Michael K. Rose's Blog, page 16

#12NovelsIn12Months Update: Apparently I Am Insane

I've had more that one person mention that my #12NovelsIn12Months project is crazy. People have wondered where I'll get the time for edits and revisions or anything else. I tried to indicate in my original post that no, I am not insane, but I suppose it needs some clarification.
To achieve my goal, I have committed to writing 3,000 words per day. That's 21,000 words per week. Contrast this with, say Edmund Hillary summiting Mount Everest or Magellan setting off to circumnavigate the globe, and I hardly think my comparatively meager goal is anything remarkable. Will it take a lot of work? Yes. But not more work than anyone working 40 hours a week at any given job. Less, actually.
And I think that is the best way to approach this, the best way to keep myself on track: by putting it in perspective. I will spend 3-4 hours a day writing. If I write for 6 hours one day, I might be able to spend a little less time the next day, but I expect 3 or 4 to be the average. Suppose I sleep for 8 hours a day. That leaves me with a full 12 hours to do everything else. As mentioned before, right now I am able to focus on writing full-time. I realize that this project would be much more difficult if I were working full-time as well. And honestly, if I were working full-time, I probably wouldn't be doing this.
But it's not crazy, I won't be doing nothing but writing in my waking hours and I know that at the end of it I will have accomplished in a year what other writers may do in a decade. I can well afford 3-4 hours a day to see this done. The reason I am making this project public is because I now have an incentive to complete it. I now have other people encouraging me. If I fail I will not just let myself down, but I feel as though I will have let them down as well.
My total for the first three days: 10,296 words. I'm about 1,300 words ahead of schedule, which frees up a little time later in the month if I need it. I'm off to write my 3,000 words for today. The next update will probably be Monday to give you my total word count after the first full week.
Best,Michael

The #12NovelsIn12Months Writing Project

Old Typewriter by Petr KratochvilI am about to embark on a highly ambitious project: for the next twelve months (October of 2012-September of 2013) I am going to write a full novel every month. I'll give you a moment to clean off your screen and stop laughing. Good? Ok. In anticipation of the questions I'm sure will be asked, I have prepared this Q & A.
Q. Are you insane?A. No, not particularly. I am not making this decision because I have any severe mental disorders. I have made this decision because I have a dream: to make a living as a writer. As of this November, I will have been at it for a year. The response from readers has been overwhelmingly positive and sales have been encouraging, so I feel I'm doing something right. And while I am very pleased with what I have accomplished in that year, I know that I can do more. I also know that my current situation will not allow me to write full-time forever, so while I can, I am going to take full advantage of the time that I have.
Q. How long is a "novel?"A. For this project, I will aim for at least 60,000 words per novel. Of course, I fully expect most of the novels to be longer than that. So why 60,000? What constitutes a novel varies widely depending on whom you ask. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America sets the threshold at just 40,000 words. I've seen some estimates as high as 80,000 or 90,000, even over 100,000. But 60,000 feels like a good compromise between those two extremes.
Q. How many words will you write a day?A. Well, if I write 2,000 words a day, I'll reach 60,000 in a month. But like I said, I expect many of my novels to be longer than that, so my daily minimum will be 3,000 words. For me, this is 3-4 hours of uninterrupted work a day. That will be 90,000 in a month, which means that I may even end up with a few days left over at the end of the month if the novel ends up nearer the 60,000 minimum.
Q. Do you have all the novels already planned out?A. I have five or so that I have given enough thought to to begin writing immediately. I have very basic ideas for the others but they will need to be fleshed out before I begin writing them.
Q. What are you going to write first?A. This month (October), I will write Sullivan's Wrath, the sequel to Sullivan's War . In November I will write Sullivan's Warning, the last of the Sullivan Trilogy proper. But the story will not end there. Two of the books I will write over the next year will be, essentially, bookends to the Sullivan Trilogy. One will take place before the events in the trilogy and the other afterward, but they will all tie together. I have several other projects in the works that I will write in the coming year. Most of them will be science fiction, but I also have ideas for some paranormal/horror stories, a historical fantasy and a couple of literary novels.
Q. How are you going to find the time to do this?A. I can write about 1,000 words an hour. As mentioned, my current circumstances will allow me to write full-time. Writing for a minimum of three hours a day will hardly be a strain. However, I intend to try to write more than that and stay ahead of schedule so I will not fall behind if something comes up. This will allow me to take a day or two off if needed.
Q. How many of these book are you going to release in the next year?A. I will, of course, have to spend time editing and revising the novels. It is my goal to have at least four of them released by the end of 2013.

Q. Why are you starting now and not in January?
A. Because I can start now. I can write full-time right now. The longer I wait, the less certain my situation becomes. Plus, this month of October begins on a Monday, which made it feel like a natural starting point.
I will keep you all updated on my progress. I'll be using the hashtag #12NovelsIn12Months on Twitter if you want to follow along. I know that I can do this, and I'm hoping that it will be the kick-start that I need to fulfill my dream of being able to live off the proceeds from my writing. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. If you'd like to help me accomplish this goal, the best way to do that is to consider buying my books (just click on the book covers in the sidebar for links) so I can stay solvent while I write. :o) Wish me luck!
Best,Michael K. Rose

Review: Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke

Some of you may know that Arthur C. Clarke is my favorite science fiction author. It may seem strange that it's taken me this long to read Rendezvous with Rama, but it happened that over the years I had collected two of the other Rama books but never the first so hadn't begun the series. When I happened across it in a used book store the other day, I snatched it up.
The premise of the novel is this: a 50-kilometer long cylindrical space ship enters our solar system, giving the first proof humanity has that they are not alone in the Universe. A ship, The Endeavour, is scrambled to rendezvous with it and, if possible, enter the ship. Time, however, is limited, because as it approaches the Sun and perihelion, no one knows if it will change course and establish itself in orbit around the Sun or slingshot around it, sending it back into interstellar space.
Many of Clarke's most famous works deal with first contact: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Childhood's End, and this novel. Like the monolith in 2001, no one knows if the ship Rama is under direct control of those who created it or if it is now acting on its own, completing a program that was set in motion eons ago, the writers of that program having long since died out.
2001 answers this question, if not for humanity at large, then at least for Dave Bowman as he is transported through the stargate. In Rendezvous with Rama, the question is never answered. Even after the crew of The Endeavour enter Rama and watch it begin to "come alive," they are left not knowing if the Ramans themselves are still present, or even if they can and will be recreated by the ship, as they assume the biological machines that begin to appear have been created from base elements present in a body of water that rings the center of the ship.
In the introduction to Rama II, which I have already begun reading, Clarke mentions that he didn't originally plan a sequel. The purpose of Rama and what it meant for humanity was meant to be left open; it was meant for each reader to decide for him- or herself. I know that a lot of readers are unhappy when a book ends without closure but I personally love it. Perhaps as a writer I am more likely to continue the story in my own mind than non-writers. And I think that the highest purpose of art is not to answer questions but to ask them.
Rendezvous with Rama is highly satisfying both artistically and as a work of entertainment. There is, after all, a reason it won both the Hugo and Nebula awards, the two most prestigious awards in science fiction. As I read Rama II and the rest of the series, I will be anxious to find out if the way I answered the questions asked in Rendezvous with Rama is the same way Clarke and his co-author, Gentry Lee have chosen to answer them if, indeed, they answer them at all. But knowing Clarke, I feel that he will continue to surprise me and leave me, as always, asking questions.
5/5 stars and enthusiastically recommended!
Image: Public Domain, downloaded from Wikipedia. (Source)

Goodreads Giveaway: SULLIVAN'S WAR

As my month-long Sale and Giveaway Extravaganza draws to a close, I'd just like to remind everyone that a signed print copy of Sullivan's War is up for grabs over at Goodreads. All you have to do is enter here and the winner will be randomly chosen. Don't put this off, because the giveaway only goes through the end of the month, which is this Sunday. Where did September go?
If you don't win, not to worry. You can get signed copies of my books at my web store . A couple of the items are currently on sale, too, so check it out.
I'd also like to remind everyone that on Saturday, Sleep will be free at Amazon and on Sunday The Tunnel will be free. They are both in my collection Short Stories so this is a good opportunity to sample my writing.
Thank you to everyone who has bought/downloaded my books this month! It's been a great month sales-wise and I hope you all enjoy reading my work.
Best,Michael K. Rose
This is what you could win!

99 Cent Sale: SULLIVAN'S WAR

This week, Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure is on sale at Amazon's Kindle store and B&N's Nook store. The sale will only last through Friday, September 28, so don't miss out!
Get it at: Amazon US Amazon UK Barnes & Noble
Links to all other Amazon stores can be found here .
Praise for Sullivan's War :
"...a very entertaining sociological and political thriller, set in the future, with top notch, well fleshed out characters, and great action scenes." - Steve Umstead, Author of The Evan Gabriel Trilogy
"With sharp prose, delicate and--at times--stabbing dialogue, scene setting that is on par with the best of the fiction writers of the past, Rose delivers a one-two punch to the gut that makes this reader want more and more." - Benjamin X. Wretlind, Author of Castles: A Fictional Memoir of a Girl with Scissors
"Gritty, hardcore sci-fi with a fascinating twist, guaranteed to please!" - C.L. Withers, Author of Castle Cape

Separating Man from Manuscript

I was having a cigar and listening to excerpts from Wagner's Ring cycle this evening (don't judge me!) and I began reflecting on how such a horrible man could write such beautiful music. But then I realized I was being unfair. Was Wagner really a horrible man? His antisemitism is a matter of public record. But as with most things, it was quite a bit more complicated than that. He had Jewish friends; he described one of those friendships as "one of the most beautiful friendships of my life." Few men—or women—are entirely good or entirely bad. Bad people can do good things and good people can do—and believe—bad things.
So where should one stand when it comes to literature? Must I not read another word of Lovecraft after being exposed to this poem ? Should Orson Scott Card's views on homosexuality prevent me from reading his books? What if I found out that an author whose work I enjoy is an unrepentant asshole? How do I—how does anyone—separate the man from the manuscript?
Yes, good people can believe what I, from my perspective, would consider bad things. But as long as that perspective is not overtly manifested in their artwork, is it still "ethical" for me to enjoy that work? Axl Rose seems to be a generally despicable human being, but in my mind "November Rain" will always stand as one of the greatest rock songs of the early 90s. Do I have to stop liking Manhattan and Chinatown because of Allen's and Polanski's inappropriate (and criminal, in the latter case) behavior with young women? I read a great deal of Victorian literature and racism and sexism are often on display.
Is there a certain line an artist must not cross before his or her work should be universally shunned? I really don't know. As with all things ethical, it is often situational. I may be able to overlook something another may not and vice versa. I think what a responsible person must do is acknowledge that all people are flawed in some way. We must acknowledge the uncomfortable positions some of the great artists of the past have held and understand that we are all products of the time and place in which we live. It cannot excuse everything but this understanding should help us to not let the ugly details of their lives detract from the good or beautiful things they may produce. So I will continue to listen to Wagner. I'll continue to read Lovecraft. And I'd like to know what you think about the issue. Leave a comment below if you'd like to chime in.
Before I close, I'd like to bring up one more aspect of this "separating man from manuscript" idea. If you are reading this, there is a good chance you follow writers on Facebook or Twitter. Social media has enabled readers to have unprecedented access to the people who are writing the books they enjoy. If a writer posted something that, to you, seemed racist/sexist/bigoted/what-have-you, how would it affect the way you buy and read their work?

Authors for Ethical Reviews - Will You Add Your Name?

Recently, there have been quite a few revelations about prominent authors either buying reviews, creating fake reviews or disparaging their competitors in reviews. Benjamin X. Wretlind, in a very strongly-worded blog post , links to some of the articles discussing this and, in his post, states unequivocally that he will not game the ratings system. I would like to join him in making that pledge and hope many other authors will do so as well.
The authors listed below have come together for one simple purpose: to state, publicly and proudly, that they are making a choice to only give and receive reviews ethically and based on any given work's merits.
Simply, we pledge that:
1. We will not pay for reviews.2. We will not engage in quid pro quo review exchanges with other authors.3. We will not leave reviews on the works of other authors if we have not read the work in question.
The full explanation behind each of these items follows.
1. It is wrong to pay for a review. Period. Even if the person/agency claims they will write an "honest" review, they are driven by financial concerns to ensure that writers keep coming back to them. This will not happen if many of their reviews are negative.
2. It is, of course, acceptable to write a review for someone you know. Many of the writers I now consider friends I met because either I reviewed their work or they reviewed mine. It is even alright to ask for a review if you know someone has read/is reading/will read your work. But to enter into an agreement with another author in which you exchange reviews is unethical. Even if you both agree to leave honest reviews, the fear that a bad review will be answered with another bad review is always present. If you read and like a book, review it, no matter your relationship with the author. It is as simple as that. Personally, I will not leave a negative review if I do not like a book (and I know many other authors who do the same). This, however, is your choice as long as you pledge that negative reviews will be honest.
3. The desire to help a friend may lead some to leave positive reviews on works they have not read. Conversely, the desire to harm the sales of a "competitor" may lead one to leave negative reviews. I would urge all reviewers, not just writers, to refrain from leaving a review on any work they have not read in full. Those "slow" first few chapters may be setting up the most incredible story you've ever read.
The following authors, listed in the order that I received them, have made the above pledge. Readers can trust that they have done what is in their power to ensure that the reviews of their work are as fair and unbiased as possible. Each name will be linked to the author's website. If you feel as strongly about this issue as Ben and I do and would like to add your name to this list, leave a comment below with your name (or pen name, if you use one) and the website you would like me to link to.
AUTHORS FOR ETHICAL REVIEWS
Benjamin X. Wretlind Michael K. Rose
Craig McGray Claude Bouchard

Interview: Craig McGray

Craig McGray is a new author who has just published The Somnibus: Book I , the beginning of a paranormal horror trilogy. Craig lives on the east coast of Florida with his wife, Andrea, and two beautiful daughters, Emma and Chloe. He works as an administrator for an oral and maxillofacial surgical practice in Daytona Beach, Florida. If that wasn't enough, he's also a triathlon athlete and many of his thoughts and ideas come to him during those quiet times while running, biking, or swimming.

