Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Girl-talk

Girl-talk.

I can’t get enough of it.

That’s why a few weeks ago when a good friend invited me to accompany her to Tallahassee for her job, I jumped at the opportunity.

That first evening, as we sat across from each other at a booth in Panera’s, we shared pockets of memories from our past. Even though we’d known each other for nine years, I was surprised to learn new information about my friend, Peggy.

Like a romance that made my jaw drop open. As her story unfolded, excitement built inside of me.

Is this the one? Would this story affect others as it does me?

I haven’t been writing for over two months, waiting for a direction. Waiting to know whether or not I should even continue writing fiction.

A week later, I awoke at 5 am with my synopsis written in my head. A Romance.  Of all things.

I write women’s fiction. Or so I thought.  Unfortunately, this story would not loosen its grip on me. I wrangled with how I would develop it, how I would bring the characters to life, how I would lay this story out differently that my previous ones.

But once I did, the words came.

After all, writing is about story above all else. I want to give Peggy’s story the momentum it deserves. The ending it needs.

Have you ever written in a genre that you’ve not wanted  to write in?



37 comments:

Rachna Chhabria said...

Terri..from the past few days I have a strong urge to write a YA book. I currently prefer to write MG fiction.

Great Grandma Lin said...

go girl go...last summer I felt impressed to write children's poetry-a totally new direction for me but it let to organize a youth poetry contest for my community last april with 105 students participating. Time off is sometimes needed to get going again. Good luck with your story.

Touched By Grace said...

How wonderful! From the chance to go traveling with a friend and lots of girl talk to "dreaming" up your new novel. I love and dearly miss that 5 am inspiration in my head, they don't come often enough.

Congrats and I thought reading this post was a bit like girl talk, friendly and easy.

Jolene Perry said...

I was pretty determined not to write YA, but once I started, I couldn't let it go.

Jan Cline said...

I too have been uncomfortable with romance, but it seems that the public clamors for it. So for my fiction, that's what I write. That is so exciting about your new vision and I know you will do the story justice.

BECKY said...

Oh, Terri! First of all, I am SO HAPPY for you that your writing muse has returned!! I know how difficult it's been for you! And yay for girl-talk, daydreams, night dreams, and writing!!

Linda O'Connell said...

Terri,
I have definitely written out of my comfort zone. I have a short story mystery going...nowhere. Hit the wall, but amazed I could write 2,000 words of fiction so far. Go for it, I say.

Tana said...

I love YA and I love woman's fiction! I'm in heaven everyday. =)

Karen Lange said...

I have, and often still do. I like to think I am stretching my writing muscles.

So glad you had a good visit. Glad too, that you are finding inspiration! :)
Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

I'm so glad you've found direction, and I'm looking forward to reading your book. :)

Karen Lange (waving to my buddy above me in the comments) and I are collaborating on a novel. It's a new genre for me.

Blessings,
Susan

Sarah Forgrave said...

I started out in women's fiction, too, but now I write contemp romance. How fun to wake up with a synopsis in your head. I love it when the rains come a-pourin' after a drought. :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm so excited for you. This is wonderful that you've found fuel for your writing. :)

Unknown said...

I've ended up writing flash fiction in crime, though I'm a literary short story writer. Good luck with your story!

Shopgirl said...

That's wonderful news. I love spending time with girl friends and get new ideas.

Alleluiabelle said...

Love you my friend...think about you often. My prayers are being said for you...always.

Alleluiabelle

Jessica R. Patch said...

I can't get enough girl talk either! I love what I write but sometimes, little snippets for a YA series tickle the back of my head. I wouldn't say I don't want to write it. I'm just not sure if I should. :)

Yesterday, my son asked me to write a dinosaur book for gets. I smiled as I disappointed him.

Jessica Nelson said...

Woohoo, how exciting for you!! :-) My last ms veered toward more women's fictiony, which is a genre I don't really like reading (no offence?) :-)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! That is so awesome for you Terri! I had to write a romance story for a class once and was surprised on how it formed easily for me. It is tucked away but I often still think about those two lovers. One day I may just have to go back to it.

Susan Roux said...

Glad to hear you're writing... Inspiration is key to any creative work. Good luck and go with it!

Cheryl Wright said...

No yet but working my way up to that mystery - with a little romance sprinkled in, a few lines at a time, every once in a while.

Kathleen said...

It's amazing how many sources inspire our creativity. Sometimes it's something someone shares, as in this case; or a memory; or a scene in nature. Whichever, it is these serendipitous occurrences that often add a new richness to our pens.

Loree Huebner said...

Yesss! Excited for you! It's funny how things come along.

Julie Gillies said...

Hi Terri,

SO excited about this new direction for you! Yipeee! You finally got your answer!

I'm looking forward to reading about all you learn and how things go in this new genre. Praying God blesses your efforts big-time, girl!

Joanne Sher said...

Sooo glad you're writing again, sweetie. Crazy, though. Go go girlie!

Deborah said...

I just finished a screenplay...something I never would have thought of writing until the opportunity presented itself, but once I started writing the back story for the characters, the story just came together.
If something works, go for it, who cares what the label is?

Susan said...

That's wonderful, Terri, you have the desire to write your friend's story and that you are writing again!

I have written out of my genre, but, to tell you the truth, it wasn't that successful. I didn't enjoy doing it as much as when I am writing in my usual style. But at least it's good to try.

Take care. Susan

Stacy Henrie said...

I'm so excited for you - for the idea and the return to writing!

I've played around with chick lit - and really enjoyed it - until I decided it was time to go back to historicals. But I might return to that genre one day.

Heckety said...

But that's just great! Just goes back to the old chestnut about God's will and perfect timing, doesn't it?!
I'm glad for you!

Carol Riggs said...

Good for you! This sounds like a fun thing to write, and will perhaps stretch you as a writer too. I took the plunge and wrote a (light) science fiction 1 1/2 years ago. Was kinda nervous about trying it. But now I have an agent from it! Ya never know. :)

Sally said...

Inspiration strikes like the look from across the room. Run with it.

Melissa Amateis said...

I think I've actually wanted to write in a genre I don't normally write, but couldn't because it wasn't my forte, so to speak. ;-)

Glad that you were so inspired! Keep going!!!

Deb Shucka said...

I'm so happy to hear about this new energy you're feeling. Actually at this point, I'd be thrilled to be able to write anything but memoir. It just isn't happening.

Anonymous said...

I haven't. But I have many YA story ideas, besides the memoir that half written and the other half waiting to be outlined. There just isn't enough time in a day!

I'm so glad the words came. You say you wondered if you should stop writing fiction. Remember: we all have these "dry" spells. I've gone a long time, sometimes, without writing anything. But these are times for experience, for possible stories to germinate. Then when they "arrive" the way your story did, you write. And I agree, writing is about story/characters. The two go together. Keep that energy flowing. I'm sending good prayers in your direction!
Ann Best, Memoir Author

Rhonda Schrock said...

Yes!! Double like to the girl talk! You can guess, can't you, how much of it I get around here? :)

Anyway, I'm excited for you. Maybe this is your "next thing." Keep us posted, friend.

Nancy said...

I'm so glad to come here and see this good news. Definitely go with this story. Anytime something comes that strong, it probably will continue to flow.

I have tried all sorts of writing: fiction, poetry, non-fiction as essays and devotiionals. I'll try anything if I get inspired.

Kara said...

I'm so excited to hear this! I've been struggling with what genre etc and I am so happy that this story made you want to go for it! Can't wait to read it one day:)

Gina Conroy said...

Yes, romance and my first novella is a romance! Go figure! I don't think I'll land there, but it was fun!