Kyle Kerr

Jump Back To Reality

09/11/07 | General, Maui, My Writings | 0 Comments

I’ll admit that it’s been hard these past seven days without my ‘Ohana of writers.  I think it’s hard for anyone who hasn’t gone through a similar experience to understand the depth of the relationships that were formed over our week-and-a-half in Maui.  At the beginning of the Retreat, the organizers spoke of this bond that grows amongst the groups and I remember scoffing at the idea.  Boy do I sure have a big foot, let me tell you.

Over the eleven days that I was there, I got a lot of encouragement and praise from the group, almost to the point of embarrassment.  The writer in me still doesn’t know how to take compliments, and they were being thrown at me left and right.  Oh, it wasn’t all praise, you know.  My group absolutely hated the ending of my book, as well as a few other crucial scenes (I was going for a modern day tragedy, and they want something a little more satisfying!), and I’m not even going to mention the title…!  But it’s the compliments that I remember, because they were unexpected.

Don’t get me wrong, I have great faith in my work and my ability as a writer.  As you may remember, though, I wasn’t feeling all too happy about my novel when I went into Maui.  Yeah, I had decided on a restructure, but there was still something nagging at me.  The group definitely showed me what was lacking in the plot, but they considerably boosted my feelings for the project by recognizing the work I put into creating a truly genuine voice for the main character.  They really got what I was going for, and that thrilled me to no end.  In part, mission accomplished.

Now on to the rest of the edits.  There are a number of chapters that need to get completely rewritten, but I’m not scared of them anymore.  I know that I have a solid foundation to build on and a strong support system in my fellow writers (who will make sure I never lose sight of my vision… As one of them put it, talking about the theme, “This is a huge book!”).  I’m not scared anymore.

I’d like to thank all of my fellow group members, who I really do consider my ‘Ohana.  (I’m going to go around the table so I don’t miss anyone!) So, to Dawn, Ginny, Carol M., Carol C., Jon, Roland (and Kathleen!), Rocky, Millie and Charles, thank you for all of your support and encouragement.  You are all talented and brilliant, and I can’t wait to see your books alongside mine in Barnes & Noble someday.  And a special Mahalo to Gary, our leader and mentor, and wish him all of the success he deserves and a thousand times over.  We wouldn’t be where we are without you.

Back to writing...!

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr