Monsters in my Closet

Submission: Accepted

2010-01-23T04:51:00.000-08:00

I was wrapped to learn today that my short story, 'Hugo, Man of a Thousand Faces' was accepted into the 2010 edition of Short and Twisted, due to be released in the first half of this year.

Just when I was about to give up this writing thing, it is nice to get a confidence boost like this.

First acceptance for the year - let's hope there are more to come.

Cheers!

NaNoWriMo - Day 3

2009-11-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

Quite a reasonable output tonight - 3,065 words, making my total word count of 'Archangel' to date 6,124. I've been enjoying the writing. It's liberating writing non-stop and supressing the internal editor so my muse can run free. It's good to know that I can fix up everything later.

Some of what's coming out is rubbish but by November's end at least I'll have a workable piece of clay that I can spend a year moulding and sculpting into something with potential.

It's funny how usually writing horror, I am now experimenting with the techno-thriller and I'm loving it.

As far as the storyline goes, I've now introduced my protagonist, a retired C.I.A. NOC operative and given him a good back-story and sent him into action by allowing him to dispose of a sniper that assassinates a political figure whilst attending a funeral.

NaNoWriMo - Day 1

2009-10-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Just finished making some last minute preparations and tonight I will commence the actual writing. Archangel is the working title I have given to the project and surprisingly enough isn't a horror story. Far from it the novel will be a techno-thriller of sorts, a race against time to save the world from an enemy who will stop at nothing to harness the power of God.....

Stay tuned with regular progress updates.

Archangel Is A Go

2009-10-25T02:52:00.000-07:00

Right now I am gearing up for my first ever attempt at NanoWriMo with my new project, 'Archangel.' This novel is not going to be a horror story, surprisingly enough. I guess you could say it would fit into the techno-thriller category.

With six days to go I'm nervous but I'm sure I'll be fine.

My strategy is simple. I won't be focusing on a rigid structure, I'll just be pouring everything into it and can fix it up later. There are some scenes that I have more than one idea on so I plan on putting all the ideas into the story to aid in my word count. Then hopefully by the end of November I will have a lump of workable clay I can mould into something publishable - even if it takes a year, at least I would have written a novel in 31 days.

Wish me luck.

BTW, Matthew Reilly's latest novel 'The Five Greatest Warriors' is awesome! I picked up my copy on Tuesday and finished it Thursday. go out and grab it!

W.I.P. Wednesday

2009-08-26T04:17:00.000-07:00

G'day.

Not a great deal to report on my works in progress but today I jotted down some notes for a story idea I have for 'The Bitter End' anthology. I am also in the middle of outlining a longer story that goes by the working title of 'Turbulence.' My script idea is developing a set of legs although I have no idea when I'll get around to writing it. There are a number of short story outlines that demand to have first drafts written. And I have the first chapter outlined for my novel (I hope this project bears fruit.)

At the moment ideas simply won't leave me alone so I have to write them down to shut them up for a while so I can try and focus on one story at a time.

Cheers!

What I'm reading: The Academy by Bentley Little

It Arrives!

2009-08-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I received my package I was expecting from the U.S. - a copy of The Complete Stephen King Universe. This book is jam-packed with useful information on Uncle Stevie's works and how most of his stories intertwine with each other. I think this is one of the best non-fiction Stephen King books I've come into possession of.

Submission: Accepted

2009-08-02T04:45:00.000-07:00

Recently I learned that my flash fiction piece that I penned earlier this year, 'Taken' was accepted for Antipodean SF's December issue (#138). I was satisfied with how the story turned out and I was also pleased that Ion's editorial suggestions were very minor (I must be doing something right).

I'm currently shopping around 'Hugo: Man of a Thousand Faces' to prospective markets and I have many ideas I have made notes on for future projects. The ideas simply will not leave me alone. My current project is a lengthier piece that I have given the working title of 'Flight 147.' I'm ready to start my rough draft (in longhand so I can get into a good 'fugue' and let the words flood onto the page without worrying about word count or editing).

