Garbage Day is my newest novella to be published. Please click on the link for your favorite ebook retailer.
2018 started out strong in the first half, but tapered off for the final half. That being said, December ended with a bang and I'm starting work on writing my first epic fantasy--a decision I came to quickly when it became apparent that not only do I enjoy reading them, the movies I love also have a fantastical feel to them. I had written this novel before, but I'm using what I had written as an outline (an outline! Gasp!) albeit a "loose" outline.
As 2018 draws to a close, let's recap my total published works. All are in ebooks at this point--nothing in print or audio or graphic novel or gaming as of yet. Let's see what the future brings.
I have 32 individual published works at this point. They consist of:
9 full-length novels
6 novelettes or novellas
11 short stories (two of which are free on my website)
1 short story collection
2 box sets
2 non-fiction ebooks
1 romance written under a pseudonym
Friday, December 28, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
Have fun / Happenings In The Outhouse 21-Dec-2018
I was listening to a podcast last week, and the guests were asked questions from the popular podcaster's audience.
One of the questions was something like this: "If you could have a saying or a picture or a paragraph up on a billboard, what would it be?"
So many people nowadays seem to take issues way too seriously. So much so, that if that put that same amount of energy into improving their own lives, they would be wildly successful. Given that, picture this: two men in dark business suits, one looking serious and even frowning; the other had a smile on his face. The smiley face man would hold up two fingers behind the serious man's head, giving him the proverbial bunny ears. Then comes the caption:
One of the questions was something like this: "If you could have a saying or a picture or a paragraph up on a billboard, what would it be?"
So many people nowadays seem to take issues way too seriously. So much so, that if that put that same amount of energy into improving their own lives, they would be wildly successful. Given that, picture this: two men in dark business suits, one looking serious and even frowning; the other had a smile on his face. The smiley face man would hold up two fingers behind the serious man's head, giving him the proverbial bunny ears. Then comes the caption:
HAVE FUN!
That would be my billboard.
Life should be fun. If you're not having fun, maybe the issue is . . . well, you.
I get it. Life can be difficult at times. In January 2011, within a day of each other, I have a vehicle repossessed and a home foreclosed on. My wife and I worked through both, getting the vehicle back and the saving our home. Then, in April, my wife was diagnosed with leukemia. She was treated successfully (huge thanks to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN!) and remains cancer-free, yet in the meantime she is legally blind because of the treatments and she tires easily.
It would be easy to go "bah-humbug!" at the upcoming Christmas season. But I do not. Think of my billboard.
And have fun!
It would be easy to go "bah-humbug!" at the upcoming Christmas season. But I do not. Think of my billboard.
And have fun!
Friday, December 14, 2018
Winding down but keep your eye on the ball / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Dec-2018
Only a few weeks left of 2018. It's easy, at this point, to procrastinate and coast through the holiday season.
The other day I thought about what I should tackle next in 2019. Based on the books and movies I liked to watch, it was easy to choose. 2019 and beyond is going to be exciting for this indie writer.
It's okay to take a break as we come to the upcoming holidays. But at the same time when everyone else is doing nothing, challenge yourself to focus on what you need to do and charge forward. Even at a slower pace, it's still moving forward.
The other day I thought about what I should tackle next in 2019. Based on the books and movies I liked to watch, it was easy to choose. 2019 and beyond is going to be exciting for this indie writer.
It's okay to take a break as we come to the upcoming holidays. But at the same time when everyone else is doing nothing, challenge yourself to focus on what you need to do and charge forward. Even at a slower pace, it's still moving forward.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Keywords and covers and blurbs, oh my / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Dec-2018
Keywords.
Covers.
Blurbs.
These may be the triad of book publishing and marketing.
Think about it for a moment. You're either at a bookstore or an online venue, perusing the next great read. If a cover intrigues you, and you're in the bookstore, you'll probably pick it up and read the back. Or even read the first page. That covers two of the three. The equivalent to keywords would be the section of the store they're located in. You would never find any epic fantasy novels by Brandon Sanderson in the mystery/thriller section. And you wouldn't find any Agatha Christie mysteries in the travel or self-help section.
It is important covers, blurbs, and keywords are up to date. I am in the process of working through my books, first with my thriller series, and then going through the rest.
I surpassed the 11,000 word mark on my new story. It's an escape room suspenseful mystery on a large scale. I will share more when it's complete.
