Now for
reflections…
For the most
part, the story went where I expected it would. I mapped it out last year, though I must say, since then, there have been some
surprises along the way. Meaning, twists and turns I didn't envision.
That's what 'discovery' writing can do for you. It provides plenty of
opportunities for your keyboard to take control and pound out a real
zinger or two. Even still, the story wrapped up the way I'd
envisioned. I am quite tickled. Biased as I undoubtedly am, I really
enjoy reading it.
Now begins the
process of commercialization. I've decided that I'm going to query
select agents in the genre that embodies Vortex (YA and New Adult +
Speculative Fiction). We'll see if it garners any interest. Say what
you will but these are evolutionary times in the publishing industry,
which is shorthand for: all bets are off. That being said, it remains
true that well-told stories will find their audience, one way or
another. That's the amazing aspect of this business. There are
numerous ways to get your stories circulating in quest of the
ultimate audience. Perseverance can prevail, assuming it doesn't
drive the writer insane along the way.
So where did
Vortex come from? Well, that's a story unto itself…
On May 29, 1982,
an F4 tornado wrecked havoc upon Southern Illinois. Living in Marion,
Illinois at the time, I had a set of grandparents. Stereotypically,
they happened to live in a trailer occupying a classy trailer park
skirted by the tornado in question. My Grandpa told me about what he
saw that day. He stood outside and watched the twister head straight
for him, unerringly and unstoppable. I will not forget how he
described his vision of the thing. It weaved methodically,
side-to-side, vacuuming up everything in it's path. 'Serpentine' he
portrayed it. To him, it seemed like the thing held him mesmerized,
to the point where his physical safety was in jeopardy. He couldn't
stop watching it. That's what he said. 'I couldn't take my eyes off
of it.' As it set upon him, somehow, he shook off his hypnosis and
rushed inside to be with my Grandma there in the end. They survived.
Ten people didn't.
Vortex is for
you, Grandpa.
