Richard Raley's Blog, page 27
August 25, 2017
Quick Notes August #2
1. This week I wrote a 8k scene between Vicky and Moira Welf, because why not? Lot that had to be said on any number of topics between those two. Probably cut it down in editing, but we'll see. Really loving THE GLASSBREAKER GOES HOME, its so very character indulgent.
2. Cracked a tooth :( Or, at least a filling...anyway, dentist next week, boo!
3. I took my first try at Football Manager 2017 yesterday...I don't think I've been this intimated by a video game since Crusader Kings 2 years and years ago. Which did not end well. But was one of my favorite video game experiences ever. I started with William the Conqueror, thought I was doing an okay-ish job, took over Wales and all that and then William died...which led to a four way succession war between three of his sons and his brother. I was disposed by my brother, who was captured and killed by my uncle...making me King In Name Only...without any soldiers to call in my name as my youngest brother and uncle battled it out, all while the Duke of York rose up in rebellion...let's just say, it could've gone better.
4. Hoping to finish the first draft of ASSAULT ON DREAD FORTRESS PAINE next month, we'll see.
5. The Defenders turned out as okay TV. All these Marvel Netflix shows just feel very cheap, which I guess they are. Oh well, better than Iron Fist!
6. Stuff still happening behind the scenes. Covers coming in. Slowly going through the Createspace process. The preview copy of Fanged Lady should show up for me next week, then assuming I didn't fuck it up I'll be moving on to FM2 and FM3. Still not sure on release dates for all the print-on-demand stuff, but they are very much happening now.
7. Fuck Jade Druid....
8. The kids are returning to school, yay!
9. Football is back!
10. Summer is almost over! Still 107 on Monday, cuz Fresno...
2. Cracked a tooth :( Or, at least a filling...anyway, dentist next week, boo!
3. I took my first try at Football Manager 2017 yesterday...I don't think I've been this intimated by a video game since Crusader Kings 2 years and years ago. Which did not end well. But was one of my favorite video game experiences ever. I started with William the Conqueror, thought I was doing an okay-ish job, took over Wales and all that and then William died...which led to a four way succession war between three of his sons and his brother. I was disposed by my brother, who was captured and killed by my uncle...making me King In Name Only...without any soldiers to call in my name as my youngest brother and uncle battled it out, all while the Duke of York rose up in rebellion...let's just say, it could've gone better.
4. Hoping to finish the first draft of ASSAULT ON DREAD FORTRESS PAINE next month, we'll see.
5. The Defenders turned out as okay TV. All these Marvel Netflix shows just feel very cheap, which I guess they are. Oh well, better than Iron Fist!
6. Stuff still happening behind the scenes. Covers coming in. Slowly going through the Createspace process. The preview copy of Fanged Lady should show up for me next week, then assuming I didn't fuck it up I'll be moving on to FM2 and FM3. Still not sure on release dates for all the print-on-demand stuff, but they are very much happening now.
7. Fuck Jade Druid....
8. The kids are returning to school, yay!
9. Football is back!
10. Summer is almost over! Still 107 on Monday, cuz Fresno...
August 15, 2017
"The Fanged Lady" and "The Cat Killing Coyotes" New Cover Reveal
Guessing you probably skipped this text to look at the pretties, but I just wanted to spend a moment thanking Deranged Doctor Design for the awesome work they've done and are still doing with the last 4 covers (also plan to continue to use them for future novels!) I asked for covers that said Urban Fantasy to the extreme and they've delivered. These aren't new pieces of artwork, but instead are manipulated stock photos through the use of graphic software and when you consider what they were able to accomplish with that limitation, able to find a model wearing clothes King Henry might wear (with added brown coat!) and able to find another model that just might be King Henry-esqe when it comes to his face...not to mention backgrounds, color blends, all those pieces of rock and glass flying about...
Also, I love how for the San Francisco background with the first novel the thought was: How about the Transamerica Pyramid?
But when it came down to Fresno in the second: Well, I guess we'll use a dilapidated warehouse?
Oh Fresno, they so get you!
