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.