Writing In The First Person

Many people don't, but I absolutely love writing in the 1st person--a lot! And I love reading books written that way as well. The main reason is because, to my tastes, the protagonist seems to come alive so much more brilliantly. When forced to concentrate on the internal thought process of one character, said character usually turns out more dynamic and interesting, someone who readers can rally behind and care about. You can almost taste their emotions, feel their pain, and when they bleed we bleed.

But here's my predicament now. Along with RED STRAIN (3rd person thank the Lord), I am currently penning the follow-up novel to JEWEL in the 1st person. The protag is a female (Tracey from JEWEL) paranormal investigator. At first I thought I could pull it off without too much difficulty. I'm married, understand women, well, at least in theory, and after all everyone has the same kinds of emotions, right? Wrong!

Every good book has a degree of sexual tension. I don't care if you are the prude of all prudes or the king of porn, we all like sex. And if you say otherwise you're a liar liar pants on fire!

Anyway, you can now understand my predicament. What runs through a woman's mind when she's aroused, feels amorous, or otherwise just wants to tear off a chunk? For men it's easy; I can just write from experience. But I know that women differ. Some are simple to understand, others more complicated, and others, well, impossible at all to predict. So where does that leave me?

To help alleviate some of my worries, and it does stay true to her personality from JEWEL, I've made Tracey to be a tomboy. She chews, cusses, hangs out with men mostly because most women (according to her) are bitches or worse. And that all helps, but...

Any feedback from my female fans would be most appreciated here. My wife has been a tremendous help of course, but she is only one woman, and well, I'd love to see varying view points on how to handle this delicate situation. Because you all know what will happen if I don't nail this dead on (ahem).

So please, feel free to respond in any way you feel inclined. Please share your thoughts on the female psyche. Thanks!

Novel Updates and Other Bits of Carnage

Another long hiatus, I know, and thank you to the many peeps surfing the social networking wave who pointed that fact out to me and got me back in the blogospherical saddle. I should be a more religious blogger, no doubt!

Some updates though--finally:

I am eleven chapters into RED STRAIN, my newest novel, which has been accomplished in only two weeks time, and so I am very optimistic of an April/May completion date (first draft). Somewhere closer to that time, I'll have the artistic representation and blurb posted on my website under the writing tab. Think zombieish peeps!

In addition to RED STRAIN, I am picking away ever so slowly at the sequel to JEWEL (currently being read by a major publishing house), entitled WEDNESDAY'S CHILD. Like JEWEL, the novel is written in the first person, but this time, I'm writing from the perspective of the opposite gender--very fun and interesting, have learned a lot! Stay tuned, please!

Shortly, there will be some exciting anthology news regarding my short story, VANDRAVEN'S TICK. I can't say too much yet, but soon...

So anyway, I got some stuff in the works, and will try my butt off to keep my blog updated. Thanks again for all who cared to remind me.

Sherlock Holmes!

Cool! My short story and subsequent stage-play by Roy C Booth, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE DIABOLICAL NECROMANCER, will be produced for the first time at The Wild Rose Theater on November 12th and 13th.

I can't say enough about how excited I am to see Roy's and my version of the great sleuth come to life. This will be an absolute treat! Any fan of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are going to love this. And my hope is that any Conan Doyle fans will as well. I believe that we have stayed true to the Sherlock Holmes legacy, yet added a flavor not yet tasted.

I have heard some rumors of more good news to come with this play in regards to performances. More details as things firm up.

Writerly Updates

I have known for some time now, but it bares repeating once more (at least), that writing is as much about patience/perseverance and attitude as it is about the craft. Ask my wife, but patience isn't something that has come naturally for me--however, after several years of practice, I would like to think that I have learned how not to drive agents/editors out of their minds. And so I wait...

As of right at this moment, I have more than one, but no more than five agents/editors reading JEWEL and INHUMAN. It feels good. That's how I feel now, choosing to think that these kind folks are seriously considering my work, feverishly racking their brains as to how to possibly market my prose. But then, and more likely, they may just be behind on their reading. (Sigh). It's all good...

