R.M. Ridley's Blog, page 22

Tom does not believe in magic.For a thousand years, t...

Tom does not believe in magic.

For a thousand years, the Prophecy of Elfhaven has predicted the arrival of a boy who would irrevocably change their world. But what does that have to do with Tom? with his dog Max? with his robot Chloe? When Tom’s mom and her team of scientists unexpectedly open a portal to another universe they discover a world where magic, not science rules. And when Tom’s robot, Chloe, is drafted into service to explore that strange new world, it unleashes a bizarre series of events. Events where dragons, wizards, ogres, trolls, elves, dwarves, magic and technology collide; events that propel Tom headlong towards a war that threatens to destroy Elfhaven. Even with the help of his new-found friends, and despite the efforts of his new-found enemies, can Tom save this world or will he inadvertently bring about its destruction?

 

 

Juanita turned to one of her scientists. “Sashi, how are the readings shaping up this morning?”

“We’ve confirmed the entry and exit particle count and as before, it’s greater than the simulations predict,” replied Sashi.

“Strange, and there’s been a steady rise in energy levels?” said Juanita absently.

“Yes, as you know, the first six months that we were monitoring, the rate of energy entering our universe remained fairly constant. This morning I was reviewing the logs and I noticed that three nights ago, Monday at exactly 11:27 pm, there was a sudden spike in the energy flow. It quickly fell back down but ever since it’s been steadily increasing. And in the last few hours it’s increased almost exponentially.”

“What power setting are we currently running at?”

“Power is at 50 percent. We just upped it to that level last week,” confirmed Sashi.

Juanita paused. “OK, let’s try bumping it up to 60 percent. The simulations show favorable results at that level.” Then turning to her son, she said, “Tom, you might find this interesting.”

Sashi pushed a large slider lever up a few notches. “Power levels at 60 percent.” At that moment there was a faint tremor accompanied by a sort of crackling noise. “Particle transfer rate has multiplied—by a thousand percent!” Sashi looked up at Juanita, shocked.

The others all stopped what they were doing and turned to face them. Juanita glanced at each of them in turn, then asked, “Any idea what could be causing this?” No one spoke. After a moment’s consideration, she continued, “Increase power to 75 percent.”

Sashi hesitated, then turned back to her control panel. She moved the slider lever once more. “Power at 75 percent.” Another stronger shudder occurred; this time accompanied by tiny green sparks that highlighted the edges of the detection grid, all the way to the floor.

“The model doesn’t predict anything like this,” blurted Cheng.

“I know we can’t explain this… It’s behaving far differently than anything we’ve seen before.” Juanita paused. “But—we may not get another chance like this.”

Suddenly she turned to face her son. “I’m not expecting any problems, honey, but I don’t want to take any chances, either. Would you please go out and wait for me in the hall?”

“But, Mom!”

“No ‘but Moms!’ Now go!” Tom turned and took a couple of steps toward the door, then he stopped and looked back. His mom was again facing the sensor panel; all eyes were on her. She let out a long sigh, then said to Sashi, “Increase to full power.” Tom continued to watch.

“Wait!” cried Cheng, “this is way beyond any of the models’ predictions. We’re flying blind here. Shouldn’t we power back down and analyze the data first? See if we can figure out what’s wrong with our model? Then see what it predicts once we’ve fixed the model?”

Juanita paused. “Do we all agree that even at a hundred percent power we are way below the threshold that could tear a hole into another universe?” There were nods from all the scientists. “And do we also agree that this may be a singular event, that something in our universe, or in the other universe, is aligned in such a way that—whatever is happening, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence? If we don’t try it now, we may never get another chance.” The scientists looked nervously at one another.

“I won’t go on without complete agreement. How many are in favor of raising the power to a hundred percent?”

Gradually, everyone except Cheng raised their hands. Cheng looked over at his co-workers uneasily. One by one, his eyes met each of theirs, lingering longest on Juanita’s. Finally he took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand.

