Jake Elliot's Blog, page 8
February 4, 2012
Sin City's Social Reject
As promised, here is the first of free fiction. I'll add another story in early March.
But first, if you came here for another reason…
Click here for info about my book.
Click here for info about me.
Click here for other inquiries like upcoming signings, interviews, or book reviews.
Sin City's Social Reject
Mickey Boushan smiled, speculating there must be a full moon tonight. Las Vegas on a good night was strange, but the gamblers frequenting his table had all been freaks, and his night was only beginning.
A grim looking Goth girl was the first gambler to sit at his table. With nearly cute little piggy snorts of laughter, every time the King of Hearts showed, she would gleefully giggle "Suicide!" Pasty white with black lipstick and nail-polish, Mickey secretly nicknamed her 'Dead Girl.'
The next guest Mickey nicknamed 'Tex.' Similar to Chuck Norris, this was what a Texas Ranger should look like. Wearing a long-sleeved white shirt, accessorized with a wide brimmed hat, the man refused to remove his aviator glasses. Tex must have sat a little too close to Dead Girl since she gathered her small stack of chips and left with a sneer.
Mickey found humor in someone as obsessed with death having problems with a man who lit one cigar off the butt of his last. It seemed to Mickey here was a man actively seeking his death rather than just wearing black and pretending.
Tex never spoke. A cloud of obnoxiously dense smoke perpetually shrouded Tex's head as he played Blackjack with only hand gestures. He'd scratch for a card, wave to stop, and if he won, he'd occasionally toss a chip in Mickey's direction, but never a word. Not even so much as a 'thank you, what's up, howdy, g'day," no words – no nothing.
Mickey was just getting used to the silence and the stink of cheap cigars when Mr. Bigteeth rolled up and took a seat. Not only did he wear a cape with his 1920's era tuxedo, but his mustache and beard had been waxed to sharp points, curling almost comically. The pins in the lapel of his tuxedo were little golden dice with two single dots facing – snake eyes. Offering a wide smile, his mustache and beard parted to shine a flawless grill.
Mr. Bigteeth had the best tan in Vegas. With black hair slicked back with styling grease, the cunning twinkle in his dark eyes had been enhanced. His view darted from Mickey's name tag to Tex's hand, which was holding a Jack of Diamonds paired with a Seven of Clubs. He coached against the rules, "You should hit."
Tex blew out a choking amount of smoke, polluting the airspace even further. Tex waved his hand over his cards and Mickey revealed a Nine of Clubs tucked underneath the Seven of Spades. House rules required him to hit on sixteen. Mickey pulled a Four of Hearts from out of the card-shoe before collecting Tex's chips, pulling them towards him.
Mr. Bigteeth spoke, barely moving his lips, "So Mickey, how about a little wager?" He whipped his cape, creating a rippling sound before extending his hand, "Please, allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of great wealth and taste. I'm known to many as Mr. Mephistopheles, but you can just call me Uncle Lou." He kept grinning.
Mickey matched the grin, only his looked forced and chiseled on, "This is Las Vegas, we do wager here." Quickly deciding he didn't like this guy, Mickey's instincts nagged there was something very wrong with Mr. Smiles. Mickey set both his thumbs on the table with all his fingers underneath. The cameras above him showed this signal to the security room, readying them for trouble.
A noticeable new smell penetrated through the initial cloak of cigar stench, something stinking like sulfur or gunpowder. Mickey nodded, "Okay, well… Mr. Lou, the game is Blackjack. Ten dollars is the minimum bet."
Mister Bigteeth shook his head but kept right one grinning, "How does this sound? We play one hand of cards and if you win, I'll give you one million dollars, but if I win, you will deed your soul to me." Lou winked.
Speechless Tex rolled his head to get a good long look at the new gambler. Mickey never wavered in his professional courtesy, and asked, "Have you tried across the street at The Wynn for such wagers? They are a bit more daring than us at Treasure Island." Inconspicuously, he pressed a hidden button under the outer rim of the table.
