Not in the Mood

            As a writer, you have your high and low moments, much like anything in life. Today, for some reason, seems to be one of those low moments; I don’t know why, but today simply is. It happens, just like that scene from Forrest Gump, where he stepped in a pile of shit. What did he say? “It happens.” Maybe I sat in a pile today; I don’t know. Anyhow, welcome to the writer’s mind, where we second guess our work, overly criticize ourselves and doubt our future success. I said I would share everything with you on this journey, and I was not lying. This is what I am facing now.

            My mood has kept me from writing much today, although I have had the time to do so. I think about the story a lot and miss working on it, although I can’t bring myself to produce any pages. I took my walk earlier and found my mind drifting to other reveries. Today I am simply not in it. Oh, well. This will pass soon.

            On a happier note, my sales have increased on bn.com. Each of my stories have sold nicely (here’s hoping they will continue to rise). If you have any friends who like horror stories, do send them to bn.com, and tell them to search my name, Robert Perry. You can also send them to my blog, where I have all the necessary links posted. Word of mouth is always integral to any business; I would greatly appreciate your passing my name along. If I’m successful, I’ll even name my kid after you. Anything is better than some of the stupid ass names the movie/rock stars come up with. Tu Morrow? Really?! Apple?! Honestly, people! What happened to names like Chuck, Bob and Jennifer?  Why not just give them names like Trunk Lid and Sweat Pants! Or better yet, a number: 24601. Good God! See why I don’t read the news!

            Alright, I’m focused again. Everything’s good; everything’s happy. Pretty sunset, palm tree in the yard, etc. etc. etc. I have enough work to keep me busy for the next few weeks, months even, so the ideas have come to a halt. It’s a good thing, I believe, as too many story thoughts end up pushing each other to the side. Let’s just get through the few I have now, and focus on new ones later.

            I hope everyone had a nice holiday. The New Year is approaching; please don’t do anything stupid. Alcohol and fireworks do not play nicely together. I read once of a guy who, after indulging in “the drink,” tried to light a rocket fuse by holding a match to his backside and, well, use your imagination. I think he died.

            I’ll leave you on that happy note. Thanks for reading!

           

             

Two Notifications

            It’s Christmas time, so the posts will be sporadic. There, I said it! I have been busy as hell, and not with writing. You know how Christmas goes, so I need not comment on all the gift buying, menu planning, crowd evading, item finding, etc. It’s been fun, though. Enjoy the holidays while they are here. We all return to our crabby, cruddy state when they are gone!

            I have received two important notifications since the last blog. No, I am not published yet. I would have been more vocal about such a triumph. First, I have heard from Holly, and she informed me that the cover for Bleodsian is being put together. Second, I have heard from another individual who is working on covers for me, and he is gearing up to begin work on the e-cover for “Mommy’s Gone Crazy.” He is amazingly professional and has a keen understanding of the field. I will tell more of him when I have permission to do so (oh, and you never need to worry about popping up in my blog unless I ask your permission first. So, rest at ease). I will have to give him a brief understanding of what I want for the covers, something I will start today, hopefully. I am excited to work with him and with all the talent I have surrounding me: Holly and Joseph for photographs, David for artwork, my friend for design, and Melissa for editorial work. I think it will be a good team.

            With all these individuals working on projects, I had to write out a list of “whose doing what.” I like lists sometimes; they make me feel less like an idiot, and I get to cross things off. That excites me. Sad life? Yes, yes it is. The first of the year we will meet and go over some details and get everything in order for the creation of the cover. Until then, you all will have to hang tight for the new arrival of the covers.

            I got a little bit of writing done yesterday on “Mommy’s Gone Crazy.” It was not a lot, but it was a good writing spree. I love when you really get into a good vein and plow through the story. It all came together nicely and I got to a good stopping point. The suspense is building as the narrator tries to find his daughter amid the debris of the ravaged house. Something just moved; was it his daughter, or the ex-wife who has gone mad?

            Alright, I am gone for now. If you do not hear from me again, make your Christmas a special one, a holiday worthy of remembrance.

Rob Complaining About Time

            The problem with writing is that there is never enough time to complete the things you want to accomplish. Sounds a lot like life? Well, yes, it does. The only difference, however, is that you engage in life full-time, while most of us only write part-time. I have not worked these past two days, and all I can show for my productivity is a blog (plus this one) and three pages of text. It is difficult to ever get a good length of time to write when so many things need to be accomplished. When I am home, I find I work around the house first, then engage in my writing last. It’s always on the bottom of the list for me, because for some reason I consider it “leisure time” and not an actual occupation. Take today, for instance: I worked over my menu for Christmas Day, cleaned and worked some in the yard. The laundry is being washed and I tried to set up a pull-up bar, all things that need to be finished. But what of my writing? Oh, that just gets pushed to the side, kicked in the ass and shoved into a corner.

            Writing is not easy, especially since you have to fit in into your social time. No one goes to an office to write their novel for 8 hours a day. That would be ideal, but such things do not happen for would-be writers. Once you are published and you make a name for yourself, then you can quit work and set your sights on writing full time. That is my long term goal; I don’t see it happening anytime soon, but it is a goal nonetheless.

            My major challenge is always time; I never have a stretch of time to devote to my writings. I blame no one. It’s my fault that I don’t put greater importance on my writings. Perhaps I don’t value my writings? I don’t know. This is certainly something that needs exploration. If you are going to write, it should be paramount in your life, not just something you do for the hell of it (unless, that makes you happy).

            Well, I hope you have enjoyed my first bitch fest. No doubt there will be plenty more to come in the future. On a happy note, the ideas I have floating around in my head for future works are all taking shape nicely. I am going to record one now and start ‘pushing it around’ a little.

            Thanks for reading…..

First Update: Mommy's Gone Crazy

            For those of you just joining us, my name is Robert Perry, and I am a writer of general and psychological horror. My goal for this blog is to record and illustrate for you my journey to publication. As I said in my first blog, you are welcome to laugh at my mishaps and rejections; I will always try to make this as funny as possible, as no one wants to read boring crap. Feel free to check out my facebook page and follow along on twitter. That being said, on with the show.

            I’m taking a break from writing “Mommy’s Gone Crazy” to scribble out this blog. I’ve been working on it for most of the day, and it’s coming along fairly well, though I can’t seem to get into it. Some stories explode from the mind, while others seem to poke along at an ass-dragging pace. This work has a bit of a different style than most of my previous works. I usually begin with a very reflective opening, then proceed into a bit of an existential story where all the emotions are severely heightened. This story begins very quickly and stays at that pace. I’m always open to new things, so I will see how it does.

            If you are not familiar with the story, or have missed me running my mouth about it, this work deals with a character who must save his daughter from her crazed mother, who is also trying to kill her. He goes to rescue her and finds that the house has no power, and strangely enough, an unlocked and slightly opened front door. Will he get to his little girl in time? Or will Mommy have other plans?

            I’ve sold a few more stories; so now I won’t have to show up empty handed on Christmas day. Thanks. I’ve also made a few more contacts in the writing world. Life, it seems, is about contacts and all the people you know. Remember that when applying for a job. It’s who you know, not what you know. You could be the Queen of England or the King of Rock n Roll, and it won’t matter; know people, and you’ll do well. I know few people, so right now I suck. Oh, well. Keep at it, right?

            Keep checking back with the bn.com site, as more of my stories will be coming on line. As soon as the images are ready, I’ll post them. Remember to look for the horror stories under the name of Robert Perry. Please don’t purchase the barn story thinking it is mine: it’s not, and I get no revenue from it! No barns!

            We were out of town this past weekend, and were able to take some awesome pictures for the FB page. The area was Jekyll Island, and we got some really nice shots. Look for them to appear soon on the facebook page.

            Alright, I need to get back to work.

Story Ideas

            I am definitely in writing mode now, as the story ideas are flowing once again. I took my walk this morning and worked through several. I keep a book of ideas in my desk, where I jot down whatever comes to mind on a certain story. Those random thoughts usually form into a strong storyline, or at least that is the goal. I finished working through “Mommy’s Gone Crazy” this morning, and have yet another story to add to the book. You may not know it yet, but I wrote a full-length novel a few years ago (can’t believe it’s been years since I finished it!). The book I wrote is actually the middle work, out of three. There is also a sequel and a prequel. It is the prequel I am concerned with now, and the painter in the story. Like “Mommy,” this short story is another exploratory work where I can get to collaborate with and get to know the character in the setting. I have to structure it first, and hopefully in two months, I can start construction of it.

             The new storylines are exciting to me. Each one is coming together nicely and introducing themselves rather cordially. I have spent a lot of time working on my platform, much to the chagrin of my characters. It is nice to be ‘back in the saddle,’ with my pen (keyboard) in my hand, and a paper (screen) before me once again. My friends have missed me, and I them. I hope to get the first short story completed soon; I will then move onto the succubus project. I said that yesterday…sorry. Writers have great minds for ideas, not memories!

There has been some fruit reaped from the gothic site. I used the fruit analogy because I am dieting and feel it will help me to lose weight. If I said, “I had a shitload of cupcakes from that site,” one: it would not make any sense; and two: what the hell do cupcakes have to do with a gothic site? You see, the fruit analogy works much better. Trust me. Anyhow, some people have reached out to my blog from there. Nice.

            Ok, that is all for now. ‘Like’ my page on FB (search Robert Perry), and if you have not done so already, check out my writing at bn.com. I’m under the ebooks tab. Search Robert Oliver for those (haven’t changed my name yet). If you need to download Nook, it’s very simple, and a link is located at the right of the blog screen. It’s free and will give you access to thousands of books.

            Thanks for reading!

           

A Busy Day

            Busy day today. I had a lot to do, and fortunately I have gotten a lot of it completed. I looked over a website today, gothic.net, and found a forum on there. Introducing myself through a post, I have hopefully opened up the blog to more readers. They also take submissions, so I am considering submitting a work. I have sent off numerous works before and have usually met with rejection; it’s the name of the game. “Hey, I feel great today. Let’s send off a work and be reminded that I’m a piece of shit!” Hah! I think my style may work for them. We’ll see and I’ll let you know.

            I took my walk this morning and was hoping to mentally organize things better, but everything is still jumbled. I know I have two short stories to begin and the next novella (which is a lengthening of one of the two short stories). The work on “Mommy’s Gone Mad” is underway – the paper is sitting beside me, yearning for my attention. For short stories, I outline slightly, unlike the novellas and novel, where I had a book of notes and outlines. I’m anxious to start it, as I think it will be a good one. After that, I will start work on my succubus project, as I am calling it. I have a short story and a novella which will deal with the idea of a succubus, or an avenging female spirit. Google it for more info. Those are going to be kickin’ stories.

            If you checked the FB page lately, (and you should check it daily!) you will notice one significant change: my name. Yes, it is still me, but things have shifted slightly. I am trying out my new pen-name. Allow me to introduce Mr. Robert Perry to you all. The name works and I like it.

            I have been in touch with another person who will be assisting with cover designs. There is nothing definite yet, but when I have more to share, I will post it. Look for the new cover for “Mommy’s Gone Mad” coming soon.

            I think I am going to start submitting my works to competitions again. I did that formerly, but have since stopped – the rejections piled up and my morale dropped! There is a Writer’s Digest short, short story contest coming up; I think I mentioned it earlier. I’ll give it a shot. Wish me luck.

            Alright, the characters are growing restless. Got to go…

Looking the Part, Vol. 1

            I was told the other day that I “look like a writer.” I’m supposed to wear glasses; I don’t. I normally dress in black blazers, with dark colors; or vibrant, loud purples and soft lavenders. I like deep blue shirts with black ties (anything actually looks good with a black tie: free tip for you) or forest green with tan ties. Everything must flow and look sharp. My slacks are “modern fitting” (meaning they are tight as hell). Shirts are tucked in, hanging out, matched with jackets or simply worn open at the collar, showcasing my skull necklace - which I always have on. I wear a thumb ring; sometimes, two other rings on my right hand (ring and index finger), or a blue tiger-eye stone: ring finger only. I dress professionally at work, smart when going out, casual at home. So, with all this being said, why would I be told I “look like a writer?”

            First off, how the hell does a writer look, anyways? Do we walk about with pencils behind our ears and dictionaries under our arms? Do we use words like extemporaneous and interpolate when ordering lattes at Starbucks? Do we correct others’ speech, either mentally or verbally? I don’t know. Or maybe it has nothing to do with appearance; perhaps it has everything to do with action. Are we writers because we run through the woods to get a better understanding for what the branches feel like when smacking us in the face? Or because we eat and drink horrible things to comprehend just how disgusting they are, then write about it to you? Again, I don’t know.

            This has been puzzling me for a while. Now understand, I am a gothic writer. If you don’t know what Gothic literature is, hold tight: I’ll write a blog soon about it. But for starters, think Edgar A. Poe. Ok, Gothic. Right. With that out of the way, I am a Gothic writer, hence the pics in the cemetery. You hate cemeteries; I love them. You want a pet dog: I want a raven. Dark, stormy nights scare you: I thrive on them. Flowers adorn your desk: a skull sits on mine; You fear death: I…well, we’ll cover that one later.

I believe that you dress accordingly, and how you present yourself will be your appellation. Now, if you are a sports writer, don’t walk about with a helmet on all day. I don’t carry a shovel with me everywhere I go (read my stories). I don’t feel compelled to dress like anything other than what I am. So, if I dress like President Obama or the Sheik of Napoli, I’m still a writer. If I wear blue jeans and an Eagles tee, I’m still a writer. Bathing suit: same thing. Naked….never mind, you get the point.

