I’m a happy, hopeful, and grateful man as I sit outside at about 9:45 PM, watching what appears to me to be a full moon ascend. It is silohuetting a redwood tree that is perhaps seventy-five feet tall. I’m smiling at the sight while crickets serenade me in the pleasantly cool evening air.
On a table in front of me my laptop screen glows. I’ve just finished typing a climactic part of my fiction story, It Was Her Eyes. It is now 10,363 words. To my understanding that makes it my first novelette-length story. It is not yet finished. I have quite a number of chapters to go.
At this point, I believe it will end up growing into my first novella at between 17,500 and 40,000 words, though it is unlikely to become a 40,000+ word novel. I’m satisfied by what it is and what it is becoming. Actually, I’m more than satisfied. I’m downright proud of it.
I look forward to the day I can share my finished story with the world. Until then, my story and I will grow together, and my characters will keep teaching me about the world and about myself, as I bring each of them to life, experiencing along with them as they grow, love, bleed, suffer, struggle, hope, dream, doubt, overcome, fear, celebrate, and sadly, sometimes die. I die a little when one of the protagonists dies. That is also true when I finish a story or book. A part of me has ended. Only readers breathe new life into what would otherwise merely become lonely words on a page or screen.
One day, I will send this story and the characters that inhabit it out into the world, and hope they can touch, inspire, and entertain others, making readers feel a closer connection to their own hearts, hopes, desires, and dreams.
I expect much from my beloved characters and trust that if every word is written from my heart that they will be up to the task of touching the hearts of others.
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
Well done keep going!
Thank you for your kind comment mare. May you always feel welcome here.
Russ
My reply was supposed to read: “Thank you for your kind comment Marje. May you always feel welcome here.” I apologize for my error in typing your name.
Russ
No worries Russ. Thanks for the welcome. 🙂
Impressive. What an accomplishment. Congratulations Russ.
Thank you for your kind message and compliment, David.
Russ
The relationship we have with our character is a special one, and intimate one. Congratulations and good luck!
I appreciate your encouragement and support, Quiall.
Russ
Happy Novellette birthday Russ! It will be a wonderful time watching it grow into a novel. 🙂 Congratulations 🙂
LOL! I love your comment! It inspired a chuckle. Thank you.
Russ
and i have no doubt that your characters will do just that )
I appreciate your confidence and encouragement, Beth Thank you.
Russ
What an accomplishment! I’m so happy for you! I know how much I get out of reading a character and the loss of completing a good read. I can only imagine what it must be like for the creator of those words. Maybe that is why the often right again…to bring in new life.
As busy as I’ve been you have piqued my interest about the story…I must take time to read what you’ve written so far. As I go to bed each night, with barely a moment to check my email…I contemplate the unfairness of a 24 hour day and begrudgingly put myself to bed well before my mind is ready to rest…a constant battle over physical needs vs. spiritual.
You’re delightful comment inspired me to share another piece of my story, Mrs. P. I’ll share it shortly at Imaginings of a Grateful Man: Imaginingsofagratefulman.com
Russ
Ugh, I wish I could blame autocheck but right should have been write. 😉
No worries, My Friend. If I had a penny for each of my mistakes I’d have an awful lot of pennies!
Russ
So, your novelette/perhaps novel? is coming along nicely. This is quite an undertaking and I look forward to reading it when you unveil your newest “baby” to the world. Clare (I’ll check out imaginings right now)
Thank you, Clare. I look forward to finding out what you think of it when it’s done.
Russ
I already know it will be awesome!
Very pleased for you! 10,000 words is a huge step. Fantastic work
Thank you, blissfulscribbler. May writing your first novel be a great adventure!
Russ
Thank you 🙂
Good luck with your novel, it is a trying time writing. But one when complete can feel amazing, you can learn many things when writing. Of yourself, your characters and how your brain processes information.
Best of luck!
Ru
Thank you, Ru. I’ve written non-fiction books, fiction stories and compilation books, plus many children’s books, but this has proven the most challenging. Perhaps for that reason I’m most proud of it. I wish you much continued success however you define it. May you always feel welcome here.
Russ