Redemption

Main Entry:

re·deem

Pronunciation:

\ri-ˈdēm\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English redemen, from Anglo-French redemer, modification of Latin redimere, from re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lithuanian imti to take

Date:

15th century

1 a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin 3: to change for the better : reform4: repair, restore5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment <the United States Treasury redeems savings bonds on demand> (2): to exchange for something of value <redeem trading stamps> c: to make good : fulfill6 a: to atone for : expiate <redeem an error> b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrieve

Redemption, a powerful concept that lies at the heart of Neither Here nor There. It is not just forgiveness, but the idea that to overcome wrong, any wrong, you must do right. That’s what Antony does as he struggles with his inner demons and the outer hurdles of his new life in Woodstock. And that is the hook of the story.

As you might have guessed by my last post, this week has been a nightmare. I tried my hand writing a query and failed miserably (and felt even worse). I just could not find a way to write it. Each sentence was worse than the last.

Then it hit me.

Redemption.

If I were to sum up the entire thing, that would be it. And you know what, I felt…redeemed!

Now to turn that one word into a hook and from there into a award winning, bestselling novel.

Oh and one more thing.

SCREW THE WORD COUNT!

That is all.