Today, I am very pleased to present this interview with Craig, conducted in August via email.
***
Michael K. Rose: Your newest release, The Somnibus: Book I, is a horror/paranormal thriller. What drew you to that genre?
Craig McGray: Well, I've always enjoyed reading the genre. It was only natural that when I started writing, I wrote those kinds of stories. Even as a kid, my stories were along those lines. I often wrote stories and kept them to myself. Part of it was the lack of belief in myself as a writer, and another part was the content. Even when I was young. I would creep myself out sometimes when I wrote certain stories. I find myself fighting the urge to put a twist of horror in everything I write, so I guess my answer is, it feels natural to me. It's usually appropriate for the type of stories I write, but when I'm writing with my daughter (Emma is 8) it's better if I keep the premise of the fairy in our story boring into the little girl's brain through her ear and making her do bad things, to myself.
I enjoy reading things that scare me. When I have someone tell me that my story was scary, as in they had to leave the lights on to go to bed, I am thrilled. To me that is the biggest compliment I can receive. Well, there are others, but that's for a different interview. ;-) I am experimenting with stepping out of my comfort zone and writing in other genres. I was surprised to find that I am beginning to enjoy that aspect of my writing. Maybe it's my ripe old age of 40, but I think I just like doing something new; learning new things.
MKR: Do you believe in anything paranormal, or is it all fiction to you? And if you do believe, have you ever had a paranormal experience?
CM: I work in the medical field, so I believe in science. I also know there are things that science can't explain. Personally, I have never had anything happen to me that I thought was paranormal in nature. I do enjoy hearing the accounts of others that say they have experienced it, but I think it's the result of an overactive imagination more than anything. Now, do I think those people are lying? Absolutely not. I think they truly believe they had a paranormal experience. Well, some of them may be lying just to get attention. I'm also not saying I want to go stay the night in some abandoned asylum or anything, though I would if the opportunity came up, but I have yet to see any real proof that haunting, or ghosts, exist. I think loved ones do somehow visit those they've left behind. My daughters have both told me things that I believe about that, but that may be a different discussion.
In other words, I guess I believe in some things paranormal, but since I haven't seen it myself, I would put an asterisk next to the believe part. As far as haunted houses and the like, I don't buy it. I think our mind is very strong and plays tricks on us sometimes. I get creeped out by watching the movies, but not because I think it's real or could happen to me. With that being said, if I actually did experience an attack from a ghost, or I saw something in a haunted house that I thought was a ghost, I would probably need a new pair of shorts after I ran out like a teenage schoolgirl.
MKR: As a marathon runner, I'm sure that your training would serve you well as you ran out screaming like a schoolgirl. Now, The Somnibus series is about a young man named Michael who learns that he possesses, via a mysterious stone that belonged to his mother, the ability to access a shadowy other world where creatures called the Somnibus exist and from which he can actually enter into the bodies of other people. You mention there are things science can't explain, and as Clarke famously said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Are you approaching your story from a purely fantastical point of view, or could there be something of science (parallel worlds, for example) behind it? You've mentioned in another interview that you are a fan of Lovecraft and for me, the most remarkable thing about his writing is that in many of his stories he is able to take seemingly supernatural events and ascribe scientific explanations to them. Without giving too much away, is this a possibility you're going to explore with the rest of the series?
CM: Yeah, my triathlon training would definitely have me out of there before anyone else. What do they say about avoiding Zombies, "You don't have to be faster than everyone, just faster than someone." or something like that. Anyway, as far as The Somnibus series goes, it is based on fantasy. The world I want to create with the series could be nothing but fantasy. As my answer may have pointed to earlier, I don't think there are any in between worlds, or other dimensions that we are going to find, at least none that science has shown yet. Now, other worlds as in other planets, I do think that will happen, eventually. That's probably more your area of expertise, but I do believe the science fiction of today may be the reality of tomorrow, or maybe a couple hundred tomorrows from now.
MKR: The Somnibus is your first major project as a writer. I know how exciting it is to get that first major work out to the public. I also know the doubts and fears that accompany that. So what do you hope will come of it? What is your goal as a writer, where do you want it to take you? You've mentioned being worried about how others will receive your work. What other fears do you have?
CM: Great question. I guess I just hope I can create stories and worlds that people enjoy reading about. I know that seems like a cookie cutter answer, but it's true. I haven't come into this with some great expectations of being the next Stephen King, James Patterson, or Michael K. Rose (though I wouldn't run away from the label). I just want to put out stories that people can read and be satisfied with when they are done. Reading is time consuming, so if I'm fortunate enough to have someone spend their valuable time reading my book, then I don't want them to feel like it was a waste of time. Time is a limited commodity, and I understand that.
As far as where I hope to go as a writer, honestly I'm not sure. I plan to write stories that I like to read, and see where it takes me. Of course I want to sell a few books, but that's not the main reason for my writing. I have a full time job to pay the bills and that's my first priority behind my family. Much like my stories, I have a loose outline for myself when it comes to writing. I'll let life and readers help to put me on the right path. That, and I'd love to walk into a bookstore and see one of my covers staring at me and my family from the shelves.
Fears. Let's see. I don't like to say I'm scared of anything. However, I'm not a big fan of roller coasters, or spiders. It's not that I'm worried about being attacked by spiders or anything, they just give me the creeps for some reason. I don't mind snakes, or any other animals or insects, just not a fan of spiders. I'm getting better with roller coasters to some degree. My 8-year-old Emma is getting into roller coasters, which I have never really enjoyed. I get through it by acting like it's no big deal, like any tough guy dad would do, but I secretly hope she changes her mind sometimes. A more serious fear is the fear of something happening to my kids. I don't know how parents deal with a true tragedy or illness when it comes to children. Sorry to bring down the tone of the piece, but it's a legit fear for me.
MKR: The Somnibus will be a trilogy, correct? Do you have your next project planned? Do you think you might continue The Somnibus beyond those first three books?
CM: My plans when starting The Somnibus series was to have a trilogy when it was all said and done. As I'm working through Book II, there may be more story to tell. I'll just have to see where the characters lead the story, and what the readers want.
I am also working on a collection of short stories. I love writing the short stuff, so I always have a few of those going at the same time. Sometimes, if I'm stuck on one project, I'll go back over some unfinished work. That may get me through my block, or I might put more work into the shorter story. It just depends on the mood.
I have this premise for a sci-fi type project that I can't stop coming back to. I haven't put much down yet, but I think I'll have to start it. It keeps tapping on my forehead, wanting the story to be told. That project will be a large project and take a considerable amount of time, I think. We'll just have to see with that one. I may need a little science-fiction creative direction. I've heard of this kick ass writer, Michael K. something, I think. You ever heard of him?
MKR: Haha! I may have. Care to give us a teaser on what that science fiction story will be about?
CM: Well, when aliens try to take over the earth, there's always this big battle with violent aliens. I think there are smarter aliens out there, aliens that could rid the earth of humans without destroying everything in their path. They are more patient in waiting for us to be gone. The characters have to figure out a way to undo what the aliens have done before it's too late to recover and the human race is no more. Here's a hint, it's not a disease that threatens to rid the earth of humans.
MKR: It sounds intriguing! Thank you for your time Craig. Anything else you'd like to mention?
CM: I'd just like to thank you for the great interview. I'd, also like to thank you for all of your help and support. It's nice to know that there are authors out there willing to help each other out. I hope to release The Somnibus: Book II by late fall, and my collection of short stories before year end. Maybe I'll make it a creepy Christmas time release. Thanks again for the fun interview.
***
You can connect with Craig at his website , Facebook or Twitter . The Somnibus is available at Amazon's Kindle stores ( US , UK ).

