"Tales of Planes" by B.T. Robertson

A Different Turn

2010-07-23T11:48:00.002-04:00

It seems that my novel-writing has taken a slight detour in light of the video game stuff I'm involved in. BSCreview.com has given me some great opportunities to write and blog about video games, even naming me Gaming Editor (which is how I was able to go to E3 this year). At the same time, ironically, they're promoting my most recent novel release, Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part Final: Alignment. I don't know how well it's selling because I don't hear much from the publisher unless it's royalty time.

Having said that, my books are still sitting with an editor at Tor Forge. Former Tor publicist, Dot Lin, did me a HUGE favor after I met and spoke with her at the BookExpo America in New York City back in May - she gave my books, my bio, and my synopsises directly to an editor inside Tor, bypassing the usual submission process. The goal? Not entirely sure, but Dot asked me if I'd be opposed to having them rebranded/republished. Umm, no, I wouldn't, and neither would LBF Books I suspect.

Also on the writing front, BSCreview.com asked me to come onboard with a writing project that's not video game related at all. It's a cooperative project with the site's senior editor, Elena Wolf, who I met in New York City for BookExpo America. We've had several phone calls and have come up with some amazing ideas. A prologue is being worked on now, and the object is for Elena and I to alternate episodes, all of which will be offered for a very inexpensive price online. Think of it as a serial publication of a multi-part storyline set in a brand new fantasy world. It's very exciting and will get my feet wet with respect to collaborative writing efforts. Elena's extremely talented, so I'm sure we'll be fine.

That's about it. I'm a horrible blogger because all I do all day is type on this blasted keyboard. Stay tuned to BSCreview.com for a forthcoming daily video blog I've been asked to do for the Gaming section. My next novel project may be on hold for right now, but it's only because other writing projects and creative efforts are interrupting that. I believe it's all for a reason, though that reason eludes me currently. Thanks for your support, and if you like this blog, spread the word!

BEA 2010 in Review article posted at BSCreview.com

2010-05-28T15:00:00.002-04:00

Follow the title URL to read the full article at BSCreview.com, as I don't feel compelled to type all of that over again. :)

The show, for me, was a rave success and keep your fingers crossed that it opens some doors in the writing world for me.

Other quick news, I'll be tackling writing duties for my next novel series very soon. Blake, my almost-five-month-old son, is doing very well, is healthy, strong, eating and sleeping well, etc. It's time to get writing again because my goal is to have a healthy manuscript ready for submission by EOY 2010/early 2011. It's a daunting undertaking, but I have faith that my pre-writing/preparation for this trilogy will allow me to write it faster AND better at the same time with no lulls in-between.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

A Gaming Revolution

2010-03-07T09:20:00.002-05:00

With the arrival of my son Blake, time has been very scarce for doing much, if any novel work. Blake is a mere two months old today, which means he's still sleepless at night, is up early, and generally requires between 5 and 15 wipes to clean his diaper messes. It's great, I'm not complaining, but my novels have taken a back seat.

My third novel in my first trilogy is still not released. March marks the sixth month past the original due date of October 2009. There have been changes at the publisher, health issues, and other internal stuff that has affected the release. Am I surprised? No, not really. All three of my novel releases have been marred by some sort of unmitigated disaster. My first book was an editorial nightmare that required a second edition less than a year after its first release - this put a sour taste in everyone's mouth; my second book was released two days after we found out LBF Books had been bought out by Lachesis Publishing in Canada - this put a huge damper on the release of a novel that reads much better than the first; enter my third novel - sixth month delay, and getting close to three whole years since the 2nd's release (April 2007). Sour taste? No, sadly, the issue now is that no one remembers me or cares.

This may sound like doom and gloom. Perhaps it is, in a way. After all, I'm only human and I can't be positive all the time against the luck I have. Novel-writing, I must admit, may not be what I'm supposed to do with my writing skills.

I've been a gamer my whole life, as you should know by now. When I was younger, my buddy and I started a very basic website dedicated to talking about video game news. A few years later, I founded and wrote a gaming newsletter called Vagabond, which was distributed loosely in stores around Pittsburgh for a brief period. I even spent $400 on a copyright for the name and still own it today.

In late 2009, I threw something out on my Facebook page about getting into the video game industry. I've been toying with the idea for quite some time, but it's never gone anywhere. Damon Caporaso, co-owner of BSCreview.com, has been a huge supporter of my writing and novels ever since I got published. I randomly reached out to his site, then named "Fantasy Book Spot", and it's been a great relationship ever since. Damon saw my post and offered me a contributor position writing video game reviews for the site.

Recently...like, February 2010 recently...Damon and BSC offered me a full editor position for the entire gaming section. I received full access to publish anything I want without going through the Senior Editor, and I'm being tasked with writing more than just reviews. I'm contacting industry insiders, publishers, developers, and marketing firms. Staffing decisions for other gaming section contributors are funneling through me, as well, much to my surprise. In short, it's a big deal, and though it's "unpaid" right now, I'm getting some free games, lots of exposure, and when my third book is released, BSCreview will be doing some advertising for me pro bono. That's worth a lot of cash right there, in truth.

And in June 2010, I will be attending the E3 trade show in Los Angeles, CA at the LA Convention Center. E3 is the largest video game expo in North America, and is closed to the public and anyone under the age of 17. My application was accepted a couple of weeks ago and it's a dream come true. Ever since I knew what E3 was, years ago, I've wanted to go, but they closed it to the public several years ago and my hopes died. With my writing abilities, and love for the gaming industry, my hope is renewed.

Perhaps this is what my novels were meant to provide: an avenue for freelance journalism or, quite possibly, a chance to work as a writer/creator/game designer in an industry I've loved my whole life. I am not schooled in game design, but I have an insatiable drive to learn and to excel, and I won't let something like school stand in my way.

Land of the Rising Son

2010-01-22T14:13:00.005-05:00

Pun in the title is intended. Blake Allen Robertson has arrived and is in full newborn effect. Pictures on my Facebook page, but more will be coming soon once I get fully into the saddle of uploading the daily digital photos I'm snapping with my Canon SX10 IS with 430EXII flash unit.

Blake arrived via Cesarean Section on January 7, 2010 at 2:28 a.m. EDT. Weighing in at a modest 7 lbs, 10 oz. and measuring 21" long, Blake still put his mom through almost a day of labor and surgery. Nicole was induced on the 6th at about 9 a.m. EDT, so you can see how long we were in the hospital awaiting his arrival. Stubborn little guy didn't want to come out! In the end, he wouldn't fit through the birth canal, experienced distress, and needed to be extracted...all part of his master plan. :) Mom and baby are doing just fine as of today (day 15 postpartum), and we're already seeing a lot of changes in his feeding, sleeping, and temperament patterns...never a dull moment, in other words.

In the midst of all this, my third book in the Chronicles of the Planeswalkers trilogy became available for pre-order, though no official release date has been confirmed. I would assume sometime in the next month, but I can only speculate. If you want an early bird deal on the novel, visit my home page linked from the article and on the main home page there's a banner link to the LBF Books website and pre-order form. I'm attempting to work out a deal with Lachesis and LBF that enables me to sign all the pre-order copies before they're shipped out, but no promises there because the printer may be in Canada.

I've got some video game news, which I will start including in the blogs since it's a huge part of my personal and soon-to-be-professional life. I'm working with BSCreview.com as an official reviewer of Playstation 3 titles, mostly titles in genres that I prefer. In other words, I don't have the time or resources to review every single title out there, but I do review ones that I would purchase for myself regardless. I'm not paid by the video game industry or BSCreview.com to do these reviews, which gives my unbiased viewpoint an edge in the slush bucket of reviews for said titles. I play games like you do...paced, infrequently, etc. This single facet enables me to get a good picture of the game without pressure of deadlines or bias for or against a particular title. I'm honest with the reviews, and think the reviews provide a good sense of humor interspursed with bottom-line facts and feedback. I enjoy writing them and it keeps me writing when the novels are forced to take a back seat.

Currently, I'm enjoying Darksiders for the PS3. I gave it a First Impressions review score - which is a preliminary review based on just a few hours with the title, not a final review - of 8.5 out of 10, which is promising. That score may go up or down depending on the final analysis, and I think people like this type of method. They get a before and after sort of view into the title, and it also allows me to put far more depth into the review than usual. Some review websites sum up a title in two short pages, and in video reviews maybe 4-6 minutes tops.

In short, I may be able to attend E3 this year (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in Los Angeles courtesy of BSCreview.com as a press agent. This will allow me insider access to developers and publishers alike, and give me a lot of contacts into the video game industry. My goal is to write officially either as a reviewer, blogger, or possibly in a game design role. We'll see how things progress; I will post anything of importance pertaining to that aspect of my writing career here.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support, and sorry the blogs have been less frequent.

Part Final: Alignment (book 3) Lives!!

2010-01-04T15:42:00.001-05:00

The link above will take you directly to the pre-order page at LBF Books' website. The "Buy" link is at the bottom and it will direct you from there. Sorry for the short blog, I just had to get this out there because tomorrow is the due date for our son, Blake Allen Robertson! :) Thanks to all of you for your kind and generous support...and Happy 2010!

End of an Era, but the Beginning of Another

2009-12-23T00:37:00.004-05:00

I posted pretty much what's below on the News page of my official website, so you'll have to forgive me if it's a bit redundant, assuming you read it over there yet. If not, well then you've got all the news to date, minus a few scraps I'll give in this entry.

As 2009 winds down to a close, I'm reminded that this time is my favorite of each passing year. Christmas and the holiday season means different things to different folks with varying religious or nonreligious beliefs, but one fact stands out: it's a time of celebration and remembrance.

When I look at 2009 in retrospect, I think of the strides I've made in my writing career, which is just shy of seven years in the making. January 5, 2003 is the date I started writing Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part Zero, and it looks like early 2010 will mark the release of the third and final book of my inaugural series: Part Final: Alignment. Three books in seven years...I suppose that's not so bad for someone who doesn't write full-time. It's the end of an era, one which I'm more than proud of, considering my shaky start, but it's simultaneously the beginning of a new leg of my career. I've begun work on the outline for the next series. Yes, it will be a fantasy series, set in my Planar universe. I'm planning on overhauling the whole concept of planeswalking by adding in more unique elements. Here's a teaser in the form of a new term: Planesreaching. As it implies, planesreaching will involve some new talents and abilities, and the series will introduce a whole new cast of characters while remaining true to the concepts and themes established in the first trilogy. One character will return from the series in a big way. Can you guess who?

Excitement. That's the word describing what I feel moving forward, headstrong, into 2010. I rarely make promises, but I promise you, the readers and fans of my work, that I will [do my best to] have a rough draft of Book 1 - tentatively titled Reacher - completed in 2010. The preliminary work I'm doing now will only spur me on to telling a grander tale than ever before. I've never attempted this level of pre-writing. The main protagonists (yes, there are multiple), their abilities, characteristics, and relationships are all carved out; I've outlined several subplots; I'm fleshing out the overarching plot for the three book trilogy, but also for each novel so they stand on their own; several locations are being developed; and finally, the creation of the primary antagonist and its minions is fully underway. I'm not beholden to specific word counts for these novels, but I've established a baseline at 120,000 words (the length of Part Final: Alignment, book 3 of the first trilogy). In a word, this project is "huge", or at least much larger than anything I've ever done before, professionally or otherwise.

Lastly, and to bring this blog entry to a close, I want to take this time to thank you all for a great year. I've gone from zero followers to six in a short time, and I'm hoping you will pass this along to your friends and families for them to read. I don't write this merely for writers, but also for readers and anyone else who likes to listen. Merry Christmas (if you don't celebrate it, I beg your pardon) and a Happy New Year to you and yours. God bless you all, this great nation, and the people the world over.

Post-Thanksgiving Wrap-up

2009-12-01T15:45:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delayed blogs, folks. Work and other things keep me from being as diligent as I would like, but it's hardly a good excuse. In truth, I don't always have anything compelling to talk about, and I certainly won't dump everyday factoids ala Twitter in a blog and expect to hold your interest.

Book 3 - Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part Final: Alignment - is going to be released in a few weeks (December 2009). It's about two months overdue, which pushed my release party at Borders back a few months into 2010, but things happen for a reason and nothing is adversely affected as a result of this delay. Again, I think of everything as happening as scripted, so I'm neither surprised, excited, nor disappointed for this delay. The bottom line is that it will be released soon, and that's really all I care about. Winter is when people read the most, statistically speaking, so perhaps it will allow some really cool publicity while I prepare for the official release party.

In other writing news, I'm officially writing video game reviews (mostly for the PlayStation 3) at BSCreview.com, formerly known as Fantasy Book Spot online. The site has obviously grown quite a bit since I've been dealing with them, but they remain loyal to me, which is amazing. I've posted two reviews thus far: one for Dragon Age: Origins and for God of War Collection. I've got a first impressions review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 posted, but the final review has yet to make it up yet because I'm still playing through it. If you want to find the posts, simply search for the titles or partial titles on the main page at www.BSCreview.com, and you'll find them. Comments welcome.

My baby boy will be here soon, too. January 5, 2010 is the official due date, but we're very excited. I have a 13-year-old daughter, so it will be awesome to have a son. Daddy B.T. is gearing up for his arrival. Name is most likely going to be Blake Allen Robertson, FYI. :)

Hope everyone is healthy and happy out there. I'm doing another YouTube video series on getting published, so stay tuned for that. My channel is PlaneswalkerBT, so come find me there and subscribe for all the latest videos and news. Thanks for your support, and Merry Christmas 2009 to all.

Ode to Writers Groups

2009-10-07T11:19:00.003-04:00

I've spoken about this topic before, but I felt compelled to be a bit more specific this time around because I've recently joined a Pittsburgh-based (i.e. local, not an online group) writers group named "Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers and Readers". I've attended two meetings thus far, but at this juncture it's clear to me that the organizer takes the group very seriously. He's strict, follows a structured agenda at each meeting, keeps everyone abreast of the upcoming meetings and materials, and generally communicates with passion and fervor. He brings visual aids to the meetings if the discussion requires it. Frankly, I've never been so engrossed in a writer's group and I've garnered quite a bit from it in a mere two sessions.

What is a writers group? What do they do? How do they work? These are seemingly simple questions with equally simple answers, but in truth it's very difficult to answer because every writer's group is different, even those within the same genre focus.

A writers group is a collection of writers who meet together, whether in person or online, to achieve common goals. OK, that seems basic, but what kinds of writers are we talking about? Professional? Beginner? Self-published? This is where the complication comes in. You must research before joining a writers group. They should have a website, and if not, an online presence to explain their mission, what kinds of writers they are focusing on, etc. Meetup.com is an excellent place for groups of all kinds to publish all pertinent information without requiring a ton of IT knowledge to do so. Requesting permission to join the group is done through these websites, too, and you can typically introduce yourself prior to ever seeing the group face-to-face.

Once you find a writers group you're certain you will fit into from the outset, the next step is to figure out if their goals are in line with yours. Are they more of a sharing group, focused on writing assignments and then sharing the products of the assignments from session to session? Or are they more instructional, with a leader who takes on the role of a college professor, lecturing and providing printed materials to the "class"? Either strategy works as long as the members understand the format and are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions. In either group structure, the common element is discussion. Without it, the group will fall apart and members get bored. I've been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

I personally believe that a writers group is like a church: it's not the building, the seats, the technology, or the message it preaches...it's the people who make it work. If you've got motivated and hard-working members with a leader who acts as the glue to hold it all together, you'll have a wonderful journey and learning experience. Don't just jump in without researching, but be prepared to leave a group if it's not serving your needs. A bad group can be as detrimental to your growth as a good group can be beneficial (just like a church!), and sometimes you join a group you thought would be great only to discover it's not what it advertised it would be. Gracefully bow out and thank them for their time, always remaining professional to the craft and yourself as a writer.

Writing Not Reserved for Novels

2009-10-06T22:10:00.003-04:00

Wanted to take a quick moment to plug the idea of working outside of novels creatively. I'd like to think that my skills transcend the daunting task of writing 120,000+ word books. In fact, there are times when I need a break from novel writing. What other outlets are open to writers to help keep them motivated, but most importantly, to keep them writing? After all, if you're not writing, you're not a writer. :)

Including the daily writing tasks I have in my current daytime career field (I work in the Information Technology field for Bank of New York Mellon), writing comes in a variety of forms. Email is one facet of writing that many overlook...we can tell. Spelling and grammar are hacked to pieces daily by seemingly learned and intelligent people. Even in the simplest ways, writing is a huge part of our lives and the writer is tasked with ensuring that his or her communicative abilities transcend their creative works.

No one wants to talk about work too much, even me and I love my career at the moment. Can writing be a hobby as well? Can you use your talents to write blogs, review products you enjoy, etc? Sure, why not??? I would find it hard to believe that the modern writer doesn't participate in several other forms of writing, but perhaps I'm mistaken.

Take for example my passion for the game of paintball. For those of you who don't know what paintball is, go Google it. I'm not a guy who appreciates most sporting activities, even though I was raised on a diet of football, soccer, baseball, and even wrestling. I love watching the Pittsburgh Penguins, but I'm not a die hard, typical Steelers fan. I don't even play sports video games except hockey. But paintball is a pastime that I've been enjoying for about four years now, and I've loved every single stinging minute of it. :) So how does this tie in with writing?

In 2006, a man approached me who designed, wrote, and produced scenario paintball games for a field just north of Pittsburgh, PA (Three Rivers Paintball Park, if you wanted to know). My novel writing had made an impact on him and he felt compelled to offer me a position as a staff writer for the company. I accepted, and have been writing and developing creative elements for the games ever since. This coming Saturday, October 10, 2009, my first fully produced game - Dead Space: Oblivion - will be executed and I'm hoping it really kicks butt! I had a vision of a game to replace our annual Halloween theme, Resident Evil, and Dead Space (a video game designed by EA Redwood studios that's just fantastic) was the only worthy successor in my mind.

This is a simple example and one you can read more about on my website (Bio page, Paintball link near the bottom). I really enjoy the creative outlet of writing paintball games in conjunction with my talented partners. In addition to the games themselves, I've been published in several international paintball magazines, even earning a center spread in one issue last year. Just make sure you're not limiting yourself to your "bread-and-butter" writing, as it were. Branch out, try new things, and you'll be surprised just how much your writing benefits you. :)

Long Version of any Twitter Post

2009-09-30T22:54:00.005-04:00

Twitter has enabled such quick and dirty updates about what I'm doing that it seems as though this vast chasm of white space before my eyes is too daunting to tackle. Nonetheless, my fan base here has grown to four! That's one more than I had the last time I posted, so perhaps my ramblings are having some, albeit slow impact. For that I'm gracious.

If you've been following me on Twitter and/or have friended me on Facebook, this post may not contain anything you haven't read already, compelling though this yarn may be. One benefit to Blogger is that I can wax eloquent as much as I want, assuming my wax is up to par.

So yeah, cool news about my YouTube channel: three new videos have been uploaded and aimed squarely at you fantasy fiction writers. If you just love to watch me make a fool of myself to the camera - hey, I have to practice sometime, right? - look no further than http://www.youtube.com/PlaneswalkerBT for your viewing pleasure. Seriously, I am working hard on my next novel series and doing so in the exact, complete, and total opposite of the way I worked on the first novel series. Umm, that's not saying much...don't worry, I don't suspect you caught my internal sarcasm there. Before this derails, I'll explain. I didn't do a damn thing to prepare my last novel series!

I'm using the videos as a tool to learn, believe it or not. By providing a set of views on a particular topic, especially one as complex and vexxing to writers as outlining, I hope to gain some feedback...read: knowledge. I learn the same way you do, no different. Part of what makes someone a good teacher is practicing good listening and learning skills.

Fortunately, the videos did a good job of illustrating the points on outlining, and the feedback thus far has been positive. I'm not an expert on outlining, this is my first time doing it, but the process has indeed become a necessity for me. In short, I won't ever write another book without some form of a working outline. I don't want to give you a lesson in outlining in a blog post, so go watch the videos if you are so inclined.

Nothing new to post about the third novel in my first series, Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part Final: Alignment, except that the goal is still a Fall 2009 release. I will be sure to post up when I know more details.

Thanks for wasting your precious time reading what wouldn't fit in a Twitter post. :)

Reacher is Born

2009-09-02T15:28:00.002-04:00

It's official: the title of my forthcoming novel series is War of the Elderon, and Part One, Book One, will be titled Reacher. No longer called a "Planeswalker" because of Magic: the Gathering (Wizards of the Coast property), I've landed on a name that's simple, easy to understand, and works well within my ever-expanding universe.

I'll post a separate blog once the whole plot is fleshed out, but the initial build of the new story will center around the Elderon and its manipulation by internal and external forces vying for control over the system, including the Planes contained within the system. In response to the Elderon's changing rules - of which there's no explanation at first - a lone figure makes a morally compromising decision to breed an army of followers on each of the eight Planes of existance (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Mist, Dark, and Light; there are two Mist Planes, bringing the total to eight).

Who is this lone figure? I can't tell you without spoiling things. :) But rest assured it's a familiar character to my previous series. Only ONE character returns from Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, and his/her life will never be the same again.

The new series will expand upon my system of Planes, the magic system centered on this system, and will introduce an entirely new set of characters, all of which call the Plane of Fire (Ampüan) home.

In addition to the slew of new elements for this series, I've also enlisted the aid of nine or ten trusthworthy individuals. This group of friends will be helping me with proofreading, critiquing, and otherwise giving me tons of grief as I write. My last series would have undoubtedly benefited from such a group, so I won't make the same mistake again. In an effort to better my writing and creativity, I need to think outside the box and try things that I haven't before. I can't learn in a bubble, no one can. The group won't be providing me with ideas - at least not primarily - but will be leading me down a path that leads to a much grander tale.

The Proof is in the Pudding...err, Publisher

2009-08-17T12:07:00.003-04:00

Howdy followers...the whole two of you (really, that's awesome...gotta start somewhere, right?). Been a while since I posted a blog entry...I'm bad at this. I feel like I need to have something worthwhile to post and lots of it, or else you'll just be wasting your time reading about stuff that ultimately doesn't matter.

Having said that, I'm thinking about another video for my YouTube channel. I may work on that this evening and post it this week. I'm learning that there are tons of ways to electronically promote - this is one of them - and these tools are, by and large, an illusion for a lot of writers. My goal is to change that, to teach others to embrace technology to help them in a failing economy and a reducing set of outlets to promote one's work. These days, it seems that the big name authors are so far above the rest of us that there's no way we'll rise to the level(s) we may desire. I may not, either, but I'll use every available outlet and I would like to educate others on these outlets.

Now, on to quick news about my third book. In short, the proofs have been turned in to Lachesis Publishing as of last Thursday, August 13, 2009...one day before the deadline. Simultaneously, the cover art graphic was finalized and submitted and approved. At this point, it's all up to the publisher. They need to incorporate the changes (resulting from the two or three proofreaders) into a single file, send that file off for another review, and do the cover layout of text and such. In the words of the project manager at Lachesis Publishing, "We're getting very close now!"

They're not sure of the exact day, but October 2009 will be the release month of book 3. More announcements will be forthcoming as I find out, including details on the release party and subsequent signings. I'll be working on a hefty marketing and media plan, and there are other surprises I've got in store for those who are in the Pittsburgh area and can make the release party and signings. In think this will be the best release I've ever had.

Onward, Upward, and Byword

2009-07-20T19:00:00.004-04:00

I've been eagerly awaiting the point in time when I could officially announce that I'm hard at work on a brand new fantasy novel series, tentatively titled War of the Elderon. The first book, Reacher (book 1 of 3), is being outlined as I type this. I've pulled out the Post-it Self Stick Table Top Pad and have furiously written four pages of notes, diagrams, and lists of characters, locations, and political figures. The magic system - which is based wholly on my unique and uninfluenced design of Planes (aka "dimensions") - is being expanded at a rapid pace as well, with many facets I've never-before-explored. The story will take place in the same universe as Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, but the cast of characters will vary. I tossed around the idea of using Pux and others, but I feel that with this new direction and expanded magic system, a new protagonist is in order. I don't want to tip my hand too much, so I'll stop short on this and move on.

But it's not just the writing I'm excited to talk about. My entire process of writing this novel is changing. No more "Part Zero", which was unique and cool, but it only served to confuse new readers of my series when they see "Part One: Alliances" on the shelves and may not realize that it's really book 2 of the 3 book series. Why didn't I think to tell the publisher to put "book 2 of 3" on the cover for the readers to see? Lesson learned.

There's much more. For example, one of the most disappointing mistakes I made was writing the first series in a bubble. Frankly, I wrote it in solitude, 100%. No feedback, no readers, no one to tell me "Great job!" or "That could use some more work, B.T." It's sad when I think of how many people I know, yet I couldn't approach any of them to ask for help. Call it foolish pride or ignorant bliss, it doesn't matter. Ultimately, it weakened my writing and my first series. Now, I believe the second book was stronger than the first, and the third stands to overshadow the prior two books vastly, according to my editor. I grew, I learned, I adapted to the writing, to my style, and to my own mistakes. But, no matter how much I learned, I could've learned more had I assembled a group of people to help me, people whom I trust.

I've gathered six individuals who I feel could help me the most. One is a published author, another is a fellow gamer and paintball player, one is a co-worker and comic book enthusiast, two more are fellow gamers and fantasy readers, and the last is an IT and political junkie, as well as a sci-fi/cyberpunk lover. Each member of "The Reachers" has unique skills and were eager to assist me as I write and develop the new series. No longer am I writing in a bubble and I think the writing will benefit greatly from this move.

The new series will be politically charged, with enough intrigue to satisfy the most strict of fantasy fan, but honest and simple enough for the casual, young reader to comprehend. It's a strange time in America 2009. With an out-of-control government and a plethora of political scandals hitting the news every other day, a politically charged story is one that may help readers cope in real life. The powerful never stop seeking power, never stop trying to control those they feel are beneath them. As I write this series, I will be searching my own soul for themes and concepts that are important not only to me, but also to my family, friends, and co-workers. The world needs a hero, but only through the power of the written word can one emerge strong enough to take on those who wish to destroy it.

I am very excited to make this important announcement and I hope this encourages writers out there who may be reading this.

Anatomy of a Dragon, New Ideas and Direction

2009-06-16T09:22:00.008-04:00

As you can see, color and lighting gives life to the Orus [Dragon]. There are several species of dragon in Chronicles of the Planeswalkers. When I set out to write this series, I wasn't sure of exactly how I was going to write it or what I was going to include. The project epitomized uncertainty and novice decision-making on my part. But one thing that was an absolute certainty was the inclusion of at least one dragon.

In books (The Hobbit and Eragon) and in games (Dungeons & Dragons), dragons have been done, done well, and done over and over again. In D&D, dragons represent the upper echelon of foe and they come in a variety of colors and personalities. In The Hobbit, Smaug terrorized the town of Dale and took refuge in the Lonely Mountain, becoming the main antagonist of the story.

With each of these examples, one thing that struck me as odd was the sense that dragons seemed to be removed from the world. Reptiles, by nature, are reclusive and solitary, but species tend to populate a given region and stay there because they've adapted to the surrounding environment. Dragons seem so far removed from their own species that I constantly questioned their survival. I realize dragons are fictional and fantasy carries with it a sense of moving beyond the real, but all fantasy is grounded in logic and truth (believe it or not). Sure, the sky's the limit, but the TRUTH of any species is the need for survival, or procreation. Dragons are mostly alone and there exists no conclusive rhyme or reason.

In book 3 of my series, the Orus is alone and he's the last of his species, a true harken to the nature of how a dragon fits within modern fantasy, but there are ironclad reasons for this. However, the Trachona species, of which I haven't investigated thoroughly to this point, is still in full force and they represent something I've never seen in dragon lore (I haven't read Dragonlance books yet and purposely haven't because I fear this has been done before, like everything else): family. What would happen if dragons lived in close proximity with one another? Once a dragon becomes an Elder, is that when they move on and strike out on their final journey of solitude? What are the mechanisms that control that? Has this been explored? Specific to my concept of the Planes, are there Planar dragons or dragons that can phase shift? Or are they only fire/ice/water/air/acid-breathing beasts that horde treasure for no good reason? They're vain? OK, that explains their hording, but why are they vain? Just because or is there more that can be explained here?

These questions have been swirling in my head for years and the result is a working structure of a dragon-based species that will grace the pages of my forthcoming novel series, which I'm currently outlining. In my current series, the Trachona are represented by the small bone that pierces the nostrils of each Drothghight creature, a momento of their rank and class. The smaller the bone, the more specialized the class.

The Clandestine Juggernaut

2009-05-28T10:12:00.002-04:00

Behind the shroud of life's pitfalls, joys, and everything in between lies something I've dubbed the "Clandestine Juggernaut" - one or more secretive, crushing forces that lurk in your mind with kaleidoscopic rapidity. These can take many forms, naturally, because each and every one of us have our own hopes, dreams, and fears. The phrase I coined sounds apocalyptic, but it's really just a creative way to say that you have nagging thoughts that never seem to rest no matter how good you are at oppressing them.

For me, there's not a day that goes by where I'm not contemplating my next novel series. Call me crazy, call me a dreamer, but I can't hide from it as much as the thought of starting another 300,000+ word novel trilogy distresses me. This is one of many such juggernauts, but almost certainly the most prolific and profound of the bunch.

The more and more time I spend at home with my wife, spending time in the yard, watching my daughter grow, reading comic books, playing amazing video games loaded with stimulating content (not sexual stimulation folks, be nice), etc., I realize that the idea of starting a new series isn't quite so daunting.

I've even gone so far as to map out the prologue to the new series, which WILL absolutely, positively be part of the Planar universe I've written about and established in the Chronicles of the Planeswalkers trilogy. My wife and daughter were in the car with me when I started spinning the scene out for them and they really liked it. This summer, I definitely plan on outlining the entire story arc - if it will, in fact, span three books, it will be determined at that time - and then figuring out how the first book will fit into that mold. It will probably take me three to four months to outline it because this is the first time I'm actually outlining and planning my novels rather than firing from the hip (although with book 3 of CotP, I did outline it somewhat).

This is my clandestine juggernaut and it's high time I expose it.

The Orus Comes to Life, in Black and White

2009-05-20T11:11:00.003-04:00

Artist Thomas Hunt has risen the bar for the cover artwork of the Chronicles of the Planeswalkers trilogy in a big way. Part Zero's cover depicted the main protagonist, Aerinas, in a cartoonish pose and brandishing a flaming sword. Additionally, the character reminded many of Legolas from Lord of the Rings, given that the movies were popular at the time. The cover isn't bad, in my opinion, but it lacked the finer details of most fantasy artwork.

Part One: Alliances' cover was done by Natascha Roeoesli (www.tascha.ch/content/), a beautiful and talented artist born in Switzerland. That cover thrust the second book's popularity higher than ever because of the realism and dark tones of the cover. A lone figure in the background hovers near her shoulder, daring the reader to investigate further. Ithyllna, another protagonist and one of my favorite characters in the series, is the focal point of the cover and was illustrated perfectly. Her pose and striking features scream "heroine" and the cover received universal acclaim.

In 2009, I came back to the States to find an artist, and landed on Thomas Hunt of Rabid Studios (www.rabidstudios.org). Thomas lives in Pittsburgh, PA, my home town, which couldn't have worked out any better. Thomas has a talent for digital artwork and has the unique ability to create wondrous evil creatures. For the cover of Part Final: Alignment, I wanted to create a cover that proved to be the grittiest of the trilogy. I also wanted the focus to be on the antagonist - a beast known as the Orus. It's a dragon, sure, but a dragon with twists. Six-limbed, a bone crown of horns sloping back to protect its brain, and snake-like front fangs rather than a maw lined with teeth (like most dragons have), the Orus is a unique creation. What role it plays in the book, I'll not divulge to prevent a huge spoiler moment, but rest assured that this cover depicts a scene directly from the pages of the manuscript.

Lachesis Publishing has been overwhelmingly supportive and approving of Mr. Hunt's work, and now that the cover is finally in the coloring stage, Thomas is hard at work putting the magic in. I believe this will be a striking cover that will sell well among fantasy fans. The Orus is one of the treats in store for the reader and it plays a major role in the plot, as it's been hinted at throughout the series.

On to Hatrack - Orson Scott Card's Online Forum

2009-05-13T10:44:00.002-04:00

Last night, I registered and joined Orson Scott Card's online writing class/forum. David Farland is a good friend of Orson's and in May 2008, while taking David's writing workshop in St. George, Utah, I met his brother and niece, who were also taking the workshop.

My first experience with Orson Scott Card was not through the written word. His award-winning books are amazing - Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, etc. - but I, per usual, was late to the party. A few years ago, the Southside area of Pittsburgh was built-up with a lot of businesses, including a shopping district, a Cheesecake Factory, and several other schwank locations. :) Joseph Beth's Booksellers stood as a sentinel along Carson Street, the main road connecting the Southside Works with Station Square. One day, while I was working and eating lunch in the area, I saw a sign that Orson was coming to speak. I think his contemporary sci-fi novel, Magic Street, was coming out, but I can't recall to be honest. I noted the date and drove down specifically to hear him speak.

I was blown away. His wife aided him and they seemed to have a fantastic and fun relationship. Orson is a great orator, a skill that I've learned is a must if you're going to also be a great writer. Being able to speak in front of a crowd that size is worthy of any writer's attention, period. I actually have an easy time speaking in front of crowds and am thankful every day for it. But I can't speak as smoothly or as effectively as Orson, a skill that I must hone as I get older.

I can't rub shoulders with Orson like I do with David Farland, but the bottom line is that Orson is a well-known teacher and has taught an annual writing boot camp since 2001. He's also employed at South Virginia University as a professor. In short, his skills are something that any writer can learn from and I'm not going to pass up the chance. I was accepted as a registered user on his writing class forum, managed by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury. I wrote an introduction for her per the instructions and she was more than enthusiastic to activiate my account.

I try to do as much as I can to help others, but the fact remains that I'm still, and will always be a student of the writing craft. There's only so much I can do to help because I'm still very inexperienced when compared to greats like Orson and David. By reading, absorbing, and practicing key elements of what they teach, I believe any writer can rise above whatever plagues their creativity and excel. Like golf or any other sport, it takes time, hard work, and vigilence to perfect, a lifetime of dedication. Orson and David have given me the reason to keep writing.

Having said that, I plan on outlining my next fantasy series this Summer while I am in limbo waiting for book 3's release and marketing campaign. One thing I've realized is that I must continue to write and make it a top priority if I dream of being a full-time writer. Dreams require action and action requires discipline. Wish me luck. :)

Changing Seasons

2009-05-09T12:19:00.002-04:00

Spring is here. Change is in the air. I don't suffer allergies so I'm always in favor of the coming of Spring because it's one of my favorite times of the year, next to Fall. I hate extremes, so Old Man Winter and Skin Bake Summer are not friends of mine. As I get older, I realize that I enjoy being outside more and more. My wife would laugh at me if she heard that because I do spend a lot of time indoors on the computer or playing games, but what I mean is simply that once I get outside to mow the grass, plants shrubs and trees, mulch, or whatever, I enjoy it immensely.

On the flipside of the seasonal change, nothing much has changed regarding my third book. I haven't received any updates from the proofreader. My artist, Thomas Hunt, just last week told me that he's about 80% complete with the cover art coloring process, so I'm excited to see that. In the meantime, I'm in a holding pattern and picked up my reading again, which is a passion I hold in high regards.

About two months ago I purchased two comic book subscriptions from Marvel - New Avengers and X-Force - marking the first time I've purchased comics since I was a teenager. I have always been a lover of comics because it's another type of fantasy interaction. Plus, as previously noted, I love to read and reading involves many types of media. In fact, for my birthday I've asked for Amazon's Kindle 2 so I can read books anytime, anywhere. I'm a bibliophile at heart, but the Kindle 2 is too geek-a-licious to pass up. Books are cheaper and the technology in that little device is uber. Plus, I can buy signed copies of my favorite authors' books, but instead of handling them and reducing their value, I can buy the same book electronically for much cheaper and read it on the Kindle 2! :) I digress...

Earlier this week, I brushed off three books I was in the midst of reading and finished two of them: Wizardborn by David Farland (Runelords book 3) and Spine of the World by R.A. Salvatore (Legend of Drizzt book 12). Both were amazing, of course, and I wasn't able to put down either of them. The third I'm working through right now is Terry Brooks' Tanequil (High Druid trilogy book 1) - equally amazing, but I have a bit more to go in this one than I did with the other two, about 50% more of the book. It's funny, I haven't read anything in any of these three books for months, but I was able to recall every single character and story element picking up where I left off. I've had many people tell me they can't read more than one book at a time, but I thrive on it. Variety is the spice of life. Now, with George R.R. Martin's books, I like to digest those all in one helping because they're just too complex to break up.

After Tanequil, I was hoping to delve back in David Farland's series so I can catch up. He's releasing book 8 of the Runelords in October and I just finished book 3. I've got some serious word absorbing to do to prepare for its release. The Lair of Bones is book 4, and the good news is the books seem to get thinner and thinner as the series progresses, making it easier to digest each one in a short time period.

In closing, the changing season brought with it a change in temperment and routine to the Robertson household, but that can't possibly be a bad thing at all. :) Until next time, thanks for reading, and feel free to comment about your own reading schedule and line-up!

Lightning-Filled Friday Evening

2009-05-01T20:59:00.002-04:00

Outside my block window, I can see flashes of bright light followed swiftly by a clap of thunder that has Simba - our black Pomeranian pooch - hiding under the desk. Inside, however, I'm working my on-call shift and things are going rather well. Backups ran fine, Fax system is purring like a kitten, and I've got The Ninth Gate in the DVD player here on the computer.

If you're not familiar with the movie, it's a Roman Polanski film starring Johnny Depp. I would consider it a cult classic, but in my opinion it's not a very popular movie, so perhaps it's an underground classic. I can't remember when I saw it first, but I was immediately drawn to it. It's a creepy movie, but the bibliophilic and religious elements of the movie are what I am drawn to. Movies like Stigmata and End of Days always strike my curiousity because I am interested in history, mostly, but also in symbolism and religious topics.

In addition to these activities, I'm contemplating the next video to post on my YouTube channel. I've asked the Facebook community for their input on what I should record and it seems that, at least so far, my decision may land on recording a reading from the new (third) book, Part Final: Alignment. I'm not at all sure which chapter I will choose for this reading, but I think that's the best idea I've got so far.

My first YouTube video - Tips for the Modern Writer, Part Zero - has been linked to a website in Australia and the video from the Mad Anthony Writer's Conference has been linked to another website (www.americantowns.com), which has me pretty excited. Nothing viral about these videos or the channel in general, but the more I study the art of blogging and marketing, I trust better results will be forthcoming.

One Of Them Tinkering Things

2009-04-30T22:00:00.002-04:00

This rant won't be much of anything to do with writing. My Honda...my baby, as she's known...was injured recently and I had to take her into the shop (aka the doctor's office). I lost reverse capabilities, which really makes backing out of a parking lot VERY difficult.

About a month ago, I changed my shifter bushings out. The OEM ones are rubber and shifting is rather mushy as a result. The ones I installed are aluminum and made shifting much better and crisper, if that's the right word. The play in the gear engagement went away. But, during the install, I had to remove the clip which clamped the bushing to the shifter cable and it was a bugger to remove. I must've done something to the cable that eventually broke clean. :( So, as much as I want to yell at Honda, this appears to have been my fault. I'm trying to learn more about cars, but in this case it cost me. I changed my own brakes and rotors on this thing without a single problem, but something as easy as a 10-minute bushing change I flub up horribly to the tune of a $350 bill that will have to be charged, sadly.

I'll stick with writing from now on, me thinks. I'm not good at much else!

I Can Breath...And A Word Of Thanks.

2009-04-28T21:26:00.004-04:00

After weeks of studying, I can report that my class final is ancient history...as of about an hour and a half ago. 160 points is brutal for a final comprehensive exam, but I believe I did very well. I felt confident the entire way through and I made very good time, pacing myself to finish almost at 1.5 hours on the dot. Considering the first 100 points of exam were wrapped up in 100 questions, I answered about two questions every minute...not bad. There's a 10-15% curve per the instructor, so I was able to blow about 16-24 points and still get a 100%, but I'm sure - as with the mid-term - that I missed a bit more than that. But, never know until the grades are posted, but I'm confident. I had one of two A's in the class going into the final, so unless I completely flubbed it, I'm sure I'll be able to pull off an A in what amounts to the most difficult class I've ever taken in college.

After this? What's next? Well, lots. I've got a few paintball games to design. I'm working on a project management process for the paintball design company I work for in hopes of bringing my newly found knowledge to the design table. I'm still trying to do as much reader reach-out work as I can with YouTube, Blogger, Facebook, and Twitter with the looming release of book 3 coming quickly. And then there are birthdays and holidays and work projects to consider through all of that. :) I love being busy with projects, if you hadn't noticed. Idle hands are no good to me - I'm going to make the most of the time I have while I'm healthy and of strong mind, body, and will.

Oh, I wanted to mention that the World Fantasy Conference in 2010 will be held in Columbus, OH. :) This has me MORE than excited because this year it's in San Jose, CA, which is a bit far to foot the bill for. For those of you who write science fiction and/or fantasy fiction, this conference is THE conference to attend. Famous authors and publishing houses frequent this conference and it will take a very dastardly deed to keep me from attending in 2010.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank Shawn Oetzel - writer, newly published author, supporter, and friend - for being the first follower of my blog. :) You've been a great friend and resource, Shawn, and your efforts have never gone unnoticed on this end. For those who don't know, Shawn was kind enough to interview me about two years ago or so, he frequents my website to this day, and we keep in touch regularly. Shawn's huge heart, passion for writing, and amazing work ethic will undoubtedly lead him to greatness, of that I am sure. Check out his first published novel, Dying Moon, when it hits store shelves TBA 2009, published by LBF Books, Inc., an imprint of Lachesis Publishing. The link provided in this blog entry will transport you directly to his Authors Den page, which contains the prologue to the book as well as information on Shawn himself.

http://www.authorsden.com/categories/book_top.asp?catid=41&id=15734

http://www.lbfbooks.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Dying_Moon

Shawn, thank you. This will be the first of many thanks.

Hell Week Ends Tomorrow...

2009-04-27T22:31:00.002-04:00

I equate "Hell Week" not to the Navy S.E.A.L. version, but to my own intellectual dilemma. Studying for a 12-chapter final exam is NOT an easy task, especially with so many other things orbiting around me and demanding my attention.

The book is off to the proofreader and I've got a feeler out to Mr. George R.R. Martin to see if he'd be interested in providing a cover quote for the new book, but all is quite on the eastern front, as it were. I've posted a couple new videos on my YouTube channel...well, it's one video split in two because of YouTube's policies on video length and size, but you get the point. I have some more ideas for videos, but I don't want to over-saturate the channel until the other videos have had a chance to resonate, if in fact there's an audience for them. They've received some views, but few comments and not too many ratings. Still, it's an effort driven by my desire to help, not for glory (OK, maybe a little bit of glory would be groovy). :)

As my class comes to a close, I'm reminded of work. I'm involved in a couple of projects and I've applied for a training course: Business Writing, offered internally by Bank of New York Mellon. Technical people tend to focus their training dollars solely on products rather than business or writing areas. I personally find this to be a huge mistake for a number of reasons I won't get into here. I think the best way I can help my career, both writing and business, is to train myself in effective communications and leadership. After all, what is a famous author but a leader for those who wish to follow in his or her footsteps? These skills are rarely genetic, but are earned and acquired through rigorous training and practice.

Terry Brooks - who I believe has rejected my request for a cover quote for my new book, sadly (he's too busy) - talks about authors being afraid to stand up in front of people and speak. When I was young, I used to drive myself mad when my mom would all but force me to play the piano in front of the school during concerts. But after I got up there and started to perform, I absolutely loved it. I've spoken in front of schools, meetings, and other types of crowds. This Fall, I hope to be playing host to...maybe 50-75 folks if I'm so lucky?...when I do readings from my work at the Alignment release party. It scares me to think about it, but the bottom line is that for me to have a shot at success with writing fiction, I must be willing - every author must be willing - to step outside their comfort zone and don the hat of the performer. It's not for attention or glory of the person, it's for the greater good of the written word. Remember that and it becomes vastly easier. :)

Part Final: Alignment complete!

2009-04-24T07:50:00.002-04:00

As of today - Friday, April 24, 2009 - CotP Part Final: Alignment (book 3) has been edited, read, and will be sent to the proofreader at Lachesis Publishing!

I already discussed the reading and editing process at length in yesterday's blog, so I won't go over it again here. I just needed to report that it's done! Now I can focus on studying for my final for next Tuesday, but I should be OK there. I did well on my mid-term and currently have an A grade in the class, so hopefully my brain can focus on the material like I did before. With this reading and editing out of the way, I'm sure I can.

My editor, David Lee Summers, told me that I'll probably have one or two more chances to read through the book before it gets published. I'm assuming that means there could still be a slight amount of changes to it from the form it's in now. I won't sweat it. I get teary each time I read the ending and it never seems to get old! Reading through it multiple times like this ensures that it's as clean and well-written as it possibly can be, and again, I'm VERY pleased with it.

Moving on, I'll be working 100% on promotion, especially with the close of my class. My web designer is also my graphic designer and I've got a few ideas up my sleeve about how to market and promote my work. I've started my online campaign already - never can start that too early - and I will beginning my print campaign as well. Closer to the release party of book 3, I'll be involving the media outlets. Again, I may start that relationship building now because you can't start too early in many cases.

In other quickies...I posted a 16-minute video on my YouTube channel last night, split into two parts per restrictions. It's the first How To video focused on reaching out to writers and readers alike. More videos like this will be posted as I find the time and subjects to speak on. I may even toss a reading or two in from the new book! :)

Thanks for reading.

Final Read-Through Impressions

2009-04-23T13:13:00.002-04:00

I just hit chapter 18, which is broken into three main parts. I don't want to give too much detail yet because it kills the suspense of how it's all laid out and what I did with the chapters. :) I'm through the first two parts of chapter 18 and am starting on the third.

I have to say that reading through the book for the first time in edited form, it's exciting the hell out of me. I don't know how else to put my feelings into words. My writing never impresses me, never makes me feel like I know what I'm doing, etc. Ever hear that old adage "Never say 'never'"? It's not that my writing impresses me, it's the way the story turned out. My editor made sure that the writing is solid - something every writer needs - but the storyline elements are the sole responsibility of the writer and I have to say that I am very pleased with how Alignment turned out.

The first impression I had was that this was more complex than my last two books, probably combined. I didn't purposely add complexity or add complexity that should confuse the reader, but it's definitely aimed at making the story as deep and rich as possible while sealing up the layered plots properly. I think this has been achieved, but we'll wait for the proofreader's feedback first before I write home about that.

The second impression is the one I mentioned above. This book is really exciting. I had struggled quite a bit with the love element of the story - don't worry, no spoilers will follow - but now that I'm reading through it all, it feels very natural, contains needed conflict, and resolves...emotionally, for lack of a better word. And the action in the book is vamped up for sure when compared to the first book especially. Alliances had lots of action and lots of uniqueness to the settings and magic system, but Alignment breaks the Planes wide open, completely open. :) There's no more secrets the reader must wrestle with in book 3, but it's not revealed too early.

Once the book is edited, I am planning to release an excerpt on my website, which won't be hidden like a few of the excerpts are now. What do I mean? :) Easter Eggs are little hidden click points on websites, if you know Internet-speak. A few are planted around my site, in case you didn't know, so check the images in particular and look for your cursor to change...when it does, click and you'll be teleported across the Planes to a hidden page with some insider info. However, the excerpt I post from Alignment will NOT be an Easter Egg, but will be on the Novels page.

Quickie

2009-04-22T16:27:00.002-04:00

I've been sneaking reads of the third manuscript between work tasks and at lunch breaks, so I'm already through chapter 12 of 21 in just a couple of days. I've found more than a few critical corrections, though nothing too major has jumped out at me. These little tweaks are necessary, though, and will prove to strengthen the book when it's finally published. Once I'm finished reading, the corrections will be gone through by my editor and then it will go to the proof-reader, who will once again read it for problems.

Contrasting this effort on book 3 to my previous two books, the process has greatly improved. For book 1, the 2nd edition had to be released a mere 1 year after it's initial 2004 release because of the poor edit. In fairness to my publisher, I was their first published novelist and I think many hard lessons were learned. But the 2nd edition improved the read considerably and readers responded better.

The 2nd book - Chronicles of the Planeswalkers, Part One: Alliances - was edited far better, but the process wasn't yet perfected. Book 3, I feel, will benefit from the lessons learned and since this one is being published through Lachesis this time and not LBF, I think the results will be better still.

In other stuff, I'm going to try to make another video for my YouTube channel this evening. I've been toying with ideas for videos and I landed on the idea of starting basic and personal. I want to detail the story of my writing career thus far and outline some of the things that help me out, from tools to techniques. I'm hoping these videos provide a good source of info for young, aspiring writers who are struggling to find their voice. I am not a trained writer, but that doesn't mean you can't train yourself.

Grueling week ahead

2009-04-21T16:58:00.003-04:00

I'm feeling the onset of creativity-induced stress this week. Never a bad thing, but certainly an unhealthy thing.

My final exam for my class is a week from today, which in and of itself is a stressful thing due to the overwhelming amount of material I have to study (ten chapters, comprehensive exam). But that's not the whole issue. My editor got back to me with the final edit of my third manuscript, which needs read and finalized...get this...by next Sunday (April 26th). Wow!!! Talk about a lot of reading and mental straining?

I kick-started the manuscript read today, fortunately, and I'm already finished with the first six chapters. And yes, I've found several minor things in need of change, but that's the whole point of the final read-through before it goes to the proofreader. All of this is exciting at the core, so I have to realize that things could be worse and to have the dilemma of going over my manuscript that will be published this year while studying for a final exam can't be all that bad. I mean, right? :)

In the end, I'm nothing but thankful and this blog isn't meant to be a complaint, not at all. I guess it helps knowing that people see authors as more than just those who write for a living full-time with nary a care or concern. We are like you, every day folks who struggle with day jobs and making ends meet. Would that it could be different, but for now, I won't wish too large. Dream big, wish small, I say.

Mad Anthony Writer's Conference 2009 wrap-up

2009-04-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

Well folks, the MAWC is over, but the effect of the event will last most likely until next year's MAWC. Let me back up and explain this tale in more detail.

I committed to the MAWC back in 2006 and attended the event in 2007, their 2nd event, but my first. I was asked to teach a workshop on Science Fiction and Fantasy writing without having a clue how to conduct a workshop. I also didn't think of myself - and still don't - as an authority on the topics, most especially Sci-Fi, but I figured "What the hell, I'll do it and see if I can learn something in the process." I did. Quite a bit, in fact.

I'd reached out to my fellow author and editor, David Lee Summers, who has far more experience than I in all things writing and he gave me some great tips on conducting workshops that I still use to this day. The workshop went over well and I received rave reviews. Hence, I was invited back for the MAWC in 2008, which I ended up having to miss due to a double-whammy of strep throat and a scheduling conflict. Fortunately, the gals (founders, chairs, co-chairs, and organizers) found it in their hearts to invite me back for 2009.

About a month and a half ago, my wife lost her job. Yeah, I know people losing jobs isn't a big surprise to anyone anymore and I'm certainly not going to dovetail this into a rant about this horrific government we have and have had for quite some time. I'm not going to whine or complain either. Things could be far worse than they are and my wife and I are doing fine regardless of the small sacrifices we've had to make.

I was told that my books would be ordered and taken care of by the conference as they were in 2007, so I didn't think about bringing my own. I realized I didn't have any anyway and I couldn't afford a couple hundred dollar investment to purchase 10 copies of each, but I trusted that the folks could get them. Well, they couldn't. Despite being told that bookstores can order my books, the fact is that Barnes & Noble's can't. I panicked. Being that I was still in 2007 mode, and being without books, I REALLY panicked. How could I justify an 11-hour round trip fuel cost, lodging, etc. to sit there at a book signing twiddling my thumbs? Ayeeeee!

I spoke to Jane Biddinger throughout the entire ordeal and at first I was convinced I wouldn't be making the trip. How wrong I was. Not only did the MAWC offer mileage reimbursement this year for the traveling speakers (which I'd missed on the original email), but Jane managed to find 10 copies of my first book on Amazon.com, which arrived the day before I was slated to leave for the conference. :) Literally, by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin was I saved. But I think it was meant to be.

I went to the conference, stayed with Jane and her great husband Bill, and didn't sell even the 10 books I had. Why? The focus wasn't on the book signing this year, it was on the development of the writer, myself included. I learned more this year at MAWC than I did before and I honestly forgot all about my books on Saturday. I sold a few copies after my workshop, but I didn't really care by then. Yeah, really, the thing that almost kept me from going turned out to be the least important aspect of the entire trip. And that's when it hit me. I wasn't there for my books or for myself, I was there for the other writers, to rub shoulders with industry representatives, and to give of my time and effort for the Literacy Council of the YWCA in Hamilton, Ohio. THAT was my purpose and my calling and I believe those 10 copies of books showed up by divine intervention because the day before - Wednesday - I spoke to my publisher live and they said, "There's no way Amazon is going to get copies there if we couldn't."

I'm ashamed of myself for letting the sales aspect of my writing get in the way of the true purpose of my presence and just how important it was for me to keep to my committment. I had an amazing time, I had a great amount of fun working with the writers, we had great speakers and teachers in the workshops I attended (and I'm sure the others, too), and I came away with a greater sense of place in the world of the written word.

I want to thank Nancy, Vickie, Jane, and Carla - all the women who made Mad Anthony possible. I want to thank the entire MAWC staff and whomever else makes the event "tick" behind the scenes. I also want to thank the city of Hamilton, Ohio for being home to some of the greatest people on Earth, not just because they are nice and super-sweet, but because they give so graciously of themselves for a higher purpose, which can sometimes be overlooked in the chaos of organizing an event like this.

I hope you will have me in 2010. I wouldn't miss it for the world.