And So His Story Begins

Boy At The End update

Last week, leading up to my 47th birthday, I decided that I needed a few days away from my studio and house. I’m very much a routine person and the day to day action items of work and home can really make time vanish for me. I’m not complaining. I love my job and that my kids keep me in laughs, but it’s easy for months to have passed when I thought it was just a week. I’ve been wanting to get a start on making BOY AT THE END but everyday I’d let the routine of things take priority over giving myself space to start this project that has been rattling around my head for 15 years. I declared that Boy would be my focus this year yet, week after week, I was just saying it and not doing it. I wanted to, but the routine. It just always got me! So, I thought it was time to break the routine. For a few days at least.

I rented a loft in downtown KC for a few days so I could just wake up and start working on this project. No books to sign, no kids to tell to put their shoes on 204 times, no covers to draw, No…well, you get the point. Just me and my thoughts. And guess what. It started working instantly.

This project that I’ve been trying to figure out for years just started to fall into place when I got here. I pulled out my Boy At The End Journal with all my notes and hand written passages, my Scrivner Project file on my laptop, and instrumental music blasting over the loft wide speakers. I’m on day 3 of writing now and the book has its shape and voice and imagery that I cannot wait to share with you all.

That’s mostly why I’m taking a break to write you this newsletter. I want to share it already, but I know better than that. If I start sharing bits and pieces than I’ll count that as having made it and won’t do the actual making. So, I thought I’d come here and just let you know it’s happening. It’s finally happening and i’m loving it so far.

The other reason is to ask you for a little help. I need some music inspiration and you all always come through for me. I’m looking for instrumentals that have a Portishead/Massive Attack vibe. Trip Hop instrumental type stuff. For real though, it has to be INSTRUMENTAL! NO LYRICS! haha. Don’t do that thing where you say “Check out [BLAH]. I know it’s not instrumental, but I think you’ll like it.” And now don’t do the whole “I’m going intentionally do what he told me not to do because it will be funny.” It won’t be. hahahaha. It’s almost like I’ve been on the internet since it was invented. haha. Ok, all jokes aside. I’m here writing and I need some music suggestions to help keep in the zone today. I want to walk away from this loft tomorrow ready to start laying out some pages. Throw your suggestion in the comments!

Thanks everyone!