Joshua Graham's Blog, page 22
October 27, 2011
Joshua Graham, the Horror Fiction writer?
I'm not always certain how certain labels get placed on books and authors. I've always thought of myself as a suspense/thriller writer that sometimes ventures into other genres such as epic fantasy or YA fantasy (Ian Alexander), and the occasional historical fiction story. There is a bit of supernatural element in many of my titles. I suppose it shouldn't have surprised me that my short novelette THE ACCIDENTAL EXORCIST was categorized as Horror on Amazon.com.
I found out last night that THE ACCIDENTAL EXORCIST ebook hit #2 in the Horror and Suspense Thriller categories in the free kindle titles list.
It's kind of cool to that my title is hanging out in the same sandbox with Stephen King, Amanda Hocking, Lee Goldberg and Bram Stoker! I'm pretty "stoked" about it! 
If you don't already have a copy, it's free now for all ebook readers on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, etc.
October 26, 2011
Do the Ends Justify the Means?
You Can't Handle the Truth!
At what point does power cross the line into the abuse thereof? Is there ever a time when you must chose the lesser of evils in order to bring about "the greater good?" These ethical questions are as old as humankind itself.
Sometimes in personal life as well as in the global community, sacrifices must indeed be made and the choices are not always clear-cut. The problem arises when the power to judge falls into hands of those who may be, or may have once been well-intentioned people.
Immediately after 9/11 we saw an outbreak of terror-related scares (does anyone remember the anthrax scare?) During those frightful times we as a people didn't argue quite as much as we might today about the formation of The Department of Homeland Security, and all its implementation in the interest of national security and the war on terrorism. Many of us accepted the measures because the images of the Twin Towers falling were still very clear in our memory.
But then we started questioning and losing trust.
Why? Was it because our fears were unfounded, or was it because the effectiveness of the war on terror had brought us the very security which some have started to take for granted?
We can look back at times where certain atrocities happened and we either didn't know about it, or simply couldn't believe it possible. The Holocaust and The Massacre in Nanking of 1937 comes to mind, among others such horrors. What made it possible for the military to order such egregious acts upon other human beings? Surely there was some "rationalization" or the soldiers who raped, maimed, tortured, mutilated and murdered all those civilians in Nanking would never have done so, and in such huge numbers.
In my book Darkroom one such character faces similar ethical dilemmas (albeit on a smaller scale than the Nanking Massacre). He's not a mustache twirling, one-dimensional character, he's a person whose actions and attitudes raise the question: "Is it ever acceptable to do something bad to prevent something MUCH worse?"
There are those who believe that if the United States had not dropped the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, countless more (including Japanese citizens) would have died.
According to BILL DIETRICH, Seattle Times staff reporter, some would argue that:
An invasion of Japan would have caused casualties on both sides that could easily have exceeded the toll at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The two targeted cities would have been firebombed anyway.
Immediate use of the bomb convinced the world of its horror and prevented future use when nuclear stockpiles were far larger.
The bomb's use impressed the Soviet Union and halted the war quickly enough that the USSR did not demand joint occupation of Japan.
One only needs to look at the horrific pictures of the victims on either side of the war to know that there is no easy way to conclude if it was justifiable or not.
So, what do you think? Do the ends ever justify the means?
Feel free to discuss in the comments section
October 24, 2011
My life in 8 words: "A relentless pursuit to fulfill my life's calling."
From my new official author page on the Simon & Schuster website:
My life in 8 words: "A relentless pursuit to fulfill my life's calling."
Even thought the official release of Darkroom is still about 6 months away, I'm finding it immensely exciting to see that my publisher has already set up an author page on their website. Sure, there are hundreds of authors on this site, but it's very cool to see the names of other bestsellers like Stephen King, Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and so many others whose writing a respect and admire on that same site. It's a dream come true for me, a person who never imagined he'd see his work swimming in the same pool as these writers.
Honestly, I'm still stunned. However, it's becoming every day it's becoming clearer to me that everything we face in life–be it victories, defeat, challenges, good news or bad–is an opportunity to reveal our character. In fact, it's a chance to determine our character by our choices. When I look at the "achievement" of having my book published by a major publisher (Simon & Schuster is considered one of the "Big Six") I find myself at something of a crossroad: I can sit back and let it get to my head, slow down and think, "Yeah, I've made it." Or I can be real with myself and ask myself a few questions such as:
What does this really mean? Am I a different person now because of this? (Not really. This too shall pass.)
Is this it? Have I made it? Not really, it's just the beginning. I've got a long way to go before I reach my goals.
How did this happen, really?
Here's the question I'd like to examine in some detail.
What really happened? After all, the odds of an debut author getting picked up by a Big Six Publisher are very slim. I had listened to some good counsel from other experienced professionals, but so many people do that and don't get such results. I had written Darkroom as best I could, but still, many do that without the same results. Bottom Line: In the months leading up to my sale, I had really prayed a lot and focused not so much on getting this book deal for the common reasons such as making money, getting recognition, personal satisfaction. I prayed and asked God for this so that I could give Him the credit and glory. And I meant it. By the time my book sold, I had completely given the matter up to The Almighty. And while I did my due diligence of continuing to write, market Beyond Justice, and query editors, I had become immersed in the study of scriptures and prayer. What I wanted most of all was to be able to know what it meant to have a personal relationship with my creator. Even now, I see this book sale principally as a result of divine and unmerited favor. I am quick to take any praise I receive for this book and turn it over to God, whom I know gave me the ability to write and continues to give me direction and inspiration. Everything I write is because of His grace, and to reflect His glory.
"I'm not a religious person, but I am spiritual." That means different things for different people so I won't get into the details here. But one thing I will say: Through my relentless pursuit to discover and fulfill my life's calling, I've found The One who gave me my calling. As a result, I've found a peace and hope that transcends all circumstances, and I've found the power and source of seeing myself and the world in which I live from a perspective that has increased my appreciation and gratefulness, during times when I could easily have chosen despair and cynicism.
Now, when challenges come (and they always will), rather than feeling like a victim, I can confront them as opportunities to determine my character and ultimately the destiny for which I was created. Will that be writing for the rest of my life? I honestly don't know, it could be just for this season in my life, or it could be for the rest of it. But whatever it is, I know that if I'm walking in my life's calling, I'll be productive, effective, and fulfilled.
October 21, 2011
Official Darkroom Cover Revealed
cover revealed
October 10, 2011
In Memoriam
Jimmy Tanovan
Today I learned of the passing of a good friend of mine. He was a young man with many talents, a generous heart, and love for God, people and life in general. I had just started to get to know him better recently and while I've always appreciated his kindness, the way he treated my kids like they were his cousins, and how he was willing to help at the drop of a hat, I don't think I ever expressed my appreciation quite enough.
I always thanked him for his help, and we did a lot together—usually over dinner or lunch—but I don't know if he ever knew how much he meant in my life. In fact, I didn't realize how much he meant to me until I found out this morning, when my wife called me in tears to tell me, "Jimmy died."
Jimmy was a friend to so many, yet he made you feel like you were his best friend. He loved to connect on common interests, and he blessed me and my family by opening up to us and allowing us to be close to him.
His passing was sudden. Many of us in church had just spoken with him hours before his passing. I still can't believe he's gone and I know it will take time to process this. But I'm left with so many memories, some regrets, and most of all, the profound awareness of this truth:
The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children—
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
(Psalm 130:15-18)
Jimmy's life will never be forgotten because the truth is, it isn't over. It's just begun. I know that in that day, when we meet again, it will all be like waking from a dream. There, I'll see him, give him another big man-hug, and see all the people I love that have gone before me. And it will be like C.S. Lewis' beautiful account of eternity as he wrote in the final page of The Chronicles of Narnia.
"You do not yet look so happy as I mean you
to be."
Lucy said, "We're so afraid of being sent
away, Aslan. And you have sent us back into our
own world so often."
"No fear of that," said AsIan. "Have you not
guessed?"
Their hearts leaped and a wild hope rose
within them.
"There was a real railway accident," said
Aslan softly. "Your father and mother and all of
you are-as you used to call it in the
Shadowlands-dead. The term is over: the holidays
have begun. The dream is ended: this is the
morning."
And as He spoke He no longer looked to
them like a lion; but the things that began to
happen after that were so great and beautiful
that I cannot write them. And for us this is the
end of all the stories, and we can most truly say
that they all lived happily ever after. But for
them it was only the beginning of the real story.
All their life in this world and all their adventures
in Narnia had only been the cover and the
title page: now at last they were beginning
Chapter One of the Great Story which no one
on earth has read: which goes on forever: in
which every chapter is better than the one
before.
From The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
October 4, 2011
SPENDING TIME WRITING, SPENDING TIME ALONE (guest blogger Susan Wingate)
SPENDING TIME WRITING, SPENDING TIME ALONE
by Susan Wingate (author of award-winning novels DROWNING and BOBBY'S DINER)
In Fantasy: Writing alone = Heaven
In Reality: Writing alone = Heaven
In Fantasy: Being alone = Heaven
In Reality: Being alone = Loneliness
For years I've told people how much I love being alone. And, if you want to know the truth of it, most of the time that's the way I feel if we consider other people–those others "out there," outside my home those friends, family members not included in my immediate world–those people would never invade my life at all, if I truly desired to remain alone.
