LIVING WITH ART BLOG

Ever since I was a little girl and learned how to read, I have been fascinated with the idea of writing a novel. Over the years the content of my imaginary novels have stayed fluid, changing as my life has changed. It seems that anytime I have a bit of down time, I start writing a novel in my head.  But a few months ago I had “My Big Idea,” which consists of my writing a series of related historical fiction novels. All of these novels will probably have the same main character and take place in the same geographical region. “My Big Idea” has become a private obsession that continues to excite and inspire me every time I think of it. I have the plot, characters, and even the title of the first novel totally fixed in my imagination. However, the task of actually writing the novel is daunting, almost frightening. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.

Sam Echols, "Brenda," Oil on Canvas, 30 x 30 in., $2,000

Preparing to write my particular novel will take tons of research. I mean, going to various libraries and searching through their archives, as well as conducting sensitive and strategic interviews with a wide assortment of people. It will also take a lot of time. The sheer number of words used in a standard novel is a mind-boggling average of 80,000 words. My weekly Blog averages between 800 and 900 words. That’s a huge difference! However, I think my biggest challenge will be finding the time to write a novel. Do I, like Virginia Wolfe, need a specific environment, “A Room of One’s Own,” in which to write? Last week I visited a cabin on a nearby lake that is for sale. Would having a designated place just for writing make me more productive? Or, would a little studio in The Plunge on Paseo Drive give me the focus I need? Currently, I write my Blogs on the go using my iPhone and Google Docs. That’s it. I am very portable. But a novel is more lengthy and infinitely more complicated. Since my novel will be historical fiction, I will have a lot of facts to organize that can be easily retrieved.

David Phelps, "Pastoral Dreamer," Bronze, 17 x 59 x 31 in., $24,000

The inspiration for “My Big Idea” came this past Christmas when I was given a series of three novels set in Victorian England. Because they were so well written, I became interested in the author, David Morrell. He holds a PhD in American Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and for many years was a professor in the highly touted creative writing program at the University of Iowa. The movie version of his book, “First Blood,” which he wrote while finishing graduate school, became the script for the movie “Rambo” starring Sylvester Stallone. Morrell has written other best-selling novels including “The Brotherhood of the Rose,” the basis of a top rated NBC miniseries.  In his book on how to write a book, “The Successful Novelist,” Morrell emphasizes the required discipline and hard work it takes to write. Consequently, I decided it’s time to start studying the craft of fiction writing and to begin plotting my first novel.  Subsequently, I enrolled and attended a three-day WriterCon Conference held Labor Day Weekend at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.

Christa Blackwood, "Moab (N189)," Archival Inkjet Print Shot with Large Format Black and White Analog Film, 32 x 40 in., $2,700

The Conference was organized by William Bernhardt, a former attorney, now a best-selling author, who lives and works in Tulsa. Several years ago he established the Red Sneaker Writers Center that focuses on providing opportunities for “his tribe,” the entire writing community, including: authors, publishers, coaches and agents, to achieve their dreams. Two friends attended the WriterCon conference with me. One is seeking an agent and publisher for three novels she has already written and the other friend has almost completed an important nonfiction book. I found the seminar very informative, but was astonished to learn how technology has transformed novel writing. There are several available software programs to assist with plot and character development. There are established formulas for novel writing that include at what point in the novel you introduce the protagonist and at what point in the novel it’s best to introduce conflict and redemption. Short sentences and short paragraphs were advised. Using mathematical formulas to effectively tell my story is a new concept for me. I guess I have always been a stream of consciousness thinker and writer. I have always admired William Faulkner, who in his novel “Absalom Absalom’ has one sentence that has 1,288 words. That one sentence won Faulkner a world record. 

David Phelps, "Daydreamer," Bronze, 8 x 20 x 20 in., $4,200

Included in the WriterCon Conference was a session on the three primary ways to publish a novel, which are: A.) The traditional method of getting an agent who will identify and work with a publisher. B.) Self publishing, which thanks to Amazon and the internet, is becoming more and more popular, and C.) A hybrid of the two. When I visibly reacted to a presenter's statement that most authors have absolutely no control over the design of the cover of their book, a seasoned writer overheard me muttering that I intended to select the artwork on the cover of my book. She leaned over and said, “My dear, if you feel that strongly, you may have to self-publish.” “Then, so be it,” I hissed back. Can you imagine my writing a book that had a lousy cover with all the fine artists I know? Certainly not! But later, during a break, an author who has had about 12 books published told me that he got to participate in the selection of all his covers. I was relieved, but I will be very cautious. It could be that having wonderful artwork on the cover might be the best thing about my novel.