I announced last week I have a new work in progress, or WIP. This WIP will actually be organized from the get-go, so hopefully it won’t take nearly as long to outline, draft, or write. I’ll get into a groove and be producing books on a tighter, more predictable schedule.
While the book is in the hands of an editor and I work on this new WIP, there are some other tasks to be completed for Midnight Splash. Like finalizing front and back matter (the title page, dedication page, acknowledgments, etc. that everyone flips past), and the cover.
I’ve been talking about firsts, lasts, beginnings, endings – whatever you want to call them, this week. Because a lot of that has been happening. As I’ve said before, it’s my son’s senior year of high school and all of the activities that go into the end of that particular year are starting to take shape.
I didn’t think things for my debut novel would be happening at the same time. In 2024, I had hoped to hit Publish on Midnight Splash the morning of January 1, 2025. But since books aren’t my first and only income, life and work got in the way. But just this past Monday I arranged to have the book undergo a professional edit and proofread. I’ve done those things in the past, but I just can’t catch all of it in my own work. I’ve found someone I like and trust, and if you look hard enough, you’ll see her and her company mentioned in the acknowledgments for Midnight Splash.
But enough about that for now. I have to not think about it so I can move forward with the new. Yes, the NEW! I have started a new book. It’s still taking shape and in the outlining phase, so I’m not ready to spill the beans quite yet, but Detective Ellison will be getting a virtual workout when it comes to solving this one!
Take today to celebrate however you see fit. A delicious dinner, an Easter egg hunt with loved ones, or solemn church services are all ideal ways to celebrate.
Keep a lookout for the upcoming blog this Wednesday!
What are your Easter traditions? Let’s talk on Facebook!
Everything has a beginning and an end. My author career will begin once Midnight Splash is published. It will begin a new phase in my life and work. As with any author, the goal is to have enough to sales to start making a living. It will probably start with only being able to pay a bill or two, or start saving for that inevitable “rainy day.”
What will end, is years of uncertainty and doubt that I can do this. I know I can write, I love to write. But putting it out for the world to see is different. It takes a courage I still don’t think I completely have.
The next beginning and ending is the handing off of Midnight Splash to a professional editor. Yes, I’ve self-edited it to the bone, but this manuscript has barely left my sight. It’s time for someone else to have a look. This move begins the editing process, and the end of the writing of Midnight Splash before publication. It has also resulted in another beginning, that of a new work-in-progress (more about that to come).
With this next WIP, there is already a third as well, but that is even further down the line. Beginnings and endings dear readers.
Another beginning and ending is formal schooling. For my son, it began 13 years ago when he was accepted at the private Catholic elementary/middle school he was accepted to. There was an ending in eighth grade when he graduated and said goodbye to the school and the state to head to a new state and a new school. There was another beginning when he started high school, and the four-year ride has been one he’ll always remember. He’s close to the ending of that now, too. His school email newsletter has dates for senior activities like prom, baccalaureate mass, graduation rehearsal, and graduation. The final time he’ll set foot on school grounds as a student will be the day he graduates, another ending.
The next beginning is college. You could call the beginning and end as well, since he’ll be heading back to his home state to attend, so it will end his permanent time in this state.
Each beginning will bring about things undiscovered. Each ending will be bittersweet; an accomplishment to be celebrated and a bucket full of memories to be cherished.
Do you have any special beginnings or endings that have stuck with you? Let’s talk on Facebook!
Hello everyone. My name is Harrison Cleveland and I’m a lawyer in the Glass area. My son and daughters know the young man who was murdered last summer. They went to school with him. My son Josh is on the GHS swim team with Turner Moore, Jay Valentine’s best friend before Jay died. According to Josh, the boys were inseparable. I think my daughter Grace has a crush on Turner.
I suppose you want to know what I know about the murders. Not much. I am not representing anyone involved in the case, and don’t think I would want to. It’s too sad and tragic – so much loss. Like you, I’m following the story in the news, and noticed the sluggish pace at which the investigation is moving along. Detective Ellison is the town’s finest, so I can only imagine the slowed pace is due to running into dead ends and hangups with obtaining data and evidence. He’s not the type to sit on his ass and let the answers come to him.
Since I’m not close to the case, I can’t tell you if there’s anything I would do differently. My son and daughters are doing their best to be a friend to Turner though this tough time. His father is there for him, but Josh spotted the need for support from people of Turner’s own age. I’m proud.
Since I can’t speak much more on the case, I’d like to let you know a little more about me. I have three children, Josh and twin daughters Elizabeth and Grace. I’m divorced from their mother, who has primary custody. I am very active in their lives and love when they get to spend time with me. Josh is Turner and Jay’s age, a senior at the high school, and an avid swimmer like Turner. Although I think Turner’s swimming aspirations are a lot higher than my son’s.
Last year, my law firm was voted one of the top firms in Glass. I have associates who represent clients in family court, criminal court, in civil cases, and even in the facilitation of home sales. My firm is, I guess, full service. There’s not much we can’t handle. However, we work remotely for the most part, and have weekly and monthly meetings in person.
My kids and my work fill my time, and I’m not really interested in anyone, so I stay single. The only place I find women are the courtroom, and they’re either opposing counsel, plaintiffs, or defendants. In my younger years, before marriage and children, I’d made the mistake of dating all three of those kinds of women. With other lawyers I was often at odds professionally, and it followed us into our personal relationship. The other two were just a mess, and as I was working for another firm at the time, got reprimanded. That was enough for me to drop the idea.
When I do have the time, I like to golf, and since we live in Michigan, I enjoy a good day at the lake. My ex and I used to go kayaking while the kids were at summer camps. I don’t know if she does anymore, but I make time for a weekend trip now and again in the summer and early fall. I’ll pair it with camping and head north for the weekend. Sometimes I’ll drag Josh along with me so he gets away from the devices and games for a couple days.
But that’s me in a nutshell. I’m off to do lawyer things. Thanks for listening.
As I’ve said here before, this is my son’s senior year of high school. With that comes a lot of “lasts.” One of those lasts happened over the weekend: his last end-of-the-year banquet for his drama club. He’s worked on seven of eight shows, even appearing on stage in three of those shows. He’s much happier back stage, moving set pieces or controlling sound. He’s even decided he’ll look into what the drama program at his chosen college is like.
It was fairly informal, but there was formal programming like inducting members into the school’s International Thespian Society troupe and senior awards/gifts, and the more light-hearted mock awards for various contributions each member had made throughout the year.
Everyone seemed to have a good time. The theater director facilitated the induction of new members, including my son, into the International Thespian Society. Other awards included earning his senior honor cord to wear at graduation, along with a copy of “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” which was also read aloud by an emotional theater director sad to see her seniors go, but excited for what they’ll become.
It made me sad and proud as well. Even with his not-so-great experiences in middle school theater, high school theater was a different animal. He jumped in with both feet and got to do and experience so much more. He got to build and create, both physical sets and rich characters on stage. I’d pushed a little, knowing my own experiences and in the hopes he’d enjoy it in the same way I had. Part of that pushing was constantly reminding him freshman year when tryouts were and when the crew formation meeting was. He was resistant, and it was understandable, but I knew he’d have the time of his life. Spoiler alert: he did.
After his last show in early March, he reminisced a little about his favorite shows, his favorite characters, played by him or by his friends, the best sets – both physically to work with on stage and to build before the show. I know he’ll look back on these days with the same fondness I do my own, and am excited for his future in theater.
There are many more lasts coming up for him, including the last mass as an alter server and the last final exam of his high school career. But with the lasts come the firsts, and much like his first step as a child, this next first step will take him places he never thought possible.
