Here is a little snatch from the almost completed chapter 20 - Rivalry
I relieved Graêl of his burden and rubbed him down with a piece of cloth dipped in the water trough nearby; he nuzzled my hand in thanks.
I said, “At least someone around here likes me.” and stroked his neck.
When I was done and Graêl was comfortable, I headed back to speak with my wife again. I knew she was angry with me and I was lost as to how to fix it or make it just a little better. I entered a very silent house and wondered where all the children were. Just as I was about to bellow that I had arrived, my mother ambled out of her room. When I saw her, bent with age and with a full head of gray hair, my heart stung and I hurried over to help her to her yak fur.
“Most honorable mother, what happened? Why are you bent over like this?”
She smiled at me and said, “I am simply growing old. I have raised many sons and a daughter. You did not think I would be young and spry forever, did you?”
I smiled back and said, “No. But I didn’t think age would take you so quickly. I have only been gone…” I began to count in my head.
She interrupted and said, “Almost two years, my son.”
Two years! How could that be? I was just home a few months prior! I tried to give voice to my thoughts but she cut me off again.
“Twenty months you have been gone. Tolui is almost two years of age. He has never even seen you. Börte grows more withdrawn and sad every day. I am hoping your return will bring her life back. I believe she thought you abandoned her forever.”
My heart hurt in that moment. Pain that began in my chest poured through my body and spiraled outward from that central point; I began to shake. What pain I had caused my wife! Where did my twenty months go? I choked back my tears and looked at my mother with remorse in my eyes.
She touched my face and said, “Many men make mistakes. I knew when you left that you would be gone from us for a long time; Börte refused to believe me and held on to her thought that you would return within a few days. When a few days turned into a few weeks, and a few weeks turned into a few months, she began to wilt like a flower. I fear that if you had stayed gone much longer, she would have died of a broken heart.”
Temujin may redeem himself but you will have to read the book to find out how. Ha!
I hope you are all enjoying the excerpts and snatches thus far.
Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Chapter 20 on the Agenda!
Today it is time for chapter 20 - Rivalry!!
Now, what do you think this chapter is all about? If you said the direct conflict between Jamuka and Temujin, you are right. However, I think little Ms. Borte is about to find herself deeply submerged in the brown stuff. Her hubby only sees one side of the conversation she has with a certain someone and blows his top. Conversation with whom, you may ask? Well, you'll have to read the book to find that out.What fun would the story be if I gave away all of the details? Ha!
Temujin is going to be named Khan and finally change his name to GENGHIS. Throughout the story, you will witness a kind of coming-of-age for the boy and in the next few chapters, you may grow to not like him very much. Everyone says power goes to your head and I think this is particularly true with mighty men in leadership positions who are not allowed to care because it would make them bananas. We have already seen Temujin's ruthless side, loving side, and self-depreciating side; what matters is which one he embraces as he gains control. Perhaps we will have God guide him a bit... I truly do not know what will happen but I am watching him morph into someone else in front of my eyes through his story and it's a bit scary. I just hope I can pull him back before he does something he will regret...
Who knows? Not me. Anyway, tomorrow I will give you an excerpt so come on back for that!!
I hope you are all having a great week - it's almost Wednesday!!
It is 9am and time to get going.
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Now, what do you think this chapter is all about? If you said the direct conflict between Jamuka and Temujin, you are right. However, I think little Ms. Borte is about to find herself deeply submerged in the brown stuff. Her hubby only sees one side of the conversation she has with a certain someone and blows his top. Conversation with whom, you may ask? Well, you'll have to read the book to find that out.What fun would the story be if I gave away all of the details? Ha!
Temujin is going to be named Khan and finally change his name to GENGHIS. Throughout the story, you will witness a kind of coming-of-age for the boy and in the next few chapters, you may grow to not like him very much. Everyone says power goes to your head and I think this is particularly true with mighty men in leadership positions who are not allowed to care because it would make them bananas. We have already seen Temujin's ruthless side, loving side, and self-depreciating side; what matters is which one he embraces as he gains control. Perhaps we will have God guide him a bit... I truly do not know what will happen but I am watching him morph into someone else in front of my eyes through his story and it's a bit scary. I just hope I can pull him back before he does something he will regret...
Who knows? Not me. Anyway, tomorrow I will give you an excerpt so come on back for that!!
I hope you are all having a great week - it's almost Wednesday!!
It is 9am and time to get going.
