Nikolas Rex's Blog, page 5
August 20, 2015
Road Trippin, Book Projects, and Book Ideas
Sometimes there are those moments that come up in life when a friend of yours just needs help and you think to yourself, "You know, I'm precisely in the position to help" and it seems like no one else has decided to take it upon themselves to help aforementioned friend, so you decide that it is an opportunity for you to help that friend.
So your friend needs you to take a four hour road trip while he figures some things out and you decide to help without thinking of any sort of reward for you in it, and what happens? You get to spend all that time in the car chatting about and generating ideas FOR your next epic fantasy novel.
HOW GREAT IS THAT!?
What's even better? A few weeks later, your friend needing help again, another road trip, another four hour writing idea generation equivalent of a jaam session. Sweet! Two road trips, two sessions filled with ideas to pour into Master of the Flame. I am very excited to be working on Book Two and hope it receives just as much positive feedback as Wielder of the Flame has. I mean, sure there are still some things that need adjusting, garnering a few 3 star reviews, but there are also several 5 star reviews as well!
On another front, I am happy to announce the near-completion of another book project: Heart, Mind, and Soul: Year One, A Spiritual Journey. (I'm still a little unsure if I should include A Spiritual Journey as a sort of subtitle, but the main title is absolutely decided).
Coming to an online book retailer near YOU!
So your friend needs you to take a four hour road trip while he figures some things out and you decide to help without thinking of any sort of reward for you in it, and what happens? You get to spend all that time in the car chatting about and generating ideas FOR your next epic fantasy novel.
HOW GREAT IS THAT!?
What's even better? A few weeks later, your friend needing help again, another road trip, another four hour writing idea generation equivalent of a jaam session. Sweet! Two road trips, two sessions filled with ideas to pour into Master of the Flame. I am very excited to be working on Book Two and hope it receives just as much positive feedback as Wielder of the Flame has. I mean, sure there are still some things that need adjusting, garnering a few 3 star reviews, but there are also several 5 star reviews as well!
On another front, I am happy to announce the near-completion of another book project: Heart, Mind, and Soul: Year One, A Spiritual Journey. (I'm still a little unsure if I should include A Spiritual Journey as a sort of subtitle, but the main title is absolutely decided).
Coming to an online book retailer near YOU!
August 11, 2015
Living and Writing
It's incredibly surreal to see my book on the shelf of a bookstore for sale. MY book. The book I've spent so many years writing and rewriting. There it is, right there, on the Local Author's section. Take a picture? You bet I did.
This is the moment I've been waiting for all my life. Sure it still needs some work, and I'm glad that I can still do a bit of work on it (since I have full control of the manuscript). I'm in the talks with a professional editor right now who is looking through the manuscript. It needs to be edited professionally.
I'm not great at blogging, see, I already ran out of ideas, and I wonder if anyone is even reading this part of my life.
I have other projects in the works while I am writing Master of the Flame. One of them is digitzing the handwritten journals I wrote while serving in a religious capacity for my church. I am calling it Heart, Mind, and Soul: Year 1 and Year 2 (making them one book would be too much to digest I think.
The other writing project I'm working on are some short story volumes based in the world of Lyrridia.
Anyway, I think that's enough for today's entry. See you later readers! In the meantime, pick up a copy of Wielder of the Flame or my short stories while you are waiting for the second book to come out.
This is the moment I've been waiting for all my life. Sure it still needs some work, and I'm glad that I can still do a bit of work on it (since I have full control of the manuscript). I'm in the talks with a professional editor right now who is looking through the manuscript. It needs to be edited professionally.
I'm not great at blogging, see, I already ran out of ideas, and I wonder if anyone is even reading this part of my life.
I have other projects in the works while I am writing Master of the Flame. One of them is digitzing the handwritten journals I wrote while serving in a religious capacity for my church. I am calling it Heart, Mind, and Soul: Year 1 and Year 2 (making them one book would be too much to digest I think.
The other writing project I'm working on are some short story volumes based in the world of Lyrridia.
Anyway, I think that's enough for today's entry. See you later readers! In the meantime, pick up a copy of Wielder of the Flame or my short stories while you are waiting for the second book to come out.
