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11/09/09 Really . . . Has it Been that Long?
Guess it has.
It's been over 5 months since I updated my Weak Blog. I'm just not that much of a blogger when I don't have any interesting news to share. I figure peeps aren't that keen on what I had for breakfast, my opinion is on global warming, or how I learned to speak "cat."
BUT, I do have some news: my next book, False World, has been released. I'm having an online launch party November 22, 2009, based from Second Wind Publishing.
Part of the party is a CONTEST open to everyone. Go here to read all about it.
I'm excited. I've already had some good reviews and I'm glad the day has finally come(after so many delays, many of which were my own damn fault).
Don't Forget: Enter the Contest!
06/07/09 Been Here and There As we are all learning, I am an inconsistent blogger on my own site. It's a good thing I'm a consistent writer. Then, again . . . I try to set a schedule to write. One thousand words a day. Sometimes I'm good about it, sometimes I'm not so good about it. Inspiration seems to come in spurts. In addition to writing in the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense genre, I'm in various unfinished stages of Sci-Fi, Romance, Drama, Horror, Supernatural, Adventure, Historical, Non-Fiction, and Comedy. So far, I have over three dozen "in-the-works" novels - two are three-quarters finished and the rest vary from simple outlines to finished chapters. * * * A recent update of "False World," the second novel in the Joe Daniels' trilogy: we have a tentative release date of July 1. Let's hope this deadline does not pass, too. I designed the cover myself. Interesting backstory: the "eye" in the picture is actually from a Marine photo of my father taken during WWII. Click here to see the two designs I've narrowed it down to. Secondary contact jjdare@charter.net 03/31/09 Not for the Faint of Heart A friend who recently read "False Positive" pointed out an important omission: the very graphic violence and the strong language in the book are not suited for every reader. The book contains heavy-duty action, strong language, and liberal doses of blood and mayhem. My friend suggested putting a "Tipper sticker"on the front. So, here's what I've come up with: My friend loved the plot, the action sequences, and the unraveling mystery. She told me the story flows like a river and the transitions between chapters was so smooth, she almost did not realize "the gears had shifted." "False Positive"and its sequel are not cozy, read-by-the-fireplace stories. Rather, they are gripping and ripping stories that make you jump and keep you on the edge of your seat. 03/26/09 Where I've Been Actually, I've been taking it easy. I fell ill (literally could not get out of bed for days) three days before the book signing. I'm much better now, but very sad that I missed meeting my fellow writers from Second Wind Publishing. Book 2 in the Joe Daniels' trilogy is in the publisher's hands for editing. Hopefully, it will see the light of day in the next month or so. Poor Mike, he is swamped. I'm working on the cover for the book myself. I had an epiphany about the cover when I decided on the title, "False World," for the second installment. It involves the world, of course, and a combat picture of my father from when he served in the Marines. In addition to writing blog articles and short stories, I'm working on several alternate reality books. I've discovered alternate reality living is fun and the rules for believablity are much looser than in most mainstream fiction. I'll try to update more than once a month (my bad). I'll be sponsoring a sweepstake with a GPS grand prize coinciding with the release of "False World." Stay tuned for details. 02/03/09 Book Signing Update:
Friday, February 13, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009 Please stop by and say hi to me and my fellow authors! There will be sword-swallowing and flame throwing . . . just kidding (unless Mike or Norm feel up to it :) There will be good company and the chance to meet some of the authors from Second Wind Publishing! 01/14/09 I've been baaaaad about updating my website blog. Baaaaaad, I tell ya. I have tons of excuses and they all begin with the b word: busy. The second book in the Joe Daniel's trilogy is finished and sent to the publisher. He is hoping for a March, 2009, release. I am still working on two other books and I've had ideas for even more stories. In addition, all of the authors at Second Wind Publishing, including myself, submitted stories to a romance anthology which will be available at our book signing in February. The book signing will take place Valentine's Day weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the home of our publishing company. I'll be there all weekend and as soon as the venues are set in stone, I'll post. 10/26/08 Well, it has been an interesting few weeks. Starting off, I was laid off from my job on October 13th. The downfall of the economy was the direct reason. Hmmm. Well, I will definitely have more time to write, as long as I keep the television off LOL Speaking of writing, I am two-thirds of the way finished with the sequel to "False Positive." In addition, I have started another book in a different genre, mainly because I need a break from the intense writing of FP2. In addition to those things, I have seven outlines and first chapters started in a mix of different genres: mystery and suspense, horror, realistic fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, and thriller. Lots of irons in the fire :) 10/11/08 The contest was fun. I had over 200 entries and I've contacted the winners. The best part was reading about all of the different people - you just don't realize how much diversity there is in the world. I put up a very simple vidoe on YouTube Now, to the business of writing. Well, not really all business; there is a lot of pleasure and fun when I'm slaving away on my laptop. The only problem I seem to be having is trying not to let television get too much of my attention. Character development is coming along very well. Some things have changed in my outline. And speaking of outline, I've finally finished the complete outline of the second book that I'm currently working on AND the complete outline of the third book. But, like the current financial situation, that's subject to change. Today was a semi-productive day. I know which direction I want the book to take - it's simply a matter of finding the time to pen it. I'll be updating this blog at least once every two weeks. My other blogs are at http://jjdare.wordpress.com and http://secondwindpub.wordpress.com 9/14/08 I received my author's copies this past Friday. It is a strange sensation seeing and holding what you've written in its physical form. It's like holding a newborn. I don't dare read it yet. I was doing rewrites up until my publisher started politely screaming for a finished product. The first half of the second book is complete and I've sent it to my proofreader/editor. I'm hoping to get some good critique back before I hit the sack. The tenth chapter deals with Joe's introduction to the world and his reaciton to it. This will be the calm before the storm. My plan (how quickly they change LOL) is for the first half to be anticipatory and the second half to be defining and hard. Of course, I have OCD when it comes to writing. This may all change a dozen times before the book is finished. UPDATE: The contest so far has been fun! I've received over 150 entries so far, and, man, there are some frighteningly interesting people out there! 8/27/08 Somehow or another, I had a burst of writing that's kept me up late this week. The ideas are hitting me left and right, and seriously competing for my time. I'm ignoring my family and the cats are slightly PO'ed because I keep pushing them off my laptop.
A quick list of what I've accomplished so far:
I can already see this book is going to be more intense than False Positive. But, damn, I'm having a blast writing it. 8/22/08 Updates from my publisher: False Positive is scheduled to hit the presses within ten days. There was a little delay with the printers, but that's all been ironed out and books should be going out in the mail by next week. 8/17/08 I am getting a lot accomplished on the second book. I've been tossing names around and I keep going back to "Midnight Sun." Go figure. There's some moon imagery in this one. Some of the characters that were briefly introduced in the first book will be fully developed in the second. Remember Dr. Tanaki in the first chapter? He has a pivotal role in the second book. One element of the second book is a deeper look into the backgrounds and histories of certain people and entities. There will be a lot of believable surprise, too. I'll be posting excerpts as I get further along. |