Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Growing Stories

I’ve been penning fiction for nearly twenty years and have learned a trio of essentials. One: don’t quit your day job. Two: Write something, anything, everyday. Don’t edit, don’t second guess, and don’t stop. Three: Back away from the computer sometimes, and experience life.

It’s the third essential that has me pondering today, as I consider the parallels between germinating stories and digging in the dirt. I think writing novels and tending gardens share some similarities. For example, both enjoy their day in the sun, both require weeding, and both endure criticisms.

You see, I’m gaga about gardening. It’s late May and my wild cottage garden is exploding with cooler and growth. Decaying spring bulbs, shooting ornamental grasses and early blossoming perennials scuffle for light and water.


It’s a gardener’s finest season. To me, the late spring garden is a like a polished third draft: the words flow, the characters pop, and the plots mature seamlessly. The writer lounges in the soft glow of the computer screen and hallucinates about success. Of course, edits and changes are inevitable, but they will be minor and effortless. Just like the snip or two, or the tug or three necessary outdoors to keep the early floral kaleidoscope flourishing.

You may think that the hot, heady days of midsummer are the pinnacle in a garden, but you would be as misplaced as a tendril of bindweed. Oh yes, summer plants are showstoppers, but they carry an air of impending loss. One blossom fades after another and another, in an inexorable, downward spiral of death. The promise of glory is spent, and with it, the anticipation of new life. Only drudgery remains for the plant lover. Hours ahead of deadheading, staking, watering and pest squashing.

A novelist’s existence echoes this slow descent into the mundane. The published final manuscript blossoms vividly, but often quickly fades, overtaken by brighter, newer titles. The writer’s fantasies of topping best-seller lists fizzle, and her spirit buckles under the dreaded humiliation and hassle of promotion.

Fortunately, all is not aphids and manure. As every day changes in the garden, there is always a glimmer of hope to catch the author’s eye. A glimpse of a fresh idea noticed on a soft autumn day. The germ of a kernel of a seed that begs perusal and hints at a novel world. It is the time to disappear into the slumbering garden, to dig and whack and transform, plotting and planting and praying for another, better season.

Followed by a trip to the computer to fertilize the seedlings of the next great novel.


Nicola Furlong pens mystery and inspirational novels, creates interactive books for the iPad, podcasts about genre writing (The Novel Experience), and teaches electronic publishing, when she's not playing Old-Timer’s hockey, growing blossoms and bamboo or eating chocolate fudge.

Her first contemporary women's series, the Sisterhood of Shepherds, debuted with HEARTSONG in May 2014 (MantleRockPublishing). Nicola's swinging whodunit, TEED OFF! (republished in February 2014 by OakTreePress), features professional golfer and coroner Riley Quinn.

Her other novels include a psychological thriller (A HEMORRHAGING OF SOULS), six novels in The Church Choir Mysteries series and a multimedia online thriller, UNNATURALSTATES.

In addition, Nicola has published two writing e-book primers, YOUDUNIT WHODUNIT! HOW TO WRITE MYSTERIES & SELF-PUBLISH YOUR E-BOOK IN MINUTES!, and a gardening guide. She's recently released her first musical interactive children's book for the iPad, SAVING GRAPE-JELLY CHEEKS.

Nicola lives in a small seaside town on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.


22 comments:

  1. Beautiful, inspired writing! I could read this post again and again. Thanks for leading the Beyond the Borders group in blogging on ICFW!

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    1. Hi Sara,
      Always lovely to hear from you, thanks. You're so kind with your compliments. Really appreciate it. Hope you're well and enjoying late spring.

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  2. Thanks for the encouragement, Nicola. Love that garden!!!

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    1. Hey LeAnne,
      How kind of you to write. We all need to encourage one another so am grateful my musings were of interest. Now, off to deadhead!

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  3. What a great comparison. I never though about it before, but so true. And love your photos of your garden. Post more next time. :-)

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    1. Hey Lisa,
      Thanks for the note. I'm pleased you agree with my comparison. Lots more photos on my website, http://www.nicolafurlong.com/garden/. Cheerios.

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  4. Wonderful post, Nicola. I really enjoyed it as I think about my garden and my writing. We all need to learn to be patient and grow, whether a garden or a good novel.

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    1. Hi Katt,
      Thanks for your kind comments. Being patient is hard! Cheers,

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  5. Your garden looks beautiful, Nicola! Good analogy.

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    1. Hey Autumn,
      Thank you. Hope you're out in your garden, too! Cheers,

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  6. The garden is gorgeous. I do love gardens in the spring. It's probably the only time mine looks good!! Loved the analogy.

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. Great to get a gardening compliment, especially from someone with your last name! Enjoy your spring garden, too. Cheers.

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  7. While your real garden is in full bloom, Nicola, mine's fading as winter draws near. (I'm an Aussie.)
    And yes, how similar to our writing careers. Ups and downs and everything in between, but we do it because we love it!

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    1. Hi Rita,
      How cool to hear from down under. Too bad you're heading into winter, but a good time for thinking and writing. Thank you so much for commenting. Cheerios!

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  8. Hi Nicola,
    I've read many analogies of writing and gardening over the years, and that's one of my favourites. I love how you liken the brief blossoming to a new release, and the hard work to, well, the hard work we do at our computers and trying to promote our work.
    Like Rita above, I'm an Aussie too, pretty cold at the moment. I hope you enjoy your summer gardening.

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    1. Hi Paula,
      Thank you so much for your kind words. It's so strange to think you're heading into winter while I have fun in the garden. Take care.

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  9. Nicola, your garden is beautiful, and so is its description. I hadn't thought about the parallels between gardening and writing (maybe because I'm not a good gardener!). Thanks for this!

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    1. Thank you, Janet, for your sweet comments. Really appreciate your taking the time to read and reply, especially given the paleness of your green thumb!

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  10. I hope whenever I get discouraged, I'll be able to recall your line "Fortunately all is not aphids and manure." Love it!

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    1. Hey Nancy,
      I'm so glad you enjoyed the article and now I'll think of you when I'm down. Cheers!

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  11. Love the garden with its blue and pink flowers and loved this post, Nicola. Thanks.

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    1. Hey Dale, thank you for your interest. I'm very fortunate, as the garden is gorgeous today. Cheers!

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