The fact is this, when I'm completely alone, without my husband, sister or mother around, without the people I love, my life is empty and sad. I tend to feel this way when it comes to close friends too. Those people, your buddies, you can call at eight in the evening and drink a glass of wine with while you chat.
Still, as we age, we learn the true meaning of loneliness. I never had children as a young woman. Never wanted children of my own. My husband, Bob, has three–a son and two daughters. From these children we now have four grandchildren, soon to be five. A sense of warmth and blessing comes from these kids. Even though they aren't mine. Which makes me wonder how deeply the parent-child feeling goes with your own biological children. Deeper than the earth's core, I think.
Most of my days I spend by myself, working out of the house. Not totally alone, of course. I have my critters about who keep me company–my dogs and cats, my birds and the wild animals that traverse our five acres of country-deep property. But something wonderful happens each day that makes me understand what humanity means. Each day, after leaving nearly ten hours before, my husband comes back home. Sometimes he returns happy, content, silly. Sometimes he returns overworked, laden, sad. Yet, however he returns, my life brightens. The blinders fall off my eyes. I can see the day. Work feels somewhere behind me.
As a writer, we must spend time alone to work, to visualize, to create. But, as human beings? We need people to interact with. And, when we feel the thrumming aversion to social interaction, we humans must put on a character (where without that character we might shrivel) and we must step outside our comfort zone.
Because, honestly, if we don't, how will we write? My best moments, I feel, are moments I've spent watching someone else or with have been with someone else. Sometimes, funny things happen when other people enter the scene. When I think back on times when funny things have happened and I was alone, these moments feel frustrating. I want to call someone, tell someone what just happened. That speaks volumes.
See, people need people. It's a simple truth. We have the same bodies. We are made of the same spirit, if you will, and are completely connected by God, for me, by some other higher being for others. But, we're linked by something much larger than ourselves.
Try and think of it this way, if a friend or family member calls you, it means a few things–one, they thought about you; two, they want to hear your voice; and, three, they love you. But, it also means, when you remove yourself from their lives, they miss you.
For more information about Susan Wingate,
Susan's website is: http://www.susanwingate.com
Susan's workshop schedule is: http://susanwingate.wordpress.com/writing-services/upcoming-writing-workshops/
Susan's blog is: https://susanwingate.wordpress.com/muscle-up-the-gut-of-your-novel-writing-instruction/
Susan's Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/susanwingate.author
Susan's Twitter page is: http://twitter.com/#!/susanwingate
September 26, 2011
An interview with my "evil twin" Ian Alexander, author of ONCE WE WERE KINGS.
I had the rare opportunity to sit with my "evil twin" Ian Alexander and chat with him about his book ONCE WE WERE KINGS. We had such a good time, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I was beside myself with laughter! I hope you'll enjoy the transcript of our little chat.
[image error]Josh: Something that readers have been asking is for some dialogue between me and my evil twin Ian Alexander regarding writing and other things. Today, I'd like to welcome Ian to my blog. Hello Ian, how are you doing?
[image error] Ian: Thanks for having me, brother. You're looking rather suave today.
[image error]Josh: Thanks, Ian. But if you think flattery will cause me take it easy on you today, you're sadly mistaken.
[image error] Ian: Well! That's the thanks I get for paying you a compliment!
[image error] Josh: The last time you complimented me, I ended helping an old lady cross a busy street. She beat me over the head with her umbrella and nearly called the police saying that I was assaulting her!
[image error] Ian: Oh.
You still remember that, do you?
[image error] Josh: ….
Anyway, back to business. How does it feel to be a debut author?
[image error] Ian: I could ask you the same. But for me, it's been a very interesting ride. I've received so much support and encouragement from our mutual friends who are both writers, readers and fans. This being my first book in the genre, I was a tad anxious about how Once We Were Kings might be received.
[image error] Josh: It seems to have been received well based on the feedback, reviews and bestseller rankings. How do you feel about your book being categorized as "Epic Fantasy?"
[image error] Ian: Right. Well, I'm not one who cares a great deal for labels and such. But I understand one needs to know which bookshelf a book should be placed upon. And readers need to know which category it belongs to. As for Epic or High Fantasy, I think it could fit well in that category, but I didn't actually write this book for those die-hard fans of Epic/High Fantasy (i.e., Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, or Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake, etc.) While I hope that all readers will enjoy Once We Were Kings, I wrote it for my kids and for "the rest of us" who don't usually read fantasy. In that regard, it's a bit lighter on the world building, and it's faster paced and more accessible than what some High Fantasy fans would expect. But based on the book's feedback, it's the very thing that makes people new to the fantasy genre, and young readers enjoy it.
