This is the cover of Monster Attack: Gruesome Tales. It is the anthology where I my short story Affliction was accepted. Not only is it available in the digital format, but a paperback is available via Amazon – and maybe some other places.
Honestly, my story is a bit more than a short. It probably approaches a novella; since I lost count of words…oh, around the 8,000 mark. To learn more about my contribution and the anthology availability, read on…
Look Down – short story
Instead of doing what I was supposed to be working on this month, I decided to mess around with writing a short story when a couple of different thoughts collided into my head. Idea one was something to do with hair color, and idea two was a line I thought I heard from a song which got stuck in my head. So I sat down and banged out this little story.
This is a story concerning a man who passes a woman on a sidewalk. I can boil it down to a single sentence. Turning to a musical analogy, Look Down is more of a guitar solo rather than a fully-formed song. It’s a bit interesting; and I made a lackadaisical attempt to make it sound like a certain musical act. I don’t feel like directly saying who, but I suddenly feel like I shouldn’t be playing marbles with a certain guy from their song collection.
Read the story now, and comment here or on the site about it if you wish. It’s free!
This is the cover of the anthology Haunted Tales: stories from beyond the grave. This is where my story The Haunted Hoagie can be found in print. You kids and your digital readers can buy the virtual copy, but an actual physical book is available [at least] on Amazon.
My story is not as spine-tingling as the book’s title might lead you to believe…unless you are the type to throw food out a week before those dates printed on the packaging – then grip your socks it terror!
I decided to leave a whole slew of links; since everyone has their own purchasing preferences. Keep reading…
Before an official close can be made to 2014, I have to present the facts and figures related to my blog. This is a great breakdown which showcases all of the (minor?) achievements related to this blog.
Did you think I should have gotten more attention? You need to take the word to the virtual streets and tell your pals to come check this place out.
Here is an example: My most-commented posts ended up as a two-way tie. The bad news? Only two comments in those. Hopefully that is enough motivation to make you all speak up a bit more. No need to be afraid to post your thoughts. If someone gives you a hard time, I’ll delete or silence those negative types. Say what you want concerning me…but I won’t let anyone abuse or attack any of my fans. That’s my word.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,100 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 35 trips to carry that many people.
The above clip is from another anthology acceptance I garnered…from the same person compiling my “monster” story. I cannot say much yet, but I will let you see a couple images below. More to come…
Above is a clip from the upcoming anthology I have been accepted into. I am pretty thrilled about it; so I had to share the news.
This is the second acceptance I’ve had this year. The estimated release is December or January (I think). I shall give more details closer to the actual release date…such as what the anthology is about and how to get a look at it.
I’m unsure if it will be strictly digital or if a physical edition is in the works as well. I’ll share what I know when I know it.
Two short stories have been sent off – and I have no clue what the actual reception of them will be. I happened across some information about some anthologies looking for submissions. I queried someone, and got a positive response…asking me to submit my stories.
I don’t know a whole lot, but I figured it can’t hurt to post some news that someone is interested about something I wrote. When I learn more, I promise to share – including which stories…if used.
Some quick news…
I finished and submitted a short story for something scheduled to be released (hopefully) by the end of the year. Here’s what I know I can reveal… I had to write the story based off an introduction given to me; which was less than a few hundred words. My job was to write what happens next.
With no idea how everything is intended to come together to become a full-length publication, I did get this response…
“I’m definitely including your work in the book so no worries there. I’m hoping for a late Dec or early Jan release. I’ll keep you posted as things progress further. Thank you for your participation and great contribution towards this book, it is much appreciated.“
When things get closer, or more decided, I’ll share the details…same as the title. I did make the cover myself – for no particular reason. Here’s a look at the original concept for the cover:
More to come, hopefully…
Nanowrimo 2014 will be engulfing me soon enough. I haven’t set eyes on my notes since December of 2013 but I have faith the scribblings are in one of the two writing boxes I have at hand.
For people wondering what I’ll write…the image above is a vague idea. If anyone read my book from last year and wanted more; I’m still quite inclined work on the continuation. I won’t call it a sequel, but I still look at the endeavor as a complete book.
The image came about when I was lightly dared to draw in unison with another person. The sketch was done on a small sheet of notebook paper. I gave it a little pizazz via some image manipulation. Here’s what it started as…
This is a hopeful sign I am easing back into the blog. Like the Pere Ubu track; Something’s gotta give…
I am participating in Camp once again. Part of me wonders if I have a choice…and the other side tells me I need a deadline to be productive. Despite how it looks, I am still pursuing my lofty (if not mysterious and farcical) Road to Glory campaign.
