Two of the most powerful words to an author.

 These two words changed my life as I finished my first short story this weekend. 

It was something like this: “The End” YEAHHH BABY!”

However, reflections and lessons learned a couple of days removed from my first success have come. 

Among them are success is fleeting, validated is essential, learn a strength and weakness, listen to the voice of my characters, and this is just the beginning.

Success is Fleeting 

I wrestling for 6 months and 29 days to write 2400 words and 2 hours to write 5100 words but my excitement is short lived–I ask myself, now what?

Validation Is Essential

I always knew I could write a good story, but having a stack of unfinished work on my desk; in my mind, and by deed undone left room for self-doubt.

Strength and Limitation

I struggled with have-to writing vs. feel-like-it writing.  I now know how to buckle down, get myself out the way and just write—when I have to.  I also know that I cannot write my fiction during the week until I get a handle on my daily rituals to clear the mental clutter, allowing the free-flow of creativity.

Listen to the Voices

While it took me seven months to write most of this story, I spent much of it not listening to my main character.  She had been telling me for several months what she needed to do in the story and I did not listen-until now.

It Whetted My Appetite

Now that I know that I have the ability to write a complete story, get it written quickly, and trust the voices–I want to do it again…and again…and again…and again…and again…

I woke up this morning thinking of the fallout of my protagonist actions in the story.  As in life, the story is never finished, even in the grave.    Life goes on, and so does the story, therefore I continue to write.

Oh…and then there’s the rewriting…but that’s a whole ‘nother thing.

Write On, Friends!

BW.

After Ashlong’s women passed by, Martin was distracted by a scuffle breaking out behind him.  Martin recognized them as Ngota, another Ne’tusi elder and one of Nunu’s young apprentice. 

THE END.

BW.

I needed to shut out the world and hole up in a room pecking away at with whatever music soothes the Muse– pausing for bathroom breaks or another pack of gum.

Nothing is further from the truth.

No one writes a book by himself or herself…

I mean you can, there is no rule against it, but why would you?

In times of self-doubt; or depression, because you cannot see the scene clearly or the plot and character development is not working out properly…

What do you do?

Where do you go?

To whom do you turn?

It takes a village to write your book.   Your friends, support network, or whatever community you rely upon helps in the writing process.

When you need an encouraging word to keep going and say, “You can do it!”

Who does that for you?

When you need a critical eye–someone to tell you the truth–for better or for worse…

Who does that for you?

When you need someone to kick you in the butt and say, “GET BACK TO WORK!”

Who does that for you?

Those emails, tweets, texts, IMs, and phone calls that ask, ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ are important.

Even if you are having a bad day–just knowing there is a cheering section rooting for your success can serve to comfort you or give you the motivation to get up, dust yourself off, and get back in the game.

You can say, “Hey, I’m alive, I have ideas, and I have a book to write– for the very least of reasons, I have people counting on me.”

So…I ask you

Hey, how’s it going?

How’s that {insert your project} going?

Remember, you do not have to write alone…use your village.

Keep writing,

BW

First, I apologize for my absence. I have been sick—but never fear, BW is feeling much better and getting back to writing.

Secondly, I have not forgotten the end of my current short story, Master Nunu’s Masterpiece.  I will post it shortly.

Thirdly, I am moving—er, The Bookworm’s site is moving and will receive a new name.  When all things are in place, I will let you know the new name and url address.

I do have a couple of surprises for the two subscribers and loyal fans.  BW will take care of you and show his appreciation for your subscription.

Just let me think of something

Lastly, there will be some changes to the format of the blog.  The new site’s focus will be book reviews and posts relating to the writer’s journey will be moves to a personal blog.

You get two for one!  Everybody likes two for one!

The launch date for the new sites is June 1^st, so make sure you put that in your calendar and come back for the unveiling ceremony—there might be cake.

Everybody likes cake.

Keep writing,

BW.

Of course…with multiple question quizes, sometimes more than one apply so I did several.

First one:

I am: Robert A. Heinlein Beginning with technological action stories and progressing to epics with religious overtones, this take-no-prisoners writer racked up some huge sales numbers.

Which science fiction writer are you?

I found this interesting because he’s one of my favorite authors–and one of my projects is eerily similar to one his works. 

I took the test again, changing some answers that i also could identify with at got this:

I am: Frank Herbert His style is often stilted, but he created what some consider the greatest SF novel of all time.

Which science fiction writer are you?

This made me chuckle–especially after what I said about Dune in a previous post–but also one whom I count as my progenitors.

And lastly, adjust a few answers again, I got this:

I am: E.E. “Doc” Smith The inventor of space opera. His purple space war tales remain well-read generations later.

Which science fiction writer are you?

I am ashamed to admit that I have never read any of his stuff. Therefore, I must do so today!

And so, in view of my progenitors, one day this will be me ::grins::

I am: Viktor M. Powell Beginning with technological action stories and progressing to epics with religious overtones, he created what some consider the greatest SF novels of all time. This take-no-prisoners writer racked up some huge sales numbers and his Bellerophon’s Sphere tales remain well-read generations later.

Which science fiction writer are you?

BW

I hate to say this about Harry Turtledove because I’m a huge fan of his and after six years, I still sometimes see child-size lizards running around with guns after reading his Alternate History of the Second World War Series.

What if Neville Chamberlain didn’t appease Hitler with Czechoslovakia and Hitler started WW2 with the invasion of the Sudetenland?

I’ve been in that region and it’s spectacular–if I say so myself.

What if Poland joined the war on the side of the Nazis? 

What if Japan focused their attacked Siberia? 

