Thanks Deb,
I think a lot of us can empathize with this (especially if we had a similar experience), but I wonder if it might be too much detail (or too dramatic) for the general public.
Tex
My New Years Resolution
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Tex, what audience are you aiming toward? For example, if your intended audience are people with MC and their family and friends you might have a different approach than if it is educating the general public. An analogy about the level of detail might be a PG vs an R rated movie......
Rosie
Rosie
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time………Thomas Edison
Tex, I really think your book can be for many folks. There are lots of books about people's struggles in all kinds of ways and they don't shy away from often gruesome details; The Holocaust, cannibalism amongst people stranded in the ice and snow, surgeries, car accidents, all true stories. Talking about our bowels is not expected but it's a disease and a good many people have diseases that they struggle with. Incontinence is not just an MC issue. And I think there will be empathy for your protagonist. What a way to educate people.
Tell me to stop anytime, please! I have thought about what you have thus far written and believe that chapter one might be your intro. It introduced us briefly about Heather and the embarrassing situation she has found herself in. Now, you could begin chapter one with going back into who Heather is, her life, events leading up to her eventual diagnosis, and so on.
I'm zipping my lips now!
Susan
Tell me to stop anytime, please! I have thought about what you have thus far written and believe that chapter one might be your intro. It introduced us briefly about Heather and the embarrassing situation she has found herself in. Now, you could begin chapter one with going back into who Heather is, her life, events leading up to her eventual diagnosis, and so on.
I'm zipping my lips now!
Susan
Hi Rosie,
I originally intended to write a novel that virtually anyone might read, but now I'm not so sure that I'm going to be able to do that. As I continue to develop the story, a lot of what I write looks like TMI. If I describe her problem so that it would be acceptable in polite society, it sounds like wishy-washy garbage written by Dudley Do-Right, and if I use realistic language, it sounds like I'm a foul-mouthed pervert who's fascinated by diarrhea. I don't see a realistic way to split the difference between the two views. And few things are more worthless than a novel based on unrealistic dialogue.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that this is a complex disease and a lot of our life revolves around it, especially when we're reacting. Far more than anyone who doesn't have the disease is ever going to imagine. And because of my experiences, I doubt that I'll ever be able to look at this from an impartial viewpoint. I have to write what I feel, or it doesn't make sense.
Tex
I originally intended to write a novel that virtually anyone might read, but now I'm not so sure that I'm going to be able to do that. As I continue to develop the story, a lot of what I write looks like TMI. If I describe her problem so that it would be acceptable in polite society, it sounds like wishy-washy garbage written by Dudley Do-Right, and if I use realistic language, it sounds like I'm a foul-mouthed pervert who's fascinated by diarrhea. I don't see a realistic way to split the difference between the two views. And few things are more worthless than a novel based on unrealistic dialogue.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that this is a complex disease and a lot of our life revolves around it, especially when we're reacting. Far more than anyone who doesn't have the disease is ever going to imagine. And because of my experiences, I doubt that I'll ever be able to look at this from an impartial viewpoint. I have to write what I feel, or it doesn't make sense.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Susan,
It's going to be interesting to see how open-minded people really are, because as I develop the story, It's almost impossible to get away from the problem. Even a glimpse of her childhood is bound to reveal bowel problems. In fact, I think I may change the title to "Heather's Problem".
Geez, it all sounds so radical and depressing that I may not be able to read the book myself.
Tex
It's going to be interesting to see how open-minded people really are, because as I develop the story, It's almost impossible to get away from the problem. Even a glimpse of her childhood is bound to reveal bowel problems. In fact, I think I may change the title to "Heather's Problem".
Geez, it all sounds so radical and depressing that I may not be able to read the book myself.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
There is so much Real Life information on this site, that there has to be some way to write a novel with REAL Information taken right from here. No Guts No Glory......and this place is all about Guts!
As most editors will tell their writers....Just Write......let me do the editing....so find a good editor and you dear Tex....Just Write
Pick your most inspired character (yourself) and roll with it.