August 3, 2015
Reviews
So after reading this article on Forbes, (Here is an excerpt from that article):
"Should authors read reviews at all? There are some who say authors shouldn’t read any reviews, good or bad, but that’s throwing the baby out with the bathwater, especially for early career authors. If you want to improve in your craft, you have to learn to take criticism and learn from it. Bad reviews can be valuable, but it’s important not to get over-involved with them, and you certainly should never, ever respond to them. Readers will forgive a bad review, but they won’t forgive bad behaviour by an author."
I've decided to take their advice... sort of. I DO read all my reviews because I can take criticism and I want to improve my writing. However, instead of posting my reply on Amazon, I've decided to blog about it, at least that will put my thoughts out in the world, however, I won't post the original comment. People can put two and two together if they so wish.
I guess I just want to get this off my chest, and blogging will be the way to do that.
Here is my reply:
Thank you for your feedback! As a first time Indie Author I am learning so much about the process of publishing. Even after countless read-throughs it seems that I can't catch it all. I workshopped the book through several beta readers as well and in the editing department, I thought I got a deal but instead got what I paid for and I currently have a real professional editor carefully combing through the book. (I am as well). Wielder of the Flame has gone through many editions and manuscripts before arriving where it is today and I did not put it up on Amazon just hoping to score a buck or two but to share these characters and Lyrridia, which have lived in my imagination for most of my young adult life, with the World. I'm sorry that Marc dismounted twice at Terga, and other things that detract from the story. I will absolutely go right in and fix those things. Thank you for reading Wielder of the Flame and for helping me refine my writing to be the best it can be so that all readers can enjoy this book.
"Should authors read reviews at all? There are some who say authors shouldn’t read any reviews, good or bad, but that’s throwing the baby out with the bathwater, especially for early career authors. If you want to improve in your craft, you have to learn to take criticism and learn from it. Bad reviews can be valuable, but it’s important not to get over-involved with them, and you certainly should never, ever respond to them. Readers will forgive a bad review, but they won’t forgive bad behaviour by an author."
I've decided to take their advice... sort of. I DO read all my reviews because I can take criticism and I want to improve my writing. However, instead of posting my reply on Amazon, I've decided to blog about it, at least that will put my thoughts out in the world, however, I won't post the original comment. People can put two and two together if they so wish.
I guess I just want to get this off my chest, and blogging will be the way to do that.
Here is my reply:
Thank you for your feedback! As a first time Indie Author I am learning so much about the process of publishing. Even after countless read-throughs it seems that I can't catch it all. I workshopped the book through several beta readers as well and in the editing department, I thought I got a deal but instead got what I paid for and I currently have a real professional editor carefully combing through the book. (I am as well). Wielder of the Flame has gone through many editions and manuscripts before arriving where it is today and I did not put it up on Amazon just hoping to score a buck or two but to share these characters and Lyrridia, which have lived in my imagination for most of my young adult life, with the World. I'm sorry that Marc dismounted twice at Terga, and other things that detract from the story. I will absolutely go right in and fix those things. Thank you for reading Wielder of the Flame and for helping me refine my writing to be the best it can be so that all readers can enjoy this book.
July 30, 2015
Viable Option
It is very surreal to sit at my desk and click on the Amazon KDP Author dashboard and see that I have sold over 500 copies of my debut fantasy novel after 30 days of having uploaded the book on Amazon.com.
I spent many years of my life writing it and I personally love it, the world, the characters, the story. Sure it has flaws, but I love everything about my book. I never thought that so many others so quickly would read it. I was a little saddened when the first review of my book came out, only 3 stars. Soon after, however, 3 more reviews showed up, all with 5 stars and happy readers, and it meant so much to me. Jredsun writes: “I loved this book! The writer does a good job with descriptive imagery. I
could really picture what was happening. This book would make a great movie. I can't wait for the second one!!” It’s funny because many of the scenes I wrote I specifically pictured them as being filmed in a movie, it’s just how my mind works sometimes. All I’ve ever wanted was for others to read my book. I never cared about the money, but, living in the world that we live in, we all need money to survive, and seeing the sales from my book accrue has sort of validated writing to me and to my wife as a real viable option to help support us. I’m excited and also a little tentative about approaching the second book in what I hope will end up being a trilogy for Legacy of the Flame. Although I know what I want to happen overall, it is a little bit of a journey getting there (for my characters, as well as myself as the author) and I want to execute that journey successfully.
Thank you readers for letting me know you enjoyed Wielder of the Flame, and know that I am working hard on the second one.
