Joyce
Elferdink for Marta’s Blogroll
A writer’s focus, according to Gary D. Schmidt,
author of numerous award-winning children’s books, comes when we find and
attend to that question that stirs us and leads us to write stories that say to
the reader: “Why don’t you try this?”
After
hearing him speak, I asked myself why do
I write? I couldn’t answer that question until I came to terms with why I
haven’t written. Even that must be clarified: I have always written, but never
even thought of writing a book until I started writing Pieces
of You. I wrote in a journal as a child, but it was primarily
about my parents’ arguments. Then I took up journal writing again as a divorced
adult, writing primarily about my relationships, but my second husband destroyed
that book.
I wrote for
work—annual reports, marketing material, curriculum, and other such works
required of a bank manager, economic development director and then college instructor.
I remember a former boss commanding me to write a book while in the Peace
Corps.
I did not. I
had nothing to say.
Yes, I had
many amazing experiences while in Kazakhstan and while living a life that was
never the typical fairy tale. But I didn’t find the inspiration to share what
my experiences taught me…until faced with a friend’s death.
When the
model for my protagonist died unexpectedly, I had lots of questions: Where was he? Why did he have to die just
when our relationship was becoming something very special? Why did we even meet? (After all, we were
miles apart.) To answer some of those questions, I had to do considerable research,
soul searching, and . As I detected answers, I began writing his story—or what
I believe could be his story.
Why do I
write? More specifically, why did I write my first novel at 60 something? I
finally have something to say. When I faced my haunting questions, I found some
incredible answers. But most of all, I wrote this one to recover pieces of him.
Joyce: Your words ring true to me. I, too, had little to say (write about) until I was nearly forty. What began as therapy for me, in the aftermath of a bloodied and bruised heart, ended up being my first novel.
ReplyDeleteEven then, I struggled. The rejection letter caused me much angst and I found reasons not to write. When I finally learned to enjoy the creative process, I was free, and became a writer. Now, I find I can't shut myself up! A Sunday without writing, for me, is like a day without sunshine is like ... night.
Thank you, J. Conrad! Your experience inspires me--I don't think I have fully embraced the creative process yet. Even though I self-published, I feel the rejection because my beloved novel has not attracted much attention out THERE. And I face a very critical writers' group quite regularly. Reasons not to write... yet what better way to "be the change."
DeleteIt may be more of a struggle to deny the creative process than to face our fears and just do it until it feels so good that we "can't shut ourselves up." I believe you!
Beautifully expressed Joyce - so inspiring - and reiterates the all-importance of experience and motivation - thank you so much for posting, lovely to read your words.
ReplyDeleteLove in words--the ultimate inspiration! Thank you, Sarah, for blessing me with your support.
DeleteJoyce, I'm not a prolific writer either--I only write when I have something to say. I got your book yesterday and I have to say that I love it already. I can't wait to dig further into it. I am reviewing it and I'm almost annoyed that the review stops the flow of my reading since I read/review together--the out line will make all the difference in the world and let me simply get lost in the book. Your subject matter is right up my alley and my own book is full of paranormal events that have no tangible explanation either.
ReplyDeleteI have to go now--your book awaits.
Micki
I wouldn't want to keep you from your work, Micki :-) but I have to send you a huge thank you, even though I can't actually articulate how grateful I am for people like you and Marta! You bring up a subject that I've struggled with--that is, how reading teaches us to write. My writers' group colleagues say their expertise at critiquing comes from prolific reading. I have read all my life but reading didn't teach me the fine art of dialogue. I almost always got lost in the book, and how can you be a participant and observer simultaneously?? I have found that since I've written my novel I do notice how other authors have dealt with my "writerly" questions. I guess we have to be looking for something specific to see it; otherwise we remain lost in the fantasies within the pages. Hmmm....which is the better way to read?
ReplyDeleteSome people seem to find inspiration everywhere and are fountains of words. For some of us, it is not so easy and we have to really push ourselves to be open to inspiration.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being open and having the courage to write that first novel at an advanced age.
Maybe there really is a time and a season for every activity... If we pushed ourselves to accomplish out of our season, would the results be comparable to the clothes we buy after the season ends--the ones that are greatly discounted??
DeleteI suspect that unless we write solely for financial reward, we all know when its our time. Of course, procrastination can push our work beyond its season...
For me, the time is now. What about you, Larry?
Lovely prose Joyce - I utterly agree that one needs a certain overwhelming reason to write, a relentless imperative that will not let you rest until it finds expression. And to cast it in ink is to immortalize it in a way, and once having retrieved the 'pieces' and compiled them in such a fashion, you have, as you said, recovered something of him. And something more of yourself in the process perhaps? So lovely to read your contribution, Joyce - I wish you the very best of literary luck!
