OK, so I’ve written up a nice two page outline, redoing the story for Embarkation and I’m feeling much, MUCH better about it. Bit of a wake-up call for me and I’m OK with it.

The original story had characters I liked. Some, I really liked. And those are back for the new story and this time, they have a real honest-to-goodness adventure to be had. Murder, mayhem, explosions, damsels in distress, and a dragon. If it sounds cliche, don’t worry, it’s part of the charm of the story. The characters are aware of just how predictable this seems and their complacence will get them in the end. Or will it?

Thanks to the gang over at community.podiobooks.com for the boost in enthusiasm. I wasn’t really down on myself or the story, just getting honest with the fact that I went in half-cocked and now I’m paying the price. I’m reminded of the many starts and restarts Patrick E. McClean had for his “How to Succeed in Evil” story. I loved every incarnation, but the final product was awesome.

So a lesson learned is a good thing, right? In the end, fear not dear readers, a story is coming and (knock on wood) 2010 sees the publication of my first novel.

So let it be written…

Tags: Crystal Tech

I’ve had a fair number of positive comments on the sample chapter of Crystal Tech. That said, I think I’m starting over. I’ve hit a few obsticals that are just getting me hung up and I can’t move past. I’ll enumerate them as a warning for other authors:

1. First person perspective – It’s just sloppy. I’m putting myself in place of the main character and he needs to be his own man…so to speak.
2. No outline. I had one in my head, but as the book moves along, I’m losing track of it and now the whole thing just stalled. I’d it stalled in Act II, but it just seems like it’s still in Act I and going nowhere. An outline would have helped. A lot.
3. Too many characters. I wanted to make it an ensemble thing (which is where mistake #1 is really biting me in the butt), but it’s just too much. I need to make this more personal, focus on the main character.
4. The world is epic and cool…but I leave it all behind for a sea adventure in the first two chapters. That was just stupid. This is a steampunk/spellpunk world and we don’t get to see any of it while the ship is on the run. Again, I’m dumping the ship and the crew and focusing on one character. That isn’t to say they won’t come back, but that’ll be where the outline comes in handy.

Well, that’s that. Back to the drawing board. Hope everyone had a great holiday and has a fantastic new year.

Tags: Crystal Tech, Word Count

I’m getting out-of-the-loop on Podiobooks.

Phil Rossi, author of the fantastic sci-fi horror novel Crescent and novella Eden, has a new book out, Harvey. Check it out. I’m about four chapters in and am hooked.

I’ll warn you now, his stuff is scary and graphic, but well written with fantastic life-like characters.

Some days I wish I had a native accent like his. Gives his reads that dirty, down-home feel.

Tags: Phil Rossi, Podiobooks

The story I narrated for PodCastle, On Bookstores, Burners, and Origami is now live on PodCastle.org. Swing by and check it out. Very good story that was a lot of fun to read.

I’m very excited to be a part of PodCastle and the whole Escape Artists machine. They’ve provided hours, nay, DAYS of high-quality audio fiction for Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror. I’m just glad to contribute one more hour to that growing mass of goodness.

Tags: PodCastle, podcasts

Surf on over and check them out. I’m trying to put new demos up every so often and, of course, I can do any demo or audition if you’d like to hear it.

NaNoWriMo is upon us, but I seriously doubt I’m going get to participate. I am, however, going to crack open Crystal Tech and get some words added to that novel. I really want to get that finished this year and start recording next year. I you’re looking for a great community to help you get moving on writing, I highly recommend NaNoWriMo. Check them out.

Tags: Demos, NaNoWriMo

Nathan Lowell’s epic space adventure is back!

To say the first “Golden Age of the Solar Clipper” books were inspiring would be a gross understatement. They are one of the main reasons I got my butt up and started writing again.

It’s been a long dry spell without a new book from him and I’m certainly glad that our beloved Ish is back in action in Captain’s Share.

If you’re not familiar with the series, jet on over to Podiobooks.com and check out Quarter Share, the first in the series.

Tags: podcasts

After a false start with another story (some legal rights with the story), I’m back on for narrating a story for the fantasy podcast, PodCastle.

Looks like fun!

Podcasters need some professional voices for your show, let me know.

Tags: podcasts

Yea! One of my personal favorite podiobooks, Shadowmagic, has a sequel in the works. John Lennehan has crafted, not only a great story, but has a fantastic reading style to go along with it. Keep reading to see a video message from the man himself.

Read the rest of this entry »

Added more demos to the Voice Demo page, including demos for radio, TV, telephone, and podcasting. Be sure to check them out, then saunter on over to Voices.com if you’d like to hire me.

I’ll add more demos soon, if there’s something you want to hear, let me know.

Tags: Demos, Site News

What happens when a horror book becomes a little too real? Check this out!

Get the book. Follow the clues. Pray you’ll still be able to sleep at night.