Making Choices

and exploring next chapters.

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. -Vincent Van Gogh

Dear Writers,

What a week! I’ve been reading for Whole Novel and I’m deep into a big revision. The move progresses. I’m excited for September, when I’ll be heading to Cyprus for two weeks of rest. Fun. Turtles. (Please. Lots of turtles.)

So yes, I’m thinking (on every level) about new chapters. And what comes next. And the power of choices. When I’m reading like a writer, my focus often goes to the choices the character makes. The choices the writer makes. The choices that mean the most to me—that keep me reading and on the edge of my seat. That’s my goal for this revision—and reimagination. In this draft, I’m in action/reaction logic.

This weekend, I heard Zibby Owens speak about some of these same ideas—in the creative life.

Sometimes it feels like we are always turning the page.

Now…I have never met a door I didn’t want to walk through. I have never avoided an invitation, just because the job looked hard. Rejection is not a good reason to say no.

It’s true for creating story, too. My characters make mistakes! I have learned that choices and crossroads are the best moments to get to know my characters. Those moments and choices give the story juice. Energy. Agency. Dread. They reflect motivation. And heart. When I am reading and a character takes a turn I think is dangerous, I turn the page. And wonder. And think. And hope.

Choices pull me in.

As the group talked about the reading, writing, and the world we are trying to thrive in, the conversation morphed into a discussion about the risks we take in writing and how very important that makes community. I kept thinking about what it feels like to be waiting for feedback and letters, hoping for a chance. All the minefields built into this process of publishing. And yet, we still choose it. With every new story, we take that chance. Maybe this one!

Friends, you really are amazing. Whether you get published or win awards or get stars or write just for yourself, you are doing things that most people only talk about.

This weekend, I also saw St Vincent perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was amazing and another lesson in story telling. The arrangements were both familiar and surprising. She let go of what we already knew and played with it—which made it sound new and allowed us to hear her lyrics in a slightly new way.

When we make the choice to experiment, we always hear something new. When we play, our voices are not lost by rhythm. Or pace. Or emphasis. They are amplified by our willingness to try. Our stories are better when we are not afraid to reexamine choices, next chapters, and transitions. Authenticity comes from those moments and choices.

Are you ready to reach?

First: a winner: Congratulations, KATE ROSS! You are the winner of Sharon Reiss Baker’s book! Please DM me your address!

Now, a prompt:

What is the ONE THING your main character does not want to do? When must that character HAVE to do it? Look at the choices. What has happened that will affect this choice? Then make it. And see what happens next!

xo Sarah