by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner
I’m now into the third act of the “private beta” of my first novel. I continue to feel pressure internally to just shut the fuck up. I have a strong compulsion to just go dark and wrap up this novel without saying a peep about it.
But, alas, I’m 100% extroverted.
I just can’t help myself. I love to gab and talk about whatever’s on my mind and at the moment — as it has been for some time — writing my first novel is at the forefront of my mind so I talk, and write, about it.
It’s character flaw…I guess?
It’s just not my nature to not talk — and write — at great length about something like writing a novel. In fact, if I manage to blow up with my novel money I’m probably going to be a public eccentric in the style of Andy Warhol or Thom Wolfe. I’m going to be someone that anyone with any taste knows and I’m going to be one of those people who humble brag about how bad the Red Eye between NYC and LA is.
I’m not joking — the moment I have the means to do that, I’m going to do it.
Now, obviously, this is all happening in the context of a potential Second American Civil War. I don’t think there’s going to be one — at least, I hope there isn’t — but there is definitely a greater-than-zero chance that one might happen.
Anyway, I’m very pleased with what I’ve managed to come up with at the moment when it comes to this novel. It’s an easy read, very accessible. And if you’ve read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you will definitely see this novel as something of an Old Brown Shoe, even though it’s very much not only it’s own thing but an American Story, as opposed to Swedish. It’s very American in that it’s not just a bunch of white people talking to each other.
I hope to wrap up this private beta by the end of the week.
Wish me luck.
