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.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
How Much Did J.K. Rowling Get For The First Harry Potter Book?
If I could find a way to pay for seven tickets to the last Harry Potter movie, my kids would think I was the coolest dad.
Hmmm.... gotta work on that one. Before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in movie form, there were the books. And before Rowling was the writing success all writers dream of following, there was the unknown writer trying to get her first book published.
W-a-a-a-a-a-a-y back when, Rowling received approximately $2,400 in an advance from her publisher for the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, according to a list of Potter-related stats on an Entrepreneur blog posting by Jason Fell.
The rest, as they say, is history.
That kind of an advance would be enough to make me happy. Well, a couple hundred bucks would make me (er... my kids) happy because I could take them to the movies.
Back to work.
Hmmm.... gotta work on that one. Before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in movie form, there were the books. And before Rowling was the writing success all writers dream of following, there was the unknown writer trying to get her first book published.
W-a-a-a-a-a-a-y back when, Rowling received approximately $2,400 in an advance from her publisher for the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, according to a list of Potter-related stats on an Entrepreneur blog posting by Jason Fell.
The rest, as they say, is history.
That kind of an advance would be enough to make me happy. Well, a couple hundred bucks would make me (er... my kids) happy because I could take them to the movies.
Back to work.
Grading Papers, Research and Chess - Summer camp Pedro Style
As I work on grading papers and do Web research, the kids are using my old laptop to learn chess.
Yes, it's summer, and since we can't afford to send them to camp, they are participating in Camp Pedro. This morning that means they are learning chess on dad's old Wal-mart laptop using an old chess game for Windows 95/98. The game case was a little dusty since it's been sitting in a box of forgotten items for the past few years.
But... except for a stray beep and buzz from the game when they make an illegal move, it's peacefully quiet in the room. They are having fun. Isn't that nice.
It's quiet so I can work. The kids are having fun on their own (No, "Daddy, I'm bored!" Um... at least, not yet.)
Good times. Fun on a budget. I like it.
Yes, it's summer, and since we can't afford to send them to camp, they are participating in Camp Pedro. This morning that means they are learning chess on dad's old Wal-mart laptop using an old chess game for Windows 95/98. The game case was a little dusty since it's been sitting in a box of forgotten items for the past few years.
But... except for a stray beep and buzz from the game when they make an illegal move, it's peacefully quiet in the room. They are having fun. Isn't that nice.
It's quiet so I can work. The kids are having fun on their own (No, "Daddy, I'm bored!" Um... at least, not yet.)
Good times. Fun on a budget. I like it.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Angels Enter The Picture
"Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee" is the first of 13 stories in my Demon Series.
The second story is about ready for release. Towards the end of the next story the forces which will counter evil in the Demon Series will make their entrance:
Angels.
Death personified will return as well - but not until the third story. I started working on the cover design for "Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee." Some may recognize the design, since I borrowed it from old propaganda posters.
If you haven't voted for "Death Speaks Loudest...", please go to Wattpad and click away. You can also say you like it on Twitter or Facebook.
OK... Time to catch the last half of the USA v France replay on ESPN3. Go USA!
The second story is about ready for release. Towards the end of the next story the forces which will counter evil in the Demon Series will make their entrance:
Angels.
Death personified will return as well - but not until the third story. I started working on the cover design for "Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee." Some may recognize the design, since I borrowed it from old propaganda posters.
If you haven't voted for "Death Speaks Loudest...", please go to Wattpad and click away. You can also say you like it on Twitter or Facebook.
OK... Time to catch the last half of the USA v France replay on ESPN3. Go USA!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Second Story in Demon Series
Here's the read-in so far for the second story in my Demon series:
A trip to the mall turns deadly when a teen-aged girl stops at nothing to get what her sister has. A host of demons take advantage of the moment and feast.
I'll probably change it a dozen times, but there it is. I'm a little worried that the final scene is too disgusting. Sitting on it for 24 hours to see how I feel about it tomorrow.
If you missed the first story in the Demon series, "Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee", check it out on Wattpad. I'll throw a bunch of good karma, vibrations, and all that your way if you cast a vote saying you like it.
A trip to the mall turns deadly when a teen-aged girl stops at nothing to get what her sister has. A host of demons take advantage of the moment and feast.
I'll probably change it a dozen times, but there it is. I'm a little worried that the final scene is too disgusting. Sitting on it for 24 hours to see how I feel about it tomorrow.
If you missed the first story in the Demon series, "Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee", check it out on Wattpad. I'll throw a bunch of good karma, vibrations, and all that your way if you cast a vote saying you like it.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Fantasy Short Story Series on Wattpad
The last week or so I have been going crazy working on a fantasy short story series.
So far I've put out one of the stories to gauge reaction. The plan on the board is for a series of 12 related stories to go with the first one called, "Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee." I posted it on Wattpad, self-dubbed as the most popular e-book community out there.
Here's the teaser to the story:
Demons are lurking, hunting for souls. Death walks and talks and is training demons. In this old folk story retold, a man encounters Death and tries to escape his fate. It is the first of several stories following the demonic hordes as they hunt modern day humans.
Let me know what you think!
So far I've put out one of the stories to gauge reaction. The plan on the board is for a series of 12 related stories to go with the first one called, "Death Speaks Loudest to Those Who Flee." I posted it on Wattpad, self-dubbed as the most popular e-book community out there.
Here's the teaser to the story:
Demons are lurking, hunting for souls. Death walks and talks and is training demons. In this old folk story retold, a man encounters Death and tries to escape his fate. It is the first of several stories following the demonic hordes as they hunt modern day humans.
Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Getting Back In The Game
It's been a long three months since my last entry. The time has been challenging with family tragedies. My hope is that now I will be able to maintain a regular rate of entries.
As writers, we can see times of sorrow as opportunities to explore the realm of human experience and ultimately improve our craft. It is a great tool for coping with life's challenges.
As writers, we can see times of sorrow as opportunities to explore the realm of human experience and ultimately improve our craft. It is a great tool for coping with life's challenges.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)