Beautiful Like You

Back in 2000 to 2002, there was a short lived television series called Special Unit 2. It was about a Chicago police unit whose job was to deal with "links" - also known as mythological creatures that could harm humans (such as Medusa, Black Widows, Gargoyles, and more).

In one episode of the series, the group Joydrop appeared and played themselves, and they also played two of the songs in the show. This one happens to be my favorite.

Need You Now

Sometimes he can see it all with clarity, and sometimes everything he sees is cloudy, murky, and indistinct.

I need him now. The chains are still holding him in the room. They are clearly weaker, but his strength is not yet enough to overcome them.

It's only a matter of time. It will happen. But I do want it to happen so much faster than it is. I want him to be free now, to come out of the room and be everything he was meant to be.

The Prisoner

His arms are chained to the wall. His thin frame stretches down to the floor. His only clothing is the remaining shreds of blue jeans around his waist. Dirt and grime cover his chest and leaves his hair hanging limp.

The days of isolation and confinement are taking their toll on his body and mind. He still has strength and will power left, as he has only been confined here for two months, but that strength will wane if he does not escape soon.

The captivity was not voluntary, nor was it intentional. Just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time in a manner of speaking. The chains holding his wrists above his head prevent no only hold him captive, they also keep him from using his abilities. His hands are part of his trade and without the use of them, he is effectively helpless. No matter how intelligent, and no matter how hard he thinks through, escape is not possible until his hands are freed.

The captor has a name, but does not have a face or a voice that he can confront. The captor simply exists and is neither evil nor good. It has done good things for some, and bad things for others, and in this case it took him prisoner. Where this man would remain until the life span of the captor comes to an end.

Only when the captor becomes weakened may he attempt to free himself from this bondage. Only then may he escape the cramped stone cell and return to his life. He holds no malice for the captor, but he will never again face or confront the captor.

The chains are growing weaker. He freed one hand. It is only a matter of time now before he is fully free.

The Look

In 1989, Swedish duo Roxette finally got their breakout hit. A song that literally went around the world for them and made them an international pop sensation. Several more songs would follow, including some more really big hits.

But this song is where it started.

Getting an opinion

I did a little experiment today with Jeremy's Kiss.  When I first released the book I had the pitch on the back cover.  Later I changed the pitch and entered the book in a contest (sadly the pitch wasn't good enough to get into the next round of the contest).

I was not able to tell which pitch was actually better though.

So I asked a friend who has a daughter who knows nothing about me at all (they live across the country) to read both pitches as if they were 2 different books and tell me whether or not she would be interested in reading the book.  Then which book she would prefer.

So my non-scientific experiment with an unbiased person indicated that I should be using the newer pitch.  I think I'll keep it.

What am I writing about?

That's quite a huge question while working on a novel. Not just any novel either. This is a sequel to my first novel. So I need to follow up that story, keep the characters consistent or growing.

I get into the story...then find myself at a point where I am not sure what is happening next, or how events proceed. Or in my current case, how do I get from what I have written to where I expect the scene to get to?

I'm at that point right now. I know what I want in the scene, but I need to get from where I have written so far to that point. It's like it's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite say the word. It will come to me. I just have to relax. Rest. Exercise. Ride the motorcycle, and survive difficult times at work.

This story will come out.

Metro

Terri Nunn was the lead singer for Berlin, an American group formed in Los Angeles in 1978. They really don't have anything to do with Germany or that small little hamlet in Germany (maybe its a touch bigger than a hamlet...can't say I've been there myself, but I've heard of it).

Now for a little bit of trivia about this band. The lead singer Terri Nunn left the band for a short time to try to become an actress. She auditioned for the role of Leia Organa in a film that didn't have many big name actors. Leia Organa is best known as Princess Leia and the role went to Carrie Fischer, the rest is history of course.

Short writing break

We had visitors for the past 10 days, and it was a joy to have them here. I didn't do much writing while they were here, and I am perfectly ok with that. After all...we have to take a break from working now and then and have some time with family and friends.

I think though. I need to return to working and get this book really going.

Don't Belong

This is a difficult song for me to say something about.  Because it isn't available in the US.  That's really frustrating too.  It's a great song that really fits the mood I want to be in while writing on Natalie's Hunt.

So I built my Natalie's Hunt playlist on my iPod.  And I added all the songs I wanted (that I found first on YouTube and listened to enough to know I want them), except for this song.

Well, you can't buy it, but you can enjoy it here (and on YouTube).

Man in Leather

 

Got my new leather riding vest this week.  I'm pretty happy about that.  The full leather jacket is great, but some days it was really hot wearing the full jacket.  Now I have my leather, can stay a little cooler, and ride more.

I know earlier this week I mentioned having trouble writing due to a medication to help me get past insomnia.  It doesn't affect my reaction time.  So I am still perfectly safe riding this freshly cleaned machine.  (Just in case anyone was worried about me being safe).

The nice thing about it is that when I ride, I am not thinking of anything else, but enjoying the ride.  So it clears my mind, and when I get back, I am more ready for writing than ever before.  So the motorcycle is a help.  Now I just need to write a scene for the one character I have who has her own motorcycle.

Maybe next time I'll get a photo of me in the leather vest and leather leggings....Maybe even go for an action shot or two.

Writing while on medication

It's far from easy.  Recently I had a bad problem with insomnia.  It got bad enough to affect me at work, and at home.  So I had no choice but to go see a doc about it.

I'm on a temporary medication while I work with the doctor to determine why it happened in the first place.  We figure it will take a bit of time to really understand why I couldn't sleep, but we'll be persistent and get it figured out.

In the meantime I'm still giving my best to writing.  But for the time being it feels sluggish.  I know exactly what I'm writing, and it's coming out like I want it to.  It's kind of like I went from typing about 70 words per minute to only typing 35 words per minute.

The hunt is continuing, and I am really liking how its coming out.  One word at a time, and pressing on.  I still can't give a timeline for the book because once I get through the draft there is still so much work to be done.  Once I have an idea on the timeline, I'll start posting it and giving updates.

In the meantime, I will slog through the medicine and keep pressing on.

Crystallize

I got to thinking about what I post here for music and realized I am really not saying much. It wouldn't take much effort for me to at least learn something special about a song and share it here.

Lindsey Sterling was voted off of America's Got Talent in 2010. Piers Morgon told her that the world had no place for a dub-step dancing violinist.

Yet she persisted, and now she is selling out auditoriums.

A Day in the life

I just can't seem to think of anything at all for me to write about tonight, and I made a promise to write a post. So I'm just going to briefly talk about my day.

Started off, took time off from work. So I slept in (much needed rest).

Caught up with a few people over social media.

Did a little yard work (efforts aimed at getting weeds out of the grass).

Got on the motorcycle and went to lunch.

Brought a friend back from lunch (the motorcycle handled just fine still).

Went to get my hair cut.

Fixed a nice dinner of buttery crusted chicken, southern style baked squash, and mashed potatoes.

Finally sat down to relax.

I think I should go get some ice cream now.

He was Daddy

This is about a man I knew. He left us this week, and I know I miss him. Just as I know it pales in comparison to those closest to him.

When I was young, still in high school, I dated his youngest daughter. She was his baby girl. He adored her absolutely, and even to a naive teenage boy, it was really clear he loved his daughter.

He was a man's man. His trade then was car repair and he was dang good at it. He loved racing, and went to the dirt track to enjoy the races often. He even got an old beat up car, fixed it up, and got out on that track once or twice himself. He had an absolutely gorgeous (and babied) classic car.

He treated me great, like a second dad. Helped me work on my car. Helped me get a better car (one that could be worked on), and helped me get it in better shape (as much as my budget allowed).

He had dirt bikes and go carts (one of which said girlfriend drove into a dumpster as I was following on a mini bike).

There was one moment though, that made him daddy then and forever. It was the time that he wanted to kill me. I didn't treat his baby girl right, and he was ready to make me pay for that infraction. It's pretty clear he didn't, but still. He was truly daddy. I didn't understand it then. That came years later.

My poor words seem so little to do justice for the heart this man had. But they are all I have now. Angels welcome him.

Sweet Dreams

The original.



The one on Natalie's Hunt playlist.

Keeping your promises

This might very well be my most controversial post yet, and hopefully I write this in a way that is not too terribly controversial.  It's just something that has been on my mind for a bit, and so I'm going to let the thought find it's freedom right here.

I would never have any trouble finding someone who will tell me their word is good and that they keep their promises.  In fact, it's the opposite, I would have tons of trouble ever finding someone who will tell me I can't trust what they say and that I should never bother believing their promises.

I'm focusing those whose word is good and they keep their promises.  See, I kind of have an issue with certain aspects of this idea.

