The Great American Novel

I have spent a lot of years doing a lot of different things and never really considered myself a writer of novels until a was halfway through college (graduated in 2006, age 55). I received praise from my teachers for my essays and even published an article in the school paper but didn't really think about writing fiction seriously.

In August of 2006, I was rereading some material about the history of my hometown and got an idea for a story. It would be loosely based on what may have been an actual event that happened during the Civil War when Morgan's Raiders went through southern Indiana. My hometown is only about 7 miles from Lexington where Morgan had relatives and spent the night, so the event may have actually happened.

While I was preparing to put this story on paper, I got an idea for another story that was totally unrelated to the first. Now I had two stories to write. While I wasn't looking, another idea for a story creeped into my head, and then another, and another. Now I have 5 or 6 stories swimming around in my head, trying to get out on paper so others can share these stories.

I am still writing that first story (won't get rich as a writer at this rate) and can now have a better appreciation for those who write for a living. There have been times that I want to give it up and stop the nonsense, but I keep thinking about that second story (I like the idea of that second story better) and know that I have to finish the first one before I start another.

I can dream at night about publishing those novels and becoming famous, even winning the Pulizer, but until then I will keep writing what I can only hope will be the Great American Novel.