Tyler Nals's Blog: Tyler Nals , page 2
January 1, 2015
Rawson's Fun House -- Updated Version
If any writers are reading this, then I'm sure you can relate to the following.
Rawson's Fun House is the first book I ever wrote. While I let my imagination fly, the writing isn't as polished as it is now.
Rawson's Fun House is a trilogy in one book, totaling 108,500 words. At first, I published it starting at Book II, but since it didn't make much sense, I opted to include Book I.
Currently, Rawson's Fun House has all three books in one: Discovery, No Exit, Running the Show.
Since Discovery was written well before the other ones, I fear the beginning could scare off some readers, but it's still fun, and I strongly feel that those who see the whole book through will be rewarded. Maybe some writers out there can relate.
I guess the ultimate point is that the story has a lot of nostalgic value for me.
Rawson's Fun House is the first book I ever wrote. While I let my imagination fly, the writing isn't as polished as it is now.
Rawson's Fun House is a trilogy in one book, totaling 108,500 words. At first, I published it starting at Book II, but since it didn't make much sense, I opted to include Book I.
Currently, Rawson's Fun House has all three books in one: Discovery, No Exit, Running the Show.
Since Discovery was written well before the other ones, I fear the beginning could scare off some readers, but it's still fun, and I strongly feel that those who see the whole book through will be rewarded. Maybe some writers out there can relate.
I guess the ultimate point is that the story has a lot of nostalgic value for me.
December 10, 2014
Wilting Steven
I’m currently writing Wilting Steven. Before I tell you what the story is about, I have something else to tell you that might pique your interest: There’s sex in it, mostly sexual fantasies that are played out in the protagonist’s mind. Okay, now that this little tidbit is out of the way, please allow me to tell you about Steven.
Steven is a loser, but he tries really hard not to be. Despite his continuous efforts to act and appear cool, when you’re a 45-year-old virgin with a belly, a receding hairline, and no job, you’re not cool. The faded black jeans from the early 1990s don’t help, either.
Despite Steven’s failed efforts at fitting in, he does possess an interesting skill. That skill is to look at a picture of a recent murder victim and see the murder scene play out through the victim’s eyes. He’s not 100% sure if this skill is real, but his gut tells him so. He attempts to help by going to the authorities, but they only see him as a suspect who put himself in the middle of an investigation for no reason. When attempting to help, Steven is rejected.
There are only two things that keep Steven going. One is Wendy, the librarian he covets. But he might be coming on a little too strong – the sexual fantasies he has about her every time he’s in her presence don’t help. She’s creeped out and shuns him. The other thing that keeps him going is changing his lifestyle.
Steven has no allies, and his four-decade approach of being a good guy is officially unsuccessful. Therefore, he must take a different road … a darker road. He doesn’t want to become like the murderers he sees in his visions, but he’s slowly tempted by the shadier side of life.
Steven is a loser, but he tries really hard not to be. Despite his continuous efforts to act and appear cool, when you’re a 45-year-old virgin with a belly, a receding hairline, and no job, you’re not cool. The faded black jeans from the early 1990s don’t help, either.
Despite Steven’s failed efforts at fitting in, he does possess an interesting skill. That skill is to look at a picture of a recent murder victim and see the murder scene play out through the victim’s eyes. He’s not 100% sure if this skill is real, but his gut tells him so. He attempts to help by going to the authorities, but they only see him as a suspect who put himself in the middle of an investigation for no reason. When attempting to help, Steven is rejected.
There are only two things that keep Steven going. One is Wendy, the librarian he covets. But he might be coming on a little too strong – the sexual fantasies he has about her every time he’s in her presence don’t help. She’s creeped out and shuns him. The other thing that keeps him going is changing his lifestyle.
Steven has no allies, and his four-decade approach of being a good guy is officially unsuccessful. Therefore, he must take a different road … a darker road. He doesn’t want to become like the murderers he sees in his visions, but he’s slowly tempted by the shadier side of life.
December 3, 2014
Relentless Dreamer
I’m a dreamer. My dream is that one day enough people will buy my books that I can focus solely on writing books. While readers seem to enjoy my books, I read some authors and I’m blown away. So, I know I’m not at their level. However, something still tells me to keep writing. Considering my work history, I don’t really have much of a choice. That work history includes:
• Shoveling horse manure (lasted one summer)
• Delivering food from casual dining restaurants to homes (lasted three months until I drove into a flood and literally had to escape through the driver-side window and swim to the sidewalk)
• Selling “Fine China, crystal, flatware; and seven-ply, surgical, stainless cookware.” (I had no idea what I was talking about, and I made $3,000 in one year)
• Taught soccer for two months (no soccer experience)
• Attempted to sell copy machines (sold zero)
• Delivered bottled water (one day)
• Delivered frozen food (one day)
• Ran Madden tournaments in a bowling alley (lost money)
• Worked in a Wall St. boiler room (one day – felt guilty)
• Sold sports picks for crooks who admitted they had no idea what they were doing (one day – felt guilty)
• Worked for telemarketing company selling fertilizer to farmers (one day – a farmer threatened to shoot me with his rifle)
• Walked around neighborhood passing out flyers for pet-sitting service when 100 degrees (one day)
• Owned a movie-themed website (sold it for just $1,700 after one year)
• Finally had a great job writing finance articles, but got greedy and moved to higher-paying company, which soon after gave me a promotion, then laid me off.
• Now, here I am … still dreaming.
• Shoveling horse manure (lasted one summer)
• Delivering food from casual dining restaurants to homes (lasted three months until I drove into a flood and literally had to escape through the driver-side window and swim to the sidewalk)
• Selling “Fine China, crystal, flatware; and seven-ply, surgical, stainless cookware.” (I had no idea what I was talking about, and I made $3,000 in one year)
• Taught soccer for two months (no soccer experience)
• Attempted to sell copy machines (sold zero)
• Delivered bottled water (one day)
• Delivered frozen food (one day)
• Ran Madden tournaments in a bowling alley (lost money)
• Worked in a Wall St. boiler room (one day – felt guilty)
• Sold sports picks for crooks who admitted they had no idea what they were doing (one day – felt guilty)
• Worked for telemarketing company selling fertilizer to farmers (one day – a farmer threatened to shoot me with his rifle)
• Walked around neighborhood passing out flyers for pet-sitting service when 100 degrees (one day)
• Owned a movie-themed website (sold it for just $1,700 after one year)
• Finally had a great job writing finance articles, but got greedy and moved to higher-paying company, which soon after gave me a promotion, then laid me off.
• Now, here I am … still dreaming.
November 21, 2014
Poker Notes
After many edits, Poker Notes is finally complete. This isn’t a story, but a strategy book for current and aspiring poker players. It’s geared toward beginners, but intermediate and advanced players will pick up some crafty ideas as well.
While Poker Notes is a strategy book, it’s written in simple form, and it’s hopefully entertaining. I purposely avoided complicated poker terminology that would frustrate and confuse beginners. At the same time, some of the strategies offered are highly advanced. The goal was to make these strategies easy to understand and implement.
What makes this book different from other poker strategy books is that it offers an unorthodox approach to making money at the poker table. The most common philosophies are applied by millions of poker players today, leading to a zero-sum game in many situations. This book shows you how to tip the scales heavily in your favor.
I'm currently waiting on the cover. Poker Notes should be published in about one week -- give or take a few days.
While Poker Notes is a strategy book, it’s written in simple form, and it’s hopefully entertaining. I purposely avoided complicated poker terminology that would frustrate and confuse beginners. At the same time, some of the strategies offered are highly advanced. The goal was to make these strategies easy to understand and implement.
What makes this book different from other poker strategy books is that it offers an unorthodox approach to making money at the poker table. The most common philosophies are applied by millions of poker players today, leading to a zero-sum game in many situations. This book shows you how to tip the scales heavily in your favor.
I'm currently waiting on the cover. Poker Notes should be published in about one week -- give or take a few days.
November 12, 2014
Brilliant Misery
For any struggling writers out there, the short story below is for you:
Brilliant Misery
A jagged stone strikes my left cheek with a painful thud, its pointiest edge cutting through my skin to reveal my scarlet humanity. The voices are too many for an approximate count, but based on the endless hooting and hollering, there must be hundreds. No. Thousands! At least it’s impersonal. To be judged by many isn’t nearly as hurtful as being judged by one close to your heart.
“You’re a pathetic excuse for a human being,” a woman scorns.