Twisting the left point of his mustache, Lou commented, "Steve didn't want to play, and he just traded straight across." Pointing at Mickey, like his finger was a gun, he repeated his offer, "Wha'da'ya say? One round of cards? Be it one soul or one million smack-a-roos?"
Mickey shook his head just as the first of two large goons materialized out of seemingly nowhere, the second man appearing within a second after the first. Both men wore expensive gray suits which barely concealed bulging muscles beneath. With hands big enough to curl a basketball, each man held one of Lou's shoulders. Lou looked up at one of the Cro-Magnon giants, "Hey, hey, we were just about to wager!"
Goon Number Two stated, "Not here you're not." His voice sounded like skin across asphalt. Neither man waited for 'Uncle Lou's' reply. They lifted Mr. Mephistopheles about a foot off the ground and rushed him quickly towards the door. Being dragged through the casino, Mickey heard Lou protesting, "You can't do this… I built this city…"
A small bead of sweat dripped from Mickey's scalp behind his ear, tickling his neck as it rolled down to his collar. He exhaled sharply and pulled the next card for Tex, face up, Ace of Spades. Tex pulled his third cigar out of his pocket and clipped the end as Mickey dealt. Just before lighting his cigar, Tex broke his vow of silence, "Must be a full moon, the freaks are out tonight."
(I wrote this one as an assignment in a flash-fiction class. I enjoyed this one more than anyone else in the class, so I never sought publication with it. I still like this one a lot, and hopefully some of you will find it worthy of at least a genuine grin. This is free to be enjoyed, but I'd suggest against stealing this one; the $50 you'll make will not be worth the thousands you'll get sued for. Also on the topic of suing, please Mr. Wynn, have a sense of humor, we both know you have a lot more influence in this city that the devil ever could– and that is why the joke is funny.)
January 28, 2012
Big Ideas
Things are going to change soon at this site.
I'm going to start giving away free fiction. I might still continue trading interviews with other smaller-name authors in the hopes of helping each other up. But this blog is going to begin posting short-fiction as of early February.
Short stories are the stepping stone of every great writer, but sadly, here in the US there are very few venues for starting writers to get paid for their work. It is the catch-22 of needing to be an established writer to get short stories published, yet until you are published you are nothing to the publishing world. Having sold one short story under a different name and a book under my name, it is looking good that I will have a second short story published in September. The effort it takes to write a good short story is often times not worth the pay, and when you add in the costs of time and money into finding a publisher it seems to be at a negative gain.
So, why not just give them away? Well, why not?
Most of what will be posted here will be stories that were good, but couldn't find a home. I just haven't decided which one to start with – Man-Eating Mattress, or The Devil Went Down to Vegas?
See you in a couple of days.
January 13, 2012
New Author, New Interview, and a New Review
Jenna E. Johnson has an interview with me here, at her Website.
Becky A. Johnson has a review of my book, and a review of my launch party here. There is no known relation between Becky and Jenna, it is merely a weird coincidence.
Here is a random picture to give you something to look at.
A random picture from my launch party.
Nice, eh? Here is a cool fact, The Wrong Way Down is 35th out of 385 titles in the genre Dark Fantasy at Fictionwise.com (It was 18th last month.) I hope after the two reviews I'm expecting over the next five months, my rating will come back up again.
I have nothing more to say right now. I'll be back again soon.
January 9, 2012
Launch Party part 2
The launch was a huge success. Everyone had a great time, and I managed to sell 20 new books. Hopefully, these new book buyers will be satisfied by the story and will want to buy the sequel.
These stacks are being enjoyed by new owners. 
The food was fantastic, and the service outstanding. Elements Kitchen and Martini Bar was the right place to throw the party. If you ever get to Las Vegas, be sure to let Catherine know that Jake Elliot sent you. It won't change the quality of service since it is always top-shelf, but if you are really lucky, Catherine might let you sample one of her fine desserts.
January 4, 2012
The Party at Elements (part 1)
Saturday at 4:30 pm will begin the official kick-off for The Wrong Way Down.
Element's Kitchen and Martini Bar will be hosting the party, featuring a 4-course meal including wine and a root beer martini for only $49 per person.
Elements is located in Las Vegas, off the strip, on the Southeast corner of West Tropicana and Rainbow. Dinner will be a choice of appetizer between Spanish Meatballs (Albondigas) or Puff Pastries filled with curried Vegetable Sauté (Samosas.) Entree choices will be between Pork Loin Osso Buco and Crab-Stuffed Flounder. There will be a salad course, and a medley of fine desserts presented as well.
I will do two reading from the book, and I will sign copies that are brought. If you do not have a copy of The Wrong Way Down, I will have some copies available at Elements, cash sales only, $20 per book.
Please RSVP, seats are limited to fifty persons, and last I'd heard, thirty-two were filled. Element's link is– here.
December 28, 2011
Seven Questions with Jenna E. Johnson
–JE
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1) How would you define your story?
In one sentence, I would have to say that The Finding is the story of a human infant found and raised by dragons in a world where her kind no longer exist. Although that is the dominant premise, there is much more to the story than a simple prophecy being fulfilled in a fantasy world. I wanted to write an epic story that contained a variety of elements: fantasy, mystery, adventure, friendship, discovery and even a little sorrow. I do a lot of character development and world building in this first book, but I also get the ball rolling with regards to challenges and situations that my protagonist and her friends will face in future books. When I read, I look for books with characters I grow to really care about. I hope that I have done this with my own books.
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2) Tell us about Jaax. Is he the protagonist? If not, who is?
I think this might be my favorite question, in that Jaax, despite being one of the main protagonists and being the featured dragon on The Finding's cover, doesn't really come fully into the picture until the end of the second book. Raejaaxorix, Jaax for short, is a Tanaan dragon descended from the Tanaan humans who were transformed by the Crimson King's curse. He has spent years searching for the human child promised to restore the world to its former peace, but once he finds her he leaves her in the care of another dragon.
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Although he only visits the girl, Jahrra, a few times in the first book, Jaax is a constant presence in her life. He goes from being a hero (due to Hroombra's exaggerated stories and the fact that he brings Jahrra a precious gift), to being a hated adversary (something happens that causes Jahrra to lose her trust in him). By the end of the first book, Jahrra uses Jaax as a way to measure how she should behave: if something would anger or annoy the Tanaan dragon, then she is more willing to do it.
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Not only does he have an influence on Jahrra, albeit a distant one, he is highly mysterious to her. It is clear that he is hiding many secrets, but his brooding and overbearing manner make it impossible for Jahrra to get anything out of him. He has a damaged past, like most of the characters in this book who have lived long lives. By the end of the second book, however, Jaax begins to step away from his cold demeanor, and even though Jahrra can't see it yet, he makes an effort to step out of his shell.
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3) If I was interested in learning more about your series, where would I look?
You could find more information by visiting the series' website: www.oescienne.com or by searching on Goodreads, amazon.com, smashwords.com and barnesandnoble.com or going to The Legend of Oescienne fan page on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Legend-of-Oescienne/141197081733).
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Of course, you can always reach me for any questions you might have (I love getting questions from readers – you can email me at jejoescienne@yahoo.com or jejohnson@oescienne.com). I also have a blog: www.jennaelizabethjohnson.com, and an author page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Elizabeth-Johnson/202816013120106).
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4) 'The Bridge to Terabithia' written by Kathrine Patterson, has been challenged to be banned from all public libraries in the US for 'Being Fantastic' and 'posing as New Age religion, occultism, and Satanism.' How does that make you feel as an author writing fantasy for young people in the United States?
As a fantasy writer in America I do sometimes worry about people being uncomfortable with the religious system I've invented for my world (it is a pagan-based belief system and there is evil present, but is not glorified in any sense). But I'm not so concerned that I would ever consider changing my writing. I'm not trying to push an agenda, but reflect a culture that I find profoundly interesting and a set of beliefs that feel very comfortable to me.
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To write fantasy is to invent entire new worlds, and with those worlds come new life forms, new belief systems and new ideas. I enjoy nothing more than opening my mind to new thoughts and concepts when it comes to my writing, and if that is perceived as a threat, then there is nothing I can do about it. Too often, a vivid imagination and any level of eccentricity in a young person has been considered something to be discouraged and shunned. That is something that needs to change, and something I feel is changing in this day and age. I hope that my writing will inspire others to embrace their own creativity and not to be afraid to be different.
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5) Most stories tend to bend toward male or female readers, it is very difficult to write a story that will appeal to an even number of readers. What demographic would/has enjoyed your tale the most?
When I started writing the Oescienne series, I was hoping that I could appeal to both boys and girls. Sure, the main protagonist is a girl and one would expect a mostly female crowd, but my protagonist is a tomboy and there are dragons in the book, so of course boys will like to read it as much as the girls . . . right?
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I've actually had a wide range of readers who have told me they enjoy the books (a fifth grade girl, a young adult from Norway and a fifty something man who works in real estate to name a few). I love that such a diverse group can find something about my books or my characters to keep them invested, but I'd have to say that the younger female readers have given me the biggest response.
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6) How many books are in the series currently, and how many more are in your plans?
Currently there are three books in the series (I just released the third book, The Awakening, in the fall). I plan to write five altogether, and am currently working on the fourth book (sorry, no title yet).
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7) I noticed on the 'About You' section on one of the many webpages I'd looked for you, it said you can fight with a long-sword. Besides the fact that this is really cool, how did you become interested in 'Combat Training with Medieval Weapons?'
I wouldn't quite say I could fight with a long sword, but I'm trying to get to that level
. I have always been interested in life before technology and luckily I have a small group of friends who have those same interests. We found out about the sword fighting lessons from my neighbor at a local book fair of all places. My friend contacted our instructor and eventually we started up practice. We are absolutely still novices at this art form, but I have loved every minute of it. Besides, what self-respecting fantasy writer wouldn't be interested in medieval sword fighting? 
December 10, 2011
Look up There
Author's Defense is my mission statement and a little about me.
My Book is the page telling all about my books. (Book Two: Crossing Lo'Lyth's Grave will be ready mid-2012.)
Updates, Events and Locations informs where the author and books can be found.
This site began as a blog, but it has turned into something different. I don't know what to call it now. I do have a new interview on the way. The next volunteer is fantasy author Jenna Johnson. She writes stories for young adults/old kids. Should be interesting.
December 4, 2011
Books For The People
That is right. The Wrong Way Down is now available as a real 'touch and hold' book. I love that E-books have made literature affordable and easier to access, but almost everyone who has shown interest in this novel wants it in paperback. I'm very excited to see what it looks like and to read it on my couch and not on my computer.
Here is a link to check it out for yourself.
See, I am telling the truth. (I usually do.)
November 30, 2011
Seven Questions with Tim Marquitz
I'm a fan of Tim's Demon Squad series and his third in series, At the Gates, is to be released tomorrow, Dec 1st. Coincidentally, my first novel, The Wrong Way Down, will be sitting on the virtual bookshelf right next to his. See the sidebar on the left, you can see more about Tim's work right there. Just like magic, click it, and you'll be teleported to the gates. Having the opportunity to interview an author as vividly imaginative as Tim Marquitz has been a real honor.
JE: Who were your early author influences? What have you read that convinced you to seek writing your own story?
TM: There have been a ton of authors who've influenced my writing, from Michael Moorcock to Anne McCaffrey and Stephen King, but I'd have to say Clive Barker was the most influential in making me want to write. His dark perversity wrapped up in such gorgeous prose was something I initially wanted to emulate, but lacked the poetry to properly pay tribute to.
Jim Butcher is a more recent influence. He is the most responsible for my creation of the Demon Squad series. He showed me with the Dresden Files that you can write a great, emotionally impactful story without having to prettify the language.
JE: You've got a few other books out, how many is the total count, including your latest, At the Gates? On the topic of your other works, what is the Sepulchral Earth series about?
TM: As of December, when the third book in the Demon Squad series comes out from Damnation Books, I'll have seven releases.
