Neil O'Donnell

Writing: Finding Inspiration and Guidance

2012-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

For me, David Eddings and Dennis McKiernan remain incredible guides to the writing process. Not just because of the words they place in their novels, but becuase of their publishing of their experiences while developing their works. Their honesty in prologues and biographical statements made their writings more tangible, accessible. Through social media, I have now started to interact with other authors, some of whom have been similarly forthcoming with their experiences, which I think is a great learning tool for all authors. Two writers in particular, Kristen Lamb and Bob Mayer, consttently post advice that I have found useful (see http://kristenlamb.org/ http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/ http://www.bobmayer.org/). If you are looking for writing direction, their websites are a great place to start.

Hope in a Bottle

2012-01-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! The cover is in for my coming book, Hope in a Bottle. I will post details of publication dates as soon as they ae available.

So, did everyone have a great holiday season? Me, I spent much of my time sick and curled up on the couch (yeah, writing did not get done to any extent - it's hard to write when you have a sinus headache). As for the new year, I also didn't come up with any resolutions. For my part, just trying to be an all-around better husband, brother, uncle and person are daily objectives (no, I'm not always successful, but I do try). If you have set 'resolutions' for the year, I hope you remember one thing. We are all human, and any goals we set should leave room for change, change no only in circumstances but in our hopes and dreams. There is nothing wrong with falling short on a goal. Just make sure you take pride in your effort, dust yourself off, re-evaluate your objectives and move on. Best wishes to all!

2011-12-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hope in a Bottle

Prologue

It was to be a rewarding day. Yet, Debra found her waiting and the inevitable elation bittersweet; her mother would not be there to share in the moment.

Sitting on her front steps, Debra braved the nippy autumn morning to stand watch, awaiting the arrival of the day’s mail. While the chill of air and the cement steps made her vigil uncomfortable, heat from the sun’s rays that periodically pierced the clouds, along with draws from her coffee mug, helped her endure. The wait was not so terrible. The sounds of the fall season in Lancaster, New York, her home since birth, brought about happy memories. The sounds of lawn mowers and leaf blowers aside, Debra enjoyed the sound of children laughing as they dove into piles of leaves recently shed from their respective trees. The scent of burning leaves and wood burning fireplaces added to the nostalgia, providing additional comfort as her wait continued.

“Nothing like a western New York autumn,” Debra said, letting the air carry her words to no one in particular, words her mother said throughout Debra’s life. For long moments, she again went through memories of her mother. They were like twins, each with long, auburn hair, blue eyes and a slight frame that reached a height of five feet, five inches. Debra smirked, thinking of all the times people mistook her and her mother for sisters. The brief moment of joy was soon replaced by the reality of her mother’s death seven months earlier.

The heart attack was unexpected for a 54 year old who otherwise appeared healthy. Debra came home to find her mother on the floor, unresponsive. For three days, her mother remained in a coma before finally passing away in the early hours of the morning.

“I miss you, Mom,” Debra said aloud, fighting back the tears now welling up in her eyes. The familiar screech of the mail truck pulled her attention back to her vigil and the joy she awaited. Remaining seated, Debra watched the mail carrier stop at each of the three mailboxes that preceded hers. The squeal of the brakes and the sound of mailboxes opening and closing played in concert with the hum of the mail truck’s engine as it powered the oddly designed truck between stops. Finally, the mail truck stopped at Debra’s mailbox. Positioned nearly eighty feet from her house, Debra felt the mailbox might as well be a mile away for the time it took for this delivery to arrive. Then, after the mail carrier shoved Debra’s mail into the box, closed the box’s lid, waved and drove off, Debra started the walk.

After setting her coffee on the step, Debra walked slowly to her mailbox, feelings of euphoria clashing with the melancholy that seemed to appear every time she anticipated exciting news. Once at the mailbox, Debra rested her hand on the lid, delaying its opening as a flurry of worries went through her mind. What if it hadn’t arrived? What if they sent the wrong book? Debra pushed through those thoughts and opened the lid; the package was there, a life-long dream within. Rushing back to the porch, she grabbed her coffee before heading for the backyard where white flags demarcated the invisible fencing that contained Buster, the beagle puppy she adopted weeks early. Tail wagging, Buster ran to Debra’s side and jumped on to her lap as she sat in one of the red-stained Adirondack chair on the back deck.

“Here it is, Mom,” Debra said as she rested her hand on the cardboard-entomb paperback she spent years writing. Debra waited several moments examining the package before digging her nails into the tape that barred entry. Then, after a tussle with packing peanuts and shrink-wrap, Debra viewed the first finished copy of her novel, Rising Son. Born of her interest in Native American societies, which her mother encouraged, Debra used the historical fiction framework to detail the forced relocation of Native Americans during the nineteenth century. While working on her Anthropology degree at Buffalo State College, she spent a considerable amount of time visiting museums and historical societies where she examined the diaries and journals of Native Americans forced to relocate and those who orchestrated the action.

“Is that it?” a voice asked, startling Debra. Turning towards the back door, Debra saw her Aunt Becca, who exited the house and sat in one of the other chairs on the patio. After composing herself, Debra answered.

“I read a few chapters to Mom that last day. At least she heard some of it.” Becca, Debra’s only maternal aunt, looked nothing like her mother. Becca stood six feet tall, had short, blond hair and was rather quiet. Yet, for all the differences, the compassion of their family flowed in Becca as well.

“I have no doubt your mother looked over your shoulder as you read and edited every line of the proof. She’s read it, and I know she is so proud of you.”