I don’t look back to view her facial characteristics. Why should I? So I can be like her, judging without all the details? But I still imagine her face as drawn and pimply, her eyes drooping so low they secretly desire making love to her judgmental tongue. I can’t look back anyway; I’m doing my best to duck and weave to avoid the onslaught of rocks, trash, and foreign objects being thrown in my direction from both sides. All I can do is continue down this shameful narrow dirt path, searching for an escape that I feel is right but everyone else knows is wrong. Despite the narrow and straight path provided, I feel lost in this rat race often referred to as humanity.
“You should be supporting your family, you useless scum!” a man shouts from behind the veil of the crowd. “If you want to write stories, write your obituary!”
I lift my hand to my mouth and find my bottom lip sliced open and dripping blood. I don’t remember being hit in the mouth, but this has been such a lengthy journey of pain and false hope that I can’t recall all the jabs and harsh strikes.
“I’m so sorry, Nick!” my wife shouts from somewhere in the crowd to my right. I want to refocus my attention in that direction, but it’s clear she’s given up on me due to my failures. It’s understandable.
“Off with his head!” an eager man screams from the left. Once again, I don’t bother to investigate.
“A waste to society,” an elderly woman says plainly, as if she knows this to be an absolute fact.
A shirtless and obese man wearing creased trousers cuffed at the ankles rushes from the crowd and toward the path of my dismay, his belly and breast fat shaking more violently with each step. I should find it humorous, but it’s a frightening sight, more so when he clenches his fist and yanks it back in preparation for a forceful thrust to my gut. I lack the energy to defend the attack.
“Upph!” I utter involuntarily prior to spewing blood and saliva. I then drop to my knees in defeat.
The crowd roars in celebration as the obese man rushes across the path and escapes into the faceless and oh-so-human crowd. Hope is as evasive as love and warmth – until I spot a familiar object sitting at the end of the path.
The book has already been opened, but I feel like the blank pages want to hug me. The silver fountain pen beside the book possesses the most attractive figure I’ve ever seen. If I can make it there I’ll be safe, but I don’t know if I have the strength to crawl 10 yards on battered, bloodied, and ever-weakening hands and knees.
“Keep going,” a steady male voice whispers from the front of the crowd to my left. Despite it being a whisper, his voice is clear and crisp. It’s at this point I realize that everyone else in the crowd will eventually turn to dust with no legacy or meaning. And this time, I turn to peek at who possesses this calming voice.
His dark eyes stare back at me with hope and understanding. His black parted hair with one part heavily outweighing the other doesn’t fit today’s standards, but that’s what makes me trust him. The bags under his eyes indicate he’s passionate and hardworking. His black and greying mustache shows me he’s wise. And the white scarf covering his neck tells me he also fears being a victim. His black greatcoat hides any more clues about his identity, but that’s not a concern to me. I seek an ally, not a name that potentially provides a distant and frail link to acceptance.
Regardless of his identity, his presence provides me with enough strength to crawl to the open book. Why? Because he understands completely, and I suddenly feel as though I belong.
Once I arrive at those two blank and inviting pages, I pick up the silver fountain pen and stare back at the crowd. Everyone is now still and silent, watching me with great hope and anticipation.
“Take us away from our misery,” the mystery man states with calming persuasion. “Write us something brilliant.”
“I shall.”
The End
In case you missed it: He's lost because he's not a conformist and is judged by those who are. However, those same people need an escape from their miserable lives, which can be provided by the writer.
btw, you might recognize that ally in the crowd if you look closely.
More stories like this in Twisted Sick and Mindful of Tricks.
Brilliant Misery
A jagged stone strikes my left cheek with a painful thud, its pointiest edge cutting through my skin to reveal my scarlet humanity. The voices are too many for an approximate count, but based on the endless hooting and hollering, there must be hundreds. No. Thousands! At least it’s impersonal. To be judged by many isn’t nearly as hurtful as being judged by one close to your heart.
“You’re a pathetic excuse for a human being,” a woman scorns.
I don’t look back to view her facial characteristics. Why should I? So I can be like her, judging without all the details? But I still imagine her face as drawn and pimply, her eyes drooping so low they secretly desire making love to her judgmental tongue. I can’t look back anyway; I’m doing my best to duck and weave to avoid the onslaught of rocks, trash, and foreign objects being thrown in my direction from both sides. All I can do is continue down this shameful narrow dirt path, searching for an escape that I feel is right but everyone else knows is wrong. Despite the narrow and straight path provided, I feel lost in this rat race often referred to as humanity.
