What's Been Written
I am very excited. A wonderful lady at my work is reading my very first book. Not just my book, but Beth's and my book, CB Scott's first book, Scandalous Spirits. A RWA Golden Heart Finalist. A highly reviewed story. A story of our hearts.
I am also nervous. I find that when people want to read my older work, I get nervous. I think: I've learned even more since then. I might not have written it the exact same way. I become afraid that the writer-me-now will somehow not be conveyed by the writer-me-then.
This is ridiculous, of course. We tell our stories the best way we know how at the time that we write them. I also think that certain stories can only be told at certain times in our lives. We do not stay in one place very long, as we grow in our knowledge and experience and the world alters our views and feelings on a continuous basis. I think no matter how wonderfully and beautifully we might tell a story, when we look back on it from the future, there is always something we might have done differently. Because we are different. But that is how it is meant to be. We are capturing a moment, a feeling in time. We are plunging that stick into the ground and saying, this is where I am. To me, each story is fate and it is beautiful and all meant to be as it is.
Scandalous Spirits is fast, fresh, and fun, and reflects a true love for three ghosts who captured our hearts and imaginations in a special time in our lives. It also allowed us to capture the essence of a place that was almost out of existence then ... and now is out of existence. See, the story could have only happened then, when we wrote it, when it was burning in our hearts, in a special angle of sunlight and dream. Two writer girls trying to hold onto something that was slipping away ... and didn't want it to.
And, our fair reader is thoroughly enjoying the ride of this story. She can't wait to finish it and begin the sequel. She wants to know what happens. Her love of the story is reigniting my old flame. Reminding me what I loved about it and still do and always will because it is in my heart. It is me. It is Beth. Reminding me of the hard work that has already been accomplished and making me proud upon proud of what has been written.
Don't you love when you find new love for your old story?
Hugs, C
I am also nervous. I find that when people want to read my older work, I get nervous. I think: I've learned even more since then. I might not have written it the exact same way. I become afraid that the writer-me-now will somehow not be conveyed by the writer-me-then.
This is ridiculous, of course. We tell our stories the best way we know how at the time that we write them. I also think that certain stories can only be told at certain times in our lives. We do not stay in one place very long, as we grow in our knowledge and experience and the world alters our views and feelings on a continuous basis. I think no matter how wonderfully and beautifully we might tell a story, when we look back on it from the future, there is always something we might have done differently. Because we are different. But that is how it is meant to be. We are capturing a moment, a feeling in time. We are plunging that stick into the ground and saying, this is where I am. To me, each story is fate and it is beautiful and all meant to be as it is.
Scandalous Spirits is fast, fresh, and fun, and reflects a true love for three ghosts who captured our hearts and imaginations in a special time in our lives. It also allowed us to capture the essence of a place that was almost out of existence then ... and now is out of existence. See, the story could have only happened then, when we wrote it, when it was burning in our hearts, in a special angle of sunlight and dream. Two writer girls trying to hold onto something that was slipping away ... and didn't want it to.
And, our fair reader is thoroughly enjoying the ride of this story. She can't wait to finish it and begin the sequel. She wants to know what happens. Her love of the story is reigniting my old flame. Reminding me what I loved about it and still do and always will because it is in my heart. It is me. It is Beth. Reminding me of the hard work that has already been accomplished and making me proud upon proud of what has been written.
Don't you love when you find new love for your old story?
Hugs, C
posted by Cynthia Valero at 8:56 AM
3 Comments:
I LOVE 'Scandalous Spirits'! So glad your co-worker is enjoying it as well, C. :) I do know what you mean regarding the fear associated with people reading older works. I feel like that even about things I wrote a mere year ago. I reread and think...Oh, I would have phrased that differently, or paced this differently. But mostly it's picky stuff. The passion of the story shines through, no matter those tiny things that bug, we, the author, because it was written in the heat of the moment. So to speak. im very proud of SS and I know you are, too. We've grown as writers, yes, but we can still celebrate the passion and imagination of a past work. ;)
Having just recently read Scandalous myself, I can honestly say that it is a thoroughly enjoyable read and that it's obvious that you and Beth were passionate about the story!
Thanks, Jen! We were crazy (and still are) about Jonas, Isadora, and James. I LOVE our ghost stories!!! Those three are such vivid characters, and, yes, B, the story does shine! Sometimes I miss them ... so I'll open up the book at random and let them make me laugh. :-) Do you do that at all?
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