When will it be? I'm shooing to have it complete by the middle of this month.
Covers.
Blurbs.
These may be the triad of book publishing and marketing.
Think about it for a moment. You're either at a bookstore or an online venue, perusing the next great read. If a cover intrigues you, and you're in the bookstore, you'll probably pick it up and read the back. Or even read the first page. That covers two of the three. The equivalent to keywords would be the section of the store they're located in. You would never find any epic fantasy novels by Brandon Sanderson in the mystery/thriller section. And you wouldn't find any Agatha Christie mysteries in the travel or self-help section.
It is important covers, blurbs, and keywords are up to date. I am in the process of working through my books, first with my thriller series, and then going through the rest.
I surpassed the 11,000 word mark on my new story. It's an escape room suspenseful mystery on a large scale. I will share more when it's complete.
When will it be? I'm shooing to have it complete by the middle of this month.
Friday, November 30, 2018
2019 will be interesting / Happenings In The Outhouse 30-Nov-2018
As you may (or may not) know, I plan about 2 years in advance.
Not that things won't change--because they will.
Hence the reason why I plan things out so far.
I'm roughly halfway (I think) through a new story, and I'm looking at what I had written before and never published. I have 2-3 short stories and 3 novels (two in the horror genre and one epic fantasy) that are complete. The plan is to use them as an outline, and write fresh and new. I do have a 4th novel (also in the horror genre), but I have future plans for that one that goes beyond my 2-year goal--if it remains unpublished for several more years won't be the worst thing in the world.
Note that I said 2019 WILL be interesting. Not that it should be. I'm planting a stake in the ground and moving forward with the new (yet old) projects. Once those are cleared away, I want to finish the superhero trilogy, complete more novels in my thriller series, and a whole lot more.
But publishing essentially 6 new stories will clear the decks for what I want to accomplish next.
Not that things won't change--because they will.
Hence the reason why I plan things out so far.
I'm roughly halfway (I think) through a new story, and I'm looking at what I had written before and never published. I have 2-3 short stories and 3 novels (two in the horror genre and one epic fantasy) that are complete. The plan is to use them as an outline, and write fresh and new. I do have a 4th novel (also in the horror genre), but I have future plans for that one that goes beyond my 2-year goal--if it remains unpublished for several more years won't be the worst thing in the world.
Note that I said 2019 WILL be interesting. Not that it should be. I'm planting a stake in the ground and moving forward with the new (yet old) projects. Once those are cleared away, I want to finish the superhero trilogy, complete more novels in my thriller series, and a whole lot more.
But publishing essentially 6 new stories will clear the decks for what I want to accomplish next.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Lessons learned from Stan Lee / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Nov-2018
I've seen this quote in other places attributed to the late (and great) Stan Lee.
Rest in peace.
May we all wish to become as great an entertainer as you.
Friday, November 16, 2018
Lessons learned from Clingmans Dome / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-Nov-2018
In early June 2017, my in-laws took my family on a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee. We stayed at the Grand Timber Lodge near Pigeon Forge, and if you click on this link you get a snapshot of the gorgeous scenery.
While we were there, we visited Clingmans Dome, which is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. From the parking lot, there is a 0.5 mile hike up to the dome. Now, you would think that walking a half-mile could be so grueling. Periodically, there are benches along the semi-steep path, which I utilized every chance I could.
But I made it. All 800 meters (or 0.5 miles).
Reflecting on the grueling hike up now, I also think about my writing career. While hiking, there were people who passed me, people who quit, and plenty who didn't take the journey at all. There were also others who passed me and then quit--why, I have no idea.
Where are you on the journey? For myself, no matter where I am, I will still continue to climb, one step at a time.
(For more information on Clingmans Dome, here is the link to the Wikipedia page).
While we were there, we visited Clingmans Dome, which is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. From the parking lot, there is a 0.5 mile hike up to the dome. Now, you would think that walking a half-mile could be so grueling. Periodically, there are benches along the semi-steep path, which I utilized every chance I could.
But I made it. All 800 meters (or 0.5 miles).
Reflecting on the grueling hike up now, I also think about my writing career. While hiking, there were people who passed me, people who quit, and plenty who didn't take the journey at all. There were also others who passed me and then quit--why, I have no idea.
Where are you on the journey? For myself, no matter where I am, I will still continue to climb, one step at a time.
(For more information on Clingmans Dome, here is the link to the Wikipedia page).
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