“All right, then. We’re all in agreement.”

Sashi looked at Juanita, who gave her a slight nod. Glancing once more at her teammates, Sashi slowly turned back to her console. Using both hands this time, she pushed the lever all the way to the top. “Power levels at…” Before she could finish her statement there was a loud “whoomp.” The sparks intensified; momentarily dancing around the edges of the detection grid, they swiftly expanded into a solid green sheet of light pouring from the whole space outlined by the sensor array. Slowly a blurry scene of another world appeared. After a moment, the image stabilized and the green light faded, except for a few traces around the edges of the grid. Alien-looking trees and shrubs came into focus. Their bark had deep furrows running parallel to each branch and trunk. Where the branches attached to the trunks, they were bigger and rounder, giving the eerie appearance of muscles. What made it look even stranger was the fact that, near the ends of the branches, many tiny twigs emerged in a fan pattern, resembling fingers. The twigs moved slightly, as if blown by a gentle breeze. At least—Tom hoped that was why they were moving…

Several scientists gasped.

“This should not be happening! These power levels are only a fraction of the energy needed to punch a hole into another universe!” Juanita paused, then as if to herself said, “Unless—unless there’s something on the other side—something that’s…” Sensing all eyes on her, waiting for her to decide what to do next, she said, “Quick, we don’t know how long the portal will stay open. Let’s send through some sensors; gather some data about the other world. We need temperature and barometric sensors, a gas sensor, a spectrometer, plus seismic and gravitational sensors.”

“But we aren’t prepared,” blurted Cheng. “We’d need a mobile transport platform to carry the sensors over and to broadcast the results back.”

Tom ran up behind his mom and pulled her sleeve.

“Can we rig up a radio onto each piece of equipment, then throw them through the portal?” said Juanita hurriedly.

Leroy responded, “We don’t have enough radios and it would take too long to configure them all. Besides, they might be damaged by just throwing them through.”

Once again Tom pulled on his mother’s sleeve, “Mom?”

Juanita, still looking at the incredible alien scene before her, and with a hint of irritation in her voice said, “Not now, Tom. Can’t you see this is critical?”

Then she noticed that the others were looking past her, so she followed their gaze. They were looking at Tom, who was pointing straight down—at Chloe.

“Leroy, you round up the sensors. I’ll configure a radio to interface with them. Sashi, you figure out how to attach all this gear to the robot. Tom, you instruct Cheng on how to run Chloe.” The team scrambled to accomplish their individual tasks and twenty frantic minutes later, they had completed the final tests. Chloe was heavy with the car battery and with all the new equipment attached to her, but with some effort, Cheng aimed her straight for the portal.

“We don’t know whether the electromagnetic spectrum in the other universe, is compatible with ours, or even if the portal will pass the radio signals through. This is definitely a long shot, but it could advance scientific knowledge by a hundred years if we succeed. We have to try!” Juanita turned toward her son and her face assumed a serious look. Bending over she placed her hands on his shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. “You realize we may not be able to bring Chloe back, don’t you? We don’t even know if we can control her once she’s through the portal.”

“That’s OK, Mom. I understand.” To his robot he said, “We’re counting on you, Chloe.” Then he nodded at Cheng.

Juanita smiled, kissing her son on the forehead, then turned back to the others. “OK, one small step for mankind…” Then to Cheng said, “Punch it, Chewy!”

Cheng glanced sidelong at Juanita, shook his head, then typed in a command on the controller. Chloe took off fast—a little too fast—heading straight for the portal. Three feet, two feet, one foot away—even moving this fast, when Chloe reached the portal it seemed as if she slowly dissolved from front to back, then she disappeared entirely. For a tense couple of seconds everyone held their breath… Suddenly Chloe reappeared on the other side, moving fast, headed straight for a tree.

“Stop!” cried Tom. Cheng’s fingers flew across the tiny keyboard, but nothing happened. Cheng typed again and again, and at the last moment, Chloe slowed, then stopped just inches before hitting the tree.

Cheers rang out.

Juanita let out a deep sigh. “OK, do we have an uplink to the instruments?”

Leroy replied, “Carrier signal is strong, and… yes I’m receiving data from barometric and gas sensors… and yes, from the others as well. Barometric pressure at 30.1 inches of mercury; well within the normal range for Earth. Slightly higher oxygen levels and slightly lower carbon dioxide and nitrogen levels, but it looks remarkably similar to Earth’s atmosphere!”

“What about seismic anomalies?”

“Only minor tremors, possibly active volcanoes on the planet, but none nearby.”

“Temperature readings?”

“Reading 28 degrees Celsius, 301 degrees Kelvin, also Earth-like.”

“Spectral analysis?” asked Juanita, with barely contained excitement evident in her voice.

“Spectral analysis shows—mostly a semi-normal elemental breakdown but—there’s something… They have the same number of protons and electrons as our atoms, but the atomic weight is different, implying they have a different number of neutrons. Thus their signature doesn’t match any known elements… from our universe, that is.”

“Interesting… Any idea if the differences would cause any problems for humans?”

“We’d need to do a thorough analysis to know for sure.”

“Hum,” said Juanita aloud. She thought for a moment. “As much as I’d like to, we can’t risk sending someone through. At least not until we’ve done the analysis.”

“But…” began Sashi, who was cut off immediately as another tremor rocked the building. This one was stronger than the last. Supplies began falling off shelves. The lights flickered.

“I’m losing the carrier signal!” yelled Leroy.

Juanita paused only a second. “Bring Chloe back.”

Cheng typed in a command and Chloe turned around to face them. “She’s responding sluggishly.”

At that same instant there was a crackling sound and green sparks appeared at the edges of the grid. Smoke was coming from somewhere and Tom’s eyes began to water.

“Hit the red button!” yelled Tom to Cheng. Cheng hesitated an instant, then slapped his hand down hard on the button. Chloe took off straight for the portal.

Juanita pointed and yelled, “Tom, get behind that cabinet!” She turned to the others. “Are we losing power?”

“No,” shouted Sashi, “power is holding steady at a hundred percent.”

“Then why…” but before Juanita could finish her thought, there was a loud “whoosh” and the green light surrounding the portal shrank to a single bright dot, which lazily danced around the center for a moment, then winked out with a soft “pop.” All that remained was a wisp of smoke and the slight tangy odor of ozone.

Everyone just stared in shock. The last thing Tom remembered was seeing Chloe’s LED “eyes” looking forlornly across the gulf at him. Now Chloe was stuck on the other side…

After a few moments, Juanita spoke, “Make sure we back up all the data. We’ll be analyzing it for some time to come.” She looked around the room at all the faces. Expressions of excitement, wonder, disappointment, triumph, and sadness were evident all around her. Finally her eyes settled on Tom as he stepped out from behind a cabinet. A tear ran down his cheek.

“Oh Tom,” she hurried over and knelt down in front of him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

“Tom, I’m so sorry about Chloe. This was an amazing breakthrough, though. You know we couldn’t have done it without her, right?”

“I know,” began Tom, trying to choke back a tear, “it’s just that—I guess—I didn’t really expect to lose her.”

“Oh, Tom.” She lowered her gaze for a moment. “But you still have James, and Max, right? And there’s always Uncle Carlos and me.”

Tom wiped the remnants of the tear from his cheek and stood up tall. His mom grinned and ruffled his hair.

A slight smile crossed his face.

“Honey, would you mind if I stayed awhile and did some work? There’s a lot to be done. I’ll call Uncle Carlos and see if he can take you home.”

“That’s alright, Mom. I’d like to stay.”

Juanita nodded, then stood and addressed her team. “Everyone, in case it hasn’t sunk in yet: we’ve just made history here this evening. You should all feel proud of what you’ve accomplished. We weren’t expecting or prepared for any of this. It took quick thinking and fast coordinated teamwork, but you pulled it off. And as a result, the world will never be the same.”

