As I mentioned, I wrote a novel. Finally.
Actually, there are three novels I've been working on for years -- and I have nearly 10 years of students who wonder how they will end.
I will be doing a Kickstarter campaign to fund the completion and self-publishing of the novels. Here's a little excerpt from "Catch the Wind" -- as Damarion's oldest friend, Witmer, tries to explain why so many follow and treat Damarion as their leader.
“Once upon a time,” Wit said, “there were two kings, and each had 10 subjects. The first king ordered his subjects to kneel, and then demanded one chop off an ear, so he could eat a sandwich. And the next day, another. He thought it would be terrific, because with ten subjects, that would make 20 sandwiches — tomato, lettuce, pickle, and ear. And then he could move on to toe salads. Roast Thumb! Feasts forever! And when he was done with those ten subjects, well he figured he’d just move on and find ten more to mutilate and feast upon.”
“I’m not in the mood for your stories, Wit!” Damarion said, angrily.
But Wit ignored him. He knew his friend, and he knew that no matter how much he hurt, Damarion would always listen. “The second king had a different idea. His ten subjects stood, while he knelt. And nobody went about eating ears or limbs. No cannibalism in this land! Instead, this king asked his subjects: what Truths would best help us live together in peace. And then I will do my best to be an example and live this way.”
“Well, the first king lived with euphoric gluttony — but only for a time. Because one day, his subjects had enough. And so he was overthrown — and they ate more than just his ears and toes. But since nobody knew any other way to live, one of the men with no ears and no thumbs took his place. It’s my turn to be the cannibal! the freakish creature believed. And so it went on and on and on and on.
“But the second king had a different experience. One day he knelt before his people and looked up: stunned to see that there were now eleven! Where did this stranger come from? Well, he just came. Because he had seen what this king was like, and so he wanted to be a part of this kingdom.
“Everybody follows a king, Damarion,” Wit finished. “Whether you use the title or not, everybody has a king. The real question is which kind do you choose to follow. Well, look around, my friend. Nearly three hundred have made their choice — and I am one of them.”
Actually, there are three novels I've been working on for years -- and I have nearly 10 years of students who wonder how they will end.
I will be doing a Kickstarter campaign to fund the completion and self-publishing of the novels. Here's a little excerpt from "Catch the Wind" -- as Damarion's oldest friend, Witmer, tries to explain why so many follow and treat Damarion as their leader.
“Once upon a time,” Wit said, “there were two kings, and each had 10 subjects. The first king ordered his subjects to kneel, and then demanded one chop off an ear, so he could eat a sandwich. And the next day, another. He thought it would be terrific, because with ten subjects, that would make 20 sandwiches — tomato, lettuce, pickle, and ear. And then he could move on to toe salads. Roast Thumb! Feasts forever! And when he was done with those ten subjects, well he figured he’d just move on and find ten more to mutilate and feast upon.”
“I’m not in the mood for your stories, Wit!” Damarion said, angrily.
But Wit ignored him. He knew his friend, and he knew that no matter how much he hurt, Damarion would always listen. “The second king had a different idea. His ten subjects stood, while he knelt. And nobody went about eating ears or limbs. No cannibalism in this land! Instead, this king asked his subjects: what Truths would best help us live together in peace. And then I will do my best to be an example and live this way.”
“Well, the first king lived with euphoric gluttony — but only for a time. Because one day, his subjects had enough. And so he was overthrown — and they ate more than just his ears and toes. But since nobody knew any other way to live, one of the men with no ears and no thumbs took his place. It’s my turn to be the cannibal! the freakish creature believed. And so it went on and on and on and on.
“But the second king had a different experience. One day he knelt before his people and looked up: stunned to see that there were now eleven! Where did this stranger come from? Well, he just came. Because he had seen what this king was like, and so he wanted to be a part of this kingdom.
“Everybody follows a king, Damarion,” Wit finished. “Whether you use the title or not, everybody has a king. The real question is which kind do you choose to follow. Well, look around, my friend. Nearly three hundred have made their choice — and I am one of them.”