“If learning from your mistakes is helpful, then I have much to be grateful for!
Other than “Call of the Wild” (that I read in junior high), and “1984” (that I read in high school), I can’t recall ever reading a fiction novel. But I’ve always wanted to try. So, I started with “Antebellum Struggles” (Book One). I had no idea where to start, but the ONLY thing I was certain of was how it would end. On a cliff-hanger. Apparently, I was sadly mistaken.
The majority of reviews have been quite good, but the overwhelming consensus is that the ending of the book was not. I learned from that mistake. Oops! My bad. A few reviewers didn’t like the dialect of the slaves. I don’t know how to change that. Having the slaves speak “the King’s English” would be totally out of place for the 1850’s Deep South plantation setting.
So, with one book under my belt (and enough good reviews to encourage me), I wrote the second book, “Keeper of Slaves”. There’s no outline I prepare in advance. My “creativity” works like this: I sit at my computer and envision a setting. With a person. Maybe two. I “look” at them. Their eyes, their facial expressions. And then I “listen” to them speak. Sometimes they’re alone, and reminiscing about some past experience. So, I go there with them. And I continue to “look” and “listen”. And so goes the story.
I’m now completing “Slaves of Fools”, Book Three in the series. I hope you’ve enjoyed the first two books, and want to see how all of the characters continue to develop. Thanks so much! And if you spot one of my mistakes, please contact me