As the team pondered her words, recognition dawned on their faces as they realized what they’d actually accomplished, and what that would mean for mankind.

Juanita looked from face to face. “I know it’s late, but I’m sure you feel as eager to analyze this new data as I am.” The scientists nodded enthusiastically.

“Great! Sashi, you verify that the instruments were still transmitting when the portal collapsed. Leroy, take a look at the data for the time period leading up to the portal opening. Say—the last hour or so. See if you can spot anything unusual. Cheng, go over the sensor readings we got back from the planet. Start working on a simulation to see if the planet could support human life. I’ll take a look at our current model and try to figure out why it didn’t predict this event.” Before she could say another word, her team rushed off to tackle their individual assignments. Juanita glanced around the room—excitement shone brightly on everyone’s faces. She smiled as she briskly walked to her workstation.* * *

Chloe raced forward but the portal collapsed in a shower of green sparks before she could reach it. Speeding through the space where the portal had just been, she stopped at the edge of the clearing. Her platform slowly rotated around in a full circle. She let out a forlorn chirp. Suddenly the sound of footsteps thundered from off to her left. Chloe turned toward the sound. The crashing footfalls grew louder. Chloe backed up under cover of a large tree. A moment later a dark beast with huge muscles and natural rock-like armor came crashing into the clearing, then abruptly stopped, its beady eyes scanning the area. Chloe stood still. The creature raised its head and sniffed the musty humid air, looking right, then left. It took a step toward the robot. As it did, it brushed a small tree with its forearm. Twigs from the tree quickly wrapped around the beast’s muscular arm, then seemed to tighten. Idly the creature snapped its arm away, uprooting the tree then flung it off without even looking. Sniffing the air once more, it quickly turned and stomped away. Chloe’s platform rotated slightly, her LEDs pointing in the direction that the beast had gone. She made another weak chirp.

 

For author inspiration: The flight of the Valkyrie www.youtube.com/watch?v=V92OBNsQgxU

Tom’s favorite song is: enjoys the theme from Harry Potter: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCNHVMIYqiA

Avani (13 year old elven girl, head strong, magically gifted) enjoys Radioactive by Imagine Dragons www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s

Goban (a dwarf lad, always hungry, speaks hip-hop) also drools when he hears: My Songs Know What You Do In The Dark by Fall Out Boy www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s

Kiran’s (8 year old precocious elf lad. Avani’s younger brother) favorite song: The theme song from Lord of the Rings www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMInqyumZ3I

Prince Devraj (15 year old conceited elf boy who’s engaged to Avani) is enthralled by the Main Theme from Aliens by Ivan De Jesus: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-jGrL7U09Y

Bellchar (The troll) enjoys smashing elves while listening to: “You Don’t Dream in Cryo” (Avatar) by James Horner www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hus7Iv47YwE

Naagesh (Evil Wizard) works his favorite spells while humming: the theme from the Disney flick “Maleficent” http://www.mtv.com/news/1721247/lana-del-rey-maleficent-soundtrack/

Larraj (Good Wizard) likes to relax to the theme from The Hobbit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=giZrnHDQpRA

Max (Tom’s enormous, slobbering St Bernard) happily drools whenever he hears: “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang (Probably because it was in one of the “Beethoven” movies.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

Juanita (Tom’s mom. A brilliant theoretical physicist who is trying to prove the existence of parallel universes) works out to the theme from Stargate SG1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5F_PIm5vR4

Professor Snehal (Grumpy, sniveling magic teacher) thinks he could sing better than Snape in: “The Snape Song” by Kayla Kreger: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi6BpwSfqoU

King Dakshi (King of the elves of Elfhaven) listens to “The Best of Robin Hood 2010 (Original Soundtrack)” www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GMHzge6c-I as he goes into battle!