“I just wish I could see her hold it,” Debra said in reply. Becca’s heart ached for both her sister and her niece. Yet, she could think of no words to console either. Pulling Debra into a hug, Becca let long held tears flee her eyes as Debra did the same. Buster, now calmed a bit, sat and watched his human handlers as they wept. Soon, he too displayed sadness, letting a whimper resonate for a long moment. Aunt and niece both laughed as they turned to look at the sullen beagle whose tail suddenly rocked the small canine body.

“I tell you what,” Becca said, as she stood and pulled Debra to her feet. “Your uncle won’t be home for a couple hours yet. Why don’t I throw a few sandwiches in a backpack and we can go each lunch and read in Como Park, by the creek? Your mother and I used to do that all the time. I figure you could read a chapter or two to your mom. Sound good?” Debra nodded. Arm in arm, niece and aunt went into the house to prepare their impromptu picnic before heading to the park.

***

Ham and cheese sandwiches, washed down with raspberry iced-tea, preempted a run around the park by Becca and a stroll to the creek bed by Debra. Spreading out a blanket, Debra opened her book to the dedication. The tears came quickly.

“To Mom,” she said, reading the words she intended to be a part of every dedication. Flipping to the acknowledgments, Debra looked over the list of people who provided her the support to get through the last few months; her aunt, her agent and the editor who spent ample time making sure the final print was polished and something Debra would be proud of. After finding energy in her supports, Debra started to read aloud the first chapter, laughing at the hidden jokes laced throughout the text, jokes only Debra and her mother would get. Minutes later, the chapter finished, Debra closed the book before looking skyward.

“Can you see this, Mom?” she asked, her sorrow in full swing once more. Debra looked to the water, watching the current for direction away from her thoughts. First, she eyed a fish circling just below the surface. Her eyes then darted to a small branch that glided along the current at a slow and steady pace until it wedged between a cluster of rocks where a plastic, 20 oz pop bottle was likewise trapped. For long moments, she watched the bottle bob in and out of the water, the current and rocks isolating the bottle to the area. Standing, Debra gained a better view of the bottle. While adhesive and bits of its plastic label remained affixed to the bottle, no discernible marks were visible. Its shape and maroon cap reminded her of the Dr. Pepper she drank daily. Yet, the flavor of the contents failed to interest her once she saw the note inside the bottle. Removing her shoes and rolling up her pant legs, Debra wadded into the cold water, maneuvering over the slick shale that lined the creek bed. Her progress slow, it took nearly ten minutes to bridge the thirty plus feet to the bottle. Once there, she pulled the bottle from its snare; the seal was intact, but the note inside was folded over so she could not read the message. After unscrewing the cap, Debra wiped hr hand on her pant leg before shaking the note out onto her palm. Securing the bottle under her arm, she then opened the note and read aloud its fateful message.

“A mother’s pride in her child is all knowing and everlasting!” Tears of hope and joy flooded Debra’s eyes as she again looked skyward, peering beyond a lone seagull that circled overhead.

“Thank you, Mom,” Debra said. “I love you.” In time, Debra framed the note and hung it over the roll top desk where she ultimately penned all her future manuscripts, never once doubting her mother was watching on with pride.

Chapter 1

William Sullivan stared out the back window of the taxi, watching his sisters and brother wave goodbye, and then vanish, as the taxi turned onto Seneca Street. He could never have imagined it would be the last time he would see them.

William was embarking on a journey to South America to help build schoolhouses and shelters for a remote village devastated by two hurricanes, which pummeled the region in a span of three weeks. Thousands were dead or missing and presumed dead; rescue efforts were now replaced by recovery and reconstruction activities.

William carried with him a leather satchel his brother gave him when he graduated Buffalo State College. William’s studies focused on archaeology, so his older brother thought William needed a bag like what Indiana Jones carried in Raiders of the Lost Ark. His crate of clothes and books forwarded the previous day, William only carried two pairs of khakis, three pair of socks, three pair of boxers, and two white, long sleeved, button-down trail shirts like those travelers wore on safaris. For comfort and distraction, he tucked a vinyl case amongst his clothes, which contained his two most cherished books along with the rosary he received on his First Communion. With a pair of deck shoes, a journal, and a few pens stuffed into a side compartment, William felt prepared for the journey south, though anxiety over his work consumed him. Would he be able to provide comfort for those who grieved? Would he be able to withstand the death spread throughout the region? Would he bring hope to those he served? Answers to his questions would come soon enough.

After reaching the airport, William headed into line to be scanned and questioned about his travels. After thirty minutes of waiting and removing and re-donning his belt and shoes, he walked straight to the terminal after first getting a cup of McDonald’s coffee.

“Last chance for the good stuff,” William said as he choked the coffee with sugar and milk before taking a seat outside the gate. He leaned far back in his chair and gazed at the disorganized activity that consumed the runway just outside the windows. People, fuel trucks and carted luggage appeared to encroach on each other’s space leading to a frenzy of curses the terminal’s glass windows failed to silence.

“Great view,” William muttered before taking a few sips from his coffee.

“Traveling far, Father?” an elderly woman asked as she sat in the chair across from William. Suddenly very aware of the collar about his neck and his black suit, William was taken aback. His ordination just days earlier, he still found the title an awkward change years in the seminary failed to prepare him for.

“I’ll be above the clouds for the better part of the next two days,” he said as he considered the trek to a Brazilian village he first heard of only weeks earlier.

“At least you’ll be closer to God, Father,” she said, before she pulled out a book, ending their impromptu conversation.

“Indeed,” William replied as he returned his attention to the chaos outside.

