I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was going to write series of postings about my work as a writer. I have published the first two novels in the Thomas O'Shea series with #3 to published, I'm told, in December. I was working on #4 when I felt I was a bit stale, and besides, there was an idea for another novel, a different kind of novel, that my imagination thrust upon me. So I wrote it. I don't like the working title, but I must say I am pleased with the novel. It's in the genre called "upmarket fiction" which is supposed to be a combination of literary fiction and commercial fiction. It's supposed to be 35 chapters. I have written 34. But I don't know how to finish the book. So, I have gone back and revised, hoping to unlock the key to that elusive last chapter.
Nevertheless, the last three days have been very good writing days as I have struggled to make chapters better. Neil Gaiman said, "Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters."
The last three days have been good writing days. However, I must say that other things matter, so there.
After several hours writing and revising today, my brain is tired and I plan to take a nap, enjoy dinner with my bride, play with my dog, Lily, winner for the second consecutive year as "Best In The Universe" at the Intergalactic Dog Show on Pluto. Maybe watch some episodes of "Hell on Wheels" on Netflix. I recommend the gritty series about building the transcontinental railroad, a project I remember well, my 4th grade class taking a field trip to see the progress out of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Writing is hard, but I love it. More later on when and if I can write Chapter 35.
