Some Movies…

Hi everyone! Can you believe it’s already May? The year is going by soooo quick. Before we know it summer will be here, and all the things that come with it.

So in between prepping Dark Sun Rising for release and writing book 2, and all the other day to day life stuff, I’ve been watching a few good movies.

Like half the world population, I recently saw Avengers: Endgame, and–like most people–I enjoyed it very much. There were several times I teared up, but that’s to be expected because I’m pretty much a sap when it comes to sentimental or sad movie moments. And Avengers had quite a few. But those parts were secondary to the action scenes–which were awesome! The battle at the end was probably the best battle scene I’ve ever seen. It’s worth buying the $14 dollar ticket just to experience it.

Another movie I recently saw was The Big Country. It’s actually a classic 1950s western that my father recommended. My dad is a big classic movies fan and every now and then one of his faves catches my interest. This one stars Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston and Jean Simmons. Gregory Peck stars as James McKay, a former sailor who travels to the American West to join his fiancé, a native westerner. Since McKay is from the east, almost everyone he encounters treats him as a city slicker and refer to him as the dude. If you like a good movie with a good plot, I recommend checking out this movie–even if westerns aren’t your thing.

Anyway, that’s all I have for this week! I’ll see you guys soon.

Happy Easter and another update…

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a lovely weekend and enjoyed some quality family time. And for those of you that didn’t–well ‘me’ time can be just as good.

So… not much going on with book 1. Still working on the formatting. It’s actually taking a bit longer than expected even though there haven’t been any issues. I’m hoping it’ll be complete by end of next week. After that, I’m sending it off to book reviewers. Blog tours are an actual thing, and I’m attempting to have one for Dark Sun Rising.

As for book 2–I’m basically writing every day, trying to get the first draft done. It’s slow going, but I’ve made an effort to write at least one page a day. I know that doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up. Plus on the weekends I binge write–sometimes ten to twenty pages a day–which for someone like myself who is notorious for being a slow writer, it’s quite a bit.

Wondering what I have been up to other than writing? Not much. Well, other than getting excited about Game of Thrones, but then, the whole world is all up in arms about that: Who’s going to live? Who’s going to die? Is there a bun in Daenerys’ oven?

I don’t know the answer to any of those questions, but I sure hope Daenerys and Jon live. And Arya.

The Night King can have Sansa.

A small update…

Thanks for all of you that helped by voting in the cover poll. It is greatly appreciated, and I have to say, it was actually a pretty good experience! So good, I might have to do a cover poll for future novels as well.

In other news, Book 2 is coming along very nicely. Just a month ago, I was stuck, not knowing which direction to take. I had a general idea on how I wanted the story to begin and end, but the rest, well, it was all up in the air–and worse, I had a bit of writer’s block. Since then, I’ve succeeded in writing myself out of the block, and basically decided to push some of the action that occurs in the beginning of the story to the middle. I’m sure that might sound a bit confusing, but when you guys read it, you’ll get to see what I mean.

Other than that, I’ve been trying to get through The Ways of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It’s a monster of a novel, and I’m trying to juggle that with all the other things I have to do, so I’m guessing it’ll be about three years before I finish it.

Just kidding!

But really, it’ll be awhile before I get through that book, because hey! Writing my own is more important.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for now. Same time next week? Yes? Good!

Dark Sun Rising Cover Poll

Hi Everyone!

So good news. I finally received the drafts for the potential covers for the novel. As I mentioned before: I would like you all’s input on which cover is better.

Click here to vote for the best cover.

And always, let me know what you think!

March Madness!

So this past week was the start of March Madness. Every year I participate in the Tournament Challenge by entering a bracket. To be honest, I don’t really follow college basketball, but (and I’m sure some of you know this) I have a bit of a thing for gambling.

The bracket costs $30 to play. Winner takes home some money, obviously, and that’s pretty much why I enjoy participate. Just the chance of winning even though I don’t know anything about college basketball. And hey! It’s all a toss up anyway, and hardly anyone wins with a perfect bracket.

Other than that, I’ve been doing a lot of writing for book two of The Continuous War. I decided to put down the novella for a bit. It actually served its purpose–kept me writing while my book two ideas simmered–but I’m definitely going to pick it up again once I’m done with the novel.

As for book one–I should be getting some drafts for the cover soon. I might share that with ya’ll to see if there is one you guys prefer over the other. We’ll see how it goes. I’m actually kind of excited as I let the contractor do their thing. I’m interested with what they’re going to come up with without my hovering over their shoulder.

Alrighty, that’s it for me this week. I hope you guys have a good one!

Leaving Neverland

Did anyone catch Leaving Neverland last week? Well, I did and boy, oh boy… it really made me think. First off, I’m not a huge fan of Michael Jackson, and I didn’t have any preconceived notions before watching. I do think having a documentary that focuses on the alleged victims is okay. I mean, I think we heard Jackson tell his side of the story over and over through out the years, so why can’t these guys?

So for those of you who haven’t watched the documentary, Michael Jackson allegedly abused these two men when they were little kids. Like super little. One was seven when the abuse started and the other was ten. They said Jackson basically groomed them and their families. He threw his money around like the celebrity he was while at the same time portraying himself as a very lonely individual with no real friends. He also got in with the families of the two boys by telling them that he loved being around them (spending the night in one boy’s house, and inviting the other’s family to Neverland Ranch).

