How do you get inspirited to write a novel? Do you dream a dream? Work a challenging job? Live through major world events? How about all of the above?
In this episode, Moses returns to the podcasting rhythm, this time with new friend and fellow writer Eric Love. This marks the first series of episodes done with a fellow writer.
Per Eric’s recommendation, we started reading the 1991 novel “Boy’s Life,” by Robert McCammon. Fans of Dave Eggars and Don Miller may find something to appreciate in this memoir style, light fantasy, highly character driven, nostalgic adventure story. ‘Boy’s Life’ follows 12 year old Cory Mackenson, living in the idyllic small town of Zephyr, Alabama, in the age before the internet. It’s kids on their bikes, no phones and no screens, mystery, murder, and mythical creatures lurking in the river. One must read it with suspended belief. It is both fantastical and relentlessly ordinary.
When we first meet Cory, he and his father are witnessing a murder victim being plunged to the depths of a bottomless lake. From there he embarks on a quest to solve the mystery while also navigating the drama of school and parents and baseball and avoiding the attention of old ladies and hoping for a new red bicycle. Paralleling Cory’s rising sense of self and adventure, we not his father in the background, beginning to show signs of post-traumatic stress.
In a massive rain storm, the river floods the town, and Cory saves a boy from a Old Moses, the giant serpent fish in the river. And other cool and whimsical adventures.
We encounter themes of de-mystifying the Other, whoever that other is, whether it be another religion, race, age, gender, or SES. We also encounter death as Cory learns to encounter and process death for his own self.
As we read, we look for what the book teaches us. Eric notes,
"Look and see what we see instead of think and see what we seek."
"Our idea and perception defines how we interact with a person, concept, or other thing. Perceived reality isn't necessarily the truth."
"People are rarely who we think they are if we haven't given them a chance to show us who they are."
And I note, Unchallenged perception is probably not true, and, "There's always a hidden story."
Eric also pitches his first novel, “Scarecrow Hunters,” and muses on his process of writing(and now self-publishing) a novel from start to finish. His book is based on his dream of, "This is the way you become a man."
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Eric Love can be found at https://www.ericshanelove.com/ and that is where you can subscribe to his most engaging newsletter as well as purchase his books!