Writers Update - The Upcoming Series

Sitting on the edge of the Oconee National Forest contemplating my writing journey thus far.

Things are moving along quickly with the third book in the upcoming series. I have been spending a lot of time organizing this website, creating a social media presence, and networking with other authors. I have especially enjoyed spending time with other authors. People are more fun than computers. However, all these things take time away from actually writing, but now that those outlets are up and rolling, my focus has returned to completing the series.

I say “the series” because official titles are to be made a big deal in announcements, I’m told. However, I will tell you the origin and intent behind writing this series.

When my oldest daughter, now thirteen, was very little, I read her little stories at bedtime. Eric Carle was a big part of our evenings. We were not to chapter books quite yet. Then we would go to bed. It turned out she had a very active mind and would have difficulty going to sleep more often than not. It was best not to turn the lights back on, I learned. Once overtired, any stimulus was best left out. I could not continue to read in the dark, so I began to make up stories. Then one night, I created one I really got into—a sprawling epic with adventure, humor, and positive life lessons. I put everything I had into it. It was an outpouring of my love for her, and I never intended to tell it again.

Time went by, and we eventually started reading E.B White, beginning with Charlotte’s Web, of course. Then we moved on to other more advanced classics, and so it went until she got old enough that she preferred to read independently. My evening routine of years had ended, and I realized how special that time had been.

I did have three other children by this time and was now reading to them in the evenings. These three were evenly spaced in age by two years. My oldest announced in front of them that they should ask me to tell the story I had created for her. It had been years since I had thought about it. I had forgotten so much, and I was amazed at how much she did remember. Especially when I reflected on how young she had been when I had told it! At the time, I was just attempting to help her get to sleep. It was another lesson in the impact all my actions have beyond my intent or understanding.

I began to tell the story again. I kept with the original premise but also added new elements and adventures. I was no longer trying to get one child to sleep but engaging three children of different ages that were paying attention and had questions. I loved it.

Steps to the Toccoa river. Picture by the author.

My wife suggested I put this story into writing. It was an intimidating concept. I had no issues writing. It comes easily to me. I do not suffer from writer’s block; in fact, quite the opposite. I have to pace myself. I must cut myself off. I could write without stopping until my spirit, and emotional and mental reserves were drained. I would then need a recovery period to communicate what I am saying effectively. There is also the rest of life that needs tending to

Before I began writing, I spent time deciding what it was that I actually wanted to do. Was I writing the story down in case my kids wanted to hear it again? What about their kids? What about other kids? That would mean publishing. Okay, now I am considering putting something out there in the world. So what is it that I would like to put out into the world that could outlive myself?

Spending those last moments of my child’s day with them, cuddled up, and sharing a story has helped to form our relationship. Whatever else happens through the day with our struggles on both sides, we can end the day with a tradition of being connected and having fun. It is much more than a tool to get a kid to sleep. I have realized how much more taking a step back after years and developing a deeper understanding of how much was formed during those brief evening reading sessions—both in the relationship and my child’s experience and view of the world.

So this is the scope I approach writing a story with. My mission statement is simple. To create a story that will deepen the relationship between parent and child. One that will bring up great questions and is overall fun.

Chapter length

I want a chapter to be the perfect bedtime story length. I have seen the Five Minute Bedtime Story books pop up and have tried a few. The ones that feature prominent characters from major movie franchises. I have found the stories to be thrown together. Even the artwork consists of screen grabs from the movie. The story itself is made to incorporate the screen grab in a forceful way. I wanted to keep with chapters that could be finished in an evening and that has enough closure to call it a night afterward. This has never been done at the expense of the story itself and where it needs to go, but it is something I think about.

Reading Level

I like to read classic children’s books. The reading level is not a child level. My personal favorite is Call of the Wild by Jack London. By today’s standards, that writing style would be considered a little challenging even for adults. My story is not a learn-to-read book filled with simple and easy-to-sound-out words rather than descriptive ones. My thinking is that if my goal is to inspire parent-child relationships, I would like to introduce words and concepts that the parent will be able to explain. I want to spark meaningful conversations and good questions.

Appropriateness

Rated G means rated G. These books will be rated G. Some adventure-related peril, of course, but no Old Yeller moments even though that was rated G. We don’t need to go to bed crying. There are definitely some tear-jerking scenes in the aforementioned Call of the Wild, but still - this series is quite playful and fun.

Target age range

There are layers to this story. A five-year-old can take the story at face value and enjoy it very much. A thirteen-year-old will take more from the subtext. I do not slip into adult humor that will go over the little one’s heads. I do, however, think it will be quite enjoyable for adults even without that.

Sway

I do not attempt to sway young readers or listeners. I do not inject political or social views. Children’s books are not a device of indoctrination, in my belief. The great thing about reading a bedtime story is that you, the parent, or loving adult with a child that enjoys being read to in your life, are there to explain things as you see appropriate for your particular relationship and family.

What is the Meaning of The River Ghost?

The River Ghost is a concept that will be explained in the second book in the series of three; however, it is a concept that underlies the entire series. As well as my life. You did not miss anything.

Final Thoughts

If you would like to know when the first or subsequent books will be out, please subscribe to the newsletter. My intent in writing these books and this blog is to put something into the world that will help people. I have had a very educational life and a large part of who I am and how I maintain myself is looking for ways to give to others. This keeps me out of trouble. My vision is to create fun stories that will bring parents and kids together.