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Monday, March 5, 2012
Chapter 19 is Almost Done!
Ahh, chapter 19! What a ride it has been!
Temujin stepped in the brown stuff big time. If he was making you angry before now, he is really going to piss you off in this chapter. He does some things that could only be justified by a madman, yet he justifies them in his head. I wanted to slap him myself.
Sometimes, Temujin just gets headstrong, won't listen to a word I say, and runs away with his emotions. He does stupid crap that puts him in precarious situations and even puts his men in danger. He is leading the story though, not me. I have to listen to him. When he wants to do something harebrained, I have to let him; to fight him would be stupid and would likely ruin the story.
Wang Khan has made an ass out of himself as well due to his son and his grand-daughter. I stick pretty close to the historical telling of events and people so if you want to know a bit about how the story progresses, here is an excellent article: Wikipedia - Genghis Khan on his life and love. I have used that and many other resources that I had access to via my college to kind of build a basic accounting from which to spin my tale. A lot of what you will read in my book is true but most of it is pure fiction - or has not been told - and just the characters are named after their historical counterparts.
Remember, I have to pretend to know these people in order to write about them and they become as real as flesh-and-blood folk for a little while.
I hope you are all enjoying this blog and the creative process being brought to life. A writer's mind is rarely quiet and I am always coming up with ideas for new books and jotting them down. Most will likely never see the light of day but keeping a record of my ideas just feels right.
A book I will suggest for anyone wanting a pull of the heartstrings:
Bill Wallace - A Dog Called Kitty
Bill is such a good writer that you simply fall in love with the little dog through both his antics, patience, and love of his boy, Ricky.
It is almost 9am. Time to get busy!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Temujin stepped in the brown stuff big time. If he was making you angry before now, he is really going to piss you off in this chapter. He does some things that could only be justified by a madman, yet he justifies them in his head. I wanted to slap him myself.
Sometimes, Temujin just gets headstrong, won't listen to a word I say, and runs away with his emotions. He does stupid crap that puts him in precarious situations and even puts his men in danger. He is leading the story though, not me. I have to listen to him. When he wants to do something harebrained, I have to let him; to fight him would be stupid and would likely ruin the story.
Wang Khan has made an ass out of himself as well due to his son and his grand-daughter. I stick pretty close to the historical telling of events and people so if you want to know a bit about how the story progresses, here is an excellent article: Wikipedia - Genghis Khan on his life and love. I have used that and many other resources that I had access to via my college to kind of build a basic accounting from which to spin my tale. A lot of what you will read in my book is true but most of it is pure fiction - or has not been told - and just the characters are named after their historical counterparts.
Remember, I have to pretend to know these people in order to write about them and they become as real as flesh-and-blood folk for a little while.
I hope you are all enjoying this blog and the creative process being brought to life. A writer's mind is rarely quiet and I am always coming up with ideas for new books and jotting them down. Most will likely never see the light of day but keeping a record of my ideas just feels right.
A book I will suggest for anyone wanting a pull of the heartstrings:
Bill Wallace - A Dog Called Kitty
Bill is such a good writer that you simply fall in love with the little dog through both his antics, patience, and love of his boy, Ricky.
It is almost 9am. Time to get busy!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Chapter 17 Excerpt!
Here is a short excerpt from Chapter 17. Temujin is dreaming about his future and speaking with God:
I laughed and agreed. I could still hear Bo’orchu guffawing when I slipped into my dreams.
I was standing on a high dais and there were people as far as I could see. They were chanting a name that I could not understand. I felt movement to my left and when I glanced over, I recognized the face of God.
He spoke, “Temujin, this is what you will control when you are done. Look well, my son, and see how powerful you are.”
I peered out over the crowds of my people and saw that they went for many kilometers in every direction.
I asked, “All of this is mine to rule?”
“Yes. You will be the mightiest Khan to ever rule in Mongolia. You will even overthrow China. All of these people will look to you for guidance and care. It is a great responsibility but I believe you can do it without a second thought.”
I was awestruck by the enormity of the task and felt the weight of my nation on my shoulders. I asked, “What if I fail?”
He chuckled and answered, “You will not fail. I chose you because you are the only one who can succeed. Beware of Jamuka; his heart has been injured by your actions and he will try to kill you, believing that you are out to kill him. Show kindness and compassion for those that are misunderstood or weaker than you and always remember that I will guide your hand.”
“I understand. I have much to accomplish. May I ask you a question?”
