The Six Hundred and Twentieth Post: The One That Doesn’t Sparkle in the Sunlight!

Posted by Seething With Apathy

Sorry that I missed last Thursday. My dreaded day job had me working overtime and waking up early, which messed with everything. I have emerged from that week with all of my vices intact. I will try to fall back into a regular schedule.

Speaking of vices – do you hate sparkling, sexy vampires as much as I do? Want them to go back to being something dangerous? Then I have news for you. I am working on a new novel – outlining – about vampires called Forever Junkie. I wanted to write a vampire novel, but I wanted a new direction to it. I know that people far smarter than me say that vampires are an allegory for sexuality, particularly in Victorian England. I wanted to turn it into a new allegory, so I thought about something that is touched on very briefly in the lore, but is never examined.

Vampires can also be an allegory for addiction. Modern vampires have turned feeding into a sexual act – not just procreation, but the feeding of a desire. What if we ramped that up to eleven? What if that unkempt guy shuffling down the sidewalk a few steps ahead (or behind…) with the bad odor and dark stains on his shirt was one of the undead?

Clearly a junkie

I wanted to write this as a more grounded version of vampires, something akin to the movie Martin. No fangs, no mesmerism, not even turning into a bat. This is going to be a little more realistic. Which means I get to do research into drug addiction. This is not a complaint! Researching is one of my favorite parts of writing. Now, I don’t know how this story is going to play out. I got the idea a couple of days ago. I just hope I can get it out in a reasonable time frame – which is code for ‘before I die’.

That’s it for the week – living on little sleep and a lot of caffeine. I’ll try to get a little better about updates, with the overtime done, that should be a little more consistent. I’m off to pen the outline. Have fun!

The Six Hundred and Nineteenth Post: The One Where I Go Back to Scribbling…

Posted by Seething With Apathy

I’m feeling a lot better – who knew that rest and medicine would work? I’m still a little cough-y, but I am continuing to outline Tribal. I am going to finish the outline before I continue writing it. I am trying to plan better things better and wing it less. I think this is going to make me more productive in the long run.

I did go to the doctor today, and I’ve lost three pounds in three weeks! I am going back to the gym now (and then), and I am feeling a lot better now. I am hoping to keep this going, even though I took a day off today to catch Opening Day (if MLB.tv would LET ME). I am going to head out in the evening. Normally, I go early in the morning, but today I had a doctor’s appointment and the aforementioned Opening Day.

While I am writing the outline for the current novel, I am trying to work on the literary novel. I’m torn as far as endings go. Should I make it depressing or uplifting? I don’t really know because both of the endings appeal to me. This book is my criticisms of society and how they treat creatives, and the nature of celebrity in this day and age – so the depressing ending fits. However, I would like to have an upbeat ending for the main character just because I am going to put him through so much crap. It’s still in the embryonic stage. I don’t even have a good title for it. Right now – I’m referring to it as Crab Bucket Society. It’s not my best title, but it works for now. I am going to write this as if I could put this in the running for the Pulitzer. After that, I might work on something I’ve hung on the line for way too long.

I’ve really got to get on the stick and revise something. Is till have to get Agonizing Alibi Day edited down a little bit, not to mention Alien Voices. Actually, I need to get the cover art for these two books done first. I need to get a lot done. I just need more time. Then again, don’t we all? Anyway – I need to get back to work.

Thanks for sticking this out with me thus far. I am still trying to figure out how to get new books on my right bar. It’s not easy, but I can wrestle this to the ground. Hope you all have a good day.

COUGH COUGH WHEEZE

Posted by Seething With Apathy

Sorry for the long absence. I’ll try to post something next week. Until then — stay safe and far from me.

The Six Hundred and Eighteenth Post: The One Where I Just Let Them Ferment On the Vine

Posted by Seething With Apathy

I am going to strike while the iron is hot and give Tribal a majority of my attention. Sure – our current political situation isn’t going to go away any time soon, but I have the bad habit of sitting on ideas until they are no longer popular. Remember when the news of the “back draft” during the initial Iraq war? That gave me an idea for a sci-fi novel called Zeno’s Calendar. I might work on it at some point, but it illuminates the problem that I tend to let ideas almost rot on the vine as it were.

I won’t do that this time. Dirt Elf will be relegated to evening work, meaning if I don’t hit the deadline word count, I am not going to worry about it. I need to work further on the outline anyways, so there is that. I’ve only outlined up to the chapter I am writing right now. I need to work ahead a little so I can still have some direction in this book.

There is a dearth of other news, I’m sorry to say. I finished the book Victorian Psycho and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed American Psycho. It has certainly taught me a lot about first person views and how much description I can really get out of it. Although, I don’t know if that was the style of the time or not. If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like it Jane Austen wrote the screenplay for Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Victorian Psycho will answer that question. Next up, the highly controversial Playground. Splatterpunk!

I’m also a little under the weather, so I am going to cut this a little short. Drink plenty of fluids, have an orange and say a minimum of three feet away from me. Thank you and have a good day.

The Six Hundred and Seventeenth Post: The One Where I Investigate That Rustling Noise…

Posted by Seething With Apathy

Thursdays sneak up on me. One minute, it’s Monday and I am wishing I were back in bed, the next minute it’s Thursday and I’m thinking: ‘don’t I have something I need to do?’

There’s a Thursday right there!

There is very little going on in the writing world. Once again I am juggling three projects: writing Dirt Elf, re-outlining Tribal (Got the idea for the MC to lose the first big fight he’s in to subvert expectations) and working out an idea I had about a slave who wants to return to their master – thinking about calling this one My Gilded Cage. I’m also reading two books: Victorian Psycho, which answers the question: What if Jane Austen wrote American Psycho? I’m also reading (or trying to…) an updated translation of The Man Who Laughs called Eternal Smile for a more literate project. Yes, I’m a genre whore, but I hope one day to get off the street corners and become a high-priced literary escort.

This weekend, I am going to finally (finally!) edit down The Agonizing Alibi Day and get it ready for selling before the end of March. It’s been sitting on my hobby table in the living room for way too long. I have to remember that the name of the game is getting books out the door.

I have been slacking off for a couple of days, and I blame that on my exercise routine. I’m back to mornings in which I was going every morning – but that’s not working out because I am dead tired by the time lunch comes and I end up taking a nap. I skipped today, which is why I am writing and not snoring (if I snored, which I don’t – Nancy, I’m looking at you). I need to get back on the stick with this if I am going to finish it by my self-imposed deadline.

When I write, I feel like a dog chasing cars sometimes. There’s so many targets out there, and I don’t know what I would do if I actually caught one.

Well, I need to get to running, I guess. Check out the books on the right side of my blog – even buy one! I’ll try to be a bit more regular with my blog. See you all soon!

The Six Hundred and Sixteenth Post: I’M BACK!

Posted by Seething With Apathy

I’m back! I took a little longer break than I had said, but it was needed. I’ve been working on The Changeling’s Crusade, but it’s not really jelling for me. It might be a case of it’s not really ready for me to start. I might set it to the side and work on something else. I am stuck on the re-telling of The Man Who Laughs by reading a new translation of the book. I could work on another fantasy novel – it’s not like I have any shortage of them.

I also need to get to editing down The Agonizing Alibi Day. I’m not a fan of editing but I know I have to do it. It’s just sitting there on my desk, patiently waiting to get cut up and rearranged. I did make some mistakes which were nicely pointed out. Maybe this Sunday, I’ll hit the highlights and try to get it all one. Just rip that Band-Aid off and get it done. I like the creation process. I like the writing process. Not a fan of the nuts and bolts re-write. I know that re-writing is writing. But I don’t have to like it. Right?

I do have more ideas coming in, and one that interests me is the idea of someone that wants to be re-enslaved. I think it could be a bit of a high-concept idea and certainly one that would resonate with today’s societal climate. I’m going to work on it…eventually. I just have a lot on my plate tight now and I need triage my current projects.

I think that’s all for now. I would like to thank all of you for being so patient with me while I took some time off. I feel well rested and ready to take on blogging again. Hope you all have a good day. Ta-ta for now.

The Six Hundred and Fifteenth Post — The One Where I Will Never Admit Mrs. Harkess Was Right!

Posted by Seething With Apathy

Don’t tell my seventh grade English teacher this, but I am not outlining all my future works. I’ll never hear the end of it.

I thought that doing an outline was busy work, but I am finding it to be useful. It’s keeping me on the straight and narrow as far as plot goes. I can explore different scenes while writing the outline and not say…when I am hip deep in the novel to begin with, and I imagine it’s going to ward off writer’s block know what I have to write next. I can have outliner’s block now. Nifty!

I can see where some people would be wary about outlining. Some people like to be surprised by their characters. I heard one writer on YouTube say that she never finishes and outline because she doesn’t want to know how her book ends until she writes it. Weird, but that’s what works for her then who am I to judge?

A lot of times, I’ll get to writing and I’ll peter out, usually when I don’t have an idea of what to do next. I actually do a lot of pre-writing in my head (my boss calls this daydreaming, and not working. Pshaw!). I never thought of it as outlining. All I’m really doing is putting to paper what I am imagining in my head.

Currently, I am outlining two works – The Changeling’s Crusade and an untitled romantic work. If I can’t have any ideas for one, I can gravitate towards the other. I need to get back on the ball for Crusade, however, because I want to start the rough draft for that one New Year’s Day…which isn’t that too far off. While I have a good head start on it, if I need to, I can start the rough draft with what I have and maybe work on the outline during lunch and the rough draft at home. I am going to fight to get the book done in three months’ time. That much I need to stick to.

