Speculation: Artists vs Writers

I mentioned earlier that my Gwenn Wrenn story might make a good graphic novel. I still think it. But, after subscribing to a group dedicated to comic book artists looking for work, I realize it's a project for those with money to spend. They don't want to work on speculation. It's hard to blame them, but it's what I do as a writer. I think my brother Sam would have liked the project enough to do it, but that's just a guess. I once wrote him a script for a comic strip, at his request. He said it would sell, in his opinion, but he didn't wish to work on it. I contacted other artists, without success. So, you never know, dealing with artists. They could be more temperamental than writers, even.

Elmer a link to other important characters

The Elmer Ford thing is a paraphrased excerpt. His character was used as a link to introduce an important kid from his ranch - a 17 year old, who becomes a dangerous man, in a short time. The kid in turn leads us to Emilio Cortez's cousin, the biggest, baddest, hombre of them all.

Writing Habits

Some days I don't add a word to the current project, or more than a couple of sentences. But it's because I don't know how I want to proceed with an episode. I constantly wrestle with it all day and sometimes for multiple days. I don't consider it writing time wasted, because it helps me do the best I know how, in the final analysis. I know where I want to go, but not always how to get there. 

Poor Elmer Ford

When Elmer Ford caught some men returning his loose cows, he mistook them for rustlers and dealt a raw justice that saw them dead.When Dan, foreman for Sam Precker, brought some hands to the ranch, Elmer sat alone on the porch. They asked him if they could use one of his horses, which he allowed. A fine paint was brought around and Elmer placed upon it. After the rope was placed upon his neck, Elmer said he understood that he had to pay for the innocent lives lost, but that he was innocent of murder at the moment of killing them, because he had judged them rustlers, caught red handed. "I guess that's all," were his final words.

Social Commentary

There is bare minimum social commentary in my novel. But I threw in a few bones. Mostly about attitudes toward Mexicans and Indians. But, at one point, Dan tells his wife, he believes when the land becomes settled, folks won't have much need of guns. His new wife responds by laughing it off. "There will always be polecats needing to be killed," she counters. There is no actual preaching in any of it.

Corrida

Not official, as in Mexico. Not a real matador. Jose, the reluctant, to star. 

Call Him Rojo

Call him Red. He is Emilio Cortez's half brother. He's bigger, rides harder, shoots better. The law is no friend of Red's. He steals cows. He hurts people - like the deputy, Jose.

Moving along - The Cattle Drive is Over

They are coming in, thirsty and raucous, and filling the street at an opportune moment for Tim Medina. Get on your Hooraw, boys.

Mexican Red

Thinking about giving the book that title.

Back in the saddle

The reworking of much of the wording gave the opportunity to refine the plot further. Problem, now: the good guys are running short on manpower.

Rewriting

I needed to backtrack on a subplot, so went to the beginning to smooth the writing, before getting on with the telling.

Possible other story to write

I have a few song poems that might be adaptable into works of prose. Example:

Daisy Plumtree, Outlaw

Daisy Plumtree was a lusty one,
She loved an old buffalo gun.
She'd shoot her round, 
Then stand her ground,
Where many men might run.

If her ways was rough and raw,
She learned it from her paw;
Who killed eight men,
Then made it ten,
Which set his fate with the law.

She was Daisy Missy Plumtree
Rough and ready
Rode the outlaw trail
To rob the outbound mail
Missy Daisy Daisy Plumtree
(repeat)

She went on the lam in Mexico
And fell in with Two Feathers Crow
She leaned her gun
In Crow's wigwam
Made from hides of buffalo

But the soldiers killed her man
He was crossing the Rio Grande
Daisy got hung
Before she swung
Said Daisy Crow is who I am

She was Daisy Missy Plumtree
Rough and ready
Rode the outlaw trail
To rob the outbound mail
Missy Daisy Daisy Plumtree 

Self Publishing XXXX

Self publishing likely works for some, but as for me, I have no resources to pour into it and I suck at self promotion. I did self publish a few things, not so many years ago, but what is left of the enterprise languishes on a Lulu owned website. My most recent effort was with a publisher that talks a good game, and I thought they would help promote my work, but it was in the end all up to me. So, most likely, if I don't interest a real publisher, none of my work will reach the public. Nevertheless, I intend to keep writing, until I no longer can work a keyboard.

When friends turn

Troubles alluded to in my last post have led two of the five heroes to become set against one another. Just one will survive.

Developments

Got one hero back shot, but surviving. Another suspected of murdering the store owner and being the back shooter. Meanwhile Sam Precker had a spell and is recovering at home.    

