I have written memoirs and historical fiction before and tried my hand at short stories, but Miami Morning is my first novel. The mistakes became apparent to me as the book neared completion. What to do? Rearrange all the chapters? Write it again? Then there are those supporting characters. Are they playing a role or am I simply fond of them?
These questions refer to the creation of a coherent pattern, one that the reader will see as sensible and magical at the same time. I decided to work to make my mistakes comprehensible, and resolve not to make them again. Finally, I began to see the threads coming together. One of the fascinating experiences of writing is seeing a pattern emerge from the themes, ideas, and characters’ trajectories.
It was interesting as well to realize that my main character, Leila Payson, in bringing together the various threads in her life, also sees a pattern emerging, one that excites her imagination and intellect, as well as her compassion.
Our writing is a pilgrimage, and this is not far beneath the surface in every book or poem worth writing, and reading. I’ve recognized it in the classics. Some have it in the title. Even the New Testament is about a journey. In modern times, we think the change has to be interior. But it can be all around the main character as he or she travels through life. The Odyssey is considered to be the ultimate journey book, but the main character doesn’t change much. We, the reader, though, have been changed. What power we have, in our writing, to work with one or more forms of change.
Amazon:
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
I tried to find this on Wingate’s blog, but couldn’t. The problem is the graphic is too small so it can’t be read.
Peace,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11Ch5chkAc 😉 ❤ 😉
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Reblogged this on Mary Clark, Writer.
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Wonderful post Mary. 🙂
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Thanks, D.G.
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🙂
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And what a pilgrimage. ❤
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Reblogged this on geraldineevansbooks and commented:
Returned to my worpress.com site from self-hosting (don’t ask!). Not sure if I can reblog, but I’ll try. 🙂
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You reblogged successfully Geraldine 😀
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Guest post by Mary Clark on The Story Reading Ape…Patterns and Change in our writing and reading…
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Thanks for sharing Sally – Hugs XXX 😀
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Sally, thank you for sharing this!
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My pleasure Mary. x
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Writing IS a pilgrimage, through blessed lands and rugged terrains, some almost impossible to scale. Is it worth it? Always. No matter how successful or unsuccessful the writing, we always learn something about ourselves…
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