R.M. Ridley's Blog, page 12
January 12, 2015
The Anthology will soon be Reality
��Check out the news about the release date over at my Beta-readers Official WDB blog
Filed under: Book Release, Publishing, Writing Tagged: anthology, Blondes Books & Bourbon, editor, Jonathan Alvey, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, short story, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, Xchyler Publishing
January 10, 2015
Life Cycle of a Scadian
So it seems as though, after more than a decade away, I may be returning to again to the��Society for Creative Anachronism.
It’s not really surprising – it gets in your DNA I think – once, truly a Scadain… We would have taken it up again much sooner but for where and how we live. We are a distance from any local group, making constant involvement difficult and we have the livestock, making long trips/weekends not a feasible option. Partial involvement seems something we are not really capable of but… well, we shall see how this goes.
It could be very good for my wife, as for me… well I’m half deaf and the SCA is not known for quiet. I used to make things as my way of being involved, jewelry, knifes, that sort of thing, but I don’t even have a workshop as it stands right now.
My writing is my escape as the SCA used to be, and I am rather committed to it, but then, there are many authors (some very well known) who play so if they can…
Also, the last time we played in the SCA, I was undiagnosed and not on any meds… another variable that we can’t factor until we get our feet wet.
This will be an interesting experiment/experience one way or the other, it has been (especially in terms of SCA generations) a very long time since we were active, and that time we played in Ealdormere, this time we will be closer to a Mid-Realm group – although it will be the very group we both started or SCA lives in.
We shall see what this adventure holds for us.
Filed under: Homesteading, MIscellaneous Tagged: crazy, deaf, Ealdormere, jewlry, knifes, Livestock, medication, Mid-Realm, SCA, Scadian, sheep, Society for Creative Anachronism, wife, writing
January 5, 2015
Rambling Man
I think this beginning to the sixth White Dragon Black novel will need to be heavily edited. The game of slowly give them most of the information they need if they haven’t read any other of the series, while keeping it fresh for the returning fans tends to complicate things.
Sure I could just go with the theory that any readers I’m going to have I’m going t have by this point but I really hate find a series that sounds good only to realize the only book i can find is number five and I need the other four to have a clue — and so don’t read that book or any of the series at all.
At any rate, it seems that this ‘opening’ has gone on too long to be viable, at least that id my gut instinct. But, as I hold firm to the philosophy of ��‘just get it down’ I’m not going to do much about it, or worry how it’s playing out. I’ll try to keep in mind, as I move forward, to pick up the pace a bit but I write what my Muse gives me.
I’m also just going to go with it, despite meaning lots of editing later, because I really plan on just enjoying getting this one out. The plot, should allow for me to stride foolishly forward, and just roll with the punches. It feels like the sort of story that you simple let tumble out of you and laugh in half terror like you are on a roller-coaster.
As for the work that might come of that later, well it will be much later (years in fact) and I managed to get through all the reworking that ‘Binding & Spines’ needed, which included a complete scramble and re-mashing of the first five, or so, chapters. The end result, I believe, worked out quite well and so, trusting my ability to edit as well as write… let the merry winds of creativity blow full my sails.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: Bindings & Spines, current work in progress, edits, Jonathan Alvey, muse, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, plot, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, world building, writing
January 2, 2015
No Rest for the Wicked or the Writer
It’s done.
Coming in with a word count of 98598 – the fifth novel, ‘Backstabbers & Believers’ is finished the first draft.
I will now step away from it. Put it aside and dwell on it, only in relation to how it effects the universe I work in.
And work is just what I shall do.
Starting with tomorrow’s usual writing session, I begin to tell the tale of the sixth novel. A very different story from B&B, and yet, it probably would’t exist if it wasn’t for what happens in B&B. This one promises to be much more action filled, fast paced, and hopefully, tense.
Let the games begin and the words flow.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: Backstabbers & Believers, current work in progress, edits, Jonathan Alvey, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, plot, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, world building, writer, writing
December 30, 2014
Seems Obvious But We all Know Those Aganist It simply Won’t See It
From Forbes:
“That halving of teen smoking rates coincides with the invention and introduction of vaping (overlaps at least, the first devices really came in 2007). And other studies show very much the same thing. People use vaping equipment instead of smoking, not as a gateway to it nor does vaping increase smoking prevalence. It is thus a substitute, not a complement.”
