Read the previous post first...

Alright, since I wrote about the bone-headed thing that Kyle did, I wante to post the paragraph that really conveyed what he did. I was on such a role when I wrote this paragraph, that I swear I was only typing and it was coming to me from him. I hadn't outlined this part at all!! I love it when a character takes over his story.

Here is the paragraph!

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The firefighter had left Kyle’s side while he was praying and Kyle knew that now was his chance. Without giving it a second thought he grabbed a firefighter’s coat from the back of the truck. He sprinted across the front yard, thrusting his body into the coat as he went. The heat of the flames intensified with each stride, he knew it would only be worse on the inside but it didn’t matter. The only thing he cared about now was getting Elena out of there. Just a few more feet and he’d be at the front door. “God, please watch over us.” With that final utterance, he raced up the front stairs.

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Tell me what you thought!

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

WOO-HOO!!!! I did it! I got to 70,000 words before 7:00 pm tonight! I'm currently at 70,068 words and right in the middle of a very exciting plot twist!

I'm very excited right now. I almost had to strange Kyle though, or maybe I should thank him. He had to go and do something boneheaded and almost got himself killed... I really can't blame him though. I would probably have done the same thing. People in love always do crazy things.

I'm very happy to have hit this milestone, now I've just gotta finish everything off and then I can REALLY celebrate!

Almost there!!!

Okay, just over 1 hour to go and just under 1,000 words to go....

I might ACTUALLY make it..... Not that I doubted myself in the least!

(Just forget the previous posts about me panicking!)

Panicking a little less today...

Alright, I've got under 23 hours to get 4,000 more words done. Well, 3,995 to be exact...Wait... oh no!! I'm also counting the words Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc, etc... Okay, who cares at this point?

Anyone?? Anyone??

Nope, good. Because neither do I!

I'll hit 70,000 words if I have to completely ignore my entire family for the remainder of the year!! (Which shouldn't be that hard, since there is only 27 1/2 hours until this year is done!)

On a completely unrelated side note, I've discovered a GREAT background music CD to play while I write. It's called "Celtic Music for Stress Relief", it's at Target for only $10.00 and it is DEFINITELY worth the money! It's beautiful celtic music, harps, strings, all that good stuff. (Sorry, but I'm saving my descriptive words for my novel!)

Do I LOOK like I'm panicking?

Because I TOTALLY am! I've got under two days to reach the 70,000 word mark and I'm only around 62,000 words. Yeah... I can feel the pressure... If I make it it will truly be a christmas miracle!

What am I doing blogging about this?!?! I gotta get back to work!!

My book's pitch

Well everyone, I rewrote my original pitch to the story and posted it on a literary agency's blog. Now I'm just waiting to see if I'm one of the lucky ones that will get their's critiqued! Below is what I posted. If the post is chosen to be critiqued, then I'll post their response here as well.

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Kyle Johnston's world is thrown into a tailspin when his 7 year old daughter is kidnapped and killed. In the year since, the culprit has yet to be caught and as Kyle and his wife Elena try to pick up the pieces they are tormented when a letter shows up from the killer bragging about the act. Every facet of their lives appears to be an open book to this unknown tormentor. As the police continue to search for a suspect, mysterious happenings begin to make them wonder if Kyle is involved in his daughter's death as well as others. When and if Kyle finally comes face to face with the killer will he be able handle the startling revelations that come his way?

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Feel free to post your thoughts on this pitch. Does it make you want to run out and buy the book? Do you love it, hate it or have no feelings either way? Comment away!

Catching up....

Well, I started off today being about 8,000 words behind schedule. I'm eccstatic that now I am only 5,500 words behind schedule. The story is really coming together and little things just keep popping up that I didn't plan on. I love it when that happens! It's during those times that I feel the words flowing directly from my mind to my fingertips. It's like the story has a mind of its own and wants to be completed (hopefully ahead of schedule!)

