I usually consider my writing projects fairly private so this is a big step to talk about it today.
I've reviewed my two thousand pages of research. Reviewed some of the chapters that I've already written. Now I am looking for a software program written for writers. As soon as I find the right software then I am going to set aside two hours early every morning to just write on the project.
The project started not because I wanted to write a novel but because I wanted to find out want happened to my brother. Now it has developed into a form for me to get in touch with my creativity and as a way to heal some family wounds. I am writing the project in novel form but not for publication. I'm really aware that the chance for a first time writer to get published is slim or none. I'm just doing it for fun not profit.
My brother was a pretty well known lawyer in the Portland area who specialized in wrongful death, civil rights, medical malpractice, and personal injury. In the early 90's he took on a wrongful death case against a local police department where an unarmed was shot to death while he was on the ground. The case went all the way to court and the judgment went against my brother. After the case my brother became really depressed and decided to leave both Portland and the law profession. He moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to become an outfitter and rancher. He wouldn't talk about the case, the mere thought of it would send him into deep silence. Being very curious about what in that case lead my brother to make such drastic changes I did what a loving brother would do. I investigated the case on my own. What I found was frightening.
Searching for Justice is based on that case. It is being done as a factional novel, a genre that is a fictional novel based on a true event. In investigating my brother's case I found a link between gangs, drugs, and the increase in the number of instances of deadly force used by police departments. Not only in Portland, but in San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Cleveland and so forth. When investigating my brother's case I tried to talk to witnesses but couldn't because they had disappeared. Not just moved, fell off of the face of the earth. I found instances where my brother was followed and had his phone lines taped.
There you have the basics of my writing project.
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12 comments:
I'm glad to hear you're going back to your writing, Bill. And I wouldn't discount the possibility of its being published someday. It sounds like a very interesting and timely story to me.
Thanks, Pat
If it is published we will have one heck of a celebration!
Bill
Wow! I am sorry that happened to your brother but it sounds like a fascinating story.
Hi Kim
Brother now is back in the law but in Wyoming and on a much smaller scale.
He got to the age where it was to hard to be an outfitter so went back to what he knows.
He still won't talk about the case. It just is to troubling for him.
Fascinating and scary story about your brother, Bill. Thank you for sharing that much of it with us. I agree with Pat - it just might be published sometime. A fellow who spoke to our Photo Society last month has a book out that he self-published through a company on line. He prints only as many copies as he wants at any one time, and they were of great quality (mostly photos, of course, but with text). That might work for you, too. I don't remember the web site, but I'm sure I could find out, if you're interested.
Besides, that would give US a chance to read it.
That sounds very scary. I would think you'd want to be careful!! Glad you are writing. I've always wanted to do that but never disciplined enough to do it. Just small stuff for myself. Hang in there with it!
I've always wondered how lawyers handle the emotions of a serious case. That's why I couldn't be a lawyer--it would be too emotionally draining for me. I'm curious about the software you mentioned for writers--what kinds of features does this type of software have that makes it a good tool for writers?
Diane T.
Hi Mary Z
I'm not sure I have the energy to self-publish plus my gambling nature is that I try for publication I want to beat the odds and have a publishing house condone it. That is why I am doing it for fun not publication but if I beat the odds so be it.
Even if it doesn't get publised I will give you a chance to read it, once I get my nerve up I may even post a chapter or two on the blog.
Bill
Hi Symply
I am being careful. That is why I am doing it as a fictional novel and not using real names.
When I first started doing the research I did some fun and scary things as part of the research.
I took a Citizen's Police Academy. It isn't actual police training but it gives you insight in to police procedures and they let you fire their weapons. They also go over deadly force laws. It was very informative
In Portland we have an area that used to be referred to as "Crack Corner" were gang members would meat to sell drugs. One of the meetings in the book is a meeting at Crack Corner between a gang memeber and a rogue police officer. I didn't think I could write about the fear that people living in gang territory suffer until I experienced some of the fear myself. I rented a car from Rent-A-Wreck and spent a few hours near Crack Corner on two different nights. Two of the most frightening nights of my life.
I'm writing this with the complete knowledge that I need to be careful.
Bill
That sounds very scary. I would think you'd want to be careful!! Glad you are writing. I've always wanted to do that but never disciplined enough to do it. Just small stuff for myself. Hang in there with it!
Hello Diane T
Welcome to the blog.
The emotions for a lawyer are extremely difficult because of the highs and the lows. They win the are off the charts with pride and confidence. They lose they lose their focus and it effects every area of their life including their marriage.
I'm in the initial stages of looking for a writers' software and haven't really found one I like yet. Here are links to a couple that I found:
http://www.writersupercenter.com/
http://www.newnovelist.com/
Bill
I finally found that information about the author and self-publishing site. The guy who spoke to us was a photographer, Scott Shoup. He "made" his book on
http://www.blurb.com/home/1/
He had both hard-bound and paper-bound copies and was selling them himself. He only needed to buy as many as he needed at any one time.
The book looked great. The site is certainly worth a look.
Mary Z
Thank you. I have already checked out the blog. It looks great. I will give it some thought when I finish the book!
Thanks again for your efforts, it is appreciated.
Bill
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