Lloyd Blake's Blog
January 4, 2017
The dark Atlanta series: Game of rebels
Hope you are all well and looking ahead to 2017. If it's as eventful as 2016 we will be in for another surprising year. In this time of flux sometimes we need an injection of escapism to enhance and invigorate our minds. Sometimes we need that film or book that allows us the ability to dream or question what things are all about.
In the passed year and a half I've been doing just that, writing my second novel in the dark Atlanta series, titled game of rebels. The first novel in the series 'Intelligenz' was an amazing novel to write and I enjoyed every bit of the process. However, writing the second novel, I really had to think what I wanted this book to be about.
What is GAME OF REBELS about?
'Intelligenz' looked at the exploits of the first black CEO of a hugely successful tech company on the brink of destruction. This time around I wanted to continue that theme but concentrate on a completely different company and show this through the eyes of a female protagonist.
'Game of rebels' sees Meghan Sinclair, the CEO of the hugely successful virtual gaming corporation, known as Aspire-On, under pressure from multiple sources. She exists in a world where virtual gaming has overtaken most lives. Where the fight to control how gamers interact with virtual worlds is a contentious issue. Some want to restrict what gamers can do whilst others believe in a gamers freedom to do whatever they please.
Set in an epic futuristic landscape, we see Meghan Sinclair grappling with her conscience. She is a business woman, juggling many things. She also has a daughter who suffers from the debilitating condition that is cerebral palsy. A condition that leaves her unable to function physically.
A murder of a student found hooked up to the virtual gaming platform leaves many baffled for answers and a missing student not seen for weeks by her classmates seems to link back to the virtual gaming platform and the worlds it creates.
Leading the way in this story are Karl and Clara the two friends we followed in the first novel of the series. They both get caught up in the entire saga swamping Aspire-On and go on a journey of discovery.
When is it the second book in the series coming out?
November 3rd 2017 is the publication date. However, the novel will be available for preorder by the beginning of July. I will be giving out advanced copies at the beginning of June for review purposes so if anyone is interested in reviewing the book get in touch.
In the mean time I will leave you with a snippet of the novel. Enjoy and have a prosperous new year!
Lloyd
Meghan sat down and Clinton followed. “Not a problem.”
He heaved in a huge breath and exhaled, and for the first time, Meghan could sense his anxiety. Moving to a vacant chair opposite, he sat down.
“We have been updated by the police department,” Augustus said, eyes heavy with regret. “They have now confirmed something else was involved in the death of Denver Oakley.”
Meghan felt her heart jump. “What do you mean something else?”
“Something other than human.”
Meghan shifted a concerned look at Clinton whose eyes fluttered. “Some kind of mechanical device?”
Augustus nodded. “By all accounts it would seem so.”
Stunned by this revelation, Meghan started to ponder how such an event could have transpired. “How could this have taken place on campus?” She paused, racking her brain. “Do you have any CCTV?”
“The police are trawling through what we have but so far have found nothing. For some reason our cameras on campus went down for over an hour on the night Denver died.” He broke off, deep lines appearing along his forehead. “It’s puzzling.”
Meghan shook her head, noting the worried expression on the deans face. He looked as if he was about to be physically sick. “Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
“As you know I’ve had a lot on my plate,” Augustus said, huffing loudly. “Before this terrible incident the university had been concerned with Becky Fontaine’s disappearance amongst other things.”
Meghan felt her heart thud. The student’s disappearance had fallen to the back of her mind, what with the Denver Oakley situation and the lawsuit threatening her company. Although the missing student was important, Meghan now considered it a police matter, and until the police had more information, she would let their investigation take its course. “Any news from her family or the police?”
“Her father has had no contact. The police are keeping an open mind on the situation and the investigation is ongoing.” Augustus paused, a pensive expression arising. “I have other concerns also.”
She felt a desperate yearning to do whatever she could for the university. She hadn’t failed to notice that Georgia tech had a reputation to uphold as one of the country’s top science led facilities where students across the world came to study. “What are your concerns – I’ll help in whatever way I can.”
“All before this happened I meant to contact you.” Augustus glanced up with laser like eyes. He paused. “It’s about the scholarship program.”
His voice sounded grave. Perplexed, Meghan suddenly wondered why he had stopped talking about Denver Oakley and Becky Fontaine and was now trying to discuss the scholarship.
