The Next Phase, the LPB Update, and Environmental Art

Now that the holidays are done, and writing La Playa Blanca (LPB) has come to an end, it's time to move to that "what's next" phase. And, don't worry, there is plenty in the works. The one thing that ties all of my art in its various forms together is the need to promote greater respect for ourselves, each other, and the environment. 

I spent yesterday at the studio. But, I didn't paint. Instead, I ended up doing administrative work preparing LPB for subbing to publishers. This included things like query letters, formatting, and synopsis writing, all the things I find most tedious in this writing experience. I've done them before to sub my journalism, short stories and poetry, but never for this particular genre, and so, in some ways it feels like I'm starting at the beginning, again. It's all a learning process. LPB should be off to its first potential home by the end of the week, so, if you haven't read it, now's the time. Once it's sent out, it must come down from this site. 

This week also finds me working on The Elephant Keeper novel. Mark and Aiden are ready for some quality time. Aiden, as I've already mentioned, is an elephant keeper working at a fictional Chicago zoo. Mark is an environmental artist, like me, who creates sculptures out of industrial metal scraps. His work comments on the overabundance of human trash. (I'll talk more about the environmental art movement in coming posts.) Mark, a long-time lover of elephants, is chosen to create an elephant sculpture at the zoo. He and Aiden meet under less than ideal circumstances, but fate has a way of throwing them together, and the sparks, they will fly.This story has been fantastic fun to write, so I'm looking forward to giving it more of my focus.

There are numerous other projects in the works, some of them in entirely different genres, one is a big secret that I am very excited about. All of them remind me that a new year is always a good thing, because it feels like rejuvenation and a fresh start loaded with potential. 

The Elephant Keeper

Earlier, I mentioned that my latest WIP includes elephants. I also promised I would tell you more. So, tonight, I thought I'd keep that promise. I've been knee deep in imaginary elephant dung all day, and I need a break from the story telling.

Incidentally, this photo is of me feeding apple bites to Moja. She and her sister, Jenny, were the first elephants I ever got to know. It was an experience I won't soon forget. They both used to like to explore my person with the ends of their trunks, searching for any treats and nibbles they might find. Moja was particularly good at retrieving these items from my pockets when given half a chance.

Writing this novel has been exhilarating, because I can turn my affection for these huge, beautiful animals into a vibrant story on the page. I get to show my love for elephants  through my character's eyes. The current working title is The Elephant Keeper. Writing this novel has also been much more difficult than I imagined. The memories of my days with the real elephants return, and all my feelings for these animals, many of whom are no longer living, come rushing back.

Because I wanted to honor some of my elephant friends, I've chosen to use a few of their names for my fictional elephant characters. Nita and Teela, two of the friends whose names I've borrowed, both died of a fast-acting and incurable disease that baffled our zoo's veterinarians for some time. I used to love watching these girls interact with each other on exhibit. They shared a powerful family bond and so much obvious affection. Each time I type their names into my story, it's as if, for a moment, I can bring them back to life and enjoy their company again. Nita and Teela, this novel will definitely be dedicated to you!