You write very well. To write concisely and clearly is a gift. ...and writing a novel? Wow! I envy your enthusiastic industry!
Thank you, and thank you. :) That "conciseness" thing isn't always good, though. Most writers put in too much stuff and have to cut it later; I end up leaving stuff out and have to write it in. [8>]
(I’ve finished a first draft of a novel titled: "Cockroach!")
What's it about? Somehow, I'm expecting something a little surreal; the title makes me think of Kafka for some reason....
But my favorite writer-du jour is James Baldwin -- who is very "real." I guess I identify with his marginalized, gay, angry artist, outraged-by-injustice-but-enjoying-the-abundant-brittle-cutting-shards-of-beauty angst.
Angst is good. I read it; I write it; I like it quite a bit. The story I'm writing has plenty of it, too, though explaining everything could get a little convoluted.... As far as authors go, though, right now, I'm reading Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire (VERY sexy), and I'm anxiously awaiting J.K. Rowling's next Harry Potter book.
I’m just burned out on ALL religious/spiritual brain-bangs. ...and, no, I’m not an atheist or agnostic. You could say I’m currently in a metaphysical coma.
That's understandable. After spending a lifetime as a JW, anyone would need a little time to just... well... figure out who they are and where they belong without being bombarded by outside influences.
Re: the name "rabotnik." It’s Russian for "worker." I always felt like an automaton when I was a witness. Then, I was influenced by Anthony Burgess’s "A Clockwork Orange." It’s kind of Nadsat speak.
<g> And I am very much a product of the Nintendo generation. A scary portion of my creative impulse is drawn from video games. And though I haven't read the book, "A Clockwork Orange" is one of my favorite movies. Anyway, thanks for clearing that up.
All the best to you, new friend. You're very, very cool.
*Rochelle.
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"Most men complacently accept 'knowledge' as 'truth'. They are sheep, ruled by fear."
-- Sydney Losstarot, "Vagrant Story."