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A Writer's Blog

New School Year, New Book, New Directions

8/23/2018

5 Comments

 
I don't know what it as about the autumn that always makes it seem like a new beginning. Some people use the New Year to make a fresh start, but for perpetual students, teachers, and professors like me, autumn is the time for new beginnings. I always speak of years in terms of school years, and probably always will. 

You wouldn't know it was autumn here in South Texas. Like green, I miss seasons, but there is still a sense of palpable change in the air. Next week, I'll have completely new students, some of whom are attending university for the first time. That's always exciting--to be part of their freshmen experience. In addition to upper-division students, I've had the opportunity to teach freshmen almost every year I've been a college instructor, and their nervous excitement is catching. They come in, eyes wide and almost frightened, none of them knowing what to expect or how to behave. I like to think I have at least a small part in making them feel at home and challenging them to think in new and critical ways about the world around them. Besides being a writer, teaching is the best job, really.

This autumn is also a change for me in terms of my own writing. My new book, Gnarled Hollow, is a ghost story, and a pretty creepy one at that. There is a lesbian romance at the heart of the novel, but the paranormal/mystery genre is new for me as an author. The novel includes elements of everything I love--higher education, lesbian relationships, art, literature--but it's a completely new direction for me in terms of structure and mood. As I was writing it, I felt like I'd finally found my grove. It wrote quickly, faster than anything I've ever done, almost effortlessly. I think I've finally recognized that, while I love traditional romance novels, it was, perhaps, mystery and thrillers that I was meant to write. I felt good, excited, as I was writing it, and I've never been more proud of something I've written.

So this autumn really is a new direction, both for me as a writer and my for students. I can't wait to see what happens next.
5 Comments
Carolyn McBride link
11/8/2018 10:05:50 am

Gnarled Hollow is brilliant! I heard a rumour there might be a sequel. Is there any truth to this rumour?

Reply
Charlotte Greene
11/9/2018 09:06:22 am

Thanks so much, Carolyn! I really, really appreciate it when a reader takes the time to give me feedback, and I LOVE it when someone tells me they liked something. I'm really happy to get your comment.

There is, however, no sequel planned, officially or unofficially. I feel like the story wrapped up well where I left it, and the characters can happily go about their future lives ghost-free. That said, they may make an appearance (brief or big), in a future novel, which is something I always try to do in all my work.

Since you liked this one, you might be interested to know about my next novel, LEGACY, which will also include some haunting mystery, this time in Colorado. The cover and description will be up here on my website soon.

Thanks again!
Charlotte

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https://www.resumesplanet.com/ link
2/26/2020 06:41:48 am

I need a direction in life. I have no idea what I am doing and it scares me. I see lots of people who are doing things to make their life better, and I need to do that as well. I think that if I start doing better things for myself, then that is when I can become a better person. I hope that life becomes better not only for me, but for everybody who needs a direction in their life.

Reply
Charlotte Greene
2/26/2020 03:58:24 pm

Solidarity, my friends. I've certainly felt like this a lot over the years. A couple of years ago, my former university lost funding for my position, and I felt for a while like I had no direction or purpose.

I know it might sound trite (especially coming from a professor), but have you ever thought of doing something different? Going back to school for something new? I know there's not always an easy solution, but please know I'm rooting for you anyway.

Reply
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