I've known so many who made promises, or said they would do something, and then later they broke the promise, or didn't do what they said.   Then this is usually followed by say something about circumstances changed, or their feelings changed, or there were things they didn't know.  There are plenty of things to be said for why the promise was broken or the word was not kept.

In the end though.  I think I am at a point I cannot trust someone to keep their word or their promises if they can break them when they believe they have enough of a reason to.  Honestly, if someone makes a promise to me, or gives me their word on something, I am hopeful they will do everything they can to keep their promise, to be good on their word.

I expect that of me too.  I haven't been perfect, and I wish I could have said otherwise.  But the truth is what it is.  I just want to be better about what I say to others, and really mean what I say, and not leave anyone with a broken promise or an empty word from me.

Feeding Vampires

I am about a third of the way through the draft for Natalie's Hunt.  Once I get through the draft, I will probably need more time to get it sorted out, and do a lot of repair work on it before it is ready for an editor to see it.  I don't have a timetable right now, but I promise to keep working on it.

In Jeremy's Kiss, when Natalie fed on her first human, she discovered that it is a sexual experience for the human involved.  That is how vampires draw in their prey so that they can feed.  They are natural predators, who use human sexuality as a means to attract them, keep them.

She did it again later in the book when found Steve, and both fed on him, and questioned him.

I completely forgot about that sexuality aspect   I got into writing a scene in which a vampire needed to feed.  I made it through the scene, but I swear I really needed a cold shower after I was done writing it.

The Other Side

A bit of Rock.  A bit of Opera.  A bit of Goth.

One hell of an amazing video.

Not Just Alive. Living

 

 



Following up on Monday's Music Post.  I mentioned that there was an event in my life that reminded that I am alive.  But I needed to be more than alive.  I needed to live.

That event was the passing of the woman I was married to.  It was a long and difficult illness that finally took it's toll.  It didn't just take it's toll on her though, it took a toll on everyone in her family.  After it was over, I remembered I am alive.  But after years I saw that I was with a woman who was alive, but didn't get to live.

I made a vow to live.

There are lots of things people do to live, or to feel alive, or however you wish to phrase it.  Some people enjoy the thrill of skydiving (I'm not on that list).  Some enjoy scaling sheer rock walls, pushing their strength to it's limits.  Some enjoy straight forward exercise, feeling the exertion of the muscles.

I could go on and on with thoughts about what people do to live, or what they do to avoid living (getting stoned is an escape from living - in my opinion), or what people do that is just getting by (neither living, nor escaping from living).

I chose to get a new motorcycle (not the one pictured above, that one is my 2nd motorcycle).  I had never ridden a motorcycle before.  I really didn't know what I was doing.  But I learned.  I picked it up quick.  In my motorcycle safety course (filled with people like me who were riding for the first time), I was at the top of my class with handling the motorcycle.  I'm not saying that to be bragging or overconfident.  It's just that I was willing to push some of my limits, and yet kept the bike under my control.  I felt comfortable, and quickly become confident.

The motorcycle became my way to live.   I somehow become a part of the machine, and just ride.  I keep an eye around me, and know my surroundings.  I take care of me, and I take care of my bike.  I ride, and I feel the closer to the world around me.

I found a way to live.  I intend to live.

The Word Count

July was a busy month. I won't bother going into all the details, but it was just plain busy. The last time I was working on Natalie's Hunt, I looked at my word count for the month of July. I probably shouldn't have done that. It bummed me out. I didn't write nearly as much as I wanted to write.

So with a new month starting in a just a few hours (less than 5 as I am typing this), I am setting my sights forward. There are some very busy times coming up for August. We will have visitors the last couple weeks of the month. So the house will be kind of full, and kind of full really isn't the best time for writing. But I will do my best, and give extra effort to the first couple weeks and get as much done as I can so that when August comes to a conclusion, I can look at my progress and feel happy about it.

I am not all bummed out about my progress. I am enjoying seeing new things in the story as I go. My method of writing is that I have the "basic" story in my mind. After that it gets filled in with lots of new details and things that tie it all together. It's those last parts that I don't truly know until I sit down and really start writing.

I get into the story in my mind, and I start writing what I am seeing, and my imagination creates as I write. It's a wonderful and thrilling experience that I would gladly enjoy almost every day. I only say almost because I know the imagination needs its recharge time. I can manage that. But first I need to get into the position where I really can write daily. At that point I could eventually publish 2 or 3 books, and 2 or 3 short stories every year. I've tested my theory and I know it's true. I really could write that much. Granted, I only have story ideas in my head that would cover the first two years (maybe 3). I don't doubt my brain could come up with some new material to keep me going beyond that point though.

I'll think I'll go write something now.

Wanted - Dead or Alive

"Every man dies. But not every man lives." William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) from the movie Braveheart.

A specific event in my life reminded me that I am alive, but I need to be more than just alive. I needed to live.

Increasing Likes

Last week I decided to do a brief advertising campaign on my Facebook author page.

In the past I was not very impressed with advertising on Facebook, but I decided to give it another try.   I restricted my budget as a matter of prudence (well, that and not being impressed the first time around).

This time I was kind of impressed.  The advertising generated new likes on my page.  Which is really cool.

But since I'm spending money on it, there is an unspoken (actually I think I said it out loud, but who's counting that thought anyway) thought that it should generate book sales so that my investment would be recouped.  So far I have not detected sales I can trace back to the facebook campaign, but I am doing my best to be certain.  If it worked, then I will invest in it again.

Writing History Into the Present

It's an interesting phenomena to write about vampires, or others who are either immortal or live very long lives.  They get to experience points in history I have no way of experiencing myself (except for reading books).  They also have the time to travel to places that I have neither the time nor the money to travel to myself.

So as I reference the histories of my vampires, I have no choice but to rely on my own creativity, and the research I can conduct on my own.

Part of that research is to do what I can to meet people from other countries.  I have met someone (through the Internet) from the country mapped above.  If you read Jeremy's Kiss, then you know I have a character who is from there (but quite a few years ago).  So talking this new friend I am getting some insights about what this character may be like.  Of course I have to make it complicated by having him in a conversation with a vampire from Japan, one from early American, one from modern America, and one from mainland Europe (not sure if I said where the last one is from yet).  So it's not like there is a single cultural issue going on here.

In the end, I have to find a way to blend these characters.  They have certain rules I have applied to them, and still they need to be themselves in their own way.

Fluers De Mal (by Sarah Brightman)

Translated, it basically means the Flowers of Evil (but the translation is not perfect as the words meanings are not precise).

The song has a wonderful sound, and honestly I would love to play the violin as it is played in this song.

The Violin & The Bow

Have I mentioned yet that I play violin?  I can't remember if I brought that up in this blog or not yet.  I know I have shared it through other outlets, but this blog has been so much about writing and what I have written that I am not sure I have mentioned that I play violin yet.  So tonight I am going to talk about playing the violin.

I first picked up the violin in 1979 (I won't say how old I was at the time - those who know, know).  My parents found a used violin at a reasonable rate and I started lessons.  Then I moved, was in class in school for a short time, and we moved again, and I didn't have an instructor and I had only barely started.  So for years I didn't have an instructor and the violin was stored away.

Fast forward to 2007 and my parents still have that violin and they brought it to me where I lived at the time.  I found an instructor and took lessons through online video chat sessions.  I won't say that is the ideal way to do lessons because there were so many mistakes I was making that she was not able to see.  Still, I wouldn't trade those lessons for the world.  My instructor was just wonderful and really got me back to enjoying learning to play the violin.  I even invested in a new violin (better quality).  I kept the original one, because it is my fist and I am going to hold onto it until I see my life coming to a close (hoping that's about 60 or so years away).

Tragedy hit though and I set the violin down for about a year and a half.

I moved to a new place, and decided (with the blessing of my online instructor) to take lessons at a local music school.  I have been doing that for 3 years now.

I had 2 violins.  I had 2 bows.  The funny thing is that each violin liked one of the bows and not the other, and they didn't like the same bow.  When I say didn't like, what that means is that if I played the violin with the wrong bow it would make weird noises and just not sound good at all.  He said I need to rehair my bow.  The cost to rehair the bow is as much or more than I paid for the bow in the first place.  I wasn't going to do that.

So I did a little research on violin bows and decided I really did not want to go back to an uber cheap bow.

I stopped at my now favorite violin store and worked with the staff and picked out a new Brazilwood bow.  It was close.  I almost got the Carbon Fiber bow, but the Brazilwood just had a nice sound on my violin.

I've played it.  It's wonderfully smooth and gives my violin a brand new sound.  Who knew?  I mean besides violinists who have been playing long enough to have learned what I just learned this week - that the bow really does make  a difference.

The photo above.  That is my violin with it's new bow and it's old bow.  I think they look good together.

