I know, the phrase is cutting to the chase. But that’s not what’s happening.
Poor Jake Calcutta has been in and out of my top drawer a hundred times the past 6 months. I’ve printed bits and read them, highlighting and underlining. I’ve binder-clipped and folded and organized and shuffled. I’ve enlisted pre-alpha readers.
I’ve ignored it mercilessly for weeks at a time.
A third of the way through, Jake left me. Hid out somewhere in the wilderness of Whatcomesnext and no matter how I coaxed, he wouldn’t talk to me.
Turns out he doesn’t see the point of the elaborate chase through time I’d imagined from Day 1.
Turns out he’s right.
Jake Calcutta is willing to wait with the patience of an oak for his prey to appear. Once it does, though, there is no “elaborate chase through time.” There is a pounce and a capture, his nemesis wriggling in his grasp, helpless.
Not with a series of whimpers. With a bang. A whack thump crunch bang.
I’m coming out of a deep dark hole, Jake’s hand reaching down from the ledge to pull me up.
Delighted to hear that A) Jake is willing to talk to you again, and B) that you, like me, are climbing out of that deep dark hole!
Hurray and Happy Dancing for you, Joel!
Spring Blessings, my friend ~ K
I thought you’d been awfully quiet of late. Nice to hear from you again.
While my Professional Story Checker James reads through the notes for Jake’s story, I’ll be spending the next 3 weeks getting up to speed on the oldest unfinished book I have. It feels important now.
I’m sure glad Jake finally came out of hiding!
Not writing is way harder than writing.