Ok. So, it will be July 1 in just a few hours. The first day of a new month brings with it new beginnings. New chances to have a "successful month." I have determined that my month will be successful. We are on OT at the day job. That means that our cash flow is going to be a bit easier at the house.
More importantly I am going to begin hammering out my next novel starting the first. I know that many of you are thinking, "Oh he's going to try that NaNoWriMo stuff (National Novel Writer's Month). Actually, my answer to that is this: while I admire the people who endeavor to smash out a 50,000 word novel in one month, I do not intend to force myself to follow these guidelines for this endeavor. I am going to write as solidly as I can as constantly as I can. If I finish in a month, then GREAT! If it takes two, then that's cool too. If it takes three, I will probably start to seriously question my commitment. Truth of the matter is I will probably finish it must faster than much slower. I have let this idea really stew in my brain for a while now. I think I have it simmered down to its essence and can understand the broad strokes of the whole.
This also means that if I don't answer as much as I normally would then I am probably lost in a crazy Nazi run dystopia filled with sorcerers, cowboys, robots, and steampunk inventors.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Synthesis
For about a month now, I have been working on fleshing out an alternate history world for my next writing forays. I think I have finally settled on a solid formation of history. My world has a solid mix of magic, mayhem, clockwork robots, zombies, and Nazis. Imagine, if you could for a minute, a world where Nazis control the western world, Hitler is an immortal sorcerer, and if starvation doesn't kill you, the zombies just might. Now compound this with tons of real world historical references to the occult and there you have it. A zombie apocalypse full of Nazis, steam punk, and magic.
In other news, the overtime at my day job just kicked in. Hopefully, this will not cut into my writing time too much, especially since this novel idea just congealed. Both of my daughters have swimming lessons this week. I love my life.
Some blogs to check out this week if you have time:
In other news, the overtime at my day job just kicked in. Hopefully, this will not cut into my writing time too much, especially since this novel idea just congealed. Both of my daughters have swimming lessons this week. I love my life.
Some blogs to check out this week if you have time:
- jakonrath.blogspot.com
- www.smreine.com
- jamiemchenry.blogspot.com
- and for my hockey friends slapcheck421.blogspot.com
That's just a few shout-outs. And as always, Be good, but have fun.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A change of pace - Update
If you know me. You know that I love fantasy. I love everything fantastic. From the shimmering scales of dragons to the pitter patter of gnomish dinosaur riders in New York of the 22nd Century. My mind has never really been well rooted in reality.I finished up my first fantasy novel. In reading back through it, something just doesn't feel right. Now, I may be too critical of the piece due to my relationship with the genre.
My wife/editor and I have talked about things a bit and she and I have agreed that something needs to be done with the novel (possibly file it away under "nevergettingpublished"). I have several short thriller/horror bits that I am putting together right now. One is already up on Amazon.com, and others are soon to follow. Very soon.
Sales of my lone short story are low, but I expect that. I haven't done a ton of advertising about the story. I think I am waiting until I have a few up.
Also, I have started the planning stages on a dystopian steampunk novel. I have mixed feelings about several aspects, so I am still outlining and revising those outlines. There is something about the world or the story that irks me pretty heavily.
On a different note, my fellow writer friend Jamie McHenry recently offered a contest on his blog for an Amazon gift card. I inadvertently won. (btw, I usually don't enter to win contests on the basis that I don't deserve to win) So, I have a few extra bucks to spend on one of my fave sites to shop - Amazon.
I know I will be picking up a few books written by other indie authors. While are out there, you should check out my short story, The Sweater.
My wife/editor and I have talked about things a bit and she and I have agreed that something needs to be done with the novel (possibly file it away under "nevergettingpublished"). I have several short thriller/horror bits that I am putting together right now. One is already up on Amazon.com, and others are soon to follow. Very soon.
Sales of my lone short story are low, but I expect that. I haven't done a ton of advertising about the story. I think I am waiting until I have a few up.
Also, I have started the planning stages on a dystopian steampunk novel. I have mixed feelings about several aspects, so I am still outlining and revising those outlines. There is something about the world or the story that irks me pretty heavily.
On a different note, my fellow writer friend Jamie McHenry recently offered a contest on his blog for an Amazon gift card. I inadvertently won. (btw, I usually don't enter to win contests on the basis that I don't deserve to win) So, I have a few extra bucks to spend on one of my fave sites to shop - Amazon.
