Thursday 28 January 2016

So it begins

Mikhail Vrubel again!
I'm 4K into The Valleys of the Earth, the follow-up to Cover Him with Darkness.

I'm scared, tbh.

I'm scared I'll end up repeating myself - metaphors, similes, theological arguments.
I'm scared Milja's relationship with Azazel is too abusive for contemporary readers.

I'm really scared I can't write anything as good as that first volume. Because I think I've set the bar way high, truth be told.

All I can do is write it out, though.


5 comments:

Jo said...

Don't worry, the story is not told yet. Just keep it moving towards a goal. I know you don't really do this, but if you want a second pair of eyes to scan for repetitions, just shout.

I think the abusive relationship is all in how it's framed. Personally, I think, go for it. You're playing with an impossible culture/era clash, myth vs modern, it's hardly Christian Grey abuse as romance. There's so much to play with in the pairings of god and human, power and attraction, love and need versus common sense. It's intoxicating, we want it. Doesn't have to represent real life at all at all, most likely more Jungian motivations. Do it do it.

Janine Ashbless said...

Thank you Jo! You fill me with heart!

Leife said...

Two thoughts from a fan:
1. I have faith in you. You have a track record of awesome.
2. Wow. JA suffers from imposter syndrome too. There's hope for the rest of us.

Janine Ashbless said...

Thank you Leife. I'm touched by your faith!

And OMG yes - we ALL suffer from Imposter Syndrome!

Molly said...

*does happy clappy dance.... Have faith Janine, yes you set the bar high with the first one but this is an untold story, you can make it your own and I believe you can do it with just as much brilliance as you did with Cover him with Darkness

Mollyxxx