Today has turned into a great day and it mostly has to do with my writing. I haven’t written a thing fictional wise this month and it was getting to me. I finally sat down today and pounded out over 1,300 words. It was a fun write and I have to take a moment to extend thanks to Robert Parker for the inspiration. He passed away yesterday at the age of 77. I read all his Appaloosa novels (Brimestone, Resolution, Appaloose) just at the start of January. I didn’t enjoy the settings as much as I enjoyed the characters of the series. Much of what you will be seeing in my “The Cousins’ Dahl” will have echoes and influence of Mr. Parker. I am now going to have to read his Spenser series along with Jesse Stone novels to catch up on what many call some his best writing.
It’s sad to see an author go because that voice, that character and unbridled creativity can never be duplicated in complete form. You’ll see bits and pieces in other books and authors that might remind you of the greatness we once had in our midst, but we’ll never have the full feeling in our hearts again. Robert Parker, I knew so little of your writing but I feel as you’ve given me a little something off to the side to hold in my heart.
Reading and the worlds that it can create in your mind is something I love so much. I used to read when I was kid and inhale tomes of books. Piles upon piles. My appetite hasn’t slowed but sometimes the demands on my time divert my attention elsewhere. Part of this project is to drive more reading time to feed my brain. So far this month, I think I’ve succeeded. And there’s certainly more to come.
Chapter four is here and Chapter 5 is here. Both were written today!
To the tale of the tape!
