In a matter of hours, my wife and I will be breaking away on a motorcycle adventure.
The house will be left in the care of our adult children, work will be left behind, cell phones will be playing our favorite music, and we won't have a care.
This is our first vacation without children. As much as I would like to have them all along (work got in their way), I am looking forward to spending a couple of weeks with the woman I am still in love with.
We have seven days to make a 22 hour drive to Walt Disney World. If something catches our eyes on the way down, we have plenty of time to stop and gawk. We'll be exploring a couple of National Forest's, combing a few beaches, and finding every opportunity to enjoy the moment.
At Disney, we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. Twenty-Five years and that woman still gives me that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. There is no other person in this world that I would rather spend my life with and this adventure, in many ways, reflects our life-long relationship.
Life is Good.
I'll be back later this month.
BTW. I am just a few chapters shy of completing the rough draft for book two. After that, the extensive editing process begins. I really feel that my writing has improved since Blood of Two. So much so, that I feel the need to go back and edit that book again. If time allows, I may just do it. One of the beauties of the e-book.
Life is good.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Most Intelligent Orc in the World
It's a freebie, and another installment in my Tales From Nilrus project. Princess Elanya is in this story again, as well as Malik, Prince Eldric, Qa'Veck, and General Grunsch. I enjoyed writing it, and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Here are a few links:
Smashwords
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Diesel eBookstore
KOBO
Sony eBookstore - this link is to my author page as they do not have this story yet.
Progress on book two for the Drums of Rallinwar series is going well. I hope to complete the brain purge (rough draft) within the next couple of weeks. Full bore editing will begin in June, with a target publishing date somewhere in September.
Monday, April 29, 2013
It'll Never Happen
When the term technology is used our minds fill with visions
of computers, wires, and laser beams.
Wind the clock back a hundred years, a couple of hundred years, or
several hundred years, technology takes on a different sense.
The printing press was a technology frowned upon for many
reasons, one of which was the belief that monks would become lazy.
The automobile.
Photography.
Flight.
All technological advances.
The commonality? They were all
feared, shunned, played off as a fad, and touted they would never, ever, not in
a million years, replace “x”.
You just have to love us human-types.
Digital photography will never replace film. That statement came from a photography
magazine printed in 1994. In all
fairness, digital photography has not “replaced” film, but when was the last
time you saw a new film camera for sale at your local superstore? As a matter of fact, without doing a search
on the web, tell me fast, where would you take that film to get developed?
People will always want to read the morning paper. It will never be replaced by the
internet. There are hundreds (if not
thousands) of newspapers and magazines that no longer exist because they failed
to recognize the oncoming train of technology, and countless more that are
struggling to catch up before they too go under.
“X” format will never replace the LP. People long for the hiss and pop of the
classic vinyl record. Been to a “Record”
store lately? Oh wait, you can just get
that online. If you dig deep enough, you
can even get a copy of that song with the hiss and pop included.
So, why do we believe electronic books will never, ever, not
in a million years, outsell print books?
Already we see signs of that flawed belief. Whatever happened to the “Big Six”? What are we down to? Five?
Four? The big publishers sat
mired in the mud for years. Now they
struggle to catch up with the very technology they downplayed.
When was your most recent trip to Waldenbooks, B Dalton,
Borders?
Will the e-book ever completely replace the coveted print
version? No. Much like a photograph printed on special
paper, the desire will always be present.
However…
Much like a hand-tooled leather belt, the printed
photograph, the hardback novel, will become cost-prohibitive for the average
customer. They will become novelty items
relegated to the collectors and those with disposable income.
It won’t be today. It
won’t be tomorrow. It may not even be
within a decade, but there will come a time in your children’s life when
special orders for printed books will be the norm.
The bookshelf, much like your photo album, will be
virtual. So, instead of fighting
technology, find a way to make it work to your advantage. After all, technology is coming, and it has
been proven over the centuries, its force is greater than any resistance you
can provide.
Go ahead, keep saying it’ll never happen. You’ll be one less competitor we have to
worry about when it does.
Shameless plug here:
I have three titles available; one novel, Blood of
Two, and two shorts, The Leaf Pendant, and The Most Intelligent Orc in the
World. Check out Smashword, Amazon,
Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Diesel, or iTunes to find a copy.
Monday, April 22, 2013
If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say
I have been conspicuously absent from social media for a couple of weeks. I just haven't had anything nice to say, and it has been bothering me. Am I really that much of grump? Well, maybe I am, but this morning I realized what has had me residing in Grumptown; social media.