July 22, 2015
Edits and Upoads
Self-Publishing. Who would've thought. I never would've. Well, "Self-Publishing" right? I actually envision self-publishing to be more like "Vanity" publishing. Paying thousands of dollars to get your book printed and bound and a truck load of copies of your book delivered to your house. No, that's not what I did.
I decided to go with Amazon. I tried publishing a few collections of short stories on Smashwords.com. Boy was that a mistake. That went nowhere fast. I'm glad I tried the waters with my short stories because sacrificing my epic fantasy novel on that site would've been a huge mistake.
I'm glad I ended up where I am now, and I wish I could go back in time, even just a few years, with the knowledge I have now of the publishing world, and just told myself, things aren't how you think they are concerning the publishing world. You don't have to spend years trying to land a literary agent and then another year or so trying to land a book deal.
No, too much time has gone buy, I don't know how much longer I have to live on this good Earth and I need to publish my book. It has been my dream, and now my dream has been realized. I just want to thank those who have supported me in this endeavor. Family, Friends, even online acquaintances. Thank you.
I know my book isn't perfect. I thought that having several beta readers and a family friend edit the book would be enough. But I need a professional editor to really make it shine, and It's my dream, so why not make it shine? So I've decided to dedicate a large portion of the earnings from my book towards hiring a professional editor to do a clean sweep of grammar mistakes and errors so that Wielder of the Flame can be it's very best.
I will subsequently re-upload the new copy of the book on Amazon and the new copy will go live within 24 - 48 hours. The paperback edition will also have the newly perfectly edited content uploaded as well.
I guess that means that whoever has a copy of the original Wielder of the Flame will have a RARE copy. (If I ever get to be famous, that means the older not-as-edited version of the book will be worth a lot more).
I decided to go with Amazon. I tried publishing a few collections of short stories on Smashwords.com. Boy was that a mistake. That went nowhere fast. I'm glad I tried the waters with my short stories because sacrificing my epic fantasy novel on that site would've been a huge mistake.
I'm glad I ended up where I am now, and I wish I could go back in time, even just a few years, with the knowledge I have now of the publishing world, and just told myself, things aren't how you think they are concerning the publishing world. You don't have to spend years trying to land a literary agent and then another year or so trying to land a book deal.
No, too much time has gone buy, I don't know how much longer I have to live on this good Earth and I need to publish my book. It has been my dream, and now my dream has been realized. I just want to thank those who have supported me in this endeavor. Family, Friends, even online acquaintances. Thank you.
I know my book isn't perfect. I thought that having several beta readers and a family friend edit the book would be enough. But I need a professional editor to really make it shine, and It's my dream, so why not make it shine? So I've decided to dedicate a large portion of the earnings from my book towards hiring a professional editor to do a clean sweep of grammar mistakes and errors so that Wielder of the Flame can be it's very best.
I will subsequently re-upload the new copy of the book on Amazon and the new copy will go live within 24 - 48 hours. The paperback edition will also have the newly perfectly edited content uploaded as well.
I guess that means that whoever has a copy of the original Wielder of the Flame will have a RARE copy. (If I ever get to be famous, that means the older not-as-edited version of the book will be worth a lot more).
July 17, 2015
Blogging and Writing
Blog. Blog. Blog. I was never good at keeping up with my blog. As a new, up-and-coming, indie author, though, I realize the importance of blogging. I need to reach out to my fans, let them know how my writing is coming along.
Yes I’ve started the second book in the Legacy of the Flame series, but I’ll admit, I haven’t gotten far. The first book took me many years to write, but that’s because it was such a long journey with many stops along the way. It wasn’t consistent steady work, it was here and there work, it was back-burner-eventually-I’ll-get-to-it work. Wielder of the Flame started out as a short story written by a friend which turned into an online thing that eventually we took down because I was writing so often in it (but that’s a whole other story to tell). This second book, though, it’s different. I feel the pressure begin to build as I see the first book being purchased by readers all across the world and I'm going to use that pressure to work quickly to finish the second one. (Not so quickly that I'll do a bad job, I just mean I don't want to work so slowly that it takes another 10 years to release the second book. That wouldn't do well for the Legacy of the Flame, and it wouldn't do right by my readers).
I can’t believe that I’ve finally done it, that I’m actually an author! It has been my dream for so long now. Well, back to writing, I don’t want to spend too much time here on my blog when I could be writing in my new book!
