Joshua C. Cook's Blog, page 9
July 28, 2015
CANITUS, the Next Book, and Life Updates
Well It’s been about a month since I published CANITUS. Some lessons learned, and some good stuff as well.
Lessons Learned:
1) I need to proofread far better, and pay much more attention to what version of things I’m publishing. I uploaded the wrong version to Amazon, which caused a copy with many many grammar and spelling errors to go out. My fault entirely. Sadly due to the way Amazon does things, those people aren’t ever going to get the updated version really. Pain in the Ass honestly.
2) I need to be more patient. I didn’t really wait for a lot of feedback prior to publishing, and I should have.
3) I need to focus more on just solid writing, than creating crazy plot twists.
On a positive side: CANITUS has sold better than my other books, so that’s good. Still not making any real money, but that’s OK. 
Though it kills me to read people complain about ‘only’ making 6 grand this month due to book sales. I think I’d pass out if I made 6 grand a month from selling books, seriously. In other news, my new job is great. I mean really great. Still doing IT work, but stress levels are way down, and I find myself able to actually think about what I’m doing and to plan, instead of just reacting and having to rush off in 1001 different directions. This is an awesome thing for me, considering how the last 2-3 years have been go go go go. I’m loving the change of pace, and the company as a whole. Getting used to monthly paychecks again, not so much, but I did it before, I can do it again.
And finally.. I’m working on a new book.
With Project: Perception, and CANITUS I was telling stories that were dark, kind of gloomy ‘don’t trust anyone’ kind of stories. Which while fun sometimes, does get a bit broody and dark. The new story is pure sci fi fun. I’m writing a YA Sci Fi book. Yes YA. Or ‘Young Adult’ if you prefer, the current flavor of the month in writing circles. I really just wanted to write something fun, interesting, and non-dark. Something that at the end of the story, you find yourself kind of happy and smiling. I have some ideas about cover art, novel names, etc. but not sharing those at this point. I’m still writing the first draft, so be patient! I will say that this book has surprised me at how easy it’s been to write so far. It’s been fun, which is a nice change of pace considering what a headache CANITUS was to write.
That’s all for now, hopefully it won’t take me another month to write an update!
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July 1, 2015
CANITUS
CANITUS – is now live
Book Blurb:
James Blackwoad loves order, systems, and figuring problems out. His only real problem is dealing with office politics and a Director at his work that seems to have it in for him. But when computer systems start to become infected with a new virus, he is quickly thrown into a world of cyber crime, government agencies, and far more danger than he realizes. What is CANITUS? Who created it? And who is willing to destroy him to protect it?
——————
Who wouldn’t want to read that?
This book was harder to write in many ways. Mostly because of real life issues getting in the way. Work took a whole bunch of extra time this spring, which pushed me back a lot. Also I decided early on that my protag, was in fact a boring git. So I stopped and rewrote him. The good news is I have a new job, not nearly as stressful! And pays better as well. I’m doing some marketing for CANITUS, and then I’ll get busy with the next book, The Rune.
Then I plan on coming back to James Blackwoad, for Blackwoad Book 2. Title to be determined.
You can get CANITUS via my ‘eBooks I’ve written‘ page, just click the picture of the book cover (works for all the books) and it will take you to the Amazon page for it. Happy reading all.
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June 11, 2015
Recent Silence – Beta Readers needed!
So I have gone through another spate of not updating the blog, for various reasons.
1) Work – I have accepted a new job, but as a result, the old job hit me with 1001 different projects in the time I was still there. To the point where I was working every night to just keep up with everything that needed to get done before I left. I’m in the middle of a week break between the two jobs, and back from a small family vacation. So I should be updating more often now with the new job (Less stress, more money!)
2) CANITUS – I prioritized the free time I did have, the little of it that was available to writing. I neglected twitter, Facebook, all that, for writing. As a result, I will finish CANITUS today! And there was much rejoicing! But now I need Beta readers. I have a few who have offered, but I’d like a few more.
