Way Back When

A funny thing happened as I was working on the next book.

I started another one.

It’s not unique. 

I have always had a something going, and every once in a while I’ve decided that I had a second good idea.

I wrote “Waldorf & Juli” (a funny story) and “Desperation” - a sad one - at the same time.

Nothing new.

Thing is, I started the new one with the date January 26, 1977 as the jumping off point.

That was the day before the blizzard of ‘77.

And so far, so good, as I’ve put down a lot of pages in the span of a week. 

That’s the secret - just write - without regard to editing - let it flow - and then edit.

Yet, I’ve felt the challenge. We have a lot of things now that we didn’t have then.

I wanted to put the teenage kids in a room together doing something and my mind centered on video games.

Didn’t have those.

They wound up playing Monopoly.

I needed to have one character get a message to another and I laughed when I saw that I had written:

“He texted me.”

Uh, no. He did not.

And I thought about how it was to be on the phone with your girl with siblings and parents yelling at you to:

Keep the line clear because they were expecting a call.

I distinctly remember having the cord stretched to its limit to get to a room where I could talk in peace.

The writing has been fun because I was taken back to that week when the wind was whipping, the power was going out, and school was canceled.

This is definitely the fun part.

I know what is down so far.

I’m getting to know the characters.

I have a general idea what I want to say, but anything can happen.

Years ago, Kathy was reading behind me as I wrote “In Real Life”. She was pregnant at the time and a little hormonal.

I was about 30 pages from the end.

“Where’s the rest?” She asked.

“I haven’t written it yet.”

“Well what’s gonna’ happen?” She asked.

“No idea.”

She was infuriated.

“Then go finish it!”

And of course, that is another trick - don’t force an ending - let the characters do it.

Also, a long time ago, I was in a bit of a funk.

“Why don’t you go talk to your imaginary friends?” Kathy asked.

I still do.

All the time.

Sometimes I talk to two groups of them at once.

And of course!!

Happy Birthday to my buddy Jeff! 

He was with me way back when!