June 19, 2024
I won’t begin this essay by
complaining about the heat. After all, aside from a few days so far in the year
of 2024, this spring has been more of a traditional one than most, lately. There
were slightly warm days with much cooler nights; and there has been rain, a lot
of rain. The rain was accompanied by varying degrees of chill in the air more
often than not. The result is that for the moment, all of the foliage looks lush
and green and very healthy.
Our table gardens have taken;
some of the green bean seeds I received in the mail were, alas, climbers. My
fault, entirely. We’re going to get a small plastic trellis and put it where
the beans can use it, and hope that saves the rest of the neighboring plants
that aren’t beans from viny entanglements. Some of our beans have blossoms, as
do our tomatoes and even the two different variety of squash David has
planted. In two separate gardens, of course. About a foot apart.
The gardens are his domain,
and I am determined to keep my mouth shut. Not sure that I’m up to the task.
But I have hope.
I’m about to begin my next
installment of my Lusty, Texas collection. This will be the 48th
title in this “world”. After I had written the two historical novels that form
the basis for this series back in 2010, I came up with the idea to have a
short, contemporary series. I etched it out on a MS-word document, and figured
I had characters and ideas for 4, maybe 5 books. Hot damn! That MS-doc was,
before long, followed by an actual family tree which I had made up (as a bit of
free swag for readers), and of which I still have some copies. The first family
tree was followed, of course, by a second.
And when I was away on a
writing retreat with my dear friend, Emma Wildes, we sat down and came up with “titles”.
We aimed for one for every letter of the alphabet. I never actually thought
there would be as many as 26 stories! Now that right there was a failure of imagination
on my part.
And while it is true that I
have far fewer readers than I once did, I still have a fair number who purchase
each book. And I promised my readers that as along as they did, I would keep writing
them, so here I am. About to begin the 48th title in the series.
There have been two trilogies
as well over the course of the last 14 years; one that is a part of the same Lusty,
Texas world but with a bit of a harder edge, and one that is not. That other
trilogy is actually of a “supernatural” world. I’m not certain if I am done
with that world. Because when it comes to writing, I really do let the
inspiration elves have their way with me.
A few years ago, I was able to
write several novels (of about 60 thousand words each) a year. Since Covid, I’m
down to one a year. Life has slowed down for me in several areas, which is what
it is. I’m doing my best to focus on being grateful that I can still construct
a story and write—though I do know that there are a few more errors here and
there that escape my first look.
I feel grateful that my
imagination is still working, that my mind is still curious, and that I can
still immerse myself in this world of my own creation. There are messages in
each of my stories for those who need to hear them. I am certain that those who
need to, do.
And that, more than anything,
is why I still write.
Aside from the pleasure I derive
from the stories themselves, I give thanks that I remain a teller of tales that
help to ease burdens and give rest. And sometimes, when I am exceptionally
lucky, I discover that my words have given increase, as well.
Writers write so that readers
may read. Reading gives entertainment,
but also refreshment and rest.
Not a bad way to spend my
time, to my way of thinking.
Love,
Morgan
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury
No comments:
Post a Comment