Day 1, pm. Total word count today, 2027

Evening writing time was different. I typed an hour without hardly noticing. My coffee is cold. No sign of Carpal Tunnel yet. Hah.

This evening's excerpt:

Barely discernible on the horizon, the image wavering in the dancing heat, the new man walked sure and steady, and directly toward him. Moa’qi, whose eyesight was as fresh and clear as a youth’s, had seen the new man almost as soon as his head broke the plane of the horizon. Nearly 6 miles by the formula. He could tell as the new man came over the horizon, that he had been exactly on track, without visual clues. So, the first verifiable trial was passed. He would learn the status of the other trials during the ritual meal when the new man arrived. But, Moa’qi already knew the result. The fact of the new man’s unerring orientation directly on him told him all that he really needed to know.

Moa’qi busied himself preparing for the ceremonial meal, and running through the ritual in his mind. He mouthed all the lies he once held so dear, occasionally marveling at the truth still held within them. He contemplated that one model of the universe was being replaced by another more accurate model, and thought it strange that he could not see the provision for passing on the truths he held within the new system. This conundrum occupied his mind thoroughly while he made his preparations. He did not bother to check on the progress of the new man. Moa’qi knew when he would arrive, and he would have everything ready and timed just for that arrival.

He could just hear him now. The bare feet padding softly on the hard earth. Actually, he had felt him through the soil before he heard him. The vibration was as readily understood by him as was a book. Many thought he was prescient, since, try as they might, no one had ever surprised him. He had kept the secret to himself, but would now pass it on to Sylk, his favorite youth.

Sylk should be hungry, as the wasteland was not filled with edibles. But, if he was truly a new man, he should not be starving, either. Carefully the simple, yet tasty fare was laid out. Sweet cakes. Thick cardamom coffee. Spiced meat. Water, chilled and filtered. Rose water to wash off the dust and please the senses. Pillows to arrange how one wished. A luxurious picnic.

Moa’qi started a small fire, threw on some sage, and arranged the spiced meat near by. The fire would cause the meat to heat up in its casing, and fill the surrounding area with an aroma designed to trigger salivary response.

My first day, and I exceeded my goal of 2000 words. I have to resist the urge to go back and edit and re-write. There'll be time enough for that in December, I guess. Meanwhile, I think I shall need to take my lunch hour and brainstorm additional ideas and concepts.

I don't know how anyone else writes, but I mostly type from the hip, with just bare concepts in my head that are fleshed out as they flow from my finger tips. It is working so far.
fb