"Fill My Eyes", A Writers Journey

My soon to be published novel "FILL MY EYES", began as the first of two novellas. It was my intention to show "both sides of the coin". After researching the book market, I discovered, "novellas" do not sell. So, I expanded it to book form.

"FILL MY EYES" is the dark side of the coin (see my blog "Fill My Eyes"), about dysfunctional people set during the late 50's. The coin (figuratively speaking), is childhood innocence. The book is told from three, first person points of view, as well as, the third person. None of the main narrators and characters have names. They are composites of people we meet in our daily life. The main character, an insecure four year old has been raised from birth by his single, older brother. The older brother is conflicted, as are many of the characters that populate this novel.

The other side of the coin was another novella I changed to book length "The Backside Of Yesterday". This novel is currently being read by a prospective publish. It is set during one of the most difficult periods in history--the Great Depression. The story is about a family's struggle to survive. And if this isn't difficult considering the period this book is set in, this family has a dark cloud over them that has been mysteriously exploited to the point of scandal, and ostracizes them from their neighbors. The story is seen mainly through the eyes of children, and has a strong thread of mystery woven into the story. It is the strength and unity of the family and the faith of the matriarchal grandmother, that keeps the family together as a single nucleus, through these difficult times.

Those of us that fall into the "forty something crowd", have you ever watched your nieces/nephews, grandchildren or great grand children, show complete disrespect for the parents and wonder, "If I had spoken to mine in that manner, I'd be a grease spot on the floor". This is becoming more and more common. In today's technological society, we are all rightfully concerned with out of control gasoline prices, the billions of dollars spent on what some consider a futile war, rather than looking at our own personal issues. Instead of debating over if we should ponder over purchasing a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk, rethink your priorities. Have we overlooked our children? Are the children controlling the parents, or are the parents controlling the children? I am sorry to say in many cases, it is the former.

In our two-parent working family and the outside problems that affect everyone, we need to be all the more vigilant in monitoring our kids. The days of playing outside with friends, getting into mischief and "bop until you drop", have become something we only read in books today. Yesterday's reality has become today's nostalgia. Kids today are more sophisticated and too many are spending their free time watching unmonitored television programs, the Internet and playing computer games that are unsuitable for their age. This could be one of the premises that has created the headlines and news reports on disturbed youth going on rampages--"Omaha", "Cleveland" and reports of shooting their parents or siblings.

"Fill My Eyes" is a possible prologue that reflects the current erosion of society and traditional family values. "The Backside of Yesterday" is the opposite. As in any era, there were juvenile delinquents in the 30's. However, you never read a paper that contained the violence we see today.

I am hopeful, the publisher that has expressed an interest in "The backside of Yesterday" will deem it worthy of publishing. This is a book that is a bit reminiscent of "To Kill A Mockingbird". It is my intention that both are published to give readers both sides of the coin.

All my books including the fantasy novel I am currently writing, are set in my hometown of Salt Lake City.

We are are only as strong as the values that have been set down by our parents. Without this, children have a cracking foundation to guide them to becoming healthy and productive adults.