Write in the Moment

 

Wednesday evening, I finished my first historical novel. It’s not very long, more a novella, and it’s actually far from finished, and as I sat back on the sofa celebrating with Goldie (as I’m in our caravan in Somerset by myself for a few days,) I thought about what was so different this time.

I realised the most important difference is that this is the first ever book I planned ahead. I knew what would happen, and yes, there were the odd characters suddenly popping up out of the woodworks, but no major plot twists and surprises for me. As it’s a historical novel, I was drowning in research, and didn’t want to get halfway through the story, realising that I had no idea what the scene should look like.

I was planning to start this novel whilst on the writing retreat in Scotland, so I wanted to get as much research done beforehand as I could, as I find research so intriguing that five hours pass without me even blinking. So the storyline was set, there were scenes I had imagined several times over already, and I even made sheets covered in sticky notes, a tip from Fran Hill. I had a timeline, names and a map of the rooms.

As I sat down, I did enjoy writing the story, but by the end of the retreat, and 25,000 words later, I felt I was dissatisfied. Having a few days away this week meant I could work more on the story, and I decided to simply write it all down, then adjust later.

My writing desk at the splendid retreat at Glenesk

Well, it is all written down, the inquest has been, the murderer is sitting in Gloucester goal waiting for the Lent Assizes, disgraced family member has been sent to Berwick-on-Tweed, as far removed from civilization and the Stroudwater mills as possible, and there we are, The End.

But it’s not the end, as I feel 90 percent of the scenes is too rushed, Christmas Day is just a few lines, there is not enough sleuthing going on, the answers come to my young lady sleuth too quick and easy, and foul play is suspected by everyone from day one. So, changes will need to be made. It made me realise how hard it is to simply sit in the moment and enjoy the story if you know what will happen in the next chapter. This is new to me, as I normally write, and simply see what happens, and I have no clue what will be around the corner so there is no rush.

Now I was rushing to get the really good bits in, those on my sticky notes that I was looking forward to. So although we reached The End, the story is far from finished. I’m not looking forward to the mess I will be making with shuffling around chapter numbers and all the rest of it, but it’s been a good lesson.

So much in life would be smoother if we stayed in the moment, sitting at the feet of Christ, listening and learning, finding out where we should go next, rather than dashing off to those scenes we have been looking forward to, those decisions that seemed so important and brilliant inventions at the time.

So here we go, starting up the laptop, staying in step, in tune, praying for guidance as I want this story to highlight truth and pain and grief as well, and so the fixing and faffing begins! Maybe next time (yes, there will be a sequel. There has to be. I have done too much research to only do one book!), next time I will force myself to stay in the moment, to savour the details and the conversations my poor characters will have. Enjoy the moment when you write as well, it is worth it!

Maressa Mortimer is Dutch but lives in the beautiful Cotswolds, England with her husband and four (adopted) children. Maressa is a busy mum as well as a pastor’s wife, so her writing has to be done in the evening when peace and quiet descend on the house once more. She loves writing Christian fiction, as it’s a great way to explore faith in daily life. 

Her debut novel, Sapphire Beach, was published in December 2019, and her first self published novel, Walled City, came out in December 2020, followed by Viking Ferry, a novella. Beyond the Hills is the second book in the Elabi Chronicles, and was released in 2021, followed by stand-alone novel Burrowed, released in 2022. The third book in the Elabi Chronicles, Downstream, has just been released. All of Maressa’s books are available from her website, www.vicarioushome.com, Amazon or local bookshops.