Write to the End
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For almost three years, I've been working on my debut novel and am almost done with the first draft. I have a chapter or two to go. Lately, though, I've spent more time leaning back in my chair and looking up at the ceiling for inspiration than writing. Neither the ceiling fan nor the air vent provide me with any so its been a bit of a grind. Sometimes when ideas don't flow as I'd like them to, if at all, so I have to tell myself, "Write on. Write on right up to the end."
The subject matter also presents a unique challenge. I write about the Son of the Almighty having been born in Africa. The challenge, then, is to find the relevant context in terms of place and time for the story and to relate it to the biblical account. I also had to figure out whether to ran the story parallel to this account or to put my own spin on it. In the end I chose to lay out the Gospel account and weave in and out around it. Overall, as it winds down, at least the first draft, it has been interesting as it has been challenging.
I'll probably be offering excerpts out of the book in this forum in the days to come. The next step will be to find a good agent, and publisher, or even self-publish. I didn't start writing to keep the book in a drawer and my desire is to put it in as many hands as possible. But whatever happens, the writing process has been interesting for sure.
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Thanks Talent. There may be controversy but I hope there'll be objectivity in it all. Glad to have you on board.
Best of luck and let me know when it gets published! I am also one who writes and hopes for publication, so maybe we can hold our book signings together!
PenmanZee,
I can hardly wait to read some of your excerpts here on this Hubpage forum. I am most interested in your perspective of this awesome subject. I will watch for you upcoming posts. Good luck with the publication of your book!
Thank you Chef. To have put something down on paper is feat in itself so I encourage you as I encourage myself - go for it, publish. When the time comes, slot me in your signing schedule.
Hey Doghse, thanks for your good wishes and support. Be glad to share with Hub family and look forward to your input.
PenmanZee - well done for getting it so far. I'm sure when the inspiration for the closing comes, you'll not be disappointed. A novel is a serious undertaking indeed!
Actually, I've made some progress as I read your comment. It came in spurts with some good times and some dry times. Thanks for visiting and the encouragement.
I´m glad to know you have been writing and that we are going to read some excerpts soon. It´s has been a while since I read from you and it´s great to see you here at Hubpages ;-)
Have fun!
Oh, I'm having fun, Fun, especially seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (pardon the cliche). Thanks for stopping by and for your friendship.
sounds most exciting as well as interesting....long time coming ?? lot's of work I am sure. Wish I could write...Kenny Wordsmith might be of some help when it comes to publishing???Thanks for the update sweetie...G-Ma :o) hugs
I feel so loved G-Ma! Thanks for the hugs. Long time coming and lots of work but had to do it.
You write the most beautiful poetry G-Ma! You are writing already! Go for it!
And also thanks for the name of K. Wordsmith. I'll contact him.
Is the novel published now. I hope you do write some excerpts from the novel into a wonderful hub. Btw what does penmanzee mean?
Hi CW. What a pleasant surprise! The novel is just finished, I've done three edits (myself for lack of funds) and I'm having friends look it over right now. I do not wish to go through the nonsense of rejection, so I'll probably go directly the self-publishing route.
I thought of spinning it into hubs but I wanted to focus on finishing first and when I finished, I went straight into editing. Right now I'm working on a website though I have a temporary one at http://web.mac.com/maalim . Unfortunately, it does not meet all that I need and I'll let it expire in three days. Do check it out and let me know what you think. By the way, there's a section of the book in which I have a character called Rasul from Chandustan. It's imaginary but I was really thinking of India, though I've never been there. That gives me a thought, maybe I should send you that section for reaction.
Penmanzee - my nickname is Zee and when I joined hubpages I didn't have much time to think of a name so I thought since I'm a man and will be using a pen to write... If you go to the website you'll see more of my names and be thoroughly confused. Thanks for stopping by. Always love to hear from you. I still have to comment on your hub about men and smart women.
Tsihugwa Kikuyu is a nice name. I did go to the home page of that site and your daughters are so full of life. Please do email me and I would be glad to be of any help that I can be. You are a bold man to go for self publishing. Are their any charities that help writers who want to publish books for creating awareness. I have also been thinking for a while to write a book about children eventually. I feel they are the future and they need to have a good present to be better in the future. I have so many thoughts but don't know how to get started on it. I guess I am now going in tangents. I hope to read your book soon.
talented_ink says:
16 months ago
This sounds like it would be a very interesting and maybe even controversial book. It also sounds like something I'd definitely want to read. Good luck wrapping up your first draft.