:)

    Marilyn, I have that Wally Lamb quote printed on a notecard pinned above my desk so I can peek at it from time to time for inspiration!

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  5. Great post, Maria, and good luck! I have every confidence you can do it!

    Thanks so much for sharing the Wally Lamb quote . . . I love it.

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  6. Great post, Maria! I'm very excited about your new venture and can't wait to read it. I'm sure it'll be wonderful!

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  7. You can do it, Maria! Boy, can I relate! Been there myself switching from writing five mysteries in first person singular to YA (three characters in third person) to Little Black Dress (two voices, one in first person and one in third)! But, gosh, does it feel good once you've done it...and you realize it works...and you trust yourself to try something else you've never done before. Although that fear never completely goes away, which I figure is a good thing. You are on a wonderful journey, my friend! I have utter faith that you can pull off anything! :-)

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  8. How honest and profound! Since I had such an excruciating time with my first labor and delivery, I completely get it when you talk about the one position we often need to take being the most uncomfortable. I have hereby been duly encouraged, here, and have no more excuses with my writing!

    I absolutely loved this post.

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  9. Push, Maria! Push! Excellent analogy for growing your writing in a new direction. You can do it and I bet it will feel great when you deliver!

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  10. Maria
    Great post! And spot on, at least from my perspective. Good luck with the new manuscript. I am certain it will be brilliant!

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  11. I love that, "go with the fear." I think it's good for writers to stretch themselves and try something new. Good luck to you!

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  12. I know whatever you write will be awesome! You are the best story teller I've ever met. Often times your version of something is "better than being there" Cannot wait to read more books of yours!

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  13. Great post, Maria! Thank you for reminding us that we need to be brave!!

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  14. Great post, Maria! And just when I'm struggling through my current WIP and feeling like I am so out of my element much of the time! "No pain, no gain."

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  15. Judy, that Wally Lamb post has gotten me through a couple of rough days:)

    Susan and Leigh, thanks for the encouragement! I need every second of it.

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  16. Lauren, glad I could offer a bit of encouragement:)

    Cindy, Love the OB puns. I guess you could say I'm in my fourth month right now;)

    Maggie and Malena, thanks for the encouragement. Believe me, I can use every ounce of it!

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  17. Sharon, thanks so much for stopping by to tell me that!

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  18. Brenda, I didn't realize until I'd published my first book how brave we all have to be. It's like being on stage where everyone looks at you and comments behind their hands in shushed whispers.

    Lois, I'm so glad my post was timely. No pain, no gain, is my new mantra!

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  19. I am in a similar situation, Marcia - trying to write a novel that fits the two sentence description in my contract. I'm with you, you have to go for it. "Write the story that wants to be told" is my mantra (Though I'm adding the Wally Lamb quote to my collection!). And just hope that in the end both the hole and the peg are triangles.

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  20. Hi Amy, at least it's just two sentences! (Although I can imagine how those 2 sentences can structure an entire story). Best of luck with the new manuscript:)

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  21. "Go for the fear." There's a lot of truth in those four words! Of course you can write characters that experienced things you haven't! A little research combined with your terrific imagination and there you are! Go for it! Though it might feel like a stretch, it sounds like you know exactly what's required!

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  22. Sounds exciting and scary and fun - good luck with it and can't wait to hear about it!

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