The Rush of Betrayal: Book One News Update

Hello Friends. I know it’s been a while since I posted anything here but I’ve been hard at work on the final edits for the new book, The Rush of Betrayal (book one and two). I’ll have the book covers done in the next week or so and my goal is to have the first book available for purchase by the end of June 2012 (with book two available sometime later this year – my goal is October 2012).

When the cover for Book One is done, I’ll post a copy of it here so you can see what it looks like – meanwhile, I thought I’d include a sample of Chapter One today. Let me get any legal type stuff I might need out of the way….

Where in the World Have I Been?

Hello again, Friends! Yes, I’m still alive. I know, I know, it’s been a few months since last I posted anything here and I’m sure you were all worried about–

Seriously! You think people were actually worried about you? WOW! What an ego! When did this happen?

Okay, okay, settle down I was just warming up and–

Enough with the chit-chat, let’s get down to business here. If people are here, it’s because they want to know what’s going on so spill it already!

Fine. I’ll forget about the drum roll and just get on with it. The reason I haven’t been blogging much lately is because

Interview with Indie Author Anastasia V. Pergakis

Hello Online Friends and Welcome to 2012. Today, I’m interviewing Indie Author Anastasia V. Pergakis, author of the fantasy novel, Cleanse Fire. We ‘met’ on Twitter (I’ve met so many wonderful authors on Twitter) and I thought I’d share with you my interview with her. Without further delay, Anastasia, welcome…let’s begin:

1. Anastasia, I understand you’re married, a mother of a young boy, and a stay-at-home mom. Being a stay-at-home dad myself, I know how hard it can be to find free time to write. How do you find the time and energy to be creative? Do you have a writing schedule? If so, does it help balance your writing life and your family life? 

I don’t know if I ever really “find” the time and energy. It’s more of…I overdose on caffeine! And really, I just have the mindset that it needs to be done and so I do it. The caffeine merely allows me the energy to do it all at once!

No actual writing schedule. I do what I call Binge Writing. I’ll write 5,000 words one day but then not write anything for three days after that. But then I’ll punch out another 5,000 words on day four. I don’t think it keeps my life in “balance” exactly but it makes for less stress for me. I don’t have to stress out over “Oh no, I didn’t write today!” because I know that it’s okay. I still make my bigger goals and deadlines and that’s okay with me. 

2. Tell us about your recently published book. Do you have a short synopsis you’d like to share? Who do you see as your target audience? Where can we go to buy it? 

Cleanse Fire is a fantasy adventure novel, with edge-of-your-seat action. Epic battles, suspense, and a bit of romance too! Follow the Kinir Elite as they track down a traitor and find more than they bargained for. **Portions of profits for this book are given to the Wounded Warrior Project** 

Complete the mission, no matter what…

Captain Derac Vidor has served Kinir for nearly twenty years. It’s his life, his blood. And then his Commander betrays everything Derac holds dear. Now he has to focus on his own life and his team instead of saving the citizens of Kinir. 

Treason is only the beginning…

Fueled by rage, the team chases the source to their Commander’s betrayal – a powerful wizard bent on revenge. The wizard seeks to destroy the Kinir Elite, in both mind and body. No place is safe, even among their allies.

 The past holds the key…

Derac’s tragic past may be the key to saving the team. But can he face the gruesome nightmare in time?

 Purchase Cleanse Fire

• for your Kindle at Amazon
• for your Nook at Barnes & Noble
• for your other E-Readers at Smashwords
• in paperback at Amazon
• in paperback at Barnes & Noble
• in hardback at Kinir Elite Website 

3. When did you first realize you were a writer? Has writing been a life-long dream or a recent development?

A Year of Books

Yeah, yeah, not a fancy title but it’s still early on 2012 and my brain isn’t fully functioning yet. And before you jump to conclusions, no, I didn’t drink heavily last night, nor am I suffering from a hangover, I’m just a little off on my already odd sleep cycle. Blame it on the new video game. (More about that in another post).

First off, Happy New Year. While 2011 was a pretty good year – hey, I published my first book, The Penitent Assassin in 2011 – I’m really looking forward to new adventures in 2012. New books as well. Both to read and to publish. One of my writing goals this year is to publish at least one more novel. I’d love to make it two, but I’m not sure if I’ll have enough free time to accomplish that. I’d also love to get my short stories polished and perhaps publish a few of them as well.

But this post is supposed to be about the books I read in 2011. If I include my own book, The Penitent Assassin, and the rough draft of the new book I’m currently working on, I read 50 books in 2011. Eight of those were graphic novels — that counts, right? Still, even if you don’t count them, I’m happy that I read over 40 ‘books’ in one year….plus published a book…plus began a second new job at the bookstore…

Yeah…I hear you…on with the list! I debated about writing comments about the books, and then decided that I’d only make a few comments after the list was complete–primarily on the books I loved. However, please keep in mind, even if I don’t comment on a book, it doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. For the most part, I enjoyed almost all of the books I read in 2011….(I normally don’t finish books I dislike).

Merry Christmas Video from the Ink-Competent Writer and Family

Hello Folks,

I’m sorry I haven’t been around as much lately, but the holiday season has been a busy one for me and my family. We just celebrated Christmas #1 this past Sunday. Christmas Celebration #2 will occur on Christmas Eve, #3 on Christmas Day and #4 on New Years Day. Not that I’m complaining, I’d much rather have the celebrations spread out over a couple of weeks rather than jamming them all together over just a couple of days. More fun for everyone.

Also, I’ve been picking up some extra hours at the bookstore. We have had a busy December which is encouraging. People in our community seem really excited about buying locally and supporting the small and independent businesses. Thank you.

When I can, I’ve squeezed in some writing on my new novel, but I assume I won’t be back to writing on a regular basis until after the holidays are over. That’s okay…since I spent the bulk of 2011 working to get The Penitent Assassin published I figure I’ve earned a few weeks off to celebrate with my wife and kids this holiday season. In addition to more writing in 2012, I intend to blog more regularly too. My goal is to create at least one writing related blog post per week.

Shameless plug time. Are you giving an e-reader as a gift or do you think you’ll be getting one for Christmas? Want to download my fantasy book, The Penitent Assassin, and help out an Indie Author? Follow the links on the blog here to any of the various websites where it is sold–Amazon, Smashwords, B&N…and thank you so much for your support! I hope you enjoy my book and Happy Reading!!

Okay, shameless plug time over — on to the Holiday Wish from me to you. My wife had a little fun over on JibJab the other day and this is what she came up with. Here is our Merry Christmas JibJab video from our family to yours. We all wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/AoOhwSV3FpGHcgMl

Enjoy!

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know, it’s a few days late, but between family obligations and work, I haven’t been around my computer for the past few days. That said, I’d still like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving…errr…weekend…and hope Thursday and the past few days have been good ones for you and your family.

In addition to eating too much turkey (and stuffing, and sides and etc) and working a few extra hours at the bookstore on Black Friday, I’ve been fighting off a cold. Seems this time of year is not kind to me. Last year I was sick around Thanksgiving and apparently it is becoming an unwelcome trend. I don’t feel completely miserable unless I’m attempting to sleep…sooooo…that means I’ve been sleeping in short shifts, two-to-three hours at a time. Both last night and this morning, I maxed out at less than two hours. Fortunately, I’m only working four hours at the bookstore this evening and then hopefully, fingers crossed, I’ll find a way to sleep through the night tonight. (Okay, I’m not holding my breath on that but, boy it would be nice!)

Black Friday…..Hmmmm….Nope. I think I’ll just delete out the couple of mini-rants I wrote regarding Black Friday. Specifically the way people drove….and behaved….

Delete….delete….delete….and we’re moving on.

We are? To what? My brain is fumbling with ideas. Too tired, it’s crying out to me, much too tired to compose anything much longer. Must save some brain power for work this evening. Must conserve energy. Must shut down….

So for now — that is all. I hope to get back to writing more here and on my new novel next week (hopefully when I’m healthy again!)

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

An Interview with Walter Shuler, author of Celadonian Tales Vol: 1 Blood and Brass

Welcome Readers to a new addition of The Ink-Competent Writer Blog — Author Interviews. My first interview is with the very talented Walter Shuler. Recently, I had the pleasure of reading his book, Celadonian Tales Vol: 1 Blood and Brass. As I wrote in my review, the book ”is primarily three well-crafted, well-written short stories linked together by a mysterious narrating storyteller camped outside the great city of Celadon-home to things both beautiful and terrifying.” If you have not had the pleasure of reading this book yet, you should get over to Smashwords or Amazon and pick up a copy of it.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to present, Walter Shuler.

1. Let’s start by having you tell the readers a little about yourself? And not just where you’re from and what you like for breakfast, but what makes you tick (besides coffee)?

You mean there’s something OTHER than coffee out there? Ha! Well, I’m a fantasy writer who lives in Georgia… oh, wait. You said what makes me tick? Hm. You know, that’s actually a pretty tough question.

I’m a pretty uncomplicated guy. Providing for my family gets me up in the morning, and telling stories helps me keep my sanity in a world that increasingly bewilders me. I value family and good friends (and a good stout!). I’m an escapist at heart, and that’s definitely one of the reasons that I choose to write and read fantasy.

I’m not sure that really answers your question, but I hope it’ll do. We can always do a vivisection to find out for sure!

2. When did you realize you were a writer?

The Unfinished Stories in Your Life

What are the unfinished stories in your life?

I know, it might seem like an odd question, but let me attempt to explain what I mean…

Recently, while driving at night, I noticed new skid marks on a road I travel frequently for my job. The tire marks started in the middle of the street and veered sharply off into a wooded area along the side of the road. I slowed, flipped on my brights, and spotted a car slammed sideways against a couple of trees about 20-30 feet off the road. The impact had not only caved in the driver’s side, but had also

The Need for Catching Up

After spending a good chunk of 2011 working on the final edits for The Penitent Assassin and getting it published online, I’m now finding we’re closing in on the end of the year and I need to catch up on many of the other projects in my life that have been neglected.

Primarily…The House.

If you’re a homeowner,

How to Survive and Succeed at NaNoWriMo

So you’re going to try your hand at the NaNoWriMo challenge this year. 50,000 words in 30 days (or less). It may seem a daunting task, but with some planning and practice and a few handy tricks you’ll likely succeed and come out of the month of November with your goal complete.

First, let’s look at the math of the challenge. I know, we’re all writers, who wants to look at math, but bear with me for a couple of minutes and I’ll show you what you ‘should’ aim for every day.