Bobby Nash's Blog, page 434

MINE OR YOURS: NEW CHARACTERS VS. EXISTING CHARACTERS

What's yours is mine
and what's mine is mine.I took part in the latest roundtable discussion on author Sean Taylor's blog. Mine or Yours: New Characters vs. Existing Characters along with authors H. David Blalock, Joel Jenkins, Krista Cagg, Ray Witte, and Stephanie Osborn.

From the blog:
"What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine."

One of my dream writing gigs.While it may be true in marriage (snicker, snicker), it isn't always the case in authorship and creative control. So, to find out whether writers prefer to create their own characters or work with existing properties, we asked. (We're smart like that... Sometimes.)

Check out my answers, along with other writers, at http://seanhtaylor.blogspot.com/2013/07/mine-or-yours-new-characters-vs.html

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF… PART DEUX...

Great advice, Jean-Luc.
Autographed copies now available.On occasion I get asked a question or two about the writing process, the projects I’m working on, marketing, and other writing-related questions. I thought I would share a few that have come my way recently. Check out Part 1 here.

"It was a dark and rainy night." Do you use weather to create mood in your writing? Has weather ever been treated as a character in any of your books?

Sometimes weather can play an important part in the story, certainly. In Evil Ways, rain played an important part in setting the mood of the story. There’s also something fun about having the characters do their action in the rain. It’s a bit tricky at times to keep track of when it’s raining, but it’s a nice tool for setting the scene.
Not Actual Cover
What questions do you ask yourself before killing off a main character?

Killing characters is not always easy. Sure, some characters are created specifically with the intention of killing them off. And I do so love writing a good murder. When it comes to the killing of a character, the first question is usually, does the death work for the story? If the death feels like a natural extension of the story then it works. If it feels forced then the readers will feel that and it could pull them out of the narrative I’m trying to establish. Shocking deaths that seemingly come out of nowhere are nice shock moments, but they have to also make sense… unless it being a senseless death is crucial to the story.

Not Actual CoverDescribe your life as a writer in 25 words or less.

Writing is a feast or famine lifestyle punctuated by bursts of excitement and energy followed by “How can I afford to eat this month?”

Is there anything you’d like to know? Feel free to leave a question in the comments below or email them to me at bobby@bobbynash.com

Just a reminder that you can now purchase autographed copies of Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Earthstrike Agenda, and Frontier directly from me. Just click on the "Buy Now" buttons in the novels tab or at http://BEN-Books.blogspot.com. I hope to add more autographed titles soon, including the anthologies and audio dramas to this program as well. Stay tuned.
Evil Intent and Deadly Deals
coming soon.
Evil Ways and Deadly Games! have been added to the AwesomeGang.com website if you'd like to check them out here and here.

Work continues apace. I’m nearing the end of my Fight Card Books novel, Barefoot Bones. I’m also working on a series of short stories for an as yet unannounced project. After I finish Barefoot Bones, I start on a story featuring a new character of my own creation called Abraham Snow for a publisher that I have not worked with previously. I have to get it finished in August for the launch Moonstone Books before getting back to the delayed Evil Intent for BEN Books.
Not Actual Coverof a new fiction line in October. I’ll post more details as I’m able. Then it’s on to the Honey West/Domino Lady novel for

There is a lot of fun stuff in the pipeline so I’d best get back to work.
So much to do, so little time.

Have a great weekend.

Bobby

ATLANTA COMIC CONVENTION - ALL MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES GET IN FREE AT JULY 7 SHOW

Click for larger view.I will be a guest at the Atlanta Comic Convention on Sunday, July 7th from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. This is already a fun show, but today the promoters added the following announcement.

I hope to see you there.

Bobby

From ACC:
We are going to try to celebrate this July 4th weekend by giving back to our Fans, Our Troops, and our City!!! ALL MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL GET IN FREE!! Just show your I.D at the door! Thanks to ALL Our Military Members and your Families , past and present , for your sacrifices…Here at the show we ALL appreciate your service . This is the LEAST we can do for you to show our Thanks!!