“You should be supporting your family, you useless scum!” a man shouts from behind the veil of the crowd. “If you want to write stories, write your obituary!”
I lift my hand to my mouth and find my bottom lip sliced open and dripping blood. I don’t remember being hit in the mouth, but this has been such a lengthy journey of pain and false hope that I can’t recall all the jabs and harsh strikes.
“I’m so sorry, Nick!” my wife shouts from somewhere in the crowd to my right. I want to refocus my attention in that direction, but it’s clear she’s given up on me due to my failures. It’s understandable.
“Off with his head!” an eager man screams from the left. Once again, I don’t bother to investigate.
“A waste to society,” an elderly woman says plainly, as if she knows this to be an absolute fact.
A shirtless and obese man wearing creased trousers cuffed at the ankles rushes from the crowd and toward the path of my dismay, his belly and breast fat shaking more violently with each step. I should find it humorous, but it’s a frightening sight, more so when he clenches his fist and yanks it back in preparation for a forceful thrust to my gut. I lack the energy to defend the attack.
“Upph!” I utter involuntarily prior to spewing blood and saliva. I then drop to my knees in defeat.
The crowd roars in celebration as the obese man rushes across the path and escapes into the faceless and oh-so-human crowd. Hope is as evasive as love and warmth – until I spot a familiar object sitting at the end of the path.
The book has already been opened, but I feel like the blank pages want to hug me. The silver fountain pen beside the book possesses the most attractive figure I’ve ever seen. If I can make it there I’ll be safe, but I don’t know if I have the strength to crawl 10 yards on battered, bloodied, and ever-weakening hands and knees.
“Keep going,” a steady male voice whispers from the front of the crowd to my left. Despite it being a whisper, his voice is clear and crisp. It’s at this point I realize that everyone else in the crowd will eventually turn to dust with no legacy or meaning. And this time, I turn to peek at who possesses this calming voice.
His dark eyes stare back at me with hope and understanding. His black parted hair with one part heavily outweighing the other doesn’t fit today’s standards, but that’s what makes me trust him. The bags under his eyes indicate he’s passionate and hardworking. His black and greying mustache shows me he’s wise. And the white scarf covering his neck tells me he also fears being a victim. His black greatcoat hides any more clues about his identity, but that’s not a concern to me. I seek an ally, not a name that potentially provides a distant and frail link to acceptance.
Regardless of his identity, his presence provides me with enough strength to crawl to the open book. Why? Because he understands completely, and I suddenly feel as though I belong.
Once I arrive at those two blank and inviting pages, I pick up the silver fountain pen and stare back at the crowd. Everyone is now still and silent, watching me with great hope and anticipation.
“Take us away from our misery,” the mystery man states with calming persuasion. “Write us something brilliant.”
“I shall.”
The End
In case you missed it: He's lost because he's not a conformist and is judged by those who are. However, those same people need an escape from their miserable lives, which can be provided by the writer.
btw, you might recognize that ally in the crowd if you look closely.
More stories like this in Twisted Sick and Mindful of Tricks.
November 11, 2014
Cautionary Tale
After recently being laid off from a good job, my spirits were down. I went to a popular freelance writing site (Elance) and posted my information. I was contacted a few days later and I began working for $15 article. After writing 48 articles in six days, the guy who was supposed to pay me cut off all communications and disappeared. This was devastating.
I can’t do anything to get my money back, but I can at least spread the word to use caution in these situations. I did ask for payment after two days, but he said “they” only paid after seven days. But I eventually decided to take the gamble. After being laid off, I was the perfect target. My big error: I didn’t take the proper Elance steps to protect myself.
Whatever freelance writing site you choose to use, don’t do any work for anyone until you have a company name, phone number, and address. And in most cases, you should consider asking for half of the money upfront. If I saved even one person from working for free, then this was worth writing.
I can’t do anything to get my money back, but I can at least spread the word to use caution in these situations. I did ask for payment after two days, but he said “they” only paid after seven days. But I eventually decided to take the gamble. After being laid off, I was the perfect target. My big error: I didn’t take the proper Elance steps to protect myself.
Whatever freelance writing site you choose to use, don’t do any work for anyone until you have a company name, phone number, and address. And in most cases, you should consider asking for half of the money upfront. If I saved even one person from working for free, then this was worth writing.
