How My Husband’s Life Story Inspired My Novel

Debut novelist shares her story

By Mary Ford

Retiring after thirty-five years in journalism was like falling off a cliff. No deadlines. No breaking-news stories. No production days. No stress.

But what to do now?

My husband’s story, chronicled in my debut novel “Boy at the Crossroads,” is not your typical “good-ole-days” tale. He is the fifteenth of sixteen children; his family was poor; and he “ran off” at thirteen hitchhiking through the South, ending up selling hotdogs in New Orleans.

I had the story. The hard part was sitting down to write it. And learning how to write it. 

The truth is I needed to write it. The story provided a lifeline as my former longtime career sailed away into the distance.

I am not a procrastinator when it comes to pen and paper. Decades as a reporter and editor cured me of that. However, I procrastinate about other things like clearing out closets—so I am far from organized.

Having been intrigued by his story, I had my husband take a tape recorder with him on the trips home from Massachusetts to East Tennessee when I couldn’t go along due to work. During the two-day drives, he plunked the recorder on the passenger seat and let the memories flow. 

I had upwards of thirty mini-cassettes full of random details and vignettes in no particular order that provided the color I needed to share his experiences. Transcribing the tapes was my first hurdle.

But that wasn’t the hard part. My stumbling block was transitioning from a journalist to an author. Early on, I received the best advice: “You have to leave the newswoman behind.”  Simply put: No one wants to read a 250-page “report.” A news story provides real information in a concise manner. A novel should entertain while it tells a story. 

Writing a novel inspired by a true story—rather than a biography—freed me up to create the dialog and fictionalize some of the scenes.

I didn’t start as a journalist. It was my second act after teaching. When I walked into a newsroom at thirty-five, I was eager to learn. I took the same approach when writing my novel. How do I tackle this?

Classes at Grub Street Boston, a creative writing center, and critiques by their instructors were invaluable. I joined Meetup groups for writers who offer criticism in exchange for yours on their work.

I also interviewed my husband using my digital recorder to go over the timeline and ask him to fill in any blanks. The biggest challenge was getting him to open up about his feelings. At times, for him, having a root canal would have been easier.

My editor chops helped me make cuts. If the vignette did not move the story forward, it had to go. The delete button became my friend. 

The best advice for would-be novelists is to get on with it! Over the years as a newspaper editor, I mentored dozens of novice reporters, columnists, and contributors. Writing is more of a craft than an art. In other words, good writing comes with practice, hard work, and revising. 

A good story is also critical. Whether a news story or novel, readers will be pulled in if the story engages them. No amount of perfect prose can make up for a boring or confusing read.

Search out writing centers and Meetups and take the critiques to heart. If you want your story to be good, make the changes. My goal was to have “Boy at the Crossroads” appeal to a wide audience, not just family. 

The self-publishing industry is huge. If you don’t have the patience or time to pursue an agent and traditional publisher, then look into self-publishing. Do your research. There are many companies out there that can assist with that process for a fee.

It’s never too late. I started writing “Boy at the Crossroads” at seventy. It was published when I was seventy-two. I am having a wonderful time sharing my author journey with writing groups, at library talks, in articles, and more. 

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BOY AT THE CROSSROADS: FROM TEENAGE RUNAWAY TO CLASS PRESIDENT

He hitched a ride to a different life. Only time would tell if it would be better or worse…

Tennessee, 1955. Conley Ford learned quickly the world’s full of hard knocks. Seeking the wrong kind of excitement, the restless thirteen-year-old falls in with a group of older boys joyriding in stolen Mercury cars… until he is arrested and put on probation. With a harsh father waiting and too embarrassed to face his classmates as a jailbird, the impetuous youth leaves town, making it all the way to New Orleans.

No stranger to demanding work from the age he was old enough to walk, Conley uses his wits and street smarts to commandeer a hot dog cart and make some cash. But when a turf war and a near-fatal accident sends him back home, the resourceful teen faces a choice between staying in misery or once more striking out into a dangerous world.

Can this troubled young man ever find somewhere he can thrive?

Inspired by real events and told through cleverly crafted storytelling, Mary Ford depicts an adolescent who grew up impoverished and with minimal affection, but still found the strength to follow his gut toward something more. And as his journey takes him to Cincinnati, Chicago, and other far-flung parts of the United States, a lost little traveler ends up finding acceptance and hope in the one place he never expected.

Boy at the Crossroads: From Teenage Runaway to Class President is a warm-hearted coming-of-age adventure. If you like heroes overcoming adversity, vividly painted recollections, and stories of resilience, then you’ll love Mary Ford’s engaging tale.

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MARY FORD is an award-winning journalist who spent twenty-eight years as the editor of two small-town community newspapers in Massachusetts: the Cohasset Mariner and the Hingham Journal. She met her future husband, Conley, in 1971 in California where she was teaching English and has always been fascinated by his story. Conley and Mary were married in Los Angeles and were featured on the Newlywed Game with Bob Eubanks. After their first appearance, the popular couple was asked back for the Alumni Game. They came in last both times. Their incompatibility has lasted for nearly fifty years. With Conley’s job transfers, the couple lived in California, Japan, France, Missouri, Minnesota, England, Illinois, and Massachusetts. They reside in Scituate, Mass., with their dog, George. “Boy at the Crossroads” is Mary’s first novel.

Follow Mary on social media:
Facebook: @mary.t.ford LinkedIn: @maryfordedit
https://maryfordedit.com/

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing