Is The Shopping Mall An Instrument of Evil?

Setting is very important in a story. When you're writing, consider setting as a character in your story.

In my Mall Demons stories, setting is crucial. Most of my action takes place in a shopping mall. My story deals with the classic battle between good and evil.

As I thought about setting, I figured demons nowadays would gravitate towards a mall. Why do you think? 

What do shopping malls have that demons might find attractive?

How Often Do You Revise Your WIP?

Funny how random things are.

I was formatting a booklet of one of my Mall Demons chapters for my students. I was having problems formatting the pages. I ended up having a space in the text box needing to be filled. It was a paragraph-sized hole. In other words, an extra paragraph of dialogue, narration, something would make the document ready for printing.

So... I added a paragraph. But after printing, I couldn't stop there. I scrutinized the chapter, grabbed my favorite red pen and began marking up the print out.

I was still adding red marks on my 45-minute subway ride home. On the couch - once I'd changed into comfy night clothes - I pulled out a clipboard, and marked some more. 

I put the chapter down because I had to ask myself, "Was I changing it needlessly?"

I don't have an answer, but I wonder if anyone can relate?

Unexpected Sabbatical Is Over

So, I'm watching "Die Hard" right now. I think about it now... I realized this blog will not die without a hard fight. I feel old. This was when Bruce Willis had hair. Lol.

OK... So, let's get it all out in the open. I'm so glad to say that I'm able to write consistently again. Over the last few weeks I have gone through some illnesses that are finally running their course. 

Much to do. I've released my prelude to the Mall Demons Series. Now, it's time to release the first novel in the series. Lot's of editing to do. I feel inspired. The kind of inspired that requires only 3 hours sleep after a full day of work. Time to rock.

Mall Demons! The Storm Rolls In

I am about to put the book-length version of the Mall Demons series to bed. The Kindle version will be out soon. Until then, here's another part from the stories I've posted on Wattpad. Enjoy!

