Creating deep characterization in a novella length is no common skill. Joan North first dove deep when she penned her memoir and explored the layers of her own character. She combines the skill of crafting complex characters with her ability to write a tight story to create masterful novellas. Her most recent one, Under the Surface, won First Place for Unpublished Novella in the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards. Joan talks character, the mind, and digging deep on this week’s RPLA showcase.
Joan’s Writing Journey
I’ve always loved the power of words to create images and feelings and to touch people. I started a memoir eleven years ago. Nothing like discovering the repeating patterns of your life. But now in fiction, I can make things up, incorporate so many “what ifs” and give my characters higher peaks and deeper valleys. When self-publishing became available, offering the creative gift of expression to anyone, how could I not take advantage? I have meaningful things to say! My stories range between 25,000 and 45,000 words. I say what I want to say in novella length stories. Maybe I have a short attention span, but I also want to leave out any boring parts.
The Winning Entry, Under the Surface 
Logline: Lauren Summerville has spent her life living on the surface, fearful of the darkness that lurks beneath. But she fears wasting her life if she never risks opening her heart.
I wanted to portray a woman who, after a lifetime of living on the surface of feelings, is willing to let go of control and venture into the unknown. I loved getting into her imagination as well as her reality and at times, like her, mixing the two together. There’s a reckless freedom in pushing a character deeper into her intricately powerful mind, and into the vulnerability of loving. What makes it special is her risky exploration of intimacy.
Read an excerpt of Under the Surface here.
Two Truths and a Lie, Writer’s Edition
Be honest, dig deep or don’t bother.
Write as often as you can.
Make yourself write.
Abigail Thomas said, “Be honest, dig deep or don’t bother.” Unless your sole purpose in writing is to entertain. I want a reader to feel moved and inspired after spending time with my characters. I want them to learn something, feel something. You should write as often as you can. Your stories will improve. But don’t make yourself write. It’s not something to get done. It’s a (sometimes difficult) pleasure, a gift. Creativity should be invited, not forced. I don’t like rules, and when I’m supposed to do something, I easily find reasons to procrastinate.
Other Works by Joan
I’ve written three other novellas Secondary Colors (2014), Fragments of Grace (2015) and Bodies and Souls (2017). Each of them, like Under the Surface (2018), explores aspects of love, fear, relationships and aging. I’ve also written Here and There: Traveling Outside Comfort Zones (2013), an account of my experiences in Mediterranean and Asian countries; Watching Clouds Breathe (2008), an inspirational book of thoughts and feelings; Light, Shadow & Reflection (2010) and Let Me Hold You (2017), both brief conversations with God, layered over my full size black and white photos.
Coming Next from this Author
What’s coming next? Usually when I’m asked this question, I have a list of potential stories, but my muse has taken a vacation. I miss her. There are so many dramas and strong feelings in life, so many potential stories, how can I not write them? Then a few days ago while listening to the lyrics of a song I’d never heard before, I thought, Hey, here’s my next story! Most of my main characters have been mature, contemporary women, but this new idea takes place long ago and in the voice of a man, so lots of research. Better get started!
Connect with Joan
Email me at joannorth4345@ gmail.com or visit my website, joannorth1.wordpress.com. I’d love to hear from fellow writers.
More about RPLA
The Royal Palm Literary Awards competition is a service of the Florida Writers Association established to recognize excellence in members’ published and unpublished works while providing objective and constructive written assessments for all entrants. Judges include literary agents, publishers, film producers, current or retired professors, teachers, librarians, editors, bestselling and award-winning authors, and journalists from across the nation. Entries are scored against the criteria set by RPLA using rubrics tailored to each genre. Winners are announced at the annual FWA conference during the RPLA awards banquet. To learn more about RPLA, click here for the guidelines.