Don't worry about how you think it may need to sound.....by just writing your authenticity will come out through it and so will the real story. No matter what your 'style' is just Do It. I can't believe how many times my college English professor told me these exact thoughts....so Just Write
and I'm not certain more opinions help in a situation like this, your inspiration is all that's needed, those of us here will cheer you along no matter what!
Love
Erica
As most editors will tell their writers....Just Write......let me do the editing....so find a good editor and you dear Tex....Just Write
Pick your most inspired character (yourself) and roll with it.Don't worry about how you think it may need to sound.....by just writing your authenticity will come out through it and so will the real story. No matter what your 'style' is just Do It. I can't believe how many times my college English professor told me these exact thoughts....so Just Write
and I'm not certain more opinions help in a situation like this, your inspiration is all that's needed, those of us here will cheer you along no matter what! Love
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Hi Erica,
That makes sense, and I believe you're right. But this book will have a major problem with the dialogue. Here, we sanitize our posts with respectable language, and it looks OK because this is a respectable website (I hope). But a novel has to use language authentic to the characters. And most of the terms used by many/most people to describe Heather's problem are not going to sound "nice". I have a hunch that most people are not going to refer to a major diarrhea accident as "spreading feces" across the stage, or "accidental defecation". And though people might (in a private setting) use terms considered by polite society to be vulgar, I doubt that they are comfortable reading them.
Maybe I'm wrong, but this issue will probably come up often enough that the book is going to appear vulgar and it will probably turn off almost everyone except maybe coprolalics or a coprophagist or two. I can't picture anyone recommending a vulgar book to a friend. The project appears to be a lost cause.
Love,
Tex
That makes sense, and I believe you're right. But this book will have a major problem with the dialogue. Here, we sanitize our posts with respectable language, and it looks OK because this is a respectable website (I hope). But a novel has to use language authentic to the characters. And most of the terms used by many/most people to describe Heather's problem are not going to sound "nice". I have a hunch that most people are not going to refer to a major diarrhea accident as "spreading feces" across the stage, or "accidental defecation". And though people might (in a private setting) use terms considered by polite society to be vulgar, I doubt that they are comfortable reading them.
Maybe I'm wrong, but this issue will probably come up often enough that the book is going to appear vulgar and it will probably turn off almost everyone except maybe coprolalics or a coprophagist or two. I can't picture anyone recommending a vulgar book to a friend. The project appears to be a lost cause.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Perhaps a different take on a different way to approach the storyline some day may make its appearance to you. Until then, unless it feels good, probably not the right time.
You are a great candidate for telling one of many real life experiences. Until the next inspiration
You are a great candidate for telling one of many real life experiences. Until the next inspiration
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Thanks Erica,
After thinking about this a bit, I believe the thing to do is to just start over and rewrite it to suit the viewpoint of the general public, using appropriate dialogue and not dwelling so much on the clinical symptoms. The first incident (at the banquet) may be graphic, to shock/hook the reader, and so that there can be no doubt in the reader's mind on what the book is about, but after that, the physical details of most incidents can be left to the readers imagination/interpretation), but without whitewashing the powerful effects that the disease has on the main character.
IOW, the book will emphasize the mental effects of the disease and how that influences Heather's decisions and lifestyle. That's really the worst part of the disease, and that should work for most people. There are always many drafts before a book is finished, anyway. This is a book that definitely needs to be written. I'll just have to tweak it until I get it right.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Tex
After thinking about this a bit, I believe the thing to do is to just start over and rewrite it to suit the viewpoint of the general public, using appropriate dialogue and not dwelling so much on the clinical symptoms. The first incident (at the banquet) may be graphic, to shock/hook the reader, and so that there can be no doubt in the reader's mind on what the book is about, but after that, the physical details of most incidents can be left to the readers imagination/interpretation), but without whitewashing the powerful effects that the disease has on the main character.
