A. Lee Martinez's Blog

Magpie

Life in Rockwood

Everyone who called Rockwood home knew it was a special place with its own unique problems. Marshall Kopp had known it before becoming sheriff, and he couldn’t rightly complain about it now that dealing with those problems was his job.

Becka Rodriguez pointed to the empty spot on her dresser. “It was right there, Marshall, when I went to sleep. Then I woke up, and it was gone.”

“Mmmhmm.” Kopp flipped open his notebook. “And how much would you say is missing?”

“Seventy-four cents,” said Becka. “I counted it before I went to bed.”

“Mmmhmm.” He scribbled out the number for his notes.

“I wouldn’t have bothered normally, but what with the rash of thefts we’ve had lately, I thought I’d best be safer than sorry.”

“Not safe enough to hide your change,” said Kopp.

“It’s my change.… Read the rest “Magpie”

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In the Shadow of the Sea God

The world had a history of gods, strange and mundane. Gods of miracles. Gods of wrath. Gods of love. Gods of hate. There must have been thousands of them. But the one thing all these gods had in common was that they were always somewhere else. Atop Mount Olypmus. Above the clouds. In the firmament. Beyond.

Gods didn’t hang out with mortals, and now that they did, everyone understood why.

The gods weren’t anything humans had ever imagined. Powerful titans rising from the oceans, beneath the earth, astride passing comets, they came to this world without explanation. Great and terrible things, hideous and inhuman.

Anna lived in the shadow of one of the sea gods. A monster fish the size of a skyscraper, it had washed ashore one day. There it sat. Its glistening flesh undulating while its gills opened and closed.… Read the rest “In the Shadow of the Sea God”

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Bad Dog

The bus came flying across the street. In that split second, Todd thought it might be all over. He’d been Champion’s sidekick for nearly a year now, and in that time, palling around with his supercat, there had been plenty of close calls. One of these times, Champion wouldn’t save him. He’d read enough comic books to know that plenty of sidekicks were killed or maimed to give the hero a little drama to deal with.

This was real life. Or what passed for real life in a world where some animals had gained mysterious powers. It didn’t necessarily play by the same rules, but even if plot points had nothing to do with it, this was a dangerous job. It was inevitable something bad would happen.

Champion deflected the bus with a telekinetic shove. It bounced over their heads to come crashing down behind them.… Read the rest “Bad Dog”

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Champion

Todd had spent his whole life reading superhero comics, watching superhero TV shows and movies. Even when they were low budget and terrible with horrible special effects and dumb acting, he watched them. Every one of them. Because he’d always known he was destined to be a superhero.

A real one. Not just some guy running around in a funny costume who maybe broke up a fight now and then, but usually just called the police to handle the situation. Not a weirdo who lurked on rooftops, playing like he was there to save the day. But an honest-to-God superhero who fought crime and helped people and had his own evil nemesis. Maybe even two or three.

He wasn’t lazy about it. He worked out religiously. He trained in multiple martial arts. He studied criminology, military tactics. He was a decent escape artist, though he never was much good at science, if he was being honest.… Read the rest “Champion”

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Technical Support (preview)

My (fingers crossed) next book is out on submission. It’s pretty good. Lady in the Lake meets Goodfellas. Kind of. If you’re looking for a book with Avalon, mob goons, cosmic dragons, many cans of SpaghettiOs, and an (possibly) evil chair, then this will be it.

In the meantime, I’m working on the next book. Like most books in progress and the early stages, things are subject to change, but here’s a sample of a short chapter introducing two characters. Enjoy a free sample of something that might not even make it into the final draft, but it’s fun, so probably will.

Chaz and Andy sat in their car across the street from the call center. They couldn’t enter the parking lot proper. They didn’t have I.D.s. Also, ancient covenants perhaps older than the universe meant they’d explode if they set foot on the property.… Read the rest “Technical Support (preview)”

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Galatea in Counseling

Today was my first session with Ingrid and Bob. First sessions were often tricky. Some couples opened up right away. Others, like Ingrid and Bob, were nervous. They fidgeted on the sofa. Ingrid rubbed her fingers against the armrest. A common tic. Common enough that I had to replace sofas because of armrest damage quite often.

She was tall and lithe. Her long hair cascading down her shoulders in billowy white mounds. Her skin was flawless, and her eyes were ice blue, so light I almost couldn’t see them.

Bob was an average looking guy, which wasn’t an unusual pairing in my clientele.

I checked my notes and decided to get the ball rolling. “So it says here that you were an ice sculpture, Ingrid.”

“Yes.” Little wisps of frost flicked from her full lips.

“Do you need me to turn up the AC?”… Read the rest “Galatea in Counseling”

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Closet

Life in Rockwood

Caleb had been dating Rebecca Susan for a month before finally getting to third base. It hadn’t been an ordeal. It wasn’t as if he was only dating her to get into her pants. He liked Rebecca Susan a lot, but he was also ready for this. Had been ready for it for three weeks. Ever since their third date when she’d worn those torn jeans while singing the Pokemon theme song at karaoke night.

He slid those jeans down a few inches, waiting for her to say no, like she always did. And he’d wait, like he would. Because he liked her. Because there was plenty of time.

But, God, was he ready.

He stopped by reflex, only noticing then that she hadn’t said no yet. He glanced up at her, and smiling, she nodded. Kissing her bare belly, he saw her granny panties.… Read the rest “Closet”

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Date with Death

Death kindly stopped for Emil. 

The old truck was something out of military surplus, painted a dark red with canvas stretched over the bed. The rumble of its engine vibrated the pavement, Emil’s car, the air itself. If he’d been looking at the half-moon, he might have noticed it vibrating too, shaking as if it might fall out of the sky. 

The truck slowed as it passed Emil. Its old brakes howled like angry beasts as it came to a stop. Its engine quieted, but there was still a hum in the air. A hand pulled back the canvas curtain in the back of the truck and a pale face peered out. Although there was no face, so pale head would’ve been more accurate.  

Emil reached for his phone, sitting on the seat beside him. No signal. He tried it anyway.… Read the rest “Date with Death”

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WHERE I STAND

Been ages. Sometimes, I wonder why I bother maintaining a blog at all other than it’s all set up and easy to maintain.

Then along comes something like the recent U.S. clusterfuck of an election, and I realize why I need this site.

Yeah, this is going to be a post about politics. But not really. It’s more about the feelings I wrestle with, the responsibilities I carry both as a human being and as a very, very, very minor celebrity. Very. It’s about how much it sucks that vulnerable people are now more vulnerable and powerful people are gleefully ready to sacrifice our world for more power.

It’s about a lot of stuff. Don’t want to read it? Cool. Nobody can make you, and I can’t blame you. But it’s just stuff I have to share.

The day after the election, I was feeling crushed.… Read the rest “WHERE I STAND”

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To Series or Not to Series (mailbag)

Time to open the ol’ Action Force Clubhouse mailbag and answer a question. If you have any questions, comments, random thoughts you’d like to share and perhaps want me to sagely comment upon then you can always send them to Hipstercthulhu@hotmail.com.

Also, I have a Buyacoffee page now. If you find the free fiction and humble insights I offer on this site entertaining, maybe stop by and toss me a few bucks now and then. No pressure, but very much appreciated.

Let’s get to the question:

Kent writes:

One of my biggest issues is that every new book I write automatically lends itself to a series. But after a couple of books I’m usually bored and ready to move on to another book and set of characters.

I’ve been rereading some of our books and noticed despite creating some of the most three dimensional and interesting characters that would be perfect for a series all of your books never produced a sequel.… Read the rest “To Series or Not to Series (mailbag)”

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