Rules to be a beta reader:
You promise to provide CONSTRUCTIVE USEFUL feedback, in a two week time frame. This is about story and flow. This is not about edited versions, not about the use of the oxford comma 
May 8, 2015
Finding Time to Write Part II
Back when I first started this blog, I had a post on Finding Time to write. This past week has been one of those times when it’s been hard to find time. Part of it is me, I seem to run very much in spurts when it comes to creativity. There are certain times of day I can just sit down and go. It just flows, and I think “Oh man, this is cake to write, I’m so frigging awesome.” Those times always seem to be in the 9-11 am time frame. I’m a morning writer. I just am. At night, as it is now when I write this, I can write, but it doesn’t work well. I don’t know if it’s because I’m just tired after dealing with dayjob (IT) issues, or what, but it doesn’t just flow. Things are harder to hammer out, and thus I find myself doubting myself, and really self editing and censoring myself.
Halfway through this week, I realized I wasn’t going to get as much writing as I wanted done this week. I felt like I had let myself down, and in many ways I still do. My goal is to get this first draft done of CANITUS by the end of May. I think I can still make that, but it’s going to be harder now. I’ve been beating myself up on this all week. It wasn’t that I didn’t get ANY writing done, I did. But not as much as I normally do by far. In addition the fact that what I did write, I’m already not happy with. This as far as writing goes, has not been a good week.
But today I had a thought, and I’m going to stick with it.
It’s OK that I didn’t get as much done on the book this week as I wanted to.
It’s OK.
It’s OK because simply I wasn’t being lazy, I didn’t decided to hang out and watch movies, or video games, or organize my half of the closet.
It’s OK because I was busy with my dayjob, that as much I wish I could support myself and my family on writing, pays the bills.
It’s OK because I was helping my kids with end of the year school projects.
It’s OK because I also played with my kids, went went swimming, I had more than a few lightsaber battles with my son, and more than one cooking and tasting adventure with my daughter.
It’s OK because one evening, I walked away from the computer, and watched a movie with my wife and fell asleep early.
It’s OK.
I was being all those other things than a writer. I was being a father, a husband, an IT manager, and generally a person trying to balance everything.
I love to write. More than I ever expected. I came to this late, but I very much enjoy it. It’s part of who I am, but it’s not ALL I am.
And that.. is OK
Finding Time to write is important. Vitally. But so is finding time for the people in your life, and unless your blessed to make a living at it, working that day job to support those people, and your writing.
Next week is shaping up to be far better for writing. I won’t be short staffed, and the new boss is backing off some. I’ll make up the time I lost, and should still be on track.
Finding time to write doesn’t for me at least, mean sacrificing the rest of my life. And for me, It’s OK.
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May 4, 2015
First Podcast.. On Mind Mapping
Podcast One is up!
Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about podcasting, and it shows. I’m still learning here,so bear with me. I’m sure it will get better as I go along, but for now.. here you go. I’m still working out the kinks with podcasting plugins, etc. I also recorded this at 6:41 am this morning, so I wasn’t toooootally awake yet.
This Podcast is about ‘Mind Mapping’ and how I use it when I write. Hope you enjoy!
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April 27, 2015
The Physical Needs of Writing
So I was going to make this a vlog. I even recorded it, but it’s already been deleted. I have a confession. I HATE seeing myself on video (or pictures). I avoid getting my picture taken like the plague, and so video and I … not anything I like doing. Maybe I’ll try again sometime, but for now, text, or maybe a podcast. But video.. not gonna happen for now.
But the real thrust of this post is about things you need when writing. Now I know if you trying to write, or you do write, you’ve seen 1001 things on structure and pacing, read more style guides than you care to count, and been offered many different software tools to write with. That is ALL necessary, and needed. But, I realized that there is a section that other “independent” authors seem to gloss over. Two things in fact. the two most import physical needs of writing that I think there are.
A Chair, and a Keyboard.
Bear with me.
