R.A. McCandless's Blog, page 53

Eww, Gross! Why Would I Want That!?

People who fight fire with fire
usually end up with ashes.
Abigail Van BurenOver the years, I’ve engaged with people I don’t know on issues where I wasn’t likely to change my mind, and found nothing but anger and vitriol.  Perhaps I’m getting old, but I no longer find the clash of insults and character assassination to be fun or worthwhile. 
Weird, huh?
With that in mind, I’ve made a pretty simple rule about social and political discussion with people I don’t know and probably won’t me...

Cover Mission—Hell Becomes Her

Live streaming feed.
No, really!Friends, Maltese, Countrymen and Countrywomen, City Folk—Habemus Teges!
We have a cover!
We also had an interesting development which I’m dying to share, but which I can’t confirm or deny at this point. The details aren’t worked out yet, so I don’t know what is or isn’t fact.  Always get the facts first.
I can tell you that I’m excited (no, Audrey, not that way!), and that if all goes according to plan (which it never does, right Chuck?), I could be announcing...

If You Aren't Going to Wrap it!

No shoes, no shirt, no problem!An friend asked if I’d had any bad experiences with sharing ideas on Facebook or other social media.  In short, she was asking if my “work” had been stolen.
Bad news, writers—Copyright law doesn’t protect an idea.
It never has.
Fortunately, ideas don't sell books.
For example, here’s all the ideas behind Hell Becomes Her :
Del, a half-angel, who didn’t think there was anything worse than angels, or their fallen kin, demons. She and her partner Marrin helped to k...

World Wide Statistics

I hear there's a new version of Jane Eyre in the offing!Blogger provides all kinds of interesting stats that can help inform the kind of blogging that is done.  Mostly, it’s not much of a surprise.  By far, those of us writing in English have a very large English-speaking audience. Malta, has been a long-time supporter.  I’m surprised, after actually meeting me, that Malta continues to maintain a special place in their heart.  Hi everyone!
But a few might surprise:
United St...

The Long, Long Haul

Pew! Pew! Pew!A fellow writer shared this link about another writer asking a third writer for advice about writing.  It starts to sound like a bad “three writers walk into a bar” joke, but it is funny when the second writer says, "Don't give me a pep talk!" and gets a pep talk.
The article is still full of good advice for writers.
When Tears of Heaven was accepted for publication about three years ago, I was cautiously optimistic and reasonably naive about a lot of things. I was, however,...

Is it Long Enough?

How big is big?Let’s get down to brass tacks right here, right now: How long should a chapterbe?
Simple—Long enough to get the job done.
[Insert your own clever double-entendre here.  I’ll wait.]
Even in our digital age of e-readers that automatically maintain your spot (excellent) chapters still have a purpose.  They give your author a point to sigh in exhaustion and relief, and celebrate with a well-deserved Scotch.  They also provide a (hopefully) natural break in the action fo...

Running Naked - No Headphones

Meh, I've run better.The chief obstacle of long-distance running, for long-distance runners, isn’t the distance, but the general boredom.  Once you’ve run one majestic, beautiful natural skyscape or urban wonderland, you’ve pretty much run them all.  The desert, the forest, the amber waves of grain—it becomes redundant as you rack up the miles (or kilometers, if you like to measure things the hard way).
During college, and competitive NCAA cross-country, I’d run in a group—mostly, th...

John Hennessy Reviews Eric Lahti's ARRISE

Some days it's hard to be one
of the henchmen!The MC, Steven, narrates both tales, and the first person narrative totally works. It's interesting to see in book one how he becomes of the Henchmen, and yet if you're expecting more of the same in Arise, yes you do get that, but so much more too.
There's greater character development in this second story, with the delectable Jessica taking more of a central role. She was introduced to readers in a rather unique way in book one, and her role is so...

Thor the Thunderer—If He Was Three

"Whosever holds this hammer, if he be worthy,
Shall posses the power of Nerf."My boys have a whole arsenal, nearly a weapon-take, of Nerf-themed swords, and shields.  I was so excited by the short-sword and shield combination that I taught my boys how to form a shield wall.  Two boys doesn’t make a very effective wall, but if Vikings ever storm the front room, my sons are prepared.
Among the treasure-trove or weapons we also have Nerf Mjolnir.  This was a gift from Tara and Dave,...

Xavi and (Imaginary) Crab Pond

Happy Friday.  It’s time to get your “aww” on with my youngest son, Xavi and his (imaginary) Crab Pond (as told through pictures and commentary).

Xavi stands by Crab Pond eating an apple. He is apprehensive because the crabs pinch which is why he's wearing his sandals in doors. Please note the fallen bear in the background!  This is important to the story.


Oh no!  Bear!  He's been pinched by the (imaginary) crabs from Crab Pond.  Xavi helps Bear and puts a (imagina...