It’s been a while, loyal followers. The best that can be said is I am one tired lad. I started teaching at UWS again at the end of January. Two classes a week, two nights a week. In addition, I’ve taken on the role of Assistant Scoutmaster at my son’s Boy Scout Troop, which eats up another night of the week. And of course, I’ve been working hard on the editing of Sukulaiset: The Kindred, my sweeping novel of WWII Finland and Estonia. I went into that project with trepidation as to the scope and breadth of the potential story and, so far, my fears have proven valid. It is a big story and a big book that needs a trimming, just like Governor Chris Cristie could stand to lose a few pounds. Recently, I spent three nights at Amazing Grace meeting with pre-readers, getting valuable feedback on story, plot, character, and all things Finnish and Estonian from folks I trust. I also received much feedback via email from folks who couldn’t meet with me personally.
Here are a few choice comments from people who’ve read the manuscript:
“There are too many breasts.”
“You dwell on menopause waaaaay too much!”
“I was confused by the changes from first person to third person.”
“You need a character list and maps.”
“Maps would be really good.”
“Have you thought about some maps?”
“What’s with all the breasts?”
“You need more about Elin and Matti at the end of the story.”
“I didn’t get the link between the opening and the main plot.”
“Has anyone said that maps would be a good idea?”
And so on…
Anyway, with all that’s going on in my personal and professional life, the novel has taken second stage. I think part of the reason I’ve put it on the back burner is the very fear and dread that loomed when I began to work on the massive story some three years ago: I just don’t know if I can pull it off. This is, after my uncle’s biography, the biggest, most demanding project of my twenty-plus-year writing career. I need a breather. I need to stop and consider whether the story can be salvaged in a format that will make me proud to say “Yes, I wrote that book.” Right now, there are bits and pieces and characters and scenes I can say that about, which would be fine if I wasn’t trying to hammer the thing together for a summer 2013 release around Finn Fest in Houghton-Hancock. But that’s my goal and, if I can’t do it, well then, I can’t do it.
Once I get in the groove of teaching (don’t get me started about all the technological challenges I’ve faced teaching an ITV course), I hope to be able to pull myself together and get back at the novel. Hope does, as is often said, spring eternal. In the meantime, I’ll strap on my cross country skis (nearly done with my shoulder rehab), head out for the woods and the new snow, and consider what it is I want out of this writing thing.
Say a prayer for me, will you?
In the meantime, if you want to hear an excerpt from the manuscript, head out to Beaner’s Coffee Shop on Central Avenue in Duluth this Sunday, February 10th, from 1-3. Lake Superior Writers is sponsoring a series of readings by local poets and authors (including me) entitled “Fire and Ice.” Should be a wonderful afternoon of quality readings from quality folks, including former and current Poet Laureates of Duluth.
Also, you can catch up on what I’ve been up to by logging onto the Rural Lit R.A.L.L.Y. website where there’s a feature interview with me. The link is:
And by the way, since when have there ever been too many breasts?
Just wondering.
Peace.
Mark
