Sorry for Loss of Signal

I realize I have not been posting much on this blog about this story.  Rest assured I am still working on it.  So all two of you out there who want to read it, don't panic!

First thing, I took, for me, a giant step and self-published one of my short stories on Amazon Kindle.
Story is called Olympus Confidential.  Because of the two sales, I can honestly say two people like my writings.  To both of those purchasers thank you.


Been churning and mulling over the story while writing.  Remember when I said I finally had a path to book three?  Well that has changed.  I have decided to skip all of book two.  What was supposed to happen in book two will be told as flashbacks in book three.  There simply was no compelling reason to write that story.

And while this was happening, managed to weirdly run with an idea that Jen tossed my way.  So now got another short story, of a humorous bent and fantasy, finished.  And I am looking for someplace to get it published.

So that is what has been going on.  Besides fixing a leaking roof and taking care of sick cats.

A Writing Day

Looks like today I will be pounding the keyboard on the story.

After being stuck for awhile churning over things, I feel like I have a way forward for the first book.  And as bonus the motivation for second book.

But most important of all, I finally have a story outline for the third book that feels right.  Of course the changes means dealing with staking more vampires so I guess it will be a bigger win.

Editing Advice

One of the greatest bedeviling and possibly soul crushing experiences a new writer faces is, who to let see that precious oh so precious story and all its gleaming words that you have struggled to hone until they shined the brightest.  I am talking about early readers to some extent but also editors.  Luckily Sarah Hoyt, even on her sick bed, has taken time to write about this subject.

Here is one snippet to ponder:  The longer I live and write the more two truths become evident: 1- David Weber is right.  It’s all about the voice.  A confident, strong, enthusiastic voice will hide a multitude of sins.  2- Pratchett is right.  The secret to success is to be yourself as hard as you can.

Go READ it.  Has plenty of good stuff that is giving me a lot to think on.

Dreams, That Well Spring

Dreams can be many things.  Sometimes delightful.  Other times terrifying.  And even on occasion inspiring and a bit off the wall.  Such as last night's dream.

It started off as if I was watching some black and white movie on TCM.  Some obscure melodrama that seemed set in Australia.  With magnetic lodestones, shady dealer in such lodestones, and a complicated love triangle or was it a parallelogram?  But at the end the lovers are reconciled to their true partners and a gate opens to reveal this vast cavern.  A cavern with cobwebs and giant gears.  As the credits roll and I seem to be thinking of the concept of a clockwork god, that seems to be the title of the movie - Clockwork.

Next it seems I am attending some panel.  And the person running the panel is the author of Clockwork.  When I show I have the comic issues, am given a little charm by the author.  Then the panel is over and I am putting the comics away in my backpack while my iPhone is playing Konya wa Hurricane.

The dream ends with me in a comic shop.  Showing the Clockwork issues and telling the story to those in the shop.  Where upon I find the author has signed the cover of the first issue.  Comics are from 1981 I say and that I found them at a used bookstore.  Next looking at the other issues, one still seems shrinkwrapped with bold black numbers showing how limited the print run was.

Finally get to the last of the three issues.  Or was it four issues?  Its not like the other comics.  Open it to reveal scenes from feudal Japan.  But the style is not American comic or any manga, but more like the art from a book.  There is one page listing who created the book.  And I find autographs of Yoshitaka Amano and Helen McCarthy in silver marker there.  Then I look up to talk directly to the guy in the shop I have been talking to.  And its Stan Lee.

Weird. 

How to make writing look easy

Elizabeth Moon had a little writing contest recently.  That I failed to take advantage of, silly me.  The challenge was to write something about a dark winter night as Torre's Necklace rose in the sky.  The winners would receive Advanced Reader Copies for Crown of Renewal.  Three lucky people seem destined to to hold such precious items in their hands unless Gitres and his lawyers get invovled.

One person commented about sending orcs over to Elizabeth's domicile to express their displeasure at not winning.  Tongue in cheek of course.  And Elizabeth rose to the challenge of fending off three orcs very humorously and easily.

Jonathan: Poor orcs. They are not prepared for what they will find. Like the Lost Boys, they haven’t had a proper mother, have they?

“You can’t come in the house with dirty feet like that. There’s a hose–wash them off and I’ll bring you a towel to wipe them dry. Now wash your hands–right there, the laundry sink. Now straight through to the kitchen. You’ll sit here, and you’ll sit there, and you over there…Of course the knives are blunt. They’re for the table, not the stable. Hands in your laps, please, until I have the food on the table. No one knows how to say grace? Bow your head, then and I’ll teach you…no, I’m not going to cut your heads off while they’re bowed in prayer. I’m not that kind of person.

“Here’s some for you, and you, and you. Chew with your mouth closed, please. By the way, I know a dentist who could do something about those teeth. No, don’t wipe your mouth on your dirty arm. Use the napkin; that’s what it’s for. Yes, I know you like your meat rotten, but try *this*–it’s got some good spices in it–see? ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE and sit up straight. Never mind showing off your cusswords to me, sonny…that isn’t a patch on Master Gunnery Sergeant [redcated]. He could make the paint peel off the wall in paisley patterns. All you did was blacken the tablecloth–which I expect you to wash, bleach, and iron, by the way. Why yes, didn’t your writer tell you I spend three years active duty in the Marines? You’ll get dessert when you’ve finished your vegetables–and you, if you throw food on the floor again, you’ll be eating off it. Without dessert.

“That’s better. Now, who wants apple crumble and who wants pumpkin pie? Two pumpkin pie, one apple crumble…there you are. Yes, of course these forks are smaller, they’re dessert forks. No, you may NOT pick up the whole pie and shove it in your face. Where were you raised, in a…oh, sorry. Of course, you were raised in a lair. Well, in this house, we do not pick up whole pies and shove them in our faces. Use your fork properly, or you won’t get a second slice. And you–a fork is not a toothpick.

“Finished? Excellent. You–start the hot water in the sink. This one, here. You, stack the silverware here–no, you’re not taking it home, that was my grandmother’s. Bigger than I am and twice as mean. And you, scrape the leftover–oh, there isn’t any–well, then you stack the plates GENTLY on the counter. Let’s see those hands. Good heavens–I didn’t realize–Well, the hot water and soap will get the dirt out from under even those nails. You wash–GENTLY, any breakage will come out of your allowance–and you rinse, and you…no, wait, we need to work on your nails a little more. I think the hoof nippers should about deal with them, or maybe the wire cutters…”

Poor, poor orcs. And that’s before they meet my husband.

As I said she makes it seem so easy.  And I enjoyed every word of it.

While the Muse is Pleased

Since I have now become a money making author, I have been struck by increased motivation and creativity.  Of which I am thankful even as my imagination goes stomping down another path of 'what if' to run down a new story.

On top of creating a new edition of the zombie book at a lower price.  I have another novel being worked on.  So far just over 2,100 words on what is basically a spy thriller.  Do hope there is plenty of action.  Not sure if we will see any under the cover actions but the environment is a bit chilly.  So stay tuned.

Christmas Surprise

Devil Hunter Yohko

Got some good news in my email this morning from Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.  It seems my zombie book has managed to make some sales.  $1.40 worth.

Not bad for something I put together on a whim in 2012 to get experience.  I guess I may have to issue a special edition now.

Merry Christmas everyone!