Red Rain (working title) – Chapter One (part 1)

Hi friends!

Red Rain (working title)

NaNoWriMo is finally here. I’ve got a sample chapter snippet for you.

Below is the official first draft of the first 1000 words or so of the first chapter in my new weird western fantasy story (with steampunk elements and fantastic gizmos, creatures, and other cool-factor elements that I could come up with). This new chapter is quite different from the chapter I posted as prewriting during exploration of my world. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

~Mark

This Human’s Heart: Gratitude

This Human’s Heart is a blog series where I share my thoughts and insights which may not reflect on my writing endeavors.

Image: Heart-Shaped Rock by speedyfearless on DeviantArt.com

Gratitude

As you know, I’ve been trying to keep positive about life. I think my efforts are working.

The other day, I had a revelation of sorts. Right now, I am at one of the lowest points in my life that I’ve ever been. My health keeps me from working. I am completely broke, don’t have a car, live with my father, am single again with no prospects and few chances (due to all my circumstances). I am lonely and depressed, and there is little I can do to alleviate it, and almost nothing I can do to escape. Methods of escape usually cost money. Dating costs money. Being social usually costs money. And here I am, on food stamps, broke as hell, and you know what? I am very grateful for the things I DO have.

I have a roof over my head. I have a computer with which to be productive (and escape). I have talent and the wherewithal to be my creative self. I’ve been writing up a storm for months now (even when I was distracted by a pretty girl online). I keep up with my meds and my insulin (mostly), and I am doing my utmost to better my situation.

So all in all, other than the loneliness and depression (both of which I manage), I’m pretty happy. That is a first in my life. Being LOW but not feeling defeated.

The one thing I did not mention above is you. I am most blessed for having wonderful friends, and a great group of fans out there. I’ve gotten emails and instant messages from many of you with words of encouragement and support. I even received a letter in the mail this week from a very good friend. He sent me a check, just to help me out a bit. I feel like I have a sponsor. That was so cool.

So THANK YOU, my friends. THANK YOU for helping me remember that I am not alone, no matter how lonely things get. I hope to hear from you all very soon. Please feel free to email me, or write me, or message me on FB or SL or wherever. I am blessed, and I hope your holiday is blessed as well.

“Sometimes life knocks you on your ass… get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.”

      ―  Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and    

                            Being Free 

All images and content copyright © 2011-2014 ~ Mark Adam Thomas