The Brief Update

            Greetings, everyone. I hope this finds you out digging around in cemeteries and searching for ghosts and witches in old houses. Yes, I hope it finds you doing all these things, as I no longer have any time to engage in my favorite past-times (well, digging around in cemeteries was a stretch; I photograph them). I have not started editing “Mommy’s Gone Crazy” yet, but plan to in a few days. I like to let it rest for a little while before I engage with it. I have also finished looking over a friend’s work; it was really good and had an awesome ending. I liked it.

            As I was saying, I am entirely busy and engaged for the next few weeks. I have editing, a new short story to write (“Gothic Angel”), and my two blogs. Did any of you read about Alexandretta at wordpress.com? If not, check it out. It’s been met with a lot of great responses so far.

            Joe wants me to assist with a project of his, so I am not starting to divert some time to it. I think it will be a fun endeavor, and I do look forward to working on his “script.” Aaron is also in on it. I’ll tell you more about it later, as our first meeting is still pending.

            Once I start editing, expect a very grumpy Mr. Perry to appear on here. I don’t know why, but I hate editing. It pains me to no end. I remember editing the novel with Lady Perry; it was a pain in the as…you get the point. I hate it; I simply do, although it is essential to the work. I hope to have it wrapped up soon, and on the market. I really want to get it listed.

            The next project is Bleodsian, with “Mommy’s Gone Crazy” coming in right behind it. Bleodsian is my novella about a man who attempts to correct his ailing health, and gain eternity in the process, by rather unusual means. The story is really good, and the ending, I believe, makes it. Look for more on this soon.

            Well, this has been fun….goodnight.

The Story is Finished

            The text is written; the pages print; and the document in the file. Phase One of the writing process is Complete! Yes, I finished "Mommy’s Gone Crazy" earlier today. I sat myself down and threatened not to leave the chair until I had finished it, bathroom breakes included! Bodily functions have the ability to spur one on to complete a work.

            The story came out really well. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have the work completed. It ended very nicely (in writing terms), and I am pleased with the conclusion. At 34 pages, it is a bit of a lengthy tale! I did not intend for it to extend as it did, but once Alexandretta took the helm, the story simply grew until she saw fit to end it.

            Editing will begin soon. It’s not my favorite part (actually, I hate it more than driving a nail through my foot), but it is a necessary part of the process. The story, as I said, is 34 pages. I will read it thrice. That means I will read 102 8 ½ by 11 sheets of paper before you ever see this work on-line. Melissa will do the same. Image what it was like when we were editing the novel (232 pages). I’ll share some editing pics soon. For now, ease your eyes on the finished product:

We discussed the situation earlier and found that there are four phases for the life of the story. The first is the writing phase, which is already completed. The second is the editing phase (shoot me now). The third is the newly added e-cover phase (I love you, Aaron and Joe). The fourth and final is the act of e-publication (buy my book). So, one phase down, three to go!

            I should hopefully have it up in about a month, perhaps a little more. We still need cover art for it, and then about three good weeks for Aaron to create a cover. So, look for it soon. Until then, you can check out my wordpress blog and read about Alexandretta and the imagination behind this story!

            If you or any of your friends are interested in purchasing any of my stories, do know that the Nook app for your computer and android phones, as well as iphones, is free. The link to the webpage is at the right of the screen, or simply search the market on your phones for the app. As always, I appreciate you guys and your support. If you like the story, “you’re welcome.” If not, “up yours.” Lol! Joking.

            Alright, everyone have a nice Sunday night. Thanks for following along. Until next time…..

Wednesday Update

            I have a few items to talk over tonight. It’s been a busy few days and a lot has come about. Well, not really “a lot,” but a good deal. I try to expand things, at least in my mind, to make it seem like I am progressing further than I really am! Ok, so I only received a few pics and one cover. But they are great pictures and the e-cover is amazing. I shared it before, but officially I am releasing it here. Check out the new cover for The Witch House!

I am so excited to see the finished product! Aaron did an amazing job with the work, and for that I am happy. It looks professional and attractive. Each of the artists, Aaron and Joe, read the work, and this cover is what we all agreed upon. Doesn’t it look great? Leave a comment and let me know! I am simply elated to have it. Soon, once a few particulars are taken care of, I will announce the release date. Look for it soon.

On another front, Holly has submitted two awesome works for Bleodsian. You may not have heard me mention this story much. It is my first novella, and deals with a man’s very unusual method of securing eternal life and health. The two shots deal with different aspects of the whole story. The “second pic,” the one with the girl (who just happens to be Holly) will be used for the sequel novella. The first shot is awesome, but I have asked for a few options, not out of a dislike for the image, but simply because I like options. Here are the shots!

