My First Novel

Sometime this August my first novel Dempsey’s Grill will be released. I’ll go into details at a later time about my publisher and the amazing people who brought me in. I’ll also tell you all about my two talented editors who pushed me to the limit, forcing me to tell the best story I can.

But until then I thought it would be fun to write a series about my book and the characters involved. My goal is to have you get to know them and hopefully care about them as much as I do.

They have a way of growing on you.

 

How it all started

I always thought I would write a book full of action or maybe something scary but here I am writing a novel full of comedy and romance. The world is full of surprises, isn’t it?

So much of what we write comes from within. A lot of me and the people from my past and present spilled into this novel so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised in the way it turned out.

 

Who – What – Where

Dempsey’s Grill takes place in the summer of 2008. Our lead character is a guy named Gibson and the story is told though his eyes.

He was living in Seattle with his girlfriend. They were living in a house owned by her dad. In one swift move she admits she’s bored. In a blink of an eye Gibson is single and homeless.

Oh, and one more thing: He was a high-school English teacher but do to budget cuts he was let go earlier that day.

To say Gibson was having a bad day is a pretty accurate statement.

Part 1 ends with a soon to be 30 year old Gibson Baker homeless and nowhere else to turn but his hometown of Eugene, Oregon and the dreaded phone call to mom and dad.

 

Rock Bottom

One of the things that intrigued me with this idea was starting over. At one time or another many of us have faced this. Some of us more than others.

My 20’s, for example, was one giant do-over. I’m pretty sure I hold the world record for false starts. But for as bad as Gibson’s situation was I wanted to show people that moving home and starting over is not always a bad thing.

In Gibson’s case, returning home was a blessing in disguise.

I’ve always been a believer that bad things have a way of opening our eyes, helping us grow and showing us what really matters. Looking back that’s the main reason I wrote this novel.

Gibson returned home financially and emotionally broke. It was the last thing in the world he wanted and the best thing that ever happen.

 

The Cast of Characters

Besides Gibson three main characters are introduced. His best friend from high-school, Dempsey. His first love, Gail and his ultra conservative older sister, Hope. I’ll introduce you to each of them in the coming weeks. I have a feeling they will write most of it.

It was an amazing experience to be a part of their lives. In no time at all I was dictating. I was surprised how fast they took over. At the same time I’m not all that surprised. Characters have a way of doing that, don’t they? Soon we’re standing by as our pens and keyboards magically take over.

So here I am, a few months away from having my first book published. It took a lot of hard work, a little bit of luck and a whole bunch of little things that would take me all night to write.

But most of all it was fun. And that’s a good enough reason to do anything.

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