What if Franco never became the leader of Spain?

See why I was so interested in this book?

All the what if’s were cool, but Harry Turtledove didn’t execute the plot very well.

There’s a few lessons here:

1. Even a big name author with lots of award-winning books flop.

2. Don’t get too comfortable because your next book may suck.

3. A good premise line does nothing without a well-developed plot.

4. Even if you do flop–because of previous success–fans are forgiving.

Truth be told, I’ll probably buy the next in the series, just to see what course the alternate history will take–and because it’s Harry Turtledove. 

Would I recommend it?

If you’re a history buff like me–especially in WW2–the premise line alone you should by this book, but be prepared for a weak plot.

I just hope the next one is better than this one. 

Now, here’s a story that I really want to read:  “The Last Article”. An alternate-history piece, where the Germans won WWII and took control of India from the British.

Keep Writing!

BW.

Martin turned back to the crowd to hide his laughter. The truth to what the father said to the child was less complex.  When  Ashlong visited a place called Minnesota, he saw a big man with the big blue ox, and wanted the same on his lands.  Upon  returning to Ghana, Ashlong painted his livestock blue and tried to design a DNA  for blue oxen. 

Martin knew something that the father did not–that inside the oxen contained some of Mr. Ashlong’s blue oxen.  The oxen represented Olunga, the god of prosperity.  Olunga was a chief god of Ashlong’s tribe, the Ne’tusi–the same tribe Martin served as elder and member of the tribal council.  Martin wondered what Olunga thought having a blue ox from America represent him.

Martin cupped his hand over his face to shade his eyes from the sun when loud clangs of bells shattered the silence of the shock and awe of the big blue ox.  Ear-splitting cries and ailing of Mr. Ashlong’s relatives mingled with the sounds of the large brass bells–announcing Mr. Ashlong’s arrival to his ancestors.  The ivory white dresses of Ashlong’s fourteen wives and concubines stood in stark contrast to the large ebony carvings of each ancestor Ashlong worshiped trailing behind them.

“Listen, here, Grandfather Adika, your son Nathaniel Nbutu Ashlong is coming!” Ashlong’s first wife said.

“Listen!” the crowd said.

“Make way, Great-grandfather Kwabenko, your son Nathaniel Nbutu Ashlong is coming,” Ashlong’s second wife said.

“Make way!” the crowd said.

“Open the gates, Great-grandmother Nyoka, your son, Nathaniel Nbutu Ashlong is coming”, Ashlong’s senior concubine said.

“Open!” the crowd said.

 “Awake, Ancestors, Awake!” said another concubine.

“Awake!  Awake!  Awake!” the crowd said.

All the shouting and the clanging of the bells made Martin think of a political rally rather than a funeral procession.  He envisioned corrupt politicians standing on platforms shouting to the crowd and giving praise to Africa while hypnotizing them with empty promises.  Damn fool, Martin thought, just a damned fool.

to continued part 3: The Conclusion.

BW

For the better part of this year, I have been working my way though Stephen King’s book “On Writing”.   I bought the hard copy version about six years ago and never read it.  It wasn’t until I got serious about writing and purchased the audiobook version that I’ve been reading and listening. 

It has been a source of a kick in the butt for me since I’ve started my writing career. 

In my opinion, it is required reading for every novelist, young, old, or new or veteran. 

I have selected favorite quotes or words that has served to help me added with my personal thoughts and titled them, ”Stephen King and Me”.   While I’ve not met him in person, he’s been like a daily companion to me.  

Stephen and my writing coach Beth Barany, keeps me focused on the main thing  and points me in the direction to where it is. 

I still have to go there and walk the path my self.  He’s just telling us what is required for the journey.

I’ve been talking about writing a series of novels forever it seems like–when in reality, it may only two or three years. 

That’s still a lot of time to talk about doing something.

I mention in an earlier post about the fear of the blank page–the self-doubt that arises-and dealing with the what ifs.

I am closer today than I have ever been in writing my novel–not just the world building nor the plot construction–but the courage to start writing despite any fears of blank pages.

“…you can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”
— Stephen King (On Writing)

How long have you talked about writing that novel, that short story, that poem, or that screenplay?  Isn’t time to get past the fear of the blank page?

Are you brave enough to start your novel?

BW

Martin chuckled as he noticed some young boys straining their necks to peek at the lithe bodies of the dancing girls–especially the drummer boys–who pounded on the drums behind them.  With a sly grin, Martin also kept an eye on the wobbling buttocks covered with feathers

The next object to pass by intended to impress and create jealousy for Ashlong’s competitors. The crowd stared with their mouths open, looking at a giant blue ox pulling a cart of solid gold.  As the train began to make its way in front of him, Martin felt movement by his side as a little boy tugged on his father’s shirt.

“Papa, what is that?” child said.

“Mr. Ashlong’s blue ox,” the man said

“A blue ox, papa?  Do they have blue oxen where Mr. Ashlong lives?”

Martin chuckled at the question as he inclined an ear.

“Yes, Mbasa, Mr. Ashlong owns a herd of giant blue oxen”, the father said, “He said he got them from America.”

“They have big blue oxen in America, Papa?” the child said.

Martin took his eyes off the parade for a moment and looked at the father also wanting an answer.  Did America indeed, have blue oxen?  The man spied an eye at Martin before turning around to face his son.

“They must have, Mbasa, for why would Mr. Ashlong lie?  He said that in America, they have the biggest ox he ever saw.  It was standing next to the biggest man he ever saw too.  Mr. Ashlong said that when he got home, he called up America and have blue oxen sent to him here.”

to continue to part 2, click HERE.

BW.