Margo Storm has me stumped for the moment and even though it
doesn’t look like I’m doing any work on the novel right now, I am! I’m
ruminating. At about 50,000 words into the novel, I’ve decided to go back to
the beginning to insert Margo’s present-day story between each of the chapters
chronicling the lives of the women buried in the Storm family’s cemetery plot.
Beyond the ruminating, one other maneuver I’ve employed to
extract myself from this stall involves reading stories other novelists have
written. Even though I sometimes feel guilty about taking time out from the
writing, I think it’s a necessary practice to reset my imagination. Sitting out
here reading, watching the birds, the sky and the clouds, opens up my world
beyond my computer screen. Themes and devices running though other writers’
stories inspire me to think more broadly about the one I’m writing.
Pausing to let myself enjoy the life going on around me
helps banish the fear that looms large when words and ideas refuse to flow. While
reading, I’ve been reminded of a theme that will fit into Margo’s life
perfectly. Now I’m onto some new directions for Margo’s character and new
insight into how to make her life the ongoing chain that links the lives of all
the Storm women. Now, to get on with it!
I thought of a quote
this week to share with you : “Boredom is the soil of creativity, inspiration
its seed and imagination its flower.” Cheryl Thomas
Write On!
Cheryl
