CONTINUED RANDOMNESS
Way back in another lifetime I (we) owned an Arabian mare.
She was a majestic creature, unbelievably beautiful, and one seriously willful animal.
On early mornings I would grab a cup of coffee, go out into the pasture, and sit on a stump to enjoy the peacefulness of it all. I could always count on Regal walking over to me, air pluming from her nostrils, the sun slowly rising in the east over the fir trees, the sounds of the countryside rising in volume, and I would reach into my pocket and pull out an apple for her. She would then nuzzle my shoulder, man and animal, joined together, finding a common bond of trust . . . great memories!
I’m reminded of those times every day now when I got out to our son’s farm to feed the chickens. They have three horses there, plus about fifty goats, and there is always someone seeking attention from this human. It’s real hard not to smile when I’m at the farm . . . I don’t even try to frown.
I like the relationship between farmer and farm animals. We really get down to basics . . . I will feed you and provide shelter, and in turn you will provide what I need, whether it be food, fibers, meat, or just companionship.
I’m a lucky man!
ABOUT LUCK
Some say there is no such thing as bad luck or good luck. Others say you make your own luck by the choices you make. I guess I straddle the fence on that one and take the road less traveled. I don’t like the word luck. I think we greatly affect the outcome of an event by doing the necessary work in advance and yes, that applies to a writer and his viewership/sales.
Most of you, I’m sure, will agree with me when I say writing a book is the easiest part of selling that book; without marketing and determination, sales will be limited to family and close friends.
And maybe that’s fine with you. It is with me. I have no illusions of great sales, no expectations, and no dreams. If it happens it happens; if not, I’m secure and happy in my life. And I find that to be a very cool place to reside.
So I don’t much need luck as much as I need the wisdom to continue doing what I’m already doing. Why rock the apple cart when the pavement is perfectly smooth?
THE MAGICIAN’S SHADOW
It’s been a year! It really is hard to believe I’m even typing those words. It’s been a full year since I worked on my latest novel, The Magician’s Shadow. As many of you know, it is half-done, and it has been patiently waiting for me to continue for twelve long months now.
That time is now four weeks away. I can feel the creative juices flowing in my veins in anticipation.
Here is the prologue to that novel:
“Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.”
He sang as he continued with his work. He considered it vitally important that a person enjoy his or her work. How boring it must be, he thought, factory workers who do the same thing, day in, day out, week after month after year, mind-numbing work, spirit-breaking work, and at the end of their fifty years they receive a plaque, a series of handshakes, and the heart attack follows shortly.
That would not be his fate, for greatness does not fade into oblivion.
It began, for him, shortly after his tenth birthday. A dream had come to him, and in that dream he was The Magician, not a magician as in a description of his craft, but The Magician, the greatest ever, a man of such incredible talent as to defy all laws of nature, to defy all logic, a man who could not be described by mere labels such as “illusionist, enchanter, or conjurer,” for how does one describe the impossible?
He stood on the shoreline and looked at his latest work of art. It was perfect in every way. The young girl was exquisitely staged. The authorities would come to the scene in a matter of hours. They would look for evidence. They would hold countless meetings where they would share theories. They would hold press conferences and assure the public that the case would be solved soon, but to themselves they would admit that they were stymied, completely in the dark, for how could such a thing have happened? And how could it happen three times?
They would call in other experts, and more theories would be postulated, and more meetings held, but still no answers would arrive, (for the impossible has no explanation), and then their greatest fears would be realized.
It was all perfect in every way, but he expected nothing less of himself.
He was, after all, The Magician!
############
As you can see, this will be another lighthearted romp through the mind of a serial killer. LOL
I have to run. There’s painting to do outside while the weather is still cooperating. Have a great week of being human.
Bill
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, loved the walk through your thoughts this fine Tuesday afternoon. Just checking in before I take off a bit more again myself as this is my girls’ last day of summer vacation. So trying to spend some quality time this afternoon before the new school calendar year looms and begins. Happy Tuesday now!! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Janine! Enjoy the last day with your girls and I’ll catch you down the road of life.
