As the week draws on, naturally people lose their will to work, but a surprise for me was that it was not terrible like it most weeks for me. I wanted to write Eden, but boy was it hard to continue after the brilliant way that the previous chapter ended. I still get chills thinking about how well I can write when I am passionate about it. Not that I am not passionate about writing, but some days there is work better than other days.
If there is one that people away from novels and remember nothing else, then I feel my job is done. That should be the goal of any writer. Not fame nor fortune. They should want their books remembered. It’s all I want after all.
Eden’s first chapter is at your perusal here: Eden – The Prologue Chapter
The last report I did is available here: Eden: Eliciting Eldritch Emotions
- What I Did Today
I knew I would not be able to match the work I did the last time I worked on Eden. There is no way I could follow up the masterclass of writing I did, so this week was sort of a reset for my expectations with the writing in Eden. I’ve started the part where Ryan begins to embrace her identity as “Shadow.”
To help Ryan embrace this inner darkness, I needed to find someway to keep her grounded. The use of a personal item was the best solution to that and I intend for the eagle charm to not only serve as a plot device, but a symbol of the meaning of the novel – Eden is about freedom.
Eden tackles oppression and uprising in an intriguing manner. The main theme is that freedom. Or at least my view on freedom, where people in the world can be themselves, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or any of the outdated categories we still use to this day. I want people to see Eden as what it is; people fighting for their freedom as people.
- Today’s Best Work
The best work I selected today concerns the moment where Ryan needs some motivation and purpose. It is a heartwarming moment and reinforces the bond that Ryan has with Karlie and serves as evidence that the two will be together again.
“I want you to look your best when you meet my parents tonight, Alyssa. I know you despise prettying yourself up, but can you do this for me, please? I would owe you a very massive favour. Besides, you can also call this a belated birthday gift. I swear I didn’t forget.”
Karlie’s words enter my mind as I run my thumb across the golden charm in the shape of an eagle. Karlie made it her life’s goal to learn every little detail about me even if I did not want to say it. Karlie was one of the few people able to breach my hardened exterior and I hated it whenever she did. She gave me this necklace in case I was ever in need of her advice and she was not around. All I had to do was hold it and think hard about what I wanted to say. That somehow translated to Karlie telling me what my next course of action should be. I took a deep breath and decided to give Karlie’s theory a test. I clenched the charm in my hand and brought it close to my heart.
“Fuck, this seems so stupid right now, but I don’t know what else to do. I can’t get you out of my head. I want to do everything I can to help you, but I’m worried that if I do, I’ll be left all alone down here. I want to go back to assist Daniel and the others yet I won’t send you off to your death. Fuck, listen to me. I sound like a little girl again. Please, give me something to go on. I wish you were here next to me. I could use the affection only you can provide. I fucking love you Karlie. I’m sorry that they took you from in front of me. I tried to keep you close, but I could only do so much. I hope you can forgive me for letting you slip out of my grasp,” I said.
A tear streaks down my cheek and my body begins to shake again as I lose control of my emotions once more. I screw up my eyes and scream into my elbow. I never recalled a moment in my life that I felt more helpless than when the aliens snatched Karlie. Then a peculiar thing happened. Something that helped restore my faith and hope.
“There’s nothing to forgive, Ryan. You did everything you could to keep me out of their hands and we will see each other again. I’m not sure when, but until that day comes, you need to help everyone. Show these aliens who runs this planet. Make them pay for every step they take. Cause them to suffer for every life they take. It’s okay to let your emotions run wild. Direct them toward our enemy. I will be fine and I will wait for you. I love you.”
I knew Karlie’s voice was a figment of my imagination, but it still lit a fire inside of me. I wiped my tears way and pocketed the eagle yet again. I glared at the direction I came from. An explosion lit up the sky and I cracked my neck. I followed the sound of marching feet back to the house. I kept to the shadows of the buildings and several times a few heads looked about in an attempt to spot me. It made me glad I wore all black.
- How Productive I Felt I Was
While Eden remains the baby of all my novels, it is one of the most mature in terms of themes and content inside the cover. Sure, the major story has about as much nuance as Donald Trump’s Presidency, but if the reader looks past the plot of Eden, they will see so much more than meets the eye. I am proud that Eden continues on a positive trend and I hope it becomes one of my best novels.
- What I Intend To Write Next
Next week is when Ryan shows the first shades of being “Shadow.” I ended today on the the perfect note and I already have ideas swirling around in my brain for where I want to go next. It’s so exciting to improve with each and every week!
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