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!