Dean Frech's Blog, page 19
June 1, 2014
Confusion is a Welcome Mat
Confusion is the welcome mat at the door of creativity ~ Michael J. Gelb
How are your goals going for 2014? After a few adjustments along the way, I’ve achieved the first of my goals, which was to completely finish the manuscript for The Higher Law. I returned to my first merman novel and it is well on it’s way. My goal is to finish Sartin and then return to Frank and Gregory and the next part of their story in the sequel to A Place to Call Their Own.
But have you ever been at a point in your dream journey and just hit a brick wall? It’s a horrible feeling and situation to be in. Last December, after Disappear With Me was released, I was in such a spot. I had a healthy start on it, a quarter to a third of it, and at the same time it wasn’t clicking. I thought, maybe it’s not Robert’s time and moved to Sartin who had been swimming around in my head for about a year at the time. Literally swimming, Sartin is a merman.
I thought maybe I could use Sartin as my piece in November for NaNoWriMo. If you will reference any blog post from November or December, just remind me that as long as I work a full time job, I cannot write enough new first draft words to achieve NaNoWriMo! I am all for setting stretch goals, but it just takes me too long to formulate new words. If NaNo was about about editing, I could do it, no problem, but not new first draft words.
After Sartin didn’t work out, I toyed with the idea of skipping ahead of my plans and writing the sequel to APTCTO. By this time it was January, the holidays were over, I had no more excuses and needed to get to work. I didn’t have any finished manuscripts in the polishing stage. For as long as it currently takes me to write and polish, I had to get my butt in gear to get at least one title out this year.
Out of this confusion in early January, my mind cleared a path. I found the missing links in The Higher Law. After toying with the idea of working on three manuscripts at once, I settled back into it and was able to finish it last week. I am still waiting to hear from some beta readers, but so far the feedback is good. I hope to submit it to Musa by the middle of the month.
I am back to work on Sartin and his story is developing nicely. If all goes as scheduled, he should be ready for submission by October or November.
When has a time of confusion helped you muddle through and find the path back to your dream journey?
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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from All Romance eBooks!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from All Romance eBooks!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme to mention on social media!
May 31, 2014
Book Reviews, Rants, & Raves!: Into the Wind by Shira Anthony
Book Reviews, Rants, & Raves!: Into the Wind by Shira Anthony: At the beginning of the month, I was trying to finish The Higher Law and reading m/m romance titles set in that time frame, the 1930...
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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Barnes and Noble!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Barnes and Noble!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme to mention on social media!
May 29, 2014
When Are You Going to Write the Sequels?
Here’s to finding your own unique approach, identity, or style ~ Jill Badonsky
I love it when readers ask, after reading A Place to Call Their Own or Disappear With Me, is there a sequel? Or Now what? My answer is always, yes, I have sequels planned for both. But my reasons for not writing the sequels right away are all my own. I also love it when readers and friends and family make comments on my Facebook posts like, “Dean doesn’t have time for (insert activity), he needs to be writing sequels!”.
First of all, it took me four years to write the first draft of A Place to Call Their Own. It was my first novel, the first anything I had ever written. Although I had planned a sequel from the beginning, by the time I was done, I knew it was time to put Frank and Gregory aside and work with another set of characters in another time period.
Leander’s story came to me on a Sunday morning in church probably two years before I was done with A Place to Call Their Own. I ran home and typed up some notes, and maybe even about 2500 words of the beginning of his story. I desperately wanted to finish A Place to Call Their Own before I started any other venture. My husband gave me that advice and it’s been good for me. (I tried to work on three different projects back in November/December timeframe and it was disastrous.) So I tucked Disappear With Me away until I was finished with first novel.
By the time I finished Disappear With Me, I had found my idea for how I wanted to write the sequel to Frank and Gregory’s story. I still wanted some time to hone my writing skills. I did write Disappear With Me in four months and took another twelve months to polish it. Before I dove into sequels I needed to prove to myself I could do it again, a third time. Just last week I finished my final draft for The Higher Law. While not a direct sequel, it is the story of James’s (who is eight years old at the end of A Place to Call Their Own) son, Robert. It is out to beta’s now, so more on that later.
So, am writing the sequel to either one? Nope, not yet, my merman, Sartin has been itching to be written for about year, since I got his idea in my head.Then I will return to Frank and Gregory, Leander and Raphael, and Robert and Kenneth. When their time is upon me and I am ready. :-)
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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Amazon US!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Amazon US!
Or, check out my author page on Amazon UK.
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwith me to mention on social media!
May 27, 2014
Thrid Manuscript Done, Fourth One Started!
Here’s to standing at the edge of the sea feeling the knowledge of earthly eternal ~ Jill Badonsky
So I finished a third manuscript last week! The Higher Law is now in the hands of beta readers! My mom has read the whole thing. This is a record for her, she read it in three days. My dad has read seventy five percent. It is still in the hands of some very trusted beta readers. For now, I must put it to rest and move on.
My fourth manuscript is a merman story. I have been mulling around the idea for about a year. I’ve done a little bit of reading on the mermaid folklore and fairy tales and the Aquatic Ape Theory of human evolution. I have a lot more reading to do, both fiction and non-fiction. I plan to include folk tales that help the explain the Sea People’s culture and views of the world.