 

Bellchar is a critically acclaimed author in Elfhaven. That’s in a parallel universe, for those of you who don’t know. Obviously, Bellchar is a rock troll. As this is his first novel published on the planet Earth, and due to the fact that there appears to be strong and continued prejudice against rock trolls on this planet, Bellchar has wisely decided to publish on Earth using a “quill name.” The author has chosen to write under the name of a human who befriended him some years back, K. M. Doherty. The two first met when, due to an unfortunate series of mishaps, Bellchar journeyed to the planet Earth. But that’s another story…

K. M. Doherty

K. M. Doherty grew up in eastern Oregon in the shadow of the blue mountains. When he was a young lad he and his dad would stay up late at night watching old movies. But watching movies wasn’t enough. No, they’d painstakingly analyze them, searching here and there for little bits that didn’t work, and then discussing how they could fix them. Perhaps a bit of foreshadowing here, getting a character to stay in character there, adding or removing clues, etc… They especially loved mysteries and who-done-it’s, trying to figure out ahead of time who the real murderer was and what they did wrong that got them caught! Likewise with heist movies: how the crooks screwed up and how they could have gotten away with it. That was the catalyst that finally led to writing this book. However there were a few detours along the way. For instance, skiing, motorcycling, playing lead guitar in a rock and roll band, aikido, tai chi, acting, drawing, a master’s degree in engineering, working for a time as a hardware and software engineer, racing small sailboats, poker, and pool. Lastly, he loves to read science fiction and fantasy novels and he’s seen way too many movies…

 

 

 

 

July 25:

Mythical Books – Interview

Jennifer Martinez Author – Excerpt

July 26:

Kay Lalone – Review

July 27:

Black Hippie Chick Reviews - Playlist

July 28:

Sweet Treat Reading Reviews – Spotlight

July 29:

Books, Brownies and Barkers – Review

R.M. Ridley – Spotlight

July 30:

Mousiey’s Blog – Review

July 31:

Andrea Buginsky Author – Spotlight

Reading for Fun – Excerpt

Filed under: Book Release Tagged: K. M. Doherty, novel, Prophecy of Elfhaven, Thomas Holland

Clawing my Way to Routine

Today was better than yesterday. The words came easier, the flow was smooth and constant, and really, I only stopped writing because my Muse stopped whispering. Without her murmurs in my ear, I’m not a writer, I’m a guy staring at a cursor.

But I nearly doubled my output from yesterday, and got in the minimum words count I’m happy accepting with 1000 words – actually it was 1076, but whose counting.

Interestingly, the last thing my Muse had me write was, in it’s own way, a message to me. It made me realize that there is a part, a ‘thing’, that is important to the unfolding of the the series. It is one of the threads that connects all the books one to the other, if read in chronological order.  I haven’t added this thread to the last novel, Corrupted Souls… and really need to put a small reference to it in the third novel, Nine of Cups.

So I made note of it in my ‘bible’ where I keep all notes and thoughts for each book and the series on a whole. I’m not sure how I’m going to get it in there – but I’m sure it will come to me as I do the edits. That’s what edits are for. I mean, I completely rewrote one of the last chapters in Tomorrow Wendell during the final edit stage so I’m not panicking.

In fact, find out this revelation has stoked my creative coals, making my mind burn brighter. My mind burning hotter often helps melt away the issues that plague it – this cycle will end soon I predict.

So I’m back on the right path and things are looking pretty good

Now I need to get back to editing too.

Filed under: Writing Tagged: Corrupted Souls, current work in progress, cycle, edits, Jonathan Alvey, muse, Nine of Cups, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, plot, Tomorrow Wendell, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, wierd thoughts, world building, writing

With a Sigh of Relief….

I put words on the screen.

Today, is the second in a row, that I have written before getting to my social media circus. I have only written a little – over 500 each day -but it is writing. It is a return to the ritual, and relaxation. It is a release of stress, and an grounding of my soul. I’m sliding back into what I do and who I am.