A Chair. Not sexy, not interesting. But think about it. Your going to be sitting a lot, typing. And retyping, and then reading what you typed and hating some or even all of it. And through all of it, your going to be sitting. If your sitting in a chair you hate, or sitting in a chair that grows more and more uncomfortable the longer you sit in it, your going to have problems. When I started really writing Oversee of One, I had this chair that I’d had for several years. I quickly realized that while it was fine for sitting at while I was checking email, or even playing a short game, sitting at it for any length of time, and writing was near impossible. It just wasn’t comfortable. I replaced it with this. It was more than I wanted to spend, and I almost didn’t order it. I’m very glad I did. It’s been a great chair to write in. Comfortable, decent back support, and the mesh back, which I wasn’t sure I really would like is awesome for me in the lovely weather of Florida.
Keyboards. Now I’m not a guy who can write much on laptops. Simply put I got big hands, and little keyboards mean lots of mistakes. I’ve tried, but it doesn’t flow as well. I need to write sitting at a desk with a real full size keyboard. Wired or Wireless doesn’t mean much to me, I go wireless simply because it’s one less cable for me to catch my foot/leg on at 11:00 at night when I’m rereading what I’ve written for the last two hours. Some people love mechanical keyboards, especially if you like that ‘click’ sound when you type. It’s very old school, almost typewriter-ish, and I’ll admit are somewhat more responsive than a normal keyboard. However I just use a good quality wireless keyboard. The key for me was finding one my hands felt good with. I went to my local bog box retailer, and pretended to type on every keyboard they had on display. I’m sure the folks working there thought I was a loon, but the fact was, if I was going to be using a piece of equipment to create with, I wanted to make sure it felt good to do it with. I ended up with Joshua C Cook.
April 14, 2015
The story behind Project: Perception
So, I got asked recently, why and how I came up with Project: Perception. Which was kind of an interesting question, as it wasn’t a single event really. When I was much younger, I don’t know exactly what age, in school, I saw the following video.
I loved it. I loved it for several reasons.
1) I thought it was really interesting that that man and women couldn’t “see” anything past their surroundings. They didn’t know anything about it the rest, and probably didn’t care. What they could perceive was for all intensive purposes all there was. Though this wasn’t reality, for them it was.
2) Scale. I love the thought of the sheer scale of the universe. Leaving out questions and beliefs on religion and faith, I find it quite refreshing to know that the self important idiots I’ve run into throughout my life from time to time, are as important to rest of the universe as a spec of dust under my couch is to the planet Jupiter.
The video stuck with me. Every so often once the internet really came to being I’d go find it and watch it. And when I decided to start writing, the idea of Perception came from watching this. The idea that as far as people are concerned, what their senses tell them is all there is to them. I found that fascinating. And with that in mind, I wrote the first part of Project Perception.
The first part (Oversee of One) Is that pretty up front. Jameston can only trust what he sees, feels, hears, smells. His reality is limited, controlled, small. An underground sphere. The second part (Concurrence of Many) Is the same line, writ larger. More people, but again, reality is just what they sense.
There will be a third part at some point, after I finish CANITUS, and a YA book I’ve been thinking about. Why wait? CANITUS is eating all my time and I want it done, and the YA book I promised my daughter I’d write one next. Always keep your promises if you can to your kids! 
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April 8, 2015
Angry Birds and working through ‘Writer’s Block’
So I have a confession, I like Angry Birds. Even more to the point, I like the Angry Birds Star Wars games. Being a kid who grew up with the ‘original’ Star Wars trilogy, I just find he games fun, and interesting. And having a young son, all the new Star Wars stuff I get exposed to as well, and it’s a game we enjoy together. It’s simple to play, sometimes frustrating, and makes you think about ‘HOW’ to do something.
In very simplistic terms..
1) In Angry Bird games, you have a clear goal, but how to get to that goal is sort of up to you. Sure they give you a set of ‘tools’ in the birds, but they let you substitute (if you can) other birds in. In writing, just because you know what the goal is, or at least have an idea, you have free reign to choose *how* to make it happen. As a starter/newbie/beginning writer, one thing that I’ve had to force myself to do is not try and force something to go the way I thought it should. Meaning this, if a main character is going to go do X, and I thought it was going to happen because of Y, but it doesn’t work. I have had to stop FORCING myself to make it work that way. One of the harder lessons in writing for me.. just because it works in my head, doesn’t mean it works on paper.
