Forests feed the imagination. It’s as simple as that. Need proof?
A milestone of sorts has occurred more than a year into drafting my work in progress. Lost Girl Road, my psychological suspense ghost story set in the woods of northwest Montana, has now hit the 50,000 word mark. Given the current schedule I’ve been able to stick to, I should have a 60,000 word completed first draft by the end of this month. The draft will be a bit shorter than I had hoped, but I will be revising earnestly through the summer months.
If you’ve read my other work in progress updates, it’s evident I’ve struggled mightily wrapping my head around the completion of a book-length piece of fiction. Experience has taught me I often get off to a shaky start, but am stubborn enough to eventually find my stride. I tend to dwell on negatives, but since leaving the classroom I’ve started this blog and watched it grow, began a freelance editing business, published my collection of short stories Such is Life, as well as dragged myself kicking and screaming through drafting my first novel.
The eerily beautiful woods of northwest Montana’s Bull River Valley molded me into a person with a deep connection to the power of place. It’s where my thoughts often dwell and my writing now leads.
Inspiration rooted in reality cradles the imagination.
Grandpa Red’s property sits along Montana Highway 56. No electricity, no running water, no fancy things. Yet, no bad memories. My cousins and I rode four-wheelers on the old mountain roads and told Bigfoot stories around the campfire. We practically burnt down the forest every Fourth of July and took many a cold swim in Bull Lake and the mouth of the Bull River. Grandpa fly fished with skill and Grandma Angie served up flapjacks with ease. Laughter and smiles abounded.
A writer’s inspirational images then become fiction.
My story ideas nearly always come from images. Lost Girl Road is no different, only this time the imagery comes from the place that means the most to me. The serpentine twist of the blue-black waters of the slowly meandering Bull River, the fairy forest feel of the Ross Creek Cedars, and the spine-tingling call of the loons. Place names become built-up in an author’s mind as well: Bad Medicine Campground, Star Peak, Lost Girl Road.
Arresting images then become dreamlike, unreal, haunting.
A sprinkle here, a sprinkle there. The ashes of loved ones mingle in the dirt around the loop of the drive, at the base of the trees, and in the currents of the Bull River. No funerals, just a good-bye march. What makes a person come to terms with death? The image first came to me over a decade ago. I kept seeing a girl wandering along that lonely Montana road. Who was this lost girl? What would her story be? Who played a role in what happened to her? Would her ghost linger?
Those woods, the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area, matters.
As wild spaces continue to shrink, so does the opportunity to revel in their glory. I want to know that the vast tract of land that behind my family’s property will be protected. Where else would I have known such quiet, such intrigue, and such joy as a child? Where else would I have gone frog-catching, bug-chasing, and huckleberry-picking?
Do you have a special childhood place that could potential inspire a novel or a movie? What stands out about that place in your memory?
Where else would have inspired me to write a book?
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A writer’s work is never done …
Al, ain’t that the truth?
But what a rewarding (if sometimes seemingly torturous) pursuit writing can be.
Jeri — such a beautiful and tranquil post. Your early life in the mountains is so different from mine. I grew up near New York City where I’ve now lived two-thirds of my life. My mountains are the skyscrapers of Manhattan — but in their own way just as inspiring. I guess some of my happiest memories are of spending the summers as a kid at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I remember playing the pool with my friends, taking a dip in the ocean and then returning in the evening with my parents for the acquatic pool show. My high school alumni newsletter did a whole issue on Jones Beach with old photos and stories that brought back many memories. I looked on Amazon and saw only two books about this famous beach. So, who knows? Maybe an opportunity there!
Jeannette Paladino recently posted..Is Google Giving You the Search Results You Need?
Jeannette, the Montana setting of my novel has inspired me in so many ways. I love nature writing, so I wanted this post to reflect that. But when it comes to the story of Lost Girl Road I’d say all the tranquility turns into something very dark. I can definitely see how the canyons created by skyscrapers can be just as inspiring. Jones Beach sounds lovely.
I’m in awe of the pictures, and even more so of how they touched your life. I conjured up bits of movies as you talked about your experiences, such as A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer.
I have lovely memories of places we went on vacation, but none that would inspire a novel.
Denise Baer recently posted..Self-Esteem
Denise, the scenery of A River Runs Through It definitely matches the feel I’m going for, even though much of the movie was filmed in Canada. One thing is sure: the scenery of Montana actively occupies a spot in my brain at all times.
That scenery is AMAZING!
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The scenery reminds me of growing up in Michigan. Sadly, with “progress” I think much of what I remember as a kid has now been changed to urban sprawl.
Jon Jefferson recently posted..Darkness
Jon, my grandpa’s little corner of Montana is so remote that it’s largely resisted development. Granted, there are some swanky houses being built on Bull Lake, but it’s still relatively isolated compared to most other areas of the continental U.S.
You carried me away with this and I loved the flow of your words. You took to that time and those places and it felt right to be there. It was as if if I could see it through your eyes. If only I had that kind of talent. You rock, my friend.
Susan Cooper recently posted..Dad’s Home Brewed Beer: Story (Podcast)
Susan, thank you so much for the compliment. I figured this one should be less about the process of drafting and more about the place that I feel driven to write about.
The images are just fantastic. You have a rich array of memories to choose from, makes me very curious about your book. Getting this close to the end must be both energizing and a little terrifying. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for sharing the great photos.
