In this week's edition of the show, Sylvia Massara features author Barbara Forte Abate, and a book that she informs us took around 20 years to write “The Secret of Lies”. Like many authors, Barbara found that writing this story wasn't just a matter of sitting down and giving life to characters, but the other way around--the characters took a life of their own and gave life to her story. Watch the show and find out more!
I commend you for not giving up!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay. It's the most amazing thing really, how those things we feel most passionate and inspired by have a way of taking hold for the duration even before we recognize that we're in for the long haul. Challenging, yes, but so worthwhile when you finally cross the finish line :-)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, fellow author Patty Friedmann asked me to pass this on, as she couldn't sign on to post: "Barbara I was fascinated by the story of the gestation of your novel and congratulate her on what is surely the finest of craftsmanship!"
ReplyDelete--Patty Friedmann, author of "Too Jewish"
My sincere appreciation, Patty. I am so thankful that we don't possesses the ability to fully access the future of any of our heartfelt endeavors, for the fact that we would surely never begin the half of them should we know what we were in for, Lol. Nevertheless, for me, the great length of time invested proved to be an important learning experience, and made my novel far stronger then I would've been otherwise. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteAnd Thank you, Sylvia for having me over as your guest. It's been very nice visiting with you :-)
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure having you on the show!
Regards,
Sylvia
Novelist and host of The Lit Chick Show
Barbara, congratulations on publishing your first novel! I love the premise and your approach to the story. Sounds like there is a lot of depth to your characters.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to that feeling of being a spectator with your characters. Mine rarely behave the way I expect. I've learned to take that as a good sign. If they are that alive in our minds, hopefully that translates onto the pages and over to our readers.
I wish you much success!
Best of luck, Barbara. A first novel is always the most exciting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Darcia, for stopping by and taking the time to comment. You are so absolutely right about our characters stepping-up (or hi-jacking, depending how you look at it, to direct our thoughts into the heart of whatever story/message it is they are leading us to tell. And then of course if we've done it right, in the end readers will find something of the passion that carried an author from beginning to end. At least we certainly aspire to such a connection :-)
ReplyDeleteAbundant success to you as well!
Oh yes, Deborah, it really is an ongoing thrill that hasn't waned! Maybe it feels especially sweet to me since it was such a long ride on a very bumpy road. Regardless of the time it took to get here, it's wonderful to send my characters out into the world at long last, and I greatly appreciate your thoughtful wishes.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thanks for sharing. I think as a late blooming fiction writer myself, we can both be thankful that we have discovered the pleasure of telling interesting stories with interesting characters. We have an advantage over younger writers who haven't lived the fuller lives that we have, which gives us much more depth and color to draw from. I have put your book on my list to read and wish you much success.
ReplyDelete