Part 4 of the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series

Daniel wiped down the last of his tables, looking over his shoulder to scan the restaurant patio. Two men sat at a table having drinks. Daniel had that annoying feeling that someone's eyes were on him, but it wasn't these guys.
"An-da-le! Daniel!" Jose, one of the other busboys, walked by, urging Daniel to move faster.
 Carrying a tub full of dirty dishes, Daniel followed Jose into the kitchen. He looked over his shoulder towards the patio. That nagging feeling wouldn't go away. Daniel didn't know it yet, but he would be nagged by that being watched feeling consistently over the next few days.
"That was my last table," Daniel said, placing the tub on a long rectangular stainless-steel table next to the sink.
"Very good, very good," Jose said with a strong Spanish accent.
About 15 minutes later, Daniel moped out of the Chevy's restaurant onto the sidewalk in front of the mall. Jose emerged behind him, leaned against the fence lining the patio and lit a cigarette.
"Lo siento, Daniel," Jose said. "Sorry, amigo. I’ll pray for your father."
Daniel smiled back at Jose.
"Smoking's bad for you."
"What are you, eh?" Jose replied. "My priest?"
"No, no," Daniel said. "I'm just saying..."
Daniel waved to Jose as he walked away. He looked down the long empty sidewalk. He wore a look of disappointment. Daniel needed extra cash. He had hoped to pick up some extra shifts. Jose had been talking the previous week about taking night classes. Now Jose was having second thoughts. The economy being what it was and the cost of those classes being a few grand more than he'd expected, Jose decided he couldn't afford it.
After Daniel turned his back on Jose, he had that feeling again much stronger this time. He looked into the shadows of an alley to his left. Two eyes emerged when Daniel turned his head to scan the darkness.
"Spare change?" A homeless man held out his hand.
Daniel reached into his pocket and gave the man his last dollar coin.
"God bless you.”
The way the man said it gave Daniel an uneasy feeling. It seemed too rehearsed. Or maybe too businesslike, but Daniel nodded anyway. He took a few steps and was about to turn the corner when he felt a sharp gust of wind behind him. For a second that feeling from the restaurant intensified. Then just as quickly, it lessened.
He looked back to the alley entrance which was now empty darkness. The homeless man was gone.
"Weird," Daniel said to nobody.
Halfway down the block Jose was using his last five minutes of break to smoke a cigarette. He saw Daniel disappear around the corner. He exhaled a long stream of smoke which rose up through the patio's slat roof and into Sargas Vak's squinting, red eyes.
"Stupid humans and their infernal habits," Sargas said.
Sargas waved the smoke from his eyes.
"He might as well get used to smoking," said a second demon who settled on the roof next to Sargas Vak.
Sargas cleared his throat, then leaned over and spit a stream of hellish, black phlegm onto Jose's head. It covered his forehead, poured down his face and into his mouth. Jose took a long drag from his cigarette sucking the smoke and demonic phlegm deep into his lungs.
"That will speed things up," Sargas said.
Meego Bose laughed. More smoke reached them on the roof.
"Reminds you of home doesn't it?" Meego Bose said.
"I have not been back in centuries."
"I know," Meego said.
"Do you, now." Sargas faced his new apprentice. "I doubt you know much."
Sargas ascended like a sinister raptor stretching his wings. Each thrust sent him higher into the sky until the mall seemed the size of a shoe box. Meego climbed after him.
Sargas was searching for something. He knew the time had come again. He looked at the mall. This was the battleground. At one corner of the roof, Sargas thought he saw it. But just at that moment, Meego whipped past him his tail striking Sargas across the face.
Sargas growled. Meego hovered defiantly next to his new master.
"Insolence!" Sargas said.
The demons circled each other
"I know one thing," Meego said. "You will not dispatch me as easily as your last apprentice."
Meego whipped his tail at Sargas again. This time Sargas caught it in his hand. Meego howled. Before Sargas could react, Meego clawed at his own tail ripping it from his body. Nearly instantaneously, another tail grew in its place.
Sargas tried to hide it, but the surprise was etched on his face. He tossed away the dying tail.
"You have mastered regeneration," Sargas said matter of factly. "Maybe you do know more than your predecessor."
The sky lit up in the distance as a storm rolled in. The sound of thunder followed. Sargas stole a glance towards the roof corner, but not for long. Meego was ready to pounce. This demon had no desire to remain an apprentice for long.
"I know what you want Meego, but now is not the time."
"The best time to dispatch your master is at the beginning," Meego said.
"It is also the best time to consume your apprentice." Sargas countered.
More flashes of light interrupted the dark sky. This time it came from below them, from the roof. There on the spot Sargas had been observing stood two brilliant figures.
