Persuasion

I started writing for my own enjoyment in November of 2009. The story I'm currently working on is that same first story,   a modern retelling of the classic Jane Austen novel, Persuasion. I always had the idea in my head that I would like to retell one of my favorite author's stories in a modern setting but I wasn't sure how it could be done.

Well, in October of last year, I went to a NASCAR race in Martinsville, Virginia.  I had a pretty good view of the pit stalls from our seats. I remember watching one crew member sweeping out the stall with a push broom and I thought, "You know, he must be the low man on the totem pole. Then it hit me. He would be just like Captain Wentworth but before he became Captain Wentworth and made his fortune that is. My hero was born and he was going to be a racecar driver. Once I had him,, the other characters just fell into place: Anne would be the daughter of a race team owner, Benwick/Harville could be his crew chief and best freind and so on. The story came together faster than I knew what to do with it.

I started writing and the rough draft was done in only two months. I thought, "Hey, I actually finished a book. I should see if I can publish this." Well, I started to learn more about writing and let it rest a few weeks. When I picked it back up, I saw a million things I could have done better. Well, I've since repeated that cycle a few times and am on my third revision right now. Every time I pick it back up after letting it sit, I see things that can be better.

I love writing but I guess I'm done taking a "break" this morning from working on it for now. I'm on chapter 22 of 29 right now. I put a deadline of finishing the round of revisions before I have to go back to school. Wish me luck!!!