So after listening to these guys and their families, I have to say, it really looked like Jackson abused them. Either that or he was the dumbest man on the planet, because who thinks it’s ok to have these kinds of friendships with little boys? And why, oh why did he put himself in a position to be perceived as an abuser not once but twice? I’m just saying, if you’re a grown person who makes the mistake of putting yourself in a position where you can even be perceived as doing something with kids, well then, try not doing that again. Try not stating to reporters that there’s nothing unnatural with a grown man sleeping in the same bed with little boys. Why couldn’t he be like: you know what? You’re right, I’m not going to do that again, and then never be alone with anyone else’s kids again.

And really, what is Neverland Ranch? What does it represent? Is it really a home constructed by a man who didn’t have a childhood? Or was it a large playground to groom parents and children.

Which possibility makes the most sense to you?

 

 

Writing pains…

Hello people! How’s everyone doing? Good I hope. I’ll have ya’ll know–Texas is weird. The weather, that is. One day it’s in the 30s and the next it’s 80 degrees. It’s enough to give a lady whiplash–I never know if I need to wear a winter coat or not.

In other news, I’m slowly chipping away at the novella. I re-read a few pages this weekend and I know that I’m going to need to do some extensive edits when I’m done. It just needs to be tighter structure wise. And I’m the sort that hates editing. Like really, really hate it. But it has to be done. “Kill your darlings” and all that. Sometimes I feel like I need to kill the whole thing, but that’s when it’s time to maybe write about something else. Take my mind off of the story for a bit and let it rest.

Other times it takes all my will power to sit down and work on a story. With all the other things going on in life writing is the last thing I feel like doing. And I suppose that’s exactly the time I should be writing. When it’s hard.

But the more I do this, the more I wonder how some writers are able to crank out several books a year. I don’t think I’ll ever be one of those writers. I take too long to get things done, and when I am done, I take even longer with the editing process. And I have a buddy that reads my stuff and helps me out with content. She takes a little while to get back to me as well. So all around, my process is sloooooow.

But I guess in the end it doesn’t matter how slow or fast you are, as long as you write the best story you can.

Book, TV, and Movie Things

Hi Everyone! I hope your February is going well. Mine is going pretty good!

So mini update on Dark Sun Rising– I’m now working on getting the book formatted and also contracting for cover design. All in all, it’s pretty much on schedule for the August release. I’m thinking the closer I get to the release date, the more excited I’m going to get to share it with ya’ll. I’m hoping ya’ll enjoy it.

In other writing news, the novella is still in progress, and I’m having lots of fun writing it. It’s a completely different story then the novel, but still very much in the fantasy genre.

So when I’m not writing the novella or preparing for the release of the novel, you know I’m watching TV and movies!

Right now, I’m spending time watching one of the best comedies on TV: One Day at a Time. If you haven’t checked out this show, you really need to. It centers on a Cuban family and tackles all sorts of issues including: immigration, sexism, homophobia, racism, and mental illness. It all sounds serious, yes? But the show has a knack for focusing on all these issues tastefully and with a large dose of humor. It also has Rita Moreno who is amazing! I don’t think there is a character on TV that comes close to her Lydia. She’ll have you laughing ’till your stomach hurts.

Oh! And also, I saw Alita: Battle Angel, and I know it’s getting bad reviews and everything, but I enjoyed it. Yes the story is a bit hammy, and moves soooo quickly, but you know what? I didn’t care. Because it was entertaining and the plot was still interesting and fun, and the effects were excellent! So yeah, I think you should check it out if you’re into fantasy movies. I think you’ll like it.

Well, that’s about it from me this week. Until next time!

Super Bowl Sunday

Ya’ll know what today is?? That’s right! It’s Super Bowl Sunday. Get your pizza, wings, and hotdogs! Cause I think it’s going to be a good one.

I’m going for the Rams ’cause I like Jared Goff–he was my QB this year for Fantasy Football, and he usually scored me some beaucoup points. He’s also the underdog, I think. Brady and the Patriots are vets, and have the experience compared to the very young Goff and Co.

My younger brother is going for the Pats because he didn’t like the non-call that got the Rams into the Super Bowl, and basically believes a championship ring has been stolen from Drew Brees, but hey! The Rams didn’t ref the game, you know? They can’t help that.

It should make for a fun game to watch ’cause the rest of my family is going for the Rams, so I’m sure there will be some back and forth the entire game. Trash talk is a must, people!

The only bummer–I like to BBQ, but there’s a misty rain here in SA, and I don’t feel like firing up the grill. So no burgers for us, and the hot dogs are going in the steamer.

So anyway, go Rams!! I hope ya’ll enjoy the game.

Choosing to self-publish

When I decided to self-publish my novel I had no idea how much effort it would take. First, I decided early on that I would put out a book that was comparable to something a publishing house would distribute. That meant a professional editor, proofreader, and book cover artist. Also, other expenses as well that popped up depending on my personal preference that not every self-published author chooses to pay for, such as purchasing an ISBN, Copyright, etc.

Second, which is the largest effort other than writing the book itself, is the marketing. This includes self-promoting my book. For me, this will be the biggest learning experience since I have very little experience with marketing, and to be honest–I really don’t want to shell out the cash to hire a professional. So I’ve decided to keep things simple: I created this website to grow my readership, and to keep those that are interested up-to-date with everything going on with me. I’ve linked it to other social media like Facebook and Twitter so that my posts are displayed on those sites as well.

I’ve also decided to send my book off to get reviewed by bloggers a few months before its release.  I’m planning a budget to pay for a few promotions when the book releases to urge a successful book launch. And I’m hoping to have a few book giveaways as well.

So that’s pretty much my plan. We’ll see how it goes.

 

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