I'm giving a big thank you and a shout-out to Susan Faw for granting me an interview. Today's author spotlight is shining on Donelle Knudsen! http://susanfaw.com/2016/06/ | |||
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I draw energy and inspiration from God, my family, nature, and the written word - by reading books - which in turn inspires me to write. I believe if we have the courage to share the better part of ourselves, others will be inspired to share as well.
Showing posts with label Creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creativity. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
A Writer's Journey
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
"Between Heartbeats"
Two years ago I pitched my idea for a Young Adult novel, Between Heartbeats, while attending Write On The River writers' conference in Wenatchee, WA. The agent's response was encouraging and helpful, and so the journey began. Fast-forward to one year ago at the same conference when I seriously pitched my novel to a representative from a publishing house. Again, not only was the individual encouraging, but she asked me to submit the entire manuscript upon completion.
Here I am today, April 8, 2015 with a completed novel under my belt. The process has not been easy, but with diligence and with the help of my critique group, family, and my beta-reader, I sent it off to the publisher a couple of hours ago. Now the wait. Will they like it? Will they want to publish it? Time will tell.
How do I feel? It feels similar to when I sent my kids off to school on their very first day. I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride and hoped they were as ready for the next step in their journey as I was.
Whatever happens next, I can say, I DID IT. The goal was set and the book is finished. What next? I'm already working on the sequel.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Ship in a Bottle
The first time I saw a sailing ship sitting in a small glass bottle, I was a child. I couldn't believe my eyes and asked my father to explain it. To the best of his ability, he explained how this feat was done, and I was awed by it. I still am.
Writing is something like building a ship in a bottle; the writer constructs an idea which is transformed into words, sentences, and paragraphs to form a story, poem, or a book. Certain confines and accepted parameters should be followed in order to create a cohesive, readable piece that not only entertains, but instructs the reader as well.
Thinking about a delicate, intricately constructed ship sitting within a solid glass container reminds me of my book, which was carefully crafted, strung together with my heart and soul, and endless hours of creating and editing. When it was finally inserted between the covers of a book, my "ship" was complete and ready to launch.
My first book was purely a practice piece and I kept it in the family. Then, I switched to poems and short stories and found I loved the challenge of getting to the point in as few words as possible. My second book, Through the Tunnel of Love, A Mother's and Daughter's Journey with Anorexia published in April of 2011, was born from a labor of love. And now I can say I am a novelist. My Booktrope novel, Between Heartbeats, was published August 28, 2015. It is the story of a young girl's coming of age.
Think about creating your own ship in a bottle, in whatever form you choose. I assure you that it will be one of the most worthwhile and rewarding things you can do in life.
Writing is something like building a ship in a bottle; the writer constructs an idea which is transformed into words, sentences, and paragraphs to form a story, poem, or a book. Certain confines and accepted parameters should be followed in order to create a cohesive, readable piece that not only entertains, but instructs the reader as well.
Thinking about a delicate, intricately constructed ship sitting within a solid glass container reminds me of my book, which was carefully crafted, strung together with my heart and soul, and endless hours of creating and editing. When it was finally inserted between the covers of a book, my "ship" was complete and ready to launch.
My first book was purely a practice piece and I kept it in the family. Then, I switched to poems and short stories and found I loved the challenge of getting to the point in as few words as possible. My second book, Through the Tunnel of Love, A Mother's and Daughter's Journey with Anorexia published in April of 2011, was born from a labor of love. And now I can say I am a novelist. My Booktrope novel, Between Heartbeats, was published August 28, 2015. It is the story of a young girl's coming of age.
Think about creating your own ship in a bottle, in whatever form you choose. I assure you that it will be one of the most worthwhile and rewarding things you can do in life.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Inspiration, Perspiration, Determination
A writer looks for inspiration, but often inspiration finds the writer. That's what happened to me three weeks ago. Real INSPIRATION hit me when I least expected it.
I had just resumed editing my novel that was started a good while ago, but I set it aside when new thoughts came, most unexpectedly. They came so quickly that I stayed up late; I wrote in the middle of the night, early morning, whenever I walked by my computer. A real-life experience, one that isn't pleasant, cried to be heard. The interesting thing is that this painful subject makes it possible for me to tell another story too - a story that I had promised to tell, but one I wasn't ready for. The second story is a story of unconditional love, loss, healing, and redemption. The two are intertwined.
I'm only on chapter four, but if things progress as they have so far, I hope to complete my new memoir in a few months. I'm thankful for inspiration, for the gift of words, and the mysterious way it all works together.
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