Hi Bill – You have discovered one of the secrets of life. That is to be satisfied with what you have been able to provide for you and yours. It is simple really. As for luck, nothing I have arrived by luck.
Well damn, Mike,it took me long enough to discover that secret lol
I don’t believe in luck either.
Nice beginning to your book!
Thank you Donna! I appreciate it.
Great stuff like always Bill.
I am one who believes in some luck, but it comes, bad or good, as a result of our actions, reactions or inactions.
Have a great evening sir.
I think, Greg, I like your theory about luck better than mine. Thanks, buddy! Have a great week!
Bill
Got to admit, I vacillate between the two! Can’t decide if I want the work that goes with the selling (I want the sales though).
The farm must be an awesome place.
Now I see how one of your hubs from quite a while ago fits into the story, masterfully done friend.
As for luck, I looked up the original meaning, literally meaning to be working with ‘Loki’ the trickster ‘god’ of the Vikings!
Regarding that, thanks but no thanks.
The trickster god….I like that, Lawrence. That works for me!
Thanks my friend!
bill
I made it over here yesterday to read, but had a late evening with school stuff…and so I’m here this morning. Happy Wednesday, Big Bro! I love this post. Just being content with what is. I love that. 🙂 And what a great intro to your new book. You’re such a great writer. In fact, when you were talking about the horses in the first part up there, the descriptions you share, I thought, WOW! Well done! One of these days, I think a publisher is going to find you. And then we will all be awed and say, “what luck!” lololol
Thank you Lil Sis…and thanks for the laugh at the end. What luck indeed! lol….the farmers markets will end in three weeks, and then I can return to my love of creative writing. I am quite excited.
Hugs from Oly
I remember this!. You did some teaser hubs and then left us hanging. I’ve thought about this over the past year and I cannot wait to find some answers. I know what I’m getting myself for Christmas. 🙂
Awww thanks, Zulma! Now I’ll have to make it good to please you. 🙂
Bill, you couldn’t make a bad story if you tried. Your high standards and self respect wouldn’t let you. If this excerpt is anything to go by, we are all in for a treat.
I really do appreciate your faith in my abilities, Zulma! It’s been so long since I worked on a novel, I’m a bit concerned I’ve lost the touch. 🙂
Don’t be, Bill. It’s like riding a bike. You might be a bit wobbly at first, but you’ll soon be back in the swing of things. Have faith. 🙂
I love your memories of Regal, Bill, they made me smile. And your latest book sounds very exciting!
Thank you Andrea! I’m eager to begin writing creatively again.
That is one brilliant prologue, Bill. Perhaps we can have a race — you see if you can finish your latest book and publish it, before I get to catch up with reading the others and be ready to read this one. Now there’s a challenge for you! I’m a quick reader when I start, as long as someone’s book keeps me awake as I’m great at falling asleep over books in the evenings, but definitely didn’t do that over “Shadows Kill”!
Thinking of your post about not smiling, I think you’re like my son who doesn’t smile that much even though he’s mostly quite happy, except you can always depend upon him to smile around animals and when he’s out in the countryside away from crowds. Before I was born, my mother used to have riding stables and owned an Arab horse, which she said was a huge personality and very frisky to ride.
Wishing you a hugely productive writing time, my dear friend, from today onwards… 🙂
Sarah, I will gladly take that challenge. It seems to me I come out the winner no matter what happens. 🙂 You are very kind and yes, I can relate to your son. I really am happy most of the time, but you would never know it to look at me.
Wishing you a brilliant Thursday, Sarah!
Loving this! I actually have the same feeling about luck aswell. And yes, when I go outside and hang out with my farm animals it is hard NOT to smile and talk to them 😀
Thanks for the visit, my new friend. Enjoy those animals and their never-ending friendship.
I shall, thank you sir!