It’s Tuesday and time for a Slice of Life. Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for providing space for writers.
This is my 2019 OLW. I rather like it. One of things I’ve been doing in retirement is putting my WIP (work in progress) as a priority (like actually saying no to things so I can write). I’m currently taking a class facilitated by the incredible Emily Whitman. Her book THE TURNING, is nominated for an Oregon Book Award.
It has helped me stay focus and imagine the work being finished. I’ve been writing this book for ten years. I took a year long sabbatical from the story. It needed to simmer. Then it was a struggle to revise the last couple of years of teaching. Too many balls to juggle.
I had a total manuscript. Then I realized I needed to move from one voice to three voices. It is amazing what can happen when you imagine something in a new way. I was scared at first. Would I be able to create three separate voices? How could I add more tension? Would I be able to create strong characters that will stay with the reader?
I am now revising the story and looking at the poems. Which ones will be voice A? Which voice B or C? How will I handle a part of the story that was loosely based on a Pacific Northwest Native myth? This has been a challenge as I move toward that scene in the book. A challenge to the point of walking away.
But today, I had a moment of clarity as I drove to a doctor’s appointment. I was thinking about this scene, thinking about how to get the three characters who have been at odds to begin some working things out (before it all goes really haywire) and this idea came creeping into my brain. I am stoked to write that next part. I have a way to imagine it.
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
Your perseverance is amazing. I thank you for your dedication. It’s why we have such wonderful stories that become told in our world. Keep it going.
I love the little glimpses of your story that you share. They make me so curious to read your book. Thanks for sharing about your writing journey!
Go, Jone Go! How exciting for you. I cannot even imagine writing an entire novel!
I enjoyed reading your slice and so connected to the last couple lines. It’s such a great feeling when you have a way to imagine what you’ve been working on. Here’s to some great writing / revising days. May the three voices each tell you their part of your story.