I know I will be picking up a few books written by other indie authors. While are out there, you should check out my short story, The Sweater.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Sweater, a new Short Story
So, my first publishing on Amazon.com. "The Sweater" is a short story in the horror genre. Here is the back cover copy: A young couple, Tom and Anne Settler, live normal, just-making-it lives. Tom's job pays the bills, mostly. When a mysterious entity threatens their way of life, as well as their sanity, will they be able to hold things together? Or will the shadows claim them?I am truly proud of this story. I have it priced at $0.99. What's not to love? You can pick it up for less than the cost of a soda. Some people have already asked me, "But I don't own a Kindle. How am I supposed to read it?" I present to you Kindle for PC!
What I want all of you to do is this: please tell two people about this short story. It's a buck. It's quick. And it's creepy!
Thank you very much.
Michael
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Finished... Finished?
Ok, so as some of you may know. I have finished the rough draft of my first novel. My lovely wife is proofing and editing as I wash out my brain. When she's finished I will give it a go through and let her take a second look. Then I am going to be sending the manuscript to a few very close (very opinionated) beta readers. Then after all of those are returned with suggested edits/criticisms. I will be publishing the work at www.amazon.com as well as the other epub formats.
This comes at an interesting time, the kids' last day of school. The start of the summer schedule in my parenting plan. A time when some book sales could really help out financially as well.
My wife jokingly said last night, "Hey, you don't need to set your alarm to get up early in the morning."
"Actually, I kinda do. I want to get started on the next story. If I want to make a career of this, I need to treat it like a career. Besides, the writing part is fun," I said.
"Oh. Okay."
That exchange is what I want to delve into today. I talk to and read about so many writers who finish their first book and think, "Yay! I have a book." They might even get it published by a nontraditional publishing house (without an agent, that's about all you get these days ). I ask them what they are going to do now. And, invariably, the answer is "take a break." Sure, I am good with that. But I never ask how long. Because I know that answer too. And that answer is a sad one. That answer is "I don't know." But really it means "until the muse strikes me again sometime maybe months later." Now, I am definitely not a full on muse enthusiast. I do believe that there is a place/memory/portion of your brain/thing that comes to authors and thumps them in the head with ideas. However, I also believe that authors have to see the hundreds of story ideas that shoot out in front of them EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you want this to be your life, you can't sit back and let writing happen to you. You have to grab your writing mind/muse by the lapels like a Chicago street thug. Shake it down for any spare change it has. And put fingers to keyboard. In short, if you want to be a writer. Write, damnit.
Alright, off my soap box. The other question that has assaulted my mind is what am I going to write next. Well, I posted earlier on my blog that I have a Young Adult steampunk urban fantasy story brewing in my head. And this is completely true. I am working out the complexities of this fantastic world currently. However, I think my next writing adventure will be a science fiction short story. I am drawing part of the inspiration from my brother. He is a rifleman in the US Army, currently deployed to Afghanistan. When asked what he wants to do after he gets out, he says, "I think I want to learn to pilot. To fly helicopters. Maybe be a rescue pilot or a life-flight pilot." There's something really noble in that. My baby brother who is fighting overseas "so that others who can't don't have to," wants to still help people in a different way, when he is released from that obligation. I think this speaks to the heroic spirit that so greatly typifies much of the speculative fiction genres. My brother is a hero. And he is the inspiration for my short story.
Here is my short writeup:
Master Sergeant Alan Willians, Drop Ship Alpha, United Interstellar Naval Corps, signed up for the Naval Corps hoping to see the galaxy. See the galaxy he has, maybe too much of it. Now, a bit jaded and looking forward to his release from contract, he's planning to start his own business piloting planet jumper ships to transport people to the newly settled planets. Planets that he helped secure for the Interstellar Alliance. Something goes terribly wrong on his next to last mission, however. He will be faced with a choice - give up his dream and save the day, or ignore what he knows.
Intrigued? Follow my blog for more updates.
Are a writer yourself? Tell me what you do when you finish writing a book in the comments below.
This comes at an interesting time, the kids' last day of school. The start of the summer schedule in my parenting plan. A time when some book sales could really help out financially as well.
My wife jokingly said last night, "Hey, you don't need to set your alarm to get up early in the morning."
"Actually, I kinda do. I want to get started on the next story. If I want to make a career of this, I need to treat it like a career. Besides, the writing part is fun," I said.
"Oh. Okay."
That exchange is what I want to delve into today. I talk to and read about so many writers who finish their first book and think, "Yay! I have a book." They might even get it published by a nontraditional publishing house (without an agent, that's about all you get these days ). I ask them what they are going to do now. And, invariably, the answer is "take a break." Sure, I am good with that. But I never ask how long. Because I know that answer too. And that answer is a sad one. That answer is "I don't know." But really it means "until the muse strikes me again sometime maybe months later." Now, I am definitely not a full on muse enthusiast. I do believe that there is a place/memory/portion of your brain/thing that comes to authors and thumps them in the head with ideas. However, I also believe that authors have to see the hundreds of story ideas that shoot out in front of them EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you want this to be your life, you can't sit back and let writing happen to you. You have to grab your writing mind/muse by the lapels like a Chicago street thug. Shake it down for any spare change it has. And put fingers to keyboard. In short, if you want to be a writer. Write, damnit.
