Today I’ve started writing my next book, Ozias, Prince Enthroned. Patty asked, “How do you do it?”
Tain’t easy! Today, for instance, we’re bombarded with nuisance phone calls, we have a crew washing and painting our building, and the air is full of smoke from Canada’s wildfires. One obstacle after another. I was lucky to get three pages written.
Anyway, I know from where I left off Prince in Peril that certain things have to happen to keep the story moving. Duke Esdras has a death-bed prophecy to deliver. Ozias, now twelve years old, must go through a Re-coronation ceremony and feast. And would-be Queen Maressa has escaped to brew up new mischief–at least start another civil war.
I have found my muse in Geoffrey of Monmouth (d. 1155), whose History of the Kings of Britain, completed in 1136 or thereabouts, became an international best cellar centuries before the printing press was invented. Geoffrey’s work inspired a still-continuing boom in Arthurian literature. The critics have not been kind to him, saying he made it all up; but a book doesn’t stay popular for 900 years unless there’s something special about it. Herodotus could tell you that.
I missed all of May, simply because I wasn’t ready yet, and now it’s June and it’ll be a miracle if I finish before it gets too cold to write outside. Legal pad, ballpoint pen, and cigar. Such are the tools of my trade.
I ask the Lord to give me the story He wants me to tell, to bless my work, and make it fruitful in His service.
Sometimes getting started is the hardest part, and I heard somewhere once that “well begun is half done” (hasn’t necessarily worked in my case, with all of the as-yet-to-be-revised manuscripts sitting in my filing cabinet and on my hard drive, still…). Congratulations and good luck!
It’s even harder to get started when the &^%^ phone keeps ringing.
Well Torrie, I have three almost completed manuscripts, but right now, the hardest part is finishing them.
Brother Lee, got three pages written. For me, most of the time that is a lot for just one day, even if I spend the time doing nothing else. May the Lord bless your writing.
This is great news!
What good news, Mr Lee Duigon! It’s impressive how you create your stories. I’ve been struggling to write my stories, but often I can only write a small paragraph a day.
Katheleen, it took me a long time to learn how to do what I can do. You have to have a passion for it. The only thing I ever wanted (seriously) to be was a writer.
You don’t have to give up writing shorts, though. There are many readers who like short pieces.
I really love writing, Mr. Lee Duigon. I usually try to keep going with the events of my stories, but sometimes I get stuck at some point. I have four different stories, and they all give me an obstacle. Many times I can’t do something with my characters because I feel sorry for them – they are so real to me!