The last time I mentioned my current work in progress was back in March, which seems like too long ago, however it does not surprise me. My life has changed very significantly since then and very much for the better. Like any period of change it has meant that projects that were ongoing were halted, but only temporarily. Pomerania has been very much on my mind of late. I am beginning to feel guilty about not spending any time on it with regards to the actual writing. There is something at the heart of this book that is keeping it alive in my consciousness though.
My recent travels to Spain, France, and Italy have interrupted the pattern of my life, or rather the one that I was trying to establish for myself. I am not complaining. Before I took early retirement I seriously discussed with my wife the fact that my disability is likely to constrain my activities more as I get older and that we should do as much traveling as we can afford and I can manage. When we visit places like Raffles Hotel in Singapore, I want to walk to the bar holding her hand, not being pushed in a wheelchair. Our next major holiday is planned for early next year with a few short breaks scheduled for late summer and early autumn, so I now have an opportunity to settle down and get back into the habit of writing again.
One area of the novel that I have been concentrating on, in my mind at least, which is where I do an awful lot of my writing to begin with, is the nature of reality; is it subjective or objective or both to varying degrees? There is an idea behind this book that relates to my experiences as a disabled person. It does not limit itself to the incidents of prejudice and discrimination, although I could never divorce such events from any account that is even partly based upon my life experience. The fact is that as someone with impaired mobility since birth there has always been things that I can and cannot do. This is my reality and it has influenced my interpretation of what reality is. I have no doubt that my perception of it is unique to me and I have often wondered how much that viewpoint has then influenced further interpretation of my experiences of life. This has led me to the question, can we influence not only our subjective experience of reality but also reality itself?
It is a big question and it might not be one that occurs to a lot of people, or even be seen as important. I am not sure if 'The King of Pomerania' is an answer or not. I suspect that it is going to be more of an analysis of possible considerations. I will only know when I get back to writing it, which should be very soon with any luck.
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