Novel

I'm writing a novel that I'm calling (for now) Responsible Acts. It's a coming-of-age story set in the world of competitive figure skating.

Here's an in progress synopsis:

College student Julie strives to forget her past as an elite figure skater, and to forget Gina, the charismatic, reckless coach who molded her into a competitor. But Julie’s resolve is tested when she agrees to coach Olivia, the preteen daughter of her mother’s new fiancé and an ambitious skater in her own right. Back in the ice rinks and training centers of her former life, Julie struggles to protect Olivia from the difficulties of competitive skating—and finds herself right back in Gina’s manipulative path. When Gina makes Julie a startling offer, Julie must finally grapple with their shared history and the costs of _______________________

(That last part is blank, because I don't know what it is yet. I think when I know what it is, and can say so in about seven words, then I will actually have the whole book.)

Three questions

more about my 3 questions process

Why am I writing this? ‍

• Because novels are fun creative challenges, like doing a puzzle.
• I have questions I don't know how else to answer: about the impact of elite competition on young women and their families; about what it means to have "potential," to be ambitious, to walk away; about relationships with parents, teachers, coaches, etc, whose job it is to define and see potential

What does completion look like?

• I know what the last part of that sentence in my blurb is meant to say.
• I've written something sturdy—the world of the story feels solid when you press on it, ask questions of it, engage with it, compared to a book that collapses when you put a little bit of pressure on its ideas.

How will I share it?

• Share the writing process via seasonal (?) updates on this site.
• Some form of self-publishing, I think, or possibly something very small press; at some point I'll put together my thoughts on why.