Wined, Dined, and Signed

So after a couple weeks I’ve had to sign a few books while receiving a lot of congratulations from a number of people. It’s been a great experience for several reasons, the primary one is because it’s something I’ve accomplished basically on my own. And though others have encouraged me in my writing or pushed me to do things, it’s been me who’s sat in front of my computer for hours, days, weeks, months, and years getting my ideas onto paper. Because of that, because of the time I’ve spent fulfilling a dream, I appreciate signing every book so much more, especially since it’s my first book to be published. Maybe after I’ve a dozen books published it may not mean the same, but for now I love signing every one of them put in front of me. Along the same lines, I appreciate the second ‘launch’ party thrown by those in my home-away-from-home the same as the first one. It was a bash I’ll never forget.

Since then (since I’ve edited and gotten contracts for the next two books, since I’ve had 2 launch parties which were both awesome, and since I’ve signed my first book) I know I have to get back to writing. So again I’ve opened the pages to Burden and started dreaming of what should happen next (yes dreaming). It’s kind of my way of picturing what needs to happen next before I start putting words to paper. In those dreams, however, I’ve come up with several ideas for other books which I’m also writing down for possible future considerations. There is also the one comment I received as soon as I met a friend which was ‘You should do a whole book just on Opus’ (from Jeremiah Stone). My answer to that was ‘I’m already working on it, want to read the beginning?’ His answer was sure, then after reading it cool! And seriously, it’s just a page of writing, the beginnings of the opening scene. And I have to admit it’s pretty awesome.

Since then I’ve come up with ideas for a book having something to do with a special group of assassins and another which takes place in the future concerning planetary genocide by an alien creature. I’ve also had ideas concerning something in between those two ideas and another concerning the zombie apocalypse. Of course all of this is distracting me from Burden, but it’s all good because the juices are flowing again. And concerning Burden, I thought I was stuck in some sort of rut, but I’ve worked through that blockage and am back on a writing spree.

Now taking a step back for all that, I have to think of one other thing. Besides Jeremiah Stone and the next two books I already have contracts for, I still have twelve other books I’ve written. That’s a lot of writing yet to be published so I have time to really concentrate on where my writing should go next. I hope understanding that really encourages me to put out a better product.

A possible GOD

As I’ve stated in previous blog entries, I have a common theme in most of my writing which tends to be of a religious nature, though it’s not focused on religion. It’s more focused on a belief system and what belief can provide if a person believes strongly enough in something. If anything, it falls under the category of the power of positive thinking pushed to the extreme.

Along the same lines, the world in which the Jeremiah Stone series takes place consists of both angels and demons which walk among us either wreaking havoc or maintaining the peace. Also, each of these angel or demons has a power which they can use and some powers are stronger than others, thus the difference between an angel and an arch-angel. However, there is one being I don’t account for in my view of the world and that is GOD.

Contemplating this, I wonder what GOD would be in the world of Jeremiah Stone. Of course I already know the Devil’s (Lucifer) power is the ability to LIE. Which a person wouldn’t think is much of a power unless it takes into account every angel is a natural telepath who broadcasts their true thoughts. Lucifer’s ability would then lend him to broadcast false thoughts (lies), an ability no other angel has or could even contemplate. Thus when Lucifer says he’s as powerful as GOD, why would not every angel believe him. On top of this, Lucifer then offers his power up to anyone who will follow him, so he immediately gets a following. Of course it’s all a trick and when the followers of Lucifer discover Lucifer’s true ability it’s too late. They’ve already been cast out for losing their faith.

Again, I ask what could GOD’s power be?

After a couple of days, the answer became obvious. God could be the combination of all powers with the ability to give those powers to others. For instance, a power GOD has is to know the future of everyone. In turn, GOD has granted this power onto the three Fates, but only when they work together. Each of them knows a piece of the future, but not a single one knows the complete future. These powers are everything from lying to flying to healing to fighting to teleportation, one per angel. And if GOD had all these powers, such as the power to grant powers, then he must have the power to remove these powers also. It would indeed make him a supreme being among supreme beings.

There are other possibilities, but I like this one the best. What if GOD was just like every other angel, but his power was to grant or deny other angel’s power based on his belief in them. Imagine being an angel with the ability to fly, but only if GOD allowed it. Wouldn’t that make him rather powerful in a realm where thoughts are projected and could NOT be hidden from others. I mean with a half dozen good friends to protect you and the ability to weaken anyone against you by removing their innate ability, he’d be pretty tough to take down in any way. It would also be an easy way for Lucifer to get out of demonstrating his powers, but simply suggesting GOD had stripped them from him. It’d be a lie, but everyone would accept it as truth.