“You just did.”
“Yes, sir, I did. I am sorry. I will just ask the one I want the answer to. What name are they chanting below?”
“Genghis. You will be Genghis Khan. It means supreme conqueror.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Remember what I said and you will prosper.”
I woke with a smile on my face and thoughts of Jamuka in my head. It hurt that my anda was trying to kill me but I understood his motivations. My Börte was not a prize to be won but I supposed he would just try to kill me so he could take her for his own. He would be surprised when she did not want him.
And, a surprise excerpt from Chapter 18, which was completed yesterday:
I was sleeping in my tent one night when a great commotion arose not far away. I stood up so quickly, I managed to tangle myself up in the fabric and ropes and fell with a mighty crash to the ground. I cursed, slowly extracted myself from the mess, and hurried over to see what the noise was about.
I found Temuge locked in a struggle with another man that I did not recognize and hurried over to help restrain him. After we had him tied, Temuge began to ask him questions about who he was and what he was doing sneaking around the camp at night, peeking in tents.
I took a seat nearby and listened and watched; noticing that the man never took his eyes off of me and never said a word.
Finally, when Temuge was tired of talking and getting no responses, he flung himself to the ground near me and heaved a great sigh.
“He won’t talk, brother. What do I do now?”
I smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder before rising and stepping over to the man and leaning down close to his ear.
I said, “Are you working for Senggum?”
I heard a sharp intake of breath and I smiled.
“Yes, you are. I am going to ask you one time what his plot is. If you do not tell me, I will cut off your toes one-by-one until you can no longer stand.”
Again, I heard the sharp intake of breath.
“You know I will make good on my promise, don’t you? I am going to remove the rope from your mouth now and you are going to talk. Do you understand?”
He nodded.
I removed the rope and the man poured forth with a story that made my anger boil like a river of fire. He told me Senggum never intended to allow Wang Khan to make me a promise of marriage to my bastard son, that since our counsel six days prior, he had been poisoning the Khan’s mind to me, that he was sent out just after we left, by Senggum himself, to orchestrate my capture so that I may be ‘dealt with’ in whatever manner Senggum decided to deal with me, and that Jamuka had recently been to visit the Khan but was turned away and took counsel with Senggum instead.
I thanked the man, put the rope back in his mouth, gave orders for Temuge to watch the new prisoner, and took a walk to ponder the information given to me.
This is all for today. I hope you enjoy it!! 9am, off to write!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
I laughed and agreed. I could still hear Bo’orchu guffawing when I slipped into my dreams.
I was standing on a high dais and there were people as far as I could see. They were chanting a name that I could not understand. I felt movement to my left and when I glanced over, I recognized the face of God.
He spoke, “Temujin, this is what you will control when you are done. Look well, my son, and see how powerful you are.”
I peered out over the crowds of my people and saw that they went for many kilometers in every direction.
I asked, “All of this is mine to rule?”
“Yes. You will be the mightiest Khan to ever rule in Mongolia. You will even overthrow China. All of these people will look to you for guidance and care. It is a great responsibility but I believe you can do it without a second thought.”
I was awestruck by the enormity of the task and felt the weight of my nation on my shoulders. I asked, “What if I fail?”
He chuckled and answered, “You will not fail. I chose you because you are the only one who can succeed. Beware of Jamuka; his heart has been injured by your actions and he will try to kill you, believing that you are out to kill him. Show kindness and compassion for those that are misunderstood or weaker than you and always remember that I will guide your hand.”
“I understand. I have much to accomplish. May I ask you a question?”
“You just did.”
“Yes, sir, I did. I am sorry. I will just ask the one I want the answer to. What name are they chanting below?”
“Genghis. You will be Genghis Khan. It means supreme conqueror.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Remember what I said and you will prosper.”
I woke with a smile on my face and thoughts of Jamuka in my head. It hurt that my anda was trying to kill me but I understood his motivations. My Börte was not a prize to be won but I supposed he would just try to kill me so he could take her for his own. He would be surprised when she did not want him.
And, a surprise excerpt from Chapter 18, which was completed yesterday:
I was sleeping in my tent one night when a great commotion arose not far away. I stood up so quickly, I managed to tangle myself up in the fabric and ropes and fell with a mighty crash to the ground. I cursed, slowly extracted myself from the mess, and hurried over to see what the noise was about.
