Thanks for this article. I found the “story line thought process” to be interesting. I just purchased a used copy of your book. I have a family member married to an Asian whose mother’s family was in an internment camp, as well as living in an agricultural town on the California Central Coast where a lot of Asians live who had to relocate to such camps — I even interviewed one I personally knew a few years ago. I knew almost nothing about those internment camps from my school age years (1950s-1960s) growing up in Northern California except the names of the camps. I learned the most about them about 1979-1981 from Senator Hiwakawa (sp?) when reparations began to be discussed.
You knew more than I did! No one I’ve talked to who grew up on the East Coast or in the Midwest learned about the Japanese internment. It’s a disgrace that we weren’t taught this part of US history. Thank you for buying the book; I hope you enjoy it. If so, please tell your friends about it.
As an essayist, nonfiction has always been easier for me. My ADD has always made the idea of writing a novel intimidating. My attention span being what it's not, I've never attempted tackling writing a novel because I've never seen myself as a storyteller. I don't know that I'd be able to take a story from start to finish.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a book in which each chapter was essentially a long essay, and that worked well. But even that tested the outer limits of my attention span.
I am familiar with the idea of characters and ideas flowing from seemingly nowhere, though. Sometimes, when I'm trying to develop an idea and I'm ruminating on how to push through, the words seem to come from somewhere outside me. When I look at the finished product, my reaction is invariably, "Damn. I wrote that, but I have no idea how." It's like a golfer hitting a four-iron to within three feet of the pin- it's one of the things that keeps me coming back.
Great article, Cheryl! I am ordering The Wild Impossibility and bringing it with me on the airplane to Spain. I envision reading it while sitting quietly on the beach and letting your words carry me to new visions and dreams.
Flowing from nowhere, from somewhere outside you--that’s it exactly! Such a fascinating aspect of the creative process, isn’t it? Essays are great, no need to write novels. But if you’re tempted, consider the linked-stories type of novel; after all, you’ve already done that kind of thing with your book of essays.
Great essay. I have tremendous admiration for fiction writers. At the writers conference in Sun Valley over a decade ago I heard a writer talk about her characters just as you described. And I think that’s magical. As for serendipity, yes, I believe in that too.
Thank you for the list of authors who serialized their work - I had no idea. That’s quite an impressive list. Glad to hear you will be joining the ranks.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, Cheryl. It’s not only good business, it’s psychologically beneficial as well. Few pleasures in life can rival the sheer joy of sticking it to the system. Because the system is BAD.
Thanks for this article. I found the “story line thought process” to be interesting. I just purchased a used copy of your book. I have a family member married to an Asian whose mother’s family was in an internment camp, as well as living in an agricultural town on the California Central Coast where a lot of Asians live who had to relocate to such camps — I even interviewed one I personally knew a few years ago. I knew almost nothing about those internment camps from my school age years (1950s-1960s) growing up in Northern California except the names of the camps. I learned the most about them about 1979-1981 from Senator Hiwakawa (sp?) when reparations began to be discussed.
You knew more than I did! No one I’ve talked to who grew up on the East Coast or in the Midwest learned about the Japanese internment. It’s a disgrace that we weren’t taught this part of US history. Thank you for buying the book; I hope you enjoy it. If so, please tell your friends about it.
I loved The Wild Impossibility and have recommended it to several people who loved it too! We're looking forward to reading your next book. :)
Thank you soooooooo much!
As an essayist, nonfiction has always been easier for me. My ADD has always made the idea of writing a novel intimidating. My attention span being what it's not, I've never attempted tackling writing a novel because I've never seen myself as a storyteller. I don't know that I'd be able to take a story from start to finish.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a book in which each chapter was essentially a long essay, and that worked well. But even that tested the outer limits of my attention span.
I am familiar with the idea of characters and ideas flowing from seemingly nowhere, though. Sometimes, when I'm trying to develop an idea and I'm ruminating on how to push through, the words seem to come from somewhere outside me. When I look at the finished product, my reaction is invariably, "Damn. I wrote that, but I have no idea how." It's like a golfer hitting a four-iron to within three feet of the pin- it's one of the things that keeps me coming back.
Great article, Cheryl! I am ordering The Wild Impossibility and bringing it with me on the airplane to Spain. I envision reading it while sitting quietly on the beach and letting your words carry me to new visions and dreams.
I'm delighted to hear that, thank you! I hope it's a good airplane read :-)
Order is done (did have to use that "not to be named" company). Should arrive next week - will go in my carry-on luggage for sure!
Flowing from nowhere, from somewhere outside you--that’s it exactly! Such a fascinating aspect of the creative process, isn’t it? Essays are great, no need to write novels. But if you’re tempted, consider the linked-stories type of novel; after all, you’ve already done that kind of thing with your book of essays.
Thanks again!
Great essay. I have tremendous admiration for fiction writers. At the writers conference in Sun Valley over a decade ago I heard a writer talk about her characters just as you described. And I think that’s magical. As for serendipity, yes, I believe in that too.
Thank you for the list of authors who serialized their work - I had no idea. That’s quite an impressive list. Glad to hear you will be joining the ranks.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, Cheryl. It’s not only good business, it’s psychologically beneficial as well. Few pleasures in life can rival the sheer joy of sticking it to the system. Because the system is BAD.
Thanks, I think--but sorry, doing what?