***

Never a fan of flying, William clawed into his armrests as the mounting storm jilted the twin prop plane carrying him on the last leg of his journey. Seven others, the pilot included, struggled to stay in their seats. The plane, appearing to have been last serviced by the Wright brothers, had the aerodynamics of a semi-trailer, which explained why passengers and crew alike gripped onto their seats as if their hands were vices. However, with the plane lacking constraining seatbelts, several passengers were thrown to the cabin floor by the conflict between inertia and gravity. For the first time in his life, William actually saw passengers use the vomit-bags the airline provided.

“Please, please stay in your seats!” the pilot called out over the intercom, first in Spanish and then in English. “We should be out of the storm soon.” Based on the pilot’s distraught tone, William guessed things were about to get a lot worse. Gripping the armrests tighter, William peered out the window by his seat looking for any sliver of hope the plane would reach calm skies. Yet, the craft seemed to head only deeper into the mix of grey and black clouds. A number of passengers, William included, started praying, seeking hope through their collective faith.

Then suddenly, all hope vanished.

Lightning struck, seemingly at several parts of the plane simultaneously, and for an instant, the world seemed on fire. Another bolt then struck the tail section, shearing off several outer plates and forcing the plane into an upward climb, stalling the engines. At the mercy of the growing winds, the plane somersaulted before plunging into a dive. Amidst the screams of the other passengers, William heard the pilot cursing the plane, and for a second, the young priest watched the pilot pull back on the yoke in a last ditch effort to level the aircraft’s descent. Then, all was quiet.

Not a sound resonated through William’s ears as his mind latched on his childhood home and the image of yellow, burnt orange and crimson leaves falling from the maples lining the property’s borders. He walked between the two silver maples nearest the house where he spent many autumn afternoons reading and writing. The sun gleaming, William felt at peace.

“So this is Heaven,” William whispered as he reached to catch one of the leaves mid flight. The leaf gently rested in his hand, its descent ended.

“Padre!” cried out a voice in his mind. “Padre!” called out the voice again, this time pulling William from his vision back to reality.
Tepid salt water slapped William seconds before the lone flight attendant did.

“Get up, Padre! We’ve gotta go, NOW!” She had already unbuckled his seatbelt and pulled William to his feet. Emergency lights, few and far between, provided the only illumination, but it was enough to see the water rising as quickly as people were exiting the plane. Suddenly the plane rocked, knocking William into the now empty seat across from his. His satchel, jarred loose by the plane’s abrupt movements, fell from the overhead storage compartments and into his lap.

“Ahora, Padre!” the flight attendant screamed as she rushed towards the nearest exit. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, William struggled towards the doorway where the pilot now stood, the only other person remaining on the plane. The pilot wasted no time. He grabbed William, pushing the young priest out the doorway before exiting himself; they both fell beneath the turbulent waves bombarding the sinking aircraft.

For long moments, William was lost in the cool, churning ocean, not knowing which direction the water’s surface lay. Fate intervened once more as he felt something grab hold of his left arm and pull him above water.

“Father, are you all right?” the pilot asked as William fought for air amidst his coughing up salt water. He nodded after a moment as his breath grew regular in pace.

“We’re all here, captain!” the flight attendant exclaimed as the pilot grabbed onto the nearest of two inflatable rafts now bobbing in the water. She smiled at the captain; at least they all survived the crash.

“Where’s the third raft?” the pilot asked, only seeing two small rafts overburdened with passengers.

“It had a tear; it sank!” she replied, the smile now gone. The last raft had barely room for one more occupant.

“Father, get in! Leave your bag!” the pilot exclaimed as he started to lift William by his collar.

“Tell my wife and daughters, I love them!” he yelled to the flight attendant. She simply nodded as she pulled on William’s collar trying to lift the priest the last couple inches into the raft. Yet, William was not willing to reach the safety of the crowded craft.
Brushing aside the flight attendant’s hand, William pushed off the raft and into the grip of the water and the pilot.

“FATHER, GET IN!” the exasperated pilot exclaimed as he tried to lift William back into the raft. Then, for a moment, the winds and water seemed but a distant distraction. The two men, priest and pilot, locked eyes as peace filled them both.

“Your daughters need you,” William said, his visage reflecting nothing but calm. William then smiled. “Go,” William then said before he pushed away from the pilot and the raft. A giant wave quickly covered the priest, and in its wake, no sight of William remained.

“FATHER!” the pilot called out. Yet, William was beyond earshot. After several long seconds of peering into the darkness, the pilot finally got into the raft where he and the passengers would spend the next day while the storm passed. As the waters calmed and the sun rose, their vision reached greater distances, but there was no sign of Father William Sullivan. After they were rescued and brought to shore, the pilot immediately contacted William’s family, an action he dreaded but knew he alone must do. The lone casualty of the crash, William’s family took some solace that their brother’s final act saved the pilot. The pilot, meanwhile, made his way home to be with his family. He swore he would remember the priest always. Like William’s family, the pilot offered remembrances to William throughout the rest of his life, speaking of how the young priest had kept him whole for his family. They collectively toasted William’s life, never knowing William’s life was far from over.

Chapter 2

The wave drove William away from the rafts and into the heart of the storm, where calm reigned. It was surreal for the young priest. All about him waves churned, casting cream tops across every wave, while stars above cast a luminous veil revealing hope. Wreckage from the plane floated about William including two life vests, a trench coat and a number of bags of chips and peanuts. He attempted to reach for the nearest life vest first, but William struggled to swim; his satchel, surprisingly still slung over his shoulder, made it difficult to propel himself through the water. After adjusting to the satchel’s bulk, William made it to the life vest, which he the pulled over his head before tying its attached straps about his waist.

“Thank God!” William exclaimed as a bit of relief set in. It was short lived as the zone of calm started to collapse. Fearing a loss of the bounty floating about, William swam straight for the food, which he clumsily gathered and stuffed into his satchel’s main compartment. Then, after slinging the second life vest over his shoulder, William reached the coat.

