Making Progress

Made good progress on a couple of novels. Completed chapter 6 for Thunks in the Attic. Had to go check the doll house it's based on for a few details. The story is beginning to shape up and should be easier to complete. Although I say that cautiously since the unexpected can always happen.

Also wrote chapter 2 for the sequel to God's Gift. One part is well plotted out while the other has some points to be covered with others left open. The story will take some surprise twists and not go where the reader expects it to. That's a good thing both for the writer and the reader.

MileHiCon is fast approaching. That's the local Science Fiction Literary convention. Myself, along with many local and out of town writers will be there. It's in October.

Writing again!

This has been a good week for my writing. I finally edited the final two completed chapters of 'Winter Emergence' and am ready to move on writing the next novel of the trilogy. I'd better get it done since the main character from the third book is being one very annoying cat.

I'm also working on the collaboration. It's been moving a bit slow due to other life complications. However, my goal is to really dive in since my work schedule is going to become very demanding here in a a couple of months.

Figures, the deadlines for the two anthologies I'm editing fall right into that time period. That's okay. It'll give me something to look forward to after I get home or on the weekends.

Current Published List

For those who are curious, here's my publishing list, to date. Many of available either from Amazon or the Publisher

1. Novel

A. Winter Awakening
WolfSinger Publications

2. Edited

B. Of Fur and Fire
Behemoth & several poems
DreamZion Publishing
 
C. Time Traveling Coffers
Danger Said the Dragon
WolfSinger Publications

3. Anthologies

D. All About Eve
The Cat's Creation Tale
WolfSinger Publications

E. FTST#4: Space Horrors
Chosen One
Flying Pen Press

F. Throw Down Your Dead - An Anthology of Western Horror
No Trespassing
Sonar 4 Publications - Publisher closed their doors - Out of Pring

G. Frost Bitten Fantasies
The Storm
Dreamzion Publishing

H. Zombified - An Anthology of all things Zombie
Mighty Fine
Sky Warrior Boosk - ebook only

I. A Taste of Armageddon
Legacy
WolfSinger Publications

J. Women of the Living Dead - A Zombie Anthology
Mandie's Zombies
Open Casket Press

K. Tales of the Talisman (Magazine)
Welcomed Cast Outs  (Poem)
Rhysling Nominee
Hadrosaur Productions

L. FTST#6 : Space Battles
Isis
Flying Pen Press

M. Earth's End - An Apocalyptic Anthology
Smothered
Open Casket Press

N. Strange Summer Mysteries - A day at the Beach
Drip, Drip, Drip
Whortleberry Press

O. Tales of the Talisman (Magazine)
Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Hadrosaur Productions

P. The Undead that Saved Christmas
Bast's Christmas Presents
Rainstorm Press

Q. 31 More Nights of Halloween
Shadow
Rainstorm Press

R. Strange Halloween
Oasis
Whortleberry Press

S. Gunslingers and Ghost Stories
The Ruins
Science Fiction Trails

T. Strange Christmas
Best Gift
Whortleberry Press

I have several other stories accepted but they haven't been released yet.
 


 

Never Been Happier

Every week, at least when I'm able, I attend a group called Writers for the Journey. It's a local Christian writing group who encourages and supports each other. We celebrate rejections and cheer for acceptances. We're instructed in our craft so we can improve. There are write outs when we all come together and spend the time writing either on paper or our laptops. It's a celebration of the gift God has placed in all of us. And today, Terry Burns, a literary agent here for the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference in Estes Park, was our guest speaker. He shared the tricks of how to be shy yet still pitch to an editor or agent and market our books. Watching the faces of my fellow writers, I could see the 'light bulb' switching on as we all figured out how to use what he was teaching us in our writing career. More importantly, the question was asked, what really is our goal as writers? Is it to write lots of books? Is it to reach just one reader who needs the message contained in the pages of our novel or piece of nonfiction? In the world, success is measured by having a book on the best sellers list and making lots in money. For Christians, it's the one person who is reached with the message God has for them. In many ways, what Terry Burns said today made lots of sense. I write because I love to. I have many stories published for which I am never paid and to me, that doesn't matter. There's a message in them for someone. I also mentor up and coming writers. I have a huge heart to see them succeed. It's one of the reasons I edit anthologies. Would I love to be the next J.K. Rowlings? Won't lie and say that I wouldn't. I'd love to be able to write and not worry about having to work a day job. But the day job adds to my experiences and gives my writing more depth. Bottom line, as a writer I'm successful. Maybe not in the way most popularly think, but I'm following my calling and have never been happier.