28. Hartland

On a bright day, I realized that
if the god's are angry, they
are shouting over the same cold plate;
the familiar carrot children, the cob
the greasy chicken fresh from the grill, among it

hair fell from my shoulders as I saw a leg 

jabbed here and there, above the barber,
and I felt it inside me. The places where
the gravy pools, with a kernel of corn,
sitting condemned by the white peaks,
who never laid low or were ever glazed;
"We've kept our shape, we've kept our shape!"
they holler, "purity!", they holler, "high pride";

unaffected as they are, they are, ignorant of the potato, 

and their darker ground years, before they were dug. 

On a bright day, I realized
if the god's are angry, they
may very well also be quite hungry. 

Writing Log XVII

The first draft is finished! It don't quite feel like it has sunk in yet. A little more when I just started writing this, in the pit of my stomach I just felt a little something, but I might just be hungry. The initial thought after I finished Chapter 25 was, Is it really over? Is a novel really ever done? I feel like I always could make changes to it, even after the final draft is finished. Strange feeling. I know I should feel really proud, and I am, it just doesn't feel like I'm done writing it, haha. My mom has started reading the manuscript and says she likes it, which is good lol. The final word count of the first draft is: 132,661.

Writing Log XVI

Alright. Chapter 20 is done. I've struggled with it since I first got out of school, and its finally done. It is officially the longest chapter in the entire book, 17,554 words, leading up to the climax that will come in Chapter 21. The entire word count of the novel now stands at, 118,254. Quite happy, I'm not even done writing today. Its entirely possible I'll finish Chapter 21 tonight in one sitting. The time has come to climax.

Jess is in the Netherlands, and writing helps me out with that. I'm excited to have something done and huge to show her when she gets back. I've been working on this novel for three years now, and I've loved every minute of it, stressful or not. It's interesting to look back at what I've written earlier in the book, and its like going back through time a little bit. I feel like it's solid history for what I've been writing recently, and something the reader can look back on with the characters and feel like they've travel a bit of distance.  I love it.

Writing Log XV

Here it is. The inevitable final push I knew was coming. Finals are over and I can finally get back to solid days of writing. Of course they'll be interspersed with yard work while I'm home, but I have the rest of May to get through the rest of the book. Chapter 20 on, I'm anticipating at least three or four more chapters, but it all depends on how detailed I get with the falling action. Anyway, I've written about 2,000 words since the end of school Wednesday, hoping to get far more productive than that. There's nothing wrong with employing tricks to help that, coffee and dressing up everyday to write. Here we go.

Writing Log XIV

I have crossed into 100,000 territory! I finished up chapter 19 today before heading home for Easter this weekend. I realized that it could happen a few days ago, and it did, I ended up killing off a character on Good Friday, peculiar timing. The climax of the sub plot is now complete, and I feel good about it. Its a minor accomplishment compared to finishing the book. But i'm satisfied for now, rather than feeling like I'm not writing enough like I have been the past week. The hundred thousandth word was "a", and the word count is at 100,569

Writing Log XIII

Today I have dirty un-showered writers syndrome. Its getting harder to sit down and pick right back up writing again. Of course it could just be a self imposed writing block. Part of me wonders if its because i'm getting close to the end of the story now, and part of me doesn't want to end it. The other part just wonders if pumping out 96,252 words in around three months has just tired me out. Either way, I pray this coffee and these three pop tarts help me out. 6 more chapters to go.

-

OK, check in time. I did manage to be fairly productive this afternoon. Confident with how this chapter is going, I honestly feel like I could end up finishing it up tonight. On a more interesting note, right now I'm at 99,426 words. That means I'm almost in 100,000 word territory, which I never thought I'd cross into. Its not the biggest deal, but from someone who three years ago thought 10,000 words was a big deal, its an interesting landmark event for my creative life. It's going to feel good. I wonder what the one hundred thousandth word will be? We'll soon find out!

Writing Log XII

Today I tweaked up Chapter 17 to finish it. Originally I had a lot of material slated for this chapter and I ended up just splitting it in two. I think it was a wise decision for it allows time for more of the characters and their relationships to develop. There's also quite a bit of tasty, tasty foreshadowing. I'm really happy with how the story is coming. Last night I had a bit of writer's frustration, but Jess helped me through that very fantastically. As of now the story continues on strong, and the word count is at 92,380.

26. Midland (Ancestor of Gyges)

I saw the ancestor of Gyges
he was not so smart. He left
too many doors open, and
too many foot prints in the snow.

