A Timely Update on WIP

I don't know if it's age-related, manuscript-related, or retired-related, but work on my latest novel seems to be moving at a snail's pace. 

Truth be told, it's probably a bit of each: I don't have the energy I once had, the manuscript is resulting in a more detailed rewrite, and I may have too much on the platter in my twilight years.

My energy level is definitely not what it was, even five years ago. For example, I recently went to the doctor for two vaccinations. My body ached for several days and it affected my sleep. I felt physically drained. I have two more vaccinations coming up this week and I dread it because of what may happen again.

I spend each day on the manuscript, the fourth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. As mentioned in a previous post, I put the first draft in hibernation for about six months before getting back to it. Now, for various reasons, the manuscript almost seems like reading a new book. I wanted to put fresh eyes on it, but sometimes wonder if this is almost to the extreme. 

I do try to stay busy each day. I'm up before the crack of dawn, usually working on my novel. I also read each day. I do some book promotion and marketing. I'm involved in the Bluegrass Writers Coalition. I meet friends several times a month for coffee or breakfast. And I have family matters as well to attend to most every day; just ask my wife and dogs. I also have hobbies that include photography and travel. 

I've read that it's important for folks around my age to stay mentally sharp and physically fit (that probably includes any age from what I've observed). I wonder, though, if a person can overdo it? I certainly don't want to spend my days sitting in a rocking chair in front of the TV, wasting away in mind and body.  I guess balance is the keyword.

So that's where I am on my novel—in a roundabout way. I've contacted my editor at Wings ePress and the novel should be published in 2020. Now to avoid going around in circles and get back to the manuscript!

Until the next time . . . 

I Hear You . . .

For several years I've denied a problem I knew was creeping up on me. 

My wife would try to discuss it with me but it wasn't something I wanted to accept. I knew it could happen as I got older, but it still wasn't easy for me to acknowledge. Even though I wasn't having sleepless nights,  I wasn't being the man I wanted to be by not dealing with it head-on. Could I be so foolish in my old age? Could I be so vain? So selfish?

After making excuses for several months, I decided to get an examination and find out if it was a problem I needed to address. And I did it for my wife, to satisfy her concerns about my health. I certainly didn't want to disappoint her and leave her with doubts about our future. I didn't want us to go to bed every night with it hanging over our heads. 

I took the required tests and the results came back positive. Yes, I was disappointed, but there was no more denying my problem. It was something I had to take care of or risk the chance of missing the clarion call for corrective action in the future.

Can you see my hearing aids?

My problem? Sad but true, I've experienced permanent hearing loss in my life. And I now wearing hearing aids. I have trouble distinguishing or hearing high-pitched sounds. I'm okay with low and mid-range frequencies so two out of three isn't too bad. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss. It's half of those who are 75 or older (my Dad got hearing aids in his 80s). And the NIH notes, "...some people may not want to admit they have trouble hearing."

That was me before I heeded the call to do something about it.

No doubt, my hearing problem developed through the years, from attending high-octane rock concerts, work-related assignments in the news media, failing to protect my ears when mowing the lawn and performing other noisy jobs, and listening to music too loud on headphones and earphones. I've had tinnitus, that annoying ringing in the ears, for 40 years but over time I've learned to ignore it for the most part.

So I'm letting you know, as advised from the NIH, that I have a hearing problem. But you shouldn't have to speak louder unless, of course, you don't want me to hear what you're saying. Now you wouldn't want to do that, would you? 

Fits snugly behind my ears

I wear mini behind-the-ear hearing aids. They're lightweight and fit so nicely that it's difficult to see them. That's a vanity thing for some people—including me to a certain extent—but being able to hear overrides those concerns, especially being able to listen to the sweet sounds from my four adorable granddaughters and even the welcomed barks from my four-legged friends. 

And, at my age, vanity isn't a major concern. Preserving what I have, healthwise, is a priority. Baby boomers understand. You can use it and still lose it. In addition to hearing, that includes sight, smell, touch, mobility, and other things we take for granted in our lives.

My wife is satisfied I have taken the proper steps to protect my hearing. My problem now is finding an excuse when I want to tune her out!

Until the next time . . . 



  

Plodding Along on WIP

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm working on the fourth book in my "John Ross Boomer Lit" series.

So let me give you a quick update: It hasn't been easy.

I sat on the first draft for about six months before going back to it on Aug. 1. I wanted to view it with fresh eyes. That has happened, for the most part. It's also made for some tired eyes during the rewrite.

I've rediscovered forgotten words, like reading something for the first time by another author, except that the author is me. I'm having to relearn some of the plotlines and new characters. 

It's been an adventure as each page seems to contain something new to me. There are thoughts and words that were locked in the recesses of my brain several months ago. And now they're beginning to re-emerge on the computer screen.