Trying to educate myself as I write

Eating with a bit - The Horse Forum

https://www.horseforum.com/horse-talk/eating-bit-31601/

Most horses will snatch a bite of grass while riding through tall grass,lol! I try not to let them eat grass with a bit in,as it makes for a dirty bit and its' also harder for them to chew .The only time I have seen horses eatwith a bit in is when they are greedy grain eaters.The bit will keep them from eating their grain too fast.

Synopsis, anybody?

Last night I began a synopsis of Gwenn Wrenn. I am not sure how many words an editor is willing to read, but some of my explanations require a good bit of explaining. For the time being I will keep improving on the presentation, without regard to length. Then I may have to revise it after making a final edit of the work itself. I had rather be a dentist to chickens than work this hard on a project I had thought to be beyond such torture.

The Graphic Novel

I discovered a dynamic group of comic book writers and artists, which caused me to consider to offer Gwenn Wrenn, or The Hollow Planet, for collaboration as a graphic novel. I don't know enough about the market or steps involved, so have been hesitating. I don't mind sharing 50% credit with another person. But it would put a burden on the artist to cut up the words and translate them to art, as well as navigate the process of approaching a publisher. I would be riding his/her wave. I would assist the project as best I could, but I feel inadequate to uphold my end.

plot turn

A mystery develops when a prominent character dies from a knife wound, inflicted by Emilio Cortez's knife.

My first ever book

It was a pathetic tale of a mouse-size boy; inspiration not derived from Stuart Little, but Tom Thumb. A publisher said "Stuart Little." Whatever. One character in it was a boy whom I gave the name, Hadji Mustapha. Having no working knowledge of Muslims, I glossed over the cultural aspects to concentrate on personalities. For years I had no idea how incorrect it was to use Hadjii as a given name. Both boys were exemplary - I no longer recall the plot, but I do wish it had worked out, to add one more positive in the play between cultures.   

Publishers and Publishers

When I offered up my manuscript, "Beyond the Dark Water," and the publisher accepted, I was naive enough to believe they were going to work to help me make sales. The contract was written in language that I interpreted to mean that. In reality, the total burden was on me, and I have no resources to pursue that sort of thing. The book itself was cheaply made, but for the cover, and overpriced at $15. Then they had the nerve, after the deal was made, to suggest the writers pool their royalties and award our money to a select individual. Small as my checks were, I kept mine.

I am embarrassing myself this way as a caution to others who may be interested in getting published. I know that this sort of thing can be beneficial to those who know how to work it. That's not most of us, in my opinion.

  

Western Novel

I'm letting the sci/fantasy story sit awhile, before tearing into it again. I'm resuming work on my western novel, about Tim Medina. When I left off, the central five characters were homeward bound, with loads of bob wire fencing, prepared to shoot their way in, against Precker's hired guns. It promised to be your standard range war gun battle, but my time away from writing on it gave me the opportunity to think of and go a different direction with it. First, I intend going through what I have, from the beginning, and consider what should change.

Story complete now, still revising

I grew up on a fare of Walt Disney films - also, Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, Popeye and the like. I dwelt on such unreality an inordinant amount of time. So it was not a great stretch for me in later years to imagine an author/scientist turning his novel about a made up planet, into reality, in its own fake dimension, with an option to launch the fictional planet into the real universe. It's just as real as anything in those films. Then to create a cast of many characters to carry the concept to a logical (in an unreal sense) conclusion is only natural. Gwenn Wrenn, or, The Hollow Planet, is complete, all but the final editing and I am not sorry.          

Still revising

Some passages are much better than anticipated, but many, while readable and okay, are not properly paced or set up. This will be just the first of a number of revisions, as I want the final product to be as near to flawless as can be. 

Don't blame me. I'm just the messenger.

While I have not written down the final pages of the story, I am close enough that I have gone back to the beginning for a thorough revision, right up to that point. Character development and cohesion are the primary concerns.

Did I mention - ?

Gwenn, and her Birdpeople friends, has been locked outside the sealed bunker, meaning they have to seek shelter on their own, for when the planets collide. She puts her trust in the Goop Birds.

Mars in View

The countdown has begun. With the rocket running full throttle, the collision is imminent.

A lucrative market

Stealing Goop Bird's eggs can be a lucrative enterprise. Just don't get caught.

Goop Birds

Ah, yes. The Goop Birds. Did I forget to mention them? Gwenn is seeking their help, right now. 

Spotting the Writer's Mill

Writer Mill

To each his own.

Update on Gwenn Wrenn

My story is in two parts, with about half of part two left to write. Part one: "The Hollow Planet"
Part Two: "Gwenn of Mars"

At this point they are searching out clues for the missing boy, Tyler Meekem. They don't know if he survived the great calamity, or even which planet he is on.