"I guess we will both be forced to wait," Meego said.
Meego bowed his head in a show of reluctant submission. Sargas met the bow, then descended.
"I speak for our side," Sargas said without turning back to face Meego.
The two angels watched the demons clash.
"If we can keep them fighting each other, this will be over quickly," the warrior angel said.
The second angel wore the armor and red cloak of a general. He remained still observing the demons above.
 "A house divided will not stand," General Batalla said.
 Sargas and Meego landed in front of the angels. At once, Sargas roared and flapped his leathery wings summoning several dark mists which turned into imps and surrounded the four combatants. General Batalla calmly pulled out his sword. The sight of the heavenly sword caused the imps to step back into the shadows so that only their red eyes were visible.
 "One of these days I will catch you without that sword," Sargas said. He stepped forward. As he drew nearer to General Batalla, Sargas' skin sizzled like frying bacon. "One of these days."
 "Not this day, Sargas." General Batalla sheathed his sword. "This day is for the presentation of terms."
 "Very well," Sargas said. His tone changed. The proceedings had begun. "We have roamed through this shopping center and have found it suitable to our needs..."
 At Sargas' words, the imps drew nearer again so that their evil faces appeared to be hovering in the darkness. Sargas continued.
 "We have gone back and forth," he said. Sargas grinned. "Its inhabitants willingly belong to us."
 "You crossed the line," General Batalla said.
 "And I dealt with my apprentice!"
 General Batalla motioned to his lieutenant who stepped forward with a scroll. The warrior angel unrolled it and read:
 "One has been chosen to prove he is blameless and upright. The chosen fears God and shuns evil. The fate of this ground shall be decided through him. The hedge around him shall be loosened."
 The warrior angel paused and glanced from side to side noticing the imps inching closer - each wearing widening grins. They knew their work was about to begin. Meego looked like a lion ready to pounce. Thunder and lightning rumbled overhead as rain showered down on them.
 "Is that all," Sargas asked.
 "There is more." General Batalla motioned for the reading to continue. With more authority, the warrior angel read the final words on the scroll.
 "Everything the chosen has while on this ground is in your hands, but you may not lay a finger on the man himself off the battlefield. The chosen's name is Daniel."
 At the mentioning of Daniel's name, the imps danced and let out demonic laughter. One by one they vanished. Their mission was now clear. This army of the night had its target.
 "You may not touch him!" General Batalla reached for his sword.
 "We understand the rules, general," Sargas said. "My imps are merely leaving to make preparations. When Daniel returns, we will attack him so brutally that he will surely curse you and your kind to your face!"
 With those final words, Sargas took flight into the night followed by Meego.
 "Go inform the others that it has begun," General Batalla said.
 The warrior angel nodded and disappeared in a bright flash. A few seconds later, Evangeline and Watcher appeared in an orange flash.
 "I thought I felt your presence nearby Evangeline," General Batalla said.
 Evangeline bowed. Watcher remained erect.
 "You may rise," General Batalla said. He scowled at Watcher. "You may want to teach your companion about respect."
 Watcher met the general's stare.
 "There are some advantages to being an outcast," Watcher said. "I bow down only to those I respect."
 "Now, now...let's not divide this house," Evangeline said. "There's work to do."
 General Batalla gave Watcher one last scathing look, then turned to Evangeline. He moved to the roof's edge with her.
 "You must go to him. Prepare him for what's coming," he said. "It is your duty to protect Daniel. Is that clear?"
 "Yes, general."
 "Do not fail us." In a flash of light, General Batalla vanished, leaving Evangeline and Watcher alone on the roof.
 Watcher walked over to her. They looked down at the sleeping city below. There was a peaceful calm that unnerved them.
 "Ready to reveal ourselves?" Evangeline asked.
 "Indeed."
 "Let's rock!"
 They flew off the roof in a flash of orange, and in a bright arrow of light streaked through the rain towards a dark high-rise apartment building in the distance.
 Daniel was reclining in bed. He read the Metro Hospital bill in his hands:
 $2,365.
 He placed the bill in the opened Bible on the bed. The sound of rain hitting his bedroom window caught his attention. It looked like this storm was dumping a lot of water, Daniel thought. Maybe enough to flood. But he would worry about that later. Daniel closed his Bible and placed it on the nightstand. He prayed for a peaceful night's sleep so he could face the next day and whatever troubles that came with it.
 Daniel did not know yet that his prayer could not be answered.
  