If I can keep getting 3,000 words or so a night I will definitely be done by the end of the year. I want to get at least 1 query out before that time though, but I'm a little bit worried about it. I'm not worried about the rejections that I'm sure I will get, I'm worried about the request for the partials or fulls. If a full is requested I wouldn't be able to say that it's in the best condition it can be in. I do tend to edit while I write, but I think one of my flaws is I'm always looking for something to improve when I go through it. I need to learn to just leave it be as it is.

I'll post some more on the status of my queries after they are sent out. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Definite deadline

Alright, I was reading over several literary agents blogs and I've come to the decision that I will definitely NOT be sending out queries until after the new year. I am planning to have everything ready to go before mid-January, but then I'll have to wait for the readers to get back to me with any comments. I just need to make sure that I get some REALLY fast readers!

Just about 20,000 words to go now... *sigh* I just wish that I could type out everything that I want to at once and not one line at a time. I'm starting to get to the point where I'm writing a line of text and my mind is already telling my hands to type something that's going on 3 sentences away!! 49,335 words is the official count right now. I'll get to about 52,000+ words tonight, hopefully without being up until 2:00 in the morning!

Back to writing...

Genre of the Novel

Well, as I sit here at 2:00 in the morning (trying to get caught up) I found myself thinking about the genre that this novel would fall under. At first I thought that it would be a crime/mystery novel, but I think it's turning into more of a thriller/page turner. The chapters have been pretty consistent at about 20-25 pages a piece and they've all seemed to land on mini cliff hangers for the final paragraphs. Not enormously huge in any way, but enough to make you turn that next page to find out what happens next.

I was out at dinner the other night with a few other couples and I brought up how I had listened to "Twilight" on my trip up to San Quentin Prison. Now, I think it's natural for anyone to hear about a prison and wonder why someone was going up there; besides the obvious reasons that is! So, I began to tell them about my book and what it covered. I got some good responses and it's really given me a stronger drive to get the novel completed.

I'm just dying for people to be able to read the completed novel and tell me how they couldn't put it down. I think when this novel is finally completed and a literary agent has taken it on to sell it that I will at last be able to take a break. Well, at least a little break....2, 3 hours tops! Then it's back to work on my next, as yet untitled, novel.

I can't believe that I'm still up and writing something at 2:00 a.m. That's just the joys of something wanting to be written I guess. Sometimes I just have to write around the story's schedule and not my own. I just know that it's going to be a REALLY fun day after I wake up from only getting about 30 minutes of sleep.

Oh well, such is the life! Only 1,000 more words to go and I'll call it a night...mabye less...

Entered the first paragraph into a contest

Well everyone, one of the Literary Agents that I follow, Nathan Bransford, has a contest that if you submit the first paragraph of a WIP (Work-in-progress) novel that he will pick a group of finalists for the readers to vote on. I've submitted the first paragraph from my novel "Feint Impressions" and decided to post it here as well. If I am selected as a finalist (keep your fingers crossed) then I can have the opportunity to have him critic a query, partial or even a 15 minute phone conversation with him.

Alright, to be honest the 3rd prize is really not even on my mind to win. I would just really like to win the query or partial critic. It will be on Friday that the results of the contest will be posted and I'm really hoping that I'll be up there!

Well, without any further hesitations, here is the first paragraph that I submitted:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cold breeze blowing off San Francisco bay did not seem to affect the throngs of protestors located outside of San Quentin Penitentiary. They had been at many previous death penalty protests and had come prepared to chant and stand firm for hours. The hundreds gathered here now, lit mostly by candles, marched in place to keep their bodies warm. Every soul standing here tonight, protestors and supporters of the death penalty, along with reporters were waiting with baited breath for the arrival of the witnesses tonight. Only a few times in its history had the grounds of San Quentin Penitentiary been such a hot bed of activity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time to get back to the rest of the novel!

Is that they date??? REALLY?!?!?!?!