Did some Editing

A young woman who is now reading Jeremy's Kiss asked me very politely if I would look at a story she is writing. She dreams of completing it and publishing it. Naturally I said yes. I really hope her dream becomes a reality, and now I am given an opportunity to help her see that dream come true.

She sent me her story, and I am very impressed with her imagination and creativity.  She has the beginnings of a very thorough story.

Then I set my mind to the task of editing.  Grammar corrections, ok, gotta have those.  Then comes the harder part.  Which parts need some expanding and clarifying?  Which parts aren't quite making sense to the story I am reading?  Did I feel like something was missing?

I have gained a whole new respect for professional editors.  Their job is clearly a difficult one.  Finding and fixing what can take a story to the next level is a skill or a talent that not everyone possesses.

So this is really my shout out to all those editors out there working so hard to make the stories authors write into something even better than it was when the author first penned it.  Many thanks for the hard work.

Monday Music Redo - Snuff by Slipknot

I was looking over old posts last night and noticed that yesterday's music post was actually a repeat.

So that's great. I really need to figure out a way to stay on top of my music posts so I don't repeat posting music. There is way more than enough music out there to not have to do repeats for a very long time.

I am posting this bonus song today to make up for that lapse yesterday. It just has that vibe about it that gets me in the right mood for writing.

Close My Eyes Forever

If I close my eyes forever, will it all remain unchanged?

Yeah, that one lyric really speaks to me about the immortality of vampires.

Within my story lines, vampires sleep during the day. It is part of their being, their very nature. They do not have a choice about it. When dawn comes, they will sleep, and all their instincts drive them to safety (as sunlight kill vampires - They Do NOT Sparkle!!!!).

I'm Going Camping

The clothes are packed.

The cooler is packed (and iced).

The dishes are cleaned.

The coffee is ground.

The trailer is parked and ready to be loaded.

The truck is ready to get through a work day, and come home to get loaded.

We have a reservation at the Sea & Sand RV resort.

A spot that I am told overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

I have a box filled with both books.

I'm going camping, and I hope I capture at least one or two amazing photos I can share.

The 13th God

Earlier this year I joined the Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA). This is a group dedicated to supporting Independent authors and showing that authors do not need publishing houses and tons of resources to provide good quality books that are worth reading.

All of the members of the group are invited (actually highly encouraged) to submit a short story each year to be published in a NIWA anthology. This years theme is to write "speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, or something at least close)" with the number 13 as an element of plot or setting.

I submitted my short story entitled "The 13th God". As it is a short story, I won't say too much about it, because in a few words I could easily give away the story.

The story I submitted was accepted and I am very happy with the compliments the reviewer/editor gave the story. Now comes the hard part. Correcting my mistakes and fixing parts of the story that need to be clarified for ease of reading. When I read through what the editor asked me to work on, I honestly felt a little bit overwhelmed. It actually seemed like a daunting task.

I will face that task though. I fully intend to make sure this story is worthy of the association I have joined. I have time, but I dare not waste the time that I have.

Before The Dawn

Just listen to the lyrics, or read them if you prefer.  Everything about this song is just meant for Vampires.

Almost ready for camping

I woke this morning to the dawning realization that I had forgotten to write a post for yesterday.  Bad blogger, bad bad blogger.

Ok, enough beating me up.  I know I need to do better.  In lots of things.

Yesterday I had the day off from work (loving the 4 day weekend - need those like once a month I think).  So yesterday was spent with the RV trailer getting it ready to go camping next weekend.

Cleaning was a huge issue.  Apparently some mice decided to it make their home.  The smell was not pleasant.  The insulation, paper towels, and toilet paper shredded to make little mouse homes was not pleasant.  The mess they made was beyond not pleasant.  The small trash bag quickly filled.

One of the tires was flat, so that had to come off and go into a dealer for repair.  I set the jack under the trailer and started lifting.  The trailer did not move, but the jack did.  Pulled the jack out and put a board under the trailer and tried again - this time the trailer lifted.  Got the tire off and headed out to get it repaired and also pick up more cleaning supplies and mouse traps.

The tire was 26 years old (dang, I didn't know they could last that long) and still had good tread on it - but the rubber was definitely too old to be repaired.  One expensive replacement later, plus shopping for cleaning supplies and mouse traps, and we are back at the trailer.

New tire on.  Cleaning again.  Lots of duck tape to cover the place the mice were stealing the insulation from.  The generator would not start (so couldn't test that the trailer will get power from being plugged in).  The battery is in good shape though so I do at least have power from the battery.

It's clean enough to take camping, but could still use a bit more work.  On the way home realized I forgot to take off the propane tanks to have them topped off, and also realized I forgot to set the mouse traps.  No doubt the little mice are crawling over the box of traps laughing their little tails off.

Interview With Michelle

We have a special guess at our blog tonight. Michelle, recently returned from a mysterious island has joined us to give an interview. She'll share a bit more about herself and a bit about her experience on the island.

Lee: Michelle, thank you for coming by for this interview.

Michelle: Thank you for the invitation. Ever since I read the story myself, I've been hoping to for an opportunity like this.

Lee: Well, hopefully you did enjoy the story, even though you knew it was primarily about you. Could you tell us a bit more about yourself.

Michelle: Yes. As you know from the story, I am from Canada and I am bilingual. My family moved a few times while I was growing up, but I eventually settled down and married and lived in the Edmonton area. Unfortunately that marriage didn't last, but I did get two wonderful children, so I can't complain too much. After the divorce, I just wanted to get away from my ex husband and moved to the Northwest Territories. I won't say exactly where, because I am still very protective of my children and my privacy.

Lee: How did you meet Frank for the first time?

Michelle: It seems like a lifetime ago, but I did work as a freelance writer. He was writing as a hobby. We met through the Internet. In fact, that was how we corresponded and got to know each other. It's amazing how much you feel like you can get to know someone even though they are so far away. We did that for several months, and then it was like he was someone I didn't know at all. I guess it scared me and I decided I didn't want to go through another issue like with my ex husband, so I broke things off.

Lee: It sounds like there are still lingering emotions where he is concerned.

Michelle: Can we move on to another topic?

Lee: Certainly. Tell us a bit about when you first arrived on the island.

Michelle: Ok. I can do this. When I woke up there, it was very traumatic. There are no words to describe the terror of waking up in such an impossibility. I know I had things with me to help me survive, and I am not a stranger to camping or taking care of myself. But still this was far beyond anything I could ever imagine. Every camp ground I have ever been to, I could still hear people around me. There was always the people I went camping with, whether they were family or friends. There were cars and traffic, or airplanes that could be heard. Sometimes I sought out times and places where I didn't have to hear these things. On the island I was constantly without that presence. There were no cars. There were no planes, or boats. There was nothing electrical. It was like the entire world as I know it was taken away from me.

Lee: It did seem like it was emotionally traumatic for you.

Michelle: I guess you are referring to how much I cried.

Lee: Yes, I am.

Michelle: It was very emotionally traumatic, and I know I cried several times. The terror was overwhelming at times. Then there was the loneliness. And there was Frank. He really hated me. I had no idea he really hated me like that. I know my ex husband is bitter, we both are, but he is the only person I ever expected that kind of anger and vitriol from. It shocked and scared me to see Frank like that. When we corresponded, he was always seemed like a kind and thoughtful man. I know he had difficult emotional issues, but I never saw anything like that look in his eyes that day. But the story didn't cover everything. I guess it had to be edited to keep it interesting. There were days on end in which I didn't cry. There were times Frank and I crossed paths and I didn't cry about it. There were other storms that I survived without the overwhelming fear. I guess if there was anything I would critique it is that the story made me seem more emotional on the island than I really was. Once I got past the shock and focused on survival, most days that is all I did. Just focus on the survival, like putting one foot in front of the other.

Lee: That definitely gives a new perspective on this story. We are going to need to stop at this point. I don't doubt there is a lot more we could ask. Would you be willing to answer questions from some of our readers?

Michelle: Yes, up to a point. I won't reveal any details that could indicate where I really live. As I mentioned, I am protective of my family. Also, we are working on finishing this story, and I will respect that and not give away details of what happened after I woke up in my bed.

Lee: Thank you for being with us Michelle. And thank you for working with us to finish the story. I am sure we all look forward to hearing more from you. If you have any questions for Michelle, please ask them here, and we'll get the response out as quickly as we can.

Read All About It

Twice Even.  Sure, this might seem like a shameless plug for my books again.  But that really is the title for the song I am putting in today's Monday Music.

Shameless plug.  Buy my books, read them, love them, give them amazing reviews and tell the whole world how awesome they are (shameless plug over with).

Like I said.  Twice on the song.  The first time is intended for you to just listen to the song.  The second time it is accompanied by an amazing video performance.

Enjoy.

Called For Music

I had a short playlist of songs to listen to while writing Natalie's Hunt.  That meant that I was listening to the songs over and over and over again (and again).