2) In Angry birds, sometimes when I’m really stuck, I get random, I just throw different birds at a puzzle with no idea of how it’s going to work, if at all. In writing, I’ve also had to struggle with self censorship. I start to head down and path, but discard it before it’s fully formed. I don’t just try it, I don’t just go with it, I stop it and let it die, before really seeing if it doesn’t work. It’s that old “self edit/self censor” issue that a lot of beginning writers have.
3) Angry Birds is a game. It’s designed to be fun. Writing while not a game per say, I at least feel it should be FUN. I am not a subscriber to the ‘tortured artist’ theory. If writing isn’t being fun, or interesting to do, then for me at least I’m doing it wrong.
Now if you read all that, and you read my about me (go on, read it.. I’ll wait) you may be a bit confused. Yes I did a lot of creative outlets for a long time. And I didn’t used to have these challenges then. I think as my life has changed, and I’m embarked in career paths that require less and less creativity, and more and more logical rules, I’ve lost some of that ‘try it’ approach. But if playing Angry Birds helps me relearn it….
Where’s my phone?
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March 25, 2015
Writing what I don’t know
So as I explore in this new book, I find myself in both highly familiar areas, and some that are different to me. I know IT, the ins and outs, and the personality types that are involved. I see it day in and day out. I’d say roughly 75% of the IT things (and office things) in the new book come from personal experience. But some, the thriller parts, the law enforcement, the legal parts, those parts I don’t know.
Now, for those who don’t know me (which is probably everyone reading this.) When I don’t know about something, I am a researcher to the extreme. I read everything I can on the subject, I pretty much drown myself in data for a day, days, or even a week or two. Then go from there. I even read an abridged FBI interrogation techniques manual for this new book. But that’s only half of it, at least in my process.
The other half is to find good fiction in the same basic genre, and read it. Not to steal ideas not to copy, but to see how other’s have handled their pacing, their background building. To make it believable and livable. I take notes, and take the data I have, and seeing how it’s paced in others stories, helps e make it ‘real’ for the reader. The ultimate goal in any story (and least the ones I write) is that I want the reader to ‘be there.’
Back in the distant past, I did a lot of theater stuff. I always remember an acting coach pushing me hard to ‘do not show.’ It’s the same with writing for me. I can put on a show, but does the reader get involved? Can I take that reader and have them feel along with the story. I want them to be not only an observer, but to be linked to the characters.
It’s not easy. It’s not easy in acting, and it’s not easy in writing.
Writing what I don’t know is one hell of a challenge.
But damn it’s fun when it works!
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March 22, 2015
Outline Writer
So I was listening to a local radio program I catch it sometimes on Friday afternoons.. called “Connor Calling” it’s a bit of an odd duck with a guy who interviews authors. (Usually local) They were talking about what KIND of writer people are and how the do it. I found myself agreeing quite a bit with the gentleman they were interviewing that day. I had to ask myself, am I an outline writer, or not?
See when I wrote Oversee of One, I didn’t outline, I didn’t do anything. I sat down and just wrote. The main issue I had was figuring out where I wanted the story to go next. The plus side was I found it in a way more interesting to write because I didn’t already KNOW where it was going. So I guess it was both a plus and a minus. I just had an idea, and crafted a story around 1 idea. “A guy lives and works underground in a sphere, alone.” And made a story out of that.
For the second part of the story.. I created an outline. A basic one. I sort of plotted out where I wanted the ‘high points’ of the story to go. It wasn’t big on details, but it gave me a guideline. which helped, but I also found it a bit, more restrictive. For the combined book, Project: Perspective, I only added a chapter or two, which I had already written but cut from the other two stories. So it worked.
For the book I’m working on now, I created a full three or four sentence synopsis of each chapter. I’m writing the story off that outline. I’m actually finding this harder by far than writing off the seat of my pants. I’ve changed things up already, and modified the outline, but still, it’s not flowing the same way. I promised myself I’d finish this story this way, but I think the next book, I’ll go back to what worked for me, which was having a single sentence and going from there. It works better for me by far.
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