A WRITER'S RECIPE

 My 

ALL-ENCOMPASSING, THIRTY-YEAR ODYSSEY 

Old Royal typewriter for those first words.

Letter from the English author.

Old diaries and the ship's log.

I HAD THE SOUTH PACIFIC STORIES. Everyone I told the partnered stories to over the many decades said that they needed to be written. Many, wearing startled expressions after they heard the stories, exclaimed, “MOVIE!” Above all, I knew they were stories that HAD to be told. But I needed an author.

IN THE FALL OF 1993, a female friend from the U.S.—with whom I had shared those stories—was traveling on a river boat in Thailand (see letter above).  While on deck she met an Englishman.  During the course of their conversation he shared his love of the South Pacific with her.  She, in turn, enthusiastically shared my South Pacific stories.  It just so happened that the Englishman was an author, so my stories sparked his interest.

THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES around this author finding me after he returned from his trip to Thailand is, in and of itself, another story. Short version: The English author was eager to write what he referred to as a “fascinating” story. When we could not bridge the gap of the miles that separated us, he gave up his pursuit and suggested that I write the story. “No one has the passion that you do,” he said that last time we spoke across the miles

REALLY? ME...WRITE A BOOK? The Englishman was right about one thing, I did have the passion. But how would I go about undertaking such a daunting task?

WRITING, I DISCOVERED in those early days, was like gourmet cooking.  I had to come up with a great recipe. Then, I had to assemble all the right ingredients to make it a pleasing dish. Finally, I had to invite the guests to partake of it; guests I hoped would like it enough to ask me to share my recipe.

I HAD MANY OF THE INGREDIENTS…but not all of them.  It required very special ingredients to bring those unique stories to life; and so began the thirty-year odyssey that took me to many parts of the world.  I dug deep (real deep) and uncovered old letters and diaries and documents for the spice. I found others’ accounts of their experiences, adding them for that perfect blend. It was an arduous task, one that came with its share of excitement, and often brought the unexpected. The journey certainly stirred the adventurer in me, inspiring me to wander the world’s exotic pantries for that finishing touch.

WITH ALL THE INGREDIENTS ASSEMBLED, I took the English author’s advice and embarked upon my writing journey in 1994, writing the first line on my (above) old Royal typewriter from the 1940s. Needless to say, I quickly replaced it with a word processor (why use an old wood burning stove when there’s a state of the art oven to make it easier). Eight years, and countless hours later, I had written two complete works of fiction. To whom, though, should I present my manuscripts? And how should I go about it? Remember, I was a NOVICE.

MY UNSUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING JOURNEY BEGAN IN 2002. All of those literary folks eagerly came to my table. They liked the dish, each wanting to alter my recipe to suit their individual taste. But that's another long story. Short version: In 2003— still unpublished—I placed the manuscripts upon a shelf, never once letting go of my conviction that one day the right person would come along and assist me in presenting my novels to the world.

In MARCH OF 2020 THE PIRATE SHIP, CORONA (Covid 19), threatened to take the world on a perilous journey—with me on board.  I thought at the time… Where can I go while I’m on this unknown course? My inner voice replied, “The South Pacific.” I immediately went to the shelf, blew away seventeen-years-worth of dust, and resurrected my manuscripts.  I felt that the time was right, and that person waited. I knew EXACTLY what to do.

TWO REVISIONS AND NINE MONTHS LATER, I telephoned a literary agent/author friend and told her I was ready to introduce the two South Pacific stories. Having joined me on my writing journey earlier on, she said, “I know just the publisher!”

ON JANUARY 8, 2021, the publisher called me, and said, “I am intrigued by your stories. Did a ghost writer write them?"  After I replied, "No, I wrote them,"  the long-awaited response rang through the phone. "You are an incredible writer, I want to publish your stories.”  It just so happens that was my 80th birthday; and WHAT a birthday gift that was!

AS FOR THE SOUTH PACIFIC STORIES: Book one, In Search of the Cannibal King, hit the market May 26, 2021. Book two, Cannibal King,  hit the market October of 2021. THUS BEGAN MY NEW JOURNEY!  Where that one would lead me?  ONLY TIME WOULD TELL!  

                                                        TO MY FELLOW WRITERS:

                                                         NEVER give up your dream.  

                                        EVEN IF IT TAKES YEARS TO REALIZE IT!

                              www.writtenmusings.com/naninecase.html

Books are Available on:  

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VISIT MY AUTHOR'S PAGE: www.facebook.com/naninecase2021

I LOVE AN ADVENTURE