Just put the finishing touches on my story 'A Taste of Paradise'. It reached 16,767 words. I sent it in this morning to Midnight Showcase. I proof-read it a couple of times, and now I skipped over it again and already discovered two mistakes. I guess I'll correct those when the final edit comes. Now I should be able to relax for a while, but I can't. I have to get busy with editing 'Seeds of Chaos, Book 2, which is due to be published in April. Book One will be out in January. And I'm still not finished with the book I worked on before I started A Taste of Paradise. That book is 'Mark of the Cobra'. I'm afraid it will have to wait a little longer. It is almost done, but after that comes the editing and correcting of mistakes.
It will be a busy year 2007, but I'm looking forward to it.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
A Taste of Paradise
I'm almost finished with my story 'A Taste of Paradise', which I'm writing for the digest 'Men of Eros', due to be published in March 2007 by Midnight Showcase. It turns out it will be a little longer than anticipated. I'm up to 15,200 words now. That happens sometimes. At first it seems I don't know what to write, but once I start with the story it begins to almost write itself. It's weird. I had this one already laid out in my head, but it went its own way. The basic outline is still the same, but the story changed. I think it turned out better.
Here is an excerpt:
Parker followed her as she gingerly walked across the overgrown sidewalk, careful not step into the cracks with her high-heeled red shoes. The wooden steps creaked dangerously when they climbed them. While Ms. Hanover fiddled with the rusted lock, Parker studied the veranda, which ran along the front of the whole house. The boards looked rotten, also in need of repair, as did the railing.
The rusty hinges of the entrance door screamed in protest when Ms. Hanover pushed it open.
“Nothing a few drops of DW40 can’t fix,” she said and stepped across the threshold into the vestibule.
A tepid odor assaulted Parker’s nose and even Ms. Hanover held her breath.
“When was the last time a living being set foot into this place?” Parker asked.
Ms. Hanover shrugged. “Fifteen years?” She let out a little yelp and clawed at the spider web covering her face.
“Really?”
“Just kidding.” She spit something out of her mouth and laughed bravely. The couple I told you about lived here about ten years ago. After they left it stood empty. The River East Holding Company sends someone to check it over at least once every couple of months.” She shrieked when something ran across her foot.
“They must have missed it for the last few months, possibly years,” Parker commented dryly.
Ms. Hanover flicked a light-witch, but nothing happened. “I haven’t been inside the house ever since Mrs. Applebee died.” She smiled uncomfortably. “You’ll have to look past the dust and spider webs. Like I said, we can have this place cleaned up in no time at all.”
“I’m not worried about cleaning it up,” Parker said. “How long until the whole place collapses on top of me?”
“I don’t believe that will happen. These homes are well built. They used good lumber in those days.” Ms. Hanover peered into the next room, reluctant to enter it. “I think the kitchen is through this door. I was told it has new cabinets.”
“New? How new?”
“Mrs. Applebee had them installed just before she passed away. So I’m told.” She sighed. “Poor woman. Didn’t even have time to enjoy them. What a bummer.”
“In other words they’re at least sixteen years old. Who knows what has taken up residence in those drawers.” Parker shook his head. “I don’t know. I had something more modern in mind.”
Ms. Hanover gave a little laugh. With a sudden movement she slapped at something on her neck. “You won’t find it in this town. Unless you want to move into one of those condos down by the river.”
“No, thank you. No condo for me. I want to get away from people. I need some solitude for my work.”
“Your work? I never asked what you did for a living. What do you do, Darrin?”
“I’m a writer. I write horror stories.” He chuckled. “This house could be a great setting for one of my stories. Does it have any ghosts?”
Ms. Hanover threw him a quick glance. He couldn’t miss the slight tremor in her voice when she answered. “Would you like to have some ghosts in this house?”
“Not particularly, but as it happens, I don’t really believe in ghosts, even though I write about them.”
“Good, because rumors have it, there are strange things going on in this old house. At least there were until a few years ago. Haven’t heard anything lately.” She forced a little laugh. “Those are just rumors. Teenagers, you know. And Mrs. Dawson, your neighbor. But she’s old and a little crazy, anyway. Wouldn’t put much faith into her stories.”
Parker stepped over some debris on the floor. When he looked down he thought they were dried-up sausages. He didn’t want to think what else they could be. “I’ll have a look around in the kitchen.”
The cabinets did actually look quite descent. Dusty, but solid. He couldn’t see many details because of the dark curtains on the window. There was a door at the end of the kitchen. “I guess there is a basement?” he called over his shoulder.
“Yes, there is. I don’t know where the door is, though.”
“I believe I found it, but I won’t go down there. We should have brought a flashlight.”
“How about checking out the bedrooms upstairs?” Ms. Hanover called. Her voice sounded strained.
“Alright.” Parker left the kitchen and joined her in the foyer.
Every step creaked when they climbed the stairs, but they seemed solid enough.
“The wood is dry,” Ms. Hanover commented. “Once you live in the house and create some humidity, I’m sure the wood will come alive again.”
It’ll take more than humidity, Parker thought, but kept it to himself.
The bedrooms were actually quite large, with built-in closets. Many of these old homes had small bedrooms without closets.
I could use this one as my study, Peter thought as he inspected one of the smaller rooms. Walking to the window, he peered through the spider webs and dust. He saw large apple trees in the back yard, laden with fruit. Beyond them a number of tall, stately Elm trees.
A fence surrounded the small orchard. The boards looked gray and weathered, some of them broken, pushed in by someone from the other side. Most likely vandals.
Here is an excerpt:
Parker followed her as she gingerly walked across the overgrown sidewalk, careful not step into the cracks with her high-heeled red shoes. The wooden steps creaked dangerously when they climbed them. While Ms. Hanover fiddled with the rusted lock, Parker studied the veranda, which ran along the front of the whole house. The boards looked rotten, also in need of repair, as did the railing.
The rusty hinges of the entrance door screamed in protest when Ms. Hanover pushed it open.
“Nothing a few drops of DW40 can’t fix,” she said and stepped across the threshold into the vestibule.
A tepid odor assaulted Parker’s nose and even Ms. Hanover held her breath.
“When was the last time a living being set foot into this place?” Parker asked.
Ms. Hanover shrugged. “Fifteen years?” She let out a little yelp and clawed at the spider web covering her face.
“Really?”
“Just kidding.” She spit something out of her mouth and laughed bravely. The couple I told you about lived here about ten years ago. After they left it stood empty. The River East Holding Company sends someone to check it over at least once every couple of months.” She shrieked when something ran across her foot.
“They must have missed it for the last few months, possibly years,” Parker commented dryly.
Ms. Hanover flicked a light-witch, but nothing happened. “I haven’t been inside the house ever since Mrs. Applebee died.” She smiled uncomfortably. “You’ll have to look past the dust and spider webs. Like I said, we can have this place cleaned up in no time at all.”
“I’m not worried about cleaning it up,” Parker said. “How long until the whole place collapses on top of me?”
“I don’t believe that will happen. These homes are well built. They used good lumber in those days.” Ms. Hanover peered into the next room, reluctant to enter it. “I think the kitchen is through this door. I was told it has new cabinets.”
“New? How new?”
“Mrs. Applebee had them installed just before she passed away. So I’m told.” She sighed. “Poor woman. Didn’t even have time to enjoy them. What a bummer.”
“In other words they’re at least sixteen years old. Who knows what has taken up residence in those drawers.” Parker shook his head. “I don’t know. I had something more modern in mind.”
Ms. Hanover gave a little laugh. With a sudden movement she slapped at something on her neck. “You won’t find it in this town. Unless you want to move into one of those condos down by the river.”
“No, thank you. No condo for me. I want to get away from people. I need some solitude for my work.”
“Your work? I never asked what you did for a living. What do you do, Darrin?”
“I’m a writer. I write horror stories.” He chuckled. “This house could be a great setting for one of my stories. Does it have any ghosts?”
Ms. Hanover threw him a quick glance. He couldn’t miss the slight tremor in her voice when she answered. “Would you like to have some ghosts in this house?”
“Not particularly, but as it happens, I don’t really believe in ghosts, even though I write about them.”
“Good, because rumors have it, there are strange things going on in this old house. At least there were until a few years ago. Haven’t heard anything lately.” She forced a little laugh. “Those are just rumors. Teenagers, you know. And Mrs. Dawson, your neighbor. But she’s old and a little crazy, anyway. Wouldn’t put much faith into her stories.”
Parker stepped over some debris on the floor. When he looked down he thought they were dried-up sausages. He didn’t want to think what else they could be. “I’ll have a look around in the kitchen.”
The cabinets did actually look quite descent. Dusty, but solid. He couldn’t see many details because of the dark curtains on the window. There was a door at the end of the kitchen. “I guess there is a basement?” he called over his shoulder.
“Yes, there is. I don’t know where the door is, though.”
“I believe I found it, but I won’t go down there. We should have brought a flashlight.”
“How about checking out the bedrooms upstairs?” Ms. Hanover called. Her voice sounded strained.
“Alright.” Parker left the kitchen and joined her in the foyer.
Every step creaked when they climbed the stairs, but they seemed solid enough.
“The wood is dry,” Ms. Hanover commented. “Once you live in the house and create some humidity, I’m sure the wood will come alive again.”
It’ll take more than humidity, Parker thought, but kept it to himself.
The bedrooms were actually quite large, with built-in closets. Many of these old homes had small bedrooms without closets.
I could use this one as my study, Peter thought as he inspected one of the smaller rooms. Walking to the window, he peered through the spider webs and dust. He saw large apple trees in the back yard, laden with fruit. Beyond them a number of tall, stately Elm trees.
A fence surrounded the small orchard. The boards looked gray and weathered, some of them broken, pushed in by someone from the other side. Most likely vandals.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Seeds of Chaos, Excerpt
Here is an excerpt from Book One of Seeds of Chaos
The village lay on the shore of a frozen lake. The strong wind blew the snow off the ice, and the rays of the setting sun painted the glinting ice red. I saw a pair of fishermen pulling small sleds behind them, on their way back to shore. Everything looked very peaceful.
Sharina and Kabrina had disappeared into one of the buildings. A sign above the door proclaimed it a tavern. Who would have guessed? The only tall building in this forsaken place, and the drunk falling out of the door should have been a dead giveaway.
There were two air-sleds parked in the small parking lot, they held no markings, but they gave me the shivers. These were no ordinary air-sleds.
I followed the girls into the tavern.
The place didn’t look crowded, no surprise, considering the size of the village. The surprise came with the man sitting at one of the tables. He didn’t wear a uniform. However, the man with him did. I recognized the uniform and the insignia on the man’s left sleeve. A high-ranking officer in the United Planet’s Space Navy.
I approached the table slowly.
“Hello, Thomas, good to see you again.”
“Admiral,” I said, but I didn’t salute.
He smiled. “We had a hard time tracking you down, son,” he said.
“Had I known you wanted my company, I would have left you a note, Father,” I said. No, I was not bitter.
He sighed. “I can’t blame you if you hate me.” He indicated the empty chair across from him. “Sit down.”
I shrugged and sat down.
“This is Colonel Voltaire,” Admiral Curtis said.
The Colonel gave me a courteous nod. “Pleased to meet you, Commodore Stone. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I’m sure you have. You can drop the ‘Commodore’. I’m just plain ‘Thomas Stone’. I don’t believe they missed to mention that small detail when you were briefed about me.”
Colonel Voltaire smiled thinly. “I am aware of your situation, Commodore. I know that you have been discharged without honor from the Service. I also know that there are people out there who want you dead. You are the victim of a conspiracy, Commodore, but you know that already.”
He possessed hard eyes, this colonel, they showed no pity, but they were honest.
“You didn’t come here to tell me that you feel sorry for the way I was treated, Colonel. What do you want from me?” I glanced at Admiral Curtis, but his face remained passive.
The Colonel laughed. “Coming right to the matter, Commodore. I like that.”
“It’s been a long day and I am very tired.” I said. “I need a meal, a bath and a good night’s rest.”
“We have made arrangements for a room where you can sleep safely. You won’t have to fear for your life tonight, you’ll be well guarded.”
My turn to laugh. “Are you afraid I’m going to escape?” I asked. I had seen the two Colonial Marines at one table and the two Special Troopers at another.
“You are not a prisoner, Thomas.” Admiral Curtis said. “By the way, your mother sends her regards. She misses you.”
“I miss her too,” I said, speaking the truth, especially since we hadn’t seen much of each other for the last two years.
“You shouldn’t have left.” The Admiral said softly. I always thought of him as just The Admiral, even though he was my stepfather. We had been close, or so I thought. After I was court-martialed, he buried himself in his work, refused to see me when I attempted to contact him.
“I feared for my life,” I said. “They murdered everyone else. Why not me, why was I humiliated like that?”
He stared at me. I saw the pain in his eyes. “Because you are my son, that’s why. I am not very popular with certain people, but I am in a position of power; they cannot get rid of me that easily. You were the more convenient target.”
“That may be true, but there is more to it, isn’t there?”
He nodded. “You carry dangerous knowledge inside your head.”
The village lay on the shore of a frozen lake. The strong wind blew the snow off the ice, and the rays of the setting sun painted the glinting ice red. I saw a pair of fishermen pulling small sleds behind them, on their way back to shore. Everything looked very peaceful.
Sharina and Kabrina had disappeared into one of the buildings. A sign above the door proclaimed it a tavern. Who would have guessed? The only tall building in this forsaken place, and the drunk falling out of the door should have been a dead giveaway.
There were two air-sleds parked in the small parking lot, they held no markings, but they gave me the shivers. These were no ordinary air-sleds.
I followed the girls into the tavern.
The place didn’t look crowded, no surprise, considering the size of the village. The surprise came with the man sitting at one of the tables. He didn’t wear a uniform. However, the man with him did. I recognized the uniform and the insignia on the man’s left sleeve. A high-ranking officer in the United Planet’s Space Navy.
I approached the table slowly.
“Hello, Thomas, good to see you again.”
“Admiral,” I said, but I didn’t salute.
He smiled. “We had a hard time tracking you down, son,” he said.
“Had I known you wanted my company, I would have left you a note, Father,” I said. No, I was not bitter.
He sighed. “I can’t blame you if you hate me.” He indicated the empty chair across from him. “Sit down.”
I shrugged and sat down.
“This is Colonel Voltaire,” Admiral Curtis said.
The Colonel gave me a courteous nod. “Pleased to meet you, Commodore Stone. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I’m sure you have. You can drop the ‘Commodore’. I’m just plain ‘Thomas Stone’. I don’t believe they missed to mention that small detail when you were briefed about me.”
Colonel Voltaire smiled thinly. “I am aware of your situation, Commodore. I know that you have been discharged without honor from the Service. I also know that there are people out there who want you dead. You are the victim of a conspiracy, Commodore, but you know that already.”
He possessed hard eyes, this colonel, they showed no pity, but they were honest.
“You didn’t come here to tell me that you feel sorry for the way I was treated, Colonel. What do you want from me?” I glanced at Admiral Curtis, but his face remained passive.
The Colonel laughed. “Coming right to the matter, Commodore. I like that.”
“It’s been a long day and I am very tired.” I said. “I need a meal, a bath and a good night’s rest.”
“We have made arrangements for a room where you can sleep safely. You won’t have to fear for your life tonight, you’ll be well guarded.”
My turn to laugh. “Are you afraid I’m going to escape?” I asked. I had seen the two Colonial Marines at one table and the two Special Troopers at another.
“You are not a prisoner, Thomas.” Admiral Curtis said. “By the way, your mother sends her regards. She misses you.”
“I miss her too,” I said, speaking the truth, especially since we hadn’t seen much of each other for the last two years.
“You shouldn’t have left.” The Admiral said softly. I always thought of him as just The Admiral, even though he was my stepfather. We had been close, or so I thought. After I was court-martialed, he buried himself in his work, refused to see me when I attempted to contact him.
“I feared for my life,” I said. “They murdered everyone else. Why not me, why was I humiliated like that?”
He stared at me. I saw the pain in his eyes. “Because you are my son, that’s why. I am not very popular with certain people, but I am in a position of power; they cannot get rid of me that easily. You were the more convenient target.”
“That may be true, but there is more to it, isn’t there?”
He nodded. “You carry dangerous knowledge inside your head.”
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
After Author Day
I successfully survived my Author Day. It went well. I gave away quite a few copies of my book ‘Daughter of the Dark’ to the winners of my contests. There were not as many visitors as I would have liked, but the ones who came took an interest in my writings.
I finally finished my short story (15K) ‘The Kiir’ for the digest ‘Launch the Raunch’ and sent it in and I have written about two thousand words for my next short story ‘A Taste of Paradise’.
Some writers plan their story from beginning to end before they start writing it. Scenes and characters are in place and the story just needs to be fleshed out. I found out, again, that it doesn’t really work for me. I had this story already in my head, all mapped out, but as I started to write it and the characters (so far only two main characters) and the setting came alive, it began to go its own way. It was supposed to be an adventure/love story. Not anymore. The mood is totally different and it looks like it is going to be a gothic-type story. I’m not sure yet. We’ll see where the characters want to go. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it, but that’s the way it works. That is what makes writing so interesting and exciting. Like reading a book, almost. I could never be a ‘formula writer’. I have to follow the flow, wherever it leads me.
Maybe I’ll take my other idea and write that story some other time. I just have to find a different beginning.
I noticed quite some activity on my blog this last week. 76 visitors. I hope everyone who visits me takes something away with them. Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by. Come again.
I finally finished my short story (15K) ‘The Kiir’ for the digest ‘Launch the Raunch’ and sent it in and I have written about two thousand words for my next short story ‘A Taste of Paradise’.
Some writers plan their story from beginning to end before they start writing it. Scenes and characters are in place and the story just needs to be fleshed out. I found out, again, that it doesn’t really work for me. I had this story already in my head, all mapped out, but as I started to write it and the characters (so far only two main characters) and the setting came alive, it began to go its own way. It was supposed to be an adventure/love story. Not anymore. The mood is totally different and it looks like it is going to be a gothic-type story. I’m not sure yet. We’ll see where the characters want to go. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it, but that’s the way it works. That is what makes writing so interesting and exciting. Like reading a book, almost. I could never be a ‘formula writer’. I have to follow the flow, wherever it leads me.
Maybe I’ll take my other idea and write that story some other time. I just have to find a different beginning.
I noticed quite some activity on my blog this last week. 76 visitors. I hope everyone who visits me takes something away with them. Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by. Come again.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Upcoming releases
These are my upcoming releases from Midnight Showcase
January 2007 Book One of ‘Seeds of Chaos’
January 2007 Novelette: ‘Cliffs of Time’
March 2007 Novelette: ‘Orion, The Hunt’
March 2007 Title forthcoming, Short Story for ‘Men of Eros’Digest
April 2007 ‘For Love of Arilee’, Short Story for ‘Sweet Challenge’ Digest
April 2007 ‘The Kiir’, Short Story for ‘Launch the Raunch’ Digest
April 2007 Book Two of ‘Seeds of Chaos’
October 2007 Book One of ‘The Stardogs’
January 2008 Book Two of ‘The Stardogs’
It’s going to be a busy year. I still have to write the short story for ‘Men of Eros’, but I have it already in my head. The tentative title is ‘A Taste of Paradise’. And I need to do the final edit of Book Two of ‘Seeds of Chaos’. All this before the end of the year. I hope I’ll make it.
The book I’m writing right now ‘Mark of the Cobra’, a Thriller, is almost done, but I had to put it on the back burner for awhile.
See you on Author Day. Hope you come and visit, maybe even ‘chat’ with me.
January 2007 Book One of ‘Seeds of Chaos’
January 2007 Novelette: ‘Cliffs of Time’
March 2007 Novelette: ‘Orion, The Hunt’
March 2007 Title forthcoming, Short Story for ‘Men of Eros’Digest
April 2007 ‘For Love of Arilee’, Short Story for ‘Sweet Challenge’ Digest
April 2007 ‘The Kiir’, Short Story for ‘Launch the Raunch’ Digest
April 2007 Book Two of ‘Seeds of Chaos’
October 2007 Book One of ‘The Stardogs’
January 2008 Book Two of ‘The Stardogs’
It’s going to be a busy year. I still have to write the short story for ‘Men of Eros’, but I have it already in my head. The tentative title is ‘A Taste of Paradise’. And I need to do the final edit of Book Two of ‘Seeds of Chaos’. All this before the end of the year. I hope I’ll make it.
The book I’m writing right now ‘Mark of the Cobra’, a Thriller, is almost done, but I had to put it on the back burner for awhile.
See you on Author Day. Hope you come and visit, maybe even ‘chat’ with me.
Author Day
December 1st is my Author Day at Midnight Showcase.
There will be excerpts from my books and short stories. Also some contests and prizes. That’s right: Free stories and books.
Anyone reading my blog (I mean, really reading everything) has already an advantage. Some of the answers can be found right here. If you want to take part you’ll have to join the yahoo group (it’s free) to get access to the postings.
This is the site address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Midnight_Social/
Come visit me there December 1st, 2006. The first contest starts at 8:00 am. The answer is below.
You’ll have to send the answers to my email address: hegro@shaw.ca
There will be excerpts from my books and short stories. Also some contests and prizes. That’s right: Free stories and books.
Anyone reading my blog (I mean, really reading everything) has already an advantage. Some of the answers can be found right here. If you want to take part you’ll have to join the yahoo group (it’s free) to get access to the postings.
This is the site address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Midnight_Social/
Come visit me there December 1st, 2006. The first contest starts at 8:00 am. The answer is below.
You’ll have to send the answers to my email address: hegro@shaw.ca
Living the Dream
Living the Dream
Book One of ‘The Xandra’ has picked up in sales, but Book Three ‘Goddess of Life’ didn’t do as well as I hoped. Maybe after my Author Day some interest will be kindled again.
I’m still trying to find out what readers like to read and buy. What type of story turns them on? I’m not really into love stories. I love Science Fiction, but there has to be adventure, mystery, and some erotica. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance.
Before my first story was published I sent another story of mine (Blood of the Virgin, still unpublished) to a couple of publishers. They didn’t accept it because it didn’t fit their type of stories.
Then I sent ‘The Anniversary Gift’ to Midnight Showcase for the Sweet Revenge Digest. It was accepted. I was thrilled.
The story was an experiment, not really the kind of stuff I usually write. I got lucky. Jewel Adams, who is now my editor, liked it and all my other writings.
Then followed ‘Remember me Next Christmas’, the three Xandra books, and the short story ‘Gin and Tonic’.
There is a whole bunch of stuff coming out next year.
Like my son told me. I’m living the Dream.
