Stories that Speak (My Writing Journey, Part 13)

Tweet

A couple days ago I typed the last words of my second novel. This is a book I've been working on for about three years, and it's a wonderful feeling to bring a story that's been in my head for that long to the page. I'm not finished entirely, however. There will be plenty of revisions to come. But at least the story is complete.

This plot is something I'd struggled with all through the writing. I knew how I wanted it to end, but the getting there was the sticky wicket. I kept hitting a wall with the plot twists.

Now comes the potentially scary moment---coming up with a third book. Really. If I let myself dwell on the negative, I could become a slave to fear over this. Will I be able to write something I care about as much as this last book?

But you know what? This time I have a little perspective. I remember I felt this exact same way when I started my second novel. I didn't think I could ever love new characters like my old ones. I didn't know how I would discover a plot that excited me as much as my first. But I did. And that's the way it'll be with this third book if I keep my heart in the right place and trust God.

I shared some of this frustration recently with a published author friend, and she had some great advice: "You're not going to dry up," she said. "There are stories everywhere. Tell the next one that speaks to you."

So that's what I'm gonna do. Seek out the story that speaks. And there are a couple of them whispering in my ear right now ...