Two weeks ago, I went snowshoeing into the woods for two days at a cabin in Wilderness State Park, walked out, went to Washington D.C. to finish a novel and a two-year love affair with a manuscript that began on a backpacking trip to Isle Royal several years ago. The final days at Arlington National Cemetery and the Library of Congress were a paradox of joy and sadness. I struggle with the patience of writing a book, and I struggle with the aftermath of emptiness. It seems to take a week of experiencing and portraying a labile affect before I settle – then the real work begins. In the last two weeks, it’s been rounding up the pre-readers, getting the manuscript to the editor, and realizing there are real-life needs like taxes and relationships. This visit was devoted to making sure details were correct – like the pages describing Arlington and the changing of the guard – and assuring myself that the ending of “The Penny” was the ending. Much like standing at the Tomb of the Unknown, we watch over our heroes knowing the verification of our reality and the future we so wish to live is always a vigilance; always a wonder and a what-if. The time I took finishing this novel was more revealing about me than what I reveal in the book. I tried hard to combine the two, and I will work through the edits to manifest these thoughts, but just like standing over a city looking at this place of honor will forever be etched in my soul, words may never do justice. I may publish “The Penny” and it may not be successful, but it changed my life. It hurtled me through barriers and branches of existence I had only brushed by or avoided altogether. But I came out the other end a better person. A better human. Thank you to the many who served me at Chandler’s, watched me squirm as a I sat on benches around Petoskey, to Tommy and Courtney for their hospitality, and most of all to friends, family, and Christine for your undying support and recognition that my insanity was only temporary. I hope you enjoy “The Penny” when it’s released. Because Penny would like that.
Finishing a novel
March 19, 2016
stewert james
The Author
An author with a story. Living in a quiet Northern Michigan community, nestled into a serene Lake Michigan bay, James writes to the rhythms of current events mixed with romanticism and experience that can only be found by living the same adventures. Whether it’s a provocative story line or blog, this website will certainly take you beyond the keyboard.
“… I came out the other end a better person.”
I thought you were a pretty darn good person before, but I guess we all have room for improvement. I’ll try to notice the change.