“Never turn aside a gift from God,” William said as he gathered the beige coat into a ball and pulled it to his chest, just before the calm collapsed; William was back in the storm. The next few hours he rode out an amalgamation of torrid winds, pelting rain and monstrous waves, the latter of which routinely knocked the wind out of William. He vowed to fight on as long as God gave him strength, determination that helped him shake off the storm’s fury throughout the night.

Yet, fear of reality remained ever-present.

As a child, William thought of pursuing marine biology to study sharks or archaeology to study America’s prehistoric past. His interest in archaeology won out in college, but his knowledge of sharks remained extensive given his years reading everything he could about sharks from encyclopedia articles to books. That knowledge told him to worry. Miles from any coast, William knew the nearest “man-eating” shark likely swam only yards away and would notice the priest after the seas calmed. Once the storm passed, the race of the searchers would begin. William’s hope was in any rescuers sent by the airlines, but his money was on the sharks.

Hours passed as did the storm. By the time the sun crept over the horizon, the clouds were sparse and the waves placid; perfect conditions for spotting planes or dorsal fins.

“Mother of God,” William uttered as the sun first fully broke above the water. With wisps of stratus clouds the only obstructions, the sun cast its orange-yellow rays virtually unchallenged, an awe-inspiring sight William would remember always. Then terror struck.
The water’s surface exploded behind William, jarring him from his thoughts and causing him to twist around and hold out the balled up jacket for protection. He extended the jacket just in time to deflect a charging, wayward tuna. William laughed.

“I guess that makes me the chicken of the sea,” he mused as his breathing slowed within norm. Once calmed, William determined he should keep up his strength. Pulling his satchel above the water’s surface, he scanned into the main pocket where he placed the chips and peanuts recovered from the plane crash. The effort uncovered a half-empty bottle of Pepsi. Parched, his favorite drink seemed appealing, but the caffeine posed another threat; dehydration.

“Well, it’s got water in it,” he said before taking a swig of the cola. The acidic liquid burned its way down William’s throat. He then recapped the twenty-four ounce bottle before pulling out and opening a bag of peanuts. “Starve or dehydrate?” he asked himself before ingesting a mouthful. He spit out the peanuts seconds later as a dorsal fin broke the surface of the water heading straight for him. William froze. The fin swam closer. Thirty feet… Twenty feet… Ten feet…

The fin’s owner, a seven foot, blue shark, vaulted out of the water, propelled by the upward rush of a bottle-nosed dolphin. After splashing back into the sea, the shark moved off.

“You, you don’t see that everyday,” William said between breaths. Then, just when his breathing settled, a new visitor stole it.
A dolphin’s snout popped out of the water five feet from him, chattering on like a long-lost, old friend. Soon three other dolphins joined in the conversation while another two jumped out of the water, their course set towards the fleeing shark.

“I don’t suppose any of you speak English?” William asked. The dolphins just continued chatting, their message still indecipherable. William, for a moment, laughed at his company before his heart broke and tears flowed from his eyes, which silenced the dolphins. After bobbing in the water for a few more seconds, the dolphins disappeared into the blue.

“Don’t go! PLEASE!” William attempted to swim on in their direction, but his bulk and lack of fins made pursuit impossible. “WAIT!” William cried out, as frustration and hopelessness took hold again. Yet, the awe of the moment returned within seconds as one of the dolphins broke the water’s surface and appeared to fly. “A life’s worth of wonder in minutes,” William thought. He laughed and then looked skyward. “Thank you.”
As if in response, a dolphin rose out of the water at William’s side and began nudging into the priest with his pectoral fin. Befuddled, William reached out slowly to pet the dolphin’s head, but the dolphin did not cease prodding him in the gut with its fin. Curious, William gently, but firmly, grasped the dolphin’s dorsal fin after which the dolphin propelled itself forward. Twice William lost his grip, and both times the dolphin returned for him. In time, the dolphin slowed before diving away from William; another dolphin then appeared to takes its place. The rotation of members of the pod continued for what seemed like hours until an island appeared on the horizon.

Chapter 3

William’s flight with the dolphins brought unique awareness to the priest. Previously concerned with potential predators lurking in the depths and signaling rescue craft, William never truly observed the ocean itself. His journey with the dolphin pod changed that.
The water was a rich, deep hue of blue unlike anything he ever observed, almost a melding of a summer sky and the feathers of the blue birds that often visited his backyard in Buffalo. Looking down, the edge of his vision registered a darkness beyond midnight, with only a hint of any shade of blue remaining. He suddenly feared that depth. What lay beyond in the darkness?
Light soon broke through the depths, casting shadows over the canyon walls now visible to his tired, brown eyes. Dividing his gaze between the depths and the approaching island, William watched as the distant ocean floor gave way to sand dunes punctuated by schools of unknown species, merely specks to his eyes. The submerged terrain then jumped up towards William and his companions; they were now less than fifty yards from the beach. Abruptly, the dolphin he rode bolted away, leaving William to tread in water just over seven feet deep. Looking around, he watched as the curved dorsal fins of the dolphins danced amidst the waves, almost as if they were playing chase.
“Thank you,” William said, before turning towards the beach and swimming towards the beach. With the trench coat wrapped around his left hand and the extra life vest straddling his right shoulder, the effort was awkward, but progressing. William heard chirping sounds vocalized by the pod, which seemed to move in pace with the priest.
“Let’s see you swim with this stuff,” William said between breaths, wondering if the chirps were bursts of laughter from his companions.
He reached the shallows minutes after he started his crawl. The moment his shoes touch the pliable sand, William relaxed his arms before sprinting to the beach where he collapsed.
“Thank you, Father,” William whispered as he kissed the dry land before flipping over onto his back. Up towards the sky he looked, squinting as the sunlight reached out to everything. “Thank you, God,” he said once more as his breathing calmed. Above, seagulls soared, calling out as if in welcome. He knew he was safe.
Chirping from the ocean dragged William from his meditations. Propping himself up, the now sand-covered priest from the Buffalo Diocese looked out towards his rescuers who were jumping out of the water twenty yards from shore. He stood up and ran to the water’s edge, his arms waving in jubilation.
“THANK YOU!” William cried as he watched the pod move off to the north. “Bless you my friends,” he then whispered before a sudden sadness overwhelmed him. William was now alone.