THE FOUL MOUTH AND THE FANGED LADY
THE FOUL MOUTH AND THE CAT KILLING COYOTES
Both are working their way through Amazon's warp-pipes as we speak. FM3 is also in the final stages and it shouldn't be much longer before it shows up. Of course I purchased both ebook and paperback designs so this means I have no more reason to delay print-on demand versions and should get them out in the next couple months...no reason other than me being a lazy bastard for anything that's not writing at least!
So, what you think?
Also, I love how for the San Francisco background with the first novel the thought was: How about the Transamerica Pyramid?
But when it came down to Fresno in the second: Well, I guess we'll use a dilapidated warehouse?
Oh Fresno, they so get you!
THE FOUL MOUTH AND THE FANGED LADY
THE FOUL MOUTH AND THE CAT KILLING COYOTES
Both are working their way through Amazon's warp-pipes as we speak. FM3 is also in the final stages and it shouldn't be much longer before it shows up. Of course I purchased both ebook and paperback designs so this means I have no more reason to delay print-on demand versions and should get them out in the next couple months...no reason other than me being a lazy bastard for anything that's not writing at least!
So, what you think?
August 2, 2017
Quick Notes August
1. So I got the cover proposal (kind of like a first draft) for the new FM1 cover yesterday and it's completely Urban Fantastic. Not sure when I'll get the final version to show you fans, but it shouldn't be much longer. Then we get to do it five more times in a row! So excited!
2. Writing the Vicky Welf POV makes me so upbeat...
3. Which makes me think back to what writing a scene with Obadiah Paine in it used to do to my mood...oh well, I guess thanks to King Henry I never have to write a POV from him, do I?
4. I finally managed to find a Nintendo Switch...I only use it for Mario Kart at the moment and promise you fans I won't dare start playing Zelda Breath of the Wild until after all the releases this year. Cuz I have a feeling that'll be a few weeks of complete addiction if I do. Which would be bad, right?
5. Dota 2 International 2017 starts today. The prize pool this year is over 23 million dollars and competition looks fierce. I'll be watching Twitch with one eye and writing with the other the next couple weeks.
6. So HOT!!!
7. First sentence tease for Assault on Dread Fortress Paine...
Within one second of liftoff, Tyson Bonnie knew--without any doubt at all--that he did not like helicopters.
2. Writing the Vicky Welf POV makes me so upbeat...
3. Which makes me think back to what writing a scene with Obadiah Paine in it used to do to my mood...oh well, I guess thanks to King Henry I never have to write a POV from him, do I?
4. I finally managed to find a Nintendo Switch...I only use it for Mario Kart at the moment and promise you fans I won't dare start playing Zelda Breath of the Wild until after all the releases this year. Cuz I have a feeling that'll be a few weeks of complete addiction if I do. Which would be bad, right?
5. Dota 2 International 2017 starts today. The prize pool this year is over 23 million dollars and competition looks fierce. I'll be watching Twitch with one eye and writing with the other the next couple weeks.
6. So HOT!!!
7. First sentence tease for Assault on Dread Fortress Paine...
Within one second of liftoff, Tyson Bonnie knew--without any doubt at all--that he did not like helicopters.
July 26, 2017
Watching, Playing, Reading #2
Watching: GLOW. I thought I might like this one at least a little bit, instead I ended up loving it completely. There's a lot of 80s nostalgia going around (Stranger Things having nailed the Spielberg/Goonies/Stephen King vibes to perfection of course) but something about GLOW just hit the glam metal, big hair cock binge party 80s for me. There's even a training montage where Stan Bush's Dare starts playing, also known as the other song from the Transformers: The Movie soundtrack after The Touch. It hit my childhood right in the feels.
Playing: Hearthstone. My fingers are still pretty touch and go if not screaming in pain, so I've been keeping away from more active games. But a card game on a tablet where I only need a single finger proved within my ability for the occasional diversion. Haven't played since before Mean Streets launched, so I got to experience the returning player experience. 9 free classic packs, about 3500 free dust, not bad. Ended up dusting some of my wild format collection as well and luckily control mage and control paladin decks focus heavily on classic cards, so cheap enough to put them together with plenty of dust left over. Also they're giving a free arena run every week at the moment and that's fun.
Reading: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews. Yeah, really, I'm reading a paranormal romance novel. I watched the Good Wife too, you wanna fight, bro? I will admit this is one of those where I'm glad Kindles have removed the fact you have to physically hold a book, because that cover, man... Do recommend all of their writing though especially the Kate Daniels series (it's actually a husband a wife writing duo), solid reads all around and the Top 1% of creativity in the genre. Really remember to rely on the Fantasy over the Urban, with some good world-building.
So...how's summer treating you? Getting some entertainment in through the heat? Inc a week over 100 for Fresno, cuz of course!
Playing: Hearthstone. My fingers are still pretty touch and go if not screaming in pain, so I've been keeping away from more active games. But a card game on a tablet where I only need a single finger proved within my ability for the occasional diversion. Haven't played since before Mean Streets launched, so I got to experience the returning player experience. 9 free classic packs, about 3500 free dust, not bad. Ended up dusting some of my wild format collection as well and luckily control mage and control paladin decks focus heavily on classic cards, so cheap enough to put them together with plenty of dust left over. Also they're giving a free arena run every week at the moment and that's fun.
Reading: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews. Yeah, really, I'm reading a paranormal romance novel. I watched the Good Wife too, you wanna fight, bro? I will admit this is one of those where I'm glad Kindles have removed the fact you have to physically hold a book, because that cover, man... Do recommend all of their writing though especially the Kate Daniels series (it's actually a husband a wife writing duo), solid reads all around and the Top 1% of creativity in the genre. Really remember to rely on the Fantasy over the Urban, with some good world-building.
So...how's summer treating you? Getting some entertainment in through the heat? Inc a week over 100 for Fresno, cuz of course!
July 20, 2017
2017-2018 Release Estimates
Alternate Post Title: Watch as RR is proven way too optimistic about his ability to dodge the plague yet again.
August 2017: New cover roll out starts.
October 2017: King Henry Book Pack One release, Print On Demand versions roll out starts.
November-December 2017: Assault on Dread Fortress Paine release window.
February-March 2018: The Glassbreaker Goes Home release window.
May to August 2018: Gush release window.
November 2018: FM7 release if it manages to sneak into 2018.
So, that's my best guess on the future. The post FM6 vacation still has me playing catch up, but on the other hand...I'd probably be in a real asylum if I hadn't taken one, so there's that! Just wanted to keep you fans informed, I know from the other side how a lack of communication can cause serious angst between a writer and their fan base and that's the last thing I ever want between us!
If I ever cause you angst I want it to be because I destroyed all your shipping hopes and dreams ;-)
August 2017: New cover roll out starts.
October 2017: King Henry Book Pack One release, Print On Demand versions roll out starts.
November-December 2017: Assault on Dread Fortress Paine release window.
February-March 2018: The Glassbreaker Goes Home release window.
May to August 2018: Gush release window.
November 2018: FM7 release if it manages to sneak into 2018.
So, that's my best guess on the future. The post FM6 vacation still has me playing catch up, but on the other hand...I'd probably be in a real asylum if I hadn't taken one, so there's that! Just wanted to keep you fans informed, I know from the other side how a lack of communication can cause serious angst between a writer and their fan base and that's the last thing I ever want between us!
If I ever cause you angst I want it to be because I destroyed all your shipping hopes and dreams ;-)
July 10, 2017
Quick Notes July 2017
1.. Halfway through both novellas now. Both are looking good. Second one will probably be a little longer than 30k, closer to 40K even. Not that you fans have ever whined about more content.
2. Didn't have to go to Idaho after all, instead I got to listen to the war zone Fresno became during the Fourth. Crazy amount of illegal rockets flying around this year!
3. 2017's bullshit sickness/injury list continues with a sudden bout of finger/wrist pain. No video games and can only writing every other day while I baby them...sucks, man!
4. Should start getting the new Foul Mouth cover designs back next month. GET HYPE!
5. !!!
6. Speaking of hype, season 7 of GOT is so close!
7. Anyway, hand hurts so I suppose it's a good excuse to ignore you all for another month!
8. !!!
2. Didn't have to go to Idaho after all, instead I got to listen to the war zone Fresno became during the Fourth. Crazy amount of illegal rockets flying around this year!
3. 2017's bullshit sickness/injury list continues with a sudden bout of finger/wrist pain. No video games and can only writing every other day while I baby them...sucks, man!
4. Should start getting the new Foul Mouth cover designs back next month. GET HYPE!
5. !!!
