“A few hours in the ICU radically and rapidly resets your perspective. Seven years ago my biggest problem was a bad date. But now, as I held his warm, unresponsive hand, the monitors’ beeps circling us both, I knew that my life before today was just an extended adolescence.”
These are the first lines of my novel, at least in its current form (the second draft, waiting to be edited again and again and again).
At first I was worried that I was writing a romance novel, but now that I’ve completed two drafts, I can see that I’m writing a coming of age story about a woman whose coming of age took decades instead of years. As I edit, I’m gaining perspective about her and why her story (inspired by my own story) is what I have to write now.
E.L. Doctorow said, “Writing a novel is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
My character is in a fog and I’m in a fog as I write about her. Somehow that is fitting. For me, coming of age as a writer means embracing the fog, accepting that I’ll always feel like I’m seeing through a glass darkly and taking each next step forward anyway. Still, even in the fog, the process is a gift.
I hope that your life is full of gifts this holiday season, even if you are in the fog too!
A voice in favor of the complex beauty of female power
Walking without seeing
About Lisa
Lisa Poulson is a voice in favor of the complex beauty of female power, the descendant of fiercely resilient Mormon pioneers and a woman who survived the death of her fiancé four months before their wedding. Lisa lives in San Francisco, where she spends her time absorbing and creating as much beauty as possible.
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Clarity
Lisa Poulson is the legal copyright holder of this blog. Contents may not be used, reprinted, or published without written consent.
About Lisa
Lisa Poulson is a voice in favor of the complex beauty of female power, the descendant of fiercely resilient Mormon pioneers and a woman who survived the death of her fiancé four months before their wedding. Lisa lives in San Francisco, where she spends her time absorbing and creating as much beauty as possible.
Reminder
You are reading of your own will and choice. How you read, act on or don’t act on what you read here is up to you.
Reassurance
While lisapoulson.com does use cookies, which helps us understand how you engage with our site and where you’re from, we do NOT save your personal information - like e-mail, name or address. And, if you join our mailing list or comment on a post, we will not share (or sell) your contact information. We are not responsible for commenters or other third parties here.
Clarity
Lisa Poulson is the legal copyright holder of this blog. Contents may not be used, reprinted, or published without written consent.