Working on the second book, I wasn’t sure if the process of writing Bones of Starlight would change itself.  I’m now going about the business of an author as well as the work of a writer – places to be, people to see, minds to ignite. Would the words come out differently, by a different machine than the one I’d designed?

Strangely, no.

The first draft is a sketch full of personal slang and suggestions.  It goes to the typewriter, which turns it into sentences and paragraphs.  Then I translate the typed draft into something totally comprehensible, I hope, with all the information the reader requires.  I sort of thought some other element might introduce itself, or multiple elements would condense, or a different pace would define a different process.  I don’t expect consistency to arise naturally, but the way the story emerges does not want to change.  That’s, strangely, comforting.  Only then does it sound right, only then do you get the full story.

I’ve got new draft in hand.  You’ve already seen raw draft of what I called the prologue, and what I think is the first chapter (though it was incomplete).  I’d like to start releasing it to you, as I’ve done before.  I’m tempted to change the process, to make it better.  It’s really hard to do that without feeling like I’m just keeping it from you longer.  I’m going to give it a shot, and if it doesn’t work, you’ll continue to get what you’ve gotten so far, if that’s good enough.

WORD EXTRACT 1.1

mystery
strangers
gambit
signs
door

watchfulness
rudimentary
efforts

peripherals
color
terrain

–

CHICAGO!

Come experience a joint reading with myself and Richard Chwedyk at the Galway Arms Irish pub, Wednesday August 10 at 8pm.

I’m on my way.