The person was being nice. I told them I was writing, and they spoke the line. If I had told them I was in training to be a space shuttle pilot on the manned mission to Mars, they would have said I looked like an astronaut. This is how it rolls for me. All I can say is read my works, then you will know I am a writer.

I really don’t care what I look like (big lie; actually, I put a lot of emphasis on my appearance, but you get the idea). I don’t want to look like a writer: I want to be a writer! And I am one, published or not. Dress is only secondary, though the aesthetics may help.

Briefly, all is well. I am gearing up for another project and some editing of Bleodsian. I have a short story/novella combo I want to work on, the short story coming first; but not before I work on “Mommy’s Gone Crazy.” I think you all will enjoy it. Look for it soon.

I have almost forty ‘likes’ on my page. Please tell your friends, neighbors, and anyone you can trap in the elevator to look at and like my page. I’d appreciate it. Also, follow me on twitter and check out my works at bn.com. All links are posted on the blog page.

Thanks for reading.

The Writing Conference

            I would really love to attend the Writer’s Digest Conference coming soon. Would anyone want to wire me the money to go? Please? I really need to attend one, but not now. Hopefully soon I will be able, as they usually have 60+ editors/publishers there, waiting to tear your work to pieces, and your soul! Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Imagine standing in line for three hours, waiting rather impatiently as you slowly nudge forward. The woman in front of you has a voice to match her girth and talks only of her cats at home; the man behind you can’t breathe through his nose, and so uses his mouth, nearly sucking your blazer into his throat. You begin to have thought of moving aside and allowing the human vacuum to inhale the cat-woman; you smile to yourself at the thought. Oh, the woman wrote a story about her cats. Imagine that! 200 hundred pages of furry paws and whiskers you endure slowly and painfully, much like torture. Finally, it’s your turn and you hand them the work. They (meaning some awkwardly looking, intimately deprived woman in her mid-forties who wears her glasses on the tip of her hawk-like nose) look at it with sadistic pleasure while you try not to compare her to that Chihuahua  you saw taking a shit on the sidewalk earlier in the day.

            She puts it down, adjusts her glasses (even though they are nearly cemented to her nose) and stares up at you with this look, half-crazed and wildly bizarre, as if saying “if you ask me out tonight, I will publish your book.” You can’t say yes because you are still hung-up on the idea of that dog, and so stare blindly at her. She then, realizing you will return to your hotel room alone, begins a diatribe of your work, telling you first that it is utter shit (see previous sidewalk comment). You still smile. She then tells you about your characters, you know, the people who have been living in your head for over a year and are nearly like family. They are too dry, too human….wtf, you think; but still you stand there, smiling and dying. Then, for the final blow, and she removes her glasses for this one, folks, she says the only think your work is truly good for is pipe cleaning: no, not the ones beneath your sink. No, the only pipe she has in mind was the one connected to my ass, the same one she now wants me to shove my story up!

            As you leave the building, feeling more like trash and less like a writer, you see that same dog. He’s finished doing his business, and out of compulsion you desire to kick him. What’s the use, you say, and walk back to your hotel, where you will probably cry until the sun rises.

            So, would anyone want to sponsor my trip to the conference?..................

The New Photo

            The Photo shoot blog was very popular and I heard a lot of laughter about it today at work. That’s good (if you think watching me get my ass kicked by some tough bikers is amusing!) Anyways, thanks for all the support and perseverance; you guys have more endurance than I do. I’ll just turn this publishing thing over to you and you all let me know when I’m famous. How’s that?

            Two days ago I purchased my first photo for a future cover from Joe Sheehan. I have his link posted on my blog site. His works are great, if I may say. Joe exhibits a dark streak with rather light colors; it’s brilliant and amazing how bright yet dark his images are. The work was shown to me a few days ago, and when I saw it, I knew immediately the picture would be perfect for my next little project, the story “Mommy’s Gone Crazy.” Joseph, (we’ll be proper here) unknowingly captured the essence of the story with his picture. He is also a professional portrait photographer working in Central Florida. I like his works and think he has a good grasp on things macabre; so, his works will certainly appear on my covers in the future. We both are excited to collaborate with one another, as our works seem to fit nicely together. Check out his site and remember him for your next family photo. If you have an awesome picture and think it would be great as a cover, feel free to email me at accantoallatomba@yahoo.com, and we’ll talk.

            Holly is doing well editing the photos; the poor girl is rather busy with all her endeavors, so for her to fit this into her schedule is truly both kind and generous. I will no doubt have them soon, and I promise you all will get the first glimpse of the new book covers. I will also be working with another individual who will construct the covers locally. A little more on him later.

            The story mentioned above, “Mommy’s Gone Crazy,” is a work I will start shortly. It’s about a man who gets a frantic call from his daughter that her ‘mommy’ (his ex-wife) has suddenly succumbed to her mental derangement and is trying to kill her. His whole mission is to get into the voluminous and vaulted mansion and save his daughter. But with all my stories, what appears to be simple is not always the case; the villain could be more sinister and more secretive than once imagined. Has mommy really gone mad, or is there more residing in the shadows of the house?

            This story gives me an exciting opportunity to work with a character-type I have been molding for many months now, perhaps years, even. Collectively and individually, she is known as Alexandretta, and she is singularly the most prominent driving force behind all my female characters. I mentioned her in an earlier blog from several months ago, but now she has come into her own, and in this story, I will deal with her directly, making her the star of the occasion and not simply the major influence. Look for more on all of this in a future blog.

            I say now, Behold, the Rise of Alexandretta….

            Thanks for reading!

First Photo Shoot

            Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine rocked! I was finally able to take my pictures for my new facebook page. Allow me to paint you a picture, if I may; we, my wife and I, went to the Pinewoods Cemetery in Daytona Beach to take pictures. I like cemeteries and figured it would be a perfect fit for a horror writer photo shoot. It was, save for the fact that this deliciously morbid cemetery was across the street from biker central, where all these leather-clad guys were staring at this pansy-looking “Hollywoodesque” guy in a black blazer and tight pants hanging over tombstones! I was scared shitless! Actually, it was a lot of fun, and Melissa exhibited her photographic dexterity in taking all the pictures. Many of them came out really well, much to her praise. I sat beside stones and laid upon the ground; it was awesome! There were some wonderful staircases and some depth to the cemetery that made the place perfect. I love cemeteries, just sayin.’ You see, gothic writer at heart. What else would you expect from me? Fields of daisies with butterflies fluttering about, or fluffy clouds and soft music? Com’ on? Read my works and you, too, will puke at the idea of fields or clouds.

            Got the pictures; next step was the FB page, which I completed last night. I thought it a brilliant idea to make myself a hot chai before going to be; you know, a hot, caffeinated beverage designed to sustain the body and mind for hours on end? Yeah, that one! So, when I couldn’t close my eyes for love or money, I decided to construct the page. I selected my favorite pics from the photo shoot, and finally, after much cursing and yelling, figured out how to start the page. I hate the new FB. Bastards! Anyways, it’s up and running, so check it out! Search my name and you will find the page. Every friend who likes it makes me feel less like a turd, so help me out here!