Book One of ‘The Xandra’ has picked up in sales, but Book Three ‘Goddess of Life’ didn’t do as well as I hoped. Maybe after my Author Day some interest will be kindled again.
I’m still trying to find out what readers like to read and buy. What type of story turns them on? I’m not really into love stories. I love Science Fiction, but there has to be adventure, mystery, and some erotica. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance.
Before my first story was published I sent another story of mine (Blood of the Virgin, still unpublished) to a couple of publishers. They didn’t accept it because it didn’t fit their type of stories.
Then I sent ‘The Anniversary Gift’ to Midnight Showcase for the Sweet Revenge Digest. It was accepted. I was thrilled.
The story was an experiment, not really the kind of stuff I usually write. I got lucky. Jewel Adams, who is now my editor, liked it and all my other writings.
Then followed ‘Remember me Next Christmas’, the three Xandra books, and the short story ‘Gin and Tonic’.
There is a whole bunch of stuff coming out next year.
Like my son told me. I’m living the Dream.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Update Book Three, The Xandra
I am excited and anxious. The Goddess of Life is at number three position at Fictionwise.
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/MidnightShowcaseeBooks.htm
Maybe it will make it to number one. Unfortunately, Book Two never made it that far.
Other news, I just finished the final edit on The Seeds of Chaos, Book One, Eden's Gate. It is scheduled for release in Januare 2007.
The book I'm working on right now is not Science Fiction, but a Thriller. The Mark of the Cobra. So far I've written a little over 51,000 words and still a bit to go. I'll post an excerpt later on.
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/MidnightShowcaseeBooks.htm
Maybe it will make it to number one. Unfortunately, Book Two never made it that far.
Other news, I just finished the final edit on The Seeds of Chaos, Book One, Eden's Gate. It is scheduled for release in Januare 2007.
The book I'm working on right now is not Science Fiction, but a Thriller. The Mark of the Cobra. So far I've written a little over 51,000 words and still a bit to go. I'll post an excerpt later on.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Release of The Xandra, Goddess of Life
The day has arrived. Book Three of the Xandra series is available now from Midnight Showcase. http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ Check it out and read the excerpt. While you're at it check out the first two books, if you haven't done so already.
The beautiful cover was designed by Mae Powers.
The beautiful cover was designed by Mae Powers.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Sales at Fictionwise
How quickly it happens. Last week The Xandra, Book Two, Mother of Light was at Number five position. Today, when I checked it, I find to my disappointment that it has dropped to Number 16. But Book One, Daugther of the Dark, is Number 15. I can only hope that when Book Three, Goddess of Light comes out in October, it will spawn some interest in the first two volumes.
If you happen to check out Midnight Showcase at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ you won't find Book Two, even though it is being advertised in the banner at the top. Some glitch when they updated the site. I hope it will be fixed soon. You can find the books also at http://www.dppstore.com/ (look under Authors, then click on my name) or at
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/MidnightShowcaseeBooks.htm/
Right now I'm working on a short novella, which I wrote years ago, but now I'm re-writing it, because I liked the story, but it needs a lot of editing, since it is not just for my own eyes only. It is, what else, SciFi with erotic content. So far the title is 'Orion-The Hunt'. It will be 30,000+ words when it is finished.
Here is a short excerpt. Warning: sexual content.
Orion woke in the middle of the night to find Sheenah gone. He slightly opened up his senses, carefully searching for her mind pattern. Even her artificial mind shield couldn’t suppress it completely. A strong telepath could easily find her. He detected her almost immediately, which meant she was alive and close by. And in no danger.
He relaxed and pulled back his mind tentacles, falling asleep again.
When he awoke a second time and she still wasn’t beside him, he quietly crawled out of his tent. The air felt sticky inside the cave and smelled foul. At least he didn’t have to worry about insects attacking his nude body, since Giles had set up a light power screen to seal off the entrance.
From one of the tents came soft whimpering sounds and harsh breathing. Through the nearly transparent material, illuminated by the faint nightlight, he could see the outlines of a female body kneeling on the floor. A man, he recognized the profile of Andrew Trongsan, loomed over her, his lean buttocks pumping with strong powerful strokes.
Orion shrugged. He had no monopoly on the cat-woman’s favors. She could do as she pleased. I guess I didn’t satisfy her, he thought and went back to his tent, to find it occupied.
“I thought I’d visit you, since you are obviously alone.”
He stared at the blond woman. “What about Whyte?”
Lu-oona lifted her shapely shoulders, shaking her long golden hair out of her eyes. “He’s asleep. These last few days have been too much for him. He is exhausted, which suits me just fine.”
Orion crawled under the thin blanked and lay down beside her. “Did you come to talk?” He felt her warm skin touching his.
She smiled, reached up and switched off the nightlight. He caught a glimpse of her full round breasts and pink nipples before they were plunged in darkness. Her breath came faster and her long hair fell across his face as she slid on top of him. “We can talk later, let’s get to know each other better first.”
Her hot breath washed across his face. It hinted of perfume and flowery scents. His hand stroked her smooth back and moved across her fleshy buttocks, his finger gliding into the crease. He enjoyed the soft and spongy feeling of her large breasts against his chest.
If you happen to check out Midnight Showcase at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ you won't find Book Two, even though it is being advertised in the banner at the top. Some glitch when they updated the site. I hope it will be fixed soon. You can find the books also at http://www.dppstore.com/ (look under Authors, then click on my name) or at
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/MidnightShowcaseeBooks.htm/
Right now I'm working on a short novella, which I wrote years ago, but now I'm re-writing it, because I liked the story, but it needs a lot of editing, since it is not just for my own eyes only. It is, what else, SciFi with erotic content. So far the title is 'Orion-The Hunt'. It will be 30,000+ words when it is finished.
Here is a short excerpt. Warning: sexual content.
Orion woke in the middle of the night to find Sheenah gone. He slightly opened up his senses, carefully searching for her mind pattern. Even her artificial mind shield couldn’t suppress it completely. A strong telepath could easily find her. He detected her almost immediately, which meant she was alive and close by. And in no danger.
He relaxed and pulled back his mind tentacles, falling asleep again.
When he awoke a second time and she still wasn’t beside him, he quietly crawled out of his tent. The air felt sticky inside the cave and smelled foul. At least he didn’t have to worry about insects attacking his nude body, since Giles had set up a light power screen to seal off the entrance.
From one of the tents came soft whimpering sounds and harsh breathing. Through the nearly transparent material, illuminated by the faint nightlight, he could see the outlines of a female body kneeling on the floor. A man, he recognized the profile of Andrew Trongsan, loomed over her, his lean buttocks pumping with strong powerful strokes.
Orion shrugged. He had no monopoly on the cat-woman’s favors. She could do as she pleased. I guess I didn’t satisfy her, he thought and went back to his tent, to find it occupied.
“I thought I’d visit you, since you are obviously alone.”
He stared at the blond woman. “What about Whyte?”
Lu-oona lifted her shapely shoulders, shaking her long golden hair out of her eyes. “He’s asleep. These last few days have been too much for him. He is exhausted, which suits me just fine.”
Orion crawled under the thin blanked and lay down beside her. “Did you come to talk?” He felt her warm skin touching his.
She smiled, reached up and switched off the nightlight. He caught a glimpse of her full round breasts and pink nipples before they were plunged in darkness. Her breath came faster and her long hair fell across his face as she slid on top of him. “We can talk later, let’s get to know each other better first.”
Her hot breath washed across his face. It hinted of perfume and flowery scents. His hand stroked her smooth back and moved across her fleshy buttocks, his finger gliding into the crease. He enjoyed the soft and spongy feeling of her large breasts against his chest.
Monday, September 18, 2006
News
It's September. I can't believe it. This coming Friday is beginning of Fall. I guess this means the hot days are over. Time to read a good book and a hot story to warm up. Summer Heat 3 from Midnight Showcase has toppled from Number One, but that doesn't mean it's not a good read. My story 'Gin and Tonic' is in that digest, among other excellent hot stories.
A little disappointment, Book Two, The Xandra, Mother of Light, never reached Number One spot . It is down to Number Five right now. Book One, Daughter of the Dark, is still selling well. Last I checked it was at spot thirteen. Book Three, Goddess of Life, should be available in October. I've done the last edit on it. So look for it.
I sent in another story of 21,000 words, a novella, I guess, to Midnight Showcase. It's a time travel story, 'The Cliffs of Time'. I also sent in my new book 'The Stardogs' to Midnight Showcase. I've received word that it will be accepted, but I haven't signed any contracts yet. The book is over 120,000 words long, so it will be published as two volumes. The first title is 'Return to Redsky', and the title of the second volume will be 'Redemption'.
Once I have more details about the publishing dates I will post it here. Maybe I'll even post an excerpt.
Check all of my books and stories at http://www.midnightshowcase.com
A little disappointment, Book Two, The Xandra, Mother of Light, never reached Number One spot . It is down to Number Five right now. Book One, Daughter of the Dark, is still selling well. Last I checked it was at spot thirteen. Book Three, Goddess of Life, should be available in October. I've done the last edit on it. So look for it.
I sent in another story of 21,000 words, a novella, I guess, to Midnight Showcase. It's a time travel story, 'The Cliffs of Time'. I also sent in my new book 'The Stardogs' to Midnight Showcase. I've received word that it will be accepted, but I haven't signed any contracts yet. The book is over 120,000 words long, so it will be published as two volumes. The first title is 'Return to Redsky', and the title of the second volume will be 'Redemption'.
Once I have more details about the publishing dates I will post it here. Maybe I'll even post an excerpt.
Check all of my books and stories at http://www.midnightshowcase.com
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Reflections
Anyone asking me why I write might as well ask why I breathe.
Why erotica? That’s a little harder to answer. Actually, I write mainly Science Fiction, with erotic contents.
A friend of mine, after reading my book ‘Daughter of the Dark’, kept snickering about the sex-scenes. I was happy he liked them but I hope my readers see more in my books and stories than the erotic scenes.
Writing can be used as a vehicle for many things. It can be entertaining, arousing, thought provoking, teaching. Not only for the reader but also for the writer. To write a convincing story, a writer has to do research, has to be familiar with the topic he/she writes about.
I like writing Science Fiction because that’s a milieu I’m comfortable with. I’ve been reading Science Fiction novels ever since I discovered SF as a teenager. I don’t remember the first book or story, but the great SF authors Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Philip José Farmer, Poul Anderson, Leigh Brackett, Andre Norton, A. E. van Vogt, Jack Williamson, they all created worlds and stories of such wonder I could never get enough of them. After awhile just reading wasn’t enough, so I started to create my own worlds and peopled them with my own characters.
There are other writers who definitely influenced my writing, like Larry Niven, Roger Zelazny, Jack L. Chalker, Piers Anthony, and even Non-Science Fiction writers, like Mickey Spillane and Norman Mailer.
One of my favorite writers was E. C. Tubb, who created the character Earl Dumarest of Terra, a man from a far future Earth, lost among the stars, searching for his home planet Terra, considered a myth. After over twenty novels, he still hadn’t found his home world. I don’t know if he ever did.
I didn’t read only Sci-Fi. There was a time when I read nothing but Sword-and-Sorcery. Authors like Robert E. Howard (Conan), Karl Edward Wagner (Kane), Lin Carter, and Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan, Carson of Venus, John Carter of Mars) were among my favorites.