Of course this is just a thought, a plausible explanation of GOD within my world, but it’s intriguing to me and I hope it’s just as intriguing for you.

Launch

So my first book has been published and all I’ve got to say is it’s been a long time coming. Though my first emotion was anxiety (fear that it really wasn’t going to happen), that has all changed. Since I first found the book available on the web, it’s been pure joy. I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can start to think about the future. And in that mindset, I must begin with a few thanks.

First, I want to thank my publisher who I met completely by chance almost a year ago. More to the point, she could’ve ignored me altogether, but instead took the time to sit down and read a couple pieces I wrote and was willing to take a chance on me where so many others sent rejection letters. Without her none of this would’ve been possible and my dream might never have been realized.

Second, beyond the few I listed in the dedication (those who have either pushed me or put up with me), I want to thank the few who have read my book and deemed it worthy of publication. These (CJIS) few have been a great bunch and have turned my hotel away from home into a home away from home. I can’t wait to see them again, tell them all thanks, and sign a few copies because they’ve been better than friends.

Third, I’d like to thank my family and friends. Not all of them could show up for my book launch party, but their support is undeniable. Particularly I’d like to thank my in-laws who not only sent me a nice congratulatory card, but also purchased several copies in support of my effort. Along the same lines I’d like to thank my brother who read the book in a day (probably an hour – darn speed reader) and immediately asked how long he had to wait for the next one to come out. From the sounds of it, he liked the book.

So to answer his question, I say hopefully not too long as I’ve contacted my publisher and am getting contracts sent for the next two books, Limbus and Azazel. Seeing as it takes about 6-9 months to go through the process, hopefully both will be out within the year. Also, to speed up the process a little (I hope), I’m doing a complete edit of both books which I hope will speed up the editing process and I’m being clearer on the graphics for the covers now that I understand the process better.

Again, thanks to everyone. Now I must get back to editing.

Jeremiah Stone - In paperback.

Right now, Jeremiah Stone is available in paperback at https://www.createspace.com/3816360 but will be available on Amazon and B&N within a day or two.

Stuck

So I’m a bit stuck in my current path. I’ve finished editing Limbus, which was easier than I expected and reminded me of the story I’ve written. Though Limbus finishes climatically, I know the next book in the series, Azazel, continues right where Limbus leaves off. It’s exciting and while I have the editing bug I wonder if I should continue the editing while the story is still fresh or put it down and get back to writing, my true passion.

At the same time I’ve hit a writer’s block on Burden. Though I love the concept of the book (and I think it’s going to be great), I’m having a problem conveying the downtrodden feeling the main character is enduring. I get the feeling there needs to be more desperation, more need. It’s as if he can take it or leave it right now whereas I need him to have no other choice but to continue on. I’m not sure how to get him there. Once there though, I can see things will pick-up and my story will develop quickly.

So as you can see I’m in a bit of a dilemma on whether I continue writing though not fully committed to the story while hoping it will guide me correctly. Or do I come back to it at another time when I have a true concept of where I want to go with it. Normally I let the story lead me, but I want this to be more thought out, more planned.

I guess what I’m asking it should I continue with editing the Jeremiah Stone series or should I struggle along with Burden?

On another note, my first book should be on the stands. It’s a major milestone in my life and something I never really considered achieving. I’ve spent years trying to get published with no success and now it’s occurred through a chance encounter. Sometimes I guess it’s good to be lucky.

A Quicky

Just a quick note for whomever may be listening - my book became available on Kindle and Nook today. For some this may seem rather minor, but for me this is huge. For almost 30 years I've been putting pen to paper in the hopes I might write something good enough to be read by the general public. Over those years I've written around 7000 pages of material across several genre's. I've labored through weekends and holidays and spare minutes of time in the oddest of places in order to put a voice to my imagination. And now my struggle to get published (a ten year struggle) has finally crested and I'm on the down side of the hill.

This is not to say I'm finished in any way, but rather that I have reached a life goals. I smile, a glow which doesn't convey my pounding heart or tingling body, but its there nonetheless. From the onset, nervousness and excitement have propelled me through this day. Tomorrow I suppose this will all be surreal as reality sinks in and I can begin to breath easy. The next day this may possibly all  be forgotten as I look toward getting a few more of my pages published. Nevertheless, I have a sense of satisfaction, of accomplishment.

Though my work may not stand alongside Poe or Twain in lasting the test of time, for now I know I can find my labor of love at the same places where I can find theirs, at a book store. This could very well be one of the best days of my life.