            With both of these going, I feel pretty good. I have my first shoot out of the way and my page is finished. Like it and receive updates on all my efforts. Also, I have a new email address, if you care to send a lengthy correspondence. You can find it on the page. Also, I will be posting some new links at the right, so keep an eye out to learn more about the photos on the covers!

            Busy weekend? Yes, it was! But a good and productive one. Keeping reading, and like my page. Oh, and for an infomercial: buy my works at bn.com!

            Thanks for reading!

An Introduction to Bleodsian

            I started Bleodsian two years ago, and the work has taken so much of my time to bring it to completion. It is, however, nearly ready for the web, with the exception of some minor “touch-ups.” Working on a project for such a length of time can be wearisome, and this one had its moments. I will say, however, that when I got to the end, the whole episode sped up quickly and the ending came out wonderfully. When you all get a chance to read it, I would love to hear the feedback.

            The story is about a middle-aged man who is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder which turns out to be fatal. With the aid of a voice only he can hear, a voice which nearly commands him, he sets out on a course to restore his health with a “plan” devised by the sinister voice. The question arises, to what lengths would you go to restore your health? Another question, and paramount in the story, is what is our relationship to nature and the entire natural world? And what is death in relation to everything? Should something die in order for something else to live? Ponder these, as Mr. Cacciare did.

            I am anxious to post it on bn.com and can’t wait to hear what everyone says about it. There is a definite shock factor to the story, one which will hopefully raise questions for everyone to think over. I am not trying to change society with the tale; merely, I am trying to help us think through our own existence and how we correspond to the natural world around us. Look for it soon.

            That’s all for now. I will post more on Bleodsian as the web-publication date draws nearer. Check out my stories this weekend and find me on twitter, where I post updates on my writing career.

            Thanks for reading…..

A Freezing Walk

            I did a search for my blog on line today and found it rather easily. It was surprising, to say the least. I noticed, though, that I have more work to do in order to make it more accessible. On a walk I took earlier, I had all of these things running through my mind. It was pretty out, but sadly enough I paid little attention; I am still debating about the pseudonym issue. I teeter back and forth, not knowing if I should take on a new name or embrace my original appellation. Help me here…

            So, it’s cold outside. For those of you who enjoy it, I’m delighted for you. For the rest of us who hate this shit, my sympathies. I’m out trying to think (I always take long walks to help me process an issue) and freezing my ass off. Oh well, at least the walk was nice and fruitful.

            I looked over my stats from yesterday, and had quite the international community reviewing my blog. That’s pretty damned cool! People from the UK, Russia and Germany read my blog. I have several friends in the UK, friends I made on a writing site based in that country, and they seem to be checking it out. It’s exciting to see the endeavor grow. Keep reading and telling your friends!

            I am starting to put together a little blog on my latest novella (a work shorter than a novel but longer than a short story), and I will have that up soon. I’ll start to go over some of my works for you all, so you can get a feel for my style, and maybe even learn a thing or two about me. I’m proud of Bleodsian; it came out really well, and the ending will nearly have you in tears. It has taken me two years to write and edit, but now it is complete and nearly read for bn.com. Look for it soon!

            Gotta run now; have to go to work soon. Thanks for reading and remember to check out my works on bn.com

Christmas Time

            Everybody seems to be getting in the Christmas spirit now. It’s not December yet, but who gives a shit...enjoy the moment. Speaking of which, my sales have been doing really well (I say sales in conjunction with the holiday because no one associates Christmas with any theological event any longer, but rather with economic growth). I have a few stories on line, and the ones present have sold nicely. They are economically priced, so stop by bn.com and search my name (oh, and my stories are horror stories; I did not writer the book with a barn on the cover. I know very little about barns save for the fact that they store shit).

            I managed to locate the files for the pics I originally used as cover images and sent them to Holly. It was harder than I thought (locating them), but I managed to get them together, save for two. They are sitting safely out west now, awaiting their artist to turn them into awesome looking covers. I can’t wait to see what they become.

            There is a Writer’s Digest short, short story competition coming up soon, and I think I am going to submit again. I entered “Death Immortal” last year (it’s for sale at bn.com), but apparently they did not like my shorts (that was their slogan last year, ‘show us your shorts’…. Don’t ask me). I have some ideas, but am always open to new suggestions. If you have a good idea and are too lazy to write it yourself, send it my way via a comment at the bottom. I could use the help, though you won’t get any royalties from the work….life sucks, what can I say. Seriously, feel free to submit a suggestion in the comments below.

            I’m going to go and buy a pizza now. Thanks for reading…

A Writer's Dreams

            I had a lovely day-dream today that my story sold, and I was offered over a million dollars to write, and I moved to the south of Italy and owned a vineyard to supplement my income, and….then I woke up and realized I was in the kitchen, pushing around a shitty cart! At least the cakes looked and smelled really awesome. Writers dream, and dream and dream; you get the pictures. Without your dreams, you have shit, sometimes quite literally. Dreams are more than just happy thoughts; often, they are the fuel which propels us to attempt a goal. You may not succeed, but at least you tried. That is the motto of this endeavor. Now, enough of this motivational crap.

            The pictures I used for my short stories will be heading to Holly soon. I can’t wait to see what she does with them. I have not had much time to do any writing-related things today, but I can report my blog has experienced an upsurge of hits (views, readings, laughs; however you want to measure advancement). I will have the FB page up soon, and will move into the web from there. I have an awesome location selected for some pics, and will most likely go this weekend to take them.

            Anyone have any thoughts on the use of a pseudonym? Many writers use a pen-name, and I am debating the use of one. Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts. I can’t decide either way. Feel free to leave appropriate names for my use (please, no Jack Sparrow, Captain Kirk or Barney). Also, if you like the blog, feel free to like the link to it on Facebook. I would like it, but that would only make me an ass hole.

            Thanks for reading!

Post-Thanksgiving Blog

            “And I will give you daily updates on my progress…..” Ok, so I haven’t been excelling in the daily routine…sue me! It’s the holiday season, and I was out ‘holidaying.’ All kidding aside, I am sorry. I have been out of town lately and have not been able to construct any blogs (not that much has happened, or that anyone would dare to surrender their turkey legs to the clutches of the table guests in order to read my blog). I had a lovely and special Thanksgiving holiday; my hope is that yours was the same.

            As I said, I was out of town visiting family, and while there, I was able to correspond with my photographer cousin, Holly, who will be working with me on covers and such. It was fun to sit down with her and go over some of my works, and share my visions with her in regards to designs. She is a brilliant artist and published on book and CD covers in Europe. At only 17 years old, Holly is a bit of a prodigy, and I am honored to work with her. She opened her imagination on my latest work, Bleodsian and how she was envisioning the cover. When the pictures are received, I will most certainly post them for you all to view. We spent a good deal of time collaborating; it was damned creative and really cool! Look for a future link to her flickr page at the right.