ALSO, We are hosting a Blood Drive. The Blood donated goes DIRECTLY to the local blood banks around the city and state.

The MAIN Guest for the show is from the #1 Hit show on ALL of TV, The WALKING DEAD. Daniel May Thomas played “Allen” who was the father half of the father and son team that traveled with Tyreese’s Group. He will be signing from 11am till 2PM .
Daniel Thomas May

You all have made us one of the BEST convention in the U.S. (Not
JUST the South!). So, Our thanks to you for our 19 years (4 times a year) …over 75 Total shows in all! We ,literally, couldn’t do this without you guys….Thanks for all your support , and we hope to KEEP bringing you a great , affordable show !!!!!SEE YOU SUNDAY!

Learn more at www.atlantacomicconvention.com.

EARTHSTRIKE AGENDA - AN EXCERPT…

While you’re letting your food digest from today’s Fourth of July cookout or while you’re waiting for fireworks to start, here’s an excerpt from the Earthstrike Agenda novel by Bobby Nash. Enjoy.

Happy Fourth of July.

EARTHSTRIKE AGENDA
CHAPTER 2

Transport Vessel Windsong

Braun Hatmeyer was restless.

Since his earliest recollection he’d had only one goal in life. He wanted to travel the space ways. Every story he read romanticized living and working in the outer reaches, the wonders of the cosmos had been conveyed with such reverence and awe.

Young Braun ate it up and set upon a course that would eventually take him to the stars.

Growing up on the Seltus Minor Colony only further fueled his ambition to go anywhere but here. Seltus was not a bad place to grow up, even he would admit. He had a loving family there who still worked the farm to this day. His two brothers and one of his sisters were still within walking distance of his parent’s home. Braun doubted they would ever leave.

His sister, Arani, and he were the rebellious ones of the bunch. They were the only Hatmeyers to actually leave the colony in generations. To this day, despite the years that have passed, his mother still expected her errant children to “grow out of this ridiculous phase and come home where they belong.” Braun suspected his mother was in for a hard lesson one day.

Although their father never said anything to the fact, Braun knew that it hurt him that two of his children had chosen to leave the nest. He was simply far less vocal on the matter than Braun’s mother. As such, Braun tried to keep in touch as often as possible. Communications across the gulf of space was expensive, especially for a real time feed so he mostly wrote them letters from whatever port the ship happened to stop at long enough to allow shore leave.

Arani, on the other hand, stayed closer to home. She moved to Mars where she attended University. While there she met a man, fell in love, and stayed. The last time he spoke with her, she was pregnant with her second child, a girl this time.

She told him of her plans to visit the family on Seltus in a month and she had convinced Braun to join them. Unable to deny his sister anything, especially when she laid on the guilt, he agreed. His captain had approved the time off request and even offered to drop him off since the ship would be in the Seltus sector on business around the same time. This officially eliminated any chance he had of backing out of it at the last minute.

Braun looked forward to visiting the old homestead, but a part of him also dreaded it. He had spent so long trying to get away from it that the prospect of setting one foot on the farm scared the hell out of him.

But he did miss seeing his family.

And it would still be a month before his visit.

Braun was off duty. Sitting alone in his cramped cabin, he lay in his hammock and stared out the porthole that was his window to the cosmos. When he had left Seltus, he signed on with the first ship that would take him. It had been a small freighter that was looking for strapping young men to work in the holds. It was grunt work, but he took it gladly. Surprisingly, grunt work on a freighter was very much like grunt work on a farming colony.

Basically, he worked for room and board with the occasional bonus, but really didn’t mind. He was finally in space, ready for the adventure he had so long dreamed of.

Ten years later he was still waiting.

He never once regretted his decision to leave Seltus, but space was not the sprawling adventure he had read about as a kid. In his case, truth was more mundane than fiction. Living in outer space was a lot of hard work. Oh, he still loved it, but he was a bit restless because even this great experience had become mundane. Nothing exciting ever happened to them. At least not exciting enough for Braun.

His biggest regret was that no one - most importantly, not he himself - had discovered an alien race.

None.

