On trusting the process

When I first started writing I heard some writers talk about, “TRUSTING THE PROCESS” and wondered what it meant. Wasn’t the process dictated by the writers?

It took me a while to realize that sometimes it is hard to know how our mind puts a story together: not only does it vary from person to person, but also from novel to novel. For my first two books, I wrote more or less what I knew about, and it was a linear process of going from point A to B and then to C. My third book, Keeping Corner, was different and I found it hard to write it in a straight, simple way.

Keeping Corner is historical fiction set in the India of 1918-1919, based on the life of my great aunt who was a child widow. My parents told me about her life and about other widows’ lives, but I wanted to anchor my story in the time and place to make it come alive. I did extensive research on the political and cultural changes taking place at the time in India and particularly in the state of Gujarat where my story is set. I realized that I had two parallel stories running side by side in my mind and I had to weave them together so that it became one indivisible tale. I went back and forth in the story and it took me a long time to finish it.

Right now, I am trying to write a book about a subject and a place that I know little about, but have  a huge interest in. It has been a very challenging and sometimes frustrating experience. It would be easy to abandon this project and go on to write something I know, but I am determined to do it because once I finish I will have grown as a writer. I don’t know how to do it, but as I put words down, I will discover a process or maybe I will stumble upon it. Once I finish the first draft I will probably have to tweak it, layer it, and maybe even change the point of view or rewrite it.

I have no clue how this project will turn out, but I have to  “TRUST THE PROCESS” and proceed.

Comments

[Shabnam]

Hi Kashmira,

I have read Blue Jasmine, Koyal dark, mango sweet and Keeping corner. Must say they are excellent, your style of writing is so good that it transports the reader to the actual place in your fiction by giving the reader a very clear image of each scene and also the feelings and sentiments of your characters are felt by the reader. My daughter who is in middle school brought home these books from her library and I just could not put them down.
Thankyou for the lovely books, when is your next one coming out?

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Shabnam,

So glad you wrote to tell me how much you enjoyed my novels! I have two picture books out, too.
Right now I am working on a novel which will be published by Harper Collins in early 2010. I will post the title and more information about it on my website soon.
Kashmira

[connor]

hello kashmira i am reading and almost finished with boys without names and i just cant put it down i love the description and sensory images but it seems to stay the same for a while

[Meghna Satyapanthi]

Hey.. Kashmeera...
Your webpage is pretty interesting. I am surely drawing motivation from it. Well, for me I am heading to publish my first book mid of next year! I guess I will soon find out what Trusting the process is!!
For now, writing is more an expression of my soul. If you are interested you can read my blog on www.meghsworld.blogspot.com

[Meghna]

Sorry forgot to add two things:

1. Your comments will be appreciated on my blog.

2. What motivates me is the common thread binding our lineage, Bhavnagar.

[Meghna]

Hello Kashmira,
Thank you for visiting my blog. Appreciated. Are your books available for sale in Australia?

Well, I stayed in Bhavnagar for about the first 17 years of my life. Branched out to VV Nagar in 1997 for further studies and kindda trod the road that life chose for me for one reason or the other. I am in Melbourne Australia since the last 7 years and live with hubby and kid.

My book is not fictional since my imagination is as rare as the appearance of a rainbow in my backyard. I am writing a self help book for Indian/Asian students where I can see they can learn from my and a few of my friends and acquaintance's experience.

I am still swimming through a pool of titles before I finally pick one. But more than likely will settle on Didgeri-don't!

My maiden last name was Gorasia. (Don't know if this family name rings a bell for u!)

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Meghna,

As far as I know, my books are available in Australia.
I lived in Bhavnagar until I was eight and after that only spend my summer breaks there. I don't remember Gorasia family but maybe my mom might know. Anyway, I grew up way before your time so I'm sure our paths never crossed.
Your nonfiction book sounds interesting. I'm sure the incoming students can learn a lot and make their transition a little less painful. Have you found a publisher?
Kashmira

[Hannah Snyder]

Dear Kashmira Sheth,
I am a 7th grader at Christ the Lord Lutheran School in Brookfield, Wisconsin. This past fall, we started a unit on India. Part of our assignment was to read "Keeping Corner" and "Boys Without Names". WE were to write to you about one the books, so I choose to write to you about the latter. First of all I would like to let you know, how much all the class enjoyed your books. We would often beg our Teacher, Mrs. Gerlach, to continue reading about Gopal's experience in slavery. I liked how you wrote about the way he came up with names for everyone. I also loved the ending and how all were set free from slavery. This book turned out to be an all-time favorite of mine. I would like to know what happened to Baba, as it was not put into the book. I really liked how G.C. opened up near the end.
Thank you for your talented writing,
Hannah Snyder age 13

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Hannah,
Thanks for writing to me and letting me now how much you liked Boys Without Names!
You wondered what happened to Baba but I purposefully kept this vague so that the reader could use his or her imagination. In my mind, however, I pictured Baba getting lost in the big city. He couldn’t read or write and was afraid of traffic. Furthermore the torrential monsoon caused the city to flood, making navigation even more difficult. Combined, this caused Baba to have some difficulty finding Jama’s house. By the time Baba arrived, Gopal was gone.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what could have happened to Baba. Do write to me if you imagined other scenarios.
Kashmira

[daily holsombeck]

Hi Kashmira,
I am in 7th grade at simmons middle school and we aare doing literature circles in language arts and i chose the book kepping corner i love it! Next i want to get the book Boys Without Names.
Thanks for writing amazing books,
Carter Thomas age 13

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Carter,

So glad you loved Keeping corner and I hope you like Boys Without Names. Do write me back once you read it.
All the best for your literature circle!
Kashmira

[daily holsombeck]

Hi Kashmira,

Its daily (carter thomas) my 7th grade language arts class are doing anchor activities and 1 of them is letter to author and me and my friend sophia keke-szabo are doing it if you get a letter from daily holsombeck and sophia keke-szabo its from us thanx
thanks for good books,
daily holsombeck and sophia keke-szabo

[kashmira Sheth]

Thanks for letting me know, Daily. I look forward to receiving packages from you and Sophia!
Best,
Kashmira