In the late 1960s, Berkley Publishing printed a number of books by Ted Mark (a pseudonym for Ted Gottfried). The first of many titles was ‘The man from O.R.G.Y.’, definitely erotica, but not as explicit as the stuff one can download these days from e-publishers. I read most of them and enjoyed them. Some of the material probably stayed in my head and might influence my writing today, who knows. Everything one reads will leave some residue behind.
I don’t write anymore for just my own entertainment. Now I’d like to share my imaginary worlds with others. I hope that I can bring to my readers at least some of the sense of wonder and excitement I found when I read the stories from my favorite authors. If I can do that I have achieved my goal and my dream.
Why erotica? That’s a little harder to answer. Actually, I write mainly Science Fiction, with erotic contents.
A friend of mine, after reading my book ‘Daughter of the Dark’, kept snickering about the sex-scenes. I was happy he liked them but I hope my readers see more in my books and stories than the erotic scenes.
Writing can be used as a vehicle for many things. It can be entertaining, arousing, thought provoking, teaching. Not only for the reader but also for the writer. To write a convincing story, a writer has to do research, has to be familiar with the topic he/she writes about.
I like writing Science Fiction because that’s a milieu I’m comfortable with. I’ve been reading Science Fiction novels ever since I discovered SF as a teenager. I don’t remember the first book or story, but the great SF authors Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Philip José Farmer, Poul Anderson, Leigh Brackett, Andre Norton, A. E. van Vogt, Jack Williamson, they all created worlds and stories of such wonder I could never get enough of them. After awhile just reading wasn’t enough, so I started to create my own worlds and peopled them with my own characters.
There are other writers who definitely influenced my writing, like Larry Niven, Roger Zelazny, Jack L. Chalker, Piers Anthony, and even Non-Science Fiction writers, like Mickey Spillane and Norman Mailer.
One of my favorite writers was E. C. Tubb, who created the character Earl Dumarest of Terra, a man from a far future Earth, lost among the stars, searching for his home planet Terra, considered a myth. After over twenty novels, he still hadn’t found his home world. I don’t know if he ever did.
I didn’t read only Sci-Fi. There was a time when I read nothing but Sword-and-Sorcery. Authors like Robert E. Howard (Conan), Karl Edward Wagner (Kane), Lin Carter, and Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan, Carson of Venus, John Carter of Mars) were among my favorites.
In the late 1960s, Berkley Publishing printed a number of books by Ted Mark (a pseudonym for Ted Gottfried). The first of many titles was ‘The man from O.R.G.Y.’, definitely erotica, but not as explicit as the stuff one can download these days from e-publishers. I read most of them and enjoyed them. Some of the material probably stayed in my head and might influence my writing today, who knows. Everything one reads will leave some residue behind.
I don’t write anymore for just my own entertainment. Now I’d like to share my imaginary worlds with others. I hope that I can bring to my readers at least some of the sense of wonder and excitement I found when I read the stories from my favorite authors. If I can do that I have achieved my goal and my dream.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
News flash
I'm all excited. I checked out Fictionwise and found that my book 'Mother of Light' has moved from number 7 to spot number 3 and 'Daughter of the Dark' is at number 11. Still selling. I'm hoping to make Number One again with 'Mother of Light'.
The digest 'Summer Heat 3' from Midnightshowcase, which contains my story 'Gin and Tonic', has reached the number one spot.
Another bit of news. I finished editing Book Three of 'The Xandra, Goddess of Life' and sent it back to Midnight Showcase. The book is scheculed for release in October.
I also finished my story 'The Stardogs', a 119,000+ erotic SciFi novel. I'm not quiete sure what to do with it. Should I send it in as one book or should I make two books out of it?
You can buy my books at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
or at http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/MidnightShowcaseeBooks.htm
or at http://www.dppstore.com/ go to Author, find my name on the list and click on it.
Happy hunting.
The digest 'Summer Heat 3' from Midnightshowcase, which contains my story 'Gin and Tonic', has reached the number one spot.
Another bit of news. I finished editing Book Three of 'The Xandra, Goddess of Life' and sent it back to Midnight Showcase. The book is scheculed for release in October.
I also finished my story 'The Stardogs', a 119,000+ erotic SciFi novel. I'm not quiete sure what to do with it. Should I send it in as one book or should I make two books out of it?
You can buy my books at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
or at http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/MidnightShowcaseeBooks.htm
or at http://www.dppstore.com/ go to Author, find my name on the list and click on it.
Happy hunting.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Xandra books at Fictionwise
I just checked the site Fictionwise and I saw that Book Two, Mother of Light, is at spot number 7 and Book One, Daughter of the Dark, has fallen from number 11 to number 15, but still good.
Summer Heat 3, which contains my story 'Gin and Tonic' is at spot number 3.
Actually, I'm a little disappointed with the sales of Book Two. But it is just beginning. Hopefully it will do as well as Book One. I think 'Mother of Light' turned out better than 'Daughter of the Dark'. But that is just my opinion. It would be nice to get some feedback from readers.
Go, check it out at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ or go to Fictionwise.
Summer Heat 3, which contains my story 'Gin and Tonic' is at spot number 3.
Actually, I'm a little disappointed with the sales of Book Two. But it is just beginning. Hopefully it will do as well as Book One. I think 'Mother of Light' turned out better than 'Daughter of the Dark'. But that is just my opinion. It would be nice to get some feedback from readers.
Go, check it out at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ or go to Fictionwise.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
The Xandra, Book Two, Mother of Light
Book Two of 'The Xandra', Mother of Light' is available now from Midnight Showcase
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
I'm just so happy with the cover. The artist Jinger Heaston did such a marvelous job, even better than the first one 'Daughter of the Dark'. That book is still available from Midnight Showcase.
Book Two is a continuation of Book One, except the events take place a thousand years in the future of Book One. There is no need to read Book One, but it makes it easier to understand Book Two.
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
I'm just so happy with the cover. The artist Jinger Heaston did such a marvelous job, even better than the first one 'Daughter of the Dark'. That book is still available from Midnight Showcase.
Book Two is a continuation of Book One, except the events take place a thousand years in the future of Book One. There is no need to read Book One, but it makes it easier to understand Book Two.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Gin and Tonic, an excerpt
Here is a little appetizer for you from my story 'Gin and Tonic'
The sun burned hot on her skin; even the strong wind that blew in from the ocean didn’t cool it down. It was a perfect day for windsurfing. She watched the many multicolored sails skimming the high waves, like giant butterfly wings.
Only a few people braved the surf, but they seemed to have a great time as they let themselves be carried back to shore when a wave lifted them up.
It looked like fun and Ginger decided to join them.
She had bought herself a new bikini. Maybe it was s little skimpy, but she didn’t care. It felt strange to wear only a thong; she’d never been this bold.
The water was warm. The first wave was stronger than she had anticipated and it slammed her face down into the rough sand and beneath the water. Rolling, she tried to get up and almost managed, then a second wave bowled her over.
She felt strong hands grabbing her, pulling her to her feet.
“Hang on!” a man’s voice said, “here comes another one.” He held her when she almost lost her balance again. “Too dangerous to be in the water right now,” he said. “Didn’t you see the red flag?” He walked with her back to shore, still holding on to her.
“Thank you,” she said. “I feel real stupid.” She looked at him, recognizing him. “It’s Donald, right?”
“I’m flattered. You remembered my name.” He flashed her a smile.
He looked good in his small trunks. Like one of those cover-models from a men’s magazine. Narrow hips, broad shoulders, marvelous looking chest and great biceps.
“I’ve possibly saved your life,” he said and grinned. “Now I’m responsible for you. You owe me your company at dinner tonight.”
She laughed, still embarrassed. “Alright.”
“Come, I’ll buy you a drink,” he said.
She didn’t bother covering herself up, and neither did he. When they slowly walked to the beach bar, they drew stares from men and women, alike. He must have noticed it, also, because he chuckled. “I think we make a good-looking couple,” he said and looked at her. “You have a nice ass.” He grinned.
She felt heat rise to her cheeks and thought My God, I’m actually blushing. I can’t remember when that happened to me the last time. “Was that a compliment?” she asked
read the whole story in 'Summer Heat 3' from Midnight Showcase at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
The sun burned hot on her skin; even the strong wind that blew in from the ocean didn’t cool it down. It was a perfect day for windsurfing. She watched the many multicolored sails skimming the high waves, like giant butterfly wings.
Only a few people braved the surf, but they seemed to have a great time as they let themselves be carried back to shore when a wave lifted them up.
It looked like fun and Ginger decided to join them.
She had bought herself a new bikini. Maybe it was s little skimpy, but she didn’t care. It felt strange to wear only a thong; she’d never been this bold.
The water was warm. The first wave was stronger than she had anticipated and it slammed her face down into the rough sand and beneath the water. Rolling, she tried to get up and almost managed, then a second wave bowled her over.
She felt strong hands grabbing her, pulling her to her feet.
“Hang on!” a man’s voice said, “here comes another one.” He held her when she almost lost her balance again. “Too dangerous to be in the water right now,” he said. “Didn’t you see the red flag?” He walked with her back to shore, still holding on to her.
“Thank you,” she said. “I feel real stupid.” She looked at him, recognizing him. “It’s Donald, right?”
“I’m flattered. You remembered my name.” He flashed her a smile.
He looked good in his small trunks. Like one of those cover-models from a men’s magazine. Narrow hips, broad shoulders, marvelous looking chest and great biceps.
“I’ve possibly saved your life,” he said and grinned. “Now I’m responsible for you. You owe me your company at dinner tonight.”
She laughed, still embarrassed. “Alright.”
“Come, I’ll buy you a drink,” he said.
She didn’t bother covering herself up, and neither did he. When they slowly walked to the beach bar, they drew stares from men and women, alike. He must have noticed it, also, because he chuckled. “I think we make a good-looking couple,” he said and looked at her. “You have a nice ass.” He grinned.
She felt heat rise to her cheeks and thought My God, I’m actually blushing. I can’t remember when that happened to me the last time. “Was that a compliment?” she asked
read the whole story in 'Summer Heat 3' from Midnight Showcase at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
Summer Heat 3
It's been a hot summer and it is getting hotter. Summer Heat 3 is coming out this month. You'll find my story 'Gin and Tonic' in this digest, along with seven other hot stories. Check it out at
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
I'll let you know when it is ready to be downloaded
http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
I'll let you know when it is ready to be downloaded
Friday, July 14, 2006
Another update
I guess the review my book received did create an interest again. It jumped from position number 37 to number 14 at Fictionwise.
If you want to look up my novel 'Book one, The Xandra, Daughter of the Dark, at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ just click on SciFi in the directory and it will take you there. The Midnight Showcase website has undergone a few changes.
I finished the novel I was working on 'The Stardogs', 120,000 words. It is long. Now begins the hard work of editing and making sure there are no loose ends. Once that is done I'll have to write a story for the digest Midnight Showcase is planning for sometime next year 'Men of Eros'. I'll be one of the five male authors at MS. I don't know yet what I'll write, I'm waiting for some inspiration. Maybe a time travel story. Something seems to be brewing inside my head. Nothing concrete yet. We'll see.
If you want to look up my novel 'Book one, The Xandra, Daughter of the Dark, at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ just click on SciFi in the directory and it will take you there. The Midnight Showcase website has undergone a few changes.
I finished the novel I was working on 'The Stardogs', 120,000 words. It is long. Now begins the hard work of editing and making sure there are no loose ends. Once that is done I'll have to write a story for the digest Midnight Showcase is planning for sometime next year 'Men of Eros'. I'll be one of the five male authors at MS. I don't know yet what I'll write, I'm waiting for some inspiration. Maybe a time travel story. Something seems to be brewing inside my head. Nothing concrete yet. We'll see.