Ok, no easier way to say this than I am SERIOUSLY sweating right now! I should be at 47,000 words right about now and I'm only at 43,000. Four Thousand words behind schedule... I'm really trying to get to the 70,000 mark by the end of this month, but I think that the novel will be closer to 80,000+ by the time it's all over.

I might not get around to querying literary agents until the middle of January, but I'd rather have the manuscript at its top form than send out a shoddy draft.

Everyday I write, I have new ides coming to me about how to string everything together and how all the characters will play a role in everything. It's kinda cool, but sometimes I just get so full of ideas that they all cram the door and they can't get out onto the paper. What does that lead me to??? Yep, writer's block... it sucks.

I gotta get back to writing, this story isn't going to write itself! (Although sometimes I think it wishes it could!)

Deadline looming

Alright, There have been a few major changes in the story. The cemetery groundskeeper is now playing a larger role, and has taken the place of one of the original characters. I'm a little bit worried about meeting the deadline now though... I'm already over 41,000 words and maybe only halfway done. I want to do the story justice and if I don't do it then I think the characters will beat me senseless!!

I'm still going to push my hardest to get the story done before the end of the year, but my querying might be started while I'm still editing and revising. I know it's not the smartest thing to do, but sometimes it needs to be done. The novel is looking like its going to be easily over 90,000 words, maybe 100,000. Yikes...

Back to writing...

I can see the end of the tunnel!

I think that it is rather appropriate that today is thanksgiving. The time when families all across this great nation of ours gather together to show thanks for all that they have. I am thankful everyday for my family, my job and my life. Today I'm especially thankful that I have reached the 1/2 way point in my novel! Just today I passed the 35,000 word mark.

It took me longer than expected, but I attribute this fact to only getting 2 hours of sleep last night and getting up at 2:30 a.m. to begin smoking a turkey for thanksgiving. For those of you who have never smoked a turkey, I HIGHLY recommend it. The meat was tender, juicy and just falling off the bone.

We celebrated today with friends and made phone calls to our families who live on the opposite coast. I hope that everyone was able to share this thanksgiving day with their families and loved ones.

Who is writing this story again?

Okay, I'm just shy of 30,000 words and I had an unexpected visitor pop up. I was wrapping up paragraph that would bridge two portions I had already written, when a supporting character decided to stop on by. Great...company. Now I have to write an interaction between him and the main character that will be meaningful and live up to how it would be for their friendship.

I just wish that these characters would be patient and wait for me to get to them! Can't they read the outline?!? Don't they know they're going to give me an aneurysm with all these additions and changes?!? This guy wasn't supposed to show up for at least another 2 chapters, but NOOO he just had to stop bye and talk. *Sigh...* I guess I can't really fault him, it is in his nature. I never knew that having to "expect the unexpected" would apply so much in my writing.

I'm really looking forward to thanksgiving this week for two reasons:

1.) Time off from work and being able to sleep in a bit more
2.)I will be half way done with my novel

I know that when this novel is over, it will be bitter sweet for me. As I'm writing, I've come to know the people I'm writing better and I've started to feel for them. I was getting choked up just the other night while writing an argument between two of my characters. I could feel the pain in their voices and the anger that spurned the comments. It was a rather surreal experience. (Those of you that haven't written anything before probably think I'm crazy!)

I think I can understand now why some authors enjoy carrying certain characters from one book to the next. There are a few characters in this book that I think could carry a story on their own, but we'll have to see where my muse leads me next.

Back to writing...

26.5K and counting

Wow...It's hard to believe that I've been writing on one novel for so long! I normally wrap up a short story around 5-7K words, but I have to admit I'm enjoying writing the novel. It's great to be able to cover more areas of the story how I want them to be covered and really show some character growth.

At times I do still worry that I won't be able to meet my self-imposed deadline, but then I'll write over 3K words in a single sitting and I think "Maybe I can do it!" I try to have more of those moments than any others!!