I found Temuge locked in a struggle with another man that I did not recognize and hurried over to help restrain him. After we had him tied, Temuge began to ask him questions about who he was and what he was doing sneaking around the camp at night, peeking in tents.
I took a seat nearby and listened and watched; noticing that the man never took his eyes off of me and never said a word.
Finally, when Temuge was tired of talking and getting no responses, he flung himself to the ground near me and heaved a great sigh.
“He won’t talk, brother. What do I do now?”
I smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder before rising and stepping over to the man and leaning down close to his ear.
I said, “Are you working for Senggum?”
I heard a sharp intake of breath and I smiled.
“Yes, you are. I am going to ask you one time what his plot is. If you do not tell me, I will cut off your toes one-by-one until you can no longer stand.”
Again, I heard the sharp intake of breath.
“You know I will make good on my promise, don’t you? I am going to remove the rope from your mouth now and you are going to talk. Do you understand?”
He nodded.
I removed the rope and the man poured forth with a story that made my anger boil like a river of fire. He told me Senggum never intended to allow Wang Khan to make me a promise of marriage to my bastard son, that since our counsel six days prior, he had been poisoning the Khan’s mind to me, that he was sent out just after we left, by Senggum himself, to orchestrate my capture so that I may be ‘dealt with’ in whatever manner Senggum decided to deal with me, and that Jamuka had recently been to visit the Khan but was turned away and took counsel with Senggum instead.
I thanked the man, put the rope back in his mouth, gave orders for Temuge to watch the new prisoner, and took a walk to ponder the information given to me.
This is all for today. I hope you enjoy it!! 9am, off to write!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Bookstores
With the loss of Borders in 2011, one must ask the question: What is going to happen to the bookstore? I read Publisher's Weekly and have noticed an alarming trend where more people are purchasing e-books than ever before; those numbers just keep rising. It concerns me, not because I am afraid I will never again be able to lay my hands on a tangible book, but because I will miss the experience of the bookstore. If you are in love with the printed word and the experience, you will understand. If you are not concerned about losing the experience, then you have never had it.
Here is what I love most about being in a bookstore:
Walking through the door is like taking a step through a portal into another world. You become instantly warm from the luminescent lighting and the camaraderie you feel with every person browsing the shelves or losing themselves in a book while nestled in the large, leather chairs and couches. Your senses are bombarded with familiar, comforting scents like coffee and newsprint. You can, at times, hear the laughter of children as they traipse through their imaginary world of princesses, dragons, and fearless knights or play with Bad Kitty or the dear sweet Little Llama.
Then, the whispers start. Every book on every shelf is calling your name, whispering the promise of their story in your ear, and telling you to, "Pick me! I can take you places you've never been!" You walk along the shelves with your heart racing, possibly touching some of the spines as you move through the rows; listening, feeling, getting excited about what you can learn from the ink printed on the pages. You are delirious and everything becomes a bit hazy in your mind. You know you went there for a new adventure but can't decide between the love story or the one about government conspiracies; perhaps the one on this shelf about kings and queens long dead...
You lift a book from the shelf and weigh it in your hand; feeling the story move against your skin. You flip it open to the jacket flaps and read a synopsis to decide if it's the kind of story you want to read this week. You inhale with your nose close to the pages and allow the scent of ink on paper to take over your senses. You feel the crackling of the glue that binds the pages together. It is intoxicating to you because you love books. You may even be of the type to sleep with one under your pillow so it can whisper its tales to you while you dream.
You make your choice; not after one or two or even three books that you perform this ritual with, but after many. You bring your carefully chosen friend - because that's really what a book is to a reader - to the counter and pay, then head home with your new friend held close; excited about what the pages will bring. When you arrive home, you lovingly unwrap your book from the bag and sit down, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea, and begin your journey.
I am at a loss when I think of a time when I cannot perform that ritual. I don't want to shop for books via a cold piece of metal that connects me to a www something or other. I want the heat of the book in my hand, its pages giving off a little bit of life that I can absorb just by holding it.
How about you? Do you prefer a tangible book or an e-reader? Have you ever experienced the phenomenon described above?
I am eager to know, drop me a line.
It is just past 9am so I am running a little late. I am forgiving myself today because I managed to pour out almost SIX thousand words yesterday. I had my story firmly in my grasp. Today feels the same... I hear the buzz of the characters in my ears...