Debra Yearwood recently posted..The Fastest Way to a Politician’s Heart is Through a Camera Lens
Debra, thanks for stopping by. It often surprises me that my memories of such a happy place are translating into such a dark story. I guess my grandpa’s Bigfoot stories are partially to blame for that…
If I had the opportunity to spend time in Montana, it would certainly inspire me to do watercolors, sketching, photography, oils … maybe I would even try to write poetry. Then again, it looks so beautiful, I might just enjoy it without doing anything creative. The creative part might come when one can no longer access the beauty firsthand.
“fairy forest feel” and “serpentine twist of the blue-black waters” – great verbal imagery.
Leora recently posted..Families of the Holocaust: Too Many Tragedies
Leora, Montana really is an inspiring place. The only drawback can be the massive mosquito swarms that can put an end to all that outdoor fun
Wow! Those pictures are incredible. Thanks for sharing!
Jenny, it’s probably impossible to take a bad picture in that neck of the woods! Knowing that you’ve seen pictures related to my draft you’ve so helpfully been critiquing somehow, in a small way, makes this matter of finishing the first draft even more achievable.
The West is so big and overwhelming. I grew up in Illinois where it’s flat and the woods and water are intimate. There’s a tiny pond in the middle of a grove of Sumac and Willow out about a mile or two from town. My friend Danny Jones and I found a leaky old rowboat and filled the cracks with oakem. When it was deemed seaworthy, we loaded it on a wagon and hauled it out there. Just the two of us ten year olds. Kids did that kind of stuff then.
You had to have a lot of imagination. The land itself wasn’t going to do it for you.
Larry Crane recently posted..Reflections on Writing a Ten Minute Play
Larry, there is an old boat in my novel as well, only it turns out to not be so seaworthy. I used to be so scared of the river pictured above, but then again, I didn’t learn how to swim until I was much older.
Beautiful pictures! Looks so calm and peaceful and a great place to go with family. I can see how it would be inspiring for you. If I had to choose a place, I would pick upstate New York around the Catskills where my grandparents lived. So many memories and beautiful scenery.
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Karen, I’ve never made it to the Catskills, but hopefully will someday
Hey, congrats on closing in on the end of your first draft! I visited Montana for the first time in 2011 and finally understood how the landscape is the stuff of legends. Your childhood inspiration makes me wish I’d actually gone outside as a child…
Laura Zera recently posted..Travel: A Very Un-Guyana Visit
Laura, going outside was probably my favorite thing as a kid, with reading coming in a close second. I was always dirty from playing in the mud, most likely imagining myself to be some sort of creature from a book I’d just read. There really is something about Montana that just won’t leave a person once they spend any significant amount of time there.
Great post! Its much better and easier to get inspiration for writing or being creative when you’re not trying and not focusing to hard on it. Getting out in nature and interacting with the world around you as well as those you love will be enough to spark something within you.
Kelly Wade recently posted..Tips for Running While Pregnant
Kelly, I couldn’t agree more because all to often I focus much too hard on my writing and forget to find the inspiration I need to make it feel like less of a chore.
That is a beautiful place. There’s no doubt that it can give great inspiration. Thank you for sharing this Jeri. I think I’ll take a trip down to the beach this weekend and just let my mind loose. Who knows where it will take me.
And congrats on the first draft. 60,000 words is a great milestone.
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Johnny, I hope you enjoyed the beach
I’ve always taken my keenest inspirations from the outdoors.
Unfortunately it was not the best couple of days for the beach. Cloudy and cold..San Diego. But my wife and I went for a wonderful run and I won’t lie, I worked out a few ideas for posts during the time. I’m with you, the outdoors can be a wonderful inspirational tool. It’s wonderful what can happen when you get out of your daily routine and let your mind soak in something different.
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I’ve never been to Montana Jeri. It looks absolutely gorgeous and tranquil. I didn’t know you were writing a psychological suspense ghost story. That’s exciting. I look forward to reading it.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Do NOT Delete Your Google FeedBurner RSS Feed Migrate It
Sherryl, my book is slowly coming along, but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made since I started writing it while also starting my editing business.
Morning Jeri, thank you so much for sharing this. I could relate to so much of what you wrote since I too am an aspiring author. Hearing of your own challenges and successes is so inspiring to me. All the best with your draft!
Vrindavan recently posted..thank you!
Vrindavan, I try to share my writing struggles in varying degrees. I’ve always felt it’s healthy to concede that the process of writing is one typically full of lots of pitfalls and setbacks.
Photos always evoke writing ideas for me. Thanks for sharing yours.
Cheryl, every time I visit Montana I end up taking pictures of the same places over and over again, but each time they look different and also inspire me in different ways.
Hi Jeri: We writers are so lucky, in that we can make stories from virtually any moment in life. I love that about being a writer. I always say: “Every living moment is fuel for a possible story.” Congrats on making progress with your Montana story. Sounds like it’s going to be a good one!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted..Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign launched in support of Chocolatour
Doreen, Montana has definitely given me a lifetime of fuel for possible stories. Gotta finish the first one though before I start the next
Congratulations for getting close to a finished first draft! At this rate you’ll have a second draft done by the end of the year
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Adrienne, I’m pretty hopeful that I can have that second draft done by the new year. Just today, I actually wrote the final sentence of the last chapter. Now time to take a break from the draft before starting revisions in a couple of weeks.