Happy reading!
Yes I’ve started the second book in the Legacy of the Flame series, but I’ll admit, I haven’t gotten far. The first book took me many years to write, but that’s because it was such a long journey with many stops along the way. It wasn’t consistent steady work, it was here and there work, it was back-burner-eventually-I’ll-get-to-it work. Wielder of the Flame started out as a short story written by a friend which turned into an online thing that eventually we took down because I was writing so often in it (but that’s a whole other story to tell). This second book, though, it’s different. I feel the pressure begin to build as I see the first book being purchased by readers all across the world and I'm going to use that pressure to work quickly to finish the second one. (Not so quickly that I'll do a bad job, I just mean I don't want to work so slowly that it takes another 10 years to release the second book. That wouldn't do well for the Legacy of the Flame, and it wouldn't do right by my readers).I can’t believe that I’ve finally done it, that I’m actually an author! It has been my dream for so long now. Well, back to writing, I don’t want to spend too much time here on my blog when I could be writing in my new book!
Happy reading!
June 30, 2015
Wielder of the Flame
After many long nights of research regarding the indie publishing world, I have finally made the decision to forego the gatekeepers of the traditional publishing industry and become an official inde-author!
I came to the conclusion that life is too short to wait on my dreams. I have spent over 10 years working on this novel, and it is high-time I shared it with the world. I have the tools available to me, why not use them? It may take some extra effort, it might not work out exactly the way I want it to, but I can move forward with the knowledge that, at least I've tried.
Here it is, world, for a meager $4.99 (or free if you have Amazon Prime) you can take part in the world that has filled my imagination for over a decade.
Welcome, to Lyrridia!
P.S. Paperback edition soon to come!
I came to the conclusion that life is too short to wait on my dreams. I have spent over 10 years working on this novel, and it is high-time I shared it with the world. I have the tools available to me, why not use them? It may take some extra effort, it might not work out exactly the way I want it to, but I can move forward with the knowledge that, at least I've tried.
Here it is, world, for a meager $4.99 (or free if you have Amazon Prime) you can take part in the world that has filled my imagination for over a decade.
Welcome, to Lyrridia!
P.S. Paperback edition soon to come!
December 5, 2014
Tales of Lyrridia Volume I and II out now!
Avid Reader? Fantasy Fanatic? Try this new e-book series! A collection of short stories exploring Lyrridia, a wondrous land of swords and sorcery, enchanted relics and mythical beasts. Click the link below and read on!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
November 20, 2014
Tales of Lyrridia: Volume Two; Now Out!
Attention all my Fantasy Fanatic Reader Friends! (And supportive family) Tales of Lyrridia: Volume Two is OUT!
Only $0.99 Cents! Buy it now to support my work!
Welcome to Lyrridia, a world of swords and sorcery, enchanted relics and mythical beasts. Continue the journey of exploring this fantastic realm in this second collection of short stories!
Tales of Lyrridia: Volume Two
Only $0.99 Cents! Buy it now to support my work!
Welcome to Lyrridia, a world of swords and sorcery, enchanted relics and mythical beasts. Continue the journey of exploring this fantastic realm in this second collection of short stories!
Tales of Lyrridia: Volume Two
October 9, 2014
Travelers
EXLUSIVE SNEAK PEAK OF VOLUME II BELOW! \/\/\/\/Banet looked up and saw as three small carts bumbled past. The first two carts were filled with hay and the last piled high with furniture and things, their drivers and families huddled together against the cold. Pale green aldoms with faded graying pink underbellies, one each, pulled the carts forward. The small train took up little of the road and passed with a fairly wide berth.Banet caught the gaze of a small girl next to her mother atop the hay. She had a poignant beauty to her, dark hair, wide, innocent eyes filled with melancholy, and tender features of a child. She smiled briefly, but her eyes remained somber. She looked hungry. The world seemed to slow as the carts passed and Banet shivered. He did not know if it was the chill in the air or something else. Whatever it was, it was not a good feeling.
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To read more about Lyrridia and it's many secrets and mysteries to be discovered, go download a copy of Tales of Lyrridia: Volume I found at Smashwords:
Also available on all these platforms!
Barnes & Noble, Kobo, the Apple store, Page Foundry, Baker & Taylor Blio, txtr, Flipkart, Oyster, and Scribd
SO bust out your iPad or other favored e-reader and buy a copy, only $0.99!
