The Doughnuts author/character diagram/map

November 5th is National Doughnut Day (confusing, because there’s also a National Doughnut Day in June, every year—but why not have two of them—there’s two of everything else!) ANYWAY, for today’s doughnut holiday (which is also “Book Lovers Day”) I thought I’d have another book give-away contest. But then I noticed it’s also “National Love Your Red Hair Day”—and it occurred to me that two major characters in The Doughnuts have red hair—and they are two of the “authors.”

That led me to making a hand-drawn “author map” of The Doughnuts—which diagrams the ten authors in the book—and how each one of them is writing the story of one of the others—who is writing the story of one of the others, and on and on. There is ultimately a circular structure, then, which is why we’re limited to ten. It is hopefully a device which contributes to the complexity and depth of each story—and the book as a whole.

If that makes you want to gouge your eyes out, rest assured that you can also read the book as a straight narrative—a saga involving a lot of related and unrelated people (who may cross paths), over a relatively brief period of time. But if you are a geek like I am and enjoy messing around with a metafictional puzzle, you might find this author/character diagram helpful. I used a similar diagram while writing it, to help keep things straight.

So, for anyone who has obtained The Doughnuts (and has read it or not), or who might want to obtain it or read it in the future—and would like me to send a copy of the diagram, let me know via email, text, DM, or mail (and make sure I have your mailing address). I’ll send one!

Also, why not (and if you’ve read this far, thank you!)—here’s another “contest”—the first ten people to respond (either by email, text, DM, mail, or comments in social media)—I will send a signed copy of your choice: The Doughnuts (2020), Black Iris (2021), or Love, Lies, Bleeding (2022). Make sure you specify which book! U.S. addresses, only please.

I am just happy to send out some books to someone who might want them. Please don’t think that means you need to read the book anytime soon, or get back to me about it. Books take time, and there are a lot of good books out there. Also, holidays might be coming up and books might make good gifts. Very few people ever respond to these “contests,” so if you’re not even seeing this until next Thursday, or the following one, you probably still will win!

11.5.22