Writing a Novel

Next month it will be one year that I've started writing a novel. A novel? Wait. ONE YEAR? I can hardly believe it! For one, that I stuck to it and two, that I am writing! In English nonetheless. 

For the few people that might read this that are not my acquaintances or family I have to clarify that I'm Brazilian, my native language is Portuguese. So, why write in English? 

To answer that I have to explain why to write at all. And the answer is simple; because I constantly live inside my head, where I create the reality that best suits me. Okay, before my phone starts ringing with concerned people on the line, let me clarify: I love my reality, but few experiences in the world are comparable (at least to me) to immersing yourself in a story and allowing it to take you somewhere else. A place or a time where you don't live by the boundaries of your own existence. How cool is that? I mean, who hasn't watched a movie and, at one point, imagined yourself as one of its characters. So, that's more or less why I write. The same reason—more or less—why I paint, photograph, and make art altogether—to externalize a feeling, or a concept, or a narrative that is important to me.

So, why English? I came to the United States fresh out of my teens, barely legal to drink. I've gone to University in the U.S and I've matured in U.S. Although, I'm profoundly connected to my home country and its language. English has become the main platform in which I operate. Somehow, I've become lost in between mastering either language. However, my efforts at this particular stage of my life is to master English. That's why I write in English. I'm sure I'll go back to mastering Portuguese—a truly beautiful and daunting language— sometime in the future.

How about that novel, then? I am just now, one year later, posting about my writing endeavor because, ta-da, I've finished it. Does this mean you'll be reading it before Christmas? No, it absolutely does not. Sorry! I really am. I wished with all the fibers of my being, that I could just send it out to the world and be done with it (yes, it does gets tiring after the 325th day), but I only finished the first draft. In Stephen King's words what I've just accomplished is "excrement." I tend to see it more like a diamond in the rough, needing lots of polishing. Regardless, my manuscript is far from done, but, now I feel confident to share some of the process with the world (at least, the handful of people out there who cares.) 

I know what I've written here is not much. It probably raises more questions that it answers. Sorry. Again. But stay tuned to the blog posts and you'll see more about it, including some excerpts. Most importantly, I NEED YOUR HELP! Please help me make the best book I can, by commenting with your insight. After all, a writer writes for the reader. Or something like that. 
 

Best Wishes,

Denyse

PS: Check out the Book Cover Contest and read a synopsis of the book here