Murky Press
Picture

Clearing the fog

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

4/22/2019

FINIS

15 Comments

Read Now
 
PictureParis, Ky. Photo by Rick Showalter.
It’s done.

I have completed a novel. Six months ago I wasn’t sure that I could do it. I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to. I had lost confidence. It was requiring too much sacrifice. I had pushed away friends and family. I skipped events and family gatherings so I could work. My aging body was balking at the sedentary lifestyle writing required. I just wasn’t sure I had it in me.

And, now, what is surprising me the most is that I am satisfied with the result. After all that time poring over those characters and those settings and those words, I am not tired of it. I am not eager to leave it behind. I find the book compelling. I enjoy reading it. It doesn’t make me cringe. It makes me happy.

Oh, sure, I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But I feel that I have accomplished what I set out to do. I have written a story about my grandfather’s life, as best I could imagine it. I think I have told a good yarn that the reader will want to see through to the end. I have enjoyed crafting sentences that I hope will appeal to those who love words. And I believe I have created two characters who might just stick with you. I expect I’ve made Lyons a little more sympathetic than he actually was, but I had to give the reader a reason to care about him, even if he remains an enigma. 

The other surprise turned out to be Effie Mae, Lyons’ fourth wife and the other major character in the book. Everyone who has read any portion of the novel seems to love her. In the beginning, I had no intention of assuming her voice and writing from her point of view. She just came to me one beautiful day while I was sitting on my back patio reading a book about writing. But she is now the glue that holds it all together. Getting to know Effie Mae is a reason to read the book.

Now, after a few days of breathing deeply, I begin the next phase. I have submitted the book to one independent publisher. I have met with one agent and have another meeting scheduled at the end of May. If none of those options pans out, I will begin the hard work of researching agents and trying to persuade one that my book will appeal to readers.

Of course, I have an ace in the hole. I happen to run a little outfit called Murky Press that I know will be interested in publishing this novel. In fact, the sages at Murky Press seemed to portend the challenges, and the joys, of writing it:

“We at Murky Press believe peering into our past may help untangle the present. Trouble is, the past can be mysterious. It can be, well, murky. It takes some effort and some patience to interpret what the past is trying to tell us. And we may still get it all wrong.”

Perhaps it’s my good fortune that with fiction there is no right or wrong. It’s all make-believe—even when it relays the truth. So if I am able to transport the reader to a different place and time, and to inspire some empathy for people whose lives may be unlike ours, then I’m going to kick back and celebrate a job well done.

Share

15 Comments
Tom Martin link
4/22/2019 07:46:48 pm

Congratulations, Sallie! What a wonderful accomplishment and I can't wait to read it and discover that opportunity to engage in empathy. Kudos to those Murky Press folks.

Reply
Bob Mcwilliams
4/22/2019 08:46:00 pm

Congratulations. You have been one busy writer. I am very proud of you. Please keep me posted on your publication date. I can’t wait to read it.

Reply
Barbara Fallis
4/22/2019 09:15:36 pm

Sallie, I never doubted for a moment that your book would come to fruition. I still remember that day we met for lunch in Dry Ridge and you told me about your grandfather and his "unusual" life before you had really researched all of his life (as best as that could ever be done). I was fascinated. I know you will let all of us know when the first book signing takes place. NPR should take note of you and your book! Best to you and your wonderful husband/photographer Rick.

Barbara Fallis

Reply
Rogers Barde
4/22/2019 10:52:01 pm

Congratulations! I knew you would do it, and I'm very glad that you are pleased with it. I'm looking forward to Effie Mae, and what a clever idea!

Reply
Deborah Costenbader
4/23/2019 07:48:14 am

What a wonderful accomplishment, Sallie! I'm looking forward to reading your novel. Keep me informed about the publishing date. Now will you relax for a bit . . . ?

Reply
Robert V Goodlett
4/23/2019 08:13:31 am

Looking forward to reading this one!

Reply
Mac Goodlett
4/23/2019 11:13:20 am

Congratulations! Next Train Out is bound to be a hit! The text surely represents what must be a glorious journey with people that you spent weeks and months, perhaps years, attempting to look into their hearts and souls to see what motivated their choices in life. You deserve a great feast and long rest!

Reply
myra
4/23/2019 12:46:25 pm

Way to go cuz !! I'm sure its good and I can't wait to read it.

Reply
Lori Meadows
4/23/2019 02:53:44 pm

Fantastic Sallie! Having heard a bit of your grandfather's story from you I'm anxious to read your book. Congratulations, and best wishes to you on finding the perfect publisher!

Reply
Fonda McWilliams
4/23/2019 09:28:22 pm

Hooray for you! What a labor of love to bring a whole novel to birth! Writing is some of the most difficult work, but if you have the call to do it, you must. I'm so glad you did! Can't wait to dive into the story and get to know those characters. I'm sure it will find its place in the world and make lots of friends. :) A big congratulations!

Reply
Nancy Barnett
4/24/2019 01:15:38 pm

Sallie, Your voice is always a welcomed friend and I so look forward to reading your yarn, I know it will be good. Well done, I am so proud and amazed at your completed task.

Reply
Marcy
4/24/2019 05:47:42 pm

Congratulations Sallie!! I can’t wait to read it!! Thanks for keeping me in the loop!

Reply
Martha Goodlett
4/24/2019 08:13:55 pm

Sallie,

It will be such fun to read a book that YOU wrote. I am looking forward to reading a story that is based on your grandfather's life. Way to persevere!

Reply
Dudley
4/30/2019 12:48:35 pm

How exciting!
I can honestly say I do not personally know too many book authors. Let me count.... 1!
Sounds like a fascinating story and another way to keep the past alive for our kids and their kids. Good luck working through the next steps of the process.

Reply
Laura Linger
5/4/2019 02:44:31 pm

Congratulations, Sallie! I look forward to recommending it to my ladies' bookclub one day soon! Maybe, we'll have the author in attendance. Good luck with the publishers.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Details
    Picture

    Author

    Between the debilitating effects of age and the 24-hour crush of mind-bending news, my brain is frequently in a fog. Nonetheless. I'll occasionally try to sweep aside the ashy gray matter and shed some light on what's going on at Murky Press. Perhaps together we can also gain a little insight into how we can better use words to organize and clarify the world around us.

    Cheers! 
    Sallie Showalter, Murky Press 

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017

    Categories

    All
    Current Events
    Family
    Grief
    History
    Marketing
    Nature
    Next Train Out
    Publishing
    The Last Resort
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact