Chapbook, finalizing the idea and writing the book

 

So I am now in the creation and process of the book. I decided to create a coming of age story in the form of three short stories and a poem. The main characters are named Callum and Max, because those names sound British to me.

As I wrote each story, I realized that they each represented a specific part of the characters' lives - from their young teen years to adulthood. I wanted to explore the different challenges and experiences that people go through as they grow up.

Writing these stories was both challenging . It's not easy to condense a character's entire life into just a few pages, but I think I am managing to capture the essence of each stage of their journey. I also enjoyed the process of creating the poem that ties everything together. It signifies a passage of time for the characters and adds a layer of depth to the chapbook as a whole.

I am writing the stories and poem in Microsoft Word, and after words I need to compile them into a single PDF document along with the cover. Ill be using a third-party online tool to do this, but I haven't quite settled on which one yet. There are so many options out there, and I want to make sure I choose the right one. I'm planning on doing some research to see which tool will best fit my needs.

After deciding the main story basis and figuring where to write them, I decided to utilize the earlier taught method of 20 min per page of writing I was taught and I did in my earlier posts and overall was able to complete the book in few days.

Story 1:Iuvenis

First story is "Iuvenis". It tells the story of Calum and Max, two young boys who meet for the first time on Calum's birthday. The story is written in a language and style that is reminiscent of classic children's literature, emphasizing the importance of youth and the wonder of childhood. Using Words like 'bleary', 'jumped out of the bed' and 'eagerly' and other adjectives and discriptive language, I hope drove that emphasis infront of the reader. The title of the chapter, "Iuvenis," which means "Youth" or "Young man" in Latin, sets the tone for the rest of the story, reminding readers that the two boys are just beginning their lives. Through their adventures and escapades, Calum and Max explore the joy of growing up, forging a bond that will last a lifetime. 

Story 2:Rebellis

"Rebellis" follows the continued adventures of Calum and Max, who have now entered their teenage years. As they navigate the complexities of adolescence, the language and tone of the story has evolved to reflect their more mature perspectives. The story includes expository language to explore the responsibilities that come with growing up, as well as references to cities and personal aspects and roles. This shift in style and subject matter is deliberate, as it highlights the ways in which Calum and Max are beginning to grapple with the complexities of the world around them. The title of the chapter, "Rebellis," or "Rebels" in English, is significant, as it signifies the boys' growing independence and their desire to break free from the rules and constraints of childhood and become more independent and later as they grow up even further, mature.

Poem: Aetas

Now I must admit, for this one it took more time as I am not that good with poem but after learning the rules of Poetry I realized I am not that good at but regardless I wanted to use a poem to emphasize the unspoken passage of time as the two grow up and become adults. While the first Stanza does not have much rhyming ( I had difficulty coming up with it) the rest of the lines have a constant rhyming sequence. The reason why the usage of consistent rhyme is supposed to be prominent because it will reinforce the sense of continuity and connectedness between the two friends throughout their journey, even as their paths diverge and change over time.  The poem is meant to capture the bittersweet emotions of growing older and the memories of carefree youth that fade with time. 

The first stanza sets the scene of two young people in the throes of joy and abandon, dancing together beneath a setting sun.

This idyllic picture is contrasted with the second stanza, where the passage of time and the pressures of life begin to wear on their relationship. 

The third stanza should tell the reader that despite the separation, the two friends still hold onto their memories and their bond, which remains unbroken. 

The final stanza then would bring the poem full circle, suggesting that the power of their friendship will endure the test of time, even as the two are now worlds apart.

The poem's title, "Aetas," which means "age" or "time" in Latin, emphasizes the theme of the poem, emphasizing the idea that the passing of time is an inevitable part of life, but true friendship can withstand the test of time.

Story 3:Aulaea

In the final chapter of the Calum and Max trilogy, titled "Aulaea," the two characters as adults, living separate lives in different countries, have to meet once again in a high school reunion. This story is meant to explores the impact of distance and time on their friendship, as well as the mental states of the characters as they navigate the challenges of adulthood.

One of the key themes of "Aulaea" is the idea of separation and distance. The title of the chapter, which means "curtains" in Latin, is a metaphor for the physical and emotional distance that has grown between Calum and Max over the years. The title is also significant in that it is meant to suggest a sense of closure or finality, as if the curtains are being drawn on their friendship. 

With this story I really wanted to emphasize the shift in language and tone from the previous stories. The language is  more mature and descriptive, reflecting the characters' grown-up lives and the more complex emotional issues they are grappling with. I also wrote an element of mental state, as Calum struggles with feelings of bitterness and resentment towards Max for leaving him behind. This is supposed to be a contrast to the more innocent and carefree language of the previous stories, which were focused on the joys of youth and friendship. The reason why I did so was because I felt that If I was in the position as Calum was, I too would have issue like those...and maybe I do.

The language in "Aulaea" is meant to be more heavily reminiscing, emphasizing the memories and shared experiences that have shaped Calum and Max's friendship over the years. The story also should show the impact that time has had on their bond, with the two characters now worlds apart and leading vastly different lives. Despite the distance, however, the characters will find a way to reconnect and bond in the end, suggesting that their friendship can withstand the test of time and distance.

At the end, instead of saying, 'The end' or something else cliched, I, keeping with the theme of paragraph names, I wrote "Ac Fabulam Custodit Iens" which roughly translates to "And the story keeps going". In the context of the story, this line is meant to emphasize the idea that even though Calum and Max's physical distance from each other may have grown over the years, their friendship and bond continues to endure and evolve. The use of Latin in the line and the chapter names is meant to add a sense of timelessness and universality to the story, suggesting that the theme of enduring friendship is something that transcends time and culture. Overall, I thought the line is a fitting way to end the story, leaving the reader with a sense of hope and possibility for the future of Calum and Max's relationship, that even though this maybe the last story they (the reader) will read, their story will go on.

The book is now written and I just have to make a cover, compile it one pdf and publish it on my website. I hope you look forward to reading it.