A few years ago, I nearly drowned. It was, as one might imagine, a deeply disturbing experience. What got me was how calm, slow and exhausting the moment felt. And it was entirely my own stupid fault. Luckily, for me, I have good lungs and a strong voice and another boater happened to be within earshot.
I grant this experience to my characters in this chapter.
Chapter Notes
Every writer, I suppose, pulls from life experiences. The above one took place only two days after saying goodbye to my children who had been up for a visit – an event that doesn’t happen nearly often enough. What I took from the experience, and perhaps what I’m hoping my two characters pull from it, is a deeper appreciation of life. Not of mine – but those of my family.
I’ve written Rebecca and Silver Sky into a deep moral dilemma, and not one I had set out to write them into. I guess this is what happens when one doesn’t have a set plan in place when they start to write. I’ve given Rebecca humanity and Silver Sky a wildness he couldn’t have known before. Are they willing to give that up for those they love?
I’m writing this, and even I don’t have an answer to that, yet.