Early works

My first published efforts were hosted by Lulu. The largest volume, Complete Works, shows my work from early awkwardness and then some stories after I had greatly improved. Much of that work is still available here: Charles Turner's Books and Publications.  

dogs for Mars

two Labrador Retrievers, rescue dogs picked out and brought along by Mom, who could not bear living in a world where no dogs exist. They were Tatum and Pear.

One black, the other golden

Gwenn of Mars

Her family back to Pi and ultimately on to Mars.

Well, crap

Just got the family reunited and agents swooped and took Gwenn's Dad. Seems his science was illegal, plus it created the greatest calamity to Earth since the hit that killed the dinosaurs. Some prosecutors hint they want the death penalty. And, he's guilty on all counts.  

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

I got Gwenn back on Earth, reunited with her parents, yesterday. School woes, today.

Break

Had serious issues concerning the household plumbing, which involved digging up a sewer line. I was in no condition to write the past few days. 76 is no age to be, in these situations.

While I'm at it

I also completely reworked Chapter One. 

Working in a Coal Mine

Using a few days to smooth the language and adjust passages in the interests of cohesion and continuity.

The trap of social media

The trap of social media, for a retired person, can result in a quagmire that saps the mind of other enterprises. I lately became consumed in political jousting, to the extent that my writing projects were no longer advancing. Yesterday I managed to break away and get back to business. Got to face it that at 76 years of age, I can't afford all that wasted time. In the hours after leaving that arena, I have made substantial progress on Gwenn Wrenn. Let us see how long my resolve holds out.

A planet in a planet

Is it possible to put Mars inside a hollow world? It's being tried.

Final title selection:

Gwenn Wrenn, or, The Hollow Planet

Post NaNo

When I got started on the sci-fantasy work, it edged out the western novel, time-wise. It's the nature of NaNo month to rob one's other projects in that way. But it was a helpful respite for the western, because that one was approaching a cliche of an episode, which I hoped to make otherwise. I couldn't think of an alternate course to take before yesterday. Now when I get back to it it will move ahead.

Christmas Sad

Next went sleigh and crew
To the lands of gloom and grue,
For the heart of the season
Knows not spirit's treason;
But ministers to wrath and rue.

Santa, said one elf named Joe,
There's a child whose father says no
When asked if there is love named Santa.
The child has no gift;
He's not on the list.
Oh, Santa, what is the answer?

Santa clucked sadly with woe;
There is no answer friend Joe;
For magic dust I sprinkle
To make their hearts twinkle;
But, I cannot alter the nature
Of despair, of disbelief and failure
If hearts are closed and avenues cut off.
He choked with a sob and a cough.

That one's meager Christmas they served,
That one they lost the nerve.
Another one slept in booze and pills,
Soon to forget his worldly ills.
And when they left the plain of gloom and sadness
It left a stain on all their remaining gladness.

Gwenn's Surname

I am casting about for a better surname for her. Also, a number of names used in the text are changing. Arnold was chosen on the spur of the moment, when I was anxious to get the narrative moving.

GWENN ARNOLD, OR, THE HOLLOW PLANET

Newest title. Riffing on Hans Brinker, or, The Silver Skates

End of November

The month is just about over. When it ends, I intend switching back to mainly working on the western novel and adding to the NaNo project story in the times I get stuck on the first story.

In the NaNo story I have a preteen girl, Gwenn, whose father wrote a book. Being also a scientist, he and his team created the world within his book, in a separate dimension, and a portal to visit there. Gwenn's mother and father disappear in there. Gwenn has no knowledge the project exists, until she has to break into her own house and discovers her parents' secret. Once she enters this world, she learns that inhabitants are wise to her Dad's work and have launched their own project to break open the barrier separating the two worlds. I have written well beyond this point, but you can perhaps see what it is leading to.

NaNo Word Count

My word count is far below the pace NaNo sets for a writer. My justification is, I want the words I write to count. Just forcing it along for the sake of filling pages is in my view doing myself and potential readers a disservice. What the contest did for me was cause me to get it moving along and for that reason I am a winner already. 

Tox World - new title

When I started my NaNo project I just had a thought about a nearly teen girl, whose mother mysteriously disappeared and then she was informed her father had just died. I began with an aim of solving what she suspected were murders. Following her activities for a time lead to a set of circumstances that transformed it into science fiction.

Now it gadz inderessssstingggg

Not for you. You can't see what I'm writing. Trust me. It's - Well, it's words. And it means I am progressing. That's all I can share, just now.