6. Speaking of hype, season 7 of GOT is so close!
7. Anyway, hand hurts so I suppose it's a good excuse to ignore you all for another month!
8. !!!
June 14, 2017
Watching, Playing, Reading #1
Everyone likes chatting about entertainment, right?
Watching: Flash Season 3. Yes, it's basically a soap opera, but it has superpowers! Not enjoying this one as much as Season 2, Zoom and Earth Two being far better handled than Savitar and the Flashpoint seems to be (only halfway through). Or maybe it's just that this is the first time I've binge watched on Netflix instead of using the DVR week to week.
Playing: Hearts of Iron 4, Kaiserreich Mod. Germany won WW1 and come 1936 the world is in even worse shape than what happened on Earth One. Commies control France and the British Isles. The royal family and nobility have fled to Canada. The White Revolution was victorious in Russia and now sits on the edge of Imperialism. Isolationist America is in political turmoil and readies itself for a second civil war! Sound fun? Yeah, its fun. Might be better than the base game actually, or at least have more replayability. One of the biggest faults of HoI 4 is that outside of Europe it's very stale and you really don't have enough manpower to get anything done. Not so here.
Reading: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson, Stormlight Archives #2 Reread. I enjoy Sanderson quite a lot, especially for his world-building inventiveness, maybe not as much as some of his hardcore fans (they scare me!), but I never miss a book of his for sure and have been reading them since Elantris first hit shelves back in 2005. His BIG FETCHING(*Mormon approved curse words only) SERIES is the Stormlight Archives, a world with with highstorms, magic vapor swords, magic vapor iron-man armor, all sorts of other magic-by--talking-fairies thrown on top, and lots of crabs, giant enemy crabs! His third book is coming out in November, with a smaller ancillary novel arriving early October, so I decided to do a reread on the last book, since it's been awhile and if you think you forget a lot of stuff between releases, try writing a few of your own novels between them and see how the ol' noggin keeps up.
And yes, I'm writing :-P
So...your turn now, what are you punks ingesting for your entertainment needs?
Watching: Flash Season 3. Yes, it's basically a soap opera, but it has superpowers! Not enjoying this one as much as Season 2, Zoom and Earth Two being far better handled than Savitar and the Flashpoint seems to be (only halfway through). Or maybe it's just that this is the first time I've binge watched on Netflix instead of using the DVR week to week.
Playing: Hearts of Iron 4, Kaiserreich Mod. Germany won WW1 and come 1936 the world is in even worse shape than what happened on Earth One. Commies control France and the British Isles. The royal family and nobility have fled to Canada. The White Revolution was victorious in Russia and now sits on the edge of Imperialism. Isolationist America is in political turmoil and readies itself for a second civil war! Sound fun? Yeah, its fun. Might be better than the base game actually, or at least have more replayability. One of the biggest faults of HoI 4 is that outside of Europe it's very stale and you really don't have enough manpower to get anything done. Not so here.
Reading: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson, Stormlight Archives #2 Reread. I enjoy Sanderson quite a lot, especially for his world-building inventiveness, maybe not as much as some of his hardcore fans (they scare me!), but I never miss a book of his for sure and have been reading them since Elantris first hit shelves back in 2005. His BIG FETCHING(*Mormon approved curse words only) SERIES is the Stormlight Archives, a world with with highstorms, magic vapor swords, magic vapor iron-man armor, all sorts of other magic-by--talking-fairies thrown on top, and lots of crabs, giant enemy crabs! His third book is coming out in November, with a smaller ancillary novel arriving early October, so I decided to do a reread on the last book, since it's been awhile and if you think you forget a lot of stuff between releases, try writing a few of your own novels between them and see how the ol' noggin keeps up.
And yes, I'm writing :-P
So...your turn now, what are you punks ingesting for your entertainment needs?
June 6, 2017
June Quick Notes
1. It's...sort of hot. Actually having a shockingly mild summer at the moment in Fresno, with only a couple days near 100 so far.
2. Last month I did get the time to start in on Gush, began making some progress and I REALLY like what I've got so far, but sadly my momentum got killed by a sudden case of food poisoning that destroyed me for about a five day period. Still, I'm hopeful to get back to it in the last half of this month.
