I have begun distributing Call of the Black Panther to family and friends. As I do so, I begin to wonder what they may think of it. Ultimately, I write because I love to do it. I love the characters that grow alongside my vision, the plot that twists beyond what I had initially imagined, and the journey of weaving thoughts, dialogue and concepts into a cohesive whole. Not everyone will like my book, there's no getting around that, but I hope that something about it captures their interest. I would love for my story to inspire feelings and thoughts. After all, an engaging story is what makes any form of entertainment worthwhile.
Analysing one's own writing from others' points of view is an interesting experience. You wonder what the topics, characters, and themes you choose to focus on say about you as a person, and how the world may see them. My work has many serious themes but I like to think that the joy of life is reflected just as often as the challenges. In the future, I plan to write a story built around humour rather than seriousness. It will be a good challenge for me. Improving one's craft usually involves getting out of your comfort zone and embedding a comic tone to a story would be a good flexing of my literary muscles.
As a form of practice, I've included a brief passage from said humorous story. It is FAR from being done but hopefully this will provide a glimpse into what my humour is like.
Excerpt: Blinking rapidly, Brian pulled himself from the now stifling darkness. He was laying beside the old willow tree, a calm, clear sky floating lazily above him. Quickly sitting up, the boy’s suspicions were confirmed. Instead of being surrounded by forest he was sitting at the top of a hill, looking down on a small village nestled beside ocean. A village that looked remarkably similar to the one from his dream.
Right you are, a voice said into his head.
Jumping to his feet, Brian spun around to find the source of the voice. He was completely alone.
The tree, the voice spoke again. Despite the fact that his brain felt like rusty clockwork, Brain slowly turned to face the willow whose leaves and branches were gracefully blowing in the breeze.
You were right when you said that I would have a lot to say, if I could talk, the tree made a noise Brian could only interpret as a laugh. How could I ignore your plea when you had paid me such a compliment?
“What do you mean?” Brain asked, hoping this whole mess wasn’t his fault.
You wanted to learn how to be brave and stand up to your enemies, the tree explained, and what better way to do that then to go on a fully bona fide adventure!
“Wait, what?! You’re telling me that I’m going to embark on some great adventure to learn how to solve everyday problems?”
Yes.
“Haven’t I read this somewhere before?”
It is, indeed, a tried and true method of improving people.
Having pressed his palms to his temples in an attempt to cool his racing mind, Brian asked, “What about my family? I’m the peace maker, they won’t survive without me.”
There you go again thinking that others can’t get on without you, the tree admonished, put yourself first boy! They won’t even know you’re gone.
Whether that was because of some strange magic or that they wouldn’t care, Brain didn't know. Turning his back on his kidnapper, the boy looked out over the horizon.
Now, to start your adventure, you have to go to the town and discover what your first test is, the tree told him.
“That’s helpful,” Brian muttered, “thanks.”
“See ya on the other side kid,” Brian turned in time to see the tree fade into nothing, a sense of finality settling on his shoulders.
“Yeah,” Brian sighed, starting down the hill, “see ya.”
© Katarina Claire E.R.
Analysing one's own writing from others' points of view is an interesting experience. You wonder what the topics, characters, and themes you choose to focus on say about you as a person, and how the world may see them. My work has many serious themes but I like to think that the joy of life is reflected just as often as the challenges. In the future, I plan to write a story built around humour rather than seriousness. It will be a good challenge for me. Improving one's craft usually involves getting out of your comfort zone and embedding a comic tone to a story would be a good flexing of my literary muscles.
As a form of practice, I've included a brief passage from said humorous story. It is FAR from being done but hopefully this will provide a glimpse into what my humour is like.
Excerpt: Blinking rapidly, Brian pulled himself from the now stifling darkness. He was laying beside the old willow tree, a calm, clear sky floating lazily above him. Quickly sitting up, the boy’s suspicions were confirmed. Instead of being surrounded by forest he was sitting at the top of a hill, looking down on a small village nestled beside ocean. A village that looked remarkably similar to the one from his dream.
Right you are, a voice said into his head.
Jumping to his feet, Brian spun around to find the source of the voice. He was completely alone.
The tree, the voice spoke again. Despite the fact that his brain felt like rusty clockwork, Brain slowly turned to face the willow whose leaves and branches were gracefully blowing in the breeze.
You were right when you said that I would have a lot to say, if I could talk, the tree made a noise Brian could only interpret as a laugh. How could I ignore your plea when you had paid me such a compliment?
“What do you mean?” Brain asked, hoping this whole mess wasn’t his fault.
You wanted to learn how to be brave and stand up to your enemies, the tree explained, and what better way to do that then to go on a fully bona fide adventure!
“Wait, what?! You’re telling me that I’m going to embark on some great adventure to learn how to solve everyday problems?”
Yes.
“Haven’t I read this somewhere before?”
It is, indeed, a tried and true method of improving people.
Having pressed his palms to his temples in an attempt to cool his racing mind, Brian asked, “What about my family? I’m the peace maker, they won’t survive without me.”
There you go again thinking that others can’t get on without you, the tree admonished, put yourself first boy! They won’t even know you’re gone.
Whether that was because of some strange magic or that they wouldn’t care, Brain didn't know. Turning his back on his kidnapper, the boy looked out over the horizon.
Now, to start your adventure, you have to go to the town and discover what your first test is, the tree told him.
“That’s helpful,” Brian muttered, “thanks.”
“See ya on the other side kid,” Brian turned in time to see the tree fade into nothing, a sense of finality settling on his shoulders.
“Yeah,” Brian sighed, starting down the hill, “see ya.”
© Katarina Claire E.R.
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