***

A chill wind raked across the island finding every crevice amidst the foliage and rock that called the land home. At its peak, the wind generated a hollow whistle as it crossed the leaves and grasses. Scanning the landscape, William struggled to identify the vegetation. Certainly not the mixed forests of western New York, yet a familiar peace filled the air. Then, as if on cue from the conductor, birds added their whistles to the unfolding symphony. The lonely island now seemed rich with life, and William instantly felt at home.

“Well, time to explore,” William said as he started to remove the clothes he had worn for days. Every bit of clothing he had was wet, but putting on a different shirt and pair of pants was refreshingly life affirming as the dead don’t change clothes. First rinsing clean of the sand he accumulated in the surf, William put on one of his travel shirts, a pair of khakis and his deck shoes. Then, while stuffing his black, priest garments into the satchel, he came across a baseball cap he forgot he packed. The worn cap was his father’s and bore a patch from the bakery his father worked for during William’s childhood; Arnold’s Bakery.

“I miss you, Dad,” he said as memories of going on delivery runs with his father remained joyful recollections; stocking supermarket shelves, going to Poor Bob’s Restaurant for giant hamburgers, and listening to his father’s tales about time spent riding horses and exploring the outdoors of Glenwood. Donning the hat backwards, William flipped through his memories while deciding what to eat for his first substantial “meal” on the island. “I’ll have peanuts with a side of Doritos,” he joked as he pulled out two snack bags and his bottle of Pepsi, which still contained a few gulps of the drink. Taking his hat off, Father William said grace before devouring the foodstuffs. William then packed up his belongings before heading to the island’s interior in search of fresh water and, hopefully, help.

The trek was not easy. The vegetation appeared determined to obstruct any passage along the ground, almost as if to protect some ancient treasure or civilization from would-be invaders. With only his hands as implements, William pulled at vines, bushes and gigantic networks of tree limbs in search of holes he could maneuver through. In what seemed an hour, William covered only about a hundred feet of the mixed forest, a revelation that allowed frustration to set in. In a moment of furry, William ripped into the nearest cluster of vines and pushed forward, which ultimately resulted in him stumbling through the vines and landing soundly on his back.

“Ahhh! There’s got to be a better way,” William said as he stared upwards towards the poplar and conifer treetops that now appeared like skyscrapers over a city street. The illusion was enhanced by the sudden cry of a seagull that sounded like a taxi driver leaning on his car horn. The gray-winged gull, capped with snow-white feathers, floated down to a branch several feet above the priest before continuing to squawk and call out what William assumed were fits of laughter.

“You’ve got it easy; all you have to do is flap those wings!” William cursed mildly as he propped himself to rest on his elbows. The seagull took exception with the priest’s scolding and flew down to William’s chest to register its displeasure. First squawking loudly, the seagull then pecked at William’s chest grabbing potato chip crumbs before flying back to its previous perch.

“That’s it, keep eating. You’ll make a great supper some day,” William said, amused at his new companion’s lack of table manners. The bird ignored him.
After spending minutes watching the seagull struggle to swallow the crumbs it snagged, William stood up and brushed off sand he accumulated during his fall. “Well, it could be worse,” William whispered as he finished brushing his clothes off. The sudden rustling of grass and ferns only feet away told William he was about to find out just how bad things could get. Backing up a few feet away from the disturbance, William looked for a defensive tool, finally locking his eyes on a fallen branch from a nearby poplar. Picking up the yard-long timber, William gripped it like a baseball bat while praying he had the courage to confront the unseen interloper.

“I think we’ve got company,” William said as he looked up to the seagull. His avian tormentor shook its head as if in response before flying off. “Chicken,” William cursed as he tightened his grip on the impromptu club, his knuckles whitened by the sudden loss of blood circulation through his hands. “Better not be a polar bear,” William whispered as the mass of grass before him started to part. The beast from the shadows then revealed its head, teeth exposed.

“AH!” William exclaimed, his whole body quivering. The tiny, gray rabbit that emerged from the grass, meanwhile, seemed indifferent to the human presence as it continued munching on the surrounding blades of grass. Between heavy gasps for breath, William laughed.

Hope

2011-12-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hope is a powerful force we all need. It's also a powerful force we can all easily share with others. My next book (a novella) dealing with the spread of hope will be released soon.

November Success

2011-12-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

So here we are, December 1st. As for the November Project? I completed a Novella titled HOPE IN A BOTTLE. It's about a priest who finds a way to encourage others even while he's stuck on a desrted island, his only companions a seagull and a rabbit (both of whom are more comic relief than companion). For me, this writing exercise has been rather uplifting as it permitted me to put in words struggles I've faced and the advice/support I received that helped me make it through. Edited and forwarded to my publisher, I'm hoping the book will be accepted and published in the coming months. Regardless, this project has been quite worthwhile, bringing me some closure and a renewed sense of Hope. I hope readers will get a sense of Hope from the book once it is released. Take care everyone!

Best wishes to everyone through the Christmas and Holiday Season!