I open up my Facebook feed and it is littered with angry people, hypocritical people, and whiny people. Read a few posts from these folks and see if you can live on the sunny side of life!
I have read post after post of political propaganda from all three sides of the fence. Each of them taking a quote out of context, throwing out a number that sounds outrageous, but isn't true, or just bad-mouthing the other side because they can.
I won't go into my political viewpoint, because it really doesn't matter. I don't care what side of the fence you sit on, when you distribute lies, YOU are the idiot; not the president, not the guy running against the president, not the NRA, not the anti-gun.
If you want to tout the virtues of eating healthy, eating organic, eating right, don't follow that post with a status of your location being a pizza house, or a burger joint. Unless you're protesting fatty foods, you just negated your earlier posts.
And really? I don't care how unfair life has been to you when you get on your iPhone/Pad, or personal computer to type that message out, while your munching on food you don't need, living in a climate controlled environment, thinking about where you are going to go to in your car that costs more than someone in Mexico makes in a year. There's an undernourished kid in Uganda that would like to speak with you.
With all that said, I unfollowed a lot of people this morning. Life is already looking brighter! I haven't had anything nice to say because the people I surrounded myself with in the social media world didn't either. Problem fixed.
When the world gets in your face
I say
Have a Nice Day!
I open up my Facebook feed and it is littered with angry people, hypocritical people, and whiny people. Read a few posts from these folks and see if you can live on the sunny side of life!
I have read post after post of political propaganda from all three sides of the fence. Each of them taking a quote out of context, throwing out a number that sounds outrageous, but isn't true, or just bad-mouthing the other side because they can.
I won't go into my political viewpoint, because it really doesn't matter. I don't care what side of the fence you sit on, when you distribute lies, YOU are the idiot; not the president, not the guy running against the president, not the NRA, not the anti-gun.
If you want to tout the virtues of eating healthy, eating organic, eating right, don't follow that post with a status of your location being a pizza house, or a burger joint. Unless you're protesting fatty foods, you just negated your earlier posts.
And really? I don't care how unfair life has been to you when you get on your iPhone/Pad, or personal computer to type that message out, while your munching on food you don't need, living in a climate controlled environment, thinking about where you are going to go to in your car that costs more than someone in Mexico makes in a year. There's an undernourished kid in Uganda that would like to speak with you.
With all that said, I unfollowed a lot of people this morning. Life is already looking brighter! I haven't had anything nice to say because the people I surrounded myself with in the social media world didn't either. Problem fixed.
When the world gets in your face
I say
Have a Nice Day!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
A Different Perspective
I look back some twenty years ago when I dabbled a bit with writing a book and I see a different outlook on writing. Back then, before I was ready to write, I had big dreams. I would be another big time writer. My books would be side by side with King and Grisham at the front of the stores.
How things have changed.
I suppose one of those changes is the fact that bookstores are becoming more and more difficult to find. Like it or not, technology has changed the face of the book world. The most important change, for me, is my perspective on my writing career. I'm a few years older, and a bit more aware of the reality of writing. Having a title share the headlines with Terry Brooks is a long shot. It is still a goal, but it is no longer get there quick or give it up. I like to think there will be a day when my writing attains that quality and reach.
Twenty years ago, the dream of quitting my job and writing for a living had a different perspective as well. I would write a few hours in the morning and play the rest of the day. The goal was a life in luxury. Now? Not so much.
Last night was another one of those nights where life interfered. It happens a lot to us writers. Outside of our imaginary worlds we still have real world commitments; things that need to be done around the house. I wanted to write a few thousand words last night. I really did. Somehow, some way, my adult responsibilities hovered over my keyboard and kept my fingers at bay. This was when I realized just how much my perspective has changed when it comes to writing success.
I still want to make money off my imagination, but it's different now than twenty years ago. I want to make enough to quit my job so I will have time to write. Not so I will have time to play, but to write. I want to spend as much time as I can writing without work getting in the way. My duties at home do not get in the way of writing, it is my job that gets in the way. At forty some odd years old, I just want my writing to sell enough that I can concentrate on writing more. That's quite a bit of difference from twenty years ago.
I still want to write "that book", I think most of us do. I think that dream will always remain. I want people to look back on one of my titles and say "That is the book that changed the face of the genre." That thought never even crossed my mind twenty years ago. It was all about the money, which is likely why I never succeeded in getting anything written back then. Today it is all about the writing.
