I burned three of my own
manuscripts. It was the sensible thing
to do at the time and I have few regrets.
The fact I've written three more since is what I find conclusive. That brings us to the point of this discourse
and the raison d'etre for the new blog.
I'm publishing my first novel.
'A dog and his boy' will be available in paperback and e-book
formats within weeks of writing this blog entry.
I'll post a few of the procedural
details here and will also use the site to let you know when and where it's
available. The publisher is Amazon and though
embracing the new reality of the literary world I have no idea what it means
for me or my work. This willingness
to cozy up to the modern is tempered by a vast indifference to the ever advancing
influence of social media.
I've been told by more than one
person I'm past due having something published and there's little room to
argue. Somehow I've grown old though I
scarcely noticed it happening. While the
fruitless trek in search of wisdom and perspective continues there's no reason
not to share stories considered thoroughly and written well.
There's also no denying I've been
softened by time. Not only are the hard
edges of my body but the sharp corners of my ideology now smoothed by the sandpaper
of experience. My youthful certainty has
been displaced by a certain doubt as my six pack devolved into a middle aged beer
keg.
I think of this loss and what's
gained as the bargain exchanged for the time each of us may sojourn in our
individual place and time. An
existentialist I hold little concern for the concept of fairness when
evaluating such an arrangement. In fact,
I consider the idea immaterial in the face of temporal reality.
Only knowing me when could show
the irony of those statements.
I'm fortunate that few are left
who did and those that are mostly friends.
I wrote this novel for people who
enjoy discovering the secret heart of those seemingly trapped by unique and
individual circumstance. No devotee of
the fashion my prose is rooted in the traditions of literary fiction. The writer must serve his story and the currency
of the facts surpasses those of the realm in such an instance.
My understanding of it is simple.
It's art for arts' sake.
I've been true to that ideal with
'A dog and his boy' and I'm
delighted to share it with you.
I'll post the date when you can
get your copy in paperback or e-book soon!
Thanks for being here and thanks very
much for your support.
-
TFP, October 20, 2015