Monday, July 10, 2006
About my review
That address of coffeetime romance is quite long. Here it is again.
I'm splitting it into two parts. This is so frustrating. My blog wouldn't accept the link. Kept telling me 'Tag is not closed: '. I have no idea what it means.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/
xandrabookonedaughterofthedark.html
I'm splitting it into two parts. This is so frustrating. My blog wouldn't accept the link. Kept telling me 'Tag is not closed: '. I have no idea what it means.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/
xandrabookonedaughterofthedark.html
My first review
Well, my first review is in. I received 3 cups from Coffee Time Romance.I am quite happy with it. Maybe it will create in interest in my book again. Sadly I discovered that it has fallen to number 37 position at fictionwise. What a drop from number one.
You can read the review here:
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/xandrabookonedaughterofthedark.html/
You can read the review here:
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/xandrabookonedaughterofthedark.html/
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Time for an update
Well, it had to happen at some time. You can't be number one forever. New releases from Midnight Showcase and my book 'Daughter of the Dark' slipped to number seven. Sigh.
But it was nice while it lasted. So far, I haven't seen any reviews, except for the reader's ratings from Fictionwise. A little bit of disappointment there. Out of 8 readers one thinks the book is great, three think it is good, three gave it an OK and one thinks it is poor. (There has to be always one! Grrrrowl!)
On other news, I finished my new edit and partial re-write of Book Two 'Mother of Light', which will come out in August. I think I improved it a bit. Most of the time, when you put your freshly written book away and read it at a later time, you find mistakes and awkward sentences. Sometimes a lot. So watch out for Book two. I hope some of you who visit me have bought Book One and read it. I think Book Two and Three turned out better. Check it out at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
But it was nice while it lasted. So far, I haven't seen any reviews, except for the reader's ratings from Fictionwise. A little bit of disappointment there. Out of 8 readers one thinks the book is great, three think it is good, three gave it an OK and one thinks it is poor. (There has to be always one! Grrrrowl!)
On other news, I finished my new edit and partial re-write of Book Two 'Mother of Light', which will come out in August. I think I improved it a bit. Most of the time, when you put your freshly written book away and read it at a later time, you find mistakes and awkward sentences. Sometimes a lot. So watch out for Book two. I hope some of you who visit me have bought Book One and read it. I think Book Two and Three turned out better. Check it out at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
Thursday, June 08, 2006
For Love of Arilee
Well, my story 'For Love of Arilee' has been accepted, but won't appear until next year. A long time to wait. That is one of the 'fun-things' of publishing. It teaches patience. But I'm happy.
My book 'Daughter of the Dark' is a runaway bestseller at Fictionwise, so I'm told. Number one seller at Midnight Showcase. I know, it is not the same as the Harry Potter books, where 'bestseller' translates into millions of copies sold, but I'm still excited about it. My first book and it is a bestseller. Wow. Only a year ago I dreamed about being published and here I am, one book published and four more contracted. Plus a few short stories.
Check it all out at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
My book 'Daughter of the Dark' is a runaway bestseller at Fictionwise, so I'm told. Number one seller at Midnight Showcase. I know, it is not the same as the Harry Potter books, where 'bestseller' translates into millions of copies sold, but I'm still excited about it. My first book and it is a bestseller. Wow. Only a year ago I dreamed about being published and here I am, one book published and four more contracted. Plus a few short stories.
Check it all out at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/
Monday, June 05, 2006
My short story
It came to me while taking a shower. The title to my short story. I started singing 'For the love of a girl' by Johnny Horton (an old song, most of you probably don't know it). And I knew right then and there, this is the title to my story, but I did change it. The title is 'For the Love of Arilee'.
I sent it to Midnight Showcase. Hopefully it will be accepted for the digest 'Sweet Proposols'.
Now I can get back to finishing the book I'm working on 'The Stardogs'. I'm already at over 110,ooo words. I should finish it with two more chapters. Then comes the editing. Actually, before I continue with that story, I have to do the edit to Book Two of 'The Xandra', Mother of Light', (again!). That will take me some time. Let the fun begin.
The Sales of 'Daughter of the Dark' are still going strong. No reviews yet.
I sent it to Midnight Showcase. Hopefully it will be accepted for the digest 'Sweet Proposols'.
Now I can get back to finishing the book I'm working on 'The Stardogs'. I'm already at over 110,ooo words. I should finish it with two more chapters. Then comes the editing. Actually, before I continue with that story, I have to do the edit to Book Two of 'The Xandra', Mother of Light', (again!). That will take me some time. Let the fun begin.
The Sales of 'Daughter of the Dark' are still going strong. No reviews yet.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Sales of my book
Well, the figures are in and I am very proud and excited. My book is Number One Best Seller for Midnight Showcase at Fictionwise. They sold 41 copies the first week. I haven't seen any reviews yet and I'm anxious to read what people think. Anyone reading this and I assume you run and buy a copy of my book 'The Xandra, Book One, Daughter of the Dark'. Details at http://midnightshowcase.com/ and then let me know as a comment or you can even send me an email at hegro@shaw.ca
I just finished a short story for Midnight Showcase, as yet untitled. I'm racking my brains to find a catchy title. I find it harder than writing the whole story. This story doesn't contain any explicit sexual details, but it is a romantic story, set in the future and it takes place on the fifth planet of the Xandra world. It it not part of the Xandra trilogy, but it tells a little bit of what happened on the fifth planet. For those of you who have read my book or will read it, you will see the connection. That is the wonderful thing about writing. Once you've created a world, it can be used again as background to a story. I'm hoping to have this story published in one of the Midnight Showcase digests. Mae Powers put out the challenge to write a romantic story without the xxx-stuff.
I just finished a short story for Midnight Showcase, as yet untitled. I'm racking my brains to find a catchy title. I find it harder than writing the whole story. This story doesn't contain any explicit sexual details, but it is a romantic story, set in the future and it takes place on the fifth planet of the Xandra world. It it not part of the Xandra trilogy, but it tells a little bit of what happened on the fifth planet. For those of you who have read my book or will read it, you will see the connection. That is the wonderful thing about writing. Once you've created a world, it can be used again as background to a story. I'm hoping to have this story published in one of the Midnight Showcase digests. Mae Powers put out the challenge to write a romantic story without the xxx-stuff.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Release of my book
Apparently Book one of 'The Xandra' is now live. It can be purchased in ebook format. The printed version will be ready for print shortly. So keep on checking. The book can be purchased at http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ Check it out.
Below the final version of the cover (front and back).
Below the final version of the cover (front and back).
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
My Book cover
Well--here is the real cover for my book 'Daughter of the Dark'. It is amazing. The artist's name is Jinger Heaston. The book will be available in May from Midnight Showcase. Keep checking in, I will post it as soon as it is out.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Book One of 'The Xandra, Daughter of the Dark
As already announced my book 'The Xandra' is coming out in May. The following picture is my own rendition of the Book cover. It is not the actual cover. That one will be designed by a real artist. As soon as I have I will publish it here. In the meantime, enjoy this one.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Of dogs and tobacco
There is nothing more disgusting than the sight of brown clumps on white snow every ten feet or so when walking down a street on a sunny winter’s day. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a dog-hater. It’s the owners who annoy me.
We live in a quiet rural area. The only difference from living in the city is the size of our properties. We still like to keep our lawns nice. Unfortunately, some people, when they move out of the city, think they can keep large numbers of dogs and let them roam around free.
The other day we took our grandchildren for a sleigh ride around the block, when we were accosted by two large dogs. When I stepped between the sled my grandchildren were sitting on and the two dogs, the dogs growled at me and made threatening moves. I feared for the safety of my grandchildren. Had I had my rifle with me, I would have been tempted to shoot those dogs. Of course, I would have been the criminal then. Discharging a firearm in a residential area and killing two harmless animals would be only a couple of the charges. And let’s not forget the animal right’s activists! They always rear their ugly heads when someone harms an 'innocent' animal. I just saw Brigitte Bardot defending the seals again. Meanwhile we have 6 million of them, competing with us humans for the fish in the ocean.
Speaking of animal right’s activist, I’m a hunter. Yes, that’s right, I’m a killer of innocent animals, mostly deer. I’ve also been known to shoot rabbits, ducks, geese, grouse. And I eat them. I know, it’s a terrible thing. Most people, except the ’Veggies’, love their meat. Americans (and Canadians) love their steak, hamburger, hot dogs, turkey, and chicken in all possible forms. But most people don’t give a second thought to where all this meat comes from. They don’t like to think about the living animals they once were. Maybe the meat grows on trees. Maybe in a garden? Like lettuce? Seymon Kirlian, an amateur inventor and electrician of Krasnodar, Russia, apparently proved that plants are self-aware. Does that mean they are living beings? If that is the case, then all the Vegetarians are committing…dare I say the word…murder… every time they cut off a head of lettuce? Wow!
Some people get upset about everything and they want everyone to live according to what they believe. The animal right’s activists, the human right’s people, the religious fanatics, the health nuts. The list is endless. I’m not a smoker, and I don’t think people should smoke, but I don’t tell anyone they shouldn’t. If they want to kill themselves, that is their business. Now people are suing the tobacco companies, which is totally ludicrous. Nobody forced them to smoke in the first place. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions. It’s much easier to blame others. The government is trying to protect our health (right!!) by creating non-smoking laws, but tobacco products are still sold at high prices, a large portion of it being taxes. The price of cigarettes is different from province to province in Canada. Many times when we crossed the border from Ontario to Manitoba we’ve been stopped by the RCMP and asked if we had cigarettes. Because it is against the law to bring them across the border without paying Manitoba taxes. So much for the protection of our health. It is just a question of money. Our government people have a dilemma, they don’t want to loose the millions of dollars smokers bring to the coffers, but they don’t want to offend the lobbyists. More laws need to be created…
What’s that? Ranting? Me? I’m just sitting hear listening to my canary singing and staring at my screen. OH, I’m not supposed to keep animals cooped up in a cage? Then I’ll justgo and watch my fish in the aquarium…
If by now you shake your head and want to stop reading, wait, I’m actually heading somewhere with this. The non-smoking bylaw isn’t really something that is much on my mind, I could really care less if someone smokes or not, as long as it isn't done in my home or car. I just picked it to make a point. Many years ago, I read a futuristic story where smoking was prohibited. Anyone caught smoking was executed. We’re not that far--yet.
I’m a writer and I look at the world with different eyes. I question what I see and experience. I wonder why people do the things they do. I question religions, laws, customs. What is their origin? Why are certain things forbidden in one country, but legal in another? Which country is right, which one wrong? Why do people who pray constantly, who talk about god and love, hate others who don’t belong to their religion so much that they will strap a bomb around their bodies and blow themselves up, taking many innocent lives? How can they justify that? How can intelligent human beings become so brainwashed to believe that a just god will actually welcome them with open arms after committing murder in his name? Why would anyone be against abortion, calling it murder, but have no problem shooting the doctor who performs abortions? Just wondering.
I’m not judging anyone, but this is the kind of stuff I will use in my stories. Without real life, where would we get our ideas from? I write mainly Science Fiction. I ask: What if? And I will spice up my stories with erotica. After all, sex is part of our daily lives. Even though some people don’t like to talk or read about it. Sex is dirty. It can be, there is plenty of proof, but it doesn’t have to be; it can be beautiful and entertaining. It can be fun to read and to write. I’m having fun and I hope you do too.
