Jake Jeffries's Blog: Dark Watchman, page 8
November 22, 2014
An Attempt to Fill the Void
Hello everyone,
Keep reading because at the end I mention chocolate.
Dark Watchman Publications has been very busy lately. On top of the release of Bad Blood Rising, there is now a 2nd edition of An Attempt To Fill The Void… available on Amazon. This was mostly due to a change in printing method for the book. As a result, the price of the book is cheaper and it has a new black cover. The proof of the book turned out awesome. I’ve deemed it the Midnight Edition. The e-book edition is still pending but when it becomes active it will still be at the $0.99 price level.
Also, now available in the webstore is the link to order the hardcover limited edition of Bad Blood Rising. This will be helpful for those of you who want a hardcover and will not be able to attend the book signing in Greenwood, IN due to other engagements and/or geographical location. The price is $25. I’ve included a rate of $5 in that price for shipping. Hardcovers at the book signing will still be $20.
I’ve invested in some Hershey miniatures to give out at the book signing. See, I promised chocolate. These Hershey miniatures come complete with a printed label with Vangetsu’s face on them. Since table space will be limited, they will be inside of my Tardis which happens to be bigger on the inside.
Thank you,
Jake Jeffries
November 20, 2014
Writing Process
My writing process usually consists of first creating a synopsis of the story. After I have a working synopsis I move to core character and world development by method of outlining. The outlines and synopsis usually grow throughout the entire writing process and act as a set of rules for the overall story to follow. Jim Butcher is my favorite author and has written some tips on writing via livejournal which have been very helpful. James Scott Bell has written many amazing books on the subject of writing as well. English has always been a course I have enjoyed and reading has always been a one of my favorite hobbies. Some of my biggest inspirations come from reading, movies, music, and life experiences. I try to include as many references to the former three as I can without overdoing it and/or crossing any boundaries. A technique I sometimes use is putting myself into the mindset of the character I am writing about and sometimes even talk out loud like I am having a conversation as that character. So the next time you think someone is crazy because they’re talking to themselves, it might be me or another writer so don’t be so quick to judge! Sometimes I take the time to even do rough sketches of how I picture some things to look even though my drawing skills are fairly sub-par. I try to do as much research as I can on something before I try to implement anything in my writing. My biggest obstacles are probably finding the free time to write, figuring out sub-plots, and feeling like I have done the proper amount of research before implementing elements into my writing. For example, I plan on doing a lot of research on psychology, criminology, forensics, and existing detective characters before creating my own. Tite Kubo the creator of my favorite anime Bleach uses a lot of rock music for inspiration and kind of choreographs his battles however the music inspires him. I’ve found this technique to be very useful with my own battle scenes. Different kinds of music can also be a great backdrop for inspiring certain scenes. For instance, there is scene in Bad Blood Rising where Vangetsu meditates while listening to Beethoven’s Für Elise. I don’t specify which recording, this is on purpose. Find your favorite recording of it and listen to it. I listened to it when writing that scene and now I find myself listening to it during my own times of meditation. Tite Kubo also does a great job of mixing seriousness with comedy which an element that I love. Joss Whedon, Jim Butcher, Tite Kubo, and countless others have used that element well.
Here is a list of five of my tips for writing.
Become best friends with dictionary and thesaurus.
Research and when you think you done all the research you need, research some more.
Learn from the masters of the art (you learn a lot about writing from reading).
Find a good editor.
Write!
If you would also like to read an absolutely fantastic blog post about publishing, I am going to link to another author’s blog.
Ruthanne Reid is an indie writer that writes about elves, aliens, vampires, and space-travel with equal abandon. Her post on publishing is one of the best written works I have seen on the subject, especially factoring in the current state of publishing.
Für Elise Links
Metal Version – Daniel Tidwell
Thanks,
Jake Jeffries
November 15, 2014
Book Signing
Hello everyone,
First of all, congratulations to the winners of the contests!
Secondly, I am ecstatic to announce that there is now an official date and location for my first book signing event! Half Price Books in Greenwood, IN (located within the Greenwood Shoppes) has graciously accepted my request to be the host. Mark the dates on your calendars for December 6th, 2014! I will be at the location from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. There is no need to bring your own book, although if you have purchased it online I encourage you to bring it along. There will be limited edition hardcover books available and paperback books available for Bad Blood Rising. I will also have a handful of paperback copies of the 1st edition of An Attempt to Fill the Void… available. Other items I will have include a plush Odin, a coffee mug, magnets, and a very limited amount of USB flash drives fully loaded with a digital copy of the book and all currently available artwork. The limited edition hardcover will come with an exclusive d6 and tarot cards. The remaining tarot cards and d6’s will be supplied with the early purchases of the paperback while supplies last. I have numerous bookmarks and guitar picks that will be freely available as well.
Thank you,
Jake Jeffries
Poetry
Hello everyone,
This year marks the two-year anniversary of my poetry book An Attempt To Fill The Void… I’m excited to announce that soon I will have the second edition available.
Here are some poems I have written since then that I wish to share with you in honor of its birthday.
Miseration
I’ve been broken beyond my means
Sitting silently lost in recollection
Perhaps losing more mind than there is to be found
Synapse signals crossing in a disarray of damnation
Will there be more than a memory to hold?
Will our darkest day make way for a brighter tomorrow?
If everything comes full circle will it crash at the end?
Can we elevate our harrowed hopes to more than pretend?
In the light of day our lives are illuminated
It’s alone in the shadows that we will be swallowed by sorrow
It is damning to dwell on pointless past miserations
Kindness can kill the worst degradation
May solace take hold when all else fails
With memory a weapon and grist as my guide
I will grind on through the sands of my life
May the waves never succeed in whisking me under
Time Where is Time
Time where is time?
Always escaping me
Time where is time?
Stuck in the sands of life
Eluding my illusions
Running from the rain
Watching wayfaring strangers
Succumbing to their strife
Sailing away from sorrows
Losing sense of time itself
Time when is time?
It’s happening all at once
Forgotten are the forlorn
Remembering is respite
Bound by blood to grains of grist
Eternally trapped by passing time
Madness claims another member
Hopelessly harrowing in Hell
Time where is time?
Lost but never found
The Phantom Pain
My heart, it bleeds
the pain, it grips me
with phantom limbs about my neck.
I have reached
the depths of my disdain.
Why was your life
silenced so suddenly?
Righteous Rain
We are here
But we are not here
The divine design of all
Sewn together by strands of silk
The sowers of discord are set to destroy
Threatening to steal away our strands
When we are woven together
Unwavering
We can distill the seeds of destruction
With the rain of righteousness
We must exist as equals
We must stand strong as one
It was all so Beautiful
It was all so beautiful.
Did I tell you the tale enough?
Did I tell you I loved you enough?
Our tale is so amazingly beautiful.
It is a habit, my admiring you.
Our two souls entwined.
There is energy in your touch.
There is love in your kisses.
Your hugs they comfort me.
Your voice, it sings to me.
My home is in your arms.
We are the sum of our memories.
I’ve counted a surplus of blessings.
Forget me not my love.
In your heart, I live on.
I will see you on the other side.
Seven Swords
We are the wielders of the seven swords
Imbued by the spirits contained within
We are the last hope of this languished world
Choked by the hands of an evil dictatorship
The Führer is but a villainous vaudevillian
The face of a fascist and fallible government
The axis of evil threatens to grind us into dust
Only seven stand in the way of suffering
A bullet named death
A bullet named death
Fired from the barrel of veritas
Seeking out the soul of the wicked
Evil shall not know the origin
The gun may have been in my hand
But the enemy pulled the trigger
November 8, 2014
Vangetsu Ocelot
Age: 2009
Birthday: February, 4th 5 A.D. (Reference to Job 2:4-5. Even though February didn’t exist when Vangetsu was born he knows this date since he is still living.)
Race: Vampire
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 200 lbs
Eye Color: Red
Hair Style/Color: Shoulder length black hair
Education: Self-taught and trained by experts
Occupation: Retired General, Assassin, Bounty Hunter, Legion of Light Agent
Hobbies: Killing vampires, hunting Mathias, reading, listening to classical music
Weapons: Wields two revolvers and two swords. They are fastened to his waist using a double holster and twin sheaths. The revolvers on one side and the swords on another. His blood can be controlled by his will and he can use it as a weapon. He has martial arts skills as well.
Marital Status: Widowed – Elise Ocelot was his wife.
Children: 1 – Helena Belmont aka Eliza Belmont or Eliza Ocelot
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Restaurant: The entire world is a restaurant
Favorite Food: Blood
Favorite Expression: Glare
Favorite Song: Fur Elise by Beethoven
Favorite Movie: Macbeth, the original performance
Favorite TV Show: Dragnet
Pet: Cat, Odin
Bad Habit: Single minded focus
What I Like About Myself: Nothing
Who I Look Up To: God
What Makes Me Laugh: Idiots
What Makes Me Sad: Haunting memories
How Do I Relax: Listening to Beethoven and reading a book
What Word/Phrase Do I Use Most Often: “I will kill you.”
Favorite Room In Home: Living room
Goals: To avenge the murder of his family.
Embarrassing Moment: Going overboard destroying an enemy while his allies watch.
Favorite Article Of Clothing: Duster
Pet Peeve: Mathias
People Close To Me: Ramona, Odin, and Helena.
One Word to Describe Me: Brooding.
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
What Is Important To Me: Revenge
What I Can’t Do Without: Blood
Source of Power: He was turned into a vampire by Mathias, but his powers were enhanced by drinking Reaper’s blood given to him by the Grim Reaper.
Surprising Characteristic: Can control his blood to do whatever he wants and regenerate instantly.
Weakness: Fire
October 30, 2014
Happy Halloween!
Hello everyone,
I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween. The weather reports that are going around, at least for the Indiana area where I am from do not look very enjoyable. Do the best you can to stay warm and above all enjoy the treats. Whether you go trick or treating, charge your children candy tax, or just buy the candy from the store and eat the entire bag, the main thing is to enjoy yourself. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, if not my absolute favorite. It is an annual event that prompts horror movies and costumes. Sadly, it prompts some people to violence. Some people even target black cats in particular. If you have a black cat, make sure to keep him or her safe and give them a special hug. Hell, if you have any pets make sure to keep them safe and give them hugs. Not that you needed prompting, but go ahead, hug your pet right now.
Also, as my treat to you (I even saved you the trip to my door) the Kindle version of Bad Blood Rising will be absolutely free this Halloween and the day after! I’ve tried to factor in chocolate hangovers. Download the book, tell your friends to download the book, and even shout it from the streets if you wish. The protagonist is a vampire after all. There are other creatures that go bump in the night as well. Enjoy!
I would like to give a shout out to Starbucks. The Franken Frappuccino is delicious!
The free book giveaway on Goodreads is still going on until 12:00AM October, 31st which ia almost upon us! 231 people have requested it so far, if you haven’t already then please do so.
My Facebook page has now grown to over 100 likes. This unlocks the contest that I will be doing for a free signed paperback book on the page. If you haven’t liked it, what are you waiting for?
October 25, 2014
Free Books and Current Research Plans
Hello!
The Goodreads free book giveaway is in full swing. According to the website, 72 people have currently entered. If you haven’t yet, hop on over and do so. Here is the link. If you don’t have a Goodreads account yet, then make sure to go ahead and create that as well. You may have to in order to enter the contest in the first place.
The contest ends on Halloween!
The Jake Jeffries Facebook page is up to 61 likes. Remember, at 100 there will be a contest (the prize will of course include a free book).
The working title for the next book in the Dark Watchman saga is Enter the Dark Watchman. I’m currently in research mode for the book. On top of life experiences up to this point I tend to draw a lot of inspiration from reading other books, watching movies, and eventually I would love to travel to different locations in order to absorb inspiration from seeing the wonders of the world. Below is the list of books I plan to read and study both before and during my work on Enter the Dark Watchman:
Old Man’s War by John Scalzi (Recommended by Jim Butcher)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Skin Game by Jim Butcher
The Divine Comedy by Dante Aligheri
Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul by Mark White
Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight by Travis Langley
Writing Fiction for All You’re Worth by James Scott Bell
Elements of Fiction Writing by James Scott Bell
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
Revision and Editing by James Scott Bell
Criminology for Dummies by Steven Briggs
Forensics for Dummies by Douglas Lyle
Scene & Structure by Jack Bickham
Writing and Selling Your Novel by Jack Bickham
On Writing by Stephen King
The Novel Writer’s Toolkit by Bob Mayer
James Scott Bell is one of my favorite writers on the subject of writing. His book The Art of War for Writer’s should be required reading for anyone that wishes to be a writer. Psychology and Philosophy have always fascinated me. Recently I have finished reading many books on the subject of Zen and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl a holocaust survivor and renowned psychologist. It was a heart breaking, fantastic, and thought provoking read.
October 17, 2014
Hot off the Presses
Hello again everyone,
It is official. Paperback copies of Bad Blood Rising are in my possession! Two dozen of them arrived today. Some of them are going to people that pre-ordered directly through me. The rest of them can be obtained directly from me or at the to be determined book release event (which in its own way is getting it directly from me). Here is a picture of the box with books within! I have placed the box under Odin’s protection. No thievery is permitted. Odin will end you if you try.
