OG's BLOG

So, my little Civil War battlefield story has grown into another 6000 word monster. I know to the Writers out there, 6000 doesn’t seem very monstrous, and in fact it’s quite tame until you realize I was trying to keep this thing to around 2000 words. Then, it’s monstrous.

So, I have broken it into two chapters. The first is 3500 words, and I’m calling it either Devil’s Den or Under the Arch. We’ll see which fits best as the next 3000 words or so settle into final form.

Here’s a little sample:

Paul Fortier sat under the stone arch and looked out over Devil’s Den. The leaves had changed and fallen, and the trees surrounding the battlefield under the leaden sky were beginning to have the forlorn look of a picked carcass. Paul knew this would probably be the last nice weekend to visit Gettysburg this season; winter was on its way.

Fortier was something of a history buff the way that dogs are somewhat fond of bones. His particular interest was the American Civil war. Far more than just a bunch of long forgotten facts from eighth grade history, to him, it was as relevant and real as the gravestones up on Cemetery Hill. America was fighting for something that mattered in those days, such that brother fought brother to settle the argument as to what kind of country this was going to be – one that would tolerate slavery, or one that would treat all its citizens equally.

With November closing in, Paul looked out over the battlefields from his perch under the arch. The slate grey sky split and a glorious golden light poured down and he saw a lovely woman coming up the path toward the monument, lit up in the sunbreak like an angel. She was dressed in the manner of a Civil War-era farmer’s wife. Paul was impressed – even from a distance he could tell the costume was period-correct, and appeared to be very accurate.

He was suddenly gripped by the desire to meet this young woman. So he hopped down from the monument ledge and across several boulders to the path she was on, so they’d have to pass each other. Along the way, he tried to think of something clever to say, some way to get her attention. He had never been very good with people, and attractive women were a complete mystery to him. He could never seem to find anything in common with them.

But here was a woman who was not only attractive, she was interested enough in Civil War history to come to the battlefield in character! And she was alone, besides? Paul knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and he worked up his nerve to talk to her, even while he prepared to be rejected, or worse, ignored.

This is the deepest, most engaging story I’ve written for this collection so far. I think people will be able to read this one multiple times and pick up a lot they missed the first time through. It’s the kind of story I like reading, anyway, so that’s probably a good thing.

Looking at my progress, I’m only 1/3 finished with this book. That’s unfortunate, as I had hoped to be almost done by now. But I recognize what a foolish, naïve plan that had been. The good news is – HEY! I’m 1/3 done!

Okay – back to it!

Thirty-One for October: 11 of 33 chapters written. Wordcount: 23,236.