How do you know when a painting is finished? Parenting is a painting I posted before, but it felt incomplete, and I decided it needed editing. Hope you like the finished product.
I began writing Antheia in the Thorns in 2016, shortly after Donald Trump became president. It was my first attempt at a novel. The story centered on a little-known industrial product called petroleum coke, or petcoke, and its role in global warming and pollution. While the storyline had potential, my writing at the time was mediocre.
I put the novel aside when Joe Biden was elected. He acknowledged the urgency of climate change and was enacting policies to reduce the U.S. carbon footprint. During his presidency, I hired a writing coach who critiqued my work as I wrote, helping me refine my craft. That guidance led to my award-winning book, The Water Factor, which has been deeply rewarding to see readers respond to.
When Trump returned to power, I realized Antheia in the Thorns could be more than a story—it could be a vital work of geopolitical environmental fiction. The president was increasing, rather than decreasing, the use of petroleum-based products. Suddenly, the novel felt worth rewriting.
Petroleum coke resembles coal but burns hotter. It’s cheaper, more polluting, and contributes more to global warming than coal. The U.S. is the world’s largest producer, with 59 refineries supplying local industries: cement plants, aluminum production, graphite electrode manufacturing, steel and titanium dioxide kilns, and power plants. Most of it is exported to China and India, with secondary markets in Europe, Central and South America, and other Asian countries.
I realized I had an important story to tell. After more than a dozen rewrites, plus feedback from beta readers and my writer’s group, Antheia in the Thorns has evolved into a geopolitical environmental thriller that both engrosses and challenges readers. It’s a story about courage, conscience, and confronting corporate greed. Antheia, the goddess of gardens and love, faces a thorny world where entrepreneurs will do anything to make millions. My Kirkus reviewer praised the book for keeping the reader interested until the very last page.
Antheia in the Thorns will be available for presale at a reduced price as an ebook in early January. I hope you’ll consider purchasing it and sharing your review—it will help ensure a successful launch. I’m counting on my best supporters and will keep you posted as we get closer to that date.
This Thanksgiving, I wish you warmth and joy surrounded by friends and family. If you find yourself alone this year, I wish you peace and leave you with this timeless poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
What is Success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
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You can find information and purchase Parenting on my website at. https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/6292511/parenting#/
Paintings and books make great gifts. Last week, I Zoomed into a book club discussion of The Water Factor held in Pennsylvania. It is a great way to enrich your club’s reading, and I do it without cost. Purchase my books in time for a holiday delivery, and can do that for you. Better yet, have them read the book now, gather round the Christmas tree for a lively discussion, and I’ll join you online. Great free entertainment.
Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com with questions.
How do you know when a painting or writing is finished? It’s a difficult question for authors and artists. Read more at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/blog/203948/edit-edit-edit-it-takes-time
