Another week has sped by. Hard to believe how fast time passes. A couple of days ago, it was forty-five years since I graduated from high school. It does seem awhile ago, but I didn’t realize how long.
Temperatures are still on the cool side, but I think it’s better than having a heatwave. Much easier to complete outdoor tasks without feeling like I was in a sauna!
Are you celebrating a birthday today? If so, here’s a few people from the writing world you share with (compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Esprit Fléchier, French writer and bishop; Edwin Edwin Arnold, English writer (Light of India); Jacques F H Perk, Dutch poet (Iris, Wood Song); Mrs. Leslie Carter, American actress and writer (Rocky Mountain Mystery, The Heart of Maryland); Louis M A Couperus, Dutch poet/writer (Eline Vere); Gustave Vanzype, Belgian literary/headed La Gazette; Margit Kaffka, Hungarian writer (Colors and Years); Leo Weismantel, German writer (Der Reiter der Apocalypse); Paul J M Lindemans, Flemish agricultural engineer/author; Immanuel Velikovsky, writer (Worlds in Collision); Henri Bruning, Dutch literary; Saul Bellow, Canadian-born American author (Mr Sammler’s Planet, Nobel 1976); Nat Hentoff, columnist/novelist (Village Voice, The Cold Society); Willem Oltmans, Dutch journalist (Outlawed, Free as a Bird); Maurice Sendak, American author and illustrator (Where The Wild Things Are); Simon Jenkins, editor (Times); and Mensje F van Keulen-van der Steen, Dutch writer (Bleeker’s Summer).
Recognize anyone? Even if you don’t, I hope you have a fantastic birthday!
My Work in Progress
At last I finished my cast of characters for Dangerous Alliance. I didn’t write anything new this week as I concentrated on several reviews for people who had helped out with this novel. In addition, I finished a beta review of a 43,000-word story for a new writer.
It’s been awhile, but here’s a snippet from New World Revolution:
Abraham continued driving the horses along the street. “Not too far dat way,” he used his crop to point to the left, “is da North Church. Dat’s where da master an’ mistress take da children.”
He stopped the wagon when they entered a large square. “Dis is Clark’s Square. Master and Mistress Sutton live on da other side—dat two-story brick building.”
The entire family gawked at the house. Black shutters guarded each of the four windows on both floors. An imposing door stood in the center, while a brick chimney towered above the roof.
“His lordship must be wealthy to build such a home,” Thomas whispered in awe.
Abraham laughed. “Master Sutton isn’t a lord an’ he didn’t build da house. He’s da third merchant to own da building.” Abraham coaxed the horses onward. “Many merchants an’ doctors live around the square. You’ll learn who dey are.”
***
“‘Tis enough, I reckon.” William turned to Abraham. “What’s kept on the second floor?”
“Anything dat can be stored in a dry place. Some feed for da animals an’ food, too. Da next building is where Ruth an’ I live. You’ll live in the bigger house on da other side of ours.” He pulled up in front of the Alexander’s new home. “Ruth, come out an’ meet our new neighbors.”
A short, rotund, dark-skinned woman with a flawless complexion stepped from the Alexander’s, her face beaming. “Welcome to Boston. I made tea for you.”
William helped Mary from the wagon, while their children jumped down. Everyone lined up and introduced themselves.
“I’ll take the horses to the barn an’ return.” Abraham brought the wagon around and rumbled away while Ruth led the new arrivals inside.
Perhaps more next time.
Books I’m Reading
Author Alan Kemister’s first novel, A Body in the Sacristy (Barrettsport Mysteries Book 1) is a well-crafted story with realistic characters, making it very difficult to put down as I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next.
Set in Nova Scotia, Detective Simon Goodyear’s first case in Barrettsport involves an infant found inside a sealed cabinet by a carpenter. Simon sets out identify the baby and the parents, immersing himself into the founding families of the town. What secrets have they managed to keep hidden over the years? Alan has weaved an intriguing mystery, with plenty of possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed following Simon’s search for the truth. I won’t provide a spoiler alert but suffice to say, Alan is on a winner here and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share
I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.
Alan Kemister – Follow Alan’s blog to learn more about him and his writing adventures.
That brings us to a close for another week. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
© Copyright 2018 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