            My sales continue to increase on PubIt.com. If you go to bn.com (Barnes and Noble), search for my name and you will find some of my short stories. In the next few weeks they each will receive a new cover (that reminds me, I need to get those pics to Holly). I have another artist with whom I will be working; look for his introduction later.

            I read a lot more about the almighty ‘platform’ (you tired of hearing that word? Me too!) I have a lot more work to do, but it seems I have done very well so far, at least according to the guidelines for platform building. I am moving along steadily. The pictures will be the next great effort on our part. This coming weekend I also plan to do a mini-photo shoot for self-portraits. Look for those in the next few days.

            Alright, I’m tired and you are too. Go to bed….

Another One for the Quest

            So, I believe I am really becoming an underground success…….I had yet another person comment on my blog writing today. That makes two people, yes two, the number between one and three; the number of political parties in the US; the average length of the attention span measure in minutes. Stop laughing you little shits, I can hear that! You think you can do better, be my guest. Anyways, this individual said they would certainly follow my blog because it was “interesting.” Another one for the quest! If you have any other friends who might think this interesting, send them my way, please. I need to pay the rent….

            I’ve been checking out some sites through twitter and found both an awesome gothic writers site and one for horror writers. Here I am in my glory! The HWA (Horror Writers Association) seems to be an awesome resource. I still need to read on about joining, as you have to be published (I have e-books), but I don’t know if they consider that publication or not. Need to find out.

            You all are probably wondering just when I’m going to submit my book, right? No doubt everyone is thinking, “I wish he’d shut up and submit.” And you are right in saying that. I do need to submit, but not before I’ve had a chance to read over the first few pages again. Why? Oh, that’s easy: SO THE EDITORS WON’T WIPE THEIR ASSES WITH MY BOOK! In the holy grail of magazines (the Writer’s Yearbook 2012) I read a wonderful article on why editors don’t make it through the first page. Now I’m scared shitless about turning it in. Is it my best work? Will they find it imaginative enough to read on? Will they mail it back to me with a photoshoped middle finger enclosed in the package? I don’t know, and I don’t want to find out. The book needs more work. So, if you are waiting for the submission date, hang tight. It’s coming soon.

            In closing (this is my academic nature prevailing) I am going to focus on editing (again) the first few pages of the book, and will continue to advertise and promote my blog on-line. Thanks for hanging in there, and tell your friends (only if you like this crazy crap; if you hate it, please keep it to yourself).

Another entry

            I worked today, not on writing, but at my job, so I have little to report as far as the publishing process goes. I’m still moving along slowly. Sometimes, it feels like I am moving backwards with this endeavor. I see what has to be done, I know what to write, but I do not have the time to devote to it. I suppose this is the story of every writer. Certainly not alone in this matter.

            On another note, I worked an event today aside a cow pasture. Yes, I said that correctly, a cow pasture. Don’t laugh, it’s true. It was a memorial service on the family’s farm. The weather was pretty, but very breezy, so everything blew around violently. It went well, though we were late in leaving.

            I’m trying to mentally organize everything I have to do for the next few days in regards to publication. With the holidays coming, I don’t know how much of my time will be put towards all I have to do. Hopefully I can squeeze in a day or two here and there for some further editing and such. Let’s hope.

            Ok, I am done for now.

Day Three (the titles will get better, I promise)

            Long day, and I am unusually tired. I’ve mentioned my blog to many people today, and some expressed interest. I had a good number of hits on it yesterday. Thanks, everyone. It makes me feel like a small piece of shit only. I appreciate that.

            So, as I was shaving this morning, I was mentally designing book covers in my head. The covers came great, but I sliced the hell out of my face! I need to get an education on cover designing before I can launch Bleodsian. I want it to have an awesome look (since the book is damned wonderful!). I have a friend who might be able to assist me. It seems a corps group of people have formed around me, people ranging from editors to artists and photographers. It is a good assemblage of people, and I believe they all may be very useful to this “mighty endeavor.”

            I had my first compliment on my blog yesterday. It came from a manager at work, and that person said it was both funny and intelligent. I said he had no sense of humor. That’s how we roll at work! It was exciting, to say the least. People are actually reading what I write; never thought I’d see the day. Let’s hope you all continue to enjoy it, and I can keep my wit and humor going (this shit is not easy, you know).

            In other news, here’s what’s on the radar for the next few weeks. I have a “photo shoot” with my photographer cousin over the Thanksgiving holiday. She is published on book covers and now a music CD, and has a wonderful talent for things photographic. I am still working on my platform (the platform is your advertising campaign. Things like facebook, twitter, blogs, etc. are all part of it.) I have the twitter account opened (said that yesterday) and I’ve used it (holy shit!). Once I have the new pics, I will focus on opening a fanpage on FB. I have some experience with such pages, but I will most likely publish three or four blog rants about the bastard project before it is finished. Stayed tuned for more laughs! While all this is going on, the book cover will be coming together. I’m tired just thinking about it. I work hard all day; why do I do this to myself? Am I sadistic?

            Ok, so that’s my next few weeks. While the rest of you are out enjoying your holiday season, think of me, locked away in my tower with only a candle for light and a rat for company – his name is Demetrius – and a whole load of documents, pics, magazines and scraps of ideas laying before me. Alright, you got me: most of this crap is electronic today, so I’ll be sitting in front of my computer a lot, trying to fight to urge to watch youtube……don’t laugh, you do it too!

            I’m done for tonight. Thanks for reading.

           

The Second Blog

            I read from the “Writer’s Yearbook 2012” (insert god-like voice here) last night. I found it at Barnes and Noble, and it’s been pretty good so far. I learned a great deal, and had some very nice laughing and crying moments. You see, writing is not just sitting in front of a computer typing; no, its’ much more entertaining. Unlike you unfortunate folks who get to trudge through life believing you are wonderful, we writers have numerous articles and editorial reviews to tell us what pieces of shit we are. I wake up in the morning and I don’t think “you know, its’ gonna be a good day.” No, I get up and I think, ‘Shit, here we go again.” But we are not as pessimistic as you might think. We simply hear how horrible we are much more than you.

            But anyways, its dreary outside, the Presidential dinner has been moved to the PDR, and I’m still in my bathrobe at 10:33 a.m. Life is good. Oh, and it seems a quote from last night’s blog is deemed worthy enough to be placed on a bumper sticker. That’s cool.

            I have a twitter account. Never thought I would get one, but now the little darling is mine, and I’ve posted on it twice. It’s actually kind of cool, and almost as fun as facebook (the old FB, not the new crappy version that hoodie-wearing idiot threw-up on us all). I have some groups and people I follow, but no followers of my own yet; hint, hint. Check it out also, as I will be posting my woes there as well.

            Alright, unlike professional writers who have nothing but time, I have to get ready to go to work now and earn a living.

            “Shit, here we go again…..”

