R.J. Grey's Blog
March 2, 2015
Path Behind, Road Ahead
Lately, I've been looking back and looking at the road ahead.
You know what's pretty cool? When I review the last two years of #writing and compile the numbers, I find my books have had over 5000 downloads across the globe (combined sales and free downloads). Another awesome fact: while most of those downloads were in the US, I'm proud to say that a significant amount came through Amazon's European and Asian sites, as well as Australia, Mexico and South America.
When I started writing, I never imagined that people on the other side of our tiny blue marble would be reading something I'd created. I'm incredibly lucky that so many of you have taken a chance with my novels and came back for seconds, and even thirds. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.
So here we are, two months into 2015. I admit that my writing has slowed down drastically. After pumping out four novels in two years, I thought it was time for a reprieve to recharge my mental batteries, but that doesn't mean I've been dormant. I've actually spent the last couple of months (slowly) re-editing H2 and H3, and soon I hope to release a compilation of the first trilogy. But before then, I aim to update the website with H3's data. That task is admittedly overdue.
Also in the works, I've been outlining a couple of novellas (like Beneath the Blue Star), one of which I plan to release later this year, and the other in early 2016. I've also grappled with H4's plot and worked to forge a clear path forward. Though I have the major events of the story nailed down, there are some details that require further rumination. Sorry to say that H4 will not even begin to be penned until this time next year.
Thank you again for your patience and generosity. If not for the feedback, I'd never know that I was doing anything worthwhile, and for that I am truly grateful. Stay tuned in the coming months as I would like to give away many more books for free!
August 15, 2014
Halfway There!
At long last, I can happily report that Humanastra III is more than halfway written! The process has been long and arduous as this book will wrap up many of the challenges presented in H1 and H2. After quite a few revisions and amendments, I can say with certainty that the hard parts are behind me, and the remainder of the novel should flow forth from my fingers with relative ease.
You may wonder, "What makes it so difficult to write?" or "Why has it taken so long?" I could conjure an infinite number of excuses, blaming a lack of time or other obligations that supercede my desires to pen 10,000 words per day, but it really comes down to one simple fact: I don't want to screw up the story. Much like the last half of H2, H3 will split into multiple concurrent stories happening across different locales on Tajna. Some of the difficulty presents within the timing of such events, finding synchronicity between multiple groups so that their stories can logically converge later in the book. Now that I'm past that point, only the smaller obstacles remain.
The Humanastra series is full of conflict. Every character faces trials both external (with other characters or the environment) and internal (grappling with emotions like doubt, jealousy or arrogance). H3 continues the trend of the other books, framing multiple tiny struggles within a broad, all-encompassing global calamity. As characters flourish or perish, emotions run high, and every victory or loss is felt by all. No marginal amount of strife is too small to ignore in times of war and death.
The book will be finished later than I'd originally planned, but every day, that light at the end of the tunnel gets a little brighter. Stay patient, and as always, I appreciate the support!
June 19, 2014
So many ideas, so little time!
After taking a month off of writing to edit H1, it's good to finally be back on track. The third installment of the series is coming along nicely. I'd even say with some degree of confidence that the first draft is ¼ written! I'm shooting for release this fall, and it seems like I've gotten my mojo back.
On top of progressing with H3, I've also made strides in planning for future books. H4 has amassed an incredible amount of information already, and I've been molding it all into a cohesive outline as I go. Shorter novellas, like HA, are also in the pipeline. Some of these will explore more facets and characters on Tajna, while others may introduce new characters and places to the series to branch away from the main series. When I look at my HUGE file for tracking ideas and outlines, I imagine that it'll take me at least a decade to write all of this into stories. And by the time that decade is over, I'll probably have two decades more worth of ideas.
I've received good feedback and valuable critiques from readers. The responses make me feel like I'm on the right track, but that I could be doing more to win you over. I'm going to keep writing, keep improving, and keep trying to earn your respect. Everyday is a learning opportunity, and every reader is a priceless asset to my development as a fiction writer. As long as you keep reading, I'll keep giving giving my all to entertain you. Deal? :)
June 3, 2014
Back in Business!
Apologies for the recent span of neglect on the blogs. As mentioned in my previous post, I'm a new father, a task that I'm happy to report is devouring all of my free time. Watching my son laugh and smile brings an unparalleled joy to my heart. He's become the new center of my universe, but fear not! I haven't forgotten about the Humanastra universe…
In fact, I'm four chapters into writing Humanastra III, and 60% finished with editing through H1. On top of that, I've been adding notable quotes to the characters pages as I edit. Believe me, I'm working hard as time allows, but it's all behind the scenes for now. I've been dictating a lot of ideas into my phone and adding them to my outlines of the universe. It's a slow-going process, but I'm excited about the future of the series and the direction we'll be headed over the next few years. As for THIS year, rest assured that Humanastra III will be delivered this fall of 2014!
In the meantime, check out Beneath the Blue Star or encourage your friends to read the books. It's much more fun to theorize with a friend!
March 4, 2014
My Own March Madness
March is rapidly turning into a busy month for me! Not only do I intend to release my next book either later this month or in early April, but I’m preparing for the arrival of my first child, a baby boy! As one would expect, the diligence to my family must come first, so Beneath the Blue Star will be finished when it’s finished. Until then, please enjoy browsing Humanastra.com and let me know if there are topics which you’d like expounded or added. Again, thanks for all of the support!
