Fresh Fiction Blog | Caryn Rivadeneira, Anita Lustrea

I finally figured out what is what about writing fiction that scared me so. And it wasn't plot as I had long suspected.

Though I've been a professional writer for two decades, and though I have hundreds of published articles and essays and though SHADES OF MERCY was my fourth published book, SHADES OF MERCY was my first attempt at fiction since a college Creative Writing class. Fiction scared me back then too. Although I loved it—and was told I did well at it—it scared me enough to scare me off. For nearly twenty years.

Until my friend Anita asked if I'd be willing to help her tell a story that had been floating around in her mind for some time. This beautiful story of a teenaged girl on a farm in northern Maine, who'd spent her fifteen years watching her father do right—or pretty close to right—to the Maliseet Indians, a group of people who were otherwise almost always done wrong by.

And so I agreed to help as soon as I heard Anita tell me about how she envisioned Mercy—our protagonist—and how Mercy's big-hearted upbringing would lead her own heart to fall in love with Maliseet boy and fight injustices of their own.

But it was in this story line that I figured out my actual fear: writing someone else's story. Even when that "someone else" is just a "figment" of my imagination.

Though not all non-fiction writers tell their own true stories, I do. I've made a career writing personal narratives, often with a practical take-away, sometimes with an inspirational insight. Either way, for the most part, they are my stories I'm telling. If my memory gets something a bit wrong, my mom or husband or friend may push back on an early draft, but ultimately, I have only myself to answer to for these stories. I'm responsible for how I present myself.

Not so in fiction. These characters depend on the author. We're the only one who can get it right. And that's a huge responsibility. Particularly when writing characters whose lives look nothing like mine, characters who in real life face uphill battles I never have, characters who face discrimination and injustice that I cannot relate to.

The writer must get it right. Not only to be true to the story, but to be true to the people.

So, for instance, when we wrote about Mick—Mercy's Maliseet love interest—or Mick's father or brother or mother, we walked a fine line, balancing writing what we knew about the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, what we'd researched and interviewed about, and what Anita had lived, with what we were creating. Mixing true-to-life events and situations, with made-up ones.

All fiction writers do this. And it's scary. Not only because we don't want to offend real people, but because, somehow, we don't want to offend the characters, who'e entrusted us to tell their stories. There's great mystery in writing fiction, in bringing people out of our brains and on to the page. And getting them "right" is the part that's terrifying.

But like most things, I found—thanks to my co-author, Anita—it's a fear worth facing.

Comment for a chance to win your own copy of SHADES OF MERCY, a book on Native Americans, and chai tea.

Comments

i love reading historical romance book and reading also about
stories that have some real truth in it like this one very
interesting
(Denise Smith 12:28pm September 11, 2013)

What a wonderful basis for a story and one that I would love to read.
(Betty Hamilton 1:41am September 11, 2013)

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest and your comments on writing fiction.
(Kathy Martocci 1:42am September 11, 2013)

Your fears of fiction and mine are quite similar...I thought I was the only one wary of angering figments of my imagination, lol! Any work containing stories of Native Americans interest me, I look forward to this read!
(Brian Smith 5:25am September 11, 2013)

I love reading books set in New England.
(Lynn Anderson 8:25am September 11, 2013)

I really enjoy a good historical fiction book. This book sounds very interesting. I would love to read it!
(Kathy Morrison 9:00am September 11, 2013)

This story sounds like it's going to be a real goodie! I do love historic fiction, only second to history. And Native American lore is always fascinating. I'd love to read your book and look forward to other fiction from your pen. Thank you for the offer of this contest.
(Ann Martinisi 9:06am September 11, 2013)

I Would love to read this story. Looks like a great read!
(Barbara Wells 9:23am September 11, 2013)

You combined two of my loves into one book - Romance and Native Americans!! I'm sure you did the characters proud, and this book zoomed up to the top of my TBR list for my Fall reading!! I have never heard of this tribe before, so it will be a learning experience for me as well. I think it's wonderful that the two of you collaborated on a book to keep History alive. The more that Authors do this, the better that society as a whole will be. Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:16am September 11, 2013)

I am captivated with this thought provoking post. Historical
fiction is fascinating and memorable. thanks for this great
opportunity. best wishes for much happiness and success.
(Sharon Berger 10:22am September 11, 2013)

I well know what it feels like to lose hope!
(Richard Proctor 10:23am September 11, 2013)

The setting alone sounds wonderful! Can't wait to read it!
(Maria Proctor 10:27am September 11, 2013)

I'm so excited to get the chance to win and read your book. I just love stories about Native Americans of which I have some within me on my mother's side of the family. Loved your very honest blog post and looking forward to reading your co-written book. God Bless and All The Best To You Always.
(Esther Somorai 12:48pm September 11, 2013)

For the author, staying true to your characters gives you
the anchors on which to build a whole story and even
sequels. But occasionally, it's fun to go out of character
as long as there's a good reason or a point you want to
illustrate. Historical fiction is one of my favorite
genres. Native American Indians have customs and culture
that is intriguing and especially their land rights and
wrongs. I enjoy reading about Blackfeet Indians along with
other tribes and their reverence for nature and the land
where many feet have passed.
(Alyson Widen 1:01pm September 11, 2013)

