Today I started writing the fourth and final book of The Island of Always, my series of novels following the quixotic adventures of Minneapolis attorneys Nick and Lena and crew. I don’t have a title yet, so I am just calling it Act IV.
I realize that I haven’t finished the third book yet, but starting Act IV seemed like a hopeful thing to do in the face of the pandemic and other craziness in the world. And in starting ACT IV, I wondered if I may be starting ACT IV of my life soon as well, if I am lucky enough.
Act I was education, ending with my graduation from college. I feel like I built a good foundation, not finding many answers I suppose but at least learning some important questions to ask.
Act II for me was the theater. Over the next twenty years or so after graduation I worked most of the jobs you can do in the theater. Primarily though I was a performer, a singer. Being on stage was also an education of sorts, an education about audiences and what makes a show work for them. That act ended with the production of my first play, The Ghost Writer.
My marriage came next, and I suppose that was sort of a five-year Intermission, but also a time of learning about myself, and opening up to the world and everyone (and thing) we share it with. Oddly enough, during this period I stopped drinking and became a vegetarian. I don’t know that those decisions were related; actually I’m not sure they were even decisions. But it was a time of evolution.
Act III began with a trip across country while reading the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I have written about this in A Transcendental Journey, so I wont go into details. It was a defining event, certainly, and started me on a path as, if not a serious writer, at least someone who takes writing seriously. By next spring, I will be up to 19 books, depending on how you count. They range in quality, but I think they are all at least worth reading, and I’m proud of them as accomplishments, even if they have not led to success as the world (and for the most part, I) see it.
Some authors prefer a three act structure. Shakespeare preferred five. But I have always leaned towards four acts. So Act IV could be pretty important for me. But I feel like I am ready for both the book, and the life. I don’t really have much of a plan for either yet. But I am looking forward to the quixotic adventures.
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