Okay, It’s a self-imposed one. However, now that I’m feeling snowball pick up speed (and snow) on the writing, I figured it’s time to set some goals.  Well, really just the one.  I’m mulling a production schedule and I have some ideas, but I’m nowhere near ready to share those.  I may never be.

But, I will publish the current book I’m writing by September 30th.

The other thing I’m considering (as always) is changing the title. None of my working titles have survived, but I do like having one.  I don’t always start with one, but one emerges in the early goings. This usually is a result of some turn of phrase triggering a song connection.  In the case of Everything is Broken, the working title was Heaven Ain’t Bad. It was triggered by some dialogue between Fuzzy and Sample (I leave it at that as to spare people the spoilers). I made a connection to the Townes Van Zandt song “You Are Not Needed Now”, and that was enough to give me a working title I was happy with. Then I wrote the scene with the little boy and his mama and the broken seashells, which my son later identified as the theme of the book (!)… I made a connection with the Bob Dylan song “Everything is Broken.” (I am a huge Bob Dylan fan for those of you who do not know me in person).

North Country Girl was originally “Girl of the North Country”, which of course is a more obvious and famous Dylan tune.  I grew tired of the more obvious nod, plus it was more words to fit on the cover, so I settled on North Country Girl, which I think sounds better anyway.

The current book, as loyal readers may recall, has the working title God’s Golden Shore.  Again, this was triggered by some dialogue. This time between Fuzzy and a local mob Don, which recalled lyrics to the Traditional folk song “Man of Constant Sorrow”.  But, sigh, I had a book signing a couple of weeks ago, and I was paired with a couple of authors, who wrote faith-based memoirs. I admit to a little blushing standing beside them with my somewhat racy covers (and books a little on the saucy side).  It dawned on me that a book titled God’s Golden Shore would fit nicely with my fellow authors’ stacks at the book signing. Eh, maybe not such a good idea.

So… I’m leaning towards Dyin’ Southpaw’s Blues.  It would probably be the closest to a “genre appropriate” title I’ve managed.  Sorry, I’m not a fan of “The Case of…” or “Murder at…” type titles.  At any rate, I’m almost certain God’s Golden Shore becomes Dyin’ Southpaw’s Blues, but no guarantee that Dyin’ survives.  And yes, it is a nod to Georgia bluesman Blind Willie McTell’s Dyin’ Crapshooter’s Blues.

What d’ya think?

— TD

www.palmettopulpmill.com

That’s right. I’m back to #1.

Life has been rough for…well, a few years honestly. I’ve lost people I love… and of late a job that I loved.  If I’m completely honest, I may have some depression that needs tackling.

One of the symptoms, I’m aware of is the lack of interest in doing the things I truly enjoy. Which, is all my way of saying that my writing has been very spotty over these last couple of months. I think it was fine in the early goings of dealing with my latest life turn — the job loss. For one, my focus has been (and still is) finding the new source of income.  But… as time has gone, I’ve realized that 1) I could have managed a lot of writing during the hours I haven’t been job searching and 2) I love to write. It certainly could help with my mindset.

So, I’m back to Heinlein’s Rules.  Those incredibly simple set of rules. Most, of which if you read just on the surface without any real reflection, will result in you saying, “Duh. No shit Sherlock.”   But here’s the thing, they are simple to understand, and probably easy to follow… but it’s also incredibly easy to “fall off the horse.”  But I’m here, and I climbing back into the saddle. Right on #1.

You Must Write.

And for me that means every day.

Today? That meant 800 words this morning, when I woke up (not by design) at the insane hour of 2:30 a.m. It involved heavy, cycling back to get back into the story…and I’m sure the early going will be slow, and require more heavy cycling.  That’s okay. It’s all part of working towards adherence to Rule #2 – Finish what you start.

I’ve gotten some feedback from readers and writers of late. Asking when the next story is coming. Telling me they like this blog. Of course, none greater than my wife, Jill.  All of it is really, really appreciated. My purpose in all of this is to “entertain myself”… but that is always immediately followed by “and hopefully others.”

So, thank you others. The support is helpful.

— TD