Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Writer Wednesday: Revising Through Difficult Times


I've been quieter than usual online for the past few days because my great-uncle passed away. While the death of a loved one is never easy, it came at a peculiar time for me. I've been proofing the print ARC of Visions of Mockingbird Point, and while I was doing this, I realized my uncle is all over this book.

The grandparents' house in the story is actually my uncle's old house in Maryland (though in the book, the location is not Maryland). The details of the long driveway and the house with a sitting room in back that looks out over the sloping backyard leading to the dock… They're all from my memories of visiting my uncle. I have a lot of great memories of him, and I was able to get some comfort in rereading my book that was full of those good times. I had forgotten how many things from my time with him slipped into this story.

It wasn't easy to proofread through tears, but they were tears of joy. Happy memories that I'll allow to help me through this difficult time. He will live on in my heart, my memories, and this book. So thank you, Uncle Jerry. This book wouldn't be what it is without you and neither would I.

*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.

22 comments:

  1. I'm sorry he's gone but glad you have so many fond memories of him. My question is how to keep the line between your MG and YA works separate? Especially when it comes to knowing to what extent you can go with MG versus YA.

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    1. I'll tackle your question next Wednesday, Sheena-kay.

      Thank you. I will treasure those memories.

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  2. Such a bittersweet moment for you, reading through the book. So sorry for your loss, Kelly.

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  3. Very sorry to hear of his passing, but it sounds as if he's left a great legacy behind. So neat that parts of him will be living on in your work.

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    1. It is comforting that his memory will live on in this book for others to read.

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  4. Sorry to hear of your loss, Kelly. I'm glad you have such good memories, too.

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  5. Aw. Sending cheese and a box of tissues. You'll always have that legacy of love in your book. What greater tribute could there be?

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  6. Kelly, the memories you have and share will keep his legacy alive. So sorry for your loss.

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  7. Awwww I'm so sorry. Big hugs. My mom's siblings are starting to pass away--she has eight still living! But I have these great childhood memories with many of them. I think leaving people behind who remember them and share what we learned from them while they were here is very important.

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  8. I'm so sorry to hear this, Kelly. It often surprises us how our childhood memories stay so clearly that we put them into our stories, realizing it only much later.

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  9. Isn't it interesting how we realize we inserted people into stories and didn't quite have a handle on that when we wrote?
    I'm so sorry about your loss.

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  10. I am so sorry to hear about your uncle- but love that he will live on in your books. I am sure the editing was tough though.
    ~Jess

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