I am currently only 3.5K words behind schedule, but that will jump to 4.5K behind schedule at 7:00 pm PST on Friday. Of course, I am planning to write alot in the morning and get myself ahead of schedule in the coming week, so I'm not THAT concerned.

Well, time for me to pass out on my bed for a few hours!

An interesting twist

I must say that when something I'm writing takes on a life of it's own it becomes glaringly obvious! Just the other night I was writing part of a chapter, when for some reason out of nowhere I started writing about a character that I had never thought up before. I'm talking about physical characteristics, mannerisms, habits. It was just crazy! I went back and gave a quick look to my outline and sure enough, this guy wasn't in it!

However, knowing enough to bring the story back up, I proceeded to write several pages of interactions with this character and the main character. Not only that, but this guy will also make an appearance again later in the novel! Wow... Sometimes it seems like I'm not really the one in control of writing this story, more like it's just waiting to be written how it wants itself to be.

I'm a "little" bit behind schedule.... ok...ok, like 5,000 words behind schedule, BUT I'm doing about 2,000 - 3,000 words a day now, so I'll be back on schedule before you know it! (Provided no other unexpected characters decide to pop into my story!!)

I was talking the other day with a guy that I know and he was telling me about a conversation he had with Ashton Kutcher while he was making "The Guardian". Ashton said that the best thing he likes about being a movie actor is the fact that he gets to try out so many different jobs, things that he would never have the opportunity to do otherwise.

I think it can be the same for authors out there. To be honest, working on this novel I've met some really cool people that I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise. I've also done some things that I never would have planned on doing. Touring San Quentin prison for one was pretty cool and when I go back to walk death row it will be another cool experience. I will be touring the town that I'm basing the novel in probably later this month or early next month. I will also be hiking in the Diablo mountain range while I'm up there.

This coming summer as I begin work on my 2nd set of series I will be going scuba diving off the coast of California quite a bit. I will also be speaking to several oceanographers, making boating voyages out to locations and researching aquatic life in general. I REALLY hope that in the future I'm able to look back on all this as the starting point of my life as a published (and wildly succesful) author.

I've noticed that when I'm going to write a novel or any kind of story I want to get as much accuracy as I can, while keeping the more scientific aspect of it easy to read. For those of you that have seen "Redemption" starring Jamie Foxx, don't believe what you see in the movie, they took a LOT of artistic license there (according to several of the guards from San Quentin).

Now, after my visit to San Quentin, the first thing I did was perform some major rewrites on my opening chapter and make copious notes about what I need to change in the final chapter as well. I want prison guards to be able to read the novel and agree with everything that's in there. I also want the residents of the town where I'm basing the book in to be able to say, "Whoa, this is where it all took place. Right here is where she was taken."

I want the reader who has never before been to either of these places to be able to accurately see it in their mind. If one day they find themselves in either of the locations I want it to be a sense of Deja Vu for them.

Well, I can feel my novel pulling me back, so I'd better heed it and get back to work. I wonder where it will take me today?

At long last, the pictures!

Here is the final walk for visitors into the gas chamber area the "Green Monster" as it's called.









A view of the prison from the visitors area.
















This building is the area that family members go to visit inmates









The visitors parking lot






The front gate at the prison

How do I rein in my muse?!?!?!

Alright, this is getting RIDICULOUS!! Seriously I've gotta rein in my muse. I was sitting there watching a tv show with my sons and an idea for a story popped into my head. The title is "The river's end" and I've already got a couple of pages of ideas for it and plot points. The funny thing is that the only thing the show and my new novel idea have in common is that there is water in both of them!!

Honestly, I've gotta lock my muse to the stake in the ground that I've driven right next to "Feint Impressions"!! Well... I guess if keeping my muse supplying me with pages for the current novel, means I have to allow it to run rampant and provide me with ideas for future novels I really shouldn't complain.

I've decided that I will now be setting aside at least an hour a day with NO outside distractions to sit and focus on my writing. I'm glad that my job right now allows me time during the day to work on the novel while I'm in the office. It would be great if I'm able to build a steady reader base and make writing my sole day job!!

Where does the time go?

Wow. I've been so busy writing the novel that I haven't been on here much posting anything. Thankfully I'm right on track to be complete with the novel and editing by the end of the year. I must admit that when I began writing this novel, getting it to 70,000 words seemed like an insurmountable task. Now at times it seems like I'll have a problem keeping it under 80,000 words!

What really drove that point home is when I was writing the third chapter of the novel. I was already 10 pages into it and had only covered less than one third of what I wanted to cover. I'm trying to keep the chapters around 20 pages long, so the flow is maintained and the reader wants to keep on turning the pages to find out what happens next.

I think the biggest thing that has happened for the novel is I'm contemplating a minor change in the story that will have a MAJOR affect on the reader. As most of you know, I wrote out the ending while on a flight back several months ago. I got the reaction that I was hoping for from the readers and now I wonder if this minor change will be just to far. I can see where it will help the story, but I wonder if it's to dark for me to write that in now...

On a different note, I'll have the pictures posted from San Quentin tomorrow. I also have to go back up there and take some interior shots of the death row area, if they'll let me that is. I'm sorta dragging my feet on going back up there, because I've got an idea in my head for a novel tentatively titled "22 Hours" and I'd like to sketch out a rough outline so I'll have some questions to ask the police officers I met up there last time.

In other writing news, "The Burning Plea" seems to be somewhat satiated with the writing that I have done on the outline and some of the areas/animals/people so I've been able to focus on "Feint Impressions". I am considering moving the writing of the trilogy to before the next novel I have plans for. I guess we'll wait and see where the chips fall when I'm done with this current novel.

Man I'm sleepy...

When it rains, it pours and when the writing flows it FLOWS!

Work continues...

Wow... I've had to do a MAJOR change in how I'm writing out the story. The reason for this major change is I was trying to write the story as it would be read, chapter 1 then 2 and so on. Unfortunately, taking this path often lead me to writer's block.

Now, I've created a page for each chapter and as I type, if I get blocked in one area of the story then I just look over the outline I have and jump to another chapter. I'm almost at the point where I'll have to do at least 1,000 words a day too! It's kind of nerve wracking to say the least.

I'm excited about next month when I will travel up to the town I'm using for inspiration. Thankfully it's only a 4 hour drive to this location. I've already checked out the area, and it fit perfectly into that "small town" feel that I was looking for. I actually passed it on the way to San Quentin and on the way back home I knew that I had to stop there and check it out.

A few of the pictures will be posted here from that trip later on today, I've just been to busy/tired to post them sooner. I'll be glad when I've hit 35,000 words since I look at that as my half way point.

Back to writing...

Back and I'm BEAT!!

Wow...I'm pretty tired from today. We toured all the areas of the prison, got to walk through the gym where there were no walls between us and the prisoners. We were litterally surrounded by prisoners. I got to the prison around 2:00 pm and the tour was done around 6:00 pm. While everyone left I got to stick around for another 2 hours interviewing people.

The coolest part is I met a guard that works on death row and he let me know that I can take a walk down where they keep all the death row inmates the next time I'm up there. If I had more time, I'd be down there tomorrow checking it all out. I only got a few photos, as I forgot to get permission before I went there so I could bring in my camera. Oh well! I'm gonna try and swing by there tomorrow morning to get a few shots of the area that I'll be describing in my story.

I'm thinking of taking one of the characters in this book into a 2nd book as well. I'm trying to not think that hard on that only because I've already got 4 book ideas floating around in my head, and I don't think they need more company! I get to write up alot of my notes now too...joys....

Back to writing...

On site

Well, I've been spending most of the morning writing for the novel and writing some questions to ask everyone at the prison. These last couple of days my mind has REALLY been on the trilogy that I want to write down the road. The kicker is, I've already got my next novel planned out to write after I've finished Feint Impressions!!