Enjoyed reading the comments. I don't think I have read many books about
Native Americans so would welcome the chance to do so.
(Joy Isley 2:10pm September 11, 2013)

Such a fascinating sounding book, sounds very interesting and intriguing.
(Jean Patton 4:01pm September 11, 2013)

Sounds like a great storyline. I do love historical books.
(Carol Woodruff 4:07pm September 11, 2013)

Sounds like you have done a great job with this!
(Diane Pollock 5:50pm September 11, 2013)

This sounds very good. I love reading historical books since
they can take you to another time and place and bring it to
life.
(Larena Hubble 6:22pm September 11, 2013)

Shades of Mercy sounds great. I love historical books and the things I can learn from them.
(Marcy Shuler 7:05pm September 11, 2013)

This story sounds fascinating. I enjoy historical fiction, and especially, with Native Americans and your creation of mixing a little real-life facts and fiction together. I look forward to reading it. I love the cover which looks like a painting (so pretty)!
(Linda Luinstra 7:17pm September 11, 2013)

It's interesting to read your comments on what goes through a writer's mind prior to actually working on a book. This sounds like a great book that I would love to read.
(Christine Schultz 7:27pm September 11, 2013)

What a beautiful cover for a book that sounds so interesting!! I appreciate you sharing your ideas about writing fiction. . .
(Sheri Pruitt 8:03pm September 11, 2013)

How interesting to hear about your process of writing! This looks like a fantastic read!
(Amy Baker 9:38pm September 11, 2013)

I love reading the fictional history of Native Americans. It just makes it easy for me to absorb the factual events in the story.
(Kai Wong 9:40pm September 11, 2013)

I have always felt such sympathy for the Native Americans
and the way they were treated. I would love to read this
book.
(L Folstad 10:00pm September 11, 2013)

A forbidden love is always very romantic.
(Callie Stuck 10:37pm September 11, 2013)

The forbidden love is always tinged with a little danger, I think. I like the blend of historical and fiction.
(Sue Farrell 11:22pm September 11, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: SHADES OF MERCY. I love to
read romance and have always been fascinated about indian
tribes. Growing up in Kansas I lived close to the Santa Fe
Trail where the Pawnee indians attacked settlers and there
are many tribes in Kansas. I would love to win and read your
book this Fall. Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 12:06pm September 12, 2013)

I read the summary of your story. The combination of elements is very interesting. I like a well researched history book too.
(Laura Gullickson 12:08pm September 12, 2013)

Historical romanace is one of my favorites and I look forward to reading this book. Thanks so much
(Bonnie Capuano 8:58am September 12, 2013)

The story sounds great. And it is great that you try to stay true to the time period and the characters.
(Pam Howell 10:08am September 12, 2013)

Looking forward to reading this one. Lovwe the fifties with all it's simplicity and changes.
(Ann Martinisi 12:19pm September 12, 2013)

I am so glad you faced that fear of writing fiction! SHADES OF MERCY sounds like an amazing novel and one I look forward to reading! I can't wait to learn more about the relationship between Mercy and Mick! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win!!
(Britney Adams 5:29pm September 12, 2013)

Thanks for taking the plunge into fiction. It must have been a scary endeavor for you. Thanks for the giveaway including the chai tea!
(Susan Coster 5:55pm September 12, 2013)

I would love to read this book---I read a lot of historical fiction and I love Maine. I don't know anything about the Maliseet, but that is one of the reasons I love to read. I get to learn about something that I otherwise would know nothing about! Thanks for the chance to win!
(Juli Lear 6:29pm September 12, 2013)

This sounds like a great book. I haven't heard of the Maliseet Indian tribes before, but I'm sure I'll learn a little history and facts just by reading your book which can take me back in time!
(Rich Cook 7:11pm September 12, 2013)

Oh my goodness I have been waiting for a good book like this to come out! I am
so intrigued by NA culture and I just want to read this one so bad!!!
(Jackie R 7:28pm September 12, 2013)

Great blog! I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
(Becca Luman 8:09pm September 12, 2013)

I am so happy that you moved passed your fear of writing fiction and wrote SHADES OF MERCY. It sounds like a wonderful book and I so look forward to reading it and learning more about Mercy and Mick. Thank you for the chance to win!
(Melanie Backus 9:00pm September 12, 2013)

From what I've read in your post, this book sounds like a great read--I can visualize this as a movie. Can't wait to read about Mercy and Mick!
(Lynne Mauro 10:29pm September 12, 2013)

I despise people who worship uniformity. Our country is created from a diverse group of people and I believe that we should celebrate our differences rather than trying to create uniformity. How boring life would be if everyone loved only vanilla ice cream! Give me my mint chocolate chip, chocolate, strawberry and peach flavors! I went to my high school reunion this year, visited with a bunch of relatives and when I came back home and went to work, a friend asked me how it was. My answer? It was too white. I've gotten used to having some spice added into the mix. I want my Hispanic friends, African Americans, Indians (both American and from India), Afghanis, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc in my life. I seem to need to have that diversity in order to function properly!
(Marcia Berbeza 11:08pm September 12, 2013)

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