So keep visiting me once in awhile and check out my blog. You might even read something you like. Buy my books (The first one will be published in May 2006. Book one of ‘The Xandra, Daughter of the Dark’. More after that.)
Leave a comment.
We live in a quiet rural area. The only difference from living in the city is the size of our properties. We still like to keep our lawns nice. Unfortunately, some people, when they move out of the city, think they can keep large numbers of dogs and let them roam around free.
The other day we took our grandchildren for a sleigh ride around the block, when we were accosted by two large dogs. When I stepped between the sled my grandchildren were sitting on and the two dogs, the dogs growled at me and made threatening moves. I feared for the safety of my grandchildren. Had I had my rifle with me, I would have been tempted to shoot those dogs. Of course, I would have been the criminal then. Discharging a firearm in a residential area and killing two harmless animals would be only a couple of the charges. And let’s not forget the animal right’s activists! They always rear their ugly heads when someone harms an 'innocent' animal. I just saw Brigitte Bardot defending the seals again. Meanwhile we have 6 million of them, competing with us humans for the fish in the ocean.
Speaking of animal right’s activist, I’m a hunter. Yes, that’s right, I’m a killer of innocent animals, mostly deer. I’ve also been known to shoot rabbits, ducks, geese, grouse. And I eat them. I know, it’s a terrible thing. Most people, except the ’Veggies’, love their meat. Americans (and Canadians) love their steak, hamburger, hot dogs, turkey, and chicken in all possible forms. But most people don’t give a second thought to where all this meat comes from. They don’t like to think about the living animals they once were. Maybe the meat grows on trees. Maybe in a garden? Like lettuce? Seymon Kirlian, an amateur inventor and electrician of Krasnodar, Russia, apparently proved that plants are self-aware. Does that mean they are living beings? If that is the case, then all the Vegetarians are committing…dare I say the word…murder… every time they cut off a head of lettuce? Wow!
Some people get upset about everything and they want everyone to live according to what they believe. The animal right’s activists, the human right’s people, the religious fanatics, the health nuts. The list is endless. I’m not a smoker, and I don’t think people should smoke, but I don’t tell anyone they shouldn’t. If they want to kill themselves, that is their business. Now people are suing the tobacco companies, which is totally ludicrous. Nobody forced them to smoke in the first place. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions. It’s much easier to blame others. The government is trying to protect our health (right!!) by creating non-smoking laws, but tobacco products are still sold at high prices, a large portion of it being taxes. The price of cigarettes is different from province to province in Canada. Many times when we crossed the border from Ontario to Manitoba we’ve been stopped by the RCMP and asked if we had cigarettes. Because it is against the law to bring them across the border without paying Manitoba taxes. So much for the protection of our health. It is just a question of money. Our government people have a dilemma, they don’t want to loose the millions of dollars smokers bring to the coffers, but they don’t want to offend the lobbyists. More laws need to be created…
What’s that? Ranting? Me? I’m just sitting hear listening to my canary singing and staring at my screen. OH, I’m not supposed to keep animals cooped up in a cage? Then I’ll justgo and watch my fish in the aquarium…
If by now you shake your head and want to stop reading, wait, I’m actually heading somewhere with this. The non-smoking bylaw isn’t really something that is much on my mind, I could really care less if someone smokes or not, as long as it isn't done in my home or car. I just picked it to make a point. Many years ago, I read a futuristic story where smoking was prohibited. Anyone caught smoking was executed. We’re not that far--yet.
I’m a writer and I look at the world with different eyes. I question what I see and experience. I wonder why people do the things they do. I question religions, laws, customs. What is their origin? Why are certain things forbidden in one country, but legal in another? Which country is right, which one wrong? Why do people who pray constantly, who talk about god and love, hate others who don’t belong to their religion so much that they will strap a bomb around their bodies and blow themselves up, taking many innocent lives? How can they justify that? How can intelligent human beings become so brainwashed to believe that a just god will actually welcome them with open arms after committing murder in his name? Why would anyone be against abortion, calling it murder, but have no problem shooting the doctor who performs abortions? Just wondering.
I’m not judging anyone, but this is the kind of stuff I will use in my stories. Without real life, where would we get our ideas from? I write mainly Science Fiction. I ask: What if? And I will spice up my stories with erotica. After all, sex is part of our daily lives. Even though some people don’t like to talk or read about it. Sex is dirty. It can be, there is plenty of proof, but it doesn’t have to be; it can be beautiful and entertaining. It can be fun to read and to write. I’m having fun and I hope you do too.
So keep visiting me once in awhile and check out my blog. You might even read something you like. Buy my books (The first one will be published in May 2006. Book one of ‘The Xandra, Daughter of the Dark’. More after that.)
Leave a comment.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Another beautiful day
Just came in from a walk in the sun. It's beautiful outside (for Winnipeg!). -3 degrees Celsius. Windchill minus 9. Snow is melting nicely. Hopefully we won't see any more of that white stuff, as nice as it is. Can't wait for spring, so I can get outside and plant my garden. I actually bought a package of Red Onion Sets yesterday. Usually at this time of year I start buying my seeds, but this year I'm a little late. Haven't bought anything yet.
This is the first time I'm publishing some personal stuff on my blog, against my initial intend when I started this blog. I don't really feel comfortable talking about my personal life on the net. After all, millions of people might just see it (Right!). I'm still wondering if anyone actually reads my blog (except for my family and a couple of friends).
Well, anyway, for those of you who are visiting me for the first time, if you are interested in reading some of my writings, you'll have to go to http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ click on EROTIC-AHH DIGESTS, then click on either 'Sweet Revenge' or 'Holiday Voices' and scroll down to read the excerpts. Of course, if you want to read the whole story you will have to buy the digests. Either as Ebook or as the printed version.
My book 'The Xandra' Book One will be published in May 2006.
Check it out. Or at least leave a comment on my blog so I know you've been here.
This is the first time I'm publishing some personal stuff on my blog, against my initial intend when I started this blog. I don't really feel comfortable talking about my personal life on the net. After all, millions of people might just see it (Right!). I'm still wondering if anyone actually reads my blog (except for my family and a couple of friends).
Well, anyway, for those of you who are visiting me for the first time, if you are interested in reading some of my writings, you'll have to go to http://www.midnightshowcase.com/ click on EROTIC-AHH DIGESTS, then click on either 'Sweet Revenge' or 'Holiday Voices' and scroll down to read the excerpts. Of course, if you want to read the whole story you will have to buy the digests. Either as Ebook or as the printed version.
My book 'The Xandra' Book One will be published in May 2006.
Check it out. Or at least leave a comment on my blog so I know you've been here.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
An excerpt of a rejected story
Last year I sent one of my short stories to Claude Lalumiere in Montreal for his Anthology. It was rejected. I hope he'll be sorry one day, because I think it is a great story. (A rejected writer's lament!) Maybe I'll include in one of my own Anthologies. Well- anyway, here is an excerpt from 'Blood of the Virgin':
A lichen-covered stonewall loomed before us. On top of the wall, two armed sentries crouched, their bows ready. One of my guards called out to them. Moments later rusty hinges creaked in protest as a little used iron gate swung open to let us in, protested again when the gate closed behind us. The courtyard lay in semi-darkness. Silhouetted against the disk of the larger moon the walls and roofs of the castle threw irregular shadows onto the cobbled stones.
We entered the castle through a wide, tall door made out of ironwood. Most castles were ancient, but well-built fortresses against intruders from the ground and the sky. Musty air, laced with the aroma of broiling meat and wood smoke, wafted into my nostrils. Yill are not just bloodsuckers; they do eat meat, as well as vegetable matter. Drinking blood to the Yill is part of their sexual need. They don't do it to survive.
Another fact humans seem to be ignorant of.
The Prince came walking down a wide staircase. He and his followers had landed on the roof, entered the castle through doors in the tall towers. Oil lamps hanging from the ceiling and set into the rough stonewalls bathed his imposing frame with their flickering, weak light. “Don't you know that humans are not welcomed here?” His voice sounded hollow in the large hall.
“And yet you had a human mate once,” I said.
“That was a long time ago.” He stared at me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew they were black. “How do you know this?”
I chuckled. “It is not uncommon for a Yill-prince to keep a human female as a mate or slave.”
“She was never a slave!” He spoke sharply.
“Perhaps not.” I looked around for the two females who had been with me, but they were gone. Probably sleeping by now on a perch in one of the common rooms. My armed escort had also disappeared.
The soft whisper of a pair of wings made me look up. A slim figure landed silently in front of me.
A young female, dressed in a thin, gray gown. A virgin.
Folding her wings, she came closer, looked into my eyes. “Who are you?” she asked.
“A prisoner. And who are you?” I countered.
She laughed. “For a prisoner you act much too arrogant.” She trailed a finger along my throat. “I am Princess Arlia.” With a sudden movement she put one hand behind my neck, pulled my face closer to hers. She smelled of Laven-dew; young virgin females of her species loved to bath in it. Her incisors were short, not fully developed. “I will taste your blood tonight,” she whispered into my ear, pressing her tongue into my throat. Her nearness caused a gentle throbbing in my loins. It took all my willpower not to touch her.
“Get away from him!” the Prince thundered. “You are not ready.”
She released me, stepped back. “I am old enough,” she said in a defiant tone.
He looked at me. “I am warning you. Do not let her come near you. She is still untouched, untaught. She will kill you.”
“Is she your daughter?” I asked, wondering if he could see the pulsing of my temples.
“One of many. But she's the most uncontrollable one.”
“You have sons?”
“I had a son, once. But he was Skorrat, not of pure blood.” His wings fluttered in an impatient gesture. Turning, he walked over to a massive wooden bench, sat down. Resting his elbows on a table in front of him, he waved his hand. “Leave me, all of you!” His finger shot out, pointed at me. “Not you. Come and sit with me.”
While the others skulked away I joined him at his table.
“Have some wine,” he said, pouring from a pitcher into one of two bronze cups. When I hesitated he smiled. “Don't worry. It is not blood, and it isn't poison, either.”
The wine soothed my parched throat, but left a strange aftertaste. “About your son; his mother was human. Am I correct?”
“You are. Like I said, it was a long time ago.”
“Did you love her?”
Draining his cup, he slammed it down, angrily. “What is it to you?” He rose and turned away from me. “She was probably the only woman I ever loved, even though she was not of my species.” He spoke softly. I could hardly make out the words. “She promised me a son.”
“She did give you a son,” I said, just as softly.
He whirled. His eyes glowed with sudden fire. “A Skorrat--and a cripple. His wings were deformed, he lacked fangs. I could not bear to look at him, and I didn't mourn when he was captured by slave traders.”
“He was your son!”
“He was an embarrassment. I was glad to be rid of him.”
“What about his mother? What happened to her?”
“She died of a broken heart. Or maybe I sucked her dry in a fit of rage. What does it matter? She was only a human. But now I grow tired of your company.” He let out a sharp whistle. From the dark ceiling a shadowy figure dropped down, landed on soft soles. “Take this human to a place where he can sleep.”
I followed the old female up a narrow staircase, into a dark room. She lit an oil lamp with the torch she carried. “You can sleep over there.” She pointed to a pile of crumpled blankets in one corner. “This used to be his favorite hiding place. Nobody comes up here. You should be safe.”