IOW, the book will emphasize the mental effects of the disease and how that influences Heather's decisions and lifestyle. That's really the worst part of the disease, and that should work for most people. There are always many drafts before a book is finished, anyway. This is a book that definitely needs to be written. I'll just have to tweak it until I get it right.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Exactly Tex....the mental part has many faucets in how we all deal with this MC, so yes hook the reader with the most common aspect of how this disease hits the majority and then the rest of the story will come to fruition.
Incontinence may or may not be the most common aspect of MC, if it is then I feel especially lucky after reading your intro on 'Heather' I had multiple trips to the bathroom and cramping and brain fog, and what seemed endless nights of hardly any sleep, but the BM's didn't present themselves involuntarily without some control to get to a bathroom, or at least they did until I learned what I had and the mental part started weighing on me creating more stress, then I had to be sure I was near a bathroom and a couple times I was caught on a backroad and had to pull over and potty in a ditch....not fun memories, so glad I live in a pretty rural area with hardly any traffic. So many faucets to the mental aspect with stress ranking as top on the list.
Here's to letting your memories serve you well and to the product yet to be told.
Hugs
Erica
Incontinence may or may not be the most common aspect of MC, if it is then I feel especially lucky after reading your intro on 'Heather' I had multiple trips to the bathroom and cramping and brain fog, and what seemed endless nights of hardly any sleep, but the BM's didn't present themselves involuntarily without some control to get to a bathroom, or at least they did until I learned what I had and the mental part started weighing on me creating more stress, then I had to be sure I was near a bathroom and a couple times I was caught on a backroad and had to pull over and potty in a ditch....not fun memories, so glad I live in a pretty rural area with hardly any traffic. So many faucets to the mental aspect with stress ranking as top on the list.
Here's to letting your memories serve you well and to the product yet to be told.
Hugs
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Tex, I agree with Erica, just write and see where it takes you.
Bathroom issues, while very relevant and can be described without vulgarness. I like how Erica said she had to pull over and "potty in a ditch." That is not vulgar but still says a lot about the stressful and embarrassing situations MCers might have found themselves in.
And maybe Heather didn't have a childhood fraught with GI issues, as not everyone has.
Back to the bottom line. Write from your heart! And only write if you really feel like doing it.
Susan
Bathroom issues, while very relevant and can be described without vulgarness. I like how Erica said she had to pull over and "potty in a ditch." That is not vulgar but still says a lot about the stressful and embarrassing situations MCers might have found themselves in.
And maybe Heather didn't have a childhood fraught with GI issues, as not everyone has.
Back to the bottom line. Write from your heart! And only write if you really feel like doing it.
Susan
Erica and Susan,
Thanks for the thoughtful words of wisdom. Now that I've decided to emphasize the mental/emotional side of the disease, it's so much easier to write. The character development, subplots, storyline, etc., are all coming along nicely. Now my biggest worry is that it will be too emotional.
Thanks again,
Tex
Thanks for the thoughtful words of wisdom. Now that I've decided to emphasize the mental/emotional side of the disease, it's so much easier to write. The character development, subplots, storyline, etc., are all coming along nicely. Now my biggest worry is that it will be too emotional.
Thanks again,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex, I immediately thought about your novel and concentrating on the mental/emotional side of MC as I was recently reading a story about MacKenzie Bezos, the wife of Amazon owner Jeff Bezos. They are divorcing after 22 years, and of course they are close to the richest couple in the world. She is actually a talented novelist, studying creative writing at Princeton and having the famous author Toni Morrison as a mentor. She got distracted for quite a few years working with her husband to build Amazon, but returned to writing and recently published her second novel. In an interview about that novel, she made some comments that were were inspiring to me about life in general and our struggles with MC in particular.
Rosie“I would say the biggest theme in the book is the idea that the things that we worry over the most in life, the things that we feel trapped by, the mistakes we’ve made, the bad luck that we come across, the accidents that happen to us, the paradoxes — in the end, oftentimes those things are the things that we’ll look back and be the most grateful for,” Ms. Bezos said of the novel during an interview with Charlie Rose. “They take us where we need to go.”
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time………Thomas Edison