Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier and Cathrina Constantine.
I like this month's question because it invites positivity and reflecting on our strengths:
What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?
I am going to go for something published because that goes some way towards making it feel like a complete entity, if that makes sense - not that I need the validation to achieve something I've proud of but it feels like it reached a defined end. My first traditionally published novel, The Becalmer (2023) also felt like the first time I nailed down my MO, of ordinary characters dealing with extraordinary circumstances and undergoing a transformation, in a succinct way. I'm extremely fond of the main character, Harica, who starts out shy and withdrawn and burdened by her gift of being able to solve others' problems subliminally, and ending with the confidence of having stretched to achieve far more than she thought she could. She feels like ground zero for the strong female characters I've written about since. I also clearly remember starting the book in a way I really don't with others - of course, it was in the memorable surroundings of the first lockdown, which lent it a claustrophobia and intensity that got vacuum sealed in. Of course it was a great moment to get it published. It felt like a lot of things I try to do got crystallised here. I'm hopefully improving with any subsequent work, of course, but this'll probably be my favourite for some time!
I'd love to hear other answers to this. Many will no doubt be found at the IWSG sign-up list, which as always can be reached here. See you next month!
18 comments:
Love that you write strong female characters. And love the name of your character Harica. Great that being in lockdown helped , which I am assuming is *wink, wink* was Covid and not a prison one.
A first published book is such a special thing isn't it? I had a tough time with this question - usually it is what I'm currently working on.
That first book is always special as so much went into it.
I'm not surprised that you picked your first traditionally published book. It's been so important to you to achieve this goal, which is such a hard one to achieve.
For me, it's difficult to pick 1 book that I've written because they are all my book babies. And as writer's, I think we put so much of ourselves into our words. Have a great month.
Love it! Any time you can truly create the character's arc, you've got something solid. When my hubby and I analyze movies and determine if we actually liked them, 90% of the time it boils down to how the characters did or didn't change.
That moment when everything comes together is amazing.
Checking out that book now. Thank you.
It's hard to choose a favorite, but you did it! And I'm sure you improve with each project. Keep up the good work.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/
I remember that book! It’s good stuff, and I agree—I can’t pick something I’m not done with yet. It had to be something published. Not, now that I think about it, that I ever really did settle on *one* favorite work!
That definitely crystallized a moment in time.
I love the evolution of a character! And I'm with you, publication gives the story a sense of completion.
I love your strong female characters and your strong sense of purpose in your writing that you include in these super twisty and interesting worlds.
It's so wonderful when everything starts clicking!
It's helpful to look back and realize something good came out of COVID. It was an awful time in so many ways, but I'm so glad it led to your book being published.
Immediate circumstances like the pandemic lockdown can really influence an author's work that he/she is working on. In many ways the best art comes out of chaotic times, in this case the pandemic.
A first published book will always hold a special place in our hearts. And to have it traditional published is a plus. Well done, Nick!!
Hi Nick .. congratulations on your birthday day ... enjoy times around the celebrations; I imagine Becalmer being published was a great plus in your life ... I always remember your Overcoming Adversity, when many of us submitted short stories ... cheers and all the best to you and the family - Hilary
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