Category Archives: Novel writing

. . . and my book is finished.

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Ron Giesecke

37 days from the start of this ridiculous, Iditarod-level lunacy. 47, 000 words, with at least another five waiting in elaborative revisionary addenda to concepts and scenes I refused to bog down in the initial process. Rewrite is next.  Probably … Continue reading →

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Chapter 1–The Mural

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Ron Giesecke

The mural had become a part of the background noise. Elementary schools nearly always have murals, and this one was no different. Oak Valley Elementary School’s mural was a known quantity–an accepted part of the historical record. Painted in the … Continue reading →

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Whoa. Seven chapters in already? Must be a stroke.

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Ron Giesecke

I’ve spent considerable time on this blog, not only writing a fulsome, scurvy heap of odd things, like this long-form essay about Billy Squier’s meteoric fall from musical grace, and use it basically try to foment discord, distrust, and division … Continue reading →

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Wow, am I easily derailed

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

It seems only like yesterday, I was pontificating, ruminating, cogitating, deliberating and prevaricating about wanting to write my book–complete with the breathless declaration that I had completed the first chapter. Then, I went to McCloud on a church.family camp thingamabob.  I … Continue reading →

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Weird. I finished the introductory chapter

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

Not sure how I’m supposed to feel about this.  Last night, under what felt like a complete lack of motivation, I finished the introductory chapter that defines the protagonist . . . which is really an antagonist if you want … Continue reading →

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Written: the first sentence of my first novel 

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

Unbelievable. After EIGHT LONG YEARS of having the idea for my first fictional offering in my head, I managed to grab my Iphone, open the “notes” app, and scrawl the first thirteen words. And suddenly, I feel this immense sense … Continue reading →

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Researching Robert Johnson and the blues

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

One thing is for sure.  When dealing with a legend–especially a Faustian legend, it appears multiple players are going to enter the picture battling for supremacy. I learned this the minute I stated researching blues legend Robert Johnson, and the … Continue reading →

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When it comes time to review my book–do NOT–be my friend.

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

I’m certainly hoping that when the time comes for me to have a book on Amazon, that the friends of mine that decide to review it will give their reviews some thought, and not try to front-load my sales with … Continue reading →

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Overview: The Terrible Speed of Mercy. A Spiritual Biography of Flannery O’Connor

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

When my friend Steve managed to cajole me into reading Flannery O’Connor, I had no idea I was going to become as fascinated with her work as I have. I certainly never realized that a body of work as stark … Continue reading →

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Reading: The Terrible Speed of Mercy. A spiritual biography of Flannery O’Connor

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Ron Giesecke

I’m just going to have to admit that this woman is easily as fascinating as her work. I’m barely into the third chapter, and it becomes obvious that her awareness of the human condition was extraordinary. But the way she … Continue reading →

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