Looking back, it has been a wonderous travel over mountain tops and deep valleys. The initial preparation of everything has been a steep climb. But I soon reached the first peak of these Novelists Career Alps, the First Finished Concept Peak, with a view like I have never seen before, the vision of the mountainous mass of doing what I like to do – writing – leading to the highest point, The Published Novel Peak. But the destination was of course still far away and still is. With a massive boost of motivation, the next kilometers almost flew by. Yes, in fact it seemed I was caught in an avalance of drive, pushing me way past my limits and tumbling down the hill until I reached rock bottom. I landed in the valley Writer’s Block from where I could not see my destination any more. I did not have the strength for the next climb and needed to rest there. Dwindling supplies and coldness made me almost give up, but other travellers passed by and helped me to my feet. Thanks for that! The past two weeks then, I was climbing again, not reading the How To Write a Good Novel advisors telling me how much difference in altitude I had to overcome and not thinking about how lonely this travel was, because it would have only demotivated me. I just concentrated on one step after another, telling me “one chapter after another” like a mantra, and enjoyed the small flowers and the wildlife I found on my way. Bad weather and landfalls made me struggle and partially retreat again. The path Writing Dialogues was blocked and seemed to lead anywhere, but not to the next summit, The First Draft Peak. I needed to find another way, one that I was able to walk. Despite a bit of delay to my original plan, I have almost reached the top. I can already see the sun behind the mountain. And from there, the next higher summits to reach will be The Self-Edited Draft Peak and then The Proof-Read Draft Peak, but this is still far away. Wish me luck!
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Speaking in a less metaphorical way, part I of my adventure to have one year off to become a novelist comes to a close. My research for book 1 and 2 of the Time & Memories Series is completed, my stay in Sweden is almost over and so is the first draft of my side project. After an intermezzo of preparations, part II will lead me to America to do research for book 4 and 5, early European settlements and Native Americans, also a bit of research for part II of my side project. The research for book 3 and 6 of the Time and Memories series will require a bit more effort and will come later. All the while, I’ll try to self-edit my side project and hopefully, my stuck main project will finally hatch from its cocoon. I want to start writing on it!!! Being dependant on a co-author can sometimes be out of one’s circle of influence.
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