by Carl W. Hunt
Readers of A Moveable Marfa will note in the biographical section at the end of the book that my brother, C. E., credits me with an assist in editing and content suggestions. That was a generous acknowledgement on his part and encouraging as we hope to continue to collaborate in novel writing endeavors in the future.
I’m delighted that my brother has persevered and broken through with his first full-length story in such a colorful, humorous, yet dramatic fashion. It was indeed a labor of love on his part (and at times, mine as well), that reflects both his imagination and keen people-observing skills. I’m quite proud of my little brother for sticking through this over the 13-some odd years it took to pull it off.
Like many people who feel they have something worthwhile to say as they seek to engage in “The Great Conversation” of the millennia, I’ve also started and stopped my own novels over the years. It’s hard work to focus and finish a novel, as readers will have experienced in paying attention to the tribulations A Moveable Marfa’s protagonist, Steve Miles. While Steve’s relationships with people (particularly women) ebbs and flows, he found the courage and persistence to complete his own book. In that sense A Moveable Marfa is probably a bit autobiographical, as I suspect C. E. would admit after enjoying a cinquante, as Steve so often did in France.
C. E. shared with me a good deal about his five-plus years in France, and I know it was an amazing experience for him and his family. This was particularly so for his family, as they learned first-hand what it was like to live overseas as Americans. I’m certain those experiences will stay with them throughout their entire lives. It certainly affected Steve, as well, and the observant reader will detect hints of how Steve and C. E. are alike in the sense of being Americans overseas. It is also obvious how much C. E. loves West Texas. During his time there, he described Marfa in glowing yet, sometimes, humorous terms.
A Moveable Marfa is ultimately a story about perseverance and learning. Steve may have been slow on the uptake about how to relate to women in a romantic sense, but it was clear he learned and discovered who he was and what he could be, as all his female friends strived to help him realize. Steve kept plugging at life and trying to be the best he could be. In that sense, perhaps we should all be inspired. We should be inspired that perseverance and the objectivity to learn in the face of failure can result in great things. They did for Steve.
I expect that my brother and I will continue to occasionally post more insights about who Steve was and what he became, as well as explore some of the other characters of the story, as we get feedback from readers. This sort of introspection will enrich both A Moveable Marfa and our future collaborations, I suspect. C. E. and I invite you to participate in this version of “The Great Conversation” with us, as we do our own version of perseverance and discovery, the Steve Miles way.
So, I guess you could say we’re not really “Closing the Books” on A Moveable Marfa …we’re opening it to the next chapter! Thanks for reading A Moveable Marfa.
CE Hunt 