Month: July 2019

A New Era For The Novel

By Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

I have sent the first part of the novel — 20 scenes — to a few people and now I’m waiting for some sense from them if the conceit is as good as I believe it to be.

Last night was kind of rough. I have thrown my whole life into this novel and people simply were not giving me the turn-around on what I sent them in the way I expected.

But in a sense, I guess it is better I realize that dynamic now. If I waited until the second draft was finished it would be a real let down if people acted this way then.

Today is going to be development day for the novel. I’m going to sketch out the second part of the novel — which the story really begins — and then probably start writing again no later this tomorrow, this Sunday. I believe this novel is really strong. Really strong. But the tough part is getting someone, anyone to be willing to take a look at it in the first place.

Anyway, I just have to keep believing in myself. I have to keep going. No one will help you while you’re struggling. It’s only after you’re a success that anyone gives a shit.

‘Send Her Back’ — #Lyrics To A Country-Pop Song

Been struggling with how to use this phrase in a song. Finally figured it out. Not at all what I expected.

Send Her Back
lyrics by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls
Please give credit if you produce or perform

looking at myself in the mirror
thinking what’s been done
is done
what happens next is anyone’s guess
but let me put it out there

if you find her
send her back
send her back
if you find my love
send her back

she was my center
when she left it was with a roar
I adored her with my all my might
now the pain enters my heart at night
gives me a fright without any delight

all I can do is think of the past
without a doubt it’s a rout
it’s over there’s no doubt
but maybe with your help she’ll come back

if you find her
send her back
send her back
if you find my love

(bridge)
she’s coming back I just know
letting me leave the pain
it’s all I got
it’s my last refrain

if you find her
send her back
send her back
if you find my love

send her back

It’s All Been Done

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

I continue to think about the movie Network as I write this novel. It’s Network more than anything else that inspires me. I really like how that movie is so timeless and yet is a snapshot of America just after Watergate.

The novel I’m writing has the potential to be something of a Network for the Trump Era. That’s the absolutely best best case scenario. But I really have leaned into every possible zeitgeisty thing I can possibly think of while I develop this work.

But I do have pretty low expectations. I’ll be pleased if I simply finish something, anything that I can show people who think I suck. One interesting thing is I got as far as the second act a few weeks ago and the entire story fell apart on a tactical level. Strategically, it still works.

It really boils down to simply believing in myself. The thing is I really feel like I’m adrift in the middle of the Atlantic. I believe in my gut that if I just keep going I’ll reach the New World. But I have nothing my own ambition to guide me at this point.

I just feel like the Trump Era needs an easily accessible tale that explains to people who are as frustrated as I am. I still don’t have a canon for the work. And I still haven’t done character studies. Even when I do finally do those two things, I’m probably going to do it in longhand. What I need is a typewriter.

Anyway. I’ve finally managed to right myself after a few days of struggle. I’m feeling pretty good about what I’ve managed to come up with. Now, it’s just a matter of putting in the hard work.

‘Dystopia in the US’ — #Lyrics To A #Punk Song

Dystopia in the US
lyrics by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls
Please give credit if you produce or perform

I live in a dystopia
I’m told lies everyday
by the people in charge

I don’t wanna be
in
the dystopia in the US
the dystopia in the US
the dystopia in the US

we’re better than this
or at least I thought
that’s what I was taught
this shame is going to leave a mark

no going back I’m afraid
they’re going to come for you and me
once they get done crushing the immigrants
gunna make us all live in a cage
it’s all the rage!

I don’t wanna be
in
the dystopia in the US
the dystopia in the US
the dystopia in the US

(bridge)
how did things change so fast
leaving all our hope in the past
now it’s stand and fight
or just be another dog in a cage

I don’t wanna be
in
the dystopia in the US
the dystopia in the US
the dystopia in the US

‘Stand Tall’ — #Lyrics To A Old School Hip Hop Song

The only reason why I even mention hip-hop is I was listening to Public Enemy as I wrote these lyrics. Trump is really beginning to piss me off.

Stand Tall
lyrics by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls
Please give credit if you produce or perform

fight on your feet
fight on your feet
fight on your feet
stand tall

you don’t have to preach
innocents are dying on the beach
we’re living in 1984
that’s the score

fight on your feet
fight on your feet
fight on your feet
not live as a slave

but let me state
I won’t be the man’s slave
that has time come and gone
so given the choice by the orange man
between living on my knees
or dying on me feet
I know what my choice will be

I can tell you for sure
I know where I stand
that choice is easy as pie
I know how I want to die
join me

fight on your feet
fight on your feet
fight on your feet
not live as a slave

(bridge)
black, brown or gay
they want to keep us on our knees
but the only please I believe is
that one day it will be seen
that we fight with all our might
on our feet
when given the opportunity

stand tall
stand tall
stand tall
fight on your feet
fight on your feet
fight on your feet
not live as a slave

Some Idle Rambling About The State Of The Novel I’m Writing

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls
Insta: WriterShelt

I’m doing a lot of little videos using Instagram about the novel I’m writing. But here are some general thoughts. I’m about 40,000 words in right now and I’ve hit a moment in the early part of the second act where the sheer size of this project has begun to kick in.

I’m giving myself between 165,000 to 185,000 word to tell this story because I’ve been told anything past 200,000 won’t get published. The interesting thing is I finally am at a point in the novel where I rant about the Trump Era.

The entire novel is meant to be an indictment of the Trump Era disguised as a spy thriller. I’m really enjoying writing this novel. It’s just managing dates, characters and themes is tough when you’re doing it all in your head. I think once I finally finish the first draft things should move a lot faster. I’ll have the first draft to use as a stepping stone.

I have come up with a lot of ad hoc ways to manage development and writing, but none of them has come into any formal role yet. Again, I’m hoping it’s just a matter of time. In a sense, the novel is kind of Network if it was written as an homage to the Millennium series by way of James Bond.

Sorta.

There’s also a lot of Being There in this novel because it’s meant to be a snapshot in time. A time capsule of the few first years of the Trump Administration. Or, if you want to get rather dystopian — of the first Trump Administration.

I just have a lot — a lot — of work to do. A huge amount. It doesn’t help that I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m probably doing everything wrong. But the point is to finish something, anything that I can edit.

I have to believe in myself. That’s the chief thing at this point. I have to keep going. I have a really great conceit. It’s just a matter of fleshing it out over the course of nearly 200,000 words.

Wish me luck.