One thing I've had to do is provide more backstory so readers have an idea what John and Sally Ross, as well as other characters such as Brody and Geraldine, have been through in the previous three novels. It also reopens my memory bank.  

A reason for that is because this yet unnamed novel was part of the third novel, "New Horizons," but I decided to divide the draft when it began to spiral in different directions. I like coherence in my books; I certainly didn't want to write a sprawling novel of 250,000 words or more.

So that's where I am at this point in time. I'm still cautiously optimistic that I will be able to hand it over to my editor at Wings ePress by the end of September. 

Until the next time . . .

Regarding "The Novel"

I just finished reading James A. Michener's "The Novel," a multi-layered book about publishing, rural life, diverse characters, and writing.

While the novel has its shortcomings—it's a slow read—it provides insights into the book-publishing industry, even though it was released in 1991, before the digital age and the advent of ebooks. 

Michener, a prolific author of more than 40 books (including a Pulitzer Prize in 1948 for "Tales of the South Pacific"), writes about what happens after a manuscript is sent to a publisher. And unless the author is a Stephen King, Danielle Steel,  or John Grisham (you get the idea), the book goes through several steps (slush pile, editing, rewriting, marketing, and promotion) before it sees the light of day. 

James A. Michener

Michener approached this 400-plus page novel with four points of view (author, editor, critic, and reader), with each confronting their own personal and professional challenges. He even throws in a murder near the end that takes the story off track. 


For those who want to understand the publishing process, "The Novel" fills that need. The book was recommended to me by an avid reader who found the publishing aspect fascinating. And as a published author, I found it interesting as well. 

Another aspect about Michener that caught my attention was that he was 84 when "The Novel" was published, and he went on to write four more books before he died in 1997 ("Matecumbe" was published posthumously in 2007).

Until the next time . . . 

Story Songs: Tired of Toein' the Line

Back in 1980, Rocky Burnette scored a big rockabilly hit with "Tired of Toein' the Line." It's one of my all-time favorites, so full of energy and drive, especially Burnette's expressive voice. 

Rocky Burnette

It's basically a breakup song, from the guy's point of view:

"I know it's o-ooh-over, cause I've seen the signs
Don't let me waste your precious time.
Baby, I'm tired of toein' the line."


Here are a few vids of the song: 

The song reached No. 8 on the U.S. charts, No. 1 in Australia, and No. 3 in New Zealand and South Africa. It was co-written by Burnette and Ron Coleman.

 It was released on his "The Son of Rock and Roll" album in 1979.  By the way, the Memphis, Tenn., musician was a son of rock and roll: Jonathan "Rocky" Burnette's father was early rocker Johnny Burnette (1934-64), who had hits "Dreamin' and "You're Sixteen" in the early '60s.

While researching the song, I was surprised by how many covers through the years by a variety of artists (Rick Nelson, Shakin' Stevens, and Andreas Silver) and dancers (yes, dancers).  

Here's a few if you've got the time:

Rocky still performs and reportedly will have a new album released later this year. 

Until the next time . . . 

Ready to Start Fourth Boomer Lit Novel

It's been nearly six months since I finished "New Horizons," the third book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series.  Lately, several readers have asked if I've started on another book.

"New Horizons" was released May 1 by Wings ePress and sales have been steady and reviews have been excellent. I'm very appreciative to those who have supported my writing in the past and those who are just discovering my stories.

So now it's time to move on to the fourth book. I don't have a working title but I have produced probably 50k words. August 1st is my official start date.

So how do I already have 50k words? When working on "New Horizons" last year, the manuscript exceeded 90k and the novel was moving in a different direction. I decided to use the first 40k on "New Horizons," and the other for the next installment.  By the way, "New Horizons" ended up at nearly 70k words so there was plenty of writing involved before submitting it to my publisher.

I've been letting the remaining words simmer the past few months while conducting additional research and taking more notes about the next adventure for John and Sally Ross in their quest for peace and tranquility in their twilight years. 



Those who have read the first three books know it certainly hasn't been easy for the Kentucky couple. This thing called life always seems to be getting in the way of their quiet plans.

So if things go as planned—something I never count on in my life—the first draft of the fourth book will be finished in a couple months. After several rewrites, I hope to send the manuscript to my editor by the end of the year. 

As I have with my previous novels, I'll keep you posted on my progress, title, book cover, and release date. I already know what the fifth book is going to address, but more about that when I'm through with the fourth.

Until the next time . . .

Wings Authors: An Interview with author Michael Embry

Wings Authors: An Interview with author Michael Embry: Michael's favorite quote: "The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe." -- Gustave Flaubert Author&#3...