The fifth novel is slowly being brought back to life, not only on the screen but in my mind. I have stopped searching for review blogs. I have stopped being totally obsessed with number of reviews, and comments on Goodreads or Amazon, and I am stepping out from under that umbrella of marketing.

I still check, I still hope, I still want people to notice ,and hopefully, get my novel. I’m still promoting, and thinking of ways to get new eyes on it, but that is a part of my day – not all of it.

With this stepping away, and the renewal of  my Muse’s interest in what I’m doing, I can hope to feel myself again.

It is July and I always have a cycle in July. It lasts a few weeks and it is not devastating, but the focus slithers away and the illogical anger swells to fill the void. It’s just part of my life – it is what it is. I have severe bipolar disorder and a couple others as well to make sure it doesn’t feel lonely, I guess.

But writing is what helps me hold on to those parts of my brain not in total rebellion. Transferring the images in my mind to words on the screen is what soothes the beast and keeps me ticking. So I admit, it’s not just good to be writing again because I’m a writer, or because I’m at the end of my ability to carry the marketing umbrella, it’s good to be writing because it makes everyday a little easier to live through.

Hey, I’m a writer, you got to be a little crazy to do this.

Filed under: Mental Health, Writing Tagged: amazon, bipolar, goodreads, Marketing, reviews, writer, writing

You Know I’m Being Good – Right?

I could be spamming the internet with quotes and comments praising my work from twitter to Timbuktu but I made a vow to myself that I wouldn’t. I try to go every other day on Twitter and limit the number of review quotes to two, I announce the new ones, with a bit of a quote, on  Fb.  And I’ve tried to keep this site fairly clean.

I’m not perfect and a day is surly approaching when I snap and post review quotes on here again – or perhaps link to another blog that has done  a review.

Should I do the latter, should I post a link to another blog sit, do me a favour…. go there. That’s it.

You don’t have to read it all, or leave comments, but it would mean a great deal if you went and had a little look around.

Why? Because if I link to a blog site that has posted a review, they have done me a great favour (even if the hate the novel) in reading my novel and writing their thought. The least I can do in return is to ask that new eyes be cast on their site for a a few moments. I bet that you will find a number of the sites fun, informative, and worth following.

So I’m going to say thank you in advance, for doing me that little favour. You are a great reader!

 

Filed under: MIscellaneous Tagged: blog, blog sites. blog reviewers, book reviewers, Tomorrow Wendell, twitter

Of Rewrites and Reviews

This fall, Xchyler is releasing their new paranormal anthology, the theme of which is ‘Mr.& Mrs. Myth’ and I have a short story titled ‘Charon’s Obol’ in it.

I’m delighted because I had a blast last year being a part of ‘Shades and Shadows’. If you are a writer, especially one still trying to ‘make their mark’, I recommend keeping an eye on Xchyler. They really know how to put together an anthology, and while professional, are great fun to work with.  They also do more than just paranormal, so that opens it up enough that maybe you can find your ‘In’.

My short story, as no one who reads this blog will be surprised to find out, is in the White Dragon Black series. But I’m having to do rewrites (actually more additions than rewrites) on the beginning. I failed to introduce Jonathan Alvey quite as well as my publisher would like, for new readers to the series. A valid point, so I started working on that.

Working on that consisted of running the opening scene over, and over, in my head while I did other things – like search for review blogs that might be willing to review Tomorrow Wendell. Roughly three hours of checking out blog, after blog, and emailing all those that I think the reviewer could honestly be interested in my work.

Three weeks I’ve been looking at review blogs: averaging thirty or more blogs visited, ten or more emails sent out, and two requests received every day. I consider that a good return.

So Saturday, once I had finished my afternoon of blog searching, I opened up ‘Charon’s Obol’ and allowed the little bits and pieces that my brain had percolated from my subconscious into forebrain, out onto the screen. It’s probably not quite there yet – I sent it to my editor to get some feed back, some direction – and I expect it will come back with exactly that.