I saw the ancestor of Gyges,
sneaking, thieving in the night.
Wall light, washed, he was not ready
he went back down, quietly, alone,
I watched him go.

24. Alma II

Crooked and cricked,

the rest of my life through?

Peer, she skinny, my scope

still widening, feeling

nostalgic and prideful, increases

increasing more with the days, I

morph, more, crooked and cricked,

in my own way.

I think crooked and cricked,

sweetens with age, means more

meaning in time. I think it is the

sunset marble, and flashing red,

expired, parking meters at night.

Crooked and cricked, a life of service

What steaming service, serve me?

I am an Umbrella! I am an Umbrella!

After all, I've never been one to think, God's

spittin' on us in the rain.

23. Grand Haven

A knock below me comes from the door
bed won't be left, so
I wonder if the car window is open
if soft grey seats are soaked to foam
with the dagger droplets of
February rain.

Writing Log XI

Haven't updated in awhile, but in total I'm at 14 chapters so far, with a word count of 73,600. It's pretty strange to think of how near the end of January I had only had 6 chapters written, and in about a month I've written 8 more chapters. It's good to know that I'm still really pumping it out, and have the capacity to do so. In a few more chapters the climax of the book will be at hand. I'm already so happy with what I've done so far, I can't imagine what it'll be like write the climax, but i'm looking forward to it. And yes of course, happy leap day!

21. Saginaw

I am the vicar of myself,
on earth, and I say
that life is lived
in the time between the toilets.

See, upon perlustration
(when truly squeezed)
it fails to burst, filling with
blood, and it’s back to the
bathroom I run, more
worried adult, than child,
and more.

20. Hastings

A doom
befitting me,
bemoaning,
things long forgotten,
aswarm with feeling
and dust.

Silently standing, you
pass your judgment,
Remontant blooming,
subtly withholding,
glossy secrets of
silk and screen.

New Poem: City Electric

Head over to "Short Poems or Your Money Back" to check it out!

City Electric

Writing Log X

Finished Chapter 11 today while also breaking 50,000 words. Feel pretty productive with the story.  Of course doubts about how others will receive it are always prevalent. Human truth is what is to be striven for though, and if a story has that it has merit. Even if it's something like twilight which is despised by thousands of people; but it  also rings true in the core of thousands of people who love the series. I have to believe that  if it was complete crap that wouldn't happen at all. Word count is: 50,473.

Writing Log IX

Today I finished up Chapter 10. Tomorrow I'll be creating a Chapter 11 that wasn't in the original plan. There was to much differing material that I had slated for Chapter 10 that I figured another chapter was needed.

Happy that I managed another poem for "Train Names..." yesterday as well. Inspired from walking by a Zumba class in a very public place. The most somber and thoughtful reaction to Zumba ever? I think so.

16. Cedar Springs

Surprise, realization, 
shouting dancers, gyrate;
to lead the conclusion; 
I have achieved the grim look of a writer. 

   My hair has grown long,
   scraggly beard unkempt,
   wrinkles in age old clothes.

I walk by, you already say nothing; 
happiness does not bound the barrier, 
saltation flows preserved.
I would not have acquiesced
a squeak from supple lips; and
thus silence arrives with her
somber thought pennies.

2. Negaunee

I’ll never forget Negaunee,
squatting, staring over
Superior water’s, cold,
                                       windswept,
                                                             waves.

One wondrous ripple rolls close
whispering, ‘I’ll never understand her’
and throws itself upon the stony shore.

I watch the tiny beads, shatter and squirm back
towards the great cold lake, and I have nothing to say.

Another is thrust up, quickly proclaiming
‘I! I am to blame!’, and breaking in dissolution
polishes damp stone.

I poke between pebbles,
 ‘Surely, not you, dear ripple.
Surely not you.’

I’ll never forget Negaunee,
squatting, staring over,
Superior water’s, cold
                                      windswept,
                                                             waves.

4. Harvey

Awake, dear trainman,
such a sweet solace 
curled on a couch
cleft in your coach
have you found. Though
sequestered sweetly,
newborn sleep i must disturb,
Pardon sir, pardon please.

Tingling twinge, toward
conscience you come!
should i? Yes, should i, 
should have done.
Uncurl you on your couch
unfurl those darting eyes!
From trouble found no safety sweetly,
Pardon sir, pardon please. 

'Toward lands tumult
we speed! Where swallows
dare no dip, daunting they
dove before! Many eyes,
many eyes, greedy eyes
hungry eyes, await,
wrist, chest, weight on rail,
yet brave wings drop no more.'

