Creativity Commitment

While on medical leave in 2016, recuperating from a hip replacement, I started a novel. Propped up outside in my backyard with my two dogs for company, and Mount Rainier's glacier peak shining at me in the distance, a story formed in my mind. The book's location was in my vicinity, with streets and landmarks that friends and residents would recognize. Its characters were both young and old, surviving and resisting - joining together in a harsh environment impacted by worldly events. As the characters came to life, words flowed, and my fingers flew across the keyboard to keep up with the speeding narrative zooming in my head. It was my sincere hope to get the book done pronto. 

When the first draft was finished, a few select friends became beta-readers and enjoyed it. Of course, I assume their opinion is biased. My daughter offered to edit it, but with a full-time job, she had limited time. I am sure she now believes that I am HER project. She probably has a hidden Gantt Chart project plan she created to manage me and this process. 

While I waited, I began writing a sequel, but as time passed, I decided a better use of my time was to refocus on Book One. I invested time researching how to find an agent. Each had different requirements and methods to submit. A query letter, a bio, and various numbers of pages were requested under each agent's website. I quickly realized that finding the right agent for my type of book is an entire project in itself! Book publishing is time-consuming and more complex than I ever imagined. 

Numerous hours were spent on agents' sites, examining their requirements, genres, books on their "wish" lists, and what they wouldn't consider. Once I decided where to submit, I was often disappointed to find that the agent was closed for submissions. While some blogs were clear that agents don't want prologues, others thought they helped set the scene. There was too much varying advice, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another barrier popped up, causing more delays.

When edits were done, I sent queries to agents through Query Tracker and recently received a rejection with some valuable feedback I wish had come sooner. The agent said she felt I was telling rather than showing the reader. Was I disappointed? Of course, but I was also thrilled that there was feedback that could be used to improve. 

My goal in 2025 is to finalize the book and find an agent to promote it with a publishing house. While I love creating short fiction, my full-length novel has languished long enough. My brother's death in September 2024 drove home the point that we are never promised tomorrow.

Eight years after starting this project, the real work begins. I need to reacquaint myself with the protagonist and find a better way to draw the reader in so they are eager to see how she will solve her conflict. I'll also need reliable beta readers who will provide honest feedback. I plan to use the Critique community, "where you can share works in progress," to solicit opinions on select chapters.

Despite being retired and not having a fixed time to get up in the morning, I recognize the need for more structure. Instead of sleeping in, I'll kickstart my day early with my usual morning routine of QiGong, therapeutic exercises, and meditation. Afterward, I'll jump right into focused writing time. 

***

This 2025 goal won't be easy. I have travel plans this year that I must juggle with the work. An essential part of my life, travel is key to my creativity.

A very important trip will be to meet my great-grandson. We will fly to Chicago first so my adult children can see where I lived growing up. They will trek this spring with me to Illinois, and we will drive by the house they have only seen in photos and past the schools I attended. I want them to visit The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, where I went with the Brownies and Girl Scouts each summer. Following Illinois, we will drive to Michigan and meet David, my great-grandson born in October 2024. David's mom, my granddaughter, lost her mother to tragic circumstances and is still grieving. She may find some stories on Vocal that speak to her and help with her grief. I might even inspire her to write stories on this platform.

Other upcoming trips include Italy in late spring and a Switzerland tour booked for this summer. A road trip through British Columbia to Alberta, Canada, and a possible trip to Alaska are also being flushed out. My laptop won't go to Europe, but it will ride with me to Alaska and Canada!

I also want to continue creating and being a supportive contributor on Vocal. I've built up momentum over the past few years as a creator and don't want to lose that. I discovered Vocal in 2021 and quickly became a Vocal+ member for the opportunity to enter challenges. Creating stories here has stoked my creativity and helped me branch out from poetry. I've now submitted stories to more than twenty Vocal Communities, with the latest in BEAT and 01, where I posted my first 2025 stories.

Besides submitting for fun challenges, I plan to expand my writing on Vocal this year to include more stories and poems about the plight of wildlife and the planet. I used to be an animal and environmental activist on Twitter, but the platform has changed considerably since it transitioned into X. It doesn't feel the same anymore. I will move my work here and help inspire people to stop animal abuse, poaching, and habitat destruction.

Striving to be a supportive Vocal Creator, I read and comment daily, but editing the book will now impact how much time I spend here. You see, Vocal stories don't flow off my fingers like athletic sprinters. I edit them repeatedly for spelling and grammar and take time to find the perfect heading photo or feature ones that I've taken. 

I've done challenging things all my life, so I am confident I can do this. If this year, I am not as visible or supportive on Vocal, I hope you understand. Please follow along as I continue my journey as a writer.

Copyright © 1/12/2025 by Andrea O. Corwin 🖋️📖

My story, 2024 Soundtrack, in BEAT, detailed 2024, and my theme song, I Will Survive, by Sia, is ringing in my head right now!

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An older fiction story is below.