As you can see, both are amazing shots, and I am very happy to have her artwork displayed on my book. Holly has an unearthly talent for photography, and is quite brilliant in her field. She has sold to numerous publications, including most recently (as in two days ago) Reader’s Digest, and has her works on the music covers of some European labels and a few coffee shop signs in Italy, just to name a few. Works of Holly’s are even on two books. She is magnificent. Oh, and she’s only 17!

  Well, the cover is finished. It is mind-boggling to think this process has come to an end. Next, we will begin working on Mommy’s Gone Crazy, after a few days rest! The projects are lining up like little planes on the runway. Here is my schedule for the next few weeks: First, complete Mommy’s Gone Crazy. Next, begin a short work called Gothic Angel for a March 15^th deadline. I am not certain if I am going to make it. If I don’t, then I will have to skip that contest and push on for the next deadline at the end of March. After that, the Succubus project will begin, and I will try to squeeze out Bleodsian. I have not worked much with any of the Succubus material lately, but I think it will be a major writing endeavor. Once that is complete, and provided no short stories pop up, I will take on Alexandretta. By now, it is somewhere in July. So, you see, my months are filling up quickly.

I have a new blog on Wordpress.com. I hope you will like it, as in that location I will digest my own stories! I plan to critique my works and show you a “behind the scenes” look at the story. You will learn how I came up with the idea; what my thoughts are on certain subjects; the influence of diverse religious beliefs and philosophical systems on my writing style; and hear me discuss a range of topics, ranging from the sacred feminine to the use of gothic symbolism in my works. It will be a fun place for me to babble about all those little, dark secrets floating around in my head. So, if you want to know what’s hiding in the cavernous chambers of my mind, check out the Wordpress.com blog site. Just search robertperry2012 in wordpress!

Well, got to run now. Thanks for reading. Look for The Witch House to arrive soon!

Musings on Alexandretta

             I’m still plowing through the short work, Mommy’s Gone Crazy. I cannot tell you how well it has come along in the past few days. The story is very nearly writing itself. I am so pleased and very excited about its progression and the final outcome (once I get there). I certainly think this is going to be one of my best. I won’t go into much detail now, as I want to write another blog about the story once I finish it. The character, Alexandretta, however, deserves some mention now.

            I originally wrote the story as a simple ‘rough draft,’ where I could work with the character Alexandretta outside of a novel or novella format. This project was liken to an artist’s quick sketch before the final painting. The story was meant to open my mind to the idea and essence of Alexandretta, and nothing more. This story, however, has taken on a will of its own, and typical to Alexandretta’s style, has turned everything on its head. She does a few things in the story which are simply amazing. It’s unreal, to say the least. I love the character and think Alexandretta will be awesome when it comes time to reveal her story.

            For those of you who don’t remember the storyline, the narrator of Mommy’s Gone Crazy gets a frantic call from his daughter that her mother (his ex-wife) has gone crazy and is trying to kill her. Alexandretta has a history of mental illness, so it is no wonder. When the narrator arrives, he finds the house without power and proverbially torn from top to bottom. His daughter is nowhere to be seen. He then begins his search for her in the tomb-like house, hoping he finds her before the crazed woman finds him. All the time he is wondering, ‘is it a trap?’ Will Alexandretta be around the next corner? And just what happened to create the torn appearance of the house, a disastrous mess spanning several rooms?

            I seemingly change weapons in this story as well. For many of my short works, the shovel was always the device of “inner liberation,” i.e.: death. Not a few of my characters relied on its flat face and long shaft to do business. In this story, however, things change. Alexandretta prefers an ax; I admit I am as surprised as the next person to find so bloody a weapon in the story. Once I saw her use it, though, I admit, she knows what she is doing. Alexandretta is no one to play with. And I think I like that.

            On another note, I have a lot of reading to do, both in my magazine and in the Writer’s Market. I feel like I am back in school! Hopefully I can get some of it finished this weekend; then, I can share it with you all. Some of it should be good for a laugh. Let’s hope, at least.

            I’m leaving for now. Check out my facebook page for regular updates. Bye.

First Update of the Week

            The e-cover is coming along nicely. I heard from Aaron earlier, and we have secured permission to use the model’s face on our cover. I need to attach a link to the story for the modeling website and give a donation. That seems to be all. Aaron will be the liaison between the model and me. Sounds easy enough. If any of you think you know someone who might make a good match for one of my story covers, or if you yourself think you have the “look” for one of my projects, feel free to let me know. Remember, I prefer black hair…..

            Joe is working on some shots for Mommy’s Gone Crazy. I have seen none of them yet, but am certain he will have the photos long before I have the text written! I don’t know why, but this story has taken so long to write. It’s border-line discouraging! I feel like I am seriously dragging my heels on this project. I need more time, simply put!