Filed under: Vaping
What a Weird Feeling
So I just got a report from WordPress (and made it public) about my usage in 2014. The reason I made it public was for one thing – the map. It shows all the views per country and that was really an odd feeling. I didn’t expect views from Russia, Norway, Thailand,��and many others. India coming in with as many as it did, I think I know who to thank for.
I’m very nearly done writing ‘Backstabbers and Believers’, if I can continu
e to write at the pace I have been for the past few days – it will only take a couple more to finish��the fifth novel. Of course, no rest for the wicked, number six will be started the very next day and maybe a short story snuck in there as well.
The anthology, ‘Blondes, Books, & Bourbon’ has been sent to layout and I’m excited about seeing and ARC soon. I’m also hoping that those who want, and get a copy, to review, find it lives up to the great��feedback��that ‘Tomorrow Wendell’ got.
If you are in need of a Jonathan Alvey fix, and have yet to pick up Xchyler’s��paranormal anthology ‘Legends & Lore’, I recommend you do. Not only is my��White Dragon Black story in it, there are many other tales worth reading. As always, if you have read a book – mine or any one else’s – leaving a review is a wonderful way to thank an author. Leave it on the purchase site, Goodreads, FB, your own blog, everywhere and anywhere – just help them know they’re work is appreciated.
Filed under: MIscellaneous, Publishing, Writing Tagged: anthology, Backstabbers & Believers, Blondes Books & Bourbon, current work in progress, Jonathan Alvey, Legends and Lore, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, readers, short story, Tomorrow Wendell, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, writing, Xchyler Publishing
New Novel !
Hourglass Heights
Author: Ian David Noakes
Genre: Erotic, Horror, Thriller
Word Count: 277 pages
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.
Synopsis:
Who is brutally murdering the male residents of the Hourglass Heights apartment complex? At first glance, it would appear that their spouses are the killers, but Detective Marcia Tanaka believes that a serial killer is responsible.
���Through the course of her investigation, Detective Tanaka is pulled into a world of Japanese folklore and the supernatural as she explores the darker side of relationships, sex and psyche. She must learn to defeat her own personal demons before she can defeat one that is far more sinister.
Hourglass Heights combines the mystery and suspense of a supernatural murder investigation with the intense sexual exploration usually found only in erotica.
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
About the Author
Ian David Noakes is a former projectionist who now loves writing stuff: funny stuff like Partners In Crime; Scary stuff like Hourglass Heights. And even serious stuff like Tables Turned.
As Ian had too much time on his hands with only his wife, five children, screenwriting, novel writing and Mocha drinking trips to Starbucks, he decided to train to become a behavorial therapist too.
Ian started writing his debut novel, Hourglass Heights, during the of summer of 2012 after producers were complimenting his ���dynamic writing style��� year after year, writing that would never be read more than a handful of times in a window-less office.
He completed it a year later, but during the publishing process he completed two novellas (Partners In Crime, Tables Turned), as well as his second novel, The Ancient Lawman.
Hourglass Heights has been nominated for the People���s Book PrizeTM in the U.K., and it is also a contender for the National Book Awards.
Oh, Ian also loved this review: ���Noakes knows his way around words and paints a brilliant, dark world where creatures of the night become all too real.���
–MIKE J. HULTQUIST – Author/Screenwriter (Victim, Squeal: Blood Harvest and Arena – starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kellan Lutz)
Official Facebook Page | Amazon Author Central | Official Website | Blog | Twitter
Join the Hourglass Heights Facebook event to talk with the author, Ian about his novel.
Stay and chat for some chances to win signed paperbacks and some exclusive Hourglass Heights swag on February 1st 2015
Event takes place at Noon US Central and 6pm UK time HERE.
Sign up for the Hourglass Heights Blog Tour HERE Jan 12th to Feb 12th 2015
Filed under: Book Release, Writing Tagged: erotica, Hourglass Heights, Ian David Noakes, murder, New Novel, supernatural
December 29, 2014
For a Balanced Diet
So after yesterday’s post, I thought I’d better update and share today’s happenings so far – for balance.
The truck did, eventually start. First tried starting it at��a little��past 1 pm and finally turned the engine��over at around 6:30 pm. I then drove��along the verge of the field next door to toss all the wood in the back of the truck over the fence by the furnace.��I managed to empty the bed and was pulling away and a branch from a dead shrub at the fence row was snagged on my mirror – it thwaped loose …
only to spring back and shatter the��driver’s side mirror.