Behold, the next Phase

            It has been just over four months since I posted my last blog here. When I started the blogging endeavor, I thought it would be beneficial for any writers to hear the words of wisdom from a fellow writer. I am past that now. In fact, you’re on your own! Your work is most likely beyond repair, so quit while you are ahead. Why so cruel, Robert? The reason is that I’m ready to send off my latest novella, and I want no competition from you, so stay away from the publishers and we’ll get along just fine! Hah Hah!

            I am indeed ready to send off Bleodsian, but I have a lot of work to do before hand (marketing, web page development, etc.). I thought it would be entertaining for all of you to follow along with my progress as I endure endless critiques, web page and book cover design, photo shoots and marketing research, not to mention the actual process of editorial submission. We may laugh, we may cry together. Actually, you all will laugh your way through this while I beat my brain against the wall! Remember me in your novenas nightly. I will post daily on my progress, and if I have nothing to report, I will lie about it and spout off something intelligent anyways.

             I am willing to take you along on this journey, provided you wear your seatbelt and keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times (small children under 48 inches are not permitted). You may have sensed my dry sense of humor – if you have not, my sincerest prayers go to those who have to live with you on a daily basis.

             This is my journey, my little bit of literally exploration; if you follow me, you won’t get a prize, you won’t gain notoriety, and you will most certainly have to shower at least thrice a week – I’m a writer, not a barbarian. Take along only the most necessary items and fill your pockets with utensils, please leave the contraceptives. You will, however, get a good daily laugh at my expense, as I stumble from one obstacle to another. Blogs are boring, so I will make this as painless as I can, like the Republican debates (you don’t even need to activate your brain to watch them).

            If you’re still there reading and haven’t fallen asleep, good job. I dozed off twice. And so, without fanfare, I present to you the comedy “Robert vs. the book world.”

            Please stay tuned for further posts……

           

What Reading is to Us

            What are stories to you? Are they simply a way to pass time, or are they more? Can you pick up a book and truly travel, or do you simply just read about another’s adventure? With stories, we have the ability to interact and exchange with the characters involved, thus placing ourselves in the work. I am a writer; many of you know that by now. I am also, however, an avid reader and dreamer who loves the adventures of old. I am a reader, one who finds an escape in the works and world of fiction. This is what writing means to me, and below I will illustrate more.

           

            Every good book does not begin its life in such a vein. It takes months of planning and writing on the part of the author. When it is published, like any parent to a child, you hope the work is successful. We as writers have a sworn duty to see our work through to completion in accordance with the way the story desires to be told. It is nearly a sacred duty, but the story demands as much, and the readers want as much. Why, do you ask? It is because the book is such a powerful element in our time and culture. So much can come from a good read; we must always keep this as our focus when writing.

            Books, I have found over the years, have the power and ability to transport us to a place we have never been, to people we have never met and even to another body we have never experienced. When reading, you can “literally” become another person, be it adventurer, sorcerer or politician. Reading allows for a temporary shutdown of the reality factor, and a temporary resurgence of the imaginative factor. I recall traveling the hills of France on horseback with the other musketeers this past fall. Alexander Dumas set me on such a journey, I still regard it with the fondest memories. I live a nice, common life, with a good job and a good family; what I had then, however, was adventure! I was battling the Cardinal’s guards, thwarting his plans, and side-stepping Milady. Most of us live normal lives, but with books, we can live the life of Indiana Jones or D’Artagnan. This is the power of books.

            You have heard me mention my belief in escapism; I believe people want to read a book which allows them to escape the culture and society. I certainly do, hence my writing of secluded houses and desolate locations. When I sit down to read, I also want to journey to a far off place, be it the parlor of Sherlock Holmes or the decks of the Pequod. Books transport you to those locations and allow for the uncommon in the very common and natural day. Reading is like a mini-vacation, a little jaunt for the mind. When things are rough, and I am pulling 15 plus hour days, my mind is wandering through the House of the Seven Gables, remembering what it was like to visit there. I am racing across the moors with Holmes; I am stalking the monster I created with Frankenstein’s help; I am watching my youth wash away in a sea of blood while fighting with Henry in the Civil War, etc. The list goes on.

            I love to read nearly as much as I love to write. I love to escape and venture to some unknown land or uncharted island, if even for a short time. It’s a break, a sojourn for the mind. Remember this when next you sit to pen a work. People want a journey, an escape, something they will remember always. Let your work be a memory for them.

            As always, good luck writing.

Favorite Story Excerpts 2

            The first time I posted some of my favorite story excerpts, it was met with great enthusiasm, so I figured I would send some memorable moments your way once again. This time, however, I am more selective of what I reveal. The excerpts below are not only from my stories, but they are some of my favorite “bizarre and scary moments.” So, here we go. Enjoy and happy reading!

From Beyond the Window

The creature, tall with pale skin, had elongated limbs of uncommon proportion to its body. Its head was without hair. I could detect an odd amount of fingers on each had, and each of those with longer nails or talons than is customary on terrestrial creatures. I gripped the windowsill tightly as the thing stared at me through the thick darkness separating us. I do not recall now what ran through my mind, although I knew the flurry of thoughts were all dominated by the stern cowl of the thing. 

From The Expense of Ill Judgment

  I was nearly finished packing down the earth when a noise from behind startled me greatly. I tried to ignore it for fear of not finishing the task, but it persisted and when I turned, I found, before my eyes, the greatest gathering of the deceased that had ever congregated upon the soil of the living!

            I watched in horror as they each took partners and danced to music, ungodly music that I now heard so clearly! The song reverberated through the yard as the decayed bodies swayed to the notes in the most elaborate of manners. I shrieked aloud when they came near and brushed against me.

From Death Immortal

I surveyed the sight through the surrounding mist and recognized something unfamiliar; there was beside her tomb an object that few could disregard so easily as anything other than a stone. I could see hers plainly, but the second one I could not read as skillfully. I moved within view and bent low to read the inscription. The light of a match gave me just enough illumination to instill in my heart a fear uncanny and more surreal than all the greatest terrors combined. Upon the stone, I read the dates of the person: one vague and unmentionable, yet the other, oh that other date, I read with a power only fear materialized could wield. The second date was from a year ago this evening, the same night my beloved parted with the active strains of life. Then I looked with panic upon my face, at the name who so boldly drew their lot beside my beloved. There, written in a cursive I alone knew, was the name of my wife’s beloved, of her companion in life, and now in death. The name was mine. Truly, I had followed my wife to the grave!

 From An Unbinding Tie

When I slowly turned over, I saw through the darkness two images, one of my girl, and the other, some unrecognizable mass upon her. A sliver of the moon sliced through the curtains to give a shallow radiance to the scene. She was staring wide-eyed at the bristling hair and lowered ears of the beast, whose growl was growing more menacing and more terrible. The light caught its arresting eyes, droplets of darkness which no human could ever suffer to endure. They were as black as the vacant tomb, black as the soul which once burned with passion. Empty and void of life, they were animated by another source, another strength which emanated from the realm beyond.