I have it easier this year than last. I should have no excuse…once I finally get my notes down to “jump the gap” – as I have told people. I have the end sketched fairly well, and I have most of the script written…but there is a small bit which still needs to be filled; to link both parts.
Taking the opportunity to procrastinate again post, I also slightly modified the sidebar. Life has kept me busy enough not to even update my 2013 progress nor what I have in store for 2014. Maybe I’ll get to it as part of my Camp Nano victory lap…should I reach it.
On the bright side, much of my “spare” time went into a writing project. I am on hiatus at the moment: which puts me at a seemingly-perfect point to continue my Script Frenzy tribute project from last year.
Wait? Can it be? Less icons this time around. Amazing – I know.
The desktop reflected heading back to Camp Nano and reflecting at my April accomplishment of a screenplay (albeit unfinished). I want to tackle prose this July; even if I may skip around in unfinished territory.
Last month I was dealing with some screenplays: one being the aforementioned script; and another was reading/critiquing a project written by a friend and holds a lot of potential.
Below the sanctioned Camp Nano image was something I ran into: The Six Stage Story Structure by Michael Hauge.
Once I started developing my own style (which I really wish I knew what it was…but I’m sure there’s one hiding in there somewhere), I found little use for the three-act structure of screenplays. I believe in a beginning, middle, and ending. I believe in hiding the blatancy [however necessary] of backstory; the term exposition often eludes me. Characters need should be individuals with unique voices.
I do my best to make things just interesting enough for the person to want to turn the page; click the page down button; hit the jump. Continue reading
The more I intend to organize… My desktop is practically covered. Sheesh.
What is the closest thing to actual writing? An image pertaining to a contest I entered regarding an “edgy” YA novel; which is the confounding (to old and out-of-touch me) genre New Adult. I watered-down a loose premise in the back of my mind, and submitted the entry to Figment. Take a look if you wish.
Back to that desktop image… I was still riding high because of reading a certain Indy screenplay…while feeling nostalgic for LucasArts the way I remembered [I’ll try not to make a Gone Jackals reference here – DOH!].
By the way: did you know how difficult it is to find orichalcum on ebay?
The background I chose relates to a fan-made Indiana Jones game (in progress) which looks and functions pretty close to the point-and-click masterpiece Fate of Atlantis. To get a look or try one of the demos from this labor of love (and possibly fedoras), you have two options. Go to Facebook or go to college.
Barnett College, where Dr. Jones started teaching in 1937, is the site with all you need to know about the game. Giving the Facebook page some support may not hurt either…especially if you are good at putting the word to the fanboy streets.
Don’t feel like doing either? Look at a clip here…
If you read this far, you deserve a fanfilm treat. How about a cinematic trailer pertaining to Fate of Atlantis?
March had a lot of shortcomings and April was a month I’d rather gloss over than delve into. Enough words spoken by the desktop alone, so I felt like keeping words short there. If I’m asked to expound, however…I’ll deliver.
Back to March… I had two writing gigs. One was a full-blown scam with international ties [yes; I should be retelling that ordeal, but I did not have the time to revisit that debacle]. The other was something which went down in flames, but I gave it my best effort…and perhaps gained some writing samples from it; showing my rewriting skills in action.
The “highlight” of April was achieving my Camp Nano goal despite overwhelming odds. With all said and done; I have an unfinished screenplay sitting at 102 pages without an ending. No finish, but it was enough to count as another “win” for Camp Nanowrimo.
Despite being a first draft, I can say it’s one of my best original screenplays thus far – hopefully keeping people guessing until the very end. What good is a princess story if it has a predictable ending? Can something be “happily ever after” and still be a surprise?
Not to go into the details, but the ending is already planned out. Once I connect where I left the story to the “beginning” of the ending events, I’ll be all set. There was a point where I kind of shocked myself with an element of the ending chain of events. Enough so to put down what I was doing and really evaluate it all for a day. It appears long right now, and it shall be trimmed later, but I don’t wish to excise anything until after a full-blown table reading.
Back to the image… I had to add something new, so I went generic by way of Apple. It was one of the defaults; looking the most fitting as a “Lady in Red” motif. I hoped to finally clean my desktop up…but way more important things were in motion. Would it be a wanted achievement to gussy up the mess of icons and folders…or is the chaos more welcome here? Please do comment.
Oh, Mesnard! 