Earlier this week, I approved cover proofs for the re-release of Cobalt City Blues and the prequel, Chanson Noir. They look a little sharper than I was expecting, but the design is uniform across both those two, and the third, as-of-yet-unwritten final chapter. So that much is deeply satisfying. After delays with the photographer, having to find a replacement photographer, and sudden schedule madness on my designer's part, it is finally coming together. The last part has now been handed off to him -- the cover blurb for Requiem of Ash, the third and final chapter. True, it isn't written. Heck, it isn't even outlined yet. But I have a strong idea what happens, and everything else is details. That's more than enough for a cover blurb.
If all goes well, I should have copies of the books in my hand by Easter. Happy birthday, Jesus!
In other news, I'm burning through the first draft of my Ink novel like Sherman through Atlanta...but in a positive way. So, like me through a box of Girl Scout cookies. I'm on chapter 7 now, and about 15,000 words in. With my estimated word count, that's about 20% done, which is nice. I hope to be finished with this draft sometime in late April.
Finally, I have picked up my mystery novel, Death Plays an Accordion, from November. Using the soundtrack I mixed for it as a timer, I started a second pass on it last night. If I make the same kind of process every time I settle in for a 72 minute edit/rewrite jamboree, it should take only 9 more listens. One more chapter polished, and I'll put together a cover letter/query and synopsis and start sending it out to agents. Expect updates soon. :)
And now, back to Ink Calls to Ink!
Have a great weekend!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Projects in progress
Outlined, ready to go -- The Panda Sanction - the de la Vega Mysteries book 3, which will finally explore the origin of the world's favorite panda-man sidekick. This was set to be my next book, but it has been sidelined by another project.
That other project is a novel spun out of my story "Ink Calls to Ink," recently published on the Wily Writer's site. Tentatively titled Ink Calls to Ink, it follows the Steadfast Soldier and a fragmented group of Fictional Personae, such as Medea, Juliet Capulet, Don Quixote, Judas, King Arthur, Moll Flanders, and Galahad. I am in the outline process now, and have a first stab at my prologue.
That other project is a novel spun out of my story "Ink Calls to Ink," recently published on the Wily Writer's site. Tentatively titled Ink Calls to Ink, it follows the Steadfast Soldier and a fragmented group of Fictional Personae, such as Medea, Juliet Capulet, Don Quixote, Judas, King Arthur, Moll Flanders, and Galahad. I am in the outline process now, and have a first stab at my prologue.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Situation in Mexico
I originally wrote the first Gato Loco novel, Greetings from Buena Rosa, as a reaction to the situation in the Juarez region of Mexico. I had heard about the rash of unsolved murders, and of a U.S. woman who had been tortured by local police into confessing for one of the murders. The levels of police corruption, coupled with (in my mind) an unconscionable number of deaths that were being ignored, did not sit easy with me.
I wanted, as many people living in the region must have wanted, a hero to come in and try and fix things. When it came time to write the first de la Vega Mystery, there was no doubt in my mind what it would involve. And while it was a good yarn, it largely ignored much of the real root of the problems there. My novel did not confront the real evils there...just a shadow of corruption and exploitation. The real problem was much worse. Much darker.
And it has only gone downhill from there.
Once The Panda Sanction is finished, I think it is only right to send Manuel and company back across the border for a multi-book arc.
I wanted, as many people living in the region must have wanted, a hero to come in and try and fix things. When it came time to write the first de la Vega Mystery, there was no doubt in my mind what it would involve. And while it was a good yarn, it largely ignored much of the real root of the problems there. My novel did not confront the real evils there...just a shadow of corruption and exploitation. The real problem was much worse. Much darker.
And it has only gone downhill from there.
Once The Panda Sanction is finished, I think it is only right to send Manuel and company back across the border for a multi-book arc.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Work on new projects begins
2009 is shaping up to be a busy year for me.
First on the list is The Panda Sanction, which I started the first chapter of last night. This will be the third in the de la Vega Mysteries series. While the first was pulp, the second was 70's exploitation, this will be a spy thriller of a sort. And Snowflake, the fan favorite sidekick, takes center stage as his origin is explored against a backdrop of international intrigue. I have two months blocked out to write the first draft, with time in March to finish up if needed.
In the meantime, The Protectorate Trilogy is moving forward. Chanson Noir has been edited and Cobalt City Blues should have the last of the edits applied by the end of the week. The necessary photography has been done, and the covers are in the hands of a very talented artist for assembly. I will be laying out the two books with help from someone who knows what they're doing, so they will look better than any book I've produced before. The ultimate goal -- releasing the first two books in the series two weeks before The Watchmen is set to release, when people are in the mood for some super-hero goodness.
Norwescon is here in Seattle on April 9-12th, and I will be attending with a cadre of fellow writers. When the madness from that dies down, I plan to start Tunnel, the second book in the Shadows of Architecture series, of which Bridge was the first. While this is happening, I plan on hunting for agents to represent the de la Vega Mysteries and the Shadow's trilogy to mainstream publishers. With any luck, I can have these projects tied up by June.
All in all, it's going to be an exciting five months. I'll keep you updated here, as always.
First on the list is The Panda Sanction, which I started the first chapter of last night. This will be the third in the de la Vega Mysteries series. While the first was pulp, the second was 70's exploitation, this will be a spy thriller of a sort. And Snowflake, the fan favorite sidekick, takes center stage as his origin is explored against a backdrop of international intrigue. I have two months blocked out to write the first draft, with time in March to finish up if needed.
In the meantime, The Protectorate Trilogy is moving forward. Chanson Noir has been edited and Cobalt City Blues should have the last of the edits applied by the end of the week. The necessary photography has been done, and the covers are in the hands of a very talented artist for assembly. I will be laying out the two books with help from someone who knows what they're doing, so they will look better than any book I've produced before. The ultimate goal -- releasing the first two books in the series two weeks before The Watchmen is set to release, when people are in the mood for some super-hero goodness.
Norwescon is here in Seattle on April 9-12th, and I will be attending with a cadre of fellow writers. When the madness from that dies down, I plan to start Tunnel, the second book in the Shadows of Architecture series, of which Bridge was the first. While this is happening, I plan on hunting for agents to represent the de la Vega Mysteries and the Shadow's trilogy to mainstream publishers. With any luck, I can have these projects tied up by June.
All in all, it's going to be an exciting five months. I'll keep you updated here, as always.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Death Plays an Accordion - complete
It's up. The final chapters of the raw Death Plays an Accordion.
Enjoy.
No idea what will go up there next!
Enjoy.
No idea what will go up there next!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Chapters 16-18 now posted
Where Harlan gets to be a detective, and Friday gets to be a hero.
Liking this novel more and more, the deeper I get into it. I'm really looking forward to finishing this one up, letting it simmer for a few months, and then rewriting to get out to a publisher.
Liking this novel more and more, the deeper I get into it. I'm really looking forward to finishing this one up, letting it simmer for a few months, and then rewriting to get out to a publisher.
Friday, November 21, 2008
On writing, process, and music
I've been asked before if I have certain music in mind when I write my novels. Usually this is asked by people who know what a music whore I am. And yes, I create playlists to help set the mood. In the case of Death Plays an Accordion, I actually put together a soundtrack which I can port around from machine to machine, or play on the home stereo and control with a remote when I'm in the kitchen -- much like Harlan Puchalik does in the novel.
Much of the music was selected because of it's association with the location - Tucson, Arizona. But not all. Yes, Calexico, particuarlly their brilliant album Feast of Wire is heavily represented. Some songs were just chosen because it felt like they fit. Of particular note, the Emmylou Harris song, "Michelangelo" was unknown to me until hearing Jason Webley play it in concert on November 2nd. I tracked it down afterwords, and added it to the list. I feel it belongs. You be the judge.
Crumble -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
If Wishes Were Horses -- David Baerwald, off 13 Ways to Live
Whipping the Horse's Eyes -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Lament -- The Gourds, off gogitchyershinebox
Dub Latina -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Sunken Waltz -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Michelangelo -- Emmylou Harris, off Red Dirt Girl
The Book And The Canal -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Stray -- Calexico, off The Black Light
Lion's Jaws -- Neko Case, off Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
No Doze -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
El Picador -- Calexico, off Hot Rail
Young Anymore -- David Baerwald, off Bedtime Stories
Fade -- Calexico, off Hot Rail
Cannonball -- Benjamin Costello, off his website, benjamincostello.com
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood -- Neko Case, off Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Tres Avisos -- Calexico, off Hot Rail
Dance While the Sky Crashes Down -- Jason Webley, off Against the Night
Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile) -- Santana, off The Best of Carlos Santana
Much of the music was selected because of it's association with the location - Tucson, Arizona. But not all. Yes, Calexico, particuarlly their brilliant album Feast of Wire is heavily represented. Some songs were just chosen because it felt like they fit. Of particular note, the Emmylou Harris song, "Michelangelo" was unknown to me until hearing Jason Webley play it in concert on November 2nd. I tracked it down afterwords, and added it to the list. I feel it belongs. You be the judge.
Crumble -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
If Wishes Were Horses -- David Baerwald, off 13 Ways to Live
Whipping the Horse's Eyes -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Lament -- The Gourds, off gogitchyershinebox
Dub Latina -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Sunken Waltz -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Michelangelo -- Emmylou Harris, off Red Dirt Girl
The Book And The Canal -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
Stray -- Calexico, off The Black Light
Lion's Jaws -- Neko Case, off Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
No Doze -- Calexico, off Feast of Wire
El Picador -- Calexico, off Hot Rail
Young Anymore -- David Baerwald, off Bedtime Stories
Fade -- Calexico, off Hot Rail
Cannonball -- Benjamin Costello, off his website, benjamincostello.com
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood -- Neko Case, off Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Tres Avisos -- Calexico, off Hot Rail
Dance While the Sky Crashes Down -- Jason Webley, off Against the Night
Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile) -- Santana, off The Best of Carlos Santana
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