I looked into her lined face. “You have kind eyes,” I told her.
She smiled, reached out to touch my cheek. “Not all Yill hate humans.”
I watched her climb back down the creaking steps, wings dragging behind her. Then I walked over to one of the walls, drew open the dusty curtain that covered the small window to let in the moonlight, and some fresh air. All three moons were visible now, forming a large triangle in the star speckled sky.
A throbbing inside my belly reminded me of the hunger I needed to still. I took off my pants and shirt, blew out the oil lamp. Naked, I stretched out on top of the blankets, inhaled their musty, damp smell. I lay there and waited.
I still don't know if anyone actually reads my Blog. Of all those people cruising the Internet, someone must stumble across mine, for heaven's sake. If you do, please, leave a comment. Tell me what you think about this excerpt. Somebody? Is there anyone?
A lichen-covered stonewall loomed before us. On top of the wall, two armed sentries crouched, their bows ready. One of my guards called out to them. Moments later rusty hinges creaked in protest as a little used iron gate swung open to let us in, protested again when the gate closed behind us. The courtyard lay in semi-darkness. Silhouetted against the disk of the larger moon the walls and roofs of the castle threw irregular shadows onto the cobbled stones.
We entered the castle through a wide, tall door made out of ironwood. Most castles were ancient, but well-built fortresses against intruders from the ground and the sky. Musty air, laced with the aroma of broiling meat and wood smoke, wafted into my nostrils. Yill are not just bloodsuckers; they do eat meat, as well as vegetable matter. Drinking blood to the Yill is part of their sexual need. They don't do it to survive.
Another fact humans seem to be ignorant of.
The Prince came walking down a wide staircase. He and his followers had landed on the roof, entered the castle through doors in the tall towers. Oil lamps hanging from the ceiling and set into the rough stonewalls bathed his imposing frame with their flickering, weak light. “Don't you know that humans are not welcomed here?” His voice sounded hollow in the large hall.
“And yet you had a human mate once,” I said.
“That was a long time ago.” He stared at me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew they were black. “How do you know this?”
I chuckled. “It is not uncommon for a Yill-prince to keep a human female as a mate or slave.”
“She was never a slave!” He spoke sharply.
“Perhaps not.” I looked around for the two females who had been with me, but they were gone. Probably sleeping by now on a perch in one of the common rooms. My armed escort had also disappeared.
The soft whisper of a pair of wings made me look up. A slim figure landed silently in front of me.
A young female, dressed in a thin, gray gown. A virgin.
Folding her wings, she came closer, looked into my eyes. “Who are you?” she asked.
“A prisoner. And who are you?” I countered.
She laughed. “For a prisoner you act much too arrogant.” She trailed a finger along my throat. “I am Princess Arlia.” With a sudden movement she put one hand behind my neck, pulled my face closer to hers. She smelled of Laven-dew; young virgin females of her species loved to bath in it. Her incisors were short, not fully developed. “I will taste your blood tonight,” she whispered into my ear, pressing her tongue into my throat. Her nearness caused a gentle throbbing in my loins. It took all my willpower not to touch her.
“Get away from him!” the Prince thundered. “You are not ready.”
She released me, stepped back. “I am old enough,” she said in a defiant tone.
He looked at me. “I am warning you. Do not let her come near you. She is still untouched, untaught. She will kill you.”
“Is she your daughter?” I asked, wondering if he could see the pulsing of my temples.
“One of many. But she's the most uncontrollable one.”
“You have sons?”
“I had a son, once. But he was Skorrat, not of pure blood.” His wings fluttered in an impatient gesture. Turning, he walked over to a massive wooden bench, sat down. Resting his elbows on a table in front of him, he waved his hand. “Leave me, all of you!” His finger shot out, pointed at me. “Not you. Come and sit with me.”
While the others skulked away I joined him at his table.
“Have some wine,” he said, pouring from a pitcher into one of two bronze cups. When I hesitated he smiled. “Don't worry. It is not blood, and it isn't poison, either.”
The wine soothed my parched throat, but left a strange aftertaste. “About your son; his mother was human. Am I correct?”
“You are. Like I said, it was a long time ago.”
“Did you love her?”
Draining his cup, he slammed it down, angrily. “What is it to you?” He rose and turned away from me. “She was probably the only woman I ever loved, even though she was not of my species.” He spoke softly. I could hardly make out the words. “She promised me a son.”
“She did give you a son,” I said, just as softly.
He whirled. His eyes glowed with sudden fire. “A Skorrat--and a cripple. His wings were deformed, he lacked fangs. I could not bear to look at him, and I didn't mourn when he was captured by slave traders.”
“He was your son!”
“He was an embarrassment. I was glad to be rid of him.”
“What about his mother? What happened to her?”
“She died of a broken heart. Or maybe I sucked her dry in a fit of rage. What does it matter? She was only a human. But now I grow tired of your company.” He let out a sharp whistle. From the dark ceiling a shadowy figure dropped down, landed on soft soles. “Take this human to a place where he can sleep.”
I followed the old female up a narrow staircase, into a dark room. She lit an oil lamp with the torch she carried. “You can sleep over there.” She pointed to a pile of crumpled blankets in one corner. “This used to be his favorite hiding place. Nobody comes up here. You should be safe.”
I looked into her lined face. “You have kind eyes,” I told her.
She smiled, reached out to touch my cheek. “Not all Yill hate humans.”
I watched her climb back down the creaking steps, wings dragging behind her. Then I walked over to one of the walls, drew open the dusty curtain that covered the small window to let in the moonlight, and some fresh air. All three moons were visible now, forming a large triangle in the star speckled sky.
A throbbing inside my belly reminded me of the hunger I needed to still. I took off my pants and shirt, blew out the oil lamp. Naked, I stretched out on top of the blankets, inhaled their musty, damp smell. I lay there and waited.
I still don't know if anyone actually reads my Blog. Of all those people cruising the Internet, someone must stumble across mine, for heaven's sake. If you do, please, leave a comment. Tell me what you think about this excerpt. Somebody? Is there anyone?
Sunday, February 12, 2006
A poem for Vanlentine's Day
I’m not really into poetry
because it does nothing for me
I find it to be a pain in the neck
to make words rhyme, but what the heck
Sometimes I am overcome
by the urge to write a little love po-em
Birthdays are a very good reason
to write a poem to the one I love
Easter and the Christmas season
I also use to flaunt my stuff
So please forgive me
‘cause it is time
to write a poem
for my Valentine
To my wife:
Valentine’s Day is for lovers
though not only for the young
and if you think you are too old
let me tell you that you’re wrong
Love knows neither bounds nor age
it doesn’t really care
if you’re a teenage girl or boy
with straight or curly hair
or if you’re bald and maybe old
a blond or a redhead like you
I love you just the way you are
I hope you love me too
So be my Valentine tonight
my Love and Sweetheart, too
there’s only one I want and love
and that, my dear wife, is YOU
because it does nothing for me
I find it to be a pain in the neck
to make words rhyme, but what the heck
Sometimes I am overcome
by the urge to write a little love po-em
Birthdays are a very good reason
to write a poem to the one I love
Easter and the Christmas season
I also use to flaunt my stuff
So please forgive me
‘cause it is time
to write a poem
for my Valentine
To my wife:
Valentine’s Day is for lovers
though not only for the young
and if you think you are too old
let me tell you that you’re wrong
Love knows neither bounds nor age
it doesn’t really care
if you’re a teenage girl or boy
with straight or curly hair
or if you’re bald and maybe old
a blond or a redhead like you
I love you just the way you are
I hope you love me too
So be my Valentine tonight
my Love and Sweetheart, too
there’s only one I want and love
and that, my dear wife, is YOU
Friday, February 10, 2006
An excerpt
Here is an excerpt of the novel I'm working on right now. So far I've written 65,000words, but still more to go. Here is chapter one of 'The Stardogs':
I looked at the red sun in the sky, and then at the two barely visible small moons hanging low above the horizon. They brought a lump to my throat, and I swallowed hard. It felt good to be home again.
The first twenty years of my life I had spent traveling across the surface of Redsky or Shantra, as the natives called this planet. Number five of the twelve circling a Red Giant, 320 light years away from Homeworld.
Leaving the spaceport behind me, I walked toward Old Town, wondering if anyone would be happy to see me.
Ten years was a long time to be away. Time enough for people to forget, for wounds to heal.
Without conscious thought my hand went up to my face, touched the long, thin line running along the left side of my jaw. Some wounds never heal. Outside maybe, but not inside.
A sudden gust of wind swept along the dirt road, swirling up the yellow dust. I walked slowly; there was no need to hurry.
Above, a Yac-bird circled, looking for prey. I heard its sharp, piercing cry, and it brought back long forgotten memories. Squinting against the fiery red sun, I tried to make out the ridge of the Golgat-mountains in the hazy distance, where I had hunted the fierce Gaar. So long ago, and yet--it seemed like only yesterday.
I had walked for nearly an hour when I heard the drumming of hoofs coming from the forest to my left, and I was not surprised to see the small band bursting into the open. They reached me quickly. Their riding animals reared high as they formed a circle around me.
Back at the spaceport I had been warned. Things have changed a lot here, Griffin. There have been clashes between the settlers and the natives, and once you leave the gates you are on your own.
The guard at the gate had shrugged his shoulders when I showed him my badge. “It’s your funeral, Major. I wouldn’t go out there by myself. And certainly not on foot. Besides, it‘s a ten hour walk.”
But they could not hold me. They had no jurisdiction over me.
There were only six of them. Short, stocky males, with long, narrow, arrogant faces. Their horns were painted red; this meant they had all made their first kill.
“Terra-man,” mocked the first one, contemptuously pointing his Ginsa-staff into the sky.
The others laughed with a gurgling, frightening sound.
“Brave Terra-man,” said one.
“Or very stupid Terra-man,” said another.
I felt the hot, fetid breath of one of the animals in my neck, as its rider tried to crowd me; but I didn’t move--not yet.
“We shall eat well tonight,” laughed the first one. “He’s big. Much meat.”
“Maybe tough meat.”
They spoke the harsh dialect of the mountain tribes, but I had no trouble understanding them. Once I had spent a year among one of the tribes, when I was still a boy, and I had learned much of their ways.
They prodded me with the blunt end of their Ginsa-staffs, their yellow eyes watching my reaction, waiting for the moment when I would try to defend myself.
“Are the Sons of the Mountains so weak that they need six Stallions to spill the blood of one Terra-man?” I said mildly, keeping my hands low.
There was surprise in their leathery faces.
“The Hornless-one speaks the tongue.” He pronounced it in a way that meant less-than-a man but more-than-a-woman. A certain respect flickered in their eyes and all but one pulled their steeds back.
“Who are you, Terra-man?” he asked, drawing the three fingers of his left hand across his hairy chest. I had to suppress a smile; this fellow was superstitious. He had probably never met a Terran who spoke his language so fluently, since only a few gifted linguists could master the guttural sounds of some of the dialects.
“Beware of the Night-demon who walks fearlessly in the guise of a Sky-man,” one of them murmured, touching the tips of his horns.
“I am exactly what you see,” I said. “A man from Terra.” I made the sign that meant equal to you.
“Where did you learn to speak our tongue?” he demanded, leveling the barbed end of his staff into my direction.
Realizing it was time for some truth, I touched my lips and my forehead, careful not to make any threatening moves. “Twenty summers ago I lived with the Stag-clan of the Golgat-mountains. I was brother to Threehorn.”
