At last, I have something significant to post for a writing update! I've struggled, ever since the last story I wrote, to get those creative juices flowing again and to be consistent at it. Now, I think I've figured out the reason why. Some of you may remember the poll I put up on Instagram about which story I should pursue. This one (see pic below) got the most votes and it is along the lines of this premise that I am shaping my new story. There are so many unknowns with this story. This particular tale feels bigger than any of my previous projects over the years, since I'll be juggling a handful of viewpoints and trying to weave TWO stories into one specific plotline. Yikes!
Despite the "impossible-ness" of this project looming over me, at the same time it excites me because published authors I've followed have claimed feeling the same way. Overwhelmed by all there is to tell and how to bring the pictures we see in our heads out onto paper, forming them into word-pictures that tell a story. There is currently no title to this one, and unlike I've done in the past, there isn't really a strict outline of "this is how it is going to happen" but rather, I'm going to take this opportunity to lean into my Savior, the Author of my story, the Author of this world, the Author of words. . . and seek His help in bringing this story to life. Recently, during some sporadic writing sessions, I've paused beforehand and simply prayed, "Lord, give me the words." When I take the time to pause and to hand it all over to God, my writing comes more naturally, sometimes from a deeper level. He gives me the words. And if words are what I need to make this story come alive, then I need His help. =) Want a sneak peek? ;) I'm debating about adding this to the story as a prologue, just in case it would give readers too many clues right from the start. . . but we'll see if it ends up in there. Without further ado. . . the prologue. *** Once upon a time. . . I sighed and crossed out the sentence. It was so cliched, yet what phrase could begin to describe memories that felt like they were from a lifetime ago? Could mere words sweep me back to those days—without sounding like a washed up, romantic fairytale? My story was anything but a fairytale. Somehow, I had to convince my words of the same idea. I held my breath as a gust of wind rattled the windows, reminding me of the storm outside that closely resembled the one inside me. Again, I wondered how I could get this story written accurately. How could I capture every sparkling moment; the ones that stole my breath, made my heart ache with longing, and brought the familiar tingle to my lips? Then there were the ones I wished he was in, the bittersweet memories that came after that night. I wielded my pen, poising it over the partially charred sheet in my leather-bound notebook. Yet another testament of what I once had before everything came crashing down. At last, I dove into the heart of the story. The words that flowed from my pen—from my heart—didn’t stop, as if I’d turned on a spicket, freeing the memories clogged in my soul. I wrote for three hours what it took half a year to work through. A major part of my life recorded in a matter of 180 minutes, here and gone, just like that. It wasn’t perfect. Some of my memories from that time blended with ones more recent, but it didn’t matter. No one would ever read it anyway. No matter how much I dreamed of the moments I had that summer, I couldn’t go back. The truth speared me and threatened to blow away the last of the hope I harbored deep in my heart. The hope that I might see him again. . . someday.
1 Comment
4/1/2022 08:35:48 am
I love it, Carolyn! I love the idea and the prologue. Please keep going with it!
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AuthorHi! I'm Carolyn, a writer seeking to glorify God with my words. Archives
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