WoMen's Literary Cafe

Just downed a bowl of soup. Feeling a little better, but the sniffles are still there. Think I gave it to my wife (Sorry, luv.).

During my NyQuil stupor, I put the Mall Demons Prelude manuscript on my Kindle. Just a test run to see what it would look like on the e-reader. It has shown me where I need to change a few things. Once it was on my Kindle my kids were eager to read it. Yay for dad!

Now, the purpose of this post: I signed up as a member over at WoMen's Literary Cafe. I have been following the tweets for months and the NyQuil told me it was time to join. I gotta widget badge thingy here on my blog (right sidebar). So if you're curious, go check it out. The site looks great. Anything that has writers working together and connects writers with readers is a great thing.

Finishing My NaNoWriMo Novel

If all goes well, I will finish my NaNoWriMo novel by Friday - five days ahead of schedule. The month has flown by. 50,000 words in 30 days. Time goes quickly.

It will be nice to take a little break from this book. Once I am done, I will return to Book One of the Mall Demons Series. Eight more chapters to write and it'll be ready for formatting.

I also want to get back to some flash fiction. But, I don't want to make too many plans. I still have 14,000 words to write for NaNoWriMo. Back to work.

Vacation was fun while it lasted

Last day before it's time to go back to work. Little mini-vacations are awesome. They can help recharge the batteries. I look back at the last few days, and I could grumble about not getting as much writing as I had wanted.


I could grumble. It wouldn't change anything, though. I was still writing and doing the things I needed to do to improve my craft. OK. I had hoped to be done with three chapters of my Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Serial. I'm almost done with one more chapter, not three. So what.


Sometimes we must be happy with whatever it turns out to be. Otherwise, we could harm our efforts at the mental level. And at the mental level is where writing starts. So, mess that up, and you mess up the words.


The words is what it's all about.


Maybe the last few days for you haven't been as productive either. It happens. As long as it doesn't happen all the time, it's OK. Don't be your own worst enemy, your own worst critic.


Live and learn. 


I may not have written three chapters as I wanted, but I did write a prelude. I also decided to spin off a second book in the Mall Demons series as a prequel. I realized a few of my characters (Evangeline, Watcher and Sargas Vak) have interesting backstories that I could expand upon in other books.


With NaNoWriMo coming in a few weeks, I just might use the exercise to write that first draft of the prequel.


Other tasks I took care of during this vacation: I updated my LinkedIn and YouTube accounts. I'm excited about using YouTube to offer audio versions of my series. 


Tomorrow it's back to writing. Goal: 2,000 words.

Tighten Your Writing By Going Short

As a teacher, I always get groans from students when the time comes to write research papers or essays. The groans get even louder if the writing assignment is longer than five pages. Not that they buy it, but I usually tell them that in many ways it is harder to write short than it is to write long.

I don't care what they believe. It's true.

Writers can hone their craft by writing short. You learn about the economy of words. It's easier to detect fluff. Shortness - if done right - will intensify your writing.  It's a lesson I learned as a news journalist.

I would get an assignment, and usually, a preferred length. My editor might bark something like, "Give me 20 inches on tonight's city council meeting." And so, I would gather material, interview whoever was at the meeting, then write 20 inches of copy.

Then... FLASH!!! Something would happen. Major news would break. Suddenly that 20 inches of space in the newspaper which had been reserved for my story was now going towards the major breaking news. That's when my editor would say something like, "Boil it down to 5 inches. I need it in 10 minutes!"

It happened. So, there I was on deadline ripping to shreds my story - three fourths of my story! I'm grateful now because I can boil things down (if I must, LOL).

If your writing tends to meander, drag or otherwise go w-a-a-a-a-a-y t-o-o-o-o-o long, try an exercise in shortening. Have a 5,000-word short story that needs focus, tightening? Boil it down. Turn it into a flash fiction story.

Flash fiction, if you're wondering, is basically short short fiction. Lengths really vary quite a bit. I've written flash fiction stories anywhere from 1,000 words to 100 words in length. Yes, that's right. Try boiling down that 5k story to 100 words without losing essential elements of the plot, dialogue, characterization, etc. Now there's a challenge.

Sound impossible? Nothing's impossible. Try it. You might realize that some of your paragraphs, sentences, words are not necessary. You may see areas to edit that make your writing not only shorter, but clearer. You see, it takes clarity of thought to write short. Muddled thinking leads to lengthy writing.

I use writing short as a starting point for longer pieces, too. For example, I'll write a 100-word story - beginning, middle and end. The whole she-bang. Once I have everything how I want it, I use it as the skeleton for a longer piece. I can add scenes, dialogue, etc., etc., knowing the whole time where I'm ending.

Give it a shot. Let me know how it goes. Want examples? The first part of my Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series is about 1,000 words. Read "Death Speaks Loudest To Those Who Flee" on Wattpad.com. I also have examples in the 300-word range, too. Check out "The Fire is Out," and "Into the Fire."

Confident in your ability to write short? Why not put your skills to the test. Enter the Esquire and Aspen Writers' Foundation Short Short Story contest. The challenge: write a complete story in 78 words. The deadline is Oct. 7. You can find all the rules by following this Esquire link.

Now, write! But keep it short. 

Part Four of the Mall Demons Series Coming!

The work week is over finally. Well, I have one more obligation I forgot about, but that will take about two hours of my time. The rest of tonight and tomorrow will be spent finishing the fourth and fifth parts of the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series.


