My writing bug started with the desire to write a story inspired by a classic Chicago locale – The Green Mill.
The Green Mill is a legendary cocktail lounge on the North side of Chicago. It is rumored that in the days of prohibition Al Capone frequented the joint. At The Green Mill, they take their music – especially jazz – seriously, and on Thursday nights they host Swing Night. The first time I set foot in the place was a Thursday and I would swear I had stepped back in time. In that moment I vowed to make this the setting for a story.
WELCOME TO THE GREEN MILL
A fixture in Chicago, The Green Mill, is famous for the jazz musicians who played there decades ago, and for those who play there today. The L-shaped room is packed nightly with people who have a love and respect for the music. Not much has changed inside in the last several decades, from the smooth jazz sounds to the décor. The learn more, check out their website here.
“And, in the far corner, in all her alabaster glory, stands Ceres, Goddess of Harvest, rechristened Stella by Starlight by the house musicians. Stella was salvaged from the lower depths of the Green Mill, dusted off, and returned to complement the authenticity of the art deco/art nouveau décor in the light fixtures and artwork, embellished with lavishly scrolled frames. Shades of Al Capone’s heyday are found in the wall memorabilia as you enter and in the famous booth where he and his henchmen could keep a cautious eye on both doors.”
INTRODUCING MY NEW STORY, A NEW WAY
I am finally introducing the story I wanted to write about The Green Mill, a novella in eight chapters entitled “Our Love is Here to Stay”. It’s a fun, romantic story set against the backdrop of a hot jazz club.
On each of the next eight Thursdays, I will deliver one chapter of “Our Love is Here to Stay” on my blog. That’s right, the story will be delivered free. No money on your part, just patience.
WHY A SERIAL?
You might wonder why I would choose to serialize this story and offer it free. No, I am not crazy! I am hoping to attract new readers, to both my books and blog. I think this story is compelling and will bring readers back week after week. I want readers to tell their friends about it, and I am counting on you to do just that.
Serialization also adds a bit of excitement and mystery to a story. Each chapter must be enticing to bring you back the following week. I believe you will find it worth your while to hang with me and “Our Love is Here to Stay” until the end.
HOW THIS WILL WORK?
Each Thursday I will upload another chapter of the book. The previous chapters will not go away, but will be archived and replaced by a new chapter. As always, if you are signed up to receive goodies and announcements from me, you will find a link to the story in your email as a reminder.
You will have a chance to comment on the story as it is published and decide each and every week whether you want to read more. I sincerely hope that you will. If it was good enough for Dickens, it should be good enough for me.
Here’s a preview:
Our Love Is Here to Stay
Can Love Transcend Time?
Thirty-year old Matthew Herrington is weary of solo nights in strange cities. He is ready for a change. And that is exactly what he gets when he steps into Swing Night at The Green Mill and is instantly immersed in the sights and sounds of another era. Intrigued by the club’s authenticity, Matthew is enchanted when he meets Patty, a mixture of sexy and sweet who steals his heart.
Patty Dennison has never met a man like Matthew in all her twenty-one years. A sophisticated man, he stands out in from the usual Swing Night crowd. He is self-assured, smart, charming, and handsome as hell, even if he is a lousy dancer. Once he takes her in his arms, Patty is more than willing to give him a few dance lessons along with her heart.
Repeated missed dates and unanswered phone calls strain the relationship and frustrate the pair. But unraveling their mystery exposes an impossible scenario, one that will torment their sanity and test their love.
How can they make their fairytale last? Can love transcend time?
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
Wikipedia on The Green Mill
“Four Reasons to Write Serial Fiction” from Medium.com