Changing directions mid-novel

2011-11-07T05:26:00.000-08:00

So, you spend all this time outlining what you plan to write, including generating a list of events and the order they occur. Then, through no fault of your own, you change direction after chapter one. Oh Boy!!!

I've joined the mass of authors attempting to write a novel in a month's time (November). After working out the ending, I realized that the ending worked better as the beginning. Am I nuts? Well, yes, but that's besides the point! TThe action of writing outlines first and developing a list of characters who are deeply developed before putting pen to paper has made the change not so big a deal. The outlining process itself is often the hardest part, because we spend time getting familiar with the characters were about to spean 80,000 words of time with. The changes that occur along the way are to be expected. As long as you've put in some prep time, all is usually good.

NaNo Write Month

2011-11-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

It's November, which means it's time for crazy authors to attempt to write an entire novel (minimum of 50,000 words) in one month. For the first time, I've decided to join in, though I've put a little twist on things (I know, shocking).

I'm working on two novels while also continue to do fact checking for another work. The first novel, Hope in a Bottle, is the novel I started on November 1st; it's the primary manuscript I'm working on for the month. It's a tale of individuals facing overwhelming challenges only to find guidance from bottles, which contain messages of hope inside. Currently, the first chapter was a bit much for a first chapter; I'll probably make it the 3rd or 4th - we'll see.

The other novel is Calling Wren. I've talked about and outlined this story constantly. Thankfully, it's now making significant progress. My goal is to have both completed by November 30th. Wish me luck!

Writing a Novel in a Month

2011-10-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

November is a month when authors world-wide attempt to write an entire novel in one month. I plan on joining the movement for the first time this November. I have two manuscripts I will be attempting to complete. The first is a book on the Prehistoric Occupations of Western New York. The second, which I have tentatively titled HOPE IN A BOTTLE, is an inspirational tale that will show the positive impact kind words can have on a person. I will try to post weekly updates of my progress on the blog. Wish me luck. Happy Halloween!!!

Updates - chapters posted

2011-09-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! The site has been redesigned a bit, and I have posted the 1st two chapters of CALLING WREN on the right side of the blog. Let me know what you think of the story so far.

I have been making additional progress on the novel and am hoping to have the first draft completed by November. As for RISE OF THE CELTS, my progress is going slower. Once I complete CALLING WREN, I will be able to focus almost entirely on the continuing journeys of the people of Tropal. In the mean time, I open the floor (or the blog, as it were) to any feedback from readers. What themes do you like to see in stories? What character strengths and/or weakness do you think are essential to a story?

Time finally for Writing!!!

2011-08-19T13:27:00.001-07:00

Summers are the longest most challenging time of my work year, and the tough part is almost over. What does that mean? It means I'm finally going to have more time to write.

I've blogged about the projects I am working on, but I finally will have the opportunity to polish up the bits I've been writing. Happy Friday everyone! By the way, check out the 1st 2 chapters of CALLING WREN posted below.

Writing Time

2011-08-06T03:23:00.000-07:00

Summer's are tough for me. Between my inability to tolerate temperatures above 70 degrees and the summer program my office puts on for incoming freshmen, I have little time to write. Yet, now that the summer program is over, writing can beginagain. On my plate are two fiction pieces; RISE OF THE CELTS and CALLING WREN. My hope is to have several chapters of each completed by Tuesday. I will post the firstc chapters of each next week to give readers a tase of the stories.

New Release

2011-06-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few months with writing. Rcently, my publsher accepted another of my books for publication. The book is titled Secrets to Attaining College Success, which is currently in ebook format only. As a professional tutor and academic advisor, the book contains tips on how to make it through college with good grades and a solid retention of class material/information. A support website for the book can be found at http://collegesuccess101.blog.com/; this blog will have information in addition to the book's material. As with VLARA'S SONG, my earnings from Secrets to Attaining College Success will be sent by my publisher directly to a not-for-profit institution that I care deeply about. This time, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society (BECHS) will be receiving the funds. BECHS is one of the oldest museums in the country and contains artifacts from important moments in history including the Pan-American Exposition (including artifacts related to the assassination of President McKinley and TR's Innauguration), the War of 1812, Buffalo's great industrial past, and sports -related artifacts from the Bills, Sabres, Bisons, Braves and other buffalo teams.

BECHS is also the place where I first gained fulltime employment as an archaeologist. While I no longer work at BECHS, the collections remain dear to me, which is why I asked my publisher to forward my royalties from this work to BECHS.

Vlara's Song

2011-04-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well, here's hoping Vlara likes her new adventures!

VLARA'S SONG and BELLWOOD, OCD AND ME, were just released in paperback! As for the OCD memoir, if you're battling OCD as well, please know there is a tremendous amount of assistance available for all of us. Yes, there are days the OCD Beast gets me flustered, but since getting assistance from my doctors, OCD has become so much more manageable.

As for VLARA'S SONG, each short story included in this anthology has a few notes added afterwards, which detail my motivations for the stories. For me, using the short story format is a great way to develop characters and themes. For those looking to write their own tales, I highly recommend they try their hand at short stories first; great writing exercise for any author! A last note regarding VLARA'S SONG; in appreciation for all that Buffalo State College has done for me, all of my earnings from the anthology will be donated to Buffalo State College. In supporting the book, readers will be supporting a great institution of higher education. Take care and Happy Easter!!!

OCD and Me - Proof Edited

2011-04-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well, my patient publisher has the edited proof of the paperback version of BELLWOOD, OCD AND ME in his capable hands. VLARA'S SONG, is also in the process of being finalized in paperback form. No, this is not an April Fool's joke! :) Now, the weekend ahead of me, I will be turning towards CALLING WREN, and maybe a little sleep. Best regards to all.

