Building a Home, Building a Novel

By Diane E. Samson

My husband and I have been in the process of building a home for the last 18 months. Our new place will be ready in December, and as all the various design pieces come together so it looks like an actual home, I can’t help but notice the similarities this experience has been to bringing a novel into the world.

It all begins with an idea. Some time ago, we purchased acreage and walked the land many times, daydreaming about what our future home could look like, way before the first shovel of dirt turned over. With my stories, I spend a good deal of time in this phase.

We hired an architect who designed meticulous plans and developed blueprints along with an engineer. The foundation must bear the weight of the entire home, just as we must let our stories build upon plot structure, character motivation, and theme.

They designed an inviting entrance to welcome people inside the home and then many others have helped us decide on flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting and so much more. From big choices to small, like how many inches off the floor should the fireplace be, we’ve had help along the way.

Luckily we have a great team working with us, including designers and a friend of mine who happens to have an incredible talent for interior design. We even had a landscaper who is particularly passionate about his craft—to the point that wasn’t sure he always listened to what I wanted. He reminded me of Franck from Father of the Bride while I stood around scratching my head like Steve Martin.

I met with “Franck” three times expressing my desire for hydrangeas here and lilac bushes there, etc., etc. And then one day I get a call from the builder that the landscaper had taken advantage of a good weather day and planted my plants. Could I take a look?

Well, ok. I get to the property, and he’s pretty much planted what he had planned all along. After recovering from my heart attack, I decided to just let it be. I did talk him into my hydrangea bushes and my lilacs, which he incorporated into his truly beautiful and thoughtful design.

When I discussed wanting a certain tree, he pointed out that from the inside of my home, it would block my view. Or that this plant would fare better in the cold or draught or whatever the harsh Midwest weather would throw at it. This butterfly bush will provide excellent pollinators over where you eventually want to plant a garden, right?

His experience trumped my vision.

This reminded me of giving my baby novel to an experienced editor and letting them work magic on the pages. An excellent developmental or line editor can see more clearly and anticipate problems the writer can’t so our vision can reach its greatest potential.

In the end, the landscaping turned out to be a chef’s kiss.

All of this parallels to writing a novel. Every book I’ve written has been guided along the way by feedback from critique groups and friends who have God-given talent for editing and proofreading. I’ve even hired an expert or two for marketing, the same as we would if we were to sell the home. And as a once-traditional, now indie author, it’s a good reminder there is no shame in relying on others to make your work a success.

And while the ideas and dreams were mine, it truly does take a team.

Diane E. Samson is the author of the Gems of Fire series and a 2022 ACFW Carol Awards finalist. She has worked in journalism and now writes young adult fantasy. She lives with her husband and dog, keeping in touch with three grown children. Diane will never be without a golden retriever.