But I do not wait in vain! For the first time in my writing career, I find myself working on two projects simultaneously (ZEALOT & THE GULLIES). Both are horror novels and I like them equally in their own ways (much like children I would guess). They are very different from each other; and so each time I return from one to the other it is a breath of fresh air--invigorating. Below is a list of all my projects (novels only) and my progress to date:

Horror

THE GULLIES - 12,000 words

ZEALOT - 24,000 words

INHUMAN - 91,000 words (completed)

JEWEL - 71,000 words (completed)

Supernatural Thrillers

BROKEN MIRROR - 88,000 words (editing)

VESSEL OF THE DIABLO SI - 144,000 (editing - and yes I went crazy)

NO INNOCENT VICTIM - 22,000 words (currently on hold)

So there we are--projects galore. This of course does not include my short fiction and I should have some exciting news soon regarding a couple more anthologies that will include my work. In addition, there will be some exciting news regarding SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE DIABOLICAL NECROMANCER and Roy Booth's subsequent theatrical representation. Please stay tuned!

Funny Thing, Rejection

As a matter of course, I keep up with a number of websites, blogs, and e-groups (many of which are mentioned on my "links" page). Admittedly, these perusals tear me from valuable writing time, but there is also the argument that they help me to get better--which leads me into my next topic.

Rejection. I've been reading a lot of blogs and group discussions lately on rejection: rejection from agents, editors, publishers, you name it. The tone and flavor of these discussions have been a bit ranty for my tastes. People, rejection is our friend! If it were not for rejection and discriminating professionals in the literary community, the market would be flooded with so much junk and rubbish that our work (the quality stuff) would go largely unnoticed. Rejection raises the bar, motivates us to mature and grow as writers, and assures us that when we are ready there will be a slot open for us.

So, next time you get a rejection letter, and you will no matter what level you are at, just concentrate on what can be gleaned from it. How can it help you? And also remember that everyone, yes everyone, has been rejected. Even King was rejected a multitude of times before he got his first book published (Carrie I think). Did King get upset and quit writing? No...he improved and persevered.

Use rejection as a catalyst...

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE NECROMANCER

Some exciting news!

Roy Booth has completed the stage script for my short story, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE NECROMANCER. I have read through it...and wow! Roy's reputation is much deserved. He did an amazing job and I am on fire--almost literally--to see the first performance, which may be held right here in Bemidji.

This is particularly exciting for me as I grew up on a heavy dose of Sherlock Holmes. My father and I, on many occasions, lounged around the living room as Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce graced the TV screen (and we still do from time to time). So, this is a dream come true. Thanks Roy!

And for those of you not familiar with Roy Booth, whom I would guess are a precious few by now, he is the script guru for the "Beanie" play series, Brian Keene's TERMINAL, and R. Thomas Riley's THE DAY LUFBERRY WON IT ALL.

R. Thomas Riley

Hey Gang,

Ali and I had a great time last night. Usually, date night wouldn't warrant a blog post, but it isn't every day that we get to hang out with fellow horror author and enthusiast R. Thomas Riley.

First off, I'm never sure just how to address the guy. Do I call him "R"...or Thomas...Mr. Riley seemed a bit formal being that we are already acquainted? We settled for Tommy.

Tommy was in town to, not only, promote his book THE MONSTER WITHIN IDEA, but to also begin film work for the script adaption (Roy C. Booth) of The Day That Lufberry Won It All--which by the way is this month's featured story at Apex Publishing's website. Check it out!

Anyway, we had a nice evening. In the intimate setting of Roy's comic book store, Tommy read to us, shared who he is as a writer and human being with us, and laughed with us. It was a great time and made me realize just how tight-knit a guild us horror authors belong to.

And to Tommy: thanks for sharing your talent and your good nature, my friend!