Authors often refer to their novels as a “Book Baby.”
The term is fitting. A completed novel and a baby share many of the same qualities. Like children, each one is different. And like pregnancy, each book’s journey to completion has its own unique story.
Mother’s often talk about how with one pregnancy they were sick all the time, while with another they weren’t sick one day and had an insatiable craving for Doritos. Or how the last few weeks of one pregnancy was pure exhaustion and swollen feet, while with another they spent their days painting the nursery.
Similar stories hold true for the writing of a novel. One Woman Falling, the first book in my Whispers of Grace series, was based in part on my own experience. I have a lot in common with Cassie, the main character of the book. I know what it is like to be in an abusive relationship. I’ve experienced a terrible divorce and being a single parent. One Way Home, which continues the Whisper of Grace series, is told from the viewpoint of Sharon, Cassie’s mom. Sharon is a widow, older than me, and a recovering alcoholic. While I’ve experienced alcoholism in my family and in my previous marriage, I’d never battled the disease myself. On top of having a different life experience, Sharon’s personality is also quite different than mine.
How could I tell Sharon’s story?
I did research. I read a memoir, titled Drunk Mom. I researched alcoholism and the kind of problems alcoholics face during recovery. One day, a book I didn’t order showed up in my Audible library. It was called The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson. (I later found out my daughter used my account to download it.) The book title and subheading, “Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves,” intrigued me. As I listened, I realized that the root of Sharon’s problem wasn’t her alcoholism. It was her shame. I also realized that shame was something I could relate to. It was at this point I became completely submersed in Sharon’s character.
Of course, there were other things I did to put myself in character while I wrote. I created a diverse playlist with songs such as “Piece of my Heart” by Janice Joplin, “Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers and “Sing it Now” by Reba McEntire. I listened to these songs so much they played on in my head during all hours of the day, and as weird as it sounds, I could feel Sharon with me, talking to me.
Sharon loves sweets. I’m a bit of health nut, so this was one thing I really couldn’t understand. I do, however, have a weakness for Red Vines (especially on road trips of any kind) so I gave Sharon this same vice. What I am not is a diet soda drinker. I stopped drinking diet soda in my twenties. I think artificial sweeteners aren’t healthy. Sharon drinks Diet Coke like water.
This is where I perhaps got a little too much into character. My new guilty pleasure is Diet Cherry Coke. Anyone who knows me knows this is odd for me. Very odd.
Near the end of summer my family and I took a drive to a local lake. We stopped at a convenience store that had fuel. While the attendant filled the tank, my husband went inside and bought some snacks. He made my day with what he bought for me. Red Vines and Diet Cherry Coke.
Shortly after, as I sat in a camp chair at the lake’s edge, sipping diet soda and eating candy, I felt like Sharon was smiling at me with a knowing nod.
Melanie Campbell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and ACFW. Her debut novel, One Woman Falling, won the 2020 Oregon Christian Writer’s Cascade Award for contemporary fiction and is a finalist for the Selah Award for first novel. One Way Home, the second novel in her Whispers of Grace series, is scheduled for release November 1, 2020.
Melanie wrote her first story when she was eight years old and has been in love with the power of storytelling ever since. She is also passionate about social issues and holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon, which she obtained during her stint as a single mom. She’s now married and lives in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley with her family and several spoiled pets.
When not writing, Melanie enjoys exploring Oregon’s beautiful outdoors by hiking, kayaking, and going for drives in the country. In less-than-favorable weather conditions, you will find her enjoying an intriguing book and a strong cup of coffee.
She’s hanging by a string—with only one chance left.
A recovering alcoholic and longtime widow, Sharon has struggled to build a new life. She’s made amends with her only daughter, Cassie, but Sharon can’t seem to escape from her past. Her mother’s deathbed confession haunts her. Convinced the answer to truly overcoming her addiction lies with her biological father, Sharon and Cassie team up to find the truth.
Meanwhile, an old flame shows up. Sharon doesn’t think she can ever love again, but what Johnny offers seems like a dream come true. His charm and kindness shine so bright, Sharon can almost believe he’s changed.
As the search for her father continues to frustrate and tensions escalate with Cassie, Sharon wonders if leaving it all behind for a life with Johnny will save her crumbling heart.
Will the truth set Sharon free? Or it will it be the final blow to her sobriety?
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