-7/31/22 Happy Anniversary

Greetings all you word nerds and lovers of great stories. Who doesn't love a great story, right? Some of you might prefer it to be in verbal form, told by a narrator, friend, or just a great teller, while others cherish to travel down it at their own pace in the form of print. Either way, soaking up a great story has a way of opening up the mind and allowing the impossible to become possible. Allowing the walls within your mind to be renovated and all moved back a few feet at a time. A great story has a way of pushing your boundaries, forcing your comfort zone, extending your thoughts on 'what was,' 'what is,' and 'what could be.' A great story can be an escape as well as a motivation. A great story can serve no other purpose than to entertain the heart and mind. I believe it should always focus on those 2 targets.

So, I've just now reached the 1 year anniversary of publishing 'Caesar's Move.' What are my thoughts on this, exactly? Well, I could tell you that I feel good about having completed what I started out to do. I could tell you about my entire writing process during this journey and what motivated me at the time. I could even mention to you the times I spoke with others about it (pre and post publishing) and the questions they asked, the smiles they shared with me, and even the reviews I received once they had finished reading my story. I could tell you many things about what I experienced or felt about it in this last year. But, I don't think I could truly enunciate it in a way that would perfectly carbon copy my experience.

Strangely enough, there can be a sadness that follows the ending of a process. It doesn't trump the highs of it but can definitely be a faint low that sits in the back of the room within it. What will my character do next? Will the opposition prevail? Can I express the mental struggles of a particular individual enough for my reader to fully grasp what I feel they must? These are all questions I asked myself during the process. But when the process is complete, and you've spent so much time answering your own questions ... where does that leave you?

Yes, I've already started work on the sequel (quite some time ago, actually) and in a small way that can pull you back into the enormity of what you felt during the process. But, as with many sequels, there could be minor or major changes, depending on the previous book's ending and where you plan to run with the next. Am I losing anything with writing the sequel? Now, you know I can't tell you that. All I can say is there will be old faces as well a new faces. Yeah, yeah, yeah ... I know, that's a general and broad B.S. statement. I can't very well give you specifics just yet. Hell, I might spiral off and scrap some of them specifics before I'm done.

Anyway, yes, it's been a year now. I will always cherish to driving force that seemed to ... 'possess me' (for lack of a better phrase) while writing it. Does that same 'possession' (don't think too deep into this, people. Just an expression) follow me into the sequel or other stories in motion? Yes. Does life sometimes trample on said possession? Absolutely. There are times when my mind feels tired, foggy, overloaded, or senses that whatever pull out and slam down in type just wont be something I'll be proud of. I don't wanna go back to mop up all the mess later.

I'm scheduled for a book signing on August 13th, as a participant in the Elkins annual Elkfest. (info pertaining to: https://www.angelobain.com/about-9) Hopefully, I will get to feel some of the past pull while discussing it with others. Your questions about the original can actual give life and formation to the sequel so feel free to ask away. Your inquiries could very well spark a thought inside the Bain brain that absolutely has to become Caesar cannon.

I do miss the passion of this story, a little. The sequel has unfortunately taken a back seat to a couple of the other stories near the front, Gahnsonne (my vampire account) and To Save One Man (my Vietnam veteran psychological tale). My goal is to finish them all, and the many others which have already had life breathed into them. They must live. Time ... the greatest gem in life. Cherish it, use it wisely, and help others make the most of their's.

So, my bad boy's anniversary is a 2-fold. Bittersweet happiness. But ... if I were to heed the possible words of my own creation ... Caesar himself ... he would tell me to 'Suck it up, Buttercup. Wine is for glasses. Pull your head out of your pity ass and do what you need to do. Give me life."

Happy Anniversary you complex madman. You've been a hoot. I will be seeing you again ... soon.

Always remember to feed your brain. You owe it to yourself.

Angelo

angelobain.com