With only a few days before the end of July I (miraculously) finished writing my novel before the deadline. There were times when I felt like throwing in the towel purely because I couldn't move past my annoying writers block. I sure am glad I didn't and that I stuck with it.
Many of the people who are in my loop already know what my book is about, but there are others who have been kept in suspense this whole month. For those who wish to know, I have a synopsis. It is subject to change since I have yet to write a final draft of the novel, but from what I have now it's pretty consistent.
Jackson has lived alone with his dad ever since his mom walked out on them when he was little. His dad tries hard to be there, but Jackson feels abandoned by both his parents. He can't find a way to fit in, and he is unable to discover the true feeling of family that he has been searching for his whole life. Finally, when he joins dance class, this all changes.
Alexia lives under the shadow of her famous older sister. She is neglected by her parents because all they can see are her flaws, and they only wish to compare her to her sister. Her mother is critical and wishes that both of her daughters could be "magazine models." Her alcoholic father has never been there and doesn't have time to spend on her. Dancing is the only way for Alexia to escape the abuse and brokenness of her family and be accepted for who she is.
When Jackson meets Alexia through dance class, he expects her to be just like other girls. What he finds is someone who is very different than everyone else and much more real than anyone he's ever met. Together, they discover that family comes in many forms and that finding beauty starts on the inside.
The draft is far from being final, and a little ways away from having anyone else read it, but I'm hoping within this year to have a second draft complete so that all of the wonderful people who volunteered to edit can have a go!
Writing Finding Beauty was surprisingly different from how I pictured, but it was worth every second I spent furiously scribbling down words. Hopefully I have enough motivation to continue editing so I can work towards publication.
Many thanks to all of those who helped me along, especially all of those people who took my family into their homes while we were on vacation. Without you, I would have been writing in a tent or a shady hotel room!
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