Ken Ross's Blog, page 6

SUPERFLUOUS (possibly?)

With PROTECTION let loose on the world and available on Amazon I'd vowed to have a week off, or maybe a fortnight. Alas, the brain started working, I was missing my characters and wondering what else I could do with them. Then, the brainwave came, then bits of a jigsaw started to piece together. Then, as the hours past and I got the outline of a new character in my head who'd fit into my little pool of Jerry and the gals, and I imagined book covers, and ran through a pile of words that would make an apt title for what I'd been thinking, well, a new novel had been created. All I've got to do is write it. But to prevent me from getting back ache from continuously sitting writing, I'm taking myself to the seaside for a day or two.. I've already opened a word doc. and written CHAPTER ONE, so two words in the bag already. On Monday it is full steams ahead. Maybe for those who've liked WAISTED PAIN and PROTECTION there'll be SUPERFLUOUS to read before the end of April. Keep you posted.

PROTECTION (done)

Hallelujah! Worked non-stop for the past 36 hours, and Protection is finished. Should be on sale in a day or two. If you like sexy romantic suspense then this has got to be the book for you. Got to say, reading the last few chapters brought tears to my eyes, and I guess some folks will be sobbing their eyes out. Did I make it a happy ending, or was I a ruthless author who chose to do something nasty. Read it, find out. I know an author doesn't get a true picture of a book until a few months after its been set free, but hey, I loved working with these characters and I'm sad to let them go. I always think to resurrect characters when I've finished a novel, but seldom do. I'm intending putting my feet up for a week or two, but knowing me, that's impossible. Anyway, if you read PROTECTION, I hope you enjoy it.

PROTECTION (GOING FINE)

Storming on; half way through chapter nineteen and acutely aware of the power I've got over my characters. I guess all authors approaching the end of a book ask themselves again and again, do I make it sad, shocking or happy? Readers probably have desires too, some will like to close a book and wet the cover with newly cried tears, while others may think, hey, the author needs to snuff that guy or that gal out before the last page, It takes only a few choice words to alter the path of a story. At least twice in this book I've delivered surprises to myself; one a nasty surprise and the other left me gutted. But hey, I've rectified one of them, brought about a touch of happiness. The question is - do I sustain the happiness or punch the reader in the guts? In a way, this is a horrible decision to have to make. Jerry is a nice guy, and I'm pretty fond of all my gals too. Right now, I hope they make it to the final page.

PROTECTION (getting there)

Been struggling with my brain for a day or two, it's not been spitting out words like it should. These things happen when you refuse to take a break from thinking, but after several arguments with myself, I won, and the damned brain's got into gear again and I'm firing on all cylinders. Seventeen chapters now in the bag and I've deviated again from the plot. I thought you folks deserved another shock, so I did something quite naughty and took myself on a road to an unexpected ending. Only a week or two left and my gals and Jerry will be leaving my head for good. I hate writing the last few chapters; it's like saying goodbye to friends knowing you're never going to see them again, unless of course, they're resurrected. But resurrecting characters often deprives the writer of getting to know new main characters, We'll see how it goes. Still on course to publish PROTECTION before the end of March.

ALL SORTS

First, I've got two Giveaways running on Goodreads, for WASTED PAIN and The Lads Will Have Blood, both involve 100 copies, so if you fancy a free read, enter.
Next, I'd like to thank those who've left reviews, especially those for A Cross of Crocuses. It so kind of readers to take time out and post them.
Back to Protection: hey, much has happened in the past two or three chapters and I'm afraid my three gals aren't present right now. Disaster has struck more than once. Poor Jerry is desolate, suffering brain freezes, and the future doesn't look promising. I'm half way through chapter fifteen and I've got three endings in mind. The question is, should I be kind, or be horrible? How many gals survive to the last page? These decisions aren't easy ones - they keep me awake at night.

PROTECTION (update)

Twelve chapters now in the bag, as it were. If you've been reading this blog you will know that the crumble was about to arrive in chapter ten, and boy the crumble came in a big way. Saddened myself writing it, but hey, I guess that's what writing is all about, not just relating a story to a reader but finding out for yourself what is going to happen. I think when this book is aired those who like sex tales will be going along nicely thinking to themselves, oh, what a warming read', and they'll get to chapters ten and eleven and get a huge kick in the groin. 'Hell, I didn't expect that,' they'll cry. But don't worry folks, Jerry and one, two, or three of his gals are back for more antics, but not for long because one or two more disasters are in store and who's to say who'll be left standing by chapter twenty. They'll soon be on the move again. All the travelling is wearing me out. Stay tuned. Back soon.

PROTECTION - latest

If you're following the story, well, it's sure taken a turn for the better since I took charge of the characters and temporarily put an end to their sex lives. They've just driven 400 miles to see the three gals' pa, and it wasn't good news. And there's a whole lot more bad news waiting for them in chapter eleven. I'll be sobbing my eyes out when I write it because something dire is about to happen, and lets say, there'll be fewer members of the cast. I've got most of the coming days of their adventure mapped out in my head. Changed the ending a day ago after dreaming it in my sleep. This is a fine old story if you don't mind a bit of raunchy reading, and it is very much in line with my last novel WASTED PAIN. In fact Jerry, the lead man, is the son of the main character in that novel. It's all good fun. Stay tuned. Still scheduled for release late March - I hope.

PROTECTION - ongoing

Had a day off, my characters were taking control of the novel, turning it into some kind of ongoing orgy that certainly hadn't been my intention. As I approach the end of chapter nine I'm preparing the three gals and their partner Jerry for different surroundings: things are going to change dramatically. They're driving hundreds of miles north to visit the grave of the gals' mother - and they don't know what's coming. Hey, it's going to be sad, but authority must be asserted. They've had enough pleasure for now, so hard times are ahead, and at least one ghastly shock. I hate being evil to my characters, it's the worst part of writing stories, but an author has got to do what an author has got to do. Amen.

PROTECTION

Seven chapters now completed, and, as ever, the characters are taking over the novel. I'd intended to purify these three female protagonists somewhat, but I think they're corrupting me and leading the story to broad-minded readers. I'm glad that these gals don't know what's coming to one of them. In the next two or three chapters they're getting a dose of sobriety and I'm going to feel a little sad about what I've done. But hey, that's what happens when you spend so much time in a fictitious world. I'm dreaming of them night and day and they're as clear as real people in my head. I'd hoped to download my cover into this blog, but I'm not in the least technically minded, so the task is impossible. Still on course for mid-late March. More to report soon.

ANN - irresistible spirit

Thanks to all the people who downloaded ANN - irresistible spirit yesterday and helped it reach No 1 in Amazon's free ebook rank for Family Sagas. Doesn't make you rich, but it's nice to know books are being read. This is my third No 1 after British Social History and more Dear Dr Cornflake.

On the PROTECTION front... going fine with five chapters finished and the book cover already done and ready to go. I'm getting attached to my three young lady protagonists as they develop in my head and become quite independent. Buy hey, something drastic has got to happen to at least one of them, and I'm not looking forward to it. They are named Patsy, Maisy and Erica, and the guys name is Jerry Presently, Jerry is doing a fine job of keeping them satisfied, but something's going to change. Oh dear. Will keep you posted.