[image error] Josh: "Fantasy for the Rest of Us." So would you call this a Young Adult book?
[image error] Ian: Perhaps in the same way C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia are. However, both adults and young readers have told me they've enjoyed Once We Were Kings.
[image error] Josh: You've received some pretty harsh criticism for Once We Were Kings on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. How do you feel about that?
[image error] Ian: It's only been a handful of people. But to be completely honest, I'm always disappointed when my book doesn't work for people and I always make an effort to consider their criticism, no matter how harsh or unkind. But ultimately, one cannot please everyone. I'm glad that there are enough people out there who do enjoy the book and have left reviews as well.
[image error] Josh: Ian…you've got something stuck between your glasses.
[image error]Ian: Oh, that! Thank you. It's piece of a wrapper from… er…
[image error] Josh: You did NOT raid my stash of Snickers bars, did you?
[image error] Ian: You left them wide open in the kitchen! They're practically public domain!
[image error] Josh: Mom was right about you!
[image error]Ian: That I'm the more charming of her twins?
[image error] Josh: …. Just so you know, one of my characters in Darkroom is named after you.
[image error]Ian: Oh? Really?
[image error] Josh: He's not one of the good guys.
Anyway, back to books and writing. What's next for you, Ian?
[image error] Ian: Wouldn't you just love to know? Seriously though, I'm working on some sequels and prequels to the Sojourner Series. Some of them will be short fiction and others full novels. Hopefully, I won't get sidetracked by YOUR books.
[image error] Josh: What ever do you mean?
[image error]Ian: Sometimes all you do is talk to me about YOUR book ideas and I, in my magnanimousness listen and listen and give you feedback and the next thing you know, I've wasted an entire workday on your work.
[image error] Josh: What can I say? You're a great listener.
[image error] Ian: Oh, dry up, Josh. You know my books will be the ones to come out next. We've already agreed on that. So you can relax for a while.
[image error] Josh: You obviously don't know my schedule. LOL. Well, bro, thanks for stopping by and chatting on my blog.
[image error] Ian: My pleasure, any time!
[image error] Josh: Maybe not ANY time, but in general, you're always welcome here. Oh, and one more thing, Ian.
[image error] Ian: Yes?
[image error] Josh: Those weren't Snickers Bars in the wrappers.
[image error] Ian: What? What were they?
[image error] Josh: (Doing charades gestures) Combine two words: "X-ray" and "Relax"
[image error] Ian: ?? Ex…? Lax…?
(Runs out of the room.)
______________
About Ian Alexander
When Ian Alexander's debut epic fantasy novel ONCE WE WERE KINGS first launched in ebook format in May 2011, it instantly hit three bestseller lists on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Mr. Alexander first wrote in the fantasy genre because of a commission by a very important and influential person: His 6-year old son.
ONCE WE WERE KINGS is the legacy left to Mr. Alexander's children and the first in a series of epic fantasy novels which appeals to readers ages 8 through 98.
It's available for all ebook readers and soon to be released in hardcover!
Visit Ian's official website: www.IanAlex.com
Follow him on Twitter: @IanAlex77
And on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/IanAlex
ONCE WE WERE KINGS $3.97
For nook: http://bit.ly/jeio82
For Kindle: http://amzn.to/iAWsMm
For Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/km9icp
For iBooks: http://bit.ly/k7F5ML
For every reader: Smashwords: http://bit.ly/lUlOM8
September 9, 2011
Darkroom Book Cover Revealed! First Draft (Take the Opinion Poll!)
Well I finally got a look at the initial cover for my upcoming release DARKROOM. Simon & Schuster/Howard Books has revealed this early concept cover to me. They've asked for feedback and said I could share it with my readers. Here's a chance for you to let your voice be heard! Please take a look, and don't think too long about it, then go here to answer the quick 5-question survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BSQCDBY
Here's the cover:
Darkroom Book Cover Revealed! (Take the Opinion Poll!)
Well I finally got a look at the initial cover for my upcoming release DARKROOM. Simon & Schuster/Howard Books has revealed this early concept cover to me. They've asked for feedback and said I could share it with my readers. Here's a chance for you to let your voice be heard! Please take a look, and don't think too long about it, then go here to answer the quick 5-question survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BSQCDBY
Here's the cover:
