Sweet 16

Chapter 16 is in the books. Yeehaw. I've also written up outlines for Chapter 17 and the short Epilogue.

Question: Do you read Prologues and Epilogues? If not, why not?

So now you're thinking, OK, those two chapters and he's done...right? Kinda. Then there's Chapter 1.5. I realized a while back that there ought to be a chapter between the introduction (Chapter 1) and the beginning of action in Dearborn (Chapter 2) where I give the reader more background on the history of Dearborn. Sounds boring, but it helps the story make more sense if you can understand the transformation this area has undergone in the last 80-100 years. In some ways, Dearborn was akin to Williamsburg, Brooklyn when it was one of the places to do business before the area's decline and then subsequent rise with the Hipster; that is, except for the rise part. When I've asked locals if they think Dearborn could become the next Flint I have yet to hear a denial or refusal. Usually there's just silence and/or a "maybe." Kinda scary.

Anyway, yeah, either I write 1.5 or I sprinkle in local history as I go.

Constructive Criticism

Thanks to some good friends, I'm happy to report that the book's first chapter has garnered some good feedback and one sucker actually said he wanted to read more. More importantly, those who provided criticism where clear about what didn't make sense and what could be improved.

While you can't please or make sense to everyone, it's worth a try as long as it's not detrimental to the story's flow and feel. I look forward to addressing the criticisms and then submitting the first chapter to a few upcoming short story contests to get that ball rolling.

Chapter Two takes our African protagonists to the Detroit area where they begin to set up shop with only 90 days to bear fruit. To get better acquainted with Motown, I'm going to watch Beverly Hills Cop tonight (old school Eddie Murphy is gonna be all over this joint) and then hopefully make a trip in the next month or so. While Flint has gotten press for its demise, it seems that the town of Monroe may have an even worse case. Hopefully a trip out there will give me a better feel for the area and the people, especially if I'm able to sit down with local leaders.