I wanted you to be the first to know that I’ve decided to write my first novella. Its working title is “Mongoose and Black Snake.” I believe it is a suspenseful thriller with a lot of action.
Although I’ve written about a dozen books, they have been compilations of shorter fiction or non-fiction stories, or children’s books.
I’ve been afraid to tackle novella-length or longer stories. Afraid I might get bored of the project and not complete it. I don’t like long projects and easily get distracted.
Afraid I’ll run out of ideas before I reach the end of the story. I’m often far into a story, with the protagonist so far over his or her head that it would take a miracle to get them out, and at that point I still have no clue how to save them, or how, when, or even if, the story will end.
Afraid the story may not be worthy of my time and effort.
And afraid the story won’t be worthy of those who read it. This last admission is the most painful of all. I resisted mentioning it, but it is my truth, and I believe the most important thing I can and must do if I want to connect with readers is to speak from my heart and speak my truth.
It’s primarily because of those fears that I’ve decided to write “Mongoose and Black Snake.” It’s the only way I’ll ever know the answers to such fears.
If you’d like to follow me on this adventure, please check out the book’s first two chapters titled “Nightmare” and “12:34” at my blog for my fiction short stories Imaginings of a Grateful Man at http://imaginingsofagratefulman.com/
Caution: They contain violence.
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
I am doing a similar thing with art (drawing and painting). I have avoided the area most of my life but now I have a goal and it seems worthwhile to give it a shot. I’ll have to learn an entirely new subject and get good at it fast in order to succeed. I am already better than I was a month ago…and for that I am grateful…so anything achieved is a good thing.
One of the things I most admire about you is that quality of speaking from the heart. You do it much better than I, in that you can write it as topic on your blog whereas mine is generally expressed in the comments section.
I have found my greatest strength came from confronting those things I feared the most. If something scared me, I made myself do it. For it was the fear that paralyzed me and I couldn’t stand the idea of being whipped by something like that. So, I applaud your efforts to jump in the deep end and will follow you in your efforts.
Thank you for your comment, support, inspiration, and friendship, Mrs. P. Each mean means a lot to me. May your drawing and painting adventure result in much joy for you and others, great growth, and an even greater connection with your heart and spirit and those of others.
You have the talent in spades do not be afraid just write your heart!
Thank you for the wonderful compliment, dear Willow! You bring much light to my life.
Wow! Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!! Very good suspense 🙂 GOOD LUCK, Russ!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your enthusiastic support, Heather. Such comments help to inspire and keep me going.