Join the SpecFicPick Community

Hello, all! Most of you probably know about my speculative fiction blog/webzine, SpecFicPick . I'm just doing a little cross promotion on my personal blog today to tell you that I've started up a Facebook group called SpecFicPick Community . Everyone is free to join this group; it's a place to talk about speculative fiction and post your book links and announcements. You can join here . Also be sure to like SpecFicPic's Facebook page while you're at it. You can follow SpecFicPick on Twitter as well.
I'd also like to put out another call for articles and reviews for SpecFicPick. You can see the submission guidelines here . I've gotten a lot of requests for Book Features but would like to expand the scope of the website, so please keep SpecFicPick in mind if you have an idea for an article. Writing guest articles is a great way to expand your audience.
Best wishes to you all!Michael K. Rose

99 Cent Sale: SHORT STORIES

Hello, all. As part of my September Sale & Giveaway Extravaganza!, my collection Short Stories is just 99 cents (or the GBP/Euro equivalent) for only one week (September 8-14). The regular price is $3.99. Included in this collection of ten stories are the popular "Sleep" and "The Tunnel" as well as "Sergeant Riley's Account," the prologue to my science fiction adventure series Sullivan's War .
Get Short Stories at Amazon US , Amazon UK and all other Amazon Kindle stores (international links here ).
Praise for Short Stories
"Michael K. Rose is an insightful, compelling writer with a talent for nuance and timing. He is able to make the impossible seem perfectly plausible and the unlikely seem as natural as summer rain. Short Stories is not only fiction for the deep thinker but grand entertainment for the rest of us, too. The tales are thought-provoking, intriguing, and have a tendency to stay with the reader long after the last page is turned. Prepare to be immersed!" - K. Wodke, co-author of Betrayed
"If there is an author new to the world of publishing that I would place next to Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allan Poe and Isaac Asimov, it has to be Michael K. Rose. His collection Short Stories is not only entertaining, it is fulfilling from both a philosophical as well as an emotional standpoint. It is at times dark, light and colorful. It is sound in element, true to form and at no time did I think to myself 'That's it?'
"Short Stories is not only thought-provoking, it is the purest form of literature, as rich as a bottle of Montrachet 1978 and as tasty as a generous cut of Wagyu beef." - Benjamin X. Wretlind, author of Sketches from the Spanish Mustang
"From the science fiction of everyday life, to the inner life of a human being, to the mysterious expanses of space, these stories are vessels to carry you to places you never dreamed you could go. No other writer today can pull together such different stories and weave the words together with the skill to keep you thinking about them long after you have finished." - Alexia Purdy, author of Reign of Blood