OCD Memoir cover Completed

2011-03-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

The draft cover for my memoir arrived today. The conversion from PDF to JPG skewed things a wee bit, but the image posted here should give readers a good view of the book. I'm hoping others battling OCD will read my memoir and see that they are not alone and that there is help available. I will keep everyone posted as the book is finalized.

Books, Books and More Books

2011-02-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

Well, one anthology has been released from my publisher (A-Argus), titled THE AUTHORS' GIFT - author proceeds going to 'Reach Out and Read'. This anthology is a compilation of short stories written by a number of A-Argus authors. The anthology includes 3 of my short stories. In addition to those short stories, I have an anthology of my own coming out son, which includes the complete novella VLARA'S SONG. The author proceeds from this anthology will be going to my Alma Mater, Buffalo State College.

Lastly, I am completing a memoir on my life-long battle with Obessessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD). As of now, a colleague is writing a Foreword. Once that's complete, the memoir will be submitted. I never thought I'd write a memoir, but I am hoping this will help others battling OCD to seek help.

What am I writing next? Two major works are in progress. First, I am continuing to work on RISE OF THE CELTS, which is a follow-up to my first novel (events in this 'sequel' occur 400 years after events in PEOPLE OF THE SWORD). I'm about a third of the way through it, with a completed outline of what will occur in this book and it's sequel.

I am also working on a historical fiction piece titled, CALLING WREN. This work focuses on the Iroquoian populations of the Niagara Frontier who preceded the Seneca and the entire Haudenosaunee. This work is based on my archaeological research; this is the only historical fiction piece I am planning to ever do.

Well, there is my update on things. I hope all is well with everyone!

Anthology being released soon!

2011-01-05T08:42:00.000-08:00

My publisher, A-Argus, is releasing an anthology of short stories, which icludes several of mine. The anthology is titled AUTHORS' GIFT, because the proceeds will be given to a reading charity.

Authors' Gift: A collection of thrilling, exciting and stimulating short stories by several of A-Argus Books well-known authors who have banded together to create a gift of their best work for the benefit of a worthy nonprofit foundation, the "Reach-Out-And-Read" organization. From the spooky first story by Samantha Shu to the spine-tingling finale by K. Patrick Malone, these authors entertain, enthrall and exhilarate as they use their magnificent talents to generate funds for the Reach-Out-And-Read folks, as each author has donated his or her entire earnings to this nonprofit organization.

***REACH OUT AND READ***(www.reachoutandread.org) Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children; serving more than 3.9 million families each year.

Vlara's Song continues

2010-12-16T10:15:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! I hope your holiday activities aren't too overwhelming!

I just posted three new chapters of 'VLARA'S SONG' on the blog. I would appreciate any feedback readers provide. As of now, I am nearing completion of the entire story (I plan on posting the entire story on the blog after it is completed and my reader has read the entire manuscript. The story (novella length) will be the anchor story for an anthology. All Author proceeds from the anthology will be donated to an institution that's dear to my heart: Buffalo State College. A dear friend has been working on cover ideas, which I think are amazing. All in all, I'm hoping to have everything ready for the publisher by February.

That said, I have been working on another project that means a great deal to me. I submitted a short memoir concerning my experience battlling OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). I have been battling OCD my whole life and only recently (June 2007) asked for assistance. I hoped that writing about my experiences would help encourage other OCD sufferers to not wait like I did to speak up and ask for help. I've come to accept that I needed assistance in dealing with OCD and realize it takes strength to ask for help. If you know anyone suffering from OCD or any anxiety disorder, encourage them to seek help.

As for my memoir (titled: BELLWOOD, ME AND OCD), I will update everyone when I am informed of its release date. Best wishes to everyone for Merry tidings in the coming weeks and year.

Let it Snow!!!

2010-12-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Buffalo area is finally getting snow, which has been very uplifting for me. I've written more in the last two weeks (since the snow started to fall) than I had in the previous 6 months or so. VLARA'S SONG is nearly complete. It will be compiled with short stories (an anthology); publication aimed towards the Spring. Author proceeds of the book I am planning on donating to my alma mater (Buffalo State College) - I will give you specifics when the book is set to print. Additionally, A-Argus, my publisher, is publishing an anthology of short stories (3 of my shorts are in the anthology). Proceeds of that anthology are going to 'Reach out and Read.' This anthology should be out soon; I will post you when it hits shelves. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season!

p.s. I will post additional chapters of Vlara's Song in the next two weeks. Take care.

And the writing continues...

2010-09-17T09:30:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. The start of the academic year is intense leaving little time to blog, let alone time to write fiction. Now, with drop/add over and classes moving along, I'll be able to post blogs more regularly and work on the sequels in the evenings (nothing like writing while NCIS is on TV). As a quick note, 'VLARA'S SONG' is progressing as is RISE OF THE CELTS. I also have two books in my publisher's hands which will hopefully be out by January. Hoping all is well with everyone.

Sincerely,
Neil

Environmenatl Details

2010-08-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

Environmental details in which a story unfolds are crucial to a reader's enjoyment/understanding of the story. Considering the details [from the writer's perspective] also helps in finding the best way to take a story. Any time a writer is stuck on which direction a story should take, taking time to expand upon the environmental details can often assist the writer in finding the best, most believable path for the story to take.

Those are not the only environmental details an author should consider...