Sepulchral Earth is my attempt at writing in the zombie genre while trying to create my own little niche. The story focuses on a necromancer, Harlan, who has lost his family to the undead. He wants nothing more than to free their spirits so they can rest in peace. Along the way, Harlan encounters the undead in all their forms and worst still, the living, most of whom want nothing more than to see Harlan dead.
JE: How many books do you foresee in telling the Demon Squad series?
TM: I'll write the Demon Squad books until I feel I've jumped the shark or they become boring to me. I like the idea of a flagship series that I can keep going back to, and the DS world is so wide open that I can't picture myself running out of fresh ideas for books.
JE: One of the things that drew me to reading Armageddon Bound was that on the Damnation Books Author Page it said you have a background in grave-digging. That is a unique job, how much did it contribute to your dark, yet very funny sense of humor?
TM: Grave digging has certainly enhanced my descriptive skills when it comes to the smell and sight of dead bodies. As for my sense of humor, I'm not sure it did much. I was already a twisted, sarcastic asshole before I started digging graves. If anything, it may have added to my irreverent attitude toward death. It's hard to worry too much about it when you see it so often it becomes mundane.
JE: What inspired such a grim tale of modern day wizards, angels and demons?
TM: Short answer, the Dresden Files. After reading Jim's books, it really inspired me to be more honest with my skillset and leanings. As much as I love Clive Barker's writing, I don't believe I'll ever be able to match his grace when it comes to storytelling. Jim showed me you can write great stories without having to dress the language up in a tux.
Once I had the framework for what I wanted to do, the story that would become the Demon Squad just spilled out of me.
JE: Frank is a very complex character, being half-angel, half-devil, he has shown a great display of paradox. It is one Freudian conundrum. What spurned the idea to tell this tale from the twisted and very-split perspective of Frank Trigg?
TM: Frank is actually half-devil, half-human. Scarlett is the mix of both angel and demon. As for the enigma that is Frank, he is definitely a spawn of the weird, perversely violent, and extravagant world he was raised in. He just fit the role.
I wanted a character that had the inside track to what was going on, but I needed a flawed character who was still some measure of an outcast. The role didn't call for a character who was a super badass, but one who would be challenged by the changes in the world. I very much wanted a Died Hard (Bruce Willis) type MC who won through on heart more than he ever did on skill. There's a primitive satisfaction in seeing the underdog rise up against the odds and succeed.
JE: You really did your homework on religion to put this series together. Is religion a lifestyle for you, or is it a hobby? Or both, maybe neither…
TM: Neither really. I did some research as to the relationships of certain angels to one another, and studied some of the Christian mythos, but I didn't do much else. I wanted a framework people could grasp immediately, but I also wanted enough freedom to smudge the lines. Growing up in today's world, you can't help but have a passing familiarity with the world I'm working in, regardless of your religious background. That was what I was counting on when I did my world building.
JE: What scenes have you written that you are very proud of? Which ones were the hardest to get right?
TM: I'm proud of everything I've written, to a degree. The worst, and also the best, part of being a writer is that I grow with every story I tell. While I can find something I like in every story I tell, each new piece brings with it new challenges and new opportunities to learn, as well as the growth from the last piece. As such, every new story I write is the best in my eyes.
I think the hardest stories to write are the ones where I step away from my experiences. When I create a character whose experience is different from mine, I have to dig deeper to flesh that character out and make it real. It's a challenge where I'm stuck relying on the media I've absorbed in my life or on the social consciousness of the world.
JE: Thanks Tim, this interview was fun. Within the next couple months, (mid-January to early February) I plan to read Greg Chapman's The Noctuary, a tale of a tormented writer and his dark muse. Then I'll see if he wants to do an interview. (It is far easier to interview after I'm familiar with the author's work.)
November 29, 2011
A Sneak Preview
Wow, what a cool surprise!
Amazon has released copies of my book before the publisher's expected date. You can get a preview of the first three chapters here at Amazon. Please, go look for yourself, you will see this book smokes.
Thanks all,
Jake