One of the others exhaled sharply. “Threehorn!” he exclaimed. “I know of him. He was killed ten, no eleven summers ago. I was very young still, not a man yet. They say he was killed by a Terra-man. Nobody really knows.”
I winced as memory flooded up, like bile.
He looked at me, his yellow eyes glaring. “Even though you made the truth sign, I say you lie, Hornless-one. No Terra-man would be brother to Threehorn.” Looking defiantly at the others, he said: “I say we kill him--now!” With that he brought down his Ginsa-staff, aiming for my unprotected head.
Anticipating his attack, I had moved toward him, at the same I was reaching for his staff. I knew now these men didn’t belong to any clan; they were renegades, outcasts. Each of them wore a clan-ring in his right ear, but they were of different designs.
Earth science and those two years on the double-gravity planet in the Antares-system served me well. They had made me faster and stronger than an ordinary man. These poor devils had no chance against me.
Without effort I pulled my attacker off his mount, breaking his neck as I did so. Before the others realized what had happened I was in the saddle of the suddenly abandoned riding-animal and swinging the heavy Ginsa-staff. I drove it through the chest of one of them, at the same time cracking the skull of another with my left fist.
Seeing three of their companions dead in a matter of moments, the others hesitated.
One of them cried out: “He is the Night-demon himself, the Dark Hornless-one. We are lost.”
He turned and sped away, the bristles on his back stiff with fright.
The other two looked after him and spat. “Coward!”
I had given them time to think, not wishing to kill all of them, but they left me no choice. Parrying the first one’s thrust, I kicked him in the head with the blunt end of my staff. He fell backward, right into the point of his companion’s barbed weapon; but he was already dead, his face split open by the force of my thrust.
The last one looked at me, his yellow eyes mad with anger and fright. He dropped his Ginsa-staff and reached into his pouch for his blade. “Now I kill you, Sky-demon,” he screamed hoarsely and whipped his hand back for the throw.
I burned his head off with my blaster. His headless body tumbled off his steed and fell to the ground, without spilling a drop of blood, the wound cauterized by the searing heat. Sheathing the gun, I sighed. What I had done was not exactly legal, since the use of atomic weapons was quite restricted. Forbidden on Redsky.
But then--why take chances. There were no witnesses, anyway. Besides, I didn’t have to answer to anybody.
Up in the sky the first vultures were already gathering, eager to get on with the grisly feast. I gave the dead bodies one more glance, then I turned my mount toward Old Town. Without looking back I kicked my heels into the animal’s soft flanks.
“Welcome home,” I said to myself. “Nothing has changed.”
Chapter One
I looked at the red sun in the sky, and then at the two barely visible small moons hanging low above the horizon. They brought a lump to my throat, and I swallowed hard. It felt good to be home again.
The first twenty years of my life I had spent traveling across the surface of Redsky or Shantra, as the natives called this planet. Number five of the twelve circling a Red Giant, 320 light years away from Homeworld.
Leaving the spaceport behind me, I walked toward Old Town, wondering if anyone would be happy to see me.
Ten years was a long time to be away. Time enough for people to forget, for wounds to heal.
Without conscious thought my hand went up to my face, touched the long, thin line running along the left side of my jaw. Some wounds never heal. Outside maybe, but not inside.
A sudden gust of wind swept along the dirt road, swirling up the yellow dust. I walked slowly; there was no need to hurry.
Above, a Yac-bird circled, looking for prey. I heard its sharp, piercing cry, and it brought back long forgotten memories. Squinting against the fiery red sun, I tried to make out the ridge of the Golgat-mountains in the hazy distance, where I had hunted the fierce Gaar. So long ago, and yet--it seemed like only yesterday.
I had walked for nearly an hour when I heard the drumming of hoofs coming from the forest to my left, and I was not surprised to see the small band bursting into the open. They reached me quickly. Their riding animals reared high as they formed a circle around me.
Back at the spaceport I had been warned. Things have changed a lot here, Griffin. There have been clashes between the settlers and the natives, and once you leave the gates you are on your own.
The guard at the gate had shrugged his shoulders when I showed him my badge. “It’s your funeral, Major. I wouldn’t go out there by myself. And certainly not on foot. Besides, it‘s a ten hour walk.”
But they could not hold me. They had no jurisdiction over me.
There were only six of them. Short, stocky males, with long, narrow, arrogant faces. Their horns were painted red; this meant they had all made their first kill.
“Terra-man,” mocked the first one, contemptuously pointing his Ginsa-staff into the sky.
The others laughed with a gurgling, frightening sound.
“Brave Terra-man,” said one.
“Or very stupid Terra-man,” said another.
I felt the hot, fetid breath of one of the animals in my neck, as its rider tried to crowd me; but I didn’t move--not yet.
“We shall eat well tonight,” laughed the first one. “He’s big. Much meat.”
“Maybe tough meat.”
They spoke the harsh dialect of the mountain tribes, but I had no trouble understanding them. Once I had spent a year among one of the tribes, when I was still a boy, and I had learned much of their ways.
They prodded me with the blunt end of their Ginsa-staffs, their yellow eyes watching my reaction, waiting for the moment when I would try to defend myself.
“Are the Sons of the Mountains so weak that they need six Stallions to spill the blood of one Terra-man?” I said mildly, keeping my hands low.
There was surprise in their leathery faces.
“The Hornless-one speaks the tongue.” He pronounced it in a way that meant less-than-a man but more-than-a-woman. A certain respect flickered in their eyes and all but one pulled their steeds back.
“Who are you, Terra-man?” he asked, drawing the three fingers of his left hand across his hairy chest. I had to suppress a smile; this fellow was superstitious. He had probably never met a Terran who spoke his language so fluently, since only a few gifted linguists could master the guttural sounds of some of the dialects.
“Beware of the Night-demon who walks fearlessly in the guise of a Sky-man,” one of them murmured, touching the tips of his horns.
“I am exactly what you see,” I said. “A man from Terra.” I made the sign that meant equal to you.
“Where did you learn to speak our tongue?” he demanded, leveling the barbed end of his staff into my direction.
Realizing it was time for some truth, I touched my lips and my forehead, careful not to make any threatening moves. “Twenty summers ago I lived with the Stag-clan of the Golgat-mountains. I was brother to Threehorn.”
One of the others exhaled sharply. “Threehorn!” he exclaimed. “I know of him. He was killed ten, no eleven summers ago. I was very young still, not a man yet. They say he was killed by a Terra-man. Nobody really knows.”
I winced as memory flooded up, like bile.
He looked at me, his yellow eyes glaring. “Even though you made the truth sign, I say you lie, Hornless-one. No Terra-man would be brother to Threehorn.” Looking defiantly at the others, he said: “I say we kill him--now!” With that he brought down his Ginsa-staff, aiming for my unprotected head.
Anticipating his attack, I had moved toward him, at the same I was reaching for his staff. I knew now these men didn’t belong to any clan; they were renegades, outcasts. Each of them wore a clan-ring in his right ear, but they were of different designs.
Earth science and those two years on the double-gravity planet in the Antares-system served me well. They had made me faster and stronger than an ordinary man. These poor devils had no chance against me.
Without effort I pulled my attacker off his mount, breaking his neck as I did so. Before the others realized what had happened I was in the saddle of the suddenly abandoned riding-animal and swinging the heavy Ginsa-staff. I drove it through the chest of one of them, at the same time cracking the skull of another with my left fist.
Seeing three of their companions dead in a matter of moments, the others hesitated.
One of them cried out: “He is the Night-demon himself, the Dark Hornless-one. We are lost.”
He turned and sped away, the bristles on his back stiff with fright.
The other two looked after him and spat. “Coward!”
I had given them time to think, not wishing to kill all of them, but they left me no choice. Parrying the first one’s thrust, I kicked him in the head with the blunt end of my staff. He fell backward, right into the point of his companion’s barbed weapon; but he was already dead, his face split open by the force of my thrust.
The last one looked at me, his yellow eyes mad with anger and fright. He dropped his Ginsa-staff and reached into his pouch for his blade. “Now I kill you, Sky-demon,” he screamed hoarsely and whipped his hand back for the throw.
I burned his head off with my blaster. His headless body tumbled off his steed and fell to the ground, without spilling a drop of blood, the wound cauterized by the searing heat. Sheathing the gun, I sighed. What I had done was not exactly legal, since the use of atomic weapons was quite restricted. Forbidden on Redsky.
But then--why take chances. There were no witnesses, anyway. Besides, I didn’t have to answer to anybody.
Up in the sky the first vultures were already gathering, eager to get on with the grisly feast. I gave the dead bodies one more glance, then I turned my mount toward Old Town. Without looking back I kicked my heels into the animal’s soft flanks.
“Welcome home,” I said to myself. “Nothing has changed.”
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Looking back and ahead - again
I've posted this before and suddenly it was gone. Like I said, I'm still trying to figure out the way this blogs works. I found it when I did a search.
I sent another story to Midnight Showcase 'Gin and Tonic'. It will be published in 'Summer Heat II' in August 2006.
I also sent in my 126,000 word novel 'Seeds of Chaos' to Midnight Showcase and received confirmation that it will be accepted. It will be published as two volumes, because of its wordlength.
I don't know when, though. I am happy that it will be printed. 'Seeds of Chaos' is an erotic Science Fiction novel and I had a lot of fun writing it. Jewel Adams from Midnight Showcase was quite excited about it.
Right now I am working on another Science Fiction novel: The Stardogs. So far I've written 55,000 words, but it is far from finished. Possibly another 30,000 words, at least.
I still don't quite know how to work this Blog. I wanted to put in some pictures, but I haven't figured out how. I guess I'll have to spend some time at it. Unfortunately, time is something that is in short supply. There is always something else to do.
Maybe in the future I will publish some of my short stories here and, of course, excerpts from my books.
By the way, is anyone actually reading this? Or am I just writing to satisfy my own ego. Is anyone out there??? Please, leave a comment or just a little note!! If you want to get in touch with me, my email address is: hegro@shaw.ca
Looking back and ahead.
Well--here we are in the year 2006. It is already February 4th today. I just realized I haven't updated my Blog for quite some time. Looking back over the last year, I am quite happy the way my writing career is developing. I had three stories published and signed contracts for three books. The stories received great reviews, so I know I'm on the right track. We'll see how my books will be received.
I sent another story to Midnight Showcase 'Gin and Tonic'. It will be published in 'Summer Heat II' in August 2006.
I also sent in my 126,000 word novel 'Seeds of Chaos' to Midnight Showcase and received confirmation that it will be accepted. It will be published as two volumes, because of its wordlength.
I don't know when, though. I am happy that it will be printed. 'Seeds of Chaos' is an erotic Science Fiction novel and I had a lot of fun writing it. Jewel Adams from Midnight Showcase was quite excited about it.
Right now I am working on another Science Fiction novel: The Stardogs. So far I've written 55,000 words, but it is far from finished. Possibly another 30,000 words, at least.
I still don't quite know how to work this Blog. I wanted to put in some pictures, but I haven't figured out how. I guess I'll have to spend some time at it. Unfortunately, time is something that is in short supply. There is always something else to do.
Maybe in the future I will publish some of my short stories here and, of course, excerpts from my books.
By the way, is anyone actually reading this? Or am I just writing to satisfy my own ego. Is anyone out there??? Please, leave a comment or just a little note!! If you want to get in touch with me, my email address is: hegro@shaw.ca
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