The Official Website for the author who wrote The Magic and the Mayhem
John Drake, the main character in my book, The Magic and the Mayhem, is what I’d call a loose man. For years he’s been a proud baller and shot caller who handles women like a juggler trains balls to stay in the air. He’s one of those men who knows he probably has children but stays one step ahead by “shredding the letters from social services without opening them”. He thinks that out of sight out of mind means that somehow they don’t exist.
When fathers are not present in the lives of their children the children are left with a void that reverberates throughout their lives. In my story, John learns that there’s more to life than Berber carpet and his prized corvette. He discovers that being a responsible parent is not the worst thing in the world and can very well be the best thing that could ever happen to him.
Do you know any loose men?
This blog is dedicated to my writing and will hopefully give other first time novelists an opportunity to learn from my journey. I try to write every day. My first (writer's) draft is written without any thoughts as to where the story is going. After the initial twenty pages or so I put together an outline because the characters really do take on a life of their own, and it takes a certain measure of discipline to remind these "made up characters" that you're the boss. Following an outline allows your story to have a fluid beginning, middle, and end. Without an outline and a dedicated resolve to follow it the story will be scattered and may never find its end. I usually read through a chapter ten or more times before I'm satisfied enough to move on to the next one. I never let anyone read my novel until its ready to go to the editor. I chose to self publish The Magic and the Mayhem using www.lulu.com. Self publishing gives authors a tangible product so they can introduce their work to the world, get feedback, and strengthen their skills. Some people think its cheating and that it somehow invalidates an author's work but the more traditional publishing houses are virtually impossible to gain admittance to. It's obviously not impossible but getting into the game is like hitting the lottery. I recommend self publishing along with routinely submitting your work to reputable publishers but while you're waiting, keep writing!
fiona
January 12th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
It seems like nowadays they’re all loose men. My brother has three kids but he spends more time with his girlfriends kids than he does with his own. We try to include them in stuff but its becoming more and more awkward.They all have different mothers and ever one of them is a drama queen. I try to talk to him but he doesn’t think its a problem.
marie
August 8th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
John drake is like many self centered men. He is immature, irresponsible, and selfish. He’s a ladies man because he got himself together financially and physically. I love the twist with all the women and kids drama. The best thing is he step up and become the man he need to be. I totally enjoyed this book.