The Night of Nitzevet
Nitzevet tricked me into writing about her son David!
I remember the night she cast her spell on me and I wished she would have just left me alone.
I was sleeping and she came to me in a dream looking worried and unhappy. Her gaze woke me!
I had made a few attempts at putting a few words on paper, however, it was not flowing.
Excerpt from The Leper Messiah:
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Nitzevet threw back her long black hair and put it behind her ear. The sliver of light disappeared as the sun went down over the rolling hills and highlands that rose over the village of Bethlehem.
“Come,” she said.
Inside her home, the pot bubbled over and she gently inhaled the steam that rose and fell on her face. The heat took her back to her visions that as a young girl drove her from her fathers’ tent.
Under Her Spell!
Whatever the spell Nitzevet cast on me I knew not and wished she would have looked the other way!
Writing about her David was no easy task. It would take discipline, skill, and detailed information from a time long ago, all of which were not overflowing in any cup I possessed.
I was happily leading a life of modern mediocracy, dating a few women, and having long walks with my dog. My daughter would often remind me, without a word, of how old I was getting without actually getting anywhere.
Oh, the joys of doing little or nothing of importance!
I had low-minded things to do.
I did not wish to venture into some ancient world.
I could easily wait for the newest Netflix series!
However, her gaze continued.
The Big Picture
Nitzevets’ spell confused me and inspired me at the same time.
Excerpt from the Leper Messiah:
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She whispered, “I am the mystical rose, the light of the burning bush and the light of the Rose will guide thee and the path of the Rose will lead you from east to west. I see all and will not let spirits or demons harm thee.”
Was Nitzevet whispering to me?
Maybe I would find a guide of my own and so I went looking!
I was lucky enough to find James Alexander Thoms’ “The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction”.
Thoms’ book became my bible. I have two copies and use one as my personal study guide. The entire book is highlighted and each page looks as if my dog has had its way with it.
My favorite quote from Thom’s book:
That’s how the historical novelist does it. Not pointing back-ward toward a past time, but taking the reader back to that time, back when that time was now and looking forward to the uncertainty of the next few hours.
Netflix would have to wait! I redoubled my efforts in writing about David.
The Time and Place
The time and place of that dream and conversation with Nitzevet will remain with me for a long time. Her gaze was etched in my memory and came to me often as I continued writing the book.
Excerpt from the Leper Messiah:
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Her cooking pot boiled over and the hot flames brought her back to the night’s duties. A goat bleeted from within the house and a calf cried for its’ mother’s milk.
Nitzevet walked quickly into her front room where David slept.
“How I will protect thee,” she said while stroking his hair.
“What hardships yet what wonders you will see.”
I still feel the heat of her eyes.
Robert