I hope you have enjoyed this little sampling. They are some of my favorite moments, and I hold each of them dearly. On the right of the page is a link to my PubIt site, if you care to purchase any of these and help stimulate the economy (An Unbinding Tie is not yet released). If you have any stories to share, or wish to express any sentiments concerning these, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back with you.

As always, good luck writing.

The Writer's Library

            A good writer is sometimes only as good as the reference books they have in their collection. Being one who wrote academic papers for nine years, I understand wholly the value of a well-stocked library. In that same vein, I also understand the value of a well-stocked literary library. I am not merely referring to novels and such here, but non fiction books that can be used as reference works. I good story is researched accurately and presented factually. In this blog I will share some of my “horror oriented” works of reference.

           

            As most of you know by now, I am a horror/dark drama writer, so my library will sway towards the horror field. I have been collecting the books on an as-needs basis, selecting the work when I had a definite need for it (you should also keep an eye out for any bargains at the book store!). I have, for horror, a wonderful encyclopedia on ghosts and hauntings, The Element Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Hauntings, Theresa Cheung. It is a phenomenal book and alphabetically lists events, people and haunts for the past century. The book is great for research and inspiration. If you write any horror, it is a must have. While on ghosts, I also have Relax, It’s Only a Ghost, by “Ghostbuster” Echo Bodine. This little book is an easy read and covers some of her exploits in the real-life business of ghostbusting. Great for inspiration and knowledge on the supernatural, the book is also a pleasant read. The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena, Bob Rickard and John Michell, is a great text for all things supernatural. It covers everything from aliens and levitation and strange rains (frogs, ect.) to various swarms and spontaneous combustion. It is great for general knowledge and inspiration. On witchcraft, the books I used were The Truth about Witchcraft Today, Scott Cunningham and The Wicca Handbook, Eileen Holland. The former was a more general book and useful for gaining a general knowledge of that faith. The latter is more detailed and takes a slightly different perspective than the former, but is also adequate for understanding Wicca. I found both very helpful in understanding spells, sacred space and Wiccan theology (Look for this info to appear later in my second novel!) Those about cover the major horror books in my library now. I do, however, keep others on hand as well.

            I have eclectic interests, and have found those interests to be of value in my writing career. For one thing, I have several books on architecture which have proven invaluable in creating scenes and structures. I sway towards gothic architecture (no surprise there!) yet often utilize Romanesque as well. I keep on hand two books on art; one is a general text book covering art through the centuries, and the other is a book dealing with Northern Renaissance art. I have a flare for knowledge and sophistication in my works and these books have been helpful. Because of the nature of some of my works, I have found the study of anatomy to be beneficial, and have an encyclopedia of the human body. Classical music terminology often appears in my writings, so I have a book on the subject. I like it, and it is a good read.

            I won’t bore you with the rest of my library; I don’t have the energy to catalogue 1500 books, and you don’t have the stamina for such an endeavor. I’m trying to develop my blog here, not destroy it! Like any good work, however, a properly written story is going to be accurate and will reveal a certain knowledge about the given material. Know your story; know your sources. Don’t put Sherman Tanks in the middle of Pickett’s Charge, and don’t give Constantine an atomic bomb! Know the history and know the fields you are writing about. I utilize witchcraft in some of my works, so I took the time to study the field and portray an accurate scene. Bleodisian dealt exclusively with blood and the cardiovascular system, so I learned about veins and arteries; a lot about veins and arteries! (I’m glad that’s done). The stories have authenticity and realism, and that is what we are striving for with our works. Aim for realism.

            As always, good luck writing.

Some Lessons Learned from Wicca

            As many of you may remember, I have been studying the Wiccan faith to gain a greater understanding of its beliefs and practice for my novels and short works of fiction. I have utilized witches and witchcraft recently in some of my works, and I have found a new avenue for character development with it. It’s been very interesting reading about the practice of folk magic, and it certainly has educated me on the subject (I take broom flying lessons on Thursdays). In the vein of exploration, I thought I would take a break from the instructional lessons and give you a glimpse into Wicca. Here we go…

           

            First, I learned Wicca isn’t what I thought it was. I approached the subject with no skepticism, but an open mind and I found so much more than I expected. I thought I would uncover the conventional ideas expressed by our culture: dark-cloaked people, black cats, old grey-haired ladies with malice upon their faces, sacrifices and death spells, etc. Cartoons and movie have instilled in us such an impression that it is difficult to see around the pointed hats and bubbling cauldrons, as well as the kid with the scar on his head. Witchcraft is very common, very real, practiced by very normal people who have learned to harness the energy of the Earth. Their Rede, or set of rules, forbids them from doing harm to anyone and allows for free practice so long as it harms none. What I nearly expected and what I found were two different things.

            Second, nature is imbued with power. This may be a little foreign to some, but after being infused with so much Christian doctrine, I do not find it strange at all. For Wiccans, everything has energy dwelling in it. That is how they can cast spells; they simply arouse the energy of the Earth, then direct it towards a goal. Rocks, especially certain varieties, have unique powers that enable the Wiccan to perform rituals and spells. I was certainly struck by the idea of nature seemingly being “God.” The Christian texts have sayings that strike at the notion of God being “above all, through all and in all.” To me, it certainly makes more sense to see the divine as a real and functioning part of this creation, and not some abstract entity realms away. The trees, the rocks, rivers, mountains, buildings, people, animals, all are part of the divine and a living expression of it. The divine in nature can also be experienced and touched; that amazes me. It is not distant, but very much a thriving part of all that is.

            Third, Wiccans believe in reincarnation. Now, on this point many people divide; Christians especially do not want to believe in reincarnation. The Christian view is that life is lived once and once only. It is easy to follow that until you look at ancient documents and see how many faiths have ideas concerning the notion. The Hebrews believed the prophet Elijah would return again. The Christian texts speak of Jesus as being Elijah, and John the Baptist as him also. The Dali Lama is a reincarnation of past spiritual leaders. The list goes on. For now it is easy to say that for Wiccans, and many Eastern faiths, reincarnation is a very natural process. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, though they see the process in a negative light and believe enlightenment allows them to escape the cycle of reincarnation. Wiccans believe in a more positive approach to the idea; we simply return and return. Life is not something to be escaped, but something to embrace. I like the idea of reincarnation, although I have many questions and have seemingly found some loopholes. Let’s hope I don’t fall through one when making my return trip!

            Lastly, natural energy can be harnessed. As I stated above, the energy of the world can be collected and used to achieve a goal. In most of the major world faiths today, you have to use prayer or some form of petition to bring about change. It is very taxing and will not always bring about the desired results. With prayer, the power is not in the person’s hands, but in the hands of the divinity to which they are praying. With Wicca, the power rests solely with the practitioner; they have the ability to harness the energy and send it forth to bring change. Of course, I see some loopholes here as well, but I think there is also a great chance of success. It is freeing to think one has the ability to create change. Personal power, it seems, is invested in the practitioner and not a distant entity. I might be more inclined to believe in the practice if I saw a witch make it rain, but for now I am open to it. After all, the energy is there; why not use it?

