Virus

So, I just got back from the hospital, and it turns out that I have a virus.  Yay me!  Not really.  This specific type of virus causes canker sores, and let me tell you, canker sores are so painful.  It starts off with flu-like symptoms and then the virus kicks in.  My lymph nodes are engorged.  I just can't wait for this nightmare to be over.  The good news is that once this virus goes away, I will have built up an immunity to it.  It will be unlikely that I will ever get it again.

I haven't been able to write or anything!  But I hope that when I am all healed, I will be able to get started on my latest novel.  Wicked Chemistry is almost complete, and I plan to release the paperback with all tree shorts.  Those on my mailing list will be receiving a copy of the new short.

Updated Shattered Short Story Trailer

Hey, guys.

As you know, I have been updating my short story trailers for my website, Smashwords, and YouTube.  Here is a comparison between the old and new.

OLD

NEW

SPECIAL CREDITS:
Music entitled "Dopplerette" (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100659)
Special Thanks to iNCOMPETECH for royalty free music.

Special thanks to artists from Deviant Art for free png images used in this trailer.
- DOLORES MINETTE for winding road - http://doloresminette.deviantart.com/art/road-PNG-stock-311301336
- THE ARTIST 100 for road - http://theartist100.deviantart.com/art/ROAD-PNG-transprent-free-use-433339238
- Paw-Prints-Designs for shattered glass - http://paw-prints-designs.deviantart.com/art/Shattered-Glass-253551803
- THY DARKEST HOUR for red rose - http://thy-darkest-hour.deviantart.com/art/Red-Rose-PNG-444048882
- ISOSTOCK for hand - http://isostock.deviantart.com/art/Hand-014-117765297
- Augustiina Editions for polaroids - http://aguustiinaeditions.deviantart.com/art/Polaroid-Png-346322781
- YEREVERLUVINUCLEBER for magnifying glass - http://yereverluvinuncleber.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Magnifying-Glass-Search-Icon-309630962#
- PIXASSO79 for black rose - http://pixasso79-stock.deviantart.com/art/Black-Rose-PNG-322913288

Updated Collector Short Story Trailer

Hello, everyone.

I just updated The Collector's trailer.  Compared to the old... it is a vast improvement.  Check it out.

OLD

NEW

Special thanks to the artists at DeviantArt.com who have great .png images for public use.  It saved me a bunch of time in creating these images.


CREDITS:
- ROYS-ART for pointing statue - http://roys-art.deviantart.com/art/Statues-02-PNG-Stock-420147732
- OILUSIONISTA for stairs - http://oilusionista-stock.deviantart.com/art/Stone-stairway-stock-354790265
- MOMOTTE2STOCKS for all of the crows - http://momotte2stocks.deviantart.com/art/crow-9-212724189
- ALz-STOCK AND ART for gravestone - http://alz-stock-and-art.deviantart.com/art/Gravestone-PNG-405097600
- ALz-STOCK AND ART for stone arch - http://alz-stock-and-art.deviantart.com/art/Painted-Archway-332423585
- ABSURDWORDPREFERRED for window - http://absurdwordpreferred.deviantart.com/art/Window-transparent-PNG-163124311
- TIGERS-STOCK for hand - http://tigers-stock.deviantart.com/art/604-Hand-Png-349714283
- ENHANCERS for key - http://enhancers.deviantart.com/art/JJ-s-PNG-1-Keys-191539860

Updated Overboard Short Story Trailer

Hello, everyone.

As you know, I have been updating trailers and decided that the Overboard trailer would be next.  I have been working on it all day.  I wasn't happy with the original trailer, but at the time, didn't know what images to use or if I should create custom artwork for a short story.  In the beginning, I didn't put as much effort in the artwork for my shorts as I did my novels.  But now is the time to make something interesting.  Check it out.

OLD

NEW

I will keep the old trailers posted online, but for my website and Smashwords, I inserted the new trailer.  Also, the trailer says that the books is available on Amazon, but it is not yet.  Smashwords was working on a deal to post work on Amazon, but they have taken years.  I just might post them up myself, but I am not sure how to make them free on that site.  We'll see...

Download Scattered for FREE

Hi, everyone.

By now everyone knows that it is impossible for an author to place any work on Amazon for free for more than five days.  I have seen works marked free for longer, but I can't figure out how it is done.  I usually post my short stories on Smashwords for that reason.  Yet, I decided to post Scattered on Amazon.

I have put Scattered up for free, but it expired after five days. So since I have waited three whole months to get the right to post it for free again... I am spreading the news that after Christmas I will be making Scattered free for another five day period. Please download it and leave a review to help me spread the word.

Thank you!

Progress Report

Hello!

I am happy to report that I have roughly eight chapters to write for Malcontent.  The projected word count exceeded my expectations.  The final book might end up 5,000-10,000 more words than I originally thought.  This book will mark the end of the Restraint Trilogy and conclude a journey that began for me when I dreamed with these characters a little more than 16 years ago.  It is both a sad and happy event.

I know that many people are interested in knowing details of Wicked Love.  Wicked Love will pick up exactly where Wicked Magic left off.  In Wicked Magic, Willow was the main protagonist, but Nalin will take the lead in Wicked Love since he must first remember his lost love and then rescue her like all good heroes do.  I want to have it out by mid-2014, but if I can have it done sooner, then I will release it earlier.

As soon as I am done with Malcontent, I will begin work on Wicked Love without delay.  In fact, I am pretty eager to get started.  There are a lot of great ideas I have that I can't wait to get started on.

I have written a yearly novelette for 2014 entitled The Collector.  Look for it in January 2014 in Smashwords first and then in other online bookstores.

To all those who left reviews and recommended by books to friends, thank you for helping me reach those who wouldn't have otherwise come to know my work.

Droplets of Inspiration

Hi, everyone!

So, I wrote a mini short story about the Jersey Devil (don't judge me :P) for a magazine submission, and it was such a good experience, I decided to do it again.

The reason it was such a great experience was because I literally wrote it in one day. A short story should really be like 5000 words or less. The one I wrote today was 1500. My other published shorts are more like novelettes or mini novels of 10,000-20,000.

There is no problem in writing novelettes, but they just take way longer. I think the shortest time I ever spent writing one was a month and the longest was three months. While I love bringing you novelettes and I will continue to write them, I will only release one a year...maybe two, because my priority is my novels.

So, I was thinking of removing my shorts from this blog. Don't worry...Weeping Willow will always be available on Smashwords and B&N for download.

In return, I will add a poem and a mini which will not be published anywhere else. I don't know how many minis I will do. Maybe one a season of any genre. You guys can even recommend one for this month. I was thinking werewolves or ghosts, but give me some recommendations. Remember these will be really short so don't expect anything of length.

These writings will only be published on this blog. NO WHERE ELSE. They will not even be on my website. These will satisfy those fans who are always looking for more of my writing while allowing me time to finish my novels. Plus, they will help me stay in touch with my audience and improve my writing skills.

Look out for these changes really soon. Thanks!