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Gunnarshús Reykjavik Residency Wrap Up

For almost a month, I've been writer-in-residence at Gunnarshús Reykjavik, home of the Writers' Union of Iceland. Here's what I've been up to.
gunnarshús reykjavik

Gunnarshús Reykjavik Residency Wrap Up

For almost a month, I’ve been writer-in-residence at Gunnarshús Reykjavik, home of the Writers’ Union of Iceland.

The union provides a full-service basement apartment at their Reykjavik headquarters. It is the former home of Icelandic author Gunnar Gunnarsson. Though Icelandic, Gunnarsson wrote primarily in Danish. His reputation suffered when he traveled to Germany to meet Hitler. He wrote primarily in Danish.

Gunnarshús Reykjavik is architecturally significant. It was one of the first cast concrete residences in the area. A mid-century marvel situated on a hilltop, one can enjoy sweeping city views from any level.

Since 1999, the residency has hosted writers from all over the world. As of now, the residency has only sporadic openings through the end of 2023. I don’t take my place here for granted. It’s an honor.

SCROLL TO THE END FOR PICTURES OF MY ICELANDIC ADVENTURES.

My Work at Gunnarshús Reykjavik

During my tenure, I focused on two projects: A radical revision of my novel-in-progress THE EVANGELICALS; and the first draft of a new novel tentatively titled THE RISE AND FALL OF A FEMALE FRIENDSHIP.

First, an update on The Evangelicals.

During 2021, I queried fifty-ish agents with my completed manuscript for The Evangelicals. I got loads of positive feedback: “Strong project;” “Someone is going to pick this up;” “Well-written, don’t know how to sell it;” “I can’t wait to see where this lands.”

After paying for detailed editorial feedback, I adjusted my expectations for this project. Agents think this novel is one long exercise in hyperbole. I have always been ambitious with my work. I wanted to draw a complete picture of radical Christian Nationalism, the world in which I grew up. Experience grants me expertise.

In the current version, I cover the origins of various hot-button culture wars in the United States, because I grew up in that movement. I crafted the novel to encompass abortion, LGBTQ+, racism, sexism, and hatred of strong government. I thought showing readers where current headlines originated would be interesting and informative.

Instead, I learned most people are happy to exist in their silo of choice. If I were pedigreed or male or at a different stage in my life, I might choose to fight these siloes, even if it meant personal attacks and harassment. These days, whenever someone tries to correct my “exaggerations,” I smile and leave them to learn the hard way.

I’m not giving up. I’m changing direction.

My rewrite focuses on one narrator, Ruby Jones, because she was the most interesting character to beta readers and an objective editor. She embarks on an adventure of self-discovery after she witnesses her pastor bomb an Atlanta-area abortion clinic. No one believes her when she tries to report him. He knows what she saw. As his star rises on national evangelical stage, he is determined to silence her forever.

Update on The Rise and Fall of a Female Friendship

The pandemic forced many of us to evaluate our relationships. Including me. In December, something happened, and I realized how isolated I am when I couldn’t think of a single person to call for help.

I’ve already written one successful essay on a failed friendship. (READ IT HERE.) ‘The Friend Who Got Away’ was one of 10 essays featured by the HerStories Project.

Female friendship is a rich, messy topic. It generated strong reactions in my online writing group.

Most of us have one or two failed friendships we wish we could’ve saved. Time and distance can reframe our regret, but it doesn’t always. My novel focuses on what sparks connection among adult women and how those sparks deepen into caring relationships. It also lasers onto what drives women apart, even when they once cared deeply for one another.

Told from multiple perspectives, The Rise and Fall of a Female Friendship attempts to show why adult friendships happen as well as how and why they fail.

I also made time to play!

I returned to Iceland with a couple of bucket list items: Hike on a glacier and visit a glacial cave. We took a day trip to Katla Glacier with the unbeatable Katla Tracks. Yes, I crawled through an ice tunnel without having a panic attack or getting stuck. Enjoy the otherworldly photos.

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6 Comments

  1. Isolation is hard. I never realize I am isolated until it’s 2am and I’m sitting on the kitchen floor snotty crying. It’s worse than ugly crying.
    I am truly interested in The Rise and Fall. I thoroughly enjoyed the essay! I think we are all victims of at least one dear friend that got away. The fifteen years since it happened to me still sting if I think too hard about it.

    1. Author

      Thanks for reading the essay!

      I’m sorry R and F is relatable. Most women tell me it is. The universality will make for a good story.

    1. Author

      And on and on. So many site glitches to do this post from here, but at least it’s up.

  2. Thanks for the updates! I am very interested in The Evangelicals and look forward to reading it!

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