My favorite thing I’ve written–and the terrifying real-life event that inspired it
Thanks to some work commitments, I’m very late with my October IWSG post, but better late than never. At least this month’s topic is an easy one: What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?
Before I get to my answer: his post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop. On the first Wednesday of every month, we IWSG-ers share our doubts, fears, struggles, and triumphs. Our awesome co-hosts this month are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine. Please stop by and leave them some comment love.
Now, back to my favorite thing I’ve written. I like all my writing (eventually, after about 10,000 rounds of edits), but my favorite so far is a short story I wrote 3 years ago called “Walk Me Home.” It was inspired by a real-life experience–being walked back to my dorm in grad school by a guy who turned out to be a serial rapist (no, he didn’t hurt me; keep reading for more details). I had a blast creating Rachel, the main character–she’s probably my favorite character I’ve ever created–and when I finally nailed her voice and POV, I felt like I’d won the lottery.
While I didn’t win the lottery, I did win first prize in the Arizona Mystery Writers annual short story context with this story. You can read it for free; it’s linked from the post I wrote announcing my win. I’m also scheduled to read part of it during a public reading at Fresno LitHop on October 18. More info on that event in this post.
As for the serial rapist, I wish I could tell you he was arrested and sent to prison, but I don’t know what happened to him. I don’t even remember his name. Here’s the story:
I stayed late at a friend’s dorm one night. When I needed to go back to my own dorm, I asked her male friend to walk me back. He started to agree, then his friend, whom I’d seen around a few times, said he was heading the same way and would walk me back. We had an odd conversation about how women will let a guy they barely know walk them home. Yes, that should have creeped me out, but I was young, naive, and very tired. When we got to my dorm, he asked to come in to use the phone (this was the early 90s, before everyone had a cell phone). He said he forgot something in my friend’s dorm and needed to call to be let in. My roommate was asleep, so I told him no and offered to call for him. He declined and left.
The next morning, my friend called, very upset. He’d gone back to her dorm, gotten in somehow, and tried to rape her. She made enough noise to scare him off, thank goodness. But here’s the part that really gets me: the mutual friend who had offered to walk me back told her his friend had raped at least 2 women on campus! So this guy 1) chose to be friends with a rapist, 2) let that rapist into a dorm where his female friend lived, and 3) just stood there and said nothing while that rapist offered to walk me home. It’s been over 30 years, and I’m still furious.
Writing News
I’m back in the querying trenches! I’m querying Vanishing, Inc., my time-travel romance/romantic suspense mashup–and I got a partial request from an agent! I know the odds of getting an agent are still very long, but that request gave me some added motivation to keep going.
I’m also still revising Delta Dawn, working on it more consistently and making good, if slow, progress. It’s nice to feel motivated to work on my writing after yet another long slump.
The memery
I love this one – it’s so true.
Here’s another great one from Jonathan Edward Durham:
And finally, your groaner of the day:
Writers, artists, other creatives, what’s your favorite creation?
See you next time!
14 Comments
alexjcavanaugh
Wow! Too bad there was no way to convict that guy for remaining silent. You were very lucky.
Janet Alcorn
Indeed I was. And yeah, if ever there was a case for guilt by association, this is it.
Barbara Ann Mealer
What a guy! Lets a rapist walk you home. Unbelievable!
Glad you are back to writing. You have some really good things there if you can get them published. If you don’t get an agent, look at self-publishing. You can even do your own audio book with Spoken which had realistic sounding voices where they can sing and you can use a voice for each character like a movie without the picture.
My favorite project is still my first attempt at a novel. I still like it and have been working on it to make it into a sort of fantasy/Sci-fi story. I’m also writing again, doing it this month instead of Nov. It is a romance and is going to take a lot of editing from what I’m seeing. But hey, I like the main character who is feisty.
Janet Alcorn
Right?! Sadly, too many men cover for their predatory friends.
Thanks for the kind words. I definitely plan to self-publish Vanishing, Inc. if I can’t get an agent. But I want to do some serious querying first so I know I’ve really tried.
Glad you’re writing again! I love a feisty romantic heroine.
Joanne
Oh my goodness; that is crazy! My son and I were touring colleges this summer and one school’s selling point was that campus was super safe because no one could get by the guard house and only students were allowed on campus and I remember muttering to my son that most campus problems occur WITHIN the study body. How scary for your friend and lucky for you to have escaped that same fate.
Janet Alcorn
Yeah, the biggest risk of sexual assault on campus is from other students. Often alcohol is involved, but not in every case (both my friend and I were sober).
Esther O'Neill
Another university, another rapist, UK, the Noughties.
Not my story – close friend, studying there -who wasn’t one of his victims but how was he ever admitted, –
thinking about all the hurdles before getting a place, Top exam grades, finance… fees for student accommodation All on a fake ID.
How did that university admit a student on false ID, several years older than most freshers?
Janet Alcorn
At least in the US, I don’t think much vetting happens at the admissions stage. And of course, traditionally-aged college students commit rape too.
Anna
Good luck with the submission. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
Elizabeth Seckman
I’m so glad you didn’t let him in to use the phone! Best of luck on the submission!!!
Janet Alcorn
Me too. It’s scary to think how a small, innocent decision can be life-changing. I was very lucky.
Thanks for the good wishes!
Bryn Donovan
Oh my gosh—I almost posted a “close call” story on my blog today! I decided it was too creepy for my blog (I’m not a thriller writer—yet?) So glad that you and your friend were okay. Good luck on the submission!
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! I think these close calls are common experiences, especially for women. Glad you survived yours unscathed.