“A rift has occurred at the heart of your program,” Augustus revealed. “A rift so deep it threatens the scholarship itself. I have tried my hardest to eradicate tensions but I now feel it is beyond my capacity.”
Meghan slid to the edge of her chair, eager to know more. “What kind of rift?”
“A rift between many of the students.”
Meghan eyed Clinton who held a meagre look of bemusement. What this rift could be, she had no idea. However, she suspected it to be trivial. The usual arguments about resources and lack of lecturer input and guidance, she hoped. “Tell me more.”
Augustus loosened his red tie and removed his jacket. “There is an argument – a school of thought which I’m sure you’re aware of murmuring through the games industry. The idea that the virtual gaming world that your company is at the heart of should have restrictions in place on what gamers are permitted to do within these worlds. Two factions have sprung up at Georgia Tech. One that believes we should put restrictions in place on what is achievable by gamers in the worlds they create and another that believes there should be no parameters at all; that the imagination of the human brain should be able to dream up whatever it wants.”
Meghan found herself intrigued by the argument.
In the passed year and a half I've been doing just that, writing my second novel in the dark Atlanta series, titled game of rebels. The first novel in the series 'Intelligenz' was an amazing novel to write and I enjoyed every bit of the process. However, writing the second novel, I really had to think what I wanted this book to be about.
What is GAME OF REBELS about?
'Intelligenz' looked at the exploits of the first black CEO of a hugely successful tech company on the brink of destruction. This time around I wanted to continue that theme but concentrate on a completely different company and show this through the eyes of a female protagonist.
'Game of rebels' sees Meghan Sinclair, the CEO of the hugely successful virtual gaming corporation, known as Aspire-On, under pressure from multiple sources. She exists in a world where virtual gaming has overtaken most lives. Where the fight to control how gamers interact with virtual worlds is a contentious issue. Some want to restrict what gamers can do whilst others believe in a gamers freedom to do whatever they please.
Set in an epic futuristic landscape, we see Meghan Sinclair grappling with her conscience. She is a business woman, juggling many things. She also has a daughter who suffers from the debilitating condition that is cerebral palsy. A condition that leaves her unable to function physically.
A murder of a student found hooked up to the virtual gaming platform leaves many baffled for answers and a missing student not seen for weeks by her classmates seems to link back to the virtual gaming platform and the worlds it creates.
Leading the way in this story are Karl and Clara the two friends we followed in the first novel of the series. They both get caught up in the entire saga swamping Aspire-On and go on a journey of discovery.
When is it the second book in the series coming out?
November 3rd 2017 is the publication date. However, the novel will be available for preorder by the beginning of July. I will be giving out advanced copies at the beginning of June for review purposes so if anyone is interested in reviewing the book get in touch.
In the mean time I will leave you with a snippet of the novel. Enjoy and have a prosperous new year!
Lloyd
Meghan sat down and Clinton followed. “Not a problem.”
He heaved in a huge breath and exhaled, and for the first time, Meghan could sense his anxiety. Moving to a vacant chair opposite, he sat down.
“We have been updated by the police department,” Augustus said, eyes heavy with regret. “They have now confirmed something else was involved in the death of Denver Oakley.”
Meghan felt her heart jump. “What do you mean something else?”
“Something other than human.”
Meghan shifted a concerned look at Clinton whose eyes fluttered. “Some kind of mechanical device?”
Augustus nodded. “By all accounts it would seem so.”
Stunned by this revelation, Meghan started to ponder how such an event could have transpired. “How could this have taken place on campus?” She paused, racking her brain. “Do you have any CCTV?”
“The police are trawling through what we have but so far have found nothing. For some reason our cameras on campus went down for over an hour on the night Denver died.” He broke off, deep lines appearing along his forehead. “It’s puzzling.”
Meghan shook her head, noting the worried expression on the deans face. He looked as if he was about to be physically sick. “Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
“As you know I’ve had a lot on my plate,” Augustus said, huffing loudly. “Before this terrible incident the university had been concerned with Becky Fontaine’s disappearance amongst other things.”
Meghan felt her heart thud. The student’s disappearance had fallen to the back of her mind, what with the Denver Oakley situation and the lawsuit threatening her company. Although the missing student was important, Meghan now considered it a police matter, and until the police had more information, she would let their investigation take its course. “Any news from her family or the police?”
