A friend of mine asked me recently, "Why did you start writing a novel?" It took me aback for a second, because I have never really thought about the original 'inspiration' or whatever else you would like to call it. It seemed like a naturally evolving thing to me, while I was in the middle of it. In addition, writing a full length mystery novel isn't exactly something most sixteen year old's do, ergo, I didn't stop to smell the roses all that much, or I might have talked myself out of it. Now, almost five years later, having had numerous set-backs and breaks from writing, I am much more comfortable with my position and the product I have created from pure imagination and hard work. Writing while finishing high school, applying to colleges, working, and having a social life, wasn't exactly the easiest thing to do, but I wouldn't change how it all played out. Now that I'm in the position to take my work further, it is a little more nerve racking....
I guess the nucleus of my novel came while I was working on a 1964 Rambler with my dad, at age 13. We were talking back an forth about what we were reading etc etc and an idea bloomed in our collective heads. After several weeks of futile writing, we eventually abandoned the project, deciding it was impossible to write a novel. A few years later, when the idea for Out of Arms Reach blossomed, I thought back to our previous project and said, "What the hell, maybe I can sell the idea to someone." Soon; however, chapter one was written and before I knew it, I had an 84,000 word book.
Filled with more grammatical errors than I am willing to admit, and a plot sequence that was more than a bit fuzzy, I set out to shape it into a legitimate novel. It took years, as it turns out, since life has a funny way of getting in the way of what you want to do. Finally though, it is now at an independent editor who is putting the finishing touches on it!!
Tomorrow I will post page TWO of Out of Arms Reach---so be sure to check back and have a look!
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