February 21, 2014
Under the Influence
I've been a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy stories, from books and movies to television shows and video games. Few things ignite my interest like starships and dragons, magic and cyborgs, swordplay and monsters. For thirty years, I've enjoyed expanding my imagination and writing short stories or plots for video games, but I never would've gotten that far if it weren't for the predecessors that paved the road. So, in no particular order, here are some of the things that have influenced me over the years.
There are so many more that I can't even think to name them all!
February 6, 2014
Why Didn't I Say Something Sooner?
I experienced a moment of pride recently when a few close friends discovered my books. You see, I didn’t announce Humanastra to my friends and family. In fact, I’d only mentioned it to a few people after I’d published my first book. I suppose I didn’t want my friends to feel obligated to read my stories, especially knowing that only a small population of us are science fiction fans. Or perhaps I worried that they’d brush it off and say “Oh, this is his new flavor of the week.” To be fair, my hobbies are numerous and ever-changing, so I couldn’t blame them if they felt that way. But to my surprise, they didn’t.
“I can’t believe you write books! I wouldn’t know where to begin!” one friend said. Her comment caused me to blush a bit. She’s a musician also (a much better one than I), so she understood my need for a creative outlet. To me, writing is something I just DO. I don’t pat myself on the back for spouting a few thousand words, but it was an eye opener to hear what an accomplishment that was. I felt admired, and it was a welcome sensation.
“So wait… You wrote TWO books in one year?” another friend remarked when I told him I’d started writing last February. He seemed astonished, asking about the self-publishing process and how long the Humanastra series would be. I told him I had a lot of ideas I wanted to express, and he was respectfully surprised at my ambitions. Another friend even referred to me as “RJ Grey”, which isn’t my real name. That was another wonderful feeling, to be recognized.
So I suppose the lesson here is that 1) either I don’t know my friends very well (which I hope isn’t the case), or 2) the modest approach was all wrong. Maybe I should have included more people in my activities earlier on. I think I wanted to ensure that I was onto something before sharing it, but now that I’ve released two books, I have a leg to stand on (or two?). I wrote with minimal support from those closest to me, but their enthusiasm makes me push even harder.
“Life is a wall, you have to climb it by pushing others to climb over and you will be pushed as well." ― Bernard Kelvin Clive
February 1, 2014
One year in the books
One year ago today, I penned the first few pages of Humanastra I: The Hidden World. Since then, I've self-published two books and have nearly completed my third. I've learned a lot along the way with regard to both my style and some expectations of readers. There's still a long way to go, but I'm committed to putting out the best product I can and taking the words of reviewers and readers to heart.
I never thought I'd have so much "fun" unleashing my imagination and assembling fiction. I use quotes because you might not imagine that sitting at a laptop is as exciting as going to a rock concert or seeing your favorite sports team. But hitting the publish button and waiting for feedback is really quite a thrill. To know that people around the world are enjoying something I conjured is the reward I'm after. And now, I have far too much subject matter to put my pen down.
Not only do I promise to keep writing, and I aim to continue improving my style and honing my craft. I want to do the world of indie publishers proud and give other self-starters a chance. And of course, I want to keep you readers coming back for more. Thank you for giving my stories a shot!
January 30, 2014
Off to a Good Start!
I want to thank everyone who has either bought a book or shown support for Humanastra. 2014 is off to a rollicking good start with January being my best month yet. As a show of my appreciation, I wanted to finish the month on a high note by offering Humanastra II: Whispers & War Machines for FREE on Friday January 31st. (Buy it HERE)
Please share the news and tell anyone that you think might also enjoy the series, and check back on Saturday February 1st for the announcement of my next book!
January 23, 2014
Science-fiction or Fantasy?
tl:dr = The answer is both.
Humanastra is largely portrayed (by the author) as a science-fiction series, though much of H1 and all of H2 have demonstrated a firm root in the fantasy genre. I want to expound so that 1) readers don’t think I’m some goofball who doesn't know the difference, and 2) to give a tiny, tiny taste of what’s to come in the Humanastra series that will crystallize it into the sci-fi realm for all eternity.
First off, I’m a fan of both genres, and it wasn't my intention to write specifically for one or the other. I wrote what I felt was compelling fiction and let the dice fall wherever I tossed them. I don’t claim to be an innovator of a hybrid sci-fantasy genre. In fact, other writers have been doing it for years. I simply put the ideas on paper and shove them out into the world.
Much of the first two books have taken place on an industrial (yet pre-technological) planet, but I think it would be naive for readers to expect the series to remain there for long (hint hint). In fact, future books in the Humanastra series may not even follow the characters you've become accustomed to. I’m toying with some ideas and the series is always evolving, but I wouldn't forecast Aidan Seele as a main character forever. Time will tell what path our hero walks, and similarly where those roads will lead.
With all of that being said, I think it’s reasonable to interpret the following conclusions:
Humanastra is not limited to Tajna Humanastra will return to the vastness of space Humanastra will delve further into the conflict between humans and the nyri Humanastra characters and locales will become more diverse as the series expands The sky is not the limit, but the edge of the galaxy might beOne final conclusion to walk away with: I love what I’m writing, and I really intend to do this for a long time if I can. You’ve only seen a glimpse of what I have in store for Humanastra. If I could write it faster, I would, so hang onto your seats. I still have a lot to show you!