“Her father has had no contact. The police are keeping an open mind on the situation and the investigation is ongoing.” Augustus paused, a pensive expression arising. “I have other concerns also.”
She felt a desperate yearning to do whatever she could for the university. She hadn’t failed to notice that Georgia tech had a reputation to uphold as one of the country’s top science led facilities where students across the world came to study. “What are your concerns – I’ll help in whatever way I can.”
“All before this happened I meant to contact you.” Augustus glanced up with laser like eyes. He paused. “It’s about the scholarship program.”
His voice sounded grave. Perplexed, Meghan suddenly wondered why he had stopped talking about Denver Oakley and Becky Fontaine and was now trying to discuss the scholarship.
“A rift has occurred at the heart of your program,” Augustus revealed. “A rift so deep it threatens the scholarship itself. I have tried my hardest to eradicate tensions but I now feel it is beyond my capacity.”
Meghan slid to the edge of her chair, eager to know more. “What kind of rift?”
“A rift between many of the students.”
Meghan eyed Clinton who held a meagre look of bemusement. What this rift could be, she had no idea. However, she suspected it to be trivial. The usual arguments about resources and lack of lecturer input and guidance, she hoped. “Tell me more.”
Augustus loosened his red tie and removed his jacket. “There is an argument – a school of thought which I’m sure you’re aware of murmuring through the games industry. The idea that the virtual gaming world that your company is at the heart of should have restrictions in place on what gamers are permitted to do within these worlds. Two factions have sprung up at Georgia Tech. One that believes we should put restrictions in place on what is achievable by gamers in the worlds they create and another that believes there should be no parameters at all; that the imagination of the human brain should be able to dream up whatever it wants.”
Meghan found herself intrigued by the argument.
August 16, 2016
Game of Rebels
I have just added Game of Rebels, book 2 in the Dark Atlanta Series, to Goodreads. I am excited to share this extensive preview of the book to those who would like to read it. At 122 pages it is a very extensive preview and i am expecting the complete novel to be published in the summer of 2017.
Any comments on the book and its concept would be much appreciated.
Regards
Lloyd
Any comments on the book and its concept would be much appreciated.
Regards
Lloyd
March 9, 2016
Reading Timbaland's emperor of sound
Currently I'm writing my new novel as you all know but when I get a chance I'm also reading Timbaland's memoir emperor of sound. Music is like food to me and I've always been inspired by people who have created great music. So when I saw this book about one of the greatest producers out there I just had to read it.
When I write I don't read any fiction as it mucks up my creative vision so something like an autobiography is very nice to read and can be inspiring.
When I write I don't read any fiction as it mucks up my creative vision so something like an autobiography is very nice to read and can be inspiring.
February 24, 2016
Creating book 2 in the dark Atlanta series: Game of rebels
At this very moment in time I'm attempting to write around 2500 words a week. The entire book is coming along well and I have currently written over 40,000 words. I do have a word count total in mind and that is between 105,000 and 110,000 words for the novel to be complete and then I will start editing the novel.
This novel is a lot different to the first novel in the dark Atlanta series in that I am having to write a lot more dialogue and there is a lot of world building because of the virtual worlds in the story. I am also having to compromise on certain story arcs because of the word count restrictions. At this moment it does feel like the story is bigger than I anticipated and I'm having to control where it is going but I hope I'll figure it out during the writing process.
I'll keep posting updates along the way.
This novel is a lot different to the first novel in the dark Atlanta series in that I am having to write a lot more dialogue and there is a lot of world building because of the virtual worlds in the story. I am also having to compromise on certain story arcs because of the word count restrictions. At this moment it does feel like the story is bigger than I anticipated and I'm having to control where it is going but I hope I'll figure it out during the writing process.
I'll keep posting updates along the way.
January 13, 2016
writing hard for 2016
This year I'm on a mission. My mission is to finish writing a book that I'm proud of and a novel that surprises and excites any readers that wish to give my novel a chance. I have a plan of when this crazy thing should be finished and with God's will I'll stick to the time frame.
I plan to have my first draft complete by the end of August then have many months of edits and proof reading before its release date of February 27th 2017.
I will also be looking for book reviewers to read the novel possibly 4 months before the release date and post a review. So if any readers are interested in being sent a prerelease copy get in touch with me so I can take a note of your interest.
