WOW! Has it really been this long since I posted last? Apparently so.
It's been a busy time, which may be why I haven't
written much. As Bruce Springsteen wrote, "I got a little lost along the way." This thing called life has been keeping
me busy.
I had to repeat my Paralegal internship. I withdrew the first time because I couldn't handle the environment.
I found a different location for the internship, a much smaller law firm that was more to my liking, and I successfully completed
it the second time. I graduated from Globe University in March, and I am now a Paralegal (on the civilian side: I already
was a paralegal for the U.S. military.) Now I am getting busy looking for a job.
But I am starting to write again, after
several months of inactivity, during which I have tried more than once to get something going. I started a new project called
Casualties several weeks ago. I intend for this to be the third novel in my Charlie Rowe series. In it, Charlie,
a veteran, tries to help another veteran who appears to be suffering from PTSD. There is, of course, more to it than that.
The
problem is, I haven't been satisfied with what I've written so far. I think it lacks depth and gives away too much too soon.
I think I need to stop here and start again from the ground up, redoing my outline and adding some character sketches so I
get a better handle on my lead characters. I would also like to add a secondary case. a subplot, that somehow ties in to the
primary case, in the time-honored tradition of private eye novels (and similar to what I did in Taylor Made, only moreso.)
I believe some of it is worth saving; I just have to figure out what stays and what goes.
I also have two other Charlie
Rowe stories completed and awaiting beta-reading, False Witness and Evil Twin.I have to find the time to
get these done so I can release them later this year. With Casualties stalled, this might be the ideal time to give
these stories the attention they deserve.
I also have a number of short stories and other projects I can work on in
the meantime. One way or another, I will get something done soon. I just need to start something and stick with it until I
can finish it.
Am I discourage? No. I am just glad to be writing again after several months of not getting anything
done. As for the need to restart Casualties, and the other work I have to do, well, that's just part of writing.
I have been through this before, and I'm sure I will again.
As is keeping this blog more up to date. I must try and
post more often in the future, too.
