Exciting times for 2018 and beyond / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-Dec-2017

I am excited to see what the next few years will bring for my writing.

When it comes to goals, some meticulously chart out what stories are being written for any given week or month.

I don't do this.  For the simple fact that new story ideas crop up all the time, and if it feels right I'll go ahead and write it.  2017 was the perfect example of this.  The novelette Bruce, which was originally conceived as a short story, was written pretty much on a whim.  In my list of stories I wanted to publish over these past two years, Bruce wasn't one of them.  But when the idea came to me to finally publish it, I did.

At the moment, I have 27 published works: two are free on my website and the others are found here on my books page.  One of these is a trilogy collection, but I still count it as a published work.

So, it begs the question, what's up for 2018 and beyond . . . ?

First off, I am in the works of completing the edits for Strange Birth, the first in a superhero trilogy.  I will be putting books two and three on hold--don't worry, it's only for a short bit--while I work on an immediate sequel to my thriller Beholder's Eye.  Then, I have a horror novel that was written over twenty years ago, and I am going through it now, mapping out the scenes, and will be completely rewriting it.

After that, I have four major projects--the reason I am putting the last two books in the superhero trilogy on temporary hold--in the works: a semi-cozy mystery series, a vigilante thriller series based on the family in Guest of Honor, a baseball-themed YA book, and a romance book.

Exciting times, to be sure.

Stay tuned . . .

Your health is important / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Dec-2017

For the past few months, I have been tackling a serious health condition.  It has been a complete lifestyle change, for sure.  Now, before everyone sends me tons of sympathy messages, let me save you the time: don't do it.  Please.  There are others far, far worse off than myself.  Millions suffer from various forms of cancer and other debilitating diseases or conditions they have no control over.  Send messages of encouragement to them and give to charities that do well in those areas.

My wife is the perfect example.  In 2011, she was diagnosed with leukemia.  She recovered and has been cancer-free ever since, but her eyesight is shot.  Even her body is weak.  She does what she can, but has to rest for hours afterwards.

And it is she and my three children that I do what I do when it comes to my writing . . . and my life.

This week, I had a check-up and got some very good news concerning my condition.  My doctor had never seen anyone recover so quickly.  The condition isn't going away, and more than likely one I'll live with the rest of my life, but again it's more a lifestyle change by eating healthier and keeping my weight down.  I'm sorry to be so cryptic on this condition, but that is for a reason.  I am a private person--hell, I even stated once that I'm my own worst marketer.  I even dislike celebrating my birthday, and would rather celebrate others' special day instead.  When it comes to Christmas, all I want is to be with my family.  That's it.  No gifts needed.  But giving to others . . . that's a different story.  I'd rather give.

As a side note, if you need any ebook ideas, check out my list of books on this link.

Strange Birth is complete / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-Dec-2017

Strange Birth, the first book in the Repel Trilogy, is complete.

Right now, I am tentatively setting a February 1st, 2018, release date.  I do have a cover, which I will share later, along with the blurb.  When I have the pre-order links set up, I will share them as well.

Strange Birth has had an interesting history.  First, I was (in my head, at least) not quite a third of the way through the entire story when I realized my word count was nearing novel length (40,000 words, according to SWFA guidelines) and came to the conclusion that this may be a trilogy.  I didn't want to short change anyone, so I tossed around the idea of either chopping it in half or thirds.

The way the entire story arcs are set, a trilogy made sense.  As of this writing, Strange Birth is sitting around 47,000 words.  I am happy with it.

Now, I will plow my way through the re-reading/editing process.

I have also been thinking about my 2018/2019 goals, along with what to write next.  For fans of my Central Division Series and Guest of Honor, I will be writing a shorter piece that takes place immediately after the conclusion of Beholder's Eye, the first in the Central Division Series.  Then, I have a new series based on the characters in Guest of Honor . . . along with someone from the last few books in the Central Division Series.

The next few years is gonna be a lot of fun.  I hope you enjoy the ride I'm creating for you all.

Mindhunter May Be Shifting My Next Project / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Dec-2017

Strange Birth, the first book in the Repel Trilogy (my first superhero novel), is near completion.
I am speculating a mid-January release date.  Stay tuned.

Then . . . what's next?

I truly want to get this trilogy complete and out into the world, but Mindhunter the new Netflix series has spurred my interest in serial killers once again (honestly, did it ever leave?)

The series is intriguing--enough so that I have watched the entire season twice.  And both times over an entire weekend.  The episodes merge smoothly from one to the next.

Mindhunter has also drawn me back to my Central Division thriller series.  I have an idea for book five as well as . . . at this point, it's a shorter (I think) book that occurs right after the events of book 1: Beholder's Eye.

So I am at a crossroads: do I finish the trilogy or write these others?  Also, there is a horror novel that I am completely rewriting.

Choices . . .

The future is bright, my friend.  There is much work to be done.

Winding Down For 2017 / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-Dec-2017

It's hard to believe that it's December already.

As I wind down 2017, I will not be publishing the first book in the superhero trilogy before the end of the year.  I'm okay with this.  I'm winding down with it, tying up whatever loose ends I created, and then it's time to start the second book.

I am also in the process of re-drafting a novel I had written over twenty years ago.  Yes, you heard correct.  The story still holds true, for the most part, but I will be writing this one completely from scratch, using the old manuscript as an outline.  A rough outline.  I have three others I would like to do this for, that will be put on the goals list for 2018/2019.  The one I am re-drafting is a horror novel.  Two of the three others are also in the horror genre, and then there's an epic fantasy to deal with.

Aside from that, I have tons of other books--some in current or new series and others stand-alone--that need to be written as well.