Amicus Curiae - Chapter 3 is Done!

     I wrote three full chapters of the new book today. I'm just over 6200 words, and I thought to myself, there is no way students can say they can't come up with a 500-word essay over a week or a week and a half, depending on when I would assign it. I wrote 6200 words in about four hours, I think. I did a lot of research beforehand, yes, as would any student, but to say they can't type out 500 measly words is just preposterous.  People who want to write will write. People who get into their games and chat with one another are no doubt writing a great deal more than 500 words during their time together. People are lazy. I'm convinced of it.

    OK, so Chapter Three of the new book is done. I've got another 30 to go, and if I keep to the same pattern as I normally do —writing about six chapters a weekend —I should be finished by the end of August. I'll have the book prepped and ready to be sent off around Labor Day. When it's returned to me around September 6 or 7, I'll read it again over the closest weekend to that and have the book ready for publication to be sold on or about September 15, at the latest, the 22nd.

    I like putting books out on the 22nd because it's my favorite day of every month. I was born on November 22; my bestie was born on June 22. My son was born on March 22, and my father was born on April 22. My dog Faith, as well as my favorite singer, Maurice Gibb (and his twin Robin), were born on December 22. My nephew and my niece's father were born on the same day, August 22. I'm sure if I thought about it, I could find other things that took place on another 22nd. For instance, the book "Cask" was published on July 22. 

    So, the new book, which I've titled "Amicus Curiae," is shaping up. I have the notes written out, not the outline. I wanted to write a few chapters to get the ball rolling, and now I'll write out a feasible outline to see where it goes, in which particular direction. I know what will happen, but I like to get it all lined out so I know the path(s) to take.  I'm writing with the AI again. I tell it what I want to say, it spits out a few things, I think about them, use what I think sounds good, but I won't let it write the entire book for me. That wouldn't be fun.

    I enjoy writing with the AI because I have a certain thought about something, and it will add color to it. I reject it, saying I like this part but not that part, and it spits out an alternative or two. From that, I can pick it up and remaster the next few paragraphs. I tend to want to add adjectives, and I think I want to do it, and then I realize I could be overdoing it. The AI lets me see and read what seems reasonable and not overdone.

    Right now, in the first few chapters, I'm laying the groundwork. You have to get the characters in line, show them which direction you want them to go, and then, after you set them free, you watch, listen, play with them, think it over, change your mind, and call them all back to see if they have any input. Most times they do. I love conversing with the characters that way. I even talk to the dead ones to see just how much they knew about their killers. (Ducky Mallard from NCIS taught me that) - fun times!! 


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Published on July 27, 2025 17:44
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