Comments on: A Journey of Souls – Why Novels Are the Most Truthful Medium

By: roz morris

roz morris — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:08:32 +0000

Thank you, Heather. We do put so much of ourselves in – and the connection that readers send back never ceases to amaze me.

By the way, I didn’t realise there were so many comments gathering here, unanswered. I thought the post had disappeared quietly behind other more recent ones, then the site emailed me today about Heather’s. Thank you, everyone who was kind enough to leave a reply – I really appreciate you stopping by.

By: roz morris

roz morris — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:04:38 +0000

In reply to Gill Wyatt. Gill, that bereavement is so real, isn't it? I couldn't let go of my novel for days! And I definitely agree that characters often find better ways to cope than I would if left to my own devices. I learn a lot from them too. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.

By: roz morris

roz morris — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:01:55 +0000

In reply to Janice. Janice, what a story to treasure. Never forget it! And thank you for your lovely words.

By: roz morris

roz morris — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:51 +0000

In reply to Shelby Anderson.

Thank you, Shelby. I’m sure I set out intending to take the reader on a journey, and then – like an actor forgetting the audience is there – I start exploring on my own.
I think you’re right about this unspoken respect among writers – and again that makes what we do quite like the world of acting. Only actors understand how deep actors have to mine to find the truth. And only writers know what is involved in reaching for the depth in a story.

By: roz morris

roz morris — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:56:57 +0000

In reply to drjodine. Thank you, Jodine! The initiatory journey... certainly that's a good way to describe many novels I've enjoyed.

By: Heather Huffman

Heather Huffman — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:22:38 +0000

Great post – We do put so much of ourselves into our novels. And the characters’ journey leaves its mark on us as well. It’s both humbling and inspiring to have readers reach out to you after reading one of your novels. Knowing that I connected with them means more than anything. I’ve often struggled to put it into words – you did so beautifully.

By: Gill Wyatt

Gill Wyatt — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:47:25 +0000

I really enjoyed this blog. I feel a kind of bereavement when I finish writing a novel because my journey and my characters’ journeys feel so interlinked. I am often surprised that my characters appear to work out better ways to cope with certain problems than I do and therefore they teach me more than I teach them – I understand that feeling. I haven’t published my novels yet although I’ve let quite a few people read them with similar responses. I would be delighted to get the reactions that you have.

By: Janice

Janice — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:13:08 +0000

This is a great post! It’s so interesting to think about. A long time ago, back in high school, I wrote a “novel” on notebook paper and stuck it in a binder because I couldn’t afford a computer, much less to print so many pages. I gave it to my best friend to read (thanks to her some of the pages remain tearstained) and, without my knowing, passed it on to some people she knew to check out. One of them stopped me in the hallway, eyes glassy with tears, and told me how much it meant to her–how much she could relate to it. At the time, I was thunderstruck, but I’ll never forget that moment. Never forget how words scribbled on a page can impact someone so much and create relationships I’d never known were there.

It’s amazing that your book, about something so specific, can be something so relatable to the public. Now that is truly astounding 🙂

By: Shelby Anderson

Shelby Anderson — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:54:27 +0000

I like what you wrote. It is like I have often said I do not write stories as much as they write me. Whether it is fiction or non-fiction I am changed when I sit down to put it on paper. I go on the journey almost as much as the character; and certainly as much as the reader.
And I am usually humbled that there is a reader. The journey is important, and not just the discipline of having written, but the internal journey of your soul that writing requires. I also like that there is a sense of unspoken friendship, admiration and respect amongst writers. That type of edification is worth more than parties and accolades; but then again those trappings can also renew our souls in tangible ways, too. Because one day when I walk through a bookstore and someone is discussing my work, I am sure I will begin another journey entirely.

By: drjodine

drjodine — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:26:53 +0000

thank you! I totally understand and agree with you.
My novels are visionary fiction, mostly about the Divine Feminine, so the stories are often initiatory journeys for both my character, me, and my readers. It is indeed humbling and my heart opens wide when I hear that someone has had a magical experience from reading my story and aligning with what my characters have undergone.