Writing IS Community

By Carol Van Den Hende

Writing has a reputation for being a solitary pursuit, so it surprised me what a community it creates!

You see, I picked up writing again in my adult life for myself, as a place of solace during a difficult time. I wasn’t pursuing publication for any external goals. 

What I loved was crafting characters winning against impossible situations. They helped me to identify possibilities in my own life. In a fateful twist, I saw a story on the news of a combat wounded veteran and started researching their experiences. One soldier, Sgt. Bryan Anderson, explained that he’d been “blown up” (his words) by an improvised explosive device (IED). He’d forever deal with the disabling injuries that resulted. Despite losing both legs and his left arm, he had built a life he loved. He worked as a disability advocate, wheelchair designer, actor, and spokesperson for USA Cares and Gary Sinise Foundation, among other pursuits.

Bryan and others like him inspired me to imagine the character of Phoenix Walker. Phoenix isn’t a soldier but his experience mirrors that of wounded veterans. He’s a big-hearted agency founder who heroically saves a man from jumping in front of an approaching train. Sadly, he ends up on the tracks himself. His injuries are like those of wounded soldiers.

One of the earliest scenes that I wrote was when Phoenix wakes in the hospital and realizes he’ll never be the same again. 

I brought this scene to a writers’ group called Women Who Write. This group would meet every other Saturday at a member’s kitchen table and read our work aloud to each other. We learned a lot by observing the impact our work had on others. One fall Saturday, I passed out my printed passages and nervously awaited the groups’ reaction as I narrated Phoenix’s point of view: 

His brother Caleb’s brows furrowed. “You were in an accident. You’re in the hospital.” 

“In the hospital? What do you mean?” 

This makes no sense. I need to finish a campaign pitch . . . brunch with Mom . . . Orchid.

He twisted against the pillows, eyes shut again, exhausted by their exchange.

His brother kept talking. Phoenix couldn’t concentrate as memories started to unlock.

Orchid at the airport . . .  back to my place before meeting Mom. The subway station. The homeless guy with the beard. Oh my God. Losing my balance, flying through the air . . .. His eyes squeezed tighter, shutting out the scenes that clamped around his chest until he couldn’t breathe. 

Can’t be.

He struggled to move. Pain pierced through his leg, as if it was on fire. 

Caleb put a supporting hand on his brother’s shoulder. Phoenix opened his eyes to find his brother still toting the cup. He reached for the water. Clumsy with grogginess, he knocked it over. The water spilled onto the bedspread. Phoenix instinctively threw out his left hand to steady the cup. 

He whiffed air. 

Confused, he regarded his arm. Bandages ended inches above where his wrist should’ve been. Bile spiked in his throat.

As I read, feeling the emotion of the passage move me as it had when I’d written the lines, I noticed a change in the room. The sound of scribbled notes subsided. One writer sniffled. Another rooted through her purse and emerged with a tissue. Our leader patted the silky skin beneath her eyes.

In that moment, I realized the power of this story. Not just to heal me, but to move others. The seed of an idea took hold. I started to consider publishing. 

There were two pivotal moments following this one.

First, I started to attend writing conferences, where I absorbed lessons in craft, and taught workshops on branding and marketing, my areas of professional expertise. At one Writers’ Digest conference, I attended Pitch Slam, an event to pitch editors and agents our story ideas. I stood in a line that snaked out of the Marriott Marquis grand ballroom and waited to speak with the agent I most wanted to meet. Pitch Slam allows the author 90 seconds to pitch an idea, and an agent or editor 90 seconds to ask follow up questions and potentially request a manuscript. My first pitch, to a publishing icon who’d run Time Warner Books and Amazon Publishing, zipped by in a flash. He was intrigued by the concept of Goodbye, Orchid and loved the custom M&M’S® that accompanied my business card. He requested pages. Then, we met, discussed editorial revisions, and signed a contract.

From there, my path is similar to many authors. We queried, submitted, revised based on feedback. My second pivot came when I met the head of a smaller publishing company that a friend recommended. He “got” my book and offered me a traditional contract, saying “this book will do good in the world.”

In the four years since my debut released, Goodbye, Orchid has expanded into a trilogy. The series has won 40+ literary awards, received a Kirkus verdict “Get It,” achieved Amazon best-selling status, been named one of “7 Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down” by Woman’s World, and touted as “a modern important take on the power of love” by Karin Tanabe in GLAMOUR Magazine. 

Beyond the accolades, the experience has made my life full in ways that I could’ve never expected. For instance: I’ve met and interviewed Purple Heart decorated veterans who have expanded my world; I’ve shared stages with some of my literary heroes; I’ve heard from readers that my books deepened their empathy. One book club invited me to speak with them for their 20th anniversary. Afterwards, one of the members explained that she’d once gone on a blind date with a man who admitted that he wore prostheses. Her younger self cut ties after that, not wanting to be burdened with his disability. Reading Goodbye, Orchid changed her mind. After reading Phoenix and Orchid’s story, she confessed that next time, she would make a different decision. What a meaningful outcome!

Through it all, I’ve met wonderful authors, bookstagrammers, sensitivity readers, reviewers, book lovers, bookstores, book clubs, librarians, publishing and design professionals. This was one of the most lovely surprises – to find that writing isn’t solitary, but filled with a warm, welcoming community.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAROL VAN DEN HENDE is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her Goodbye, Orchid series draws from her Chinese American heritage, and have won 40 literary and design awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly Awards for Cultural Diversity and Disability Awareness. 

Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named Carol’s books a most anticipated read. Woman’s World and Glamour Magazine recommended her “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye, Orchid, Orchid Blooming and Always Orchid as Books-of-the-Month in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous hubby and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all.

Please sign up for Carol’s newsletter at carolvandenhende.com/contact or linktr.ee/cvdh

ALWAYS ORCHID

“An engrossing, inspiring depiction of traumatized individuals growing amidst challenges.” — Kirkus Reviews

He almost let her go. Her past could tear them apart. But a love like theirs is worth fighting for…

Phoenix Walker will never be the same. Nine months after a heroic act leaves him forever changed, he refuses to hurt Orchid Paige ever again.

Orchid is ready to forgive. Convincing her guy she still loves him, no matter his injuries, she works to rebuild their intimacy. But their move to her family’s ancestral country unveils China’s superstitions against people with disabilities. Worse, their friend’s life has been upended by those prejudices.

Will Phoenix and Orchid find a way to beat the odds and turn discrimination into acceptance?

Always Orchid is the riveting third book in the Goodbye, Orchid contemporary fiction series. If you like relatable characters, surprising twists, and stories that pull on your emotions, then you’ll love award-winning author Carol Van Den Hende’s journey to unconditional acceptance.

American Fiction Award Winner Multicultural Fiction. Shortlisted Hawthorne Prize for Fiction. Longlisted Chatelaine Award. Pulpwood Queens 2024 Book-of-the-Month.

Book 1: Orchid Blooming
Book 2: Goodbye Orchid
Book 3: Always Orchid (can be read as standalone)

BUY HERE

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing