Sly Gantlet and Dillon: Together Again for the Very First Time!

Visit Derrick Ferguson's blogsite for all kinds of news on upcoming Dillon projects, including a Sly Gantlet and Dillon adventure entitled Dead Beat in Khusra!

Why I Haven't Been Posting

I notice that I haven't posted anything here for weeks. And I've got no excuses other than I've been distracted ... by writing of the non-blog post sort. I've been working on a couple of stories to round out a second volume of Weird Worlds of Joel Jenkins. One of these was a second chapter to the Strommand Greattrix chapter, which appeared in the first volume.  At less than 4,000 words, that chapter was really just a snippet or a teaser, and I decided to rewrite and expand some previous work I had done on a follow up tale, figuring I could publish the second chapter (much longer than the first) in the second volume.

The thing about Strommand Greattrix is he's egotistical and selfish, and even the tragedy of losing his family and kingdom hasn't entirely cured him of the idea that the world of Carparath revolves around him.  In some senses he's like the biblical Samson--a man of massive strength and dominant personality, but with a huge blind spot when it comes to women. However, there is something compelling about the character that makes me want to follow his story and see if he's able to overcome his personal weaknesses--not to mention the enemy hordes and bomb-lobbing skyships of his arch-enemy King Damion. It's too early to say whether Greattrix ends his tale in victory or ignominy.

So, at this point I've actually written and expanded chapters 2 and 3 of the saga and have over 30,000 words completed.  For non-writer types, 30,000 words is about a third of standard-sized novel. I've already embarked on chapter 4.

In addition, I've finally picked up my proof copy of Gantlet Brothers: Sold Out and have begun the proofing process.  I've had that sucker cooling on my desk for a couple of months.  Part of that was deliberate and part was procrastination.  It's always good to get a little distance and look at a manuscript with fresh eyes, so one can spot errors and ways to make improvements. However, I put it off a little longer than I should have.

Speaking of putting off, the longer I spend on this post commenting on writing, the less time I'm able to spend actually writing.  Talk at you later, and have a great weekend!

Blood & Ink

Click on over to author Derrick Ferguson's Blood & Ink blog and read an interview with yours truly as we take on subjects like the IRS and unconstitutional overreach of the Federal government--and the upcoming Gantlet Brothers book.

Weird Worlds of the Book Cave

The pugilistic Ric Croxton has interviewed me for a segment on the Book Cave, in which we speak about my latest book, Weird Worlds of Joel Jenkins and the thirteen peculiar stories inside!