I'm shooting for publishing on Sunday. Same channel as the others. In other words, you'll find it on Wattpad.com. I have been doing a little more research, and have found inspiration in several folk tales, legends and in some of the Old Testament books of the Bible. 


I might also add that I have started reading through several Stephen King short stories. Odd how my mother started reading his books when I was just a child. I often remember seeing her through the years with book after book reading in bed. And here I am now using those books as study guides.


Do you have an unexpected link from the past to your writing now? Share it.

Part Three of Mall Demon Series Published

Part Three of the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series is out. As the first two parts, the third part in the series is available to read for free online at Wattpad.com.


Things heat up in this part. You meet the Watcher, whose questionable past affects his relationship with the Heavenly host. Evangeline is the Watcher's chief ally. Together they are a powerful pair of warriors for Heaven. But are they strong enough to face the master demon Sargas Vak?


Want to read it for yourself? Go to Wattpad.com, and read "In the Den of Lions." If you like it, please vote for it, suggest it to a friend. As always, feel free to leave your comment below.


Read Part One: Death Speaks Loudest To Those Who Flee.
Read Part Two: Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood.
Coming Soon: Part Four of the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series.

Part Three of Mall Demon Series Coming... Finally!

It's been a long time coming, but Part Three of the Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series is coming. I am performing some last-minute edits now. 


I like letting a piece sit for at least 24 hours before I push the publish button. If you want to refresh your memory, you can still read Part One and Part Two of the series on Wattpad.com. 


Death Speaks Loudest To Those Who Flee - is the Series Starter where a man tries to escape his fate. Death, however, has other plans. Here you also meet one of the key characters in the series - the Master Demon. Read Death Speaks Loudest now on Wattpad. 


Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood - is the Second Part in the Urban Fantasy Series. Here two sisters argue over a blouse with frightening results once the demons get involved. The Master Demon is forced to make a sacrifice when confronted. There's a scene here that my wife says will keep her out of the shopping mall restrooms for awhile. Read Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood now on Wattpad. 


Part Three - Coming Saturday. The Master Demon regroups. The forces of Heaven enter the picture. Side note: After reading this part, my wife is convinced I have a weird and eerie imagination. You can be the judge. 


Please share your comments about the stories here, or vote/like them on Wattpad. If you really like what you read, please leave a donation using the "Donate" button at the top right of this blog. It's up to you how much you donate. Donating even $1 will help. If you have Paypal, it's even easier. 

A Little Help?

OK, I haven't really asked for much help, but I'm going to come out and ask now. So, if you're the kind that doesn't want to see someone begging for help, then stop reading now.

Still here? OK. Maybe you're curious. "What kind of help does this guy want?" The great thing about it is that I have options here. I'm assuming those of you still reading might be interested in possibly, maybe, if the dog doesn't need walking, per chance lending me a helping hand.

If so, here is what I'm asking. And by asking, I do mean asking. That means nobody's obligated to help. What I'm asking for is help in three areas:

1. Followers here on my blog.
2. Guest bloggers if you have a topic you'd like to write about.
3. And last but not least, DONATIONS to help me keep writing.

Followers? You can do it through Google Friend Connect, e-mail or other options you can find on the right side of the page.

Guest bloggers? Message me with your idea. You can scan my posts to get a feel for the type of content I write. It's mostly about writing, the writing life, books, etc. I am open to new stuff you don't see here. Just pitch your idea.

Donations? I know...this is a hard one, right. But think of me as the guy willing to wash your windshield at a red light for $1. I have a Donate button at the top right of my blog. The button is through PayPal. Have your own PayPal account, donating is easy. Credit cards work, too. And seriously, if $1 is all you can donate. I will be grateful for that.

There it is. Thanks to all for reading. I'm hoping to bring you more useful links in future posts. I am releasing my next part of the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy serials next week. I have other works about to be published online soon. I'll keep ya'll updated. As always, feel free to comment at the bottom of this post, or e-mail me at pramthree@gmail.com.

New Article Series on Setting Writing Goals

Over the past several weeks, I have spent many hours on my Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Short Story Series. Parts One and Two are already online at Wattpad for your reading pleasure.

