Well, it’s been a while (a long while where the lightspeed connections of the Internet are concerned) since I’ve posted, so I figure I’ll go ahead and write something, since that’s what I do—and, being a writer, I suppose I’ll write about writing. Specifically, what I’m doing as a writer at the moment.
My big project right now is a novel, the working title of which is The Twilight Journey. I started this novel in December, and it’s been slow going, but that’s because I’m a perfectionist. I’m not one of those types who can sit and pound out a novel just to get the story finished and then go back and do the rewrite. No, I have to have it “just so” the first time around. Of course, editors can always find something wrong, and it will have to be “fixed” for technical reasons after I’m done, but as far as what I want to say is concerned, that has to be done on the first go. I know it’s a little slower that way, but it makes me feel better.
So, right now I’m almost 10,000 words into it, and I’ve nearly reached page 30. I would say that’s a decent amount of work. The only “problem” is that I haven’t even finished the prologue yet. I was discussing this with my wife not that long ago, and she suggested that people expect prologues to be shorter. I countered with the argument that Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series contains prologues that are even longer than I expect mine to be. She said I’m not writing a Robert Jordan novel and suggested I label the “prologue” Chapter 0. For symbolic reasons I’d rather not discuss just yet, I think I’ll take this advice. So, when you finally get this book in your hot little hands, expect to see a Chapter 0 at the beginning.
For those of you who are wondering further, here’s the description of the novel as I composed it for the back cover (I know, that’s jumping the gun a little, but I’m ambitious):
The end of the year drew nigh, and with the turning of the seasons came gray skies and early nights. In the darkness, biting winds swept across the city, like the icy breath of a malicious god….
It is a bleak December, and Lucas Ferritor’s life has reached its lowest point. He has lost his job, his wife, and his home. While wandering the streets of the city in despair, with thoughts of ending his life, he happens upon a mysterious stranger who claims to possess the answers to all Ferritor’s problems. Although doubtful at first, it is not long before Ferritor finds himself following the stranger into a world beyond the bounds of his imagination, a fantastic realm called Edinu, where strange creatures dwell and magic is commonplace.
He soon discovers that the wondrous Edinu is a part of our own world, although hidden from sight and protected from unwanted visitors. He discovers, too, that Edinu is a dying land—and if it dies, the world he knows will be next. He is told that he alone has the power to save both realms. He can save the world, and he can restore his life to all that it was before. But only if he confronts his greatest fears, only if he faces death, only if he completes…
The Twilight Journey
Sounds like a captivating read, doesn’t it? I expect it to be.
I don’t know how long it’ll take to finish. I’m guessing a few months, maybe a year (although I hope it’s not quite that long). If you’re waiting with bated breath, you can keep track of my progress on my MySpace page.
In addition to this project, I’ve also accepted the challenge of writing a short play. It’s for the Original Scripts program at the local theater, and the rules stipulate a running time of about 20 minutes. That doesn’t seem too difficult, but I’ve never actually written a stage play before, and from what I’ve discovered in research so far, it’s quite a bit different from composing a book or short story. I’m a little nervous because of this, and also because it’s due in two months, and I’m still brainstorming for an idea. Oh, well. I’m sure I’m up to the task. I’ll give it my best shot, at least. And, if I do get it done, I’ll put it up on the site for everyone to read.
Aside from these two things, I’m also focusing on my poetry a bit more than I have in recent months. I decided to audit a poetry class at the local college just to keep myself on my toes and force myself to write. Our first assignment was to write a poem focusing on detailed imagery. I’ve written two already and hope to finish a third before the assignment is due tomorrow.
All this, in addition to keeping a household running well (no small task with three children), re-reading the science fictional works of Isaac Asimov (consisting of numerous short stories and novels), and working on various other side projects. All I can say is that a writer’s life is a busy life. But it’s the life for me. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Even if I end up having to find a more lucrative career, I’ll always love writing, and I’ll do it as long as I’m capable of holding a pen, pencil, or stylus, or typing away at a keyboard.
