All novelists, famous or not, must plot interesting stories for readers and then summon the skill, discipline, creativity, and time required to finish the job.
Usually, it works best if thorough research and actual experiences are in a story’s mix. Throw in a pinch of narcissism, a dash of ego, and a splash of bravado and a writer might have a fighting chance.
Oh yes, a sensible command of the language helps, as does a good ‘style’ guide. A bevy of dependable proofreaders is always a plus, as is a responsible editor.
Writing a book is difficult duty; sometimes finding a voice or extracting the proper words to describe a scene can seem like a slow crawl over broken glass. Then, there’s the isolation, a novelist endures hours of ‘alone time.”
Most of us go through life trying to perfect how to react in certain situations; an individual’s focus is rightfully on a universe of one. Multiply that by the twenty or thirty characters who occupy the pages of a decent piece of fiction and you’ll soon realize a novelist has to reason for all of them, and in varying degrees.
When you consider marriage, raising a family, helping those in need, and the usual pulls-and-tugs of life and earning a living, the challenge of completing a novel might appear insurmountable.
Taylor Mill’s Carol Knuth juggles all the pieces and handles her craft with aplomb. Her stories are rooted in first-hand insights; she has masterfully turned personal disappointments into gripping novels.
Knuth has quietly and industriously put together a body of work that focuses on the plight of women in an oft-cruel world. Her subject matter, while atypical, enables her to develop characters who confront the nightmares of a sour life and wrap them neatly in believable stories.
Three of Knuth’s books, Rhodes’ Home, The House on Third Street, and The Garbage Bag Girl, feature Emma Snow, a teenager who survives heartaches, physical and mental abuse, and other tough situations. Despite an irksome subject matter, Knuth’s stories teem with courage, resiliency, and optimism. She shines a light on the plight of women who bear tremendous burdens; women who yearn for a normal, loving life.
A fourth book, Through the Rain (which I reviewed several months ago), centers on sexual abuse and molestation in the workplace. I’ll reiterate my earlier assessment: Through the Rain brings perspective to relevant and important societal issues. Knuth’s personal experiences and her role as an activist, volunteer, and speaker lend credibility to the characters of her story.
I encourage you to read her books. Knuth is a local author with a crisp, up-front style who gives a strong voice to the deplorable issues some women face in silence or behind closed doors.
You can learn more at: https://carolknuthauthor.wordpress.com.
Donald Then, a novelist and experienced editor and journalist, is NKyTribune’s literary editor. He will review books written by local authors or those with a Northern Kentucky setting. Reach him at author@djamesthen.com. Visit his web site at www.djamesthen.com. You can also follow Don on Twitter: Novelguy@DJamesThen.