The hardcover copies are still in progress. Currently, they are the only item I have left that I want to have at the release. I will be in contact with some places in Greenwood, IN about a possible location for releasing. Also, if I have anything left I will possibly arrange a signing in Columbus, IN.
If you haven’t joined Goodreads yet then please hop on over and do so! While you’re at it, add me as a friend and put Bad Blood Rising on your shelf. In a few days, there will be a live giveaway active. I will do another post with the active link when it is ready. Goodreads has to approve the giveaway first. I will be giving away one free signed copy of the Bad Blood Rising 1st edition paperback. Make sure you enter the contest! The contest will end on Halloween.
The link to get Bad Blood Rising mugs through my Zazzle store is now active. Unfortunately, I don’t have a whole lot of say in the pricing. The mugs are however great quality and I especially love the two-tone mug, it is the one I personally use. I will have a couple at the book release that I will sell at a discounted rate with a copy of the paperback. Also, if you haven’t done so please navigate to the art gallery page to vote on the next magnet that will be available. Thanks!
October 10, 2014
Blood Moon Rising
Greetings Everyone!
On October 8th there was a lunar eclipse that created a blood moon that was fully visible from my location in Indiana. It was exciting! I’ve always been fascinated by the universe and enjoy astronomy. I’m also excited about the total solar eclipse that will be happening on August 21st, 2017. The best place to be for it will be Paducah, KY which luckily for me isn’t too far away.
There are some that believe the blood moon is a sign of bad omens and possibly a symbol of the end times. However, for me it is a sign of good omens and a symbol of a beginning. The beginning of the Dark Watchman.
The last few weeks have been interesting. I’ve survived running fifteen miles in the first marathon I have ever ran in. If only I had Vangetsu’s endurance and flash step ability. The final editing phases of Bad Blood Rising are also now complete. The limited run of Tarot cards for the hardcover edition turned out very well! I am extremely excited about them. So excited, that I ordered some extras to include with the paperback versions that are purchased directly from me (while supplies last). Also, I have ordered some dice from Chessex to use as a promotional tool for D.W.P. that turned out amazing. Stay posted because I plan on organizing a book launch/signing event in the near future that will have everything available that I have been gathering in preparation for the book release. Paperback books, hardcover books, the Tarot cards, free dice (while supplies last), free guitar picks (while supplies last), and free bookmarks. In addition to the books, I plan on having magnets, a plush Odin, and a coffee mug for sale. I may make the magnets and coffee mugs available in the store too once I figure that out. Currently, I have a magnet available for the book cover.
There is now a poll on the art gallery page. I am trying to gauge interest for which character art to turn into a magnet next.
Bad Blood Rising is now live on Amazon! Paperback books are available and it is available for the Kindle. I have updated my books page accordingly. My store page currently has magnets and flash drives for sale. Flash drives are loaded with a PDF of the book and are limited. Any leftover hardcover books from the book signings will be posted to the store page.
The book is also up on Goodreads, be sure to add it to your shelves.
October 2, 2014
The Scent of Blood Draws Near
Greetings Everyone!
The last few weeks have been interesting. I’ve survived running fifteen miles in the first marathon I have ever ran in. If only I had Vangetsu’s endurance and flash step ability! The final editing phases of Bad Blood Rising are also now complete! I am awaiting proof #2 from Createspace. The first proof had some image alignment issues on the binding on the front cover which I have fixed and resubmitted. The limited run of Tarot cards for the hardcover edition turned out very well! I am extremely excited about them. So excited, that I ordered some extras to include with the paperback versions that are purchased directly from me (while supplies last). Also, I have ordered some dice from Chessex to use as a promotional tool for D.W.P. that turned out amazing.
Stay posted because I plan on organizing a book launch event in the near future that will have everything available that I have been gathering in preparation for the book release. Paperback books, hardcover books, the Tarot cards, free dice (while supplies last), free guitar picks (while supplies last), and free bookmarks. In addition to the books, I plan on having magnets, a plush Odin, and a coffee mug for sale. I may make the magnets and coffee mugs available in the store too once I figure that out. Currently, I have a magnet available for the book cover. I may get magnets made of the front design of the Tarot cards as well if they would be of interest to anyone.
Physical copies will soon be available to purchase and the e-book will be available through Amazon!
The Scent of Blood Draws Near
