Unfolding the Blanket

As the travel date for Ireland comes closer, the novel has become decidedly more complex. I suppose I don't exactly wish it would have simplified because I think complexities, when not confusing, bring such richness to works of fiction, they begin to think themselves nonfiction. So, I am grateful for the newly developing underlying genealogy to my main character's life. What is a bit troubling, however, is the fact that most of my old research outline encompassed the present day life Sophia and her co-stars inhabit, and this new found history of her past, her family's past has opened up a whole new century of research for me to excitedly power through. And excited I am! Yet the troubling begins to rumble its throat when I spend my time learning more about Sophia's past than her present. This trip was planned to learn about the people of Ireland during the Emergency and I have realized that to understand the novel I am writing and the people of this land I have to first grasp the struggle that has been their reality for centuries upon centuries. It is fascinating to learn how remarkable of a culture it takes to stand so firm on individualized beliefs of their own ideas of a single country, that the desire to regain freedom was handed down from one generation to the next for centuries as though there really was no other option. And for most who lived and died during these times, there really wasn't any other option, of which they have pride.

These past few weeks, I have sat back on my haunches and watched the expanse of this novel spread before me like the story was a folded up picnic blanket I didn't know was folded this whole time, and someone has come along and whipped it out in front of me in one fluid motion so it now stretches far before me and is constantly getting delicious dishes set upon it for me to feast from. Each new morsel of story I come across I hungrily devour, knowing that it will satisfyingly lead me to the next dish in this extravagant spread. And I never satiate of its bounty.

I know when writing, the story changes, the characters change, and I already accept that. Even so far as to say when writing, the writer even changes. But what I wasn't ready for was the inclusion in my writing process of those wonderful friends and supporters who have given to this goal of mine along the way. I had a moment last week when I really wrestled with the idea of losing some sort of personal integrity to these supporters if I were to alter my course at all. Thankfully through guidance, I was able to come to the conclusion that the way for me to lose personal integrity would have been to honor my assumptions of someone else's opinion of what I'm doing over what I feel I need to do to continue the novel. I believe this to be true and right, so I will change what I need to and trust all will understand. And it's okay that I might struggle trying to remain active on social sites so that interested parties can share the enthusiasm I feel burning within me over this book and continue to be a part of its journey.

So, I will continue my progression through this new, larger terrain with all the grace I have, while trying to remember taking oneself lightly leads to elevated views. I am more excited than ever and will try to keep this blog updated!

Thank you for all the love!