What else? Hmmm.....I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy of 'The Complete Stephen King Universe' I purchased from Amazon not long ago which is probably the most complete and detailed book on Uncle Stevie's work yet. Can't wait.

Cheers!

Relentless

2009-07-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

Minutes ago I finished reading the last page of Dean Koontz's latest thriller, 'Relentless.' Oh my God - what a read! It's only just been released and I snatched up my copy on Thursday and simply could not put it down. I'm not going to say what happens in the book to ruin it for you. But let me say that it is Koontz at his very best. And what staggers me is this guy pumps out the books at the rate of at least two per year - incredible.

I urge everyone to go out and grab youself a copy - you won't be disappointed.

Cheers!

A Light at the End of the Tunnel...

2009-07-09T03:55:00.000-07:00

Recently I received word that my story, Hugo: Man of a Thousand Faces (shortlisted for Midnight Echo 3) didn't make the cut.

Whilst this is disappointing, the editor did mention that he would refer the piece to subsequent editors of Midnight Echo if it doesn't find a home anywhere else. What a nice offer! You could imagine my reaction to that - I was chuffed. So even though Hugo was declined, I know it is one of my better stories and one thing I must, must do in the future is when submitting to prospective publications, submit EARLY. Who knows, if I'd gotten up off my arse and written something sooner, I may have got in.

As they say, you live and learn. I'm still waiting on a reply from my Festive Fear submission (again, another late one!) and should hear something very soon. Fingers crossed for that one.

I'll let you know how it goes.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

2009-06-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone.

Like everyone else, I was shocked to learn of the passing of the greatest talent ever to walk the earth. I've been a fan for years and Jamie Fox raised a valid point today - that we should forget all the craziness that plagued Michael's life in recent years and remember him for the genius he was. I couldn't agree more. The controversy surrounding his life simply fades into obscurity when you pump up the stereo and blast those famous immortal tracks through the speakers - sigh! It's such a shame that he's gone.

No one could ever move like him, sing like him or equal what he achieved with his incredible life.

R.I.P., MJ

Cheers!

Cutting It Close....

2009-06-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

Hey, all.

I literally only just sent off a flash fiction piece to Tasmaniac Publications for possible inclusion in the Festive Fear anthology. Talk about leaving it to the last minute when the deadline is only days away. Phew!

But, I'm satisfied with the story and hopefully it'll make it in. Fingers crossed!

Now, onto my next project...

Current Works In Progress

2009-06-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

Hi, all.

As per the growing trend with WIP Wednesday, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon (even though today is only Saturday).

Presently, I have a number of fictional pieces, all in varying states of completion (or lack thereof). These include:

'Scarecrows' - a flash piece awaiting second draft
'Turbulence' - a short story in outline stage
'The Reading' - a flash piece in outline stage
'The Jaunt' - a short story idea in chicken scratch notes
'Time Storm' - my non-horror novel in early outlining stage (it will get written one day)
'He Sees You When You're Sleeping' - a flash piece in outline stage for Festive Fear (this is not going to be ready in time!)

So there you have it - my current projects. No excuses to not sit down and write. There's always something to go on with.

Cheers!

I'm Back!

2009-06-10T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, all.

It's good to be back on Blogger. After struggling with a website I've reached the conclusion that I just don't have the time at the moment to maintain it. I find Blogger much simpler for my needs as a writer and it doesn't require a lot of effort to make regular posts or create links etc.

So, what's been happening with me? I have to tell you that I had a pretty poor 2008, writing-wise. I don't think I wrote a single word for the whole year and virtually disappeared off everyone's radar. I simply wasn't inspired - and I was lazy - so I have no excuse.

However, this year has seen me produce five 'completed' pieces of fiction so far with several outlines for future projects. I currently have three pieces out in submission land - one of these pieces has been shortlisted for a high-profile publication which I won't mention yet.

Hopefully this year I will make a mark and come out of it with a few acceptances.

Cheers!

What I am reading - 'The Harrowing' - By Alexandra Sokoloff