The End of a Journey...
Every story I have ever written is created from the same premise; what if? Those two words have led me down paths I could not have foreseen, introducing me to characters I've both loved and hated, and have enriched my life in a multitude of ways.
I've had short stories published, poems as well, plus a few collections of my own. The stories are brief interludes, kisses in the dark from a stranger, whereas the poems are glimpses of life and my soul. I can't remember the names of the characters in all of my stories, nor can I recite any poem of mine verbatim. There's been quite a few of each.
A novel is a horse of a different color, a love affair that begins with "what if?" and ends when it's finally being published. Sure, there'll be memories of milestones, glitches, hiccups, and just like a torrid romance, eventually, it comes to an end.
I started writing my first full-length novel 'Eleven Fifty Nine' in 2014. I thought it would be just another short story, but the damned characters wouldn't stop chattering in my ear! Flora Jean, Lily, Bobby Jr., Octavia, Nora, and my main man Jackson, they all came to life for me.
I hit a snag at 13,000 words in the summer of 2015. I was stuck. I took a suggestion from a peer to try and write ONE erotic story, to see if it would free me up. Ha. I wrote nine erotic stories, which became the book 'Touching Myself.' The faucet of creativity overflowed and I wrote the short stories which are featured in 'Watching for Potholes' and 'Sippin' Life at Lucky's Bar and Grill,' two other books. I wrote over a hundred poems that summer, some which would be featured in 'Perceptions of Beauty,' a poetry/art/ photography coffee table book. I didn't touch 'Eleven Fifty Nine' again until that December.
It seems as if one day the main character asked me "Are you ready now?" And I was. I started churning out a chapter or two a week, sending them to a few friends who kept imploring me to keep going. I finished the first draft in March of 2016.
Then I did three rewrites. Then I sent it to a friend who I consider a mentor. He read it, liked it, and recommended an editor. I made the deal with the editor in January, 2017. He performed his magic, and told me he loved the book, and to let him know when it would be published.
I got cold feet though, a little scared of my baby being rejected. I sent excerpts to agents and publishers, but they were only looking for the next 50 Shades, Harry Potter, etc.
I'm not going to go step by step, but a friend suggested a publisher, and even though their website didn't exactly make it seem as if my baby would have a chance, I sent it. Then I focused on other things, so as not to worry.
Last week, I wept when my baby, my novel, was accepted for publication. I told a few friends, plus my wife of course (who wouldn't let me quit!), and my family gave me a standing ovation at our family reunion last weekend in Memphis because of this accomplishment. I appreciate everyone who has played a part in this journey, and I'll mention names in the 'Acknowledgements.'
Today, I signed the contract with my USBC pen for almost rolling a perfect game. My baby is "all growed up" and like any parent, I miss it already, and my fingers are crossed that the world falls in love with Jackson, Flora Jean, and the others...
So the new "babies" are squabbling to see which one is next... 'Singing to Butterflies?' 'Waltzing with a Pearl?' Or 'The Girl from Yesterday?' We'll see...
All glory to Him...