Alright, off my soap box. The other question that has assaulted my mind is what am I going to write next. Well, I posted earlier on my blog that I have a Young Adult steampunk urban fantasy story brewing in my head. And this is completely true. I am working out the complexities of this fantastic world currently. However, I think my next writing adventure will be a science fiction short story. I am drawing part of the inspiration from my brother. He is a rifleman in the US Army, currently deployed to Afghanistan. When asked what he wants to do after he gets out, he says, "I think I want to learn to pilot. To fly helicopters. Maybe be a rescue pilot or a life-flight pilot." There's something really noble in that. My baby brother who is fighting overseas "so that others who can't don't have to," wants to still help people in a different way, when he is released from that obligation. I think this speaks to the heroic spirit that so greatly typifies much of the speculative fiction genres. My brother is a hero. And he is the inspiration for my short story.
Here is my short writeup:
Master Sergeant Alan Willians, Drop Ship Alpha, United Interstellar Naval Corps, signed up for the Naval Corps hoping to see the galaxy. See the galaxy he has, maybe too much of it. Now, a bit jaded and looking forward to his release from contract, he's planning to start his own business piloting planet jumper ships to transport people to the newly settled planets. Planets that he helped secure for the Interstellar Alliance. Something goes terribly wrong on his next to last mission, however. He will be faced with a choice - give up his dream and save the day, or ignore what he knows.
Intrigued? Follow my blog for more updates.
Are a writer yourself? Tell me what you do when you finish writing a book in the comments below.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A fun new way to write
So, last night I managed to crank as much as I would normally do in two nights of writing. I would have to say that it is entirely thanks to the genius of one person: @MonicaMarieH . She has created this cleaver Twitter hashtag #wordmongering. This is a 30 minute on/30 minute off blitz style of writing. Now, my friend @Pensake is who I really noticed using #wordmongering. I thought I would jump in and see what it was all about. I noticed the first hour to be really refreshing, even though I was writing away on my iPod. For anyone who has never done this, let me tell you that it is sloooooow. But I managed a respectable number.
Fast forward. I have done this for about three hours now and am farther along in my novel than I would have been otherwise. I think there may be a few sections in need of editing, but they are saved on a draft now. Great! This may be the tool that my ADHD driven mind needs to blast away at my writing.
So, if you see any weird tweets from me in the near future gloating about word counts, don't fret. I am not crazy. Just encouraging fellow writers with some good natured ribbing.
Oh, also check out my wife's blog. She's new and going to do some book reviews soon. Send her a comment or a follow or something. Also if you aren't following me. You should be. I am fun.
Fast forward. I have done this for about three hours now and am farther along in my novel than I would have been otherwise. I think there may be a few sections in need of editing, but they are saved on a draft now. Great! This may be the tool that my ADHD driven mind needs to blast away at my writing.
So, if you see any weird tweets from me in the near future gloating about word counts, don't fret. I am not crazy. Just encouraging fellow writers with some good natured ribbing.
Oh, also check out my wife's blog. She's new and going to do some book reviews soon. Send her a comment or a follow or something. Also if you aren't following me. You should be. I am fun.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Gravesight: A not so grave review
I recently dipped into the entertainment budget to get a novella by a new and budding author, Jeremy McNabb. The novella Gravesight was a fun excursion. I let/made my wife read the sample from Amazon.com and she immediately begged me to pay the $.99 to buy the rest of the story. Read my review below.
I really liked the story and the setting. Though the story is short, intentionally so, there is a solid amount of action and intrigue to make you want to turn the page.
Jeremy McNabb's otherkind seem to be a well thought out alternative to your traditional creatures of modern fantasy.
The steampunk influences of the story are relatively light. Thus a newbie to the genre of steampunk should be able to follow right along.
On the negative side, I do feel that the story could use a healthy dose of copy editing. Nothing that distracts from the story too much, but there are a few errors.
All in all I would say a great read and a good tease for the yet to be published book seriesGravesight
Jeremy McNabb's otherkind seem to be a well thought out alternative to your traditional creatures of modern fantasy.
The steampunk influences of the story are relatively light. Thus a newbie to the genre of steampunk should be able to follow right along.
On the negative side, I do feel that the story could use a healthy dose of copy editing. Nothing that distracts from the story too much, but there are a few errors.
All in all I would say a great read and a good tease for the yet to be published book seriesGravesight