I expect this because the editors at Xchyler are very much, all about making the writing the strongest it can be while still making it all the writer’s voice, words, and creativity. As a writer, I not only appreciate that respect, but I appreciate the challenge it represents as well.

I want this story to be strong. Of course I do… it’s mine. But also, it is the third published in the series, a series I”m trying to build and secure in the ‘real’ world. A series, I want to draw readers into and have them fall in love with. And yes – I want it to be strong, because the reviewers I’m trying so hard to the attention of, they will start getting those reviews out just a bit ahead of the release of the Anthology, they will continue to come out around the release of the anthology, and still be coming just a little after.

It’s good marketing. I had nothing to do with it. I got in the anthology on writing merit, not marketing (Xchyler anthology submissions are anonymous and graded on many points to find the strongest stories) but that doesn’t mean I”m not going to take advantage of any marketing edge I can.

I’m a brand new writer that wants to be around a decade from now – darn tooting, I’m going to do what I can to make sure that’s true. And the best way to do that – get this rewrite done right.

Filed under: Book Release, Publishing, Writing Tagged: anthology, Charon's Obol, current work in progress, editor, edits, Jonathan Alvey, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, plot, publish, readers, review blogs, reviews, short story, Tomorrow Wendell, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black Series, world building, writer, writing, Xchyler Publishing

Prime the Machine – We’re Going Forward

Yesterday evening I attended the on-line meeting for the author’s of  Xychler’s upcoming paranormal anthology. As this was my second such meeting, and third meeting covering how the editing system and such are laid out (which is actually quite smart and helpful) I admit I was a bit… silly.

I couldn’t help myself, my fingers were typing away, being naughty, before I even knew I should be reigning them in. Luckily, the people at Xchyler are good natured, fun, and allow for the fact that authors are crazy. As long as you do the work, on time, then you can pass notes in class.

I was looking forward to being in this anthology right from the moment I submitted my story. Being a part of the last anthology was not only fun, but it was …impressive. From the team helping to better my writing, to the final result of a collections of great stories – it was a good time.

I know this one will be just as fun and just as impressive a collection. Last night, we all got to give a short intro to what our stories were about – and I’m now really looking forward to the stage where we get to proof each other’s work , so I can read them.

My personal contribution – ‘Charon’s Obol’ – is a White Dragon Black story, which, chronologically, falls shortly after ‘Tomorrow Wendell’.  I hope people like it, as much as they liked ‘The Cost of Custody‘  - the short story from last years Anthology ‘Shades and Shadows’.

It is, I admit, comforting to be back in the process. To once more be inside the machine, working to produce a quality piece. It is a feeling akin to the being home after a good but long vacation.

Filed under: Publishing, Writing Tagged: anthology, Charon's Obol, current work in progress, edits, Jonathan Alvey, muse, novel, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, Shades and Shadows: A Paranormal Anthology, short story, The Cost of Custody, Tomorrow Wendell, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black, writing, Xchyler Publishing

Needed a Base Line to Compare

So this morning I am home from watching my sisters cats. I went to sleep in my bed and woke up in same. I am back on track and following my schedule.

This is how I know that I am in the July cycle. I should be … it is the right time. My bipolar always flares up for a couple weeks in mid July, my thoughts turn jumbled, my anger becomes more irrational and closer to the surface, and my focus is torn between too many points.

I am already on my higher dose of medication. I started that a good number of weeks back now. Because of the higher meds levels, doing what they are supposed to, I couldn’t be sure if I was in side the vortex of my minds physical failing.

But now that everything is flowing as it should, from opening eyes to sitting down at my computer, I can feel  the discrepancies. I’m not surprised, worried, or distressed. I’m glad I know because now I can plan the next few days accordingly. Some projects will be right out , some I can do in short doses and some I can throw myself at.

