Another Day, New York City

Been hard at work on the new novel over the past six weeks or so.  Everything is coming along very well.  It is only a first draft and it certainly needs a hell of a lot of work yet but I’ve been simply trying to get the story down.  I’ll worry about all the corrections and rewrites later.  That’s when the real work begins.  It’s been fun and I’ve really been enjoying myself immensely on this project.  The reason being, mainly, that this has all been a new approach for me.  With my previous novel, I struggled for years to get that down but the approach was much different.  With that book, “November Rust”, I felt I was too much “inside” the book, so to speak.  The mental approach was much different.  Too involved.  Then one of the most simplest and logical ideas hit me and that was to “get out of my own way”; tell a story, step out of it, strip away all the experimentation, all the literary tricks and gimmicks, all the post-modern devices and just get back to basics.  Strip it all the way down to a simple, straightforward narrative, get out of the way and allow the story to emerge, let the characters be who they are, and most importantly, write simple, direct, declarative sentences.  I’ve been having a ball with it because of it.  This may sound normal and logical to some but for me, one who was weened on mostly surrealistic, experimental, more “literary” novels---and never had taken any formal writing classes---this was something of an epiphany for me.  Go figure.  

I thought of Ernest Hemingway.  I’ve always been a huge fan of his.  I haven’t read all his books but this approach made me think of his books and how simple and direct they were.  I began to read some of the books I haven’t read just to get an idea on his approach and how he accomplished what he did.  It’s been a valuable education for me.  Also, having recently read Italian author Nicolo Amannitti and his amazing novel, “I’ll Steal You Away”, which also had this very “Hemingway-esque” approach of stripping things down, this also had a major influence on the approach of this new project.  It also occurred to me that I haven’t been reading any novels as of late but mainly history books, travel narratives, non-fiction, etc.  I returned to the novel, mainly to see the different approaches their respective authors took to write them.  Again, a most valuable education.  

So while my new book may not be as well written and/or crafted as Hemingway or any of the other authors I’ve been reading/studying as of late, the simple, stripped down, straightforward approach of their books has been a valuable resource for me while trying to write this one.  For those few who have read “November Rust”, this new book will be something of a 180 degree turn.  It is very different.  Simple, direct, stripped of all the wordplay and literary experimentation---down to bare bones storytelling; and what an immense joy it has been for me over the past six weeks.  

Naturally, all writers have their doubts and lord knows I have many.  Sometimes I’m not sure about any of it but I soldier on anyway.  It’s the only way to learn and the only way to grow.  There are plenty of ideas in the pipeline right now and I feel that I have to get myself reorganized in order not to make a mess of things.  A big heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you who’ve read the last book, gave me feedback, criticisms, etc.  It always helps.  After all, I’m truly a novice at all this and every little bit helps.  Thank you.  

Other things happening:  been working with Linda La Porte on her follow up CD.  Things coming along very very well.  Spent some time in the studio the past couple of weeks with her.  Everything sounds fantastic so far and we both cannot wait for it to be finished and available.  I contribute bass mainly on this CD, with a little guitar and even Doumbek on one track.  All very exciting.  

So now I look forward to the weather getting warmer and also looking forward to my next trip out of New York City which may come as early as June.  May be staying stateside this time, maybe heading out west to New Mexico.  There’s a lot of things I want to see there and am looking forward to it.  But nothing is set in stone yet.  

Anyway, again, thanks to all who’ve read me, supported me, gave me feedback and encouragement.  It means a lot.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  

Onward & upward, as always.....