I found myself struggling throughout July to get my thoughts onto paper. This weekend proved to be similarly difficult for writing as I tried to get thru the 1st chapter of a new novel I'm working on. I was sitting in the same seat I wrote PEOPLE OF THE SWORD in and at the same time of day I found to be conducive to my writing. After hours of staring at the computer screen getting out little bits of detail, but no dialogue, I made one change and, suddenly, the words started to flow. You see, while I was writing my first book, my wife was always in the room working on her exhibit scripts while a DVD of NCIS episodes was playing in the background. When my wife got home, we put in NCIS and immediately I made progress. Moral of the posting - keep careful track of all the little things [regarding your environment] that make writing easier. From my experience, writer's block usually happens when such environmental details are overlooked.

Calling Wren

2010-08-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

OK, as if three novels at once wasn't enough...

I'm currently putting my archaeological experience to work while writing a histoical fiction piece titled 'Calling Wren.' The story follows an Erie Iroquoian who is captured by the Seneca. The time-frame of the novel is 1655 (late fall) thru Spring of 1656 and will cover the disperion of the Erie confederacy at the hands of the Haudenosaune (the 5 nations commonly called 'the Iroquois). Calling Wren is the captured Erie, and thru him, readers will get a glimpse at Iroquoian culture and the historical events that precipitated the Erie's demise. My longhouse research will play heavily in the construction of Erie society and their relations to neighboring Native American Nations. I'll update the blog as I complete more; chapter 1 is already near completion. Take care.

Show don't Tell?

2010-07-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

'Show don't Tell' your reader... words I've heard or seen in print for a long time. Authors, editors, agents, teachers, professors and a host of other "experts" bash writers over the heads with these words, like Yoda scolding Luke or something. Funny thing; I'm not so sure anyone understands what "show don't tell" actually means. Or, maybe it's better to say not everyone agrees on what those words mean.

This past week, I looked in books and on numerous blogs/sites in an attempt to find some consistency on this topic. I gotta tell ya, there are a lot of mixed opinions out there. In some instances, "experts" describe "showing" as dialogue and "telling" as narration. In other places, it was the exact opposite. What the Frak?!!!

I'm not gonna bother hammering writers with some diatribe on what I define as "showing" or "telling." Instead, I'll simply state this. Write what works for you. Read over authors whose work you've enjoyed. Do you prefer a lot of dialogue or a good amount of narration. I've actually revised a portion of writings at a publishers and/or agents suggestion only to have another publisher and/or agent say the structure was better the way I had it. Write in a style that works for you and get further direction from sources you trust (writer's groups) and the agent/publsiher that ultimately takes you under their wing. You should also pay heed to feedback from publishers and agents that give you any feedback. But remember, there will always be someone else out there that believes in "show don't tell" differently.

Annoying, isn't it?

Going Historical

2010-07-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

With the next fantasy book and Vlara's song moving along, I decided 'why not add to the pressure?' My anthropological research focuses on the prehistoric Native populations that inhabited Western New York. After compiling years of data thru archaeological excavations and archival research (basically digging in the dirt and looking at objects on dusty shelves), I now have enough data to write a dissertation of sorts. As for the format, I chose a format that people would prefer reading over a 300 page research paper. This new book, titled 'Calling Wren,' will focus on the Erie nation, which were an Iroquoian speaking population eventually driven away by the Haudenosaunee (the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Mohawk - the Tuscarora had not joined the Iroquois Confederacy as yet). My hope is to show the unique differences between the various native populations while also detailing the common cultural practices shared by them all. My hope is to have the novel completed by the Fall. Of course, it may take me that long just to develop the character sketches. Hope all is well with everyone.

Character Development

2010-07-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

As with any part of writing, there are endless ways to accomplish a tak, including character development. For me, characters have to be real. Real in the sense that my main characters (and most of the secondary ones) resemble 'characters' I've met in life. No, this doesn't mean I've actually met wizards in real life. Yet, the complexities of Crarnock (he hatred for humanity) I've seen in individuals I've encountered in my life. For those looking for ways to contruct 'believable' characters, consider people you've interacted with. That should give you a good start.

Thoughts about pubs and agents

2010-07-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone:

I talked about professionalism in the last post and received some questions, which I thought I'd deal with in this post. Yes, I feel we writers need to act professionally. That said, agents and publishers need to be as professional as well. We (writers) have more options now then in the past with regards to publishing platforms. I for one will not work with publishers or agents that fail to respect me. My Mom taught me to be kind and respectful to everyone. She also taught me not to let people walk all over me. I keep those life lessons in mind with everything I do, including working with publishers and agents. Take care everyone.

How NOT to handle rejection of your manuscript

2010-07-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

OK, so maybe I haven't covered the following enough. To writers looking for agents or publishers, please carefully consider the following:

The publishing world is smaller than you think. Curse out a publisher or agent for rejecting you and word will spread. If you are angered by getting rejected, vent with your friends in conversation. Never write back and curse the publisher/agent out, and NEVER write nasty blog entries trashing them. To make it easier to forget a rejection consider that:

1) The rejection may simply be because that publisher/agent has already published similar stories recently and wants to go in a new direction

2) The rejection may simply be due to the fact that the publisher/agent has too many clients at the time to sufficiently market your book

3) The rejection may simply mean the publisher/agent didn't really enjoy your story and doesn't believe she or he can provide the enthusiasm your deserve from an agent/publisher.

Rejection is nothing personal. If your manuscript is rejected, take time to consider any reasons stated for the rejection (if any) and move on. Trashing a publisher or agent in a tirade over the phone, thru an email or on a blog won't likely help you sell the story to the person that rejected you. But, such a venting of your frustration may get your name out to other publsihers/agents, who will possibly ignore all your submissions.

Keys to Writing

2010-07-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that every author has a list of compnents he or she needs to have in order to write a story. I am no different. For the next couple posts, I thought I list the keys to my writing a story. The 1st thing? I need a part for me in the story.

If I'm not in on the action, there is likely no way I'll be able to finish writing a story. I have to be there, