Late last year I completed and published Shrouded Witness.  Each book always has its own challenges. But writing this book was truly unique and pushing me beyond all limits. And now, I can share it with you why this was.

Challenge 1: Beyond Genres

This work is based on a C.Wright Mills-like sociological framework such as found in The Power Elite.  But there also histographical elements such as Herodotus and Ibn Khaldun.

The whole thing is wrapped up in a science-fiction tale about an imaginary planet (Wolyraf) and an organization that watches the planet’s happenings from the shadows recording it all. So on one day, the true narrative of what had taken place is revealed.

Challenge 2: The Framework

The book is loosely organized around ten topic units which are presented through a series of challenging interviews, short stories, and reflections. All of the units do not have to be read in order. However, it is helpful to read the entire unit.

Doing this reminded me somewhat of The Martian Chronicles and A Canticle for Leibowitz.

There is a bare-bones overall story arc. Originally it was not there. but the main character goes through a journey of personal growth. That he completes it at all and comes out alive is the main ending.

Challenge 3: Dealing with The Great Doubt. 

In my next book Spiritual Storms, I will talk how Project Managers can be overcome with loss of confidence and lack of faith in overseeing their projects. This book is unusual, in that the Great Doubt made a visit, making me question if there was an audience for such a truly original book. On reflection, it seemed like something that would be helpful for those that wanted to take a step back and get insights on studying a society. So I continued on to completion.

Challenge 4: How the Book Came About

In a previous blog, I talked about “Waverly” and how it was “disruptive fiction.” It clearly did not fit into any work that I was writing or had planned. In time, I decided that a book of short stories was needed on the operating of various societies. “Waverly” is included in this work.

Challenge 5: The Characters

There are four overall characters, Peter Lachmere (interviewer and freelance reporter), the mocking voice of the nameless organization, the nameless organization itself, and the Knowledge Lawn (the mother of all information databases storing what is happening on the planet.) Everyone else basically appears for an often contentious interview and disappears back into the shadows. And between the ten interviews and the numerous short stories, there are many characters and situations.

Challenge 6: The interviews

Imagine that you are interviewing someone. You don’t know when it will take place. You likely be snatched against your will to get to the interview location. Once there, you don’t know if the interview will turn ugly fast or not. You cannot rely on anything being told to be partially or totally real. The whole thing may be a well-crafted, elaborate lie to entertain some unseen audience. Still, each meeting seems to have some element of truth. The whole thing is a sort of mental sumo wrestling. Writing ten different interviews was a good challenge.

And there you have it. I hope that you give it a look when seeking something to read.

Thank you Pixabay for the image.