I got out and collected up the few pieces on the grass and then pulled the rest out of the frame. Unsure I had got all of the pieces however, I cut hard to the right and into the field to avoid running over any…
and got stuck in the mud.
Put after putting the truck in over-drive and some careful rocking, I managed to make a turn across the field back onto the verge and back into my drive way.
The truck��was good the entire rest of the trip, into the city, even though we made three separate stops each for over an hour.
This afternoon, my wife had an appointment in town. Truck started as per usual and – so far- has gotten her to all the errands she was running.
I got a good writing session in this morning, with over 1600 word in the fifth novel ‘Backstabbers & Believers’. Finished up a section, connecting it to some previously written scenes. I can move forward now and an maybe even start allowing thought of the sixth novel to bubble. Okay – better not push it.
I also got the edited forward back from my editor, and after making one tiny change returned it. I think ARCs are coming soon (Advance Reader Copies).
Also, I got an email from a reviewer turned fan (in India) – I had mailed her a��single page, cut to fit inside ‘Tomorrow Wendell’ and signed by me. She has received it and was grateful – that put a smile on my face.
So all in all things have worked out not too bad. Of course, this is me, and my life so I will admit it — I’m really half expecting the other show to drop. I hope it waits for a couple months (but no where near the Ad Astra Convention)
Filed under: Writing Tagged: anthology, Backstabbers & Believers, blog reviewer, Brain, crazy, cycle, fan, frustration, heat, India, Jonathan Alvey, Mental Health, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, scene, short story, signature, Tomorrow Wendell, truck, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, wife, wood, writing, Xchyler Publishing
December 28, 2014
Really – Please – Just Stop Messing With Me
Christmas Eve was the get together with my mother-in-law, brother-in-law and his family. The truck had run that morning, as I had gone and filled up the tank, but, when I tried to turn it over later that afternoon to go to the gathering … nothing. She wasn’t turning over.
My mother-in-law’s boyfriend (the most patient man on earth) came and got us and brought us to his place, where the gathering was to occur.
As we had to be at my family’s place the following day we borrowed my mother-in-laws van to get home that night and to use on Christmas if the truck wouldn’t start.
Christmas morning I tried to start the truck and – no problem. No reason that we could figure except maybe the gas I had got was old/dirty/ and that was the problem. We returned the van and headed to Windsor. After a few hours at my parents we went to go home. The truck was a little reluctant to start, as it had been sitting in the cold, but turn over she did.
Yesterday, I took the truck into town to pick up my prescription and grab a few essentials. She started ever time with little effort. Today — you guessed it. No go. No rhyme or reason, just won’t turn over.
And what is today?
Today is the get together of my father-in-laws side. This includes the visit to the grandfather-in-law who is in his nineties and the father-in-law who lives in the States.
But Wait – There’s more!
This evening is also the vapemeet in the city. A once a month occasion I really look forward to and when I restock my supplies.
I am generally doing well this season with my cycle, but this sort of pressure and annoyance threatens to spill me over into the bad spiral oh so quickly.
Excuse me – I have to go crank the key, pray to the gods of machinery, and hopefully not bang my head off a steering wheel anymore than I already have.
Filed under: Mental Health, MIscellaneous Tagged: cycle, family, frustration, mental health issues, truck, winter
December 21, 2014
Chasing My Tale
I’m trying to make sure I write everyday. Somedays I am a complete failure, somedays I do quite well. This morning I wrote over a thousand words but yesterday I barely wrote seven hundred. I am so close to the end of the fifth WDB novel. ‘Backstabbers & Believers’ now. I am ready to draw this one to a close. I am always ready by this point in the game. It’s not that I dislike the story, or even grow tired of it. After months working in the same department I just get to wanting to have a break maybe try another position.
There is also my Muse – by this point I am either chasing a short story, or just finishing one, so I can get back to the novel. In this��case, she has given me what I need to start the next novel. So inside me, the sixth book is growing,the idea getting traction, and the images intruding.
I need to make sure the ending is right, so I can’t really afford to be distracted and yet… So I am trying to be a firm but understanding boss to myself. I must finish that novel – there is a dead line – and it is the point where the next novel leaps out, onto the screen, without sparing a glance at the ‘old’ novel.
Working for The Man can be tough – but working for That Woman….
Filed under: Writing Tagged: Backstabbers & Believers, current work in progress, Jonathan Alvey, muse, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, short story, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, world building, writing
