Writing a Realistic Novel 11/03/2011
Seldom do authors write a novel from whole cloth imagination. The story is usually part of their life experiences, victories or fears. Unless you are an author who has sold millions and millions of books, authors usually write what they care about. I started caring about teenagers who live on the streets many years ago when my wife and I began contributing to homeless shelters devoted to young people. Then I viewed a television documentary about kids on the street. Frankly, as a program that would air on prime time television it painted a picture less gritty than the actual situation. I didn't realize that at the time, but my interest was peaked. A few years later, I began research on the issue of runaway kids who ended up homeless on the streets. I used university and college libraries and my local libraries. I read about counseling such kids, case studies, why kids runaway, when parents lock thier kids out, and doctor's views of the phenomenon. Using my normal approach, I read but seldom took notes. My intention was to saturate my brain with the entire spectrum of runaway kids. I thought I had the subject locked-in. I finished about three-quarters of the novel believing I had captured the essence of the subject. Lucky for me, I called a homeless shelter in Florida and asked a wonderful lady if I could visit the shelter to be sure I told the correct story in my novel. She said visitors weren't actually welcomed because it might seem as if the kids were on display and cause some kids to stay away from the protection of the shelter. But . . . I could come as part of an introductory program before being a voluntary staff member and if I was ever close to the shelter perhaps I could volunteer my time. I arrived for the program almost two hours before it was scheduled to start and was allowed to sit downstairs and just observe. Later, I was briefed with the other volunteers and met counselors, van drivers, and medical personnel. I also met kids. Sat with them at lunch, listened to their conversations and enjoyed when they talked with me. I also observed and listened carefully. Then in a summary session, each of us shared our observations and conversations with the group. At the end of the day, I was letdown and at the same time elated. The book I had written was for the most part wrong. It didn't come close to what happened to the kids on the street and didn't begin to explain the language nor the defensive philosophies used by the kids. I had heard strings of four letter words put together in ways that even as an adult male I hadn't heard before. I heard a new language. Descriptions of acts committed in private that most of us would never reveal were spoken of openly and without regard for former moral codes or familiar "sins." What I heard was kids pleading for help and understanding. I re-wrote what was to become "Goodbye Maple Street." The finished novel is gritty, uses the languiage of the streets, and attempts to explain what it's like as a teenager working for a pimp on a city street corner. It's about drugs, sex, death, abuse and victory. I am hoping the story opens eyes to a tragic scenario playing out on the streets of many American cities because until good family people, who never or seldom use the language of the story read the book the savage drama will go on and our youth will continue to pay the price. CommentsFrank Montrose 11/09/2011 09:31
The home page is impressive & the blog was interesting.Looking forward to reading more. Alice Jordan 11/10/2011 03:40
Bill best of luck with your new site. I have jotted down some of the titles you have listed to download on my Nook.. Leave a Reply | ArchivesCategories |
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