Taking the one-year challenge

[klgraham]

Hi,

I've been thinking about writing for about three or four years now and recently decided to make it a priority. I'm aiming for one story a week, starting tonight. I've been a sci-fi reader since childhood and am a scientist by training, and most of my ideas have some science-y bent to them, so I'm planning on science fiction.

Also, Steve, I've been a fan for years and have read over half of your novels. I finished Great Sky Woman this past weekend and wanted to tell you that I loved it. The book was really wonderful and I swear you must be at or nearing the height of your literary powers.

One of the things I liked most about the book is the feeling I had while reading. Now, I don't just mean the emotions I experienced. Let me try to explain... While reading certain passages, my energy was ablaze like I was meditating or doing my kriya. I could feel the energy flowing through me. It was really quite amazing that I experienced this while reading a novel. But, given the novel's subject matter and the passages I was reading, it perhaps shouldn't be so surprising.

Anyway, did you do that on purpose? I know that you use the Hero's Journey, but I guess I'm asking if you directly sought to have such an effect on some of your readers. And if so, how you did it?

Best,

Kenneth

[Steven Barnes]

Thank you so much--that means more to me than you can know. Would you PLEASE post a review over at Amazon?
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yes, the effect was deliberate. I can't tell you how to do it, but I can tell you what I did, if that is close enough. My intent with that book was to create a healing metaphor for those who have been wounded at the core chakras: rape, post-truamatic slave syndrome, parental abandonment, whatever. What is required to heal is energy. So...I put myself through the most rigorous meditation and movement program I could devise, so that every day when I sat down to write, I was "in the zone" with deadly serious intent, and a rather "playful" mindset. And then I trusted my subconscious. I used every tool in my box on this one, and it was exhausting, and very rewarding indeed.

[klgraham]

Thanks for the elaboration Steve.

I finished my first short story two days ago. ;D Now I'll try to edit. I'm glad that I actually finished it. It turned out to not be the story I set out to write and it took a little over a week.

Incidentally, my mother Denise attended your and Coach Sonnon's Path Seminar in LA. I got my copy of Great Sky Woman from her. She purchased one before getting one at the Path. She had great things to say about the Path. I hope to attend myself in the future.

Best,

-Kenneth

[Steven Barnes]

Stories and books often change. They have their own lfie, often separate from ours. It is our job to get out of the way and let them fly!