So I sent out a request for some vampire songs and people have come through.  The playlist is growing very nicely and has a very nice mix of songs that fit the mood I want to be in when I am writing on Natalie's Hunt.

Tomorrow I have a book signing at a locally owned bookstore.  The owner is amazingly friendly.   I couldn't be happier about being there for the book signing.  Just to share with everyone it will be at Interstellar Overdrive books 7732 NE Hazel Dell Ave, Vancouver, WA.  Would love to see you there.

I'll go back to finding some more music for Natalie's Hunt.  Have a great night.

Natalie's Hunt is progressing

I've turned my attention to writing the scenes I know are going to happen in the book.  I know there is something more to the book that I haven't discovered within me yet.  It's just there waiting to be discovered, brought up, nurtured as it were, and transferred into written images.

I am working on editing a small story and providing some feedback to the young author.  It has gotten me to thinking about my own writing and making sure I follow the same suggestions I would give to another author.  Such as maintaining point of view, giving good background description, maintaining a good story flow, and who knows what else I would say (these are things that have been said to me already).

So I'm pretty excited on Natalie's Hunt.  I like that it is progressing again.  I feel like I really am going somewhere and I keep discovering new and exciting things in the story line (that's how I write - I don't really know everything until I start writing it down - then it sometimes surprises me).

I have characters having conversations, taking care of business, and working toward specific events I know will happen.  Like, I said.  It's exciting.

Modern Love

Here is a nice song from the 80s, that was redone into something completely different, and in my humble opinion, quite amazing.  Enjoy

I missed Friday - Ooops

I feel bad that I missed putting up a post on Friday.  I made a commitment and I am supposed to honor my commitments.  Or at least have a decent excuse for when I can't.  I don't have a decent excuse, unless you count going to bed at 7pm in the evening due to not feeling well as an excuse.  I'm not going to count it for now and say that I really want to give my best to doing what I say I will do.

In personal news I am making a commitment to find a way to have more time for me to write.  I could write a full size novel, or two novellas per year if I could write full time.  I may be able to write even more than that, who knows.  But the idea that I could have a multitude of books published is an awesome thought indeed.

On Saturday I sold two books (one Jeremy's Kiss and one Island Of Regrets) to a mother and daughter.  The daughter aspires to be writer, and she asked me to sign the book for her, and very shyly asked me if I would be willing to read something she has written.

I realized if I had the chance to meet and speak with authors I admire and look up, I would be beyond honored for them to read what I have written and give me feedback.

I don't know how those authors would feel, but I know how this young woman made me feel.  Very honored.

I hope I hear from her and get to read what she has written.  I will give her honest and sincere feedback and do everything I can to help her see her dreams come true.  I know how difficult it is to be a writer.  I know the struggling hours, and I know that the pay is not very good until one achieves name recognition.  The passion is still there though.  The stories are in my head and simply need to be written down (and thoroughly edited, and formatted, and fixed, and finally published).

Sequels and More

The reviews on Island Of Regrets keep coming in, and there are two things that are amazingly consistent from the reviewers.

1.  The book is good.

2.  Will there be a sequel?

When I first wrote this story, it was my intention to walk a very fine line of making the story complete so that it could stand on it's own, while at the same time leaving room for a potential sequel.

I know how the sequel to the book will go.  I am taking notes so that I know what I will be writing.  This is very important, because right now I am immersing myself in the sequel to Jeremy's Kiss (working title is Natalie's Hunt).

It's too bad I can't leave my day job and write during the daytime every day.  Alas the bills do need to be paid, so I must continue to find free time when and where I can.

I think sometime in the near future I will start doing interviews with characters from the books.  It shouldn't take me too long to get through interviews with the characters from Island Of Regrets.  Jeremy's Kiss may take longer, especially since I have to wait for sundown to talk to most of them and with summer here the sun stays up pretty late.

Shot In The Dark

It's not the Ozzy Osbourne one though. I do like Ozzy's song, and may bring it up later. For now, I am going with Within Temptation. This isn't a cover of Ozzy's song either. It just happens to have the same title and there is something about the song that I like.

Tebow has a job

And it's in the NFL too.

I am a football fan and my team is the Denver Broncos. So I either would have to stop being a fan or be aware of Tim Tebow. I know when he came in and played for Denver, they went on a winning streak that took them to the playoffs where they upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime.

I just wasn't buying into the Tim Tebow phenomenon though. To begin with, he was drafted by Josh McDaniels. Please don't get me wrong, I don't want to come across as bad mouthing anyone, but when it comes to being a head coach, I have nothing good to say about what Josh McDaniels did in Denver. So that is the first thing I was disliking about Tebow in Denver.

Then things in Denver changed. Tebow was given a chance, and the talent of the team around him (especially a dominating defense) made him a winner for the season. It didn't make him a better quarterback though. He didn't learn to do the things that make the great quarterbacks (Montana, Stauback, Manning, Marino, Favre, Elway, and a few more). He could find the holes and run like a running back. He could take a hit. He could throw a long bomb. He couldn't keep his passing percentage above 50%. He couldn't sustain drives. He couldn't manage the ball and keep possession for the majority of the game. And the list goes on.

Does all this make him a bad quarterback? No. The list of Superbowl winning quarterbacks includes names of men who were not considered elite NFL quarterbacks. In my mind, it made him less competitive than other men competing to play in that position.

So now he had a fresh start with a no nonsense team. There will be no Tebow mania circus. The entire Patriots team will not put up with it, and that is exactly the way the Patriots fans want it. They have their Golden boy right now in Brady. They are not going to let Tebow come in and change that unless Tebow really proves himself. Luck is not going to play a factor for Tebow (tongue in cheek - Indianapolis has the monopoly on that). When it comes to playing for New England, he will have to demonstrate the skillset that will move the ball consistently, and he will have to display the leadership that an elite team will expect. The Patriots belong to Bill Belichick, and that will not change no matter what player comes to town (just ask Randy Moss - he can explain it quite well I am sure).

As for me. I hope Tebow grows in New England and becomes a good quarterback. I don't wish anything bad on him. When it comes to playing Denver, I will very thoroughly cheer for my Broncos.

Thinking of doing an Interview (and adding music)

The music first.  I forgot to do the Monday Music post - so here it is the song.



Ok. While you enjoy that song. Here is what I am thinking about doing for an Interview.

This isn't an interview for me. Rather it will be me conducting an interview of characters from my books.

What do you think? Would you like for me to bring in a character and do an interview with them? Let them tell a bit more of their story? It's just a thought, and before I go about just giving it to you, I figured you should have the chance to share your opinion. So into the comments you go and tell me what you think.

Successful Launch

For today's social post.  I am going to try and avoid discussing the book (and writing) as much as I can manage, while at the same time discussing the launch of said book (talk about a fine line to walk on).

I think the launch party was a success.  We sold more books than I expected.

What I remember most about it is the people though.  I graduated from high school in 1986 in Amarillo, TX.  I now live in the Portland, OR metro area.  One of my class mates and his wife came to the launch party.  Turns out they live here in the Portland area too.  So we did a little bit of catching up.

I sat and talked with an employee at Pizza Hut who may now be my biggest fan there.  She greets me and Teri and with the biggest smile and by name every time she sees us.

I met new people who are hearing about me (and my writing) for the very first time.  It was such an amazing feeling to talk about something I created with someone who was expressing excitement about reading that creation.

I think I understand now why writers love to meet with their fans.  It's an amazing experience.  One I look forward to enjoying many more times.

Available NOW!!!

[caption id="attachment_155" align="alignnone" width="500"] Island Of Regrets[/caption]

Today is the day.  "Island Of Regrets", a romance story of redemption is officially on sale.  You can now buy your copy from one of four places.

Amazon.com

Kindle

Nook

Or contact me to request a signed copy.

It's time to spread the word and tell everyone you know.  Get your copy today.

Lost For Words (by Pink Floyd)

I can't believe the launch party is just two days away.  Not because time has flown by, but because I am so ready and anxious for it to be here.  Publishing Jeremy's Kiss was a brand new adventure for me.  This second book is even more exciting for me than the first.  I am not sure why.  I think part of it is because I am past the initial nervousness and I am willing to believe in me now.

When I first published Jeremy's Kiss, I didn't really believe in me.  I didn't believe in my story.  It took amazing friends, awesome family, and one or two amazing reviews to open my eyes and see that I had created a compelling story.

The feedback I have on Island is every bit as amazing to me.  Here is a song from my "mood" playlist that I played over and over while I wrote.  The title itself gives meaning to my feelings too.  I am still at a loss for words that Island is becoming as real as Kiss.

Officially sold in a bookstore

I know Friday is supposed to be something social instead of something about writing, but this one is just too good to not say something.  So I am all excited and giddy and I am going on the record as saying those two emotions count for something social.

