It's Alive.....Alive!!

In our last episode....er, I mean, in my last post...I mentioned the fact that my writing pace has slowed and I needed more rigidity in my schedule, where writing is concerned.

Since then, I've been wondering if I haven't really, subliminally, been holding back so I can unleash a flurry of 'literary abandon' during November and National Novel Writing Month?

Nah, I'm not buying it either.

Regardless, I'm going to be spending the next three weeks roughing out an outline as well as tidying up a few of my character backgrounds. My plan is to bring Last Chance fully to life during November.

I managed to "win" my very first Nano, back in 2011, but fell short (by quite a bit) last year. I "pantsed" it those two years and would like to see 'how the other half lives', so I've decided to put some planning into my pantsing.

Not sure if that makes me a "planster", or what.

Anyway, I'll be participating in NaNoWriMo this year....how about you?

Oh, by the way, if you need a buddy over on the NaNo site, my handle is Mmeans68. It looks like you can, now, update some of your novel information, as well, so look me up while you're over there. :)

IWSG: October, 2013

Hey, you should write a book.

I did, actually, a couple of years ago.....I wrote it in a month.

A month? Wow! When did it come out?

Ummm...well...it didn't. Not yet, at least. I still need an ending.

Oh, I see. Well that can be tough, yeah. So, how about recently? What are you working on now?

I have a story in the works and it's........coming along.....clears throat.

That's cool! So, when do you think you'll be finished?

(sighing) At this rate, who knows?

======================================================================

This month's IWSG finds me in a similar spot as last month. No 'new' insecurities to speak of, but I'm beginning to wonder about my 'sense of urgency' as far as getting a book done, much less published.

I've been working on my characters and plot to my latest work, Last Chance, at a decent clip, but I haven't been the most diligent about sitting down to write. I've been doing it as the mood strikes me. Sometimes I'll write for a few hours, other times, just a few minutes or when I'm jotting down an idea for a character, plot point, or situation. 

I mean, I'm really in no big hurry to finish and I want to make sure I do it right.....but I also can see the need to be a bit more regimented in my writing.

I definitely see more "to do" lists (I'm a big list maker) and some scheduled writing in my future.  

I think it's time to buckle down.

The preceding entry has been an Insecure Writer's Support Group post. Hosted by the Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG is a sounding board for writers, their writing related issues, and possible solutions. It's a judge-free zone where the focus is listening and, maybe, lending a helping hand to our fellow writers. 

This month, Alex is aided and abetted by Julie Luek, Rachna Chabria, Beverly Fox, and Iima Todd so drop by and show them some love for their efforts :)

The Five Word Review!

My disdain for 'Modern Hollywood' isn't really a big secret. Ask anyone who has ever brought up the subjects of movies to me and they can tell you how I feel.

To be honest, I think Hollywood is a vast wasteland of empty ideas and unending retreads. The worst part being, the assembly line, cookie cutter, manner in which these things are made and the astronomical amounts of money, some the GDP of a small nation, spent to ensure we put our rears in the seats.

That said, I still continue to frequent the movie house.

Sometimes it's because a friend or loved one is interested in seeing something. Other times, it's because something actually grabs my attention and I want to go see if there's any substance there or just a small nation's GDP being put to devious use.

In the past nine or so months, I've been averaging about a movie a month. Again, some weren't my choice, but others were. Now, usually, I'll put a little 'review' of the most recent movie I've seen up on my other blog, but then got to thinking.....why do a whole post about one movie when just a few words will do?

With that in mind, I give you some Five Word Reviews.

1. Hansel and Gretel: Save money...watch Van Helsing.

2. G.I. Joe: Retaliation: Still liked the first better.

3. Olympus Has Fallen: Two hours down the drain.

4. Man of Steel:  Still good...even with Costner.

5. The Lone Ranger: Just need one word.....terrible.

6. Oz the Great and Powerful: Truly entertaining and no singing!

7. R.I.P.D: Fun flick, Reynolds still sucks.

8. The Wolverine: A big disappointment...'nuff said!










So, how many of these have you seen? Would your thoughts echo mine....even in this diminished format?

Hope you all have a great week!

A Storm Is Gathering....

Hang onto your hats, folks, the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh is going for a hat trick with the third installment of his Cassa series......CassaStorm!

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

As a huge sci-fi fan, this sounds pretty awesome to me. I've read where Alex took some inspiration from the old Battlestar Galactica series for this series and that, right there, is enough to sell me!

Here is what  a few other folks thought.....

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighthouse 

“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.” 
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”
- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

I had an opportunity to ask Alex about the future (no pun intended) of the Cassa series....as it might jump to other outlets...mainly comic books. My question was what team would he like to see helm a possible Cassa comic book series.

Alex: Excellent question, Mark!! Let’s see, for writer I’ll take Len Wein. He wrote early 70’s JLA issues that molded my young comic book mind. As for the artist – George Perez. He’s responsible for the Crisis on Infinite Earth series with the Teen Titans. (Another favorite of mine.)

I couldn't agree more and I know I'd, definitely, be picking up those issues.

So, I bet you're wondering where you can pick up CassaStorm, eh?

It will be released tomorrow (Sept. 17th)....

Paperback :  $16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019

Online: Barnes and Noble , Amazon , Amazon Kindle , and Goodreads.


More about the Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh....

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

So, check out CassaStorm tomorrow (Sept. 17th) and, while you're at it, check out the rest of the Cassa series and get ready to Ride Out The Storm!

Best wishes to Alex and continued success!

IWSG: September, 2013

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is hosted, every month, by the illustrious Alex J. Cavanaugh.

It's mission, to support our fellow writers in whatever is throwing stumbling blocks in their literary path.

This month he's aided and abetted by Chemist Ken, SL Hennesy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler......thanks, folks!

This month is also a special time because it's the two year anniversary of the group, which I think is pretty cool. I haven't been around the entire two years, but pretty close in my guesstimation. To celebrate, the Ninja Captain has a very cool announcement......which you'll just have to go to his blog to see, I don't want to ruin the surprise. (As if you haven't been there already.....yeah, right! :P )

Anyway, as I sat down to write this, I really couldn't come up with anything (new, at least) that was making me feel insecure in my writing, so I thought I'd just say a heartfelt, "Thank you!".

I really do appreciate all the support you all have shown me....seriously....and more than you will ever know.

Even if it's just a 'keep at it' or 'sounds like a good idea' it's those little things that really keep me going. With all the negativity out there, it's always refreshing to see some kindness being spread around.

You also support me by succeeding.

It's true!

I look around and say, "Oh wow....so and so has just released their first book. That is so very cool. What's stopping me??"

The answer, of course, is....

NOT

A

THING

=)

Once again, thank all of you IWSG'ers for doing what you do and keep writing!

What's Up Wednesday!

I've been seeing this flying around the blogosphere for a while and thought I'd give it a shot. For those not 'in the know', What's Up Wednesday is a fun little meme started by Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk where you discuss....basically.....what's 'up' with you.

What you're reading, writing, etc.

So, here goes....

What I'm Reading

Save The Cat, by Blake Snyder. I've been hearing a lot about this book from a lot of different people, so I decided to pull the trigger and buy a copy. I've just started reading it, but have found some great information already. Even though it focuses on screenwriting, a lot of the advice can also be applied to novel writing, as well. Who knows, maybe it will inspire me to write a screenplay or something. Anyway, it also gives me another reason to play with my new Kindle Fire HD. That'll be a post for another day...

What I'm Writing

I'm still working on my super-heroic western tale, Last Chance. Even though the progress is slower than I'm liking, it's steady progress....which is better than no progress. I'm still doing character backgrounds and world building via longhand, along with random ideas and things like that. I've been toying with the idea of making it my NaNoWriMo project for this year. Again...that'll be a post for another day...

What Inspires Me

Honestly....not much. The world seems to be in a very sad state and times are looking grim. Of course, I think that could be said for almost anytime in our history, so I'll have to buck up and keep looking to the skies. While doing a Google search today, I have to admit their 'doodle' gave me a smile.

What Else Is Going On

As I mentioned, the wife and I treated ourselves to a Kindle Fire HD (she wanted one and, when I started fooling with it, decided I "needed" one..) and I made the mistake of downloading the game Tiny Castle. I wish I hadn't!

[Sidenote: As I went in search of a webpage for this game, I got sidetracked by a browser game with the same name and spent fifteen minutes playing it!!  Sheesh. Oh, yeah, the link (to get you hooked too!) is HERE. I'm too easily disracted.]

Seriously, though, it's a fun little "time management" game and can really suck you in if you're not careful. It's a nice distraction from looking for full time work (my job is still only part time, alas) in a crappy job market.

So, how about you? What's up on your Wednesday?