Perfect World

People often ask me how an idea for a new book hits me. 

It’s usually a lightning strike!

I started working on the book that will be my 20th published work after my oldest sister, Corinne, sent me a simple text:

“What’s up, Clit?”

It made me laugh, but it also made me come up with a new character, whose name happens to be ‘Clifford’.

That had to be his name so I could work through the opening chapter.

A story needs good characters.

I started with ‘Clifford’ and his sister, and then I thought about the Blizzard of ‘77 and how we spent those days. 

As a kid, I wondered how more than 25 people died in that storm.

The Blizzard kicks off the story of a group of friends, a love interest and playing on the high school basketball team.

Playing on the team in high school was the absolute best - we had a lot of fun - and one year we were good enough to make the playoffs.

So, now we had, a nickname, the blizzard and the basketball team.

I needed tension, and a memory played a part. 

Also, back when I was young, I marveled at the story of a man, facing a divorce, gave up half his home to his estranged wife.

He took the other half of the house down with an excavator.

I had enough to hand the story off to a half-dozen imaginary people…

…Off to the races!!

I started the story on November 13th.

I finished it, completely, by February 5th.

Instantly, I missed those characters (who became great friends)

And then I put it away.

This week, I sat down and read it as though I were reading someone else’s book.

I finished reading it just as my wife asked:

“What are you doing?”

“Just finished reading, ‘Perfect World’.

“Who wrote that?”

“Me.”

“When?” She asked.

I laughed.

“Well, what’s the verdict?” She asked.

“I think people are going to really like it,” I said.

At least I hope so.

Who would’ve ever dreamed I’d write 20 books?

Might as well go for 25!