Publication Junk Mail

            I’m official now: I’m receiving publication junk mail! Yes, for only such and such an amount, I could mail in my work, have it proof-read, and receive back a letter telling me my work sucks and I’m a piece of royal shit. No thanks. I can do that myself. Getting the mail, however, was amusing. Here’s to a new year of junk! Oh, and I got my first issue of Writer’s Digest with a rough and ready cowboy figure on the cover. I thought to myself, “He doesn’t look like a writer”…haven’t we had this conversation before?

            Everything is coming along nicely so far. I promise you there will be new stuff soon. You have been patiently awaiting the release of my covers and the story, and I tell you they are coming soon. Holly is completing the photos and I am setting up a meeting with Joseph and his friend to go over designs. With the holidays, this little movement of mine lost some momentum and I have been trying for the last several days to get things back on track and moving forward again.

I have not worked much on “Mommy’s Gone Crazy,” so there is little to report. You simply have to be in the right mood to write. If you are not, what you produce will be garbage and you will only waste more precious time trying to correct what you already wrote (aside from vain attempts to kick your own ass).

I will be happy when I get the covers completed and on line again. I would love to have a mega marketing thrust to open the eyes of the world to my writings, and I think I have a few ides. For one, I plan on streaking through the second quarter of the Super Bowl with my site tattooed on my back, and maybe other places (I am told I have a cute ass, so maybe I’ll put it there as well). Also, I will usurp air time during the next presidential debate and insert a subliminal message…wait, no one watches those things. Never mind. Ok, these are not real, although ten bucks says the viewing audience will increase by half a percent nationwide this year, an increase no one can explain. Watch that second quarter….

Check out my works on bn.com. Remember, it’s Robert Perry you are looking for. I appreciate everyone who buys one of my stories, and it is my sincerest hope that the tales of madness and mayhem will bring you as much joy as they have me….

Until next time….

A Little on Covers

            Happy New Year! I trust everyone survived the last few minutes of the old year without throwing up their drink of choice? It also seems the world did not end; I suppose that’s a good thing. Well, it is the New Year, and I hope it’s a great one for you. Let’s also hope it’s the year of publication for me!

            I spent some time today browsing the ebooks on bn.com, trying to find a cover design I liked. I did find many, though I am reluctant to place my name in such bold letters (all the covers I saw had the author’s name in the upper portion of the cover with a smaller title below). If you are a King, Koontz or Sparks, then your name is easily recognizable and should stretch across the front of your work. If you are a Perry (ahem! That would be me, remember?) and you are just starting out, then your name would only raise more questions and not necessarily assist in the selling of the book. I am leaning towards a “larger title/small name” structure. If you have any thoughts, send them my way via an email or comment. [I’m trying everything I can to get you people to interact; it’s like pulling teeth sometimes! I could just imagine Christmas morning at your house.] All kidding aside, any thoughts or comments, send them to me.

            As I was looking at the covers, I began to visualize what I might want mine to look like. Some authors, like Nicholas Sparks, use a set design, where every book has a similar appearance. Dean Koontz uses no such structure, but does have his name in large letters, especially his last. It’s like the publishers want you to say “I don’t give a shit what he wrote, I’m just gonna buy it ‘cause he wrote it!” I don’t think I have that kind of fan base yet. Colors vary, but seem to be dark, if it is a horror story and pastel if it is a love story. I’ll probably use darker shades for my covers. Don’t know yet.

            I do know, however, that I totally want awesome images (which I have already) on my covers, because that’s what brings in the readers. You don’t judge a book by its cover; that is true. But good images will certainly help to draw attention. I have some wonderful artists working with me, and am very grateful. I want my covers to say “read me!” I want people to look at them and not only see the story, but to see art as well. The cover can sell the book, so mine need to be rockin’. I am excited about them, and can’t wait to share the new covers with you. Look for them soon.

            As always, if you have any friends you think might like to follow along, send them my link. I can always be reached by email or comment on the blog. I check them twenty times a day. Literally. I have no life.

            Alright, enough. 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.

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.

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…

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!

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).

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.