Here’s a working blurb:
In a world foretold by prophesies and folk tales, what’s more important, happiness or destiny?
Sartin’s amber eyes told his mother, and the rest of the pod, that he was destined to become a great Alewar from the day he was born. Mocked by the majority of the pod for his progressive practice of Decoy, Sartin’s life doesn’t feel like the life of any of the great Alewars his mother told him about. Hoping to find an Alewar mate at his Twenty-First Winter Meeting, an injury and storm take Sartin far away from Winter Cove. Nursed back to health by a Land Person, Sartin finds love and acceptance. Torn between his love of Maru and his love of the sea, Sartin must choose between happiness and destiny in this tale of Sartin of the Sea.
Thanks for following along my journey and stay tuned for more updates!
_______________________________________________
Is it possible fora two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Musa Publishing!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Musa Publishing!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme to discuss on social media!
May 25, 2014
4.5 Star Review for Disappear With Me from The Novel Approach Reviews!
I am excited to share my latest 4.5 Star Review for Disappear With Me from The Novel Approach reviews...Come check us out and comment to enter to win a copy of Disappear With Me!
http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
_______________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Amazon US!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Amazon US!
Or, check out my author page on Amazon UK.
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwith me to mention on social media!
May 24, 2014
5 Sweet Peas from Mrs. Condit & Friends Read Books!
I am truly honored to have been given one of the last reviews before Becky Condit retires and stops updated her blog, Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books. Check us out!
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
_______________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Amazon US!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Amazon US!
Or, check out my author page on Amazon UK.
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwith me to mention on social media!
May 22, 2014
Book Reviews, Rants, & Raves!: Clipped by Devon McCormack
Book Reviews, Rants, & Raves!: Clipped by Devon McCormack: Author Bio: If I was writing an old-school craigslist personal, I'd say (appropriately in code): fit masc wm ddf lookin 4 s...
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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Smashwords!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Smashwords!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Join the conversation, use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme on social media!
May 21, 2014
Another 4.25 Star Review for Disappear With Me!
I am excited to be on the Prism Book Alliance blog today!
Here's my guest post with a Giveaway:
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
Here's the review:
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
Stop by and check us out!
_______________________________________________
Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Amazon US!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Amazon US!
Or, check out my author page on Amazon UK.
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwith me to mention on social media!
May 17, 2014
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
Every time I close the door on reality, it comes in through the windows ~ Jennifer Unlimited
About a year, I attended my church’s regional meeting as it voting delegate. I go to a very open and accepting church, so it’s no surprise that I am but one of three LGBTQ individuals on our session of nine. On the docket for voting that day were some language changes to the Heidelberg Confession as well as some language changes in our Book of Order to change the rules surrounding marriage from “one man and one woman” to more accepting language such as “two people.”
For the first time in my forty-two years at the time, I actually sat in a room where people read all the verses from the Bible that proclaim homosexuality to be a sin. It wasn’t as scary as I guess it sounds, but more amusing. It made me reflect on my own life. It seems I’ve done a pretty good job of insulating myself from that sort persecution. What I mean by that is that I’ve surrounded myself with people who are supportive and understand that being gay is not a choice at all, but who I am.
That’s not always easy. I grew up in a small town in Nebraska in the 80s. I was bullied, teased, and taunted for being a sissy, different, a misfit. But I decided to change all that when I left home, and I haven’t looked back since. Without even realizing it, I only associated with people and places conducive to living an out lifestyle. I am thankful that I’ve never been assaulted for being an openly gay, effiminate man.
If you’re sitting there as an ally, all I can ask you to do is stand up for us. Continue to like and share the positive stories and memes that support equal rights for all people, including LGBTQ individuals. I’m not asking you to engage in online arguments that support our cause. But continue to support us
If you’re sitting there as a person feeling the brunt of the same discrimination I have experienced, just remember it does get better. Even though I still live in state where I could be fired from my job for being gay or be denied housing or other services, I live a relatively safe and happy life with my husband of 6 years. If you feel stuck in a small town, figure out what your options might be to move to bigger a city. But remember this, just like in the Wizard of Oz, sometimes you find happiness right where you are. It just all depends.
I am honored to be a part of this year’s Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT) in conjunction with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Join me along with 130 other writers, bloggers, publishers, and cover designers in promoting peace and liberty for all people.
To celebrate, I am giving away an electronic copy, in your choice of format, of my debut novel, A Place to Call Their Own. Leave a comment and next Saturday, May 24, I will do a random drawing and contact the winner.
If you are reading this post through another site such as Goodreads, Amazon, or any other feed, please be sure to find the page itself to make your comment to be entered to win. Here's the link:
http://deanpacefrech.blogspot.com/2014/05/international-day-against-homophobia.html
After you make your comment and enter my drawing, follow this link to find the others participating in this blog hop for a wonderful cause:
http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com/
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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from BookStrand!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from BookStrand!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Join the conversation, use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme on social media!
May 16, 2014
Guest Post - Love Bytes Reviews
I'm over at Love Bytes Reviews today...come check us out and enter to win a copy of #APTCTO!
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/05/1...
_______________________________________________
Is it possible fora two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from Musa Publishing!
Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?
My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from Musa Publishing!
Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.
Use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme to discuss on social media!
