It feels like I’ve been working on my new book for decades. I haven’t, but it sure feels like it. Why? Mostly, I think, because I’m telling it in a fashion I’ve never tried before: first-person narrative. That simply means that readers only know what the point of view character knows. Everything is told from that one player’s perspective. It’s his story, and he tells it that way.
Surprisingly, the tale evolved in high-octane fashion; words aplenty leaped from my head straight onto the page. My character and those he meets along the way evolved, matured (most of them, anyway), and fulfilled their various roles quite neatly.
And then, about 50,000 words in, I came to the profoundly annoying realization that my readers needed a great deal more information than my storytelling protagonist could provide. A host of crucial details existed about which he was blissfully unaware.
Ack!
What to do?
Solution: I had to work up a parallel storyline to present the data my first-person guy didn’t have. That required new players and new settings, new needs, wants, and desires. All of which created a plethora of new problems. Fortunately, I’ve been able to iron most of them out, and the story is once again moving forward, albeit way more slowly than usual.
But I’m getting there! And with any luck at all, I’ll have it out later this summer. So there, now you know.
And what is it I’ve been slaving over? The working title is Hyde and Zeke. One possible cover design appears here. I’d love to know what you think of it, so feel free to add a comment below.
Please hang with me. I’ll get the book out as soon as I can.
(And I thought only females suffered labor pains.)
Oy.
–Josh
Sage of the South 
Love the title and the concept of first narrative. I guess this type of “problem “ happens when you try something new. But then again that’s what life is all about. New challenges. Great things are worth waiting for. Looking forward to Zeke’s (and Hyde’s) soon to be finished escapades.
I’m just looking forward to having it done! Thanks for stopping by.
Don’t know how you do it. How come I never have time to hug my keyboard and have it do magic dances. Great idea to have a second story line, makes it nice for the reader two have a change of pace. Well, I did do a bit of thinking on my story, and I am expanding the Russian part quite a bit, which means I have to go waaayyy back to introduce stuff. Found that I had been very sloppy about that. We have continued to make pur rounds of medicine men, no fun, and it continues. We knew it all for quite some time, and still it was a blow when finally one of the wise men used the term “stage 4.” Now, every moment counts even more, the love is more intense. So, as of Tuesday, we will drive to Isle of Palms, outside of Charleston, where our son has rented a house on the water. Tuta la famiglia is there, and drinks on the porch should be nice. I plan to go in the water, sharks or no sharks. See you at the next meeting, sorry, not much new writing. Love, also to dear Annie, Erika
Sent from my iPad
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Sometimes, life intervenes and writing takes its rightful place farther down the line. We do what we must and love those in our lives who mean so much. I don’t believe we need the bad in order to cherish the good. See you soon!
Josh- I really like the cover design. Maybe the story has some mousey twists 😁
Twists? Oh yes, definitely. But “mousey?” [grin] Nope!
OK, I ‘m I’m Intrigued. And, where’s Jekle?
Jekle? Nah. That story’s already been told. This is NEW!