Update: The paperback version of Forsaking Home is available. It is right at 443 pages. – Cheers!
Original post:
Over the past few years I have been working on a novel in my tiny amount of spare time. Now I am glad to say that I have finally pushed enough of the words into a pile to feel like this novel (part one of the story) is complete.
The experience of writing this many words (roughly 113,000) has been one of hope wrapped in moments of complete frustration combined with a healthy drive to learn, express myself, and finish what I started. The process has been rewarding on its own in many ways, and I am proud to finally be able to publish it.
Forsaking Home (synopsis):
Edin is a young man who yearns to break free of Earth’s overbearing societal regulation. In the year 2110 he struggles to convince his pregnant wife to spend their life-savings on tickets to join Earth’s first off-planet colony. After she tells him off, he shoots himself in the foot with his impulsiveness and discovers that injustice runs deeper than he imagined.
An assassin, who spent much of her young life alone on the streets of Brazil, accepts a contract from an unknown and powerful entity. She fights her conscience while navigating a treacherous path toward the completion of her contract. Her decisions will forever alter the fate of Earth’s first colony and maybe even offer her a path to redemption.
When events fall into place, the colony’s launch party is tragically interrupted by the politically motivated assassination, and Edin must choose between pursuing his freedom or becoming resigned to what life on Earth has to offer.
Here is a little excerpt that I think sets the tone for the book.
“So, you’re saying that too much safety is bad for us?” It seemed counterintuitive.
“Pretty much. Not that I wish calamity on people, though. It’s all about balance. Reward demands risk. We sent men to the Moon and Mars by risking lives and money. If we had risked more, we might have done it quicker or gone further. If we had risked less, we might not have gone at all.” Grandpa looked up at the sky as if he expected to see the Fenwater Orbital Station (The FOS, as it was commonly called) streaking beyond the few small puff-clouds that dotted the blue.
Edin shrugged, “So I guess what you’re saying is that too much safety is bad, but too much risk is bad too. Like riding in a car; if we don’t go, we won’t get anywhere, but if we do, we might get into an accident.”
“Exactly,” said Grandpa. “But you’re not actually free if you can’t make that choice for yourself.”
Edin walked in silence across the dusty ground for a few seconds before hesitantly speaking up. “Then what would you say if I told you that I want to join the Proxima Project?”
Grandpa stopped walking and looked at Edin in a searching way. “Are you serious?”
Edin paused. “I really am, Grandpa, but I haven’t told Amanda yet.”
“This isn’t because of the way we talk of freedom is it?” Grandpa asked. “Have you thought it out, or is this just some knee-jerk reaction? I’m not saying that freedom isn’t valuable, but there is a lot of finesse between theory and actuality.”
“Look at it this way, Grandpa. I’ve always wanted to own a piece land like you do. I’ve wanted to shoot your guns, have a kid who will grow up to be a real man, and do what I want to do in general. Do I really have a chance at owning a place like this? Even playing with this potato cannon would get us a fine if we got caught.”
Grandpa shrugged and rolled his eyes.
“You know I’m right. We can’t have any fun or do anything interesting without breaking a law. Remember when we used to have fireworks when I was a kid? They banned every one of them for safety reasons, even the sparklers! Then those crusted bastards lumped all fireworks in with explosives, and toys are equated to weapons. Either the world is too wimpy or…” Edin trailed off. “I don’t see what else it could be.” He looked around at the woods that were his childhood playground. “And then I think about little Henry. It’ll be twice as bad when he grows up. Have you seen the schools? I want more for him than I have; more freedom, more opportunity, and more education.”
Grandpa looked up at the sky again for a moment. “Don’t you think there are less drastic ways to change your future? There is a lot of good to work with here on Earth.”
“Grandpa, there isn’t a place on Earth that isn’t owned and heavily regulated. If I join the project, I get to be a true pioneer, and I get as much of my own land as I want. I could raise my son how I want. I could work hard and take whatever risks I want in order to succeed.” Edin raised his hand. “However hard I work here I know my options are limited.” He made a fist as he lowered his arm. “It is less risky here, but I won’t be anything more than I am now, except older and maybe with a little more in the bank. Anyway, I thought you said risks are necessary?”
“And you haven’t mentioned it to Amanda?” Grandpa said ignoring the question. “This is a real, life changing choice, Edin. She needs to be an integral part of your decision.”
“Not yet. I was hoping you’d help me figure out how to ask her. Amanda’s lack of blood relatives should make it easier for her to choose. You know I’ve saved a lot of money for the house, and I want to use that for the price of membership. It would buy us complete room and board on one of the ships.” Edin glanced at his watch. “That reminds me, I need to get back to town for our date tonight, and I am going to ask her what she thinks about the idea.”
They walked silently into the yard while Grandpa processed this news. Finally, he spoke.
“Whatever you do, you have to have Amanda with you. A man doesn’t abandon his family, and he doesn’t drag them along against their will. Follow your heart, but make sure she is with you in the decision. That’s my advice.”
About writing: I started unskilled, with only desire and an imagination. This process has been like learning a language. Aside from talent, if any skill does not already exist it takes patience and practice to learn. In my experience core ideas are easy, but fleshing out the details is takes a lot of time and effort. Time is not something I have, but I think that I have learned some efficiencies that I can use to reduce the time I need to write book #2.
Often life gets in the way, but I once saw Diana Gabaldon speak, and she said one thing that stuck with me. I don’t have an exact quote, but she made the statement that a writer needs to write every day, even if it’s just a few minutes. It’s true. I have walked away for months at a time and only come back when I was disgusted by my own lack of progress, but when I write every day it keeps my mind on topic and the words flowing. Thanks Diana.
Forsaking Home is not perfect, especially in my eyes, but I hope that readers find it enjoyable and that these themes come through. There is no reward without risk (which should be tempered by balance), redemption is possible, and the course of human progress has been and will be charted by a few, bold pioneers who risk everything to achieve more.
I would be thrilled if you would read Forsaking Home. It can be found on Amazon (ebook: Forsaking Home on Amazon). The paperback version (443 pages) will also be available very soon.
Thank you for reading!
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