It's just a different perspective.
How things have changed.
I suppose one of those changes is the fact that bookstores are becoming more and more difficult to find. Like it or not, technology has changed the face of the book world. The most important change, for me, is my perspective on my writing career. I'm a few years older, and a bit more aware of the reality of writing. Having a title share the headlines with Terry Brooks is a long shot. It is still a goal, but it is no longer get there quick or give it up. I like to think there will be a day when my writing attains that quality and reach.
Twenty years ago, the dream of quitting my job and writing for a living had a different perspective as well. I would write a few hours in the morning and play the rest of the day. The goal was a life in luxury. Now? Not so much.
Last night was another one of those nights where life interfered. It happens a lot to us writers. Outside of our imaginary worlds we still have real world commitments; things that need to be done around the house. I wanted to write a few thousand words last night. I really did. Somehow, some way, my adult responsibilities hovered over my keyboard and kept my fingers at bay. This was when I realized just how much my perspective has changed when it comes to writing success.
I still want to make money off my imagination, but it's different now than twenty years ago. I want to make enough to quit my job so I will have time to write. Not so I will have time to play, but to write. I want to spend as much time as I can writing without work getting in the way. My duties at home do not get in the way of writing, it is my job that gets in the way. At forty some odd years old, I just want my writing to sell enough that I can concentrate on writing more. That's quite a bit of difference from twenty years ago.
I still want to write "that book", I think most of us do. I think that dream will always remain. I want people to look back on one of my titles and say "That is the book that changed the face of the genre." That thought never even crossed my mind twenty years ago. It was all about the money, which is likely why I never succeeded in getting anything written back then. Today it is all about the writing.
It's just a different perspective.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Nothing In Particular
Really, I have nothing in particular to say.
2013 looks to be a promising year. At least I hope so; there is a lot on my imaginary plate.
Somewhere over the next few days I intend to publish my next freebie, Diplomat Elanya. I posted the raw cover art on the Facebook page if you want a peek. I like the impact these freebies have, so you can expect me to continue. I expect to release at least two more before book two launches.
Speaking of book two... Wow. One of the story lines took an odd turn and I blame it all the characters. They just can't stick with an outline. It may lengthen the story a bit, and change up how I originally intended, but with any sort of luck (and time), the book should be ready by August/September. However, this time I really need to put something extra in the edits.
Editing...phew. Look, I know Blood of Two had some issues (my wife told me so). I haven't looked back since I published the book, but I am now having a change of heart. At some point, you can expect a revision, not to the storyline, but more to address grammar issues. I am sure there are more issues than I think, but I still want to tighten it up and provide my readers with the best quality. This will likely happen around the release of book two.
Beyond book two, you can expect more short story freebies. I do anticipate packaging the shorts at some undetermined point (maybe after 10 or 15 of them) and selling a hard copy of the collection. Not for the money, (I make very little off paperback copies), but just to tie them all in a pretty package.
Beyond that, of course, is another book. I'm liking this writing thing.
2013 looks to be a promising year. At least I hope so; there is a lot on my imaginary plate.
Somewhere over the next few days I intend to publish my next freebie, Diplomat Elanya. I posted the raw cover art on the Facebook page if you want a peek. I like the impact these freebies have, so you can expect me to continue. I expect to release at least two more before book two launches.
Speaking of book two... Wow. One of the story lines took an odd turn and I blame it all the characters. They just can't stick with an outline. It may lengthen the story a bit, and change up how I originally intended, but with any sort of luck (and time), the book should be ready by August/September. However, this time I really need to put something extra in the edits.
Editing...phew. Look, I know Blood of Two had some issues (my wife told me so). I haven't looked back since I published the book, but I am now having a change of heart. At some point, you can expect a revision, not to the storyline, but more to address grammar issues. I am sure there are more issues than I think, but I still want to tighten it up and provide my readers with the best quality. This will likely happen around the release of book two.
Beyond book two, you can expect more short story freebies. I do anticipate packaging the shorts at some undetermined point (maybe after 10 or 15 of them) and selling a hard copy of the collection. Not for the money, (I make very little off paperback copies), but just to tie them all in a pretty package.
Beyond that, of course, is another book. I'm liking this writing thing.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
No Reviews For You!