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Here is what I love most about being in a bookstore:
Walking through the door is like taking a step through a portal into another world. You become instantly warm from the luminescent lighting and the camaraderie you feel with every person browsing the shelves or losing themselves in a book while nestled in the large, leather chairs and couches. Your senses are bombarded with familiar, comforting scents like coffee and newsprint. You can, at times, hear the laughter of children as they traipse through their imaginary world of princesses, dragons, and fearless knights or play with Bad Kitty or the dear sweet Little Llama.
Then, the whispers start. Every book on every shelf is calling your name, whispering the promise of their story in your ear, and telling you to, "Pick me! I can take you places you've never been!" You walk along the shelves with your heart racing, possibly touching some of the spines as you move through the rows; listening, feeling, getting excited about what you can learn from the ink printed on the pages. You are delirious and everything becomes a bit hazy in your mind. You know you went there for a new adventure but can't decide between the love story or the one about government conspiracies; perhaps the one on this shelf about kings and queens long dead...
You lift a book from the shelf and weigh it in your hand; feeling the story move against your skin. You flip it open to the jacket flaps and read a synopsis to decide if it's the kind of story you want to read this week. You inhale with your nose close to the pages and allow the scent of ink on paper to take over your senses. You feel the crackling of the glue that binds the pages together. It is intoxicating to you because you love books. You may even be of the type to sleep with one under your pillow so it can whisper its tales to you while you dream.
You make your choice; not after one or two or even three books that you perform this ritual with, but after many. You bring your carefully chosen friend - because that's really what a book is to a reader - to the counter and pay, then head home with your new friend held close; excited about what the pages will bring. When you arrive home, you lovingly unwrap your book from the bag and sit down, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea, and begin your journey.
I am at a loss when I think of a time when I cannot perform that ritual. I don't want to shop for books via a cold piece of metal that connects me to a www something or other. I want the heat of the book in my hand, its pages giving off a little bit of life that I can absorb just by holding it.
How about you? Do you prefer a tangible book or an e-reader? Have you ever experienced the phenomenon described above?
I am eager to know, drop me a line.
It is just past 9am so I am running a little late. I am forgiving myself today because I managed to pour out almost SIX thousand words yesterday. I had my story firmly in my grasp. Today feels the same... I hear the buzz of the characters in my ears...
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Chapter 17 and a New Idea
Chapter 17 feels clunky. It has no flow because I can find little conflict. I'm sure Temujin will step in something along the way, he just hasn't yet. It's a problem when your characters lounge around and refuse to do anything interesting for a few pages. Everyone yell with me, "TEMUJIN! GET OFF YOUR BUTT, SON!"
Haha. Now that we have that out of the way...
Today my goal is 3,000 words. I am not moving my butt until those 3,000 words are on paper. That probably means chapter 17 will roll off the presses today. Good news? With 28 chapters total, there are only 11 more to go now. We are getting close to the end. I still haven't figured out what the end will be but I'm sure my characters will tell me when we come to that point. Do I follow history or allow myself a bit of creative freedom? Who knows?
I have an idea for a young reader's series and while Yassa mellows I will be working on that. I love the idea of a female protagonist; very few authors use them though. I believe that the ones who have, have done so with great success: Piers Anthony and his Mode series, Stephen King with Carrie, and, most recently, Suzanne Collins with The Hunger Games series. If you didn't fall in love with Katniss during the HG series, you either weren't reading it, or you didn't understand it. Colene, the protagonist in PA's 4 book Mode series, that began with Virtual Mode, was a tortured young lady with major character flaws that was easy to fall in love/identify with.
I don't know how many books will result from the series; I suppose it will depend on the reader reaction to the first one. If everyone hates it, I will move on. We shall see.
First, to finish Yassa!! It is now approximately 303 pages long and contains over 65 thousand words. By the time it releases, I am guessing it will be in the rough neighborhood of 500-600 pages long. What an accomplishment! I am proud just getting to 300!! Haha.
Perhaps an excerpt tomorrow...
It is 9am and time to hit the keys.
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Haha. Now that we have that out of the way...
Today my goal is 3,000 words. I am not moving my butt until those 3,000 words are on paper. That probably means chapter 17 will roll off the presses today. Good news? With 28 chapters total, there are only 11 more to go now. We are getting close to the end. I still haven't figured out what the end will be but I'm sure my characters will tell me when we come to that point. Do I follow history or allow myself a bit of creative freedom? Who knows?
