Drafts...probably five. I used an editor. Leila's Secret was too long for me to make sure everything was in place without another pair of eyes taking a close look.
My Goodreads list is bursting! I shall prioritise it then. I was planning on reading "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa next.
Five Drafts is good! I dread doing five drafts of the novel, though... and yes, an editor for long-form is what I would want, too. For the flash fiction (max 1k words), it's mostly 2 drafts, with me doing the editorial pass.
I'll be a reader. There is something about watches to me that is almost mystical, so I'm a fan. Maybe because I'm one that still loves to wear my old Tag and got one for my son when he was about the same age a Leila.
I need to wait awhile before responding. Having a great day and need to concentrate on the next right thing to do. I AM going to tell EVERYONE about you.
I think (though the rules of fiction forbid killing animals, mothers or children) that the family should rescue the dog and then - as time moves on, the dog is dead again.
So proving that the child can’t reliably change the future, so is safe.
No way, that was so good. I thought it'd be a feel-good story the way it began but it was a bit sad, perhaps even a bit sinister. The way I like it. There's a whole novel in there. Possibly a whole series!
Thanks, Thomas. My heart cracked a little when I finished writing Leila's Secret. I'm playing around with the sequel -- or what's possibly the next chapter in a novel.
As I wrote Leila's Secret, Gaston became more and more an important element. I like the comparison to Signor Rossi, but didn't have that character in mind.
I love time travel stories, too. If you haven't read Replay by Ken Grimwood, I recommend that novel.
Thanks! "Replay" added to my ever-growing "to read" list. Gaston for me is the heart of the story. If you don’t mind me asking, how many drafts did you go through and did you have an editor?
What a sweet and sad story. It leaves me wondering what Leila did when she arrived in the distant past and how she survived as an 11 year old and whether she tried to return home. And her parents, how crushing to lose their only child.
Great story but I do have one question: what happened to Gaston’s body when Leila brought him back? Did the dead dog disappear or was he both alive and dead at the same time?
And Leila’s parents lives are about to be turned upside down when they have to try to explain what happened to their missing daughter.
Replay is sooooo good!
Drafts...probably five. I used an editor. Leila's Secret was too long for me to make sure everything was in place without another pair of eyes taking a close look.
My Goodreads list is bursting! I shall prioritise it then. I was planning on reading "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa next.
Five Drafts is good! I dread doing five drafts of the novel, though... and yes, an editor for long-form is what I would want, too. For the flash fiction (max 1k words), it's mostly 2 drafts, with me doing the editorial pass.
I'll be a reader. There is something about watches to me that is almost mystical, so I'm a fan. Maybe because I'm one that still loves to wear my old Tag and got one for my son when he was about the same age a Leila.
Take care and happy Sunday!
Loved this Bill. You developed the characters so well. There is much more to this story if you choose to do it.
Thanks, Scott. I like Leila's Secret a lot and plan to write a sequel that's likely to turn into a novella or novel.
I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
I’ll be looking forward to reading whatever you write.
I need to wait awhile before responding. Having a great day and need to concentrate on the next right thing to do. I AM going to tell EVERYONE about you.
Thanks great, Maureen. I loved writing Leila's Secret. Thank you for spreading the word!
“Does time abhor trespassers?” Very cool line.
I wonder how much Leila changed after she was sent so far back in time.
Thank you. I'm writing a sequel, so we'll find out what happens to Leila.
My type of story. Liked.
Thank you, Yael. I'm glad to hear that.
Hi Bill,
I think (though the rules of fiction forbid killing animals, mothers or children) that the family should rescue the dog and then - as time moves on, the dog is dead again.
So proving that the child can’t reliably change the future, so is safe.
I do subscribe to the idea that events can't be changed, no matter how far one travels in time.
I'm playing around with a sequel to Leila's Secret, but haven't figured out what happens next.
Love the idea of time travel.
The narrator went into a lot of detail, perhaps a bit of streamlining? Your readers are willing to suspend belief already.
Maybe one day we may be able to travel back in time too. You never know Bill. The possibilities are endless. Thanks, for taking me on a Good read.
Never say never when it comes to science. Until we can travel in time, fiction fills the gap.
I'm glad you enjoyed Leila's Secret.
I'd love to read more!
Thank you. More is coming! :)
No way, that was so good. I thought it'd be a feel-good story the way it began but it was a bit sad, perhaps even a bit sinister. The way I like it. There's a whole novel in there. Possibly a whole series!
Thanks, Thomas. My heart cracked a little when I finished writing Leila's Secret. I'm playing around with the sequel -- or what's possibly the next chapter in a novel.
I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
Great story, Bill. Gaston reminded me of Signor Rossi. Coincidence?
I’m a sucker for time travel stories, H.G. Wells fan, and this one tickles all the right spots. Well done!
Thank you, Alexander.
As I wrote Leila's Secret, Gaston became more and more an important element. I like the comparison to Signor Rossi, but didn't have that character in mind.
I love time travel stories, too. If you haven't read Replay by Ken Grimwood, I recommend that novel.
Thanks! "Replay" added to my ever-growing "to read" list. Gaston for me is the heart of the story. If you don’t mind me asking, how many drafts did you go through and did you have an editor?
What a sweet and sad story. It leaves me wondering what Leila did when she arrived in the distant past and how she survived as an 11 year old and whether she tried to return home. And her parents, how crushing to lose their only child.
Thank you, Dan. I was teary-eyed when I finished writing this story.
I'm drafting a sequel to Leila's Secret. She may not be the only time traveler.
This is just amazing, Bill. It's stuff like this that makes me come back to read more of you.
Thank you, David. Leila's secret is one of my favorite stories and I'm very glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you! I'm very happy you enjoyed Leila's Secret.
Whoa! Cool ending, Bill! What an imagination you have! Thanks for the ride.
Great story but I do have one question: what happened to Gaston’s body when Leila brought him back? Did the dead dog disappear or was he both alive and dead at the same time?
And Leila’s parents lives are about to be turned upside down when they have to try to explain what happened to their missing daughter.