This cycle never lasts too  long, and if I take a few days to just sit on the back deck, drink lemon and tonic water, watch the sun move across the sky – so be it

Filed under: Mental Health

They’re Letting Me Lose on the Public Again

So yesterday, my contract from Xchyler Publishing came – looking pretty official that there is going to be a new White Dragon Black story in the world. The public world, that is, there are more than a handful of short stories featuring Jonathan Alvey sitting on my hard drive. ‘Charon’s Obol’ will be the next published one story , coming in this fall’s paranormal anthology.

Once I get home and sign it, it will be all official. And yes, just because I’ve got a novel out with them doesn’t mean I don’t have to sign another contract. This isn’t the Bog Box Boys club.  I’m not signed on as  their slave for 4 years,  three novels, and two spots on morning radio. It is a contract per work sort of situation which is siting me just fine.

So before long i’m going to be knee deep in edits again … you’d think I’d learn.  But if nothing else can be said to be true about writers, this can – we are all masochists.

Filed under: Publishing, Writing Tagged: anthology, Charon's Obol, current work in progress, edits, Jonathan Alvey, muse, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, Shades and Shadows: A Paranormal Anthology, short story, Tomorrow Wendell, Urban Fantasy, White Dragon Black, writing, Xchyler Publishing

Have some respect …and brains!

So I’m getting responses from reviewers I’ve asked if they would be interested in my novel.

More than one have pointed out it could take up to two months before the review goes out – and do I still want to go forward with it?

This blows my mind – Do people actually say no?

Do authors think these people, doing them a favour, on their spare time, should read a book, write a review, and get it up all with-in a week?

If you are doing me a favour – you take a couple months. As far as I see it, that just means renewed interest for the book after the initial push.

Gad – I felt sorry enough for these people bombarded with requests, now I suspect I should twice as bad.

Filed under: MIscellaneous

So You Only Need One Attitude For All Phases?

It seems that it doesn’t matter what part of the process you are going through, as a writer (and I suspect in everything but since I deal with the real world so rarely I won’t press the point) you only need phase. One setting for the entire process from first word, on the first page, of the first book, to the last word, on the last page, of the last book.

Perseverance.

You have to just knuckle down and get to it. You just have to write if you are going to produce writing. You just set your feet and take the criticism and critique and learn from it. Then you set yourself down and write again – and write it better. You straighten your back and set in to the edits , never giving in – just getting it done.

This is the life of an author. Oh, we go though the range of emotion while creating and editing. We can be silly, serious, and supercilious but to actually do it – we all have the same one thing.

Perseverance.

Submitting your work and get rejected, if you don’t just send it out again, you’ll never get published. Once you’re picked up there are rules, editors, hoops, flaming bags of poop, and crowns of gold. You take it all, chin up, and soldier on. (actually my publishing experience was more along the lines of swing sets, strolls in gardens , the occasional attack by rapid dogs, and watching the fireflies – but then I got lucky)

You work hard on version, after version, by just knowing it has to be done and, in the long run, it will make your work and yourself a better. So you push that boulder up the hill and hope this time is stays on the top, and when it rolls back down the other side, you straighten your back, stretch your muscles, and put your shoulder to it again – because only one thing is going to get your work out there.

Perseverance.

So the novel is out there, you’ve struggled, sweat, and swore but it’s there. People are reading your works. So it’s over right?

No!  You don’t sleep, you don’t take a load off, you don’t rest on your laurels – you get marketing. And so I did.

And it seems the same thing that got me this far, is what will carry me through. I’ve spent hours looking through blog sites that review books, and at first I thought for sure it was a waste of time – nothing but a way to give myself a head ache. But just recently, the results of my elbow grease are showing.

Slowly at first, and more steadily from then, I have been getting responses. I have been getting emails saying – ‘Yes, I’ll review your novel’. I’m getting enthusiastic replies to my desperate plea’s, and my confidence and hope are carrying me through. I will get my novel out there because I have -

Perseverance.

Filed under: Book Release, Publishing, Writing Tagged: book reviews, edits, Marketing, review blogs, Tomorrow Wendell, writing, Xchyler Publishing