ReplyDeleteI wish the same for you, PJ! Do you write poetry? (Your language is vivid and musical!)
DeleteYou are correct that in my search for the pieces of him, I uncovered facets of myself--some good and some needing to be discarded rather than suppressed. Do you think personal discovery is a consequence for most writers?
A warm, informative back story told well.
ReplyDeleteA true writer! Fitting each message into its place in the manuscript (of life...). Thank you!
DeleteJoyce, I truly enjoyed the straightforwardness of this. Thank you so very much for sharing! I hope it is a success. Deirdre Tolhurst, author of A Christmas I Remember.
ReplyDeleteDeirde, your comment made me think about the meaning of success. I sometimes get off track and think its in the numbers of people who own my novel. That can be discouraging, but when one person tells me how it made him/her wonder about something they may have ignored or taken for granted, I'm happy. So I pray for that success...but may I have the other, too?!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI relate very well to your experience as examined why you wrote. I had the same experience in 2010, only it was with one of my dearest school buddies. We were staying at their home for a few days while visiting family and friends in the U.S. It was a early morning and the both of us were up before our spouses and were sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee when he asked me, Patricia, please tell me when you are going to write your first book. Why aren't you writing? Something in me dissolved as I pondered over what he had said. You see, even though I had written all my life, I don't think the strength of my words, the emotions that I put in them now, would have been present if I had started writing publicly, when I was younger. Experiencing life and overcoming many storms that have raged through my own life as well as facing my own idiosyncrasies has given me the maturity to know I have something to say. I enjoyed reading your reasons for writing and truly wish you the very best. I have put your book on my book list and look forward to reading it in the future.
Ciao,
Patti
It is nice to know my experience somewhat mirrors yours, Patti. That gives me confidence! It seems that most authors I've met say they've been writing stories or poems since they were children or at least young adults, making me wonder if I was not meant to be a writer. For some of us it evidently takes that question (your experience) or event (mine) to jolt us from the personal to a more public (and creative) expression of our hard-won insights.
ReplyDeleteI am honored that you put "Pieces of You" on your reading list! BTW, are you the Pat Garcia who has a CD listed on Amazon?
Hi Joyce,
DeleteI am sorry for just getting back to you, but your reply did not enter my mailbox, and I was just checking out Marta' s site to see if she had posted a new blog when when I decided to open the comments and look to see if you had replied to me. In regards to your question, yes I am the Pat Garcia with the Cds listed on Amazon.
Ciao,
Patti
Hello Patti,
DeleteThere's only one CD on Amazon and it's used. How could I get a copy?
-Joyce
Hello Joyce, Thanks for sharing your lifes path in writing with us. Like Patti, I am putting your book on my list to purchase and read.
ReplyDeleteI started writng late in life as well. Like you I kept a diary as a kid and placed my deepest thoughts, secrets, and desires within each page. But, typical, living with four brothers, none of my diaries survived. After stealing them, reading them, teasing me to death about the contents, they destroyed them and of course, swore they never saw them.I wanted to write at ayounger age, but then life happened. So, I waited until I had an empty nest, and then began. By that time I had a great deal to write about. I believe there truly is a place and a time for every season unto Heaven, (Eph.Ch3,Vs.5). It came late, however, it came. Congrats on your success.
Blessings,
Pat Yeager
I love what you said, Pat: "it came late; however, it came." Why wish our lives had been different when every experience, every person (even bratty brothers), and every decision helped to complete the image that others behold today!
DeletePat and Patti, I welcome honest feedback on "Pieces of You." And I will gladly reciprocate!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJoyce, your words have touched a cord and moved me deeply. I'm now wondering if I might be able to recover pieces of those I have loved and lost. Your words have prompted me to try. Thank you! – Jerry Genesio
ReplyDeleteDear Jerry--and you do seem like a dear person!
DeleteI have come to believe that even though we may not be visited by those who have crossed over, they leave pieces and promises for us to discover. I had to figure out why my Mark (also my book's protagonist) had to leave; the book gives a possible answer. I wish you joy in your discoveries!
http://harmlessjoyce.wordpress.com
I'd like to thank Joyce for her wonderful piece as well as all the people who took the time to read it and leave a comment.
ReplyDeletePlease visit often, as the Blogroll features a different author every week :)
I want to add my experience here to Marta's message: I have never had this many comments on ANY of my own blog posts. It seems that supporting another author's work brings rewards beyond the joy of giving.
DeleteI was surprised when Marta sent me an email that I had a comment and now there are eleven--now I am amazed and touched!
I propose the same experience for others who've been primarily writing for their own blogs and feeling like it's a one-way conversation.
Happily yours,
Joyce
Joyce, Maybe, over a cup of coffee, you can help me dust off my ancient manuscript again.
ReplyDeletePhil