            In other news, I have a short story idea for the March 15^th competition; I want to write another gothic love story. The Witch House was my first attempt, and now I shall try it again. I need to craft it gently so as to make it seem both “real” and "modern." The real to which I refer means that the story has none of the hallmark fictional elements that label it fictitious. Modern short stories are almost factual and historical narratives; real-life episodes translated to paper. A man running through a cemetery being chased by his headless wife is not what they are seeking. A young man visiting the grave of his deceased girlfriend is. I’m still kicking the idea around.

            If you have not already, check out my facebook page for regular updates on my writing. I try to get on there regularly, but it doesn’t always happen. The whole platform thing is very time-consuming. I sit down to write, then remember I need to update my FB page. While doing so, I have a message or two that needs a reply, which prompts me to check the emails, post something on the twitter page, check thewordcloud.org and post there, write a blog and post about it, then finally return to my story. After all that, I am tired of writing and then only stare at the screen. It’s not easy.

            What makes things easier is having Aaron and Joe to handle the covers. That saves me a lot of time in the process, and allows me to have what I consider to be a very professional product to market. I could not imagine having to do those covers as well. If you are just starting your writing career, find a computer friend who would not mind helping out. It really helps.

            Ok, I need to write now. Good by, for now……….

           

My New Writer's Market

            So I purchased the brand new 2012 Writer’s Market last night. It’s a book of publishing houses and journals in the US, and is pretty darn helpful for writers, but it has none of the old journals to which I would send my manuscripts. I’m screwed….Seriously, all the old horror journals are gone! My book was from 2008, and it had about five good publications for horror/psychological horror. Now: nothing. This economy has destroyed my avenues for publication. Blast…..

            I’m thumbing through the book and realizing how much has changed in four years. Gone are the rules for submission, and present are these new articles concerning on-line website designs, blogging, internet marketing, etc. It’s crazy!

I need to catch up on all these things, and so I imagine the next few blogs will be about my readings in the holy book of life: the Writer’s Market. It’s like the bible, just as thick and hard to carry, yet filled with pages and pages of stuff that will always baffle you. For instance, there is a section on erotic fiction, or, as labeled in the book, “sex.” To what degree of insane intellectualism have you risen, that instead of watching “it” on the net, you have to read about it! I don’t get it, I really don’t. Erotic fiction is vulgarity for your brain; it’s the Kama Sutra on crack! Don’t waste your time….those are five minutes you won’t get back.

I’m done….I will approach the topic again, but I am done for now. I promise. There were a few good articles in the front, then the endless list of publishers and journals throughout the volume. The book is the “deluxe edition,” so I ought to be published in no time! Hah! I’ll hold my breath….

It’s actually a really good resource to have on hand for anyone even thinking about submitting their works. I’ve used it before and it has helped to…bring me a lot of rejection letters; but that’s the name of the game. I’m glad to have an updated volume. I know it will help me along the way.

That’s enough for now. Enjoy your weekend.

The New Cover

            The cover is selected! We met with Aaron and Joseph at Bambino’s Pizza, and Aaron had the pictures on his phone. There were no changes to the first cover (the one I showed you all), but the two new ones were amazing. The first new one had the same house in the background, with the inclusion of a beautiful girl in the left side. She was dressed in white and looked to the right of the frame. It was a wonderful cover and had an “earthy” feel to it.

            The second new cover had the same house in the background, but with a close-up of a girls’ veiled face. The color red was predominant in the picture, as there was a red vagueness behind the title and the woman’s veil was red. This second pic is the one we are choosing.

            It was difficult to choose between them, but we all agreed that the original cover, as amazing as it was, did not portray the essence of the story. The work deals more with the witch herself than with the house, so the inclusion of a girl was very appropriate and smartly done on Aaron’s part. I suggested some “touch ups” for the picture, and then it will be complete.

            Aaron is brilliant! I thought the first cover was magnificent, but when I beheld these latter two, I was stunned. There is such a level of professionalism in them. The colors and the design all flow amazingly. Each of the new e-covers really speaks to the story. This is one case when I will certainly suggest that you judge a book by its cover. I can’t wait to show the work to you.

            In other news, I have Joe working on a new photo for “Mommy’s Gone Crazy.” I originally liked the first photo, but now that the story has come along as it has, I want something darker and closer to the idea of the story. I will keep you updated.

            I have two competitions to enter now before the end of March. I need to get busy on them, as time is ticking away. I think I may submit “Mommy’s Gone Crazy” for one of them, but need to quickly decide what I will do for the other.

            Well, I’m off for now. Thanks for reading.