That fact was the hardest to swallow. The galaxy was vast, filled with planets of various sizes, shapes, and atmospheres. Surely, somewhere out there had to be… something.

Were humans the only intelligent life in the galaxy?

Braun Hatmeyer hoped not.

Too worked up to sleep, he rolled out of the hammock, his bare feet stinging on impact with the cold steel floor. He reached over and grabbed his shoes and pulled them on quickly. His cabin was compact enough that he grabbed them without leaving the hammock that was both his bed and easy chair. A small digital converter and screen sat atop the clothes dresser built into the wall of the cabin. A stack of movies sat on the shelf above the screen. He had acquired some entertaining movies over the past year thanks to the bonus the captain paid out after they made the Palfry run under budget. The movies were great, but he had already watched all of them at least twice and was not really in the mood for another viewing.

Maybe a run will help, he thought as he opened the door and stepped into the cramped corridor, which was barely wide enough for two people to pass one another.

His ship, The Windsong, was a transport vessel. Captain Reyes was the owner and operator. They moved any kind of cargo not considered illegal under the UPA legislature’s transport code. One of the things that Braun respected about his current employer was his integrity. With the black market flourishing and smuggling becoming a growth industry, Captain Reyes had chosen to keep his hands - and ship - clean.
Braun respected the man for that.

The Windsong was on approach to home port after an exhausting three-week round trip from the Pellor Three Colony. The colonists had chosen a harsh, barren world to cultivate. The terrain was rugged so farming was difficult. The colonists were certain they could fashion a living for themselves there and had thus far been successful.

Mining had become the primary resource on Pellor since the discovery of Trillium Ore in the mountains north of the initial settlement. The colonists were giving it a go, but since they were not miners by trade, they wisely went into business with those who were.

The Axapta Mining Company had partnered with the settlement to work the mine and share the profits.
While Axapta Mining did not have the best reputation in the business, they did manage to get the job done.

The Windsong had been chartered to deliver the usual essentials to Pellor Three to handle the increased manpower on site. Food rations, toiletries, assorted entertainment programming, and medical supplies were the primary resources needed for the increased population of the colony.

After the three week round trip, the Windsong would put into port, take on a small job or two, then one week later head back out to Pellor Three. Apparently, Braun was not the only one impressed by his captain’s performance record.

Braun was looking forward to docking at McGintlee Station, the ship’s home port. Captain Reyes had an office on the station that served as home base for his shipping business. He also held the lease on warehouse space and a secure docking port. If business kept picking up, Braun might even start saving up some money of his own.

Reyes had already mentioned purchasing another transport ship to help handle the increased workload. That gave the crew incentive and offered relief that they had job security, a precious commodity considering the current unemployment rate in the quadrant.

While his competitors dabbled in smuggling, the Windsong was able to pick up those clients with government contracts because of the captain’s good name. Smugglers tend to shy away from government controlled worlds, for obvious reasons.

“Make a hole!” Braun shouted as he jogged through the corridor. A group of dockhands were milling about at the junction between sections. When not on duty there was not much to do aboard ship expect sleep, read, jog, or hang out. Sometimes a nice impromptu poker game would spring up, which usually drew a crowd.

Sex was a limited option as there were only a handful of women aboard. At a ratio of four to one they generally paired up quickly. As far down the totem pole as he was in the ship’s hierarchy, Braun no longer tried. Once they hit the station though, all bets were off. He had been seeing a dancer off and on for a few months. Nothing serious, but they enjoyed one another’s company. After a long voyage, that was more than enough for him.

After three weeks cooped up aboard the Windsong, Braun was looking forward to a little quality time with her.

The grunts moved aside as Braun jogged past. He spoke to each of them briefly, calling them by name and making an off-handed comment that brought laughs from the dockhands.  Braun himself had once been in their position so he made it a point to speak to them. On some ships there was an us vs. them mentality aboard transport ships that divided the crew. He was happy to see that was not the case here.

Yet another reason he liked serving aboard the Windsong.

On his second lap through the corridor, Braun spotted First Mate Eng, Captain Reyes right hand. Alexandra Eng was not the kind of woman you would expect to find on a transport vessel. The majority of the men on the crew drooled over her, and rightly so. Eng was tall, with legs that went on seemingly forever. She kept her auburn hair in a ponytail, usually sticking though the back of a faded baseball cap.

Eng too, was a jogger. Braun picked up the pace to catch up with her. They had jogged together a few times and he always enjoyed her company. They had some good talks while jogging.

“Evening, Commander,” he said as they rounded the corner that lead into the storage areas. Here the corridor was wider so they could run side by side instead of single file. Not that Braun had a problem following her. He loved the view. Since the Windsong was a civilian vessel there were no military officers aboard, although some of the crew were former military. Braun had called her Commander by accident early in his time aboard ship and she had thought it was funny. It had become a running personal joke between them since.

“How we doing, Braun,” she replied, not one bit out of breath.

“No complaints, Alex. Just ready to get home for a couple days.”

“Your girl waiting on you?”

“God, I hope so. With her schedule, it’s hard to plan ahead.”

They slowed at the end of the aisle while a load lifter moved a pallet from one hold to another. They had picked up a few items for delivery to the station while out on the fringe, which had made this a doubly productive haul. It also meant a small bonus for the crew, which was also a nice change of pace.

“I know what you mean. Malcolm was transferred to some godforsaken backwater world last week. I just got the letter now that we’re within the buoy net.”

“Sorry to hear that. You two seemed rather happy together.”

Her stride increased and Braun picked up his as well to keep up. “Yeah, but it was nothing exclusive. In our line of work it’s hard to maintain anything even close to resembling a long-term relationship. You know how our schedules are and his were even worse.”

“The Alliance is good about moving people around,” Braun said. He knew that Malcolm Setlik was an Alliance officer and as such never stayed in one place very long. He had met him once at a birthday party the crew had thrown for Alex’s last birthday. He thought they made a nice couple, despite how utterly different they were.

“I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye,” she said. “That’s the worst part. Naturally, I’ll call him, but it’ll be a good day or so before we’re back on McGintlee.”

“I didn’t realize we were that close.”

“Thanks for trying not to sound too happy about it, Braun,” she said, looking at him and smiling. At the end of the cargo bay, she stopped and rested her hands on her knees. She was not breathing hard, but Braun was and he appreciated the chance to catch his breath.

“Sorry, Commander,” he smiled.

She returned the smile.

“What say I buy you a drink and we can talk some more,” he said, surprising himself with the invitation almost as much as it had obviously surprised her. “I’m sure O’Toole’s got some good rot-gut under the bar.”
Her smile remained in place. “Better yet, I’ve got a bottle of the really good stuff back in my cabin. I picked it up on Pellor on a trade. I was hoping to save it for after we get home, but since there’s not much there to celebrate, I figure now’s as good a time as any to break it open.”

Braun shifted nervously. He’d certainly stuck his foot in it this time.

“And I’d rather not drink it alone,” she added. “What do you say?”

Not sure exactly how to respond, he was surprised to hear himself say, “Lead the way, Commander.”

No longer jogging, they ran to the first mate’s cabin.

#####

EARTHSTRIKE AGENDA
A novel by Bobby Nash

2013 PULP ARK AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST NOVEL!

HUMANITY HAS GONE TO THE STARS.

Earth, once barren and decimated by war and the depletion of natural resources has been reborn. 

Today, Scavengers prey on small mining towns and colonies. The United Planetary Alliance Marshal's Service seems unable to stop these raids. They are outmanned and outgunned, but is the only law on many colonies.

Newly promoted Captain, Virgina Harmon takes command of her first starship, the Pegasus, the latest ship built to solve the Scavenger problem. Plagued by nervousness over her first command Captain Harmon is rocked by the news of her mentor’s murder.  Just days before he was to report to her aboard the Pegasus as chief of engineering.

In Earth orbit, a science station becomes a target.  An enemy has a plan to use the Space Lab facility as a means to claiming Earth.

In deep space, the United Planetary Alliance city-ship Ulysis welcomes aboard a high-ranking officer with a special mission for the crew.  Those plotting against the Alliance are preparing to make their move and their first target is the Ulysis.

Meanwhile, in the deepest regions of space an enemy has returned.  An enemy seeking vengeance.

EARTHSTRIKE AGENDA
Whoever controls Earth ...Wins.

BUY AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY DIRECT FROM BEN BOOKS
  
EARTHSTRIKE AGENDA can also be purchased in print and digital editions at the following:
BEN Books Direct E-store (paperback)
Amazon (paperback)
Barnes and Noble (paperback)
Amazon (Kindle) ebook
Smashwords (multiple ebook formats)
Barnes and Noble (Nook) ebook
Barnes and Noble UK (Nook) ebook
Barnes and Noble UK (Nook) ebook
Drive Thru Fiction ebook
KOBO ebook 
SONY Reader ebook 



Get your free Samaritan ebook AuthorGraph atwww.authorgraph.com/authors/bobbynash
#####

BOBBY TALKS MAN OF STEEL WITH REVNEWS - FANS OF STEEL - PART 1

RevNews: Fans of Steel - Superman has a new movie out! Much like every other big nerd movie this year, geeks are having a huge kerfuffle about it.

So once more in the RevNews Hall of Geedom, host Gary Mitchel assembles four of the greatest nerds created from the cosmic legends of the Internet! Bobby Nash! Jessa Phillips! Tegan Hendrickson! Shaun Rosado!

Together, in the first part of this episode, they will discuss what worked in Man of Steel; how it separates itself from the Donner movies; the coolness of Jedi-El; how Lois Lane is responsible for the destruction of Metropolis; Faora-Ul: Fully Clothed Badass; Superman: The InfoDump; Kryptioan facial & chest hair and more!

Our theme music this episode is "20 Minutes of Oxygen" by Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, courtesy of Divine Industries.

A reminder about our feedback address: revcast@revolutionsf.com. Remember, this episode is made of PURE SPOILERITE!

You can listen to RevNews: Fans of Steel Part 1 now at
http://revolutionsf.libsyn.com/rev-news-fans-of-steel-part-1

Earth Station One Episode 169 – The World of H.G. Wells

Adapted by Sean TaylorOn this episode, the station is filled to the brim with folks celebrating the life and career of “The Father of Speculative Fiction,” “The Patron Saint of Steampunk,” “The Shaper of Things to Come,” “History’s Awesome Outliner,” and “That Strange Gent from Kent,” Herbert George Wells. Showing the Wellsian love along with Mike Faber, Mike Gordon, Jennifer Hartshorn, and the award-winning author Bobby Nash are Mark Maddox and Sean Taylor (two award-winners in their own right), Doctor Q (soon to win an award in something), and Drew Meyer (who should get an award for suffering through The Geek Seat). Plus, we also manage to find some time for Rants, Raves, the Khan Report, and Shout Outs.

Join us for yet another episode of The Earth Station One Podcast we like to call: The World of H.G. Wells at www.esopodcast.com
Direct link: http://erthstationone.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/earth-station-one-episode-169-the-wold-of-h-g-wells/
Jaime Murray as Warehouse 13's HG
Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:05:17 Rants and Raves
0:34:35 Geek Seat w/ Drew Meyer
0:41:10 H.G. Wells
1:27:59 The ESO Khan Report
1:33:54 ESO Shout Outs & Show Close

Next on Earth Station One...

Hi-Yo, Silver! Away!
My Rave. Erik Burnham
 on Scarlet Spider
ESO returns to the theater as the crew relive those thrilling days of yesteryear! From out of the past come the thundering hoof-beats of the great horse Silver! That’s right, The Lone Ranger rides again! ESO reviews the new Johnny Depp/Armie Hammer film and takes a look at the history of The Lone Ranger. You get all this and the usual Rants, Raves, Khan Report, Geek Seat, and Shout Outs on the next Earth Station One.

We would love to hear from you. Tell us your favorite Lone Ranger memories. Did you see the new film? Please leave a short review at esopodcast@gmail.com, www.esopodcast.com, Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. We would love to hear from you. Who knows, we might just read yours on the show.

MEET BOBBY NASH THIS WEEKEND

Meet Bobby Nash at the Atlanta Comic Convention on Sunday, July 7th at the Marriott Hotel-Century Center, 2000 Century Blvd, Atlanta Ga 30230. 11am to 5:00 PM. 5.00 admission.

In addition to Bobby, the guest list includes THE WALKING DEAD'S Daniel Thomas May. He played the father "ALLEN" who was part of Tyreese's group along with his son. Other guests include Mark Wright, Jason Flowers, James Burns, J.R. Mounts, Chris Collins, Lysa Shin, and more.

There will be A LOT of new dealers at the show. Vacation, injuries, kids have turned over the dealer's room. For discount coupons, directions, updates etc. Check out the website!!!!
www.atlantacomicconvention.com

ANOTHER DAY AT THE KEYBOARD...

This happens to writers a lot. Weird, huh? Not Actual CoverWell, my friends, it's been another long day behind the keyboard, but it was also another day where many words were written, a fact for which I am extremely grateful. There's nothing like getting into the zone, especially when you're working on a deadline.

I added a bit more to my Fight Card novel, Barefoot Bones, sent a couple of short pieces for an as yet undisclosed project to the editor. I also did some writer-related work, updated the earth Station One and All Pulp websites, and participated in a fun podcast interview that should go live next week. All in all, I'd say today was a good, busy day.

Still available as paperback and ebookNow, I think a little TV then try to get in bed before 4 a.m. I could use some sleep because I'm back at it tomorrow. I'm not complaining, mind you. I love that work is coming my way. With my current crop of projects and deadlines there are no days off for me until I head to Dragon*Con on August 29th (not that I really get much rest at D*C). After that, I get a day to recooperate before heading to Alabama to film Fat Chance. Maybe a vacation is in order after that.  :)

Sweet dreams.

Bobby

BOBBY NASH JOINS THE CAST OF FAT CHANCE!

Bobby NashCool news! Bobby Nash has joined the cast of the upcoming horror movie, Fat Chance with Daniel Emery Taylor, Jim O’Rear, and a cast of horror vets. “I’m excited to be a part of this movie,” Bobby said after the casting news was announced. “It’s a fun premise and I had so much fun doing my audition.”

Filming begins fall 2013.

From the Fat Chance Facebook page:
Welcome author and actor Bobby Nash to the cast of Fat Chance! An accomplished comic writer and author (EVIL WAYS), Bobby has recently entered the world of acting with roles in THE FOLLOWING (alongside Kevin Bacon) and HALL PASS (alongside Owen Wilson). Bobby's an old friend, so we're thrilled to have him appearing as Clark.
Daniel Emery Taylor/Jim O'Rear
We will post more news here as it becomes available.

NEEDLESS THINGS LIVE! JULY 13TH! ODIN’S COSMIC BOOKSHELF!

The Phantom TroublemakerI will be a guest on the upcoming Needless Things Live podcast on July 13th. We're looking for people to come out and enjoy the festivities and take part in the excitement. Details below. I hope to see you there.

Bobby

NEEDLESS THINGS LIVE!

Phantom Troublemaker and Mr. Beau Brown will be hosting the first-ever LIVE Needless Things podcast, in the all-new Media Room at Odin's Cosmic Bookshelf. Our guests will be Jay Hornsby - The Belligerent Monkey - and Award-Winning Bobby Nash!

Bobby on Needless Things ep. 5The Belligerent Monkey will be holding a mini art show displaying and selling his prints, paintings, and more.
Bobby Nash will be signing his books and comics.
There will also be a huge Nerd Sale in the spacious Odin's parking lot!
Message El Phantasmas with any inquiries.
The podcast will start recording at 4 PM sharp(ish).
The sales, signings, and art show will begin at 2 PM.
Odin's opens at 11 AM.

Learn more and RSVP (if you're so inclined) here.

Bobby also made an appearance on the Needless Things Podcast Episode 5: HeroesCon 2013