I received news today that a copy of Jeremy's Kiss sold in a bookstore today.  That marks the first time for me to sell a book in a brick and mortar bookstore.  It's an awesome feeling to say the least.

Somehow I thought Island would be the first book to make that leap, but not so.  Jeremy's kiss has all of the firsts, and that is how it should be as it is the first book.  It got the first sales on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, and now the bookstore.  Jeremy's Kiss was the first to go overseas to other countries (Europe and Australia - no word on whether or not it has gone to Mexico or Canada).

I know there is a lot going on in the news (stay safe Oklahoma).  I know there are some fun things going on around me (fantasy football is starting up again).  But right now I am a happy man who sold a book in a bookstore.

Reading for Writing

Once I finished writing "Island Of Regrets", I went into the editing process.  Then from there I went into the promoting process.  Since I finished that draft, it has been all that is on my mind.  It got so bad that I actually came up with ideas for sequels to the book (no idea whether or not they will be written - they are just ideas right now).

The real problem here is that I have a book to write right now.  I have Natalie's Hunt.  That is my project and that is what needs my attention right now.  Island has me so distracted I can't seem to put two words together for Natalie's Hunt.

So I am reading.  I am reading Jeremy's Kiss, and I am reading what I have written for Natalie's Hunt.  I am immersing myself in the story that I wrote, and the story that I started writing.  I am putting my emotions and intellect back into that story so that it is what I will be thinking about and working on ideas for, and what I will truly be writing.

One week from tonight we have the official launch party for Island of Regrets.  We have the cake and cookies ordered.  We have the books marks here (they need to be trimmed).  We have two posters.  We have a box filled with books ready to be sold.

It's so real.

Memorial Day

The music for today.  That's easy.  A tribute to our armed forces.

Tornados and Bridges

I think it's safe to skip the initial part of the title (Monday Music, Wednesday Writing, and Friday Social) at this point.  So I'm going to drop those titles.

I've followed the news about Oklahoma.  I wish there was more I can do.  Anything could possibly offer to help out there seems so insignificant in the face of what they are really going through.  Money really does help.  It helps them rebuild their homes and replace their possessions.  It doesn't help with the fear and trauma they faced though.

That is what I wish I could help with the most.  If I could, I would be right there helping and supporting people in every way possible.  I would give a shoulder, a strong arm, or an ear to anyone there who needs it.  Sadly I am almost 2500 miles away and being there for Oklahoma like that isn't possible.

Here in Washington, we had a bridge collapse into the river below.  There were cars on the bridge at the time, and miraculously no one was killed or seriously injured.  That is amazing.  The water was cold and by itself could have killed a person.  I am thankful that what could have been a tragic incident was not.  Though I will confess to feeling some sad feelings when I see the truck that is in the water.

Wednesday Writing - 2 Weeks and Counting

Two weeks from today "Island Of Regrets" will be officially on sale.  I am still tracking the progress of the boxes and so far the Vampires are still keeping themselves separated from the Island.  It seems to be a fun trip overall.

Teri and I have decided we are going to purchase a banner to hang at any events where we are selling the books (we have 3 events scheduled so far), and we are also going to invest in personal book marks to be given away with the books (found a good deal on those).

Tonight I am spending some time working on putting those things together so we can take a file to the printing shop and get what we want printed.  Teri is working on the banner, and I am on bookmarks.  We are also figuring out what else we need to put together.

Here is a sample bookmark (just for fun).

 

              

Special Post on Special Delivery.

I pre-ordered 100 copies of Island Of Regrets and 30 more copies of Jeremy's Kiss for the launch party and more sales starting June 5 (I won't be selling copies before then, but you can pre-order now and I will sign and get your copy in the mail so that it can arrive June 5th or slightly later).

Due to the weight, Island of regrets was divided into two boxes, and Jeremy's Kiss got a box all of it's own.  I am tracking the three tracking numbers on UPS.  They all three left the same city at the same time.  But somehow Island got ahead of Kiss.   So now the two books are no longer traveling together.

My guess is that the Vampires weren't too crazy about the Island and managed to get themselves separated from it.  In the end, they should all arrive here at my home on the same day.  We'll see how that really works out.

Monday Music - Clubbed To Death

I know it sounds pretty harsh, but its just the name of the song.  It doesn't have lyrics, just music.  When I listen to this song, I can imagine like fifty or a hundred years in the future in a concert hall, some stodgy old dude in a tux addressing the audience and saying "This next piece comes from composer Rob Zombie..."

Friday Social - Manners

The post from Wednesday about the death threats to Charlene Harris gets carried over to today's post.

When did it become acceptable for anyone, anywhere to think they could say anything they wanted just because it is the Internet?

I've encountered people who think it is acceptable to read a private conversation between two adults simply because it happened on the Internet.  We've encountered people who think it's ok to make death threats by comments.

If I read a news article or or other such item which allows comments, I very often see comments that are just plain socially unacceptable.  I know people have opinions, and people are passionate about their causes.  I just don't understand why people think it is ok to wish harm on others just for having a different opinion, or for writing something differently than the commenter thought it should be.

I don't understand why the Internet is removing what should be basic social graces.  This isn't a positive evolution.  This is more like falling apart into something barbaric.  I hope over time I can see something more positive evolve in the humanity expressed through words on the Internet.

Wednesday Writing - Threatening the Author

On Friday, May 10, The Guardian reported that a copy of Charlene Harris' final Sookie Stackhouse novel (novels the HBO series True Blood is based on) was leaked online.

I think it's really sad that people do not respect the intellectual property of others and leak it out where it can spread around and deny the author due compensation that he or she deserves.

This one gets worse though.  Some of the supposed fans who read that leaked copy unleashed a flood of horrible things.  Including death threats and telling the author how they thought she was horrible because she didn't write what they thought she should have written.

Here is the link to the full article - Charlene Harris Threatened.

Let me put this as straight forward as I can.  THERE NOTHING ACCEPTABLE ABOUT THAT BEHAVIOR.  I don't care if it is just words.  IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.  Is that clear enough?  The character's an author creates belong to that author and the author is allowed to do anything at all that he or she wants to do with those characters, no matter what anyone else in the world thinks about it.  The character's an author creates do not belong to the readers under any circumstances.  If a reader wants characters to behave a certain way - then they should write their own books, but NEVER threaten or harass an author.

I just had to share that.  Authors have a passion for writing, and for creating, and very often the direction a story takes can be a surprise to the author too.  When I write, I have a base idea of the direction of the story.  As I write, I often find that the details take surprising turns as I make my way through the base path in my head.

Monday Music - Promentory

This piece of music is an adaptation of The Gael by Dougie Maclean.  I can actually play this on violin (not quite as refined as this young woman).  I think it sounds really cool on the violin, and so here I am sharing it.

Friday Social - Graduation

This would be the perfect time to say something poignant and meaningful about graduation.  It's happening all over the country.  Lots and lots of young men and women are getting their diplomas, marking their completion of years of school, and being allowed to to choose their futures for themselves.

I'm going to skip all that though.

My oldest child is graduating this weekend, and I am going to be there to see him get his diploma and I am simply going to be a proud daddy.

Wednesday Writing - Editing

Perhaps my least favorite part of the whole writing process.  But wow is it ever a necessary thing to do.  I've gone back over Island of Regrets with a red pen in hand.  I couldn't really read the story because I was focused on the words, the sentence structure, and the logic.

The book went into the hands of two other people, so we had three people going over everything to find the misspelled words, the missing or added words, the grammar errors, and more.

Today I started making the changes to my saved file.  I'm about 10% through it so far, and progressing nicely.  I should have it done by next week, which keeps me right on schedule.

I will need to get into total vampire mode soon.

Monday Music - Bleed (I must be dreaming)

There is just something about the sound of this song over all that really gets me in the mood for writing in a vampiric mode.  And the lyrics, yeah, absolutely.

Island Of Regrets - Date is Set

[caption id="attachment_155" align="alignnone" width="500"] Island Of Regrets[/caption]

June 5, 2013.  Island Of Regrets will be officially on sale.

That is the goal, and it is very much achievable.  Only something out of the ordinary will keep the book from going on sale on time.

We are contacting a local Pizza Hut for the initial Release party.  We are also contacting a local club/bar for a second release party (so that we can have spirits to officially toast the release).  We have at least 2 local bookstores (Mom & Pop type places) where we can schedule book signings, and a brand new Ice Cream Shoppe (Krazy Kones)  is opening next month - we will schedule a day to be there to sell and sign books.

We are taking orders now for signed copies of the books.  We are also doing our research to set up an order form on this web page so that people can order signed copies (this will be for any books available for sale once it is set up).