The first two parts never would have seen the light of day if I had not set specific goals to get them published online. In fact, the Mall Demon stories might have ended up where many of my other fiction projects have through the years: nowhere but a fantasy in my head.

Can you relate? I'm sure some of you can. Truth be told, setting goals is fairly easy. Setting meaningful, specific goals is harder. Following through until the goals are met is even tougher. 

Tough, but not impossible. That's the good news for beginning writers. I will share the techniques I have learned and used to write the Mall Demon series and thousands of newspaper articles and news blog posts over the past 15 years. And so we can get it out of the way now, I am sharing this information at no cost to you. That's right. No charge. Free. Well, you will need to spend your time to read the articles and set your own goals.

Again, the first step is to set specific goals. As beginning writers, we must avoid vague goals. We need concrete goals. So, this first step is where my article series on Setting Successful Writing Goals will begin. 

Over the month of August, I will outline the four parts to Setting Successful Writing Goals. The four parts are as follows:

• Make specific writing goals
• Plan writing goals in three time categories
• Include goals in areas of your life (outside of writing)
• Reflect often on your goals 

As I explain the strategy, you may recognize parts of it. Truth is I adapted it from general goal setting strategies I have taught to college students. More on all the specifics later. So, if you are serious about setting successful writing goals, be sure to read my article series beginning in August.

AUGUST 1ST, 2011: PART 1 IN THE SERIES - MAKING SPECIFIC WRITING GOALS

NEW! Second Part of Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series Released

I just posted the latest addition to the Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Short Story Series. Readers can check it out for FREE at Wattpad.

The latest addition is PART TWO in the THIRTEEN-PART short story series that focuses on the battle between angels and demons at a modern-day shopping mall. The story, "Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood" follows PART ONE, "Death Speaks Loudest To Those Who Flee (A folk story retold)."

After showing the second story to a few readers, I looked again at the end - in particular, the last scene with Lily. Some said they thought it was "too creepy." So, I'm wondering what others might think.

Is the final part of "Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood" too creepy?

Let me know. Comments and e-mail messages are always welcome.

COMING NEXT: PART THREE in the Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series.
(If you like what you see, please feel free to make a donation using the "Donate" button at the top right of this blog.

Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series: Part Two, Designs Coming

Part Two of the Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series is almost ready for print. Part One was "Death Speaks Loudest To Those Who Flee." You still can check the story out for FREE on Wattpad. Part Two is called "Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood."

This is the second of 13 parts. I will be posting it on Wattpad, which you can view for FREE on your PC, e-Reader or smartphone. For the moment, my mugshot is still the only art on the cover. However, a designing duo is working tirelessly as we speak on graphics concepts for the cover. I'm hoping you'll see some of those concepts by the time Part Three is posted.

As always, if you like what you read, please share your LIKES and if so moved, make a donation using the DONATE button at the top right corner of this blog.

Not lost in all this, coming in August is the first in a series of helpful articles on setting specific, realistic writing goals.

OK... back to the cave.

Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series: Second Story Coming Soon

Despite all the emotional drama that I'm having to deal with (parent in the hospital), I am still going to hit my deadline for the second short story in my Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series. There are 13 parts to the series. I will be releasing subsequent parts about every two weeks.

You can always check back to my Pedro Is Writing blog for updates.

I will be traveling over the next couple of weeks, but armed with my netbook, I'll be plugging away at the drafts.

If you haven't noticed, I've added a few new features to the blog. One key addition is a Donation button. If you like the Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series, please feel free to make a donation - even a $1 will be appreciated.

If you have comments about the Mall Demon Urban Fantasy Series, please share them here or on the Wattpad site.

Writing Through Emotional Times

I woke up this morning with a plan for finishing my Mall Demon short story series. The plan involved weekly writing checkpoints, blog posts announcing updates, and other reminders which I jotted down on a dry erase marker board and placed in the kitchen.
And then, I found out one of my parents was in the hospital. Now, I am facing the challenge of working through emotions swelling within me. It is an uncertain time with an ending I can not really plan for - not yet, at least.