            It has been an interesting time reading about the subject. What I listed here was only a sampling of what I have read. As I read more, I will try to pass it along to you all. Remember to never judge a book by its cover and never take someone else’s opinion; research it yourself and come to your own conclusions. Until then, remember, when flying on your broomstick, slower traffic keeps to the right.

            As always, good luck writing.

Work Update 3

            It has been a while since I last posted and I have a lot going on, so I thought I would update you all on the latest projects. I have three underway right now; the first is the novella. I have completed it and revised it once. It needs two more readings, then it will be ready for submission. I think I have found a suitable publisher in Arkham, the same publisher which handled H.P. Lovecraft’s works. If you have not read him yet, do check him out. His work is great. The Novella came off really well, and I am pleased with it thus far. I have two short stories I am working on as well. The first is one which I have been working through for some time. It is the story about the departed lover who leaves her dog to her boyfriend. When he meets a new girl, the dog begins to act in bizarre behavior. The second is a 25 page work dealing with the traumatic story of a young girl, the Newsalem Witch! It was my first endeavor writing about a female lead, and I think it came across pretty well. It was also a first in that it was a “story within a story.” A young hiker, the main character, finds the lady’s journal and reads of her tragedy. I am pleased with it as well, and look forward to seeing it completed. The latter two will be on PubIt soon; I will let you know when. 

            Aside from these very active projects, I have some ideas mulling around in my mind. I will not share them now; sorry, I guard them jealously. Once I can get these out of the way, I want to put some attention toward the novella again and get it ready for its little flight to neverland (it’s probably where it will end up). I am also torturing myself by reading the Barnes and Noble unabridged version of Moby Dick. I thought it would be a good adventure book, but I have learned more about the color white and ropes than I have about the damned whale! It is a bit of a joke now around the house, and if the book were not on my electronic reader, I should have returned it to the ocean from whence it came! Oh well. Happy reading to me.

            That is all for now. I will give some details about the two works when I get them completed and before I put them up for sale. It has been busy here, and I am trying to get adjusted to the new summer schedule. Once I can fully embrace the summer months, I will start to crank out more blogs, perhaps two a week (not that anyone reads them, Hah!)

            As always, good luck writing.

What to Do With Downtime

            I have found that writing falls into two categories: intensive writing and intensive down-time. I have either been viciously typing away at the keys or I have been staring at the keyboard, sometimes trying to remember how it works. Some writers may have a happy medium between the two opposites, but for most it seems it is either feast or famine. We all know what to do with the writing times; write, and get as much on paper as possible. The times of austerity, however, can be tricky to manage, as the creative rivers all but dry up. Here are some of the things that I do when I have no major projects on hand.

            First, I research for future projects. What do I research, you may ask? Well, I read fervently and learn my material; anything that catches my eyes becomes a possible idea. Is your book historical? Know your information and dates? Are you writing about science? Learn the language of the field and the function of the sciences. Be fully prepared for your work and read everything! I have studied articles, books on various subjects ranging from mythology to Wicca, and mentally consumed my fair share of ghost stories. You may remember these were some of my avenues of inspiration. I am currently researching stuff on Wicca for my next novel. I may not have mentioned much about this current project yet, but soon I will give you some details on book 2. Researching is important to the whole scope of the endeavor, as it gets you in line with the reality of the story and helps to prepare you for the flowing of the rivers again. Do you neglect your research. More on this later.

            Second, I edit heavily. You may not be able to write, but you can edit like crazy. Take the document, a large cup of coffee/tea/milk/Bailey’s/etc. and read like mad. I try to edit when I finish the document, but sometimes it piles up on me. Those downtimes are wonderful for catching up on the editions and getting them in. Editing takes a lot of time, so use your downtime wisely and set aside an hour or two for editions. It may be tedious, but it sure beats staring at the keyboard.

            Third, and perhaps most importantly, I relax. As a writer, you are a bit of an entertainer. You create stories for amusement and pleasure. Sometimes, however, it is nice to simply read someone else’s works and allow your mind to wander. We spend so much of our time crafting tales, editing and researching the story we want to tell, that it is nice to sit back and allow someone else to narrate the adventure. Do not neglect reading, as it is a time for us to enjoy the craft without being totally immersed in the process.

            Downtime can sometimes be a pain, especially if deadlines are approaching, but if you have the available time, follow the above strategies and you just may appreciate the idle hours more than you previously thought.

            As always, good luck writing!

Excessive Gore

            We seem to live in a world today which thrives on gory descriptions. The bloodier the movie or book, the better it will sell, or so it is thought. We see movies like the Final Destination series and the Saw chain and realize we are obsessed with debased scenes. I refuse to watch gore, unless it is based on a historical war scene (in such matters I do not want to be lied to either, as I remember the stories my grandfather told me of the horrors of the Second World War.) Yet when it comes to entertainment, we gravitate towards the bloody; as writers, it should not be so with us. Too many works are created everyday that detail slimy, butcher-like scenes. That is not art; neither is it acceptable. Some may think it difficult to create a horror story without gruesome detail. I disagree. Below you will find a few hints on how to write a very good work of fiction without the mess.

            First, and most importantly, let the imagination work on its own. When a person is engulfed by a book, their brain is running “wide-open.” They are viewing the scenes you describe; they are engaging with the characters and the plot; they are remembering places and names, and perhaps even conjuring memories of their own. You need not inundate their minds with details of a bloody nature. Poe illustrates a good example in the Black Cat, where he plucks out the eye of the cat. What could have been a very blood scene in writing was glossed over very quickly with little to no gory detail. The mind knew what to think; everyone can create their own scene without unwanted detail. Let the mind of the reader work freely on these parts. This leads me to my second point, if blood is necessary, move through it quickly.

            If writing a horror story, you will encounter bloody moments. It is inevitable to create a story with violence and no blood shedding. To dwell on the bloodthirstiness of the scene, however, is not necessary. Pass through it quickly. In most of Poe’s works, he passed through the scenes very quickly and with little detail. In my works, I give very little detail on such matters, and opt to move around them quietly. Does that make me a bad writer? I should think not, since my work is more about art than mere entertainment. I write for the joy of writing and the art of the work, not subtle blood splattering. The action may be necessary for the storyline, but the excessive detail is not; mention and move on.

            Finally, remember your audience. It is always a good idea, if writing horror, to write to as general an audience as possible. Keep the gore to a minimum for the sake of the readers, and you will have better success with the reading population. People can enjoy a good scary story; not all people can stomach gruesome scenes. Write to the greater reading population and you will do alright.

            Well, still feeling the need to elaborate on the exploding head? Remember, what you create is art, not just archaic symbols on a page. You may walk into a museum and look at the works of Warhol and think, what? Some people may walk into your story and think the same, even though you, like Warhol, are brilliant.

            As always, good luck writing.