Finding creative writing moments in unexpected places

After I received the “calling” to write a historical fiction novel based on my great grandfather’s Civil War letters, I prepared for the writing endeavor by purchasing a new apple computer and carving regimented times into my day to sit down and WRITE. However, I soon discovered that this exercise was completely useless to me. It didn’t matter how much I’d seclude myself, or how long I’d sit in front of my computer, the words would not form and I was not getting anywhere. After several days in this routine even the tiny blinking line on the computer page seemed to be mocking me, adding to the stress of realizing my story was not going to just spill from my brain to the keyboard! Finally, I slammed my computer shut and walked home knowing the last few weeks had been useless and perhaps writing was just too great a challenge for me at this point in my life.

On the way home, however, I thought about all the writing I had done as a child. I recall the spark of electricity I felt flowing through my veins, making my temples tingle when I had a creative moment or inspiration. How did that happen? I remember I was never sitting down at a desk with a pen and paper when I had a stimulating thought. I was inspired after an exciting event or after playing with my friends, or even while in bed, at just the moment before sleep took over my conscious thoughts. When I found the time, I would grab my journal and write out my stories, poems, songs and movie scripts. For me, this process was much more natural then trying to force myself to write when ideas and thoughts were not flowing.

I decided I should take a different route and go back to the whimsical days of my childhood. Perhaps the writing process would be freer and easier if I just chilled out! I went home and found the old box of miniature letters and held them in my hand. I closed my eyes and suddenly images of the characters came to life in my head, and scenes described in the letters became vivid pictures I could almost touch. I knew the inspiration was in this tiny box, and that I could gain wisdom and confidence by staying true to them and by letting the story release slowly and organically.

Inspiration and a desire to write is half the battle, but putting the story together in an engaging and historically accurate novel is another challenge. At some point I decided to put my own “story” on the back burner, and I just began reading, reading and more reading. I went to the library and took out stacks of books, mostly historical fiction, but also some non-fiction Irish books, travel books, memoirs from the Civil War, Civil War letters, etc. I used the Internet to find specific information on many subjects pertaining to the Potato Famine and Civil War items, and I needed the invaluable website Ancestry.com to aid in the research of my Irish family.

In addition to reading and researching, I knew that travelling to the locations in my book would certainly help with the details and images I’d need in my novel. I planned trips throughout the year, visiting all the landmarks I had discovered; tracing the steps of my Irish Immigrant family. These experiences and memories I hold among the most valuable. Many of the trips included my own family; my husband and three children, and they became so meaningful because I was able to share this with yet another generation. Their eyes were open for sure, and I think a part of their heritage is more real now that they’ve explored a piece of their past.

With all the researching, travelling, reading and Internet searching added to my schemata, I began writing in my small increments of time, just adding interesting words or phrases, and taking any life experiences and using them as an advantage in my book. I began to notice the sounds and smells of foods cooking, water boiling, storms brewing, children laughing, animals prowling and life moving. The more I used my senses and became aware of real events and scenes playing out before me, the easier I could relay this into words and my writing took off! If I was not having an easy time of releasing my thoughts onto my computer then I would try a pencil and paper or I would go for a run and just let ideas swirl in my head until they felt ready to be retrieved. I did not put pressure on myself to write when I thought I was supposed to– many of my best writing moments came while I was in the shower or out for a walk or experiencing an event that was so impactful that it stayed with me and I could use it as part of my novel. A snowstorm, a warm hug, an unexpected letter, a sunset, good news, bad news tragedy and triumph all became experiences I could use to create my historical fiction novel. Living life and using all that is available to me was the key in writing my book. I am thankful for the journey and for the inspiration from my Irish relatives.