'Should i, have no worries of birds,
of malnourished eyes, I have mine own.
Sleep I've had little lately, resting 
wrested quickly by "Should i's, 
should have done's."' - turning goes trainman,
sunken sleep regains. Swallows 
dive daunting dips, 
Pardon sir, pardon please.

5. Harvey Jr.

Bear
means took long ago;
But
still watch,
Lady lonely and her
bestial entourage of
“Best Times”; which mean
all not-too-much.

Moss, because became
synonymous synamorous
long ago. (Do not know
how it happened.)

External summer days dead,
rivulets and streams run within,
I do meets I do not,
when, when wonders why
I wade in them now.

9. Harbor Beach I

I.

One night
wishing
I could whistle
I recognized (not for the first time)
my grandfather
was a great man.

He warned me of Jack Frost,
who would call on an old black
ro-tar-y dial telephone
every time I ran into the basement.

I’m not sure what,
he’d say of me now,
or what my contemporaries
would think of him.

13. Pentwater

Blue; and a room
I was a stone
I was for Lorelei,
I was self, and self
was for me.

Ensorcell; and a room
I was a stone,
I was for Lorelei,
I was for self
and self was for me.

Eyeless; Lothario
pale, at the door
black gaze
hungry, hungry
anxiety

Peerless; Lothario
waiting at the door
black gaze
hungry, hungry
anticipator

for me.

Writing Log VIII

I have not updated in awhile, last I made note Chapter 8 was still uncompleted. I haven not been slacking, Chapter 8 is done as is Chapter 9, and Chapter 10 is looking good to be finished within the next two or three days. The total word count is: 46,971.

Writing Log VII

Wrote 2,111 words today, and really enjoy writing today. I'm thinking with some diligent work I can finish out chapter 8 tomorrow, so, things are rolling along well!

Today's a big day for Indio, he's going through his first malt! At least the first that I've seen.

Writing Log VI

Began Chapter 8 today, didn't feel as hard to begin writing as yesterday. Of course there was less bothering me today, which probably had a lot to do with it. Looking forward to continuing tomorrow. The word count today is 1,579.

In the worldly news, my new pet gecko has received the name "Indio." Yes Clint Eastwood fans, after the notorious villain in "For A Few Dollars More". Still looking for a last name.

Writing Log V

Finished out Chapter 7 today; its only about 2,458 words, which is sorta strange after writing a 10,000+ word chapter 6. But all is well I guess, the chapter was solely devoted to the development of my sub plot, so I shouldn't worry about it too much because after all it is the sub plot. I'm sure length will be added during my second second draft, but for now I think it accomplishes its goal: to develop the characters of the sub plot.

Writing Log IV

Only managed to scrum up 354 words today, very tired, and it has been a busy day. I think that's alright. I just need to keep chipping away at it and write more tomorrow.

Writing Log III

Today I began working on Chapter 7. Was originally going to write another chapter to be chapter seven, but I think the story works better with this new slight change. Anyway managed to get another 1,148 words in today.

Writing Log II

Today I managed to write another 3726 words, and finished up Chapter 6. Honestly I am shaking, was pretty sad to leave characters in Chapter 6, and am sorta surprised that it's effecting me like it is. It's a big chapter, and I knew what was gonna happen in it, but I'm still shaking. I guess if there is no other proof that you have a good story it is that. The total word count now is at 35,223.

HATBK Progress.

Today I managed to write another

Writing Log

Managed to write another 2200 words today. I'm already wanting to edit what I've written so far, but I just need to focus on that "First draft by summer" goal. But the word count is climbing and I'm well on my way to writing my first novel. Pretty good feeling.

Writing Log

Managed to write another 2200 words today. I'm already wanting to edit what I've written so far, but I just need to focus on that "First draft by summer" goal. But the word count is climbing and I'm well on my way to writing my first novel. Pretty good feeling.

Another Progress Post.

Today somehow I managed to pump out around another 2,200 words. Already getting ideas for the rewrite, but have to stay focused on the, "Just get a rough draft out" goal. Still, the word count is climbing, and I am well on my way toward completion of my first n.

Herod and the Bird King

Today I hit a little over 10,000 words for the chapter I'm currently working on in the novel. Very pleased!

8. Wenona (Black Matte Quaker)

Black matte Quaker
proclaims,           “If I were god.”

I wonder what he’d do,
created him I did,
I wonder what he’d do
if he could create too.

I try to write, and
Black matte Quaker
proclaims,             “If I were God,
                                   quiet,
                                   neatly cut
                                   modernist poetry.”

Black matte Quaker is not God.
But he does have a point.