Book #4, in progress
9/30/13
I'm concerned about this book on a number of structural levels. Let's list them here on paper so they're not all knocking around in my head all day.
1. I think it takes too long to get Joe diagnosed.
2. Mentions of 4/15/13, Boston Marathon, makes this all happening in present day. If I want to advance Joe's HD at all, even assuming he's at least 7 years in from page 1, we have to go into the future. At least 3 years, probably 5? Do you want to write about these characters in 2016, 2018? Is that too weird? You can drop out all reference to 4/15, but then the Red Sox references to post season play will have to jibe with previous seasons. That's doable. But I like the mentions of 4/15 and how it has affected Joe. Readers will be wondering if I don't mention it. Pink elephant in the room. Must figure out how to reconcile all this.
3. Switching over to Katie's pov now feels like it took too long. Maybe if I introduce her sooner that will give us the chance to know her, care and place her story in advance of her having to be concerned with HD. It might also help "space out" Joe's story over time more. I could make the kids a bit younger at the beginning of the story, allow for more time to go by before mention of B&E (and first mention of 4/15). I like that.
4. Not taking Joe all the way to end stage. I think I want to leave him vulnerable, in full courage, no longer able to walk or talk much (think Meghan).
5. Joe's mother, Ruth. Maybe we should be hearing from her. Make this a true generational story. Ruth's story with HD is one of ignorance, shame, isolation. I like this idea of Ruth, Joe, and Katie chapters to portray the different phases of HD: Nursing home/late stage; diagnosis/early and middle years; at risk/gene status questioning/symptom hunting. But man, that scares the shit out of me because that's A TON more work that I haven't even imagined yet.
Let's say that Joe's story drives the narrative. He's the powerhouse of this book, so keep going with his story. Maybe imagine Ruth and Katie separately and write their chapters as smaller vignettes aimed at revealing the generational tentacles of HD, how this is Joe's story but it is a repeating tale.
Thinking of that family tree again. Shaded circles and squares....
I'm concerned about this book on a number of structural levels. Let's list them here on paper so they're not all knocking around in my head all day.
1. I think it takes too long to get Joe diagnosed.
2. Mentions of 4/15/13, Boston Marathon, makes this all happening in present day. If I want to advance Joe's HD at all, even assuming he's at least 7 years in from page 1, we have to go into the future. At least 3 years, probably 5? Do you want to write about these characters in 2016, 2018? Is that too weird? You can drop out all reference to 4/15, but then the Red Sox references to post season play will have to jibe with previous seasons. That's doable. But I like the mentions of 4/15 and how it has affected Joe. Readers will be wondering if I don't mention it. Pink elephant in the room. Must figure out how to reconcile all this.
3. Switching over to Katie's pov now feels like it took too long. Maybe if I introduce her sooner that will give us the chance to know her, care and place her story in advance of her having to be concerned with HD. It might also help "space out" Joe's story over time more. I could make the kids a bit younger at the beginning of the story, allow for more time to go by before mention of B&E (and first mention of 4/15). I like that.
4. Not taking Joe all the way to end stage. I think I want to leave him vulnerable, in full courage, no longer able to walk or talk much (think Meghan).
5. Joe's mother, Ruth. Maybe we should be hearing from her. Make this a true generational story. Ruth's story with HD is one of ignorance, shame, isolation. I like this idea of Ruth, Joe, and Katie chapters to portray the different phases of HD: Nursing home/late stage; diagnosis/early and middle years; at risk/gene status questioning/symptom hunting. But man, that scares the shit out of me because that's A TON more work that I haven't even imagined yet.
Let's say that Joe's story drives the narrative. He's the powerhouse of this book, so keep going with his story. Maybe imagine Ruth and Katie separately and write their chapters as smaller vignettes aimed at revealing the generational tentacles of HD, how this is Joe's story but it is a repeating tale.
Thinking of that family tree again. Shaded circles and squares....
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I agree with Carmen - all your fans appreciate your diligence and attention to detail - Everything you write is a winner. I look forward to the finished product!
Ladies, I'm n total accord! Lisa--welcoming us into the process makes me feel so connected to this new book! The "into the future" spin, a few years down the road is really interesting, and does leave me open to wonder about all the "what-ifs" in HD research. Hmmm....I'm soooo excited!
i think its great that your not afraid to tackle some of the big diseases - a lot only cover things like cancer but its good to see some more long term health issues. I don't think a few years down the track would make a difference - its good reading a book that is talking about 'current' times - makes it more real
I love to read your thought processes through developing the plot for this novel. The attention to detail and research makes these diseases almost another character within your novels. You could potentially look into the future and form a hypothesis on research development based on your current knowledge and ongoing research development by leading experts so to look into the future a few years is not altogether a "no" for story development. I'd love to see which avenue you decide upon.
Carmen wrote: "It's fascinating being able to read some of your process. It's shows me how important being factual is to you. You have an amazing gift. You have found a way to educate without feeling as if we are..."Thank you for this beautiful, encouraging note, Carmen. Yes, while these books are all thoroughly researched, they cannot feel like textbooks or manuals. And there's such an enormous difference between awareness and compassionate awareness. One resides in the head, the other lives in the heart. I'm writing stories of the heart.
Sorry it took me forever to respond! I've just learned today that I can reply to comments here. :)
xo
Judy wrote: "I agree with Carmen - all your fans appreciate your diligence and attention to detail - Everything you write is a winner. I look forward to the finished product!"Thank you so much, Judy! You're making me teary here. Thank you for getting in touch with such kindness.
xo
Donna wrote: "Ladies, I'm n total accord! Lisa--welcoming us into the process makes me feel so connected to this new book! The "into the future" spin, a few years down the road is really interesting, and does le..."Thank you, Donna! Love that I've just discovered that I can be in conversation with you all here!!
xo
Bec wrote: "i think its great that your not afraid to tackle some of the big diseases - a lot only cover things like cancer but its good to see some more long term health issues. I don't think a few years down..."Thank you so much. My goal is to write about diseases that people are afraid to talk about, about people who tend to be ignored, feared, and misunderstood--so that the book becomes a vehicle for discussion and understanding, and people become seen and heard.
xo
Shirley wrote: "I love to read your thought processes through developing the plot for this novel. The attention to detail and research makes these diseases almost another character within your novels. You could ..."
Thank you so much! So many decisions to make when writing each of these books--and all within the goal of telling the truth under the imagined circumstances. There's an intuitive sense of "this is it; this fits" when I've landed on the right choice--then I just need to trust that and keep writing!
Go Lisa, Go! Or, better.....WRITE LISA, WRITE !
<3
Donna wrote: "Go Lisa, Go! Or, better.....WRITE LISA, WRITE !
"
:)
Take your time Lisa....your fans are fans for life.