3. Right now I'm jumping between four different POV lines. Gush, Novella 1, and Novella 2A/2B. So while no one work seems like it's moving along, I am starting to make progress bit by bit.
4. The first novella is very plot based and while it has two POVs they're in the same location more or less, T-Bone and Eva both taking part in the assault on Paine's hideout. Been struggling with this one a little bit, but I've fixed the problems that rose up and I'm happy with the altered direction I'm taking. Mostly it comes from me being an author that prefers either difficult conversations between diverse characters or build up to huge moments of conflict and with Assault on Dread Fortress Paine, it's a very typical action take, I guess you could say. Something you'd expect at least, with lots of faceless enemies that I usually resist. So basically I have to keep telling myself "Bad Raley!' every time I try to backstory for every rando.
5. The second novella however is almost totally character based. I mentioned that I was unsure about the POVs and kicked around a few of them, but settled on King Henry's 3rd person POV and Vicky Welf. Still going back and forth on the title but it takes place two weeks after FM6, where both of our characters visit home for the first time in a long while. If you like slice of life and world-building this is a novella for you. Still...might be a few important moments where something plot based happens...
6. Still waiting on my covers to come through in August/September before I release anything else. Probably be putting out the King Henry Book Pack with FM1-FM3 then, plus looking to do the print-on demand versions as well. Not sure when I'll finish the novellas yet.
7. Might have to go to Idaho for the Fourth of July. Had an aunt move up there a couple years ago and my grandparents are pretty determined to visit, only they really can't travel alone any more, so might have to help out.
8. E3 starts this weekend! Can Sony possibly top last year? One Winged Angel with live orchestra to start the show with a hypexplosion plz?
2. Last month I did get the time to start in on Gush, began making some progress and I REALLY like what I've got so far, but sadly my momentum got killed by a sudden case of food poisoning that destroyed me for about a five day period. Still, I'm hopeful to get back to it in the last half of this month.
3. Right now I'm jumping between four different POV lines. Gush, Novella 1, and Novella 2A/2B. So while no one work seems like it's moving along, I am starting to make progress bit by bit.
4. The first novella is very plot based and while it has two POVs they're in the same location more or less, T-Bone and Eva both taking part in the assault on Paine's hideout. Been struggling with this one a little bit, but I've fixed the problems that rose up and I'm happy with the altered direction I'm taking. Mostly it comes from me being an author that prefers either difficult conversations between diverse characters or build up to huge moments of conflict and with Assault on Dread Fortress Paine, it's a very typical action take, I guess you could say. Something you'd expect at least, with lots of faceless enemies that I usually resist. So basically I have to keep telling myself "Bad Raley!' every time I try to backstory for every rando.
5. The second novella however is almost totally character based. I mentioned that I was unsure about the POVs and kicked around a few of them, but settled on King Henry's 3rd person POV and Vicky Welf. Still going back and forth on the title but it takes place two weeks after FM6, where both of our characters visit home for the first time in a long while. If you like slice of life and world-building this is a novella for you. Still...might be a few important moments where something plot based happens...
6. Still waiting on my covers to come through in August/September before I release anything else. Probably be putting out the King Henry Book Pack with FM1-FM3 then, plus looking to do the print-on demand versions as well. Not sure when I'll finish the novellas yet.
7. Might have to go to Idaho for the Fourth of July. Had an aunt move up there a couple years ago and my grandparents are pretty determined to visit, only they really can't travel alone any more, so might have to help out.
8. E3 starts this weekend! Can Sony possibly top last year? One Winged Angel with live orchestra to start the show with a hypexplosion plz?
May 13, 2017
The Most Important FM Fan Question Ever!
What is your favorite curse word or phrase?
April 27, 2017
Yay, I Survived!
Need a few days to find my center and I was required to serve on a jury this time around over the last few days, but our civic duty nightmare is over and now I'm free to focus on nothing except writing for the next 3 months.
That and watching comic book movies...
Cuz Guardians of the Galaxy, man. And Spider-man. And Wonder Woman. And you know...it's a Fresno summer, so probably be lot of sweating involved.
But mostly: write, write, write!
That and watching comic book movies...
Cuz Guardians of the Galaxy, man. And Spider-man. And Wonder Woman. And you know...it's a Fresno summer, so probably be lot of sweating involved.
But mostly: write, write, write!