With the holiday season coming up, this will be the last blog of the year. I’ve got to get gifts, wrap them without self-harm and canoodle with the wife during the holiday season. I will be back in mid-January, hopefully with a completed outline.

Until then, have a safe and happy holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Seething With Apathy

The Six Hundred and Fourteenth Post: The One Where I Whip the Sea and Call It Victory!

Posted by Seething With Apathy

I have declared the last two days mental health days, meaning I’ve done no writing, but I still feel bad about it. I just can’t sustain the concentration to keep up writing for more than ten to fifteen minutes. Today, I am going to throw myself into the study and not come out until nine p.m. for bed. I’m going to do the same thing on Saturday, but after I get laundry done.

I really need to get this novel finished, but there are so many distractions. I am in awe of professional writers that can tune out the outside world. Now that I have my study back, I might be able to get some headway done. The place was a stash room for a while – if there was something that we didn’t need in the house at the moment, we threw it in the study. I’ll post some before and after photos. The place was junky as anything for the longest time. Now, I just need to buy some shelves to put all my books up. Took a whole Saturday to do it, but with some help it was done.

I’m happy that this year is ending. I really have been itching to get back into epic fantasy and finishing three novels. Especially Tyro’s novel – that one’s been kicking around in my head for years. I feel really good about these books – them again, I always feel good about my books. I felt good (for the most part) about Tribal. I feel even better about it with a couple of changes that I’ve made in my head with the manuscript. I just need to sit down and retool it. Maybe 2026? I think the themes of cults and personal freedom are still going to resonate for a while.

So far, it’s just me and Evan trying to get stuff out. Any other writers out there pulling out their hair with frustration over Nanowrimo’s pace in general? I just think I’m really putting more pressure on myself than what’s needed. I should try to relax and just gently lean into it.

Well – I do have to get some writing done, so that’s it for now. Check out the links to the right. I am going to try to figure out how to update some of them, but the new way that this website is set up is making it a little tricky.

Ta-ta for now!

The Six Hundred and Thirteenth Post: The One Where I Am Not Sweating The Details…

Posted by Seething With Apathy

Well, it’s the November writing challenge and I am already a day behind. It’s not too bad – I’m cure I can make it up this Saturday. I don’t have any games (dang it) and I only have my office to clean up a little. I can complete this novel by the end of November and have it out by January. The most important thing I’ve learned from the past challenges is that I should have a freakout if I miss a day. Save the freak out for when it’s the final week and I’ve only written five words.

Just kidding – I’ve written way more than that.

I had a good birthday week. I went to the zoo for my yearly ‘mock the snow leopard for not moving’ and I was not disappointed. However, I’m afraid I don’t have many pictures to share. Dumbass me forgot to put a SD card in my camera. My camera was also far too polite to tell me in nay meaningful way that I had no card in my camera. So, there I was at the zoo – clicking away without anything being stores. Got some great shorts of the bald eagle. Got a very nice closeup of a polar bear. Even got a shot of a tiger being as lazy as a snow leopard. Came home and opened the camera to process my card.

I swore like a sailor and set my camera down carefully on the bed (Hey – that thing cost some money. I’m not going to throw it around all willy-nilly). I learned my lesson. I am going to check my SD slot every time I pick up my camera to shoot something.

Man…

Well – there is always next year. My wife always takes me to the zoo on my birthday. I lie going there. I like seeing the animals and making fun of the snow leopard.

The first time I went there was in August, and it was as hot and as stick as it can get out in Kentucky. When I saw the snow leopard, it was asleep in the enclosure, head rest on an outstretched paw and not moving. Not that I blame it or anything like that. I really didn’t want to move either and I was in shorts and t-shirt.

Fast forward a year and a half. It’s my birthday and this is the first time Nancy is taking me to the zoo for that particular day. It’s much cooler now and I come to the snow leopard onclosure. I am expecting the leopard ot be up and pacing about. As far as enclosures go, this one was pretty swanky with a overhead path. The other cats were jealous. I could tell.

Wouldn’t you know that the damn snow leopard was asleep? In the exact same position I left it a year and a half ago. When I turned to Nancy and pointed this out, I said “It’s not asleep, it’s dead. They had it stuffed so that no one would catch on.” Every time I have gone to see it, that darn cat’s been asleep except for one time, when I watched it walk across the sky path to the other side of the enclosure. We locked eyes for a second. No apologies were exchanged on either side.

Nothing much else happened that day.

Well – I should get back to writing about Evan’s growing digestive problems. If you want to read about him on a good day, check out The Dreaded Day Job. If you want to read about how he handles Christmas, read The Catastrophic Christmas Party. The third one will be out by January. Wish me luck!