I won't be sharing any of the novel I'm writing here at the Apple Cider Mill, since I'm planning to submit it for publication once it's finished, but I thought I would let you all know that it is going very well and progressing much more quickly than I had anticipated. I'm really enjoying spending time with my characters, and I'm grateful to my husband and children for sharing me with them so often.
Since I can't show you what I'm writing, I thought I would, instead, share a poem that has been a sort of jumping off and focusing point for me throughout the writing process of this particular project. I found it extremely evocative, and I hope it speaks to you all, as well.
"True North 5"
It's Easy
at the South Pole. There every
direction
is true North. Direction, there, itself
the point
turning and moving,
or the place
where you look, if you still
stand waiting.
Though
you forget
all the steps forget!
Remember,
every,
and so easy,
at
the nadir.
- Stephanie Strickland, True North
Something about this poem makes me think you might like "Little Gidding" by T.S. Eliot. It was one of his "Four Quartet" poems. "Little Gidding" has similar imagery about a journey, the poles, beginnings, endings. He was also an Anglican and some spiritual themes come through in his writing.
ReplyDeleteYou can find "Little Gidding" online, though I should warn you the versions I found on the Internet had a typo when I compared it to the hard copy in my Norton's anthology.
P.S. I guess I should point out the typo. If the Northon's anthology I have in my bookcase is correct, the two lines under stanza V should read:
ReplyDelete"What we call the beginning is often the end/And to make an end is to make a beginning."
The online versions had "And to make anD end."
I think that is so great you are in the process of writing your own novel! Great poem!
ReplyDeleteI think it is so neat that you are writing a novel. I really admire people with the creativity to do that- I know I never could. I also think it is neat that you are doing so with your children both so young-perhaps it will prove to some, if you novel is published, that being a young stay at home mom is not the end of your life, as some seem to like to portray it.
ReplyDeleteHello! You mention that you're writing a novel - how exciting! I write, too. In fact, I just submitted a book proposal to a publisher. I'm still waiting to hear back, but hoping and praying for favour - in others words: "Yes"! :) I don't know if you get a lot of encouragement - or the opposite. I TEND to get the opposite - because I'm so young and "everyone thinks they can wrote a novel" here in England. But persevere! God definitely entrusts some of us with the gift of writing and it's so wonderful to USE it for Him. God bless you as you write! :)
ReplyDelete