Let’s get this straight, before I go off on my rant: I like Amazon. I buy several items from them, including most of my reading material. On top of that, they are the key e-tailer for my books. My writing is sold through several different vendors, but Amazon has the broadest audience which translates into the most sales.
However, I do have a problem with one of their policies and how they implement it.
I ask my readers to write reviews, not only for my works, but for others as well. In turn, I feel it is my responsibility to write reviews also. Why?
1. I ask my readers to do it, so I should too.
2. As a writer, I crave feedback, so I assume others are the same.
3. I want to do all I can to support fellow Indie Authors.
4. A good book deserves praise.
5. A bad book deserves a bad review.
6. There are too many paid for reviews out there and the real reader needs to offset the bots.
Of all the reviews I have contributed, two of them were bad reviews, but all of them were honest reviews. Doesn’t matter. I received an e-mail from Amazon today stating that two of my reviews (the bad ones) do not comply with their customer reviews guidelines.
Understand, I am not arguing the validity of this guideline. I like it, to a point. There are pros and cons to it, but the Customer Review is broken, and not just with Amazon. More on this later.
The problem I have: They only removed the two bad reviews. If Amazon was honestly removing my reviews because of the stated guideline they would have removed ALL of my reviews.
If I am in direct competition with the authors who received my bad reviews, I am also in competition with the rest of them that received more complementary reviews. (by the way, I seldom give 5 stars…er, gave)
My reviews were removed because the author of the book that received my latest review complained about the one star he deserved. It stood in stark contrast to the many 5 star reviews he paid for. Just FYI, the book had an average rating of 4.2 on Amazon, while on Goodreads and Shelfari, its average rating was 2.
As I mentioned earlier, the customer review process across the Web is broken. It is no secret that companies pay for good reviews. Authors are no different. There are companies that sell reviews to authors. To achieve a four or five star rating on Amazon is easy; you just need the money to do it. This is one of the reasons I do not give five star ratings for anything, not just books.
Amazon is trying many things to combat this issue, but it is a losing battle. The only way to combat this issue is for actual customers to post honest reviews of products, be it a book or cellular phone. Right now, I believe the best way to find honest reviews of books is to find them on Goodreads. For the most part, the reviews appear honest.
However, I do have a problem with one of their policies and how they implement it.
I ask my readers to write reviews, not only for my works, but for others as well. In turn, I feel it is my responsibility to write reviews also. Why?
1. I ask my readers to do it, so I should too.
2. As a writer, I crave feedback, so I assume others are the same.
3. I want to do all I can to support fellow Indie Authors.
4. A good book deserves praise.
5. A bad book deserves a bad review.
6. There are too many paid for reviews out there and the real reader needs to offset the bots.
Of all the reviews I have contributed, two of them were bad reviews, but all of them were honest reviews. Doesn’t matter. I received an e-mail from Amazon today stating that two of my reviews (the bad ones) do not comply with their customer reviews guidelines.
“Specifically, sentiments by or on behalf of a person or company with a directly competing product are not allowed in Amazon.com Customer Reviews. This includes reviews by authors, artists, publishers, manufacturers, or third-party merchants selling the product.”
Understand, I am not arguing the validity of this guideline. I like it, to a point. There are pros and cons to it, but the Customer Review is broken, and not just with Amazon. More on this later.
The problem I have: They only removed the two bad reviews. If Amazon was honestly removing my reviews because of the stated guideline they would have removed ALL of my reviews.
“…sentiments by or on behalf of a person or company with a directly competing product…”
If I am in direct competition with the authors who received my bad reviews, I am also in competition with the rest of them that received more complementary reviews. (by the way, I seldom give 5 stars…er, gave)
My reviews were removed because the author of the book that received my latest review complained about the one star he deserved. It stood in stark contrast to the many 5 star reviews he paid for. Just FYI, the book had an average rating of 4.2 on Amazon, while on Goodreads and Shelfari, its average rating was 2.
As I mentioned earlier, the customer review process across the Web is broken. It is no secret that companies pay for good reviews. Authors are no different. There are companies that sell reviews to authors. To achieve a four or five star rating on Amazon is easy; you just need the money to do it. This is one of the reasons I do not give five star ratings for anything, not just books.
Amazon is trying many things to combat this issue, but it is a losing battle. The only way to combat this issue is for actual customers to post honest reviews of products, be it a book or cellular phone. Right now, I believe the best way to find honest reviews of books is to find them on Goodreads. For the most part, the reviews appear honest.
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