The only thing that I can think of is the trilogy is a story that can't wait to be written and told. It's crazy how sometimes a story can take on a life of it's own. I just sometimes wish my stories could be a little bit more patient and not keep pushing the thoughts of previous novels to the back of my mind!

I've had a bit of writer's block, but yesterday after I got to the hotel I've been writing alot. I think I wrote over one thousand words this morning and I'll probably write another 5-6 thousand words tonight after my prison visit. I've been trying to write in sequential order, one chapter completed before going on to the next one and this might be why I had hit the block. I was out for dinner last night, and even though I was working on the third chapter, I got ideas that would come into play in chapter 16, so I wrote out several pages for that chapter. After that, it's kinda been like the flood gates are open!! I absolutely LOVE to write at times like this when my story is screaming in my ears what to type. It definitely beats the times that I have to drag the story out of bed and bribe it with cinnamon buns and hot chocolate to even give me 5 words!!

Whoa! Almost time for me to head out to the prison. Before I go however, I am happy to announce that the town the book will be taking place in has been decided! Well, I found it on the drive up to here, now I will be checking it out on the way home tomorrow. From the satellite photos and reviewing the town's website, it all looks very promising. Of course, this does mean another round of interviews with the local police department! Wow... It's amazing that writing one novel can introduce you to SO many people. You gotta love it!

Back to writing...

Upcoming novels

I've been working so much on "Feint Impressions" that I think my desire to get the novel done has leaked into the story creation side of my mind. I've been having these GREAT ideas for the next novel I want to write and also for the trilogy that I have planned out.

I've been working on rough outlines for these books, and some of the details that I've thought up now I want to be able to add in when I'm ready to write them. I'm thinking that these next several months are going to be VERY busy for me.

My wife is happy that the next couple of novels that I have planned are not as dark as the one I'm currently writing. Of course with all the information that I'm learning as I research for my current novel, it's become apparent to me that this will not be my last murder/mystery novel. Nor will it be my last one to deal with the death penalty.

Over these past several weeks I've had a desire to write an essay on the death penalty. I will probably be posting one here and I will possibly send it out to some newspapers. I don't think the system is perfect right now, but I do see the need for the death penalty. I don't want to get into that right now, as it's past midnight and I would like to word my thoughts accordingly. I will probably write it up over this coming week and post it next weekend.

A few more days and I'll have the info I need about San Quentin...at last!

Back to writing...

Upcoming trip

Alright, after much calling and emailing I finally was alble to get in touch with the necessary personnel to setup my visit to San Quentin Prison. I have quite a long drive ahead of me, but I think the rewards will be worth it! I'm working on a list of questions for each person that I interview. I want to get the point of view from as many people as I can and use this information to make the story a great one.

I'll be getting a tour of the prison, the gas chamber and I'll be able to talk with some of the officials, some of the guards and some of the prisoners. I think the weirdest thing (at least so far) about this trip is the fact that I was told to wear no blue at all. Not even blue jeans. I will find out why when I'm there and post it here later.

I've got to finish transcribing my notes from the interview with the Detective, and clear up my memory card on my camera before I get headed out there. This should be a very interesting trip! I'm hoping that all will go well and I will be able to bang out several new pages of the novel while I am in that area.

Back to writing...

Interview completed

Well, today I had my meeting with the Detective from the LASD (Los Angeles Sheriff's Department) It went great, I got all my questions answered and a TON of good information on how police work is done for different situations. Some of what he told me went along with what I had already written, and some other things that I found out will make me go back and change up some paragraphs that I've previously written. I really don't have a problem with re-writing anything at all, just so long as the story line maintains a continuity and stays true to real life.

I imagine that I will probably have to take some "artistic license" with the story, but the less I take the better! I want detectives to be able to read this and agree witht the steps that I take. Well, that's about it. I'm going to be transcribing my interview later on today, so I'll be pretty busy!

Back to writing...

Little bits of information....

I know that the description of the book doesn't really cover everything, so I thought I'd put in a couple of items that the book deals with. Sort of to help whet the appetite for when it finally comes out! Here you go:

-Death penalty
-Murder
-Kidnapping
-Suspense

I'm trying to put it all together in a well written manner with adequate character development, which is not an easy undertaking. I'm excited how it's shaping up so far, and to be honest, if I wasn't writing this book I'd definitely want to read it. So far everyone that has read the couple of chapters have loved it. (I love the emotional reaction that I'm getting from the readers too!)

I've been doing alot of research about literary agents and trying to find a good one for my novel to be submitted to, when it's complete that is. I have been following a couple and I checked again over the types of books that these literary agents were looking for, and my book actually hits on all the points that this agent is looking for. The agent is Janet Reid, a literary agent with Fine Print Literary Management. I'm not saying that this book will be taken by her and shopped around, but she is one of the first ones that I will send to when I submit the manuscript.

Back to writing...

Authenticity here I come!!

Alright, I've got a point of contact in the Homicide division of the LAPD! I'm pretty excited about it because I will be able to get a great bit of information from him that will really help to keep the book as authentic as possible.

I am working now on a laundry list of questions and I'm firing up my mini-tape recorder so I can get everything that I need remembered! I'm sure that I will have many more contacts within the LAPD and I will also be looking for any contacts in smaller town PD's as well.

I'm very excited how this is all shaping up and I'm REALLY anxious to get this book completed! I know that I will learn alot about myself and also how to improve my writing style as I work on this novel. I just can't wait!

Back to writing...

Update - I got in touch with the Detective in the LAPD. I've got my first meeting all setup and I've got quite a few questions to ask him already.

One down....many more to go!

Alright, I have (mostly) finished the first chapter of the book. I say mostly because it is my belief that I wll probably go back and change/add some things as the book goes on. I believe that a good novel is not something that is stagnant, but something that is in constant growth and motion. With this in mind I want to make sure that as I wrap up the story with the final chapter that I have not left any big loopholes, or dangling storylines. I want to deliver the best possible product that will satisfy all who read it!

Back to writing...

Setting a deadline

As everyone can see, on the left hand side there is now a countdown timer. It is my goal to complete this novel, and begin the shopping around process before 7:00 pm PST on 31DEC2008. Once I've shopped the idea around I'll have to check with my publisher what, if anything I can post online. I'm looking forward to getting a good novel out that a large portion of the population will enjoy reading. For everyone that is willing to embark on this voyage with me, I wish you a warm welcome and look forward to reaching our destination. I will post updates here whenever possible.

Back to writing...

Novel - Feint Impressions

Alright, the working title for my current novel is "Feint Impressions". Below is a brief synopsis, (which I'll probably re-write later!):

Kyle Johnston's world is thrown into a tailspin when his 7 year old daughter is kidnapped and killed. The culprit has yet to be caught and as Kyle and his wife Elena try to pick up the pieces they are tormented when a letter shows up from the killer bragging about the act. Every facet of their lives appears to be an open book to this unknown tormentor.

As the police continue to search for a suspect, mysterious happenings begin to make them wonder if Kyle is involved in his daughter's death as well as others.

When and if Kyle finally comes face to face with the killer will he be able handle the startling revelations that come his way?

I imagine that the novel itself will be around 350-400 pages and I should be finished with it by the end of this year. Please feel free to post any comments about your desires to rush out and buy this book as soon as it's done printing!

Back to writing!...

My love of writing

As long as I can remember I've had a love of writing. Be it for school, for work or just for fun; if I'm writing, I'm happy. So far I have only written short stories and poetry, but now I am working on my first novel. There will be more information on the novel on it's own page, such as a working title, synopsis and a few other juicy tidbits that will whet your appetite and leave you wanting more!