November 7, 2014
The Dark Side of the Felt #1 for Poker and Gamlbing on Amazon Kindle Free
In order to increase exposure for The Dark Side of the Felt, I used the five-day free promotion on Amazon. It took less than 24 hours for the book to reach a ranking of #1 in the ‘Gambling’ and ‘Poker’ categories. I was pumped, and I’m still pumped. Not as pumped as check-raising an opponent all-in with four-to-the-flush, hitting it on the river, and seeing him recoil, but still pumped. There were a lot of downloads.
Since every poker player who reads this book seems to enjoy it, I know there might be something special here. It’s a poker adventure with a lot of intensity, humor, and instruction, but the instruction is delivered as part of the story, which makes it engaging opposed to boring.
I need your help spreading the word about The Dark Side of the Felt. If you help in any way, please let me know by sending a link. I will include you in my ‘Thank You’ blog post in a few months.
For those of you who are fans now, I will remember you. This pertains to fans of any of my books: The Dark Side of the Felt, Twisted Sick, Cove Valley, Mindful or Tricks, and/or Rawson’s Fun House.
Thanks for reading!
Since every poker player who reads this book seems to enjoy it, I know there might be something special here. It’s a poker adventure with a lot of intensity, humor, and instruction, but the instruction is delivered as part of the story, which makes it engaging opposed to boring.
I need your help spreading the word about The Dark Side of the Felt. If you help in any way, please let me know by sending a link. I will include you in my ‘Thank You’ blog post in a few months.
For those of you who are fans now, I will remember you. This pertains to fans of any of my books: The Dark Side of the Felt, Twisted Sick, Cove Valley, Mindful or Tricks, and/or Rawson’s Fun House.
Thanks for reading!
September 16, 2014
Cove Valley
I'm almost done with Cove Valley, an urban thriller. I wrote this book over a decade ago. The manuscript had been sitting in a suitcase in my closet up until a few months ago.
Taking on this project has been a tricky task. My writing wasn't as polished when I wrote it, so I had to take notes based on what I wrote back then, re-write it, edit that version, then re-write it again.
I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but since I was so wordy over a decade ago, I had to cut a lot, which is going to make this one short book.
I will also be using a different writing style than usual because of the circumstances. In most cases, I can just flow, or take original notes and flow from there. With this one, I wasn't able to start from scratch. Will it work? I don't know. I think readers might have a love/hate relationship with it, depending on the reader.
Thanks for reading!
Tyler
Taking on this project has been a tricky task. My writing wasn't as polished when I wrote it, so I had to take notes based on what I wrote back then, re-write it, edit that version, then re-write it again.
I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but since I was so wordy over a decade ago, I had to cut a lot, which is going to make this one short book.
I will also be using a different writing style than usual because of the circumstances. In most cases, I can just flow, or take original notes and flow from there. With this one, I wasn't able to start from scratch. Will it work? I don't know. I think readers might have a love/hate relationship with it, depending on the reader.
Thanks for reading!
Tyler
September 7, 2014
Nerds or No Nerds?
I'm a bit nostalgic for 1980s movies, especially those that fall in to the Comedy genre.
I saw the original Revenge of the Nerds at the library for just $2, and I bit. I hadn't seen the movie in two decades and needed to relive the experience.
I wasn't sure what to expect. Would Revenge of the Nerds withstand the test of time? At least in my eyes? The short answer: yes.
If you want to enjoy dorky laughs, nerds plotting evil schemes to outwit the popular jocks, and even some nudity (it was the 80s), then I highly recommend Revenge of the Nerds.
One last note, I didn't realize that so many famous and funny lines stem from this movie. You will see what I mean when you watch it.
HUARGGGH! (That's how they laugh.)
I saw the original Revenge of the Nerds at the library for just $2, and I bit. I hadn't seen the movie in two decades and needed to relive the experience.
I wasn't sure what to expect. Would Revenge of the Nerds withstand the test of time? At least in my eyes? The short answer: yes.
If you want to enjoy dorky laughs, nerds plotting evil schemes to outwit the popular jocks, and even some nudity (it was the 80s), then I highly recommend Revenge of the Nerds.
One last note, I didn't realize that so many famous and funny lines stem from this movie. You will see what I mean when you watch it.
HUARGGGH! (That's how they laugh.)