Have a great reading and writing year!
I plan to have my first draft complete by the end of August then have many months of edits and proof reading before its release date of February 27th 2017.
I will also be looking for book reviewers to read the novel possibly 4 months before the release date and post a review. So if any readers are interested in being sent a prerelease copy get in touch with me so I can take a note of your interest.
Have a great reading and writing year!
October 26, 2015
Hello again: book update
It has been such a long time since I have been on gooodreads. The year has flown by and my writing was kind of put on hold for a very long time. I'm not sure if I'm a conventional writer, everyone is different I suppose. When I'm motivated to write, the story and the idea has to be something that motivates me and is exciting to write about. It has to flow organically because I have found I can only write about five hundred words in one sitting before I lose myself. I'm not one of those writers who can write ten thousand words in a week. If I'm being honest I lost that motivation because I hadn't found what I wanted the second book in my dark Atlanta series to be about.
I also had some personal issues. My father passed away in October 2014 and this affected me and I had no motivation or inspiration to write anything. Then this year I broke my arm in a terrible accident which was life changing. This incident suddenly showed me that I needed to start writing again. That I had been given a second chance to do what I really like doing that my voice hadn't been taken away.
So right now I stand here with a real sense of motivation and a new outlook on what I want to achieve with my second novel in this series. The title has changed from what it was previously. It now has the title: game of rebels which I hope will not change again.
I plan to have the book out in February 2017 which seems a long way off but will fly by. I'm currently writing the novel and hope to have first draft complete by July 2016. So excited by this one I'm already around 12,000 words in and plan the book to be 110,000 words. I'll keep you posted on my progress and I can't wait to have the book out in physical form for everyone to enjoy.
I also had some personal issues. My father passed away in October 2014 and this affected me and I had no motivation or inspiration to write anything. Then this year I broke my arm in a terrible accident which was life changing. This incident suddenly showed me that I needed to start writing again. That I had been given a second chance to do what I really like doing that my voice hadn't been taken away.
So right now I stand here with a real sense of motivation and a new outlook on what I want to achieve with my second novel in this series. The title has changed from what it was previously. It now has the title: game of rebels which I hope will not change again.
I plan to have the book out in February 2017 which seems a long way off but will fly by. I'm currently writing the novel and hope to have first draft complete by July 2016. So excited by this one I'm already around 12,000 words in and plan the book to be 110,000 words. I'll keep you posted on my progress and I can't wait to have the book out in physical form for everyone to enjoy.
September 6, 2014
The secret realm, Book 2 in the dark Atlanta series
Hi all. I haven't posted on here for ages as I'm working on the second book in the dark Atlanta series. The second book in this series is called the secret realm.
The secret realm is another fast paced science fiction thriller that sees Karl and Clara on another journey of discovery into the unknown. I hope to have a few chapters out on the kindle in December and the full novel in December 2015.
The secret realm is another fast paced science fiction thriller that sees Karl and Clara on another journey of discovery into the unknown. I hope to have a few chapters out on the kindle in December and the full novel in December 2015.
September 28, 2013
What I'm reading
I'm currently reading 'safe house' by chris ewan, and i'm really enjoying it so far. I'm up to page 100 and the story has kept me gripped and intrigued. At first I was eager to find out whether Lena was a figment of Rob's imagination. Now she isn't, I really want to know what is going to happen to Lena.
Written very well and extremely descriptive. Written in first person, but reads like third person which is wierdly refreshing.
Safe House
Written very well and extremely descriptive. Written in first person, but reads like third person which is wierdly refreshing.
Safe House
July 4, 2013
Book competition
Im giving away two copies of my exciting novel Intelligenz and two ekindle giftcards on my website.
All you have to do is answer this simple question: Which city is to hold the 2016 Olympic games
Competition closes 21St July 2013
All you have to do is answer this simple question: Which city is to hold the 2016 Olympic games
Competition closes 21St July 2013
April 18, 2013
Actors who would play Intelligenz characters
It's well known that most writers imagine their literary creations as major films. This got me thinking and i wondered which of todays movie stars would play the characters in an Intelligenz movie. One of them is a best actress Oscar winner. Another is a international music star. There's also a hit making rapper in the mix.
Check out who they are at www.lloydblake.com
Check out who they are at www.lloydblake.com