I have an idea for a young reader's series and while Yassa mellows I will be working on that. I love the idea of a female protagonist; very few authors use them though. I believe that the ones who have, have done so with great success: Piers Anthony and his Mode series, Stephen King with Carrie, and, most recently, Suzanne Collins with The Hunger Games series. If you didn't fall in love with Katniss during the HG series, you either weren't reading it, or you didn't understand it. Colene, the protagonist in PA's 4 book Mode series, that began with Virtual Mode, was a tortured young lady with major character flaws that was easy to fall in love/identify with.
I don't know how many books will result from the series; I suppose it will depend on the reader reaction to the first one. If everyone hates it, I will move on. We shall see.
First, to finish Yassa!! It is now approximately 303 pages long and contains over 65 thousand words. By the time it releases, I am guessing it will be in the rough neighborhood of 500-600 pages long. What an accomplishment! I am proud just getting to 300!! Haha.
Perhaps an excerpt tomorrow...
It is 9am and time to hit the keys.
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Monday, February 27, 2012
A New Week = A New Perspective
Hello and happy Monday!
Every great once in a while, you read something that makes you think perhaps you aren't weird after all - mine is On Writing - A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. I have always wondered at my love of books and writing but I read that it is precisely that love that makes me a writer. You do not have to publish a book or a story to be a writer, you just have to write. I have been writing since I was 4 years old. I guess that makes me an old hand, eh?
I have also been a reader from that age. I have read more books in my lifetime so far than most people could ever dream of reading. I used to fall asleep with a book in my hand/on my head every night when I was younger. I love the written word and the only thing that tops that love is what I feel for the man in my life - the most passionate, deepest love I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing - and my kids. It can be detrimental when I lose myself in the pages of a well written story because nothing gets done if it's a good one. I know the readers out there can sympathize.
I write what I know from what I have learned through my life. In my book, Yassa, there are few details about the actual countryside of Mongolia because I have never been there and seen it with my own eyes. It is difficult to pull great description of a place if you have no firsthand knowledge of it. But, my book is not about Mongolia. My book is about a man, a woman, and a people. These are things I do know. I find my story easy to tell because I have experienced the all encompassing feelings that the man and woman have for one another. Finally, I can tell a tale of passionate love that crosses all boundaries and overcomes any obstacle thrown in its path because I have that in my life. We write what we know because we can tell the truth.
I owe every word I put on the page to the love I have had the great pleasure of experiencing through my Babydoll. He is there to encourage me, push me forward, and praise me. He has loved me through some tough things in my life and has remained by my side. He never tires of my needy ways, either. I could not do it without him.
I am off to write some more - this time my book. If you are a writer, WRITE ON! If you are a reader, may you find that new story that takes you into the pages and refuses to let you go.
Until next time,
Jo
Every great once in a while, you read something that makes you think perhaps you aren't weird after all - mine is On Writing - A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. I have always wondered at my love of books and writing but I read that it is precisely that love that makes me a writer. You do not have to publish a book or a story to be a writer, you just have to write. I have been writing since I was 4 years old. I guess that makes me an old hand, eh?
I have also been a reader from that age. I have read more books in my lifetime so far than most people could ever dream of reading. I used to fall asleep with a book in my hand/on my head every night when I was younger. I love the written word and the only thing that tops that love is what I feel for the man in my life - the most passionate, deepest love I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing - and my kids. It can be detrimental when I lose myself in the pages of a well written story because nothing gets done if it's a good one. I know the readers out there can sympathize.
I write what I know from what I have learned through my life. In my book, Yassa, there are few details about the actual countryside of Mongolia because I have never been there and seen it with my own eyes. It is difficult to pull great description of a place if you have no firsthand knowledge of it. But, my book is not about Mongolia. My book is about a man, a woman, and a people. These are things I do know. I find my story easy to tell because I have experienced the all encompassing feelings that the man and woman have for one another. Finally, I can tell a tale of passionate love that crosses all boundaries and overcomes any obstacle thrown in its path because I have that in my life. We write what we know because we can tell the truth.
I owe every word I put on the page to the love I have had the great pleasure of experiencing through my Babydoll. He is there to encourage me, push me forward, and praise me. He has loved me through some tough things in my life and has remained by my side. He never tires of my needy ways, either. I could not do it without him.
I am off to write some more - this time my book. If you are a writer, WRITE ON! If you are a reader, may you find that new story that takes you into the pages and refuses to let you go.
Until next time,
Jo
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