Please spread the word.  Tell everyone about this book, and when it will be available.  The initial reviews are amazing.  Thank you everyone.

Friday Social - I'm really excited

It's Friday.  Yay.  I'm finally getting over my cold.  Yay.  Plus this weekend I am going to set an official date for the release of "Island Of Regrets".

The editor got back to me today and she estimates she is more than half way through her editing (and she got her copy yesterday).  I am about a third of the way through doing my own editing, and one more person is just slightly behind me (but she'll catch up with me tomorrow).

Once all three of us have gone through the book, then I will get back on the keyboard with the notes from all three people and go through page by page fixing everything there is to be fixed.  That should take a few hours, but definitely doable.

Coming up on the schedule, contact Pizza Hut to set up the first launch party.  Contact a local bar and dance club to set up the second launch party (the first party won't involve alcohol, and I really want to toast the new book with a drink).  Contact as many of the local Mom & Pop bookstores as I can and set up days and times for book signings (and sales).  And of course look for other events to attend to promote all books I have available.

It's going to be a busy summer, and I super excited about it.

Wednesday Writing - A few funny items.

I admit I am stealing this from William Kerns (from his Facebook posts) who admits he stole it from a friend (who wouldn't mind). So basically I don't take any credit for what comes next - and have to admit I am not really sure who gets the credit now.

When I encounter an upset grammar nazi, I pat them on the back and say "There, Their, They're"
A comma splice walks into a bar, it has a drink and then leaves.
A dangling modifier walks into a bar. After finishing a drink, the bartender asks it to leave.
A question mark walks into a bar?
Two quotation marks “walk into” a bar.
The bar was walked into by the passive voice.
Three intransitive verbs walk into a bar. They sit. They drink. They leave.
What would have happened had a subjunctive walked into a bar?
An antecedent walked into a bar, and they ordered a drink.
An ellipsis walked into a bar…
Bartender asks a woman what she wants. “An entendre,” she says. “Make it a double.” So he gives it to her.
An alliteration traipsed into a tavern, where it tangled tempestuously with an insistent, illiterate intern.
A typo wakled into a bar.
A rabbi, a priest, and a cliché walk into a bar.
Two possessive apostrophe's walk into the bar as if they owned the place.
A subject and a verb have a disagreement in a bar, and one of them pull out a pistol.
A heedless homonym walks into a bar. You think he wood of scene it write in front of him.
The Oxford Comma joined in a high-spirited debate at the bar that included his parents, Ayn Rand and the Bishop of Canterbury.

Monday Music - Forever May Not Be Long Enough

I know it's Tuesday, and I know I forgot my Monday Music post.  Despite being bad about that, I am still going to post a music video.  I'm trying to stay with the theme for the my current work in progress.  I'll give more info on that in later posts.

In good news.  The proof copy for "Island of Regrets" arrived.  It is well on track to be released very soon.

Ok, so here is the video.

Friday social - Fighting a cold

I don't have much for today. I was planning on something about the NFL draft. Instead I am fighting a cold and calling it a day.

 

Have a great weekend everyone.

Wednesday Writing - Chapter Headings

This week I am very focused on editing 'Island Of Regrets'.  I have every intention of getting the draft uploaded to create space (where it is published) so that I can order Proof copies this weekend.  One copy will go to an editor who in town.  One will stay with Teri and I.  We will get out the red pen and get to work on finding and correcting as many mistakes as we possibly can.  Once we and the other editor get through our respective copies, I will go through and update the book with the corrections, and set an official release date.

As I go through the book this week, I am breaking it up into chapters.  The last book I wrote, I did actual chapter headings and a table of contents.  That concept doesn't quite fit this book, so I am going with a different idea.

I am not going to put in chapter headings, or even numbers, or anything like that to identify the chapters.  I am not going to have a table of contents in the book either.

I'm super excited because this project is moving along very well right now, and I am way more than happy with the outcome of the story after I read it again for myself.  I'm getting back to work.  Have a great Wednesday everyone.

Monday Music - Free

This is from my Island of Regrets music playlist.  There were 21 songs that I put together for keeping the right mood while I wrote.

Friday Social - Boston

Honestly, there are no words I can say for those who endured the horror that happened on Monday.  There are no words I can say for those who have stayed indoors since last night because of the events still unfolding in that city.

I have lost loved ones.  I understand what that feels like, and that understanding is how I know there are no words I can put here.  I've been in a war zone in the Middle East, and that is enough for me to know there are no words that will suffice.

If anyone has been through a traumatic event or lost a loved one, then you and you alone know how incredible hard it is for you right now.  Lean on people you know and trust and let them support you.  There is no weakness in letting yourself be held.  There is no weakness in tears, and there is no weakness in feeling afraid.

May the fear come to an end very soon.

Wednesday Writing - Upcoming items

In my now very normal and typical fashion.  I feel very rushed to do everything I want to do and to accomplish all I want to accomplish.  I am determined to see it all through though.  In no particular order, here are things that are upcoming in the world of writing for me.

1. Complete and edit a short story ("The Thirteenth God") and submit the short story for approval to be published in an upcoming anthology compiled by The Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA for short and I am a member).

2.  Go through the comments my proofreader gave me and make changes to Island of regrets and get it set up so I can get a printed proof copy.  I am meeting with a reporter next month (as long as she doesn't have to cancel).  I am hoping to give her the proof copy and God willing get another fabulous review in a real newspaper.

I need the edit on Island completed no later than April 28 to give me time to get the proof copy ordered (without having to rush the order).  That's actually quite a bit of writing and editing and formatting (and more details you probably aren't all that interested in) that have to be completed in a short time while holding down a full time job and also finding time to at least have a little entertainment in my life.  Such is the life of a writer who needs a full time job to support his writing habit.

Happy writing, and happier reading everyone.

Monday Music - Bloodletting

Sometimes you just need the right musical inspiration to write about vampires.

Social Friday - The true Apology

I am running behind schedule, but it's not midnight yet (where I am sitting anyway), so that means I can still do my Friday post and meet my commitment.  I have to keep it brief though, because I am going fishing in the morning (Salmon), and it's going to be an early start on the day.

It is my opinion that a true apology has three critical elements.  If ever one of the three elements is missing, then the apology is not complete.  The person receiving the apology may need all three elements in order for the hurt they feel to heal, and they may only need one of the three elements.  Everything is a case by case basis.

Element One:  Say the apology.  Whether it is by voice, text, email, handwritten, or any of the numerous means of communication.  Just make sure you actually say it.  Don't say you felt bad, or that it wasn't your intention or anything else to get out of saying the words.  It is critically important that you actually say the words "I'm sorry", or "I apologize".

Element Two:  Really mean it when you say it.  Otherwise what you have said is nothing more than words and words can be used in any way.  When you mean that you are sorry, it also means that you will do your best to not let it happen again.  If you have hurt someone and do not let them know you won't do it again, they will clearly hear the message that they should be ready for you to hurt them again.  Very often, that means they will move out of your life to avoid being hurt again.

Element Three:  Make amends.  Make up for what you did that required the apology in the first place.  Show that you care about the person(s) and their feelings.  Find a way to undo the damage done, or to give them something to replace what was lost.  It could be emotional, or something physical.  In the end, it comes down to what the persons involved need.

I want to make one last comment about apologies.  Very often when we apologize, the person who benefits the most is the one giving the apology, not the one receiving it.  If you don't make an apology that truly rebuilds the bridge, then you have lost something from your life when you didn't have to.

Wednesday Writing - Island Of Regrets Book Cover

[caption id="attachment_155" align="alignnone" width="500"] Island Of Regrets[/caption]

 

Today we are unveiling the now official cover for Island of Regrets.

This cover was created by Carey Abbott of E-Book Cover Designs by Carey.  You can find more on their designs here.

http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/p/pre-made-covers-for-sale.html

Yes this is very exciting.  The proofreading is about two thirds complete.  Then onto the next step of fixing things that are wrong.  Another proofreading, and then to an editor.  I hope very very soon I can announce an official release date (which will include waiting for all the sales avenues to actually be live with the sales of the book).  I intend at this time to make it available in both print and eBook editions.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Monday Music - My Little Phoenix

I like this song because it has a haunting sound.  It's just the right kind of music to set my mood for writing "Natalie's Hunt".

I like the video because it is something that is unique.  It's more than simply just showing the singer or the band lip syncing.

Social Friday - Gun Control

It's my first social Friday post and here I go bringing up one of the big items which is highly controversial.  But the stand I am going to take isn't meant to be controversial.  I hope this gives people on both sides of the issue something to think about.

First, I would like to address the side which believes we need more and stronger gun control laws.  I do agree with finding a way to to keep guns out of the hands of people who would commit violent crimes such as what we saw in Portland, OR, upstate NY, and Newtown, CT.  All three of these shootings have things in common that I believe we do not dare ignore.

The first is that in all the cases the guns were obtained illegally.  The laws were already in place to keep guns out of the hands of these three criminals, and the laws did not matter.  In two cases the guns were stolen.  Guns that were purchased by law abiding citizens who had absolutely no intent of anyone ever being harmed by those guns were instead used by violent criminals to commit harm.  The third case the criminal convinced someone else to purchase the guns for him.  That person is now in jail awaiting trial for giving the guns to a known felon.  Once again, the laws were in place, but the laws were not enough to stop the criminal intent.  If we have to contend with criminals who are intent on committing this violence regardless of the law, then it is not the laws that are our biggest concern.  Our concern is how we identify and stop these people from committing these acts of violence.

The second thing these three cases have in common is that they attacked unarmed targets.  Laws prohibited guns at the mall and the school, and the firemen responding were not armed.  Its not just these three cases, but many more.  These violent criminals are intentionally going after men, women, and children who they know cannot fight back.  Their intent is to cause maximum damage as quickly as possible and they cannot do that if even one person can shoot at them.

I believe we need to honestly look at both of these aspects and address them.  We need to address why the laws we have in place were not effective.  We cannot solve this problem if the laws we create are not effective, whether they already exist or we write new laws.  We also need to address how we will defend men, women, and children who need to be defended.  We cannot allow the innocent to be undefended against violent criminals in this manner.  We must have a way to respond very quickly and effectively.

On the other side of the issue is the gun rights issues.  We do have guarantees in the 2nd amendment to the constitution.  We do have millions of legal gun owners who have never committed a crime of any kind.  When I see messages supporting the rights of the people to own guns, and reaffirming the second amendment, and various topics from people who believe we need legal gun owners to be able to stop the criminals, I keep seeing one element missing.  The gun side is not addressing the issue of how much guns are scary.  There are lots of people who are very seriously, very honestly scared of guns and scared of people who own guns.  It is not possible for the country to become unified in the stance on this while there are so many who are so truly scared.  Their fear is sufficient to want all guns removed from society, then they will no longer need to fear them.

I don't blame that fear.  I know how loud guns are.  I am familiar with death, and I am familiar with pain.   I am not afraid of guns themselves, but I am afraid of what could happen.

It's a very difficult path to tread.  I don't know the answers.  I don't know the laws that we need, and I don't know what it will really take to insure we can defend those who need defending.  I just know that our laws and our actions did not work when they needed to work.  It's time for us to truly take a look at this and find what will truly work and prevent this from ever happening again.

Wednesday Writing - Being a Man

Ok, so this is supposed to be a post that has something to do with writing, but I can barely think about writing at the moment.  Of course I'm going to explain myself.

Saturday was a beautiful day.  So I got out the lawn mower and set about the task of mowing the grass short, to be followed by putting a dethatcher attachment on the mower and going over the grass again.  I mowed the yard nice and low, then affixed the attachment.

I started the mower and got in a couple laps worth of dethatching and it died.  It stayed dead too.  I could get it to start, but it would not run more than a few seconds and die.  I opened up the carburetor to clean it out and when I was putting it back the bolt snapped.  Special order item.

New bolt arrived today.  I re-cleaned the carburetor and reattached everything and got it all running and now the mower is running better than ever.  I got the yard done in record time.  Got the fertilizer and weed killer down and in a couple weeks I expect I will have a very beautiful lawn.

I am feeling like a man for being able to fix the mower and everything is all great.

Ok.  I should at least post something about writing.  Latest work in progress now has a new character under development.  I am pretty happy with the character and what she is turning out to be.  I am looking forward to adding more of her background and fulfilling her destiny within the story.

Monday Music - Hello (Evanescence)

This song is deep, moving, and fits the mood of today in which i remember a personal experience.

Getting onto a schedule

Sure, it could happen even in a this mess I call my chaotic life.

Actually this is my intent to try. To do my best to come to this blog and to post something on a regular schedule.

Here is the tentative schedule I have worked out in my mind and please understand that my ability to maintain this schedule will not be easy. Did I mention chaotic life?

Monday - Music Monday.
Tuesday - Off night (Actually this is for me to write or promote my published works).
Wednesday - Thoughts or musings about writing.
Thursday - Open for suggestions.
Friday - Social Items, News, Sports, Politics, or who knows what. Basically a chance for me to share my personal thoughts on things that are happening in the world around us.
Weekends - Free for all or not at all. Who knows? I will probably do a combination of both especially since summer is coming on and I do enjoy camping.

This is a good spot for me to ask for some help with the writing though. When people visit this blog and leave me comments, it lets me know I am not alone and then I feel compelled to keep writing and sharing and engaging. I know I could help myself by visiting other blogs and talking with the bloggers out there. Did I mention chaotic life yet? I'll try and give it my best as I work toward my goal of not having to work for someone else.

So there is a tentative schedule and lets see how well I do with it. (please leave a comment wishing me luck).

Monday Music - Radioactive (2 parts)

I've decided to try and be a better blogger.  To do that, I need to write more posts, but I really can't write about writing all the time.  So I'm going to dedicate Monday's to music.  I use music to set my mood before I start writing, and I have a very extensive musical collection (numerous genres).

Tonight I am featuring Radioactive by Imagine Dragons and a cover for Radioactive by Lindsey Sterling and Pentatonix.  Sure, it's the same song, but I enjoyed both videos and I'm sharing them here.





 

In the Numbers

I am aware that I have not been writing very many blog posts.  Sure I can give the excuses about busy schedules, or things that come up, and you probably know such stories.  I don't need to repeat them.  So I am going to make an effort to be more a part of this blog, and share thoughts on my mind, even if they are not writing thoughts.  Or share about things I like (such as music videos).

This post is about numbers though.  Here are some numbers.  My author page on FB (http://www.facebook.com/fleethompson) now has 198 likes.  My twitter account (https://twitter.com/Author_Lee) has 5060 followers.   These are the two main ways that I am marketing my book (soon to be books).

These may simply seem like numbers.  But they aren't numbers.  These are people.  Every single one.  These are people I can interact with.  Talk with.  Learn things from.  Share bits and pieces of life with.

I said to someone I met earlier today that the best experience is when someone I know tells me they really enjoyed my book.  It really is amazing to hear this from someone I don't know also, but for some reason, hearing it from someone I know adds a little something to how special it is.

The people following me on twitter and facebook are people and every time one of them talks to me to tell me they enjoyed something I did, then it makes my day bright and shiny, and I want so much to keep working for just that reason.

Writing Emotionally

Today I wrote the major climatic scene for Island of Regrets.  The thing about the scene is that for me it is the most powerfully emotional scene for the entire book.

I'm so very close to the end of the book that I honestly feel like I could finish it tonight if I pushed myself (I would probably be up until midnight - but it's possible).

I can't push myself now.  Once I got through those emotions, it was time to stop and simply breath.  I hope the power of the emotions I just went through comes through in what I just wrote.

In the meantime I'm going to downtime, watch a move and just relax.

Helping New Authors

As you may guess from the above picture.  Today I want to ask everyone who has read Jeremy's Kiss to please take the time to leave a review for the book on Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble, or on Goodreads (or even all of the above).  I am going to include the links below.

The reason I am asking is because reviews really are the best way to share the book and to encourage others to purchase it.  If people see only a few reviews they assume those reviews are from friends and family who would only say good things.  The majority of my reviews are from people who are not family, and I don't know well enough to call them friends in that manner.

A book review does not have to be anything complex.  It can be as simple as giving it a star rating following by "I liked it", or "A good read".  You can add more as you like, but please don't give away spoilers, it's better to let others read the story for themselves.

If you are family or a close friend, please don't let that deter you, go onto the sites and leave a review.  Every little bit helps.  I am very near completing the writing of "Island Of Regrets", and good reviews for Jeremy's Kiss will do wonders for helping the next book get started.

Please, I am asking, begging, or pleading if you prefer.  Please log onto one of the sites (links included below) and leave a review for Jeremy's Kiss.  Thank you so very much for purchasing the book, reading it, and enjoying it.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

If you know of any other sites to post a review, please do so, these are the three big ones that I know of.

Music for Writing

I really enjoy music in my daily life.  I am familiar with a large variety of music styles and genre's.  So it should come as no surprise that I like to have music when I write.  I can't have just any music though.  I need something that helps with my mood, to get me into the proper frame of mind for what I am writing.

When I wrote Jeremy's Kiss, there was one song that really hit the right now for me while writing, other than that I simply used a radio or something similar and kept it turned low for background noise.  The song was "Bloodletting" by Concrete Blonde (and if you don't know already, Jeremy's Kiss is a Vampire story).

My current work in progress, Island of Regrets, actually has it's own playlist.  In fact, I created the playlist on YouTube and that is what I use when I am working on Island of Regrets.  It's only about 20 songs, so it can play through fairly quickly, but that is ok by me.  I am sharing my playlist here.  You are welcome to listen to and enjoy the music I write to.  You may even want to challenge yourself to figure out the real theme of the music and what that might say about the book I am working on.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOIzPLOvw4c8Me7cbbw4QRhyP9hdKXrtA

The only other thought I will share about music right now is that I am sure I am tired of listening to Taylor Swift go over her broken relationships in her songs.  Oh well, maybe it's just me, because the radio stations don't seem to agree.

What One Does Not Know

The other night my family and I are sitting down and having dinner and discussing my latest WIP (Work In Progress) - Island Of Regrets.

The story involves only two characters and one setting (two people alone on an island).

The dinner conversation goes along something like this.

ME:  I now have my two characters at the point where I am sure they would kill for a cheeseburger.   (This after mentioning that the characters had a pork dinner because one of them did manage to kill a pig on the island).

Youngest Family member:  So why don't they just have a cheeseburger instead.

Me:  Because there are no cows on the island, so that means they don't have hamburger or anything dairy.

Youngest:  Well, they could grind up the pig and use it to make burgers.

Wife:  That wouldn't be hamburger then.

Me: Nope, and one other problem, at least one of them has no idea how to make bread either.

Dramatic Pause.

Me (again):  The one who doesn't know how to make bread would be the author.

Oldest kid and wife almost choke on dinner.  Youngest doesn't get it.  I explained to him that anything the author does not know, the characters don't know.  He finally got it.

The WIP is progressing well.  I got 3000 words done on it today and reached a crucial point in the story.  It's almost done.  So happy.

My wife met Brandon Sanderson

For those of you who do not know who Brandon Sanderson is, here is his official web site.  http://www.brandonsanderson.com/

He is the author who was chosen to complete The Wheel Of Time series after the original author (Robert Jordan) passed away before completing the series (14 books total).  The series is an amazing story and well worth reading for fans of multitudes of genres.

The last book of the series was released in January, and Brandon Sanderson is touring the country to do book signings and do presentations.

Due to a nasty cold, I couldn't go to the bookstore where he was visiting in my area (Portland, OR).  My wife went in my place.  She got the latest book, got in line, listened to the presentation, and waited patiently (and hungrily if I heard right) for her turn.  She got the book signed by Brandon Sanderson and also got it signed by the late Robert Jordan's wife Harriet.

Great story about that.  Years ago when I lived near Memphis, TN, around the time the 9th book of the series came out, I learned that Robert Jordan would be in town.  I went to a bookstore, got 2 copies of that book, got to where he was doing an interview and book signing.  Sat down for the interview, 2 nice women (they smiled and seemed friendly - though we didn't talk) sat at the same table I sat at.  After the interview I got in line to get my books signed.  When I got to my turn I noticed that the woman who was sitting beside me was now sitting beside Robert Jordan.  The woman was Harriet and Robert Jordan dedicated every single one of the books to her.  To this day I am fully aware that I missed my chance to have a conversation with her.

Now I have her autograph in one of the books and maybe one day I'll get the rest of them autographed.

The other big news is that my wife gave a copy of my book (Jeremy's Kiss - signed by me) to Brandon Sanderson.  It may end up never getting read, but I will certainly hope that either he or someone he knows reads it and enjoys it.  If nothing else ever happens with that book, I do hope that someone reads it and enjoys it.

I Entered The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest

Just like the title of the post says, I entered the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.  There are no entry fees.  The submission period is open until Jan 27 or until they reach 10,000 entries whichever comes first.  There are five categories to enter into.  My book is definitely a mystery/thriller, so that is the category I am entered into.  There will be only one grand prize winner, but finalists will be from each category.

I am definitely hoping to get the grand prize.  A publishing contract with Amazon publishing (and a $50,000 royalty advance).  I won't complain if I get a first prize (publishing contract with $15,000 royalty advance).  There really isn't anything else I can do for the contest.  I already submitted my book, I submitted the excerpt (the prologue and first chapter of the book), and I submitted a pitch for the book (I went with pitch 3).  I can still edit my entry until the submission period closes.

The first round will be judging the pitch only.  That will happen between Jan 28 and Feb 11.  They will select 400 from each of the five categories to advance to the next round.  The next round is the excerpt.  After that comes the manuscript and customer judging and lots of reviews.  So it will be a difficult competition.

I'm in, and I have done the very best I can do at this time.  Here is to hoping and praying for a win.

 

For more information visit http://www.createspace.com

Need Help. 3rd Pitch

I have to give a great deal of thanks to C.T. Green for giving me an huge assist (you can view her blog by clicking her name) on this third pitch.  So far responses are really positive.  Here is the pitch.  Comments are very welcome.  I have about 6 more days before the contest opens for submissions.  Which means there is time to work on perfection.
What lengths are you willing to go to for truth and vengeance?

In a world where vampires, mages and werewolves live hidden in plain sight among the human population, three people are swept into the machinations of Omaha’s most powerful vampires.

Lilith is a bodyguard for a formidable vampire who has given her everything she needs, but her heart thirsts for vengeance against the man who took advantage of her as a teenage runaway. The vampire Jeremy is dragged against his will into the dark world of power struggles amongst his own kind, where he must protect himself at all costs. Natalie is focused on completing her degree and never guessed it would lead to the tragic death of the man she loves. Caught between two worlds, Natalie must work alone to find the murderers and avenge his death.

Will Lilith, Jeremy and Natalie find the answers they need, or will they end up ensnared in situations they may not survive?

I Need Help Please

Hey Everyone.

I am entering Jeremy's Kiss in a novel contest.  The contest will be judged in 3 rounds.  The first round is for pitch for the book.  During the round, nothing else will be read or judged.  The second round is for an excerpt from the book.  Once again, nothing else will be read or judged.  If I get through those two rounds without being eliminated, then my book will be read and judged.  The prizes for the contest are really awesome and so I want to do my very best.

The book is written, so the excerpt is also written.  Now I face the task of writing a good pitch for the book (limit of 300 words).  It has to get the potential reader's attention and lead them to want to read the book.  I have written two pitches so far and I would really like some feedback on each one.  Including opinions on which pitch is better.

Here is the first pitch.

Natalie, a college student receives an assignment to solve a cold case, an unresolved murder. The case brings her into contact with a world she never believed existed. Vampires living among humans. Hidden in plain sight. Contact with vampires brings her a new case to solve. The murder of the man she loved.

Lilith, a twelve year old runaway is taken in and taken advantage of by a pimp.  A few months later she is rescued by a mysterious woman with a  French accent.  Provided with a high level of education and physical training she becomes a formidable bodyguard for the woman who rescued her.  She doesn’t forget the past or her desire to kill the pimp who took advantage of her.

Jeremy, a wealthy college student taking classes simply to alleviate boredom finds that he is somehow involved in plots among Omaha’s powerful vampires.

In the dark of the night where magic exists, werewolves and vampires roam, these three are confronted by powerful and dark forces.  What will Natalie need to solve the cold case and find who murdered the man she loved?  Can Lilith get the vengeance her heart desires?  Can Jeremy survive the forces that are playing with his life?

Here is the 2nd Pitch.

What lengths are you willing to go to for truth and vengeance?

In a world where Vampires, mages and werewolves live among humans hidden in plain sight, Lilith works for the second most powerful vampire in Omaha.  How far will she go to get vengeance against the pimp who used her when she was a runaway teen?

The vampire Jeremy lives in Omaha, but doesn’t know he is being swept up in plots among the more powerful vampires.  What can he do to protect himself?

Natalie has just left the Air Force and is in school full time to get a degree in Criminal Justice.  She receives an assignment to work on a cold case file regarding a possible murder.   What risks will she take to find information about the case?

When the case brings Natalie in contact with the hidden world of vampires; the man she loves is murdered.  What lengths will she go to avenge his death?

Thank you for taking time to read both these pitches.  I look forward to your thoughts and feedback on each one.  I have a few more days to make these the best they can possibly be.  I know help from others is the best way I can write a really good pitch.

Julie's Book Review Part 2

Today Julie's Book Review posted a blurb and excerpt from Jeremy's Kiss.  Don't forget about the giveaway.  Your choice of either signed paperback or Kindle  version of the book.

http://juliesbookreview.blogspot.com/2013/01/lee-thompson-blurbs-and-excerpt-jan-1.html

 

Interviewed At Julie's Book Review

Hey Everyone

I was interviewed at Julie's Book Review.  I think a review of Jeremy's Kiss will be coming too.  I'm pretty happy with the interview, she asked some really good questions and it was a lot of fun to do.

Here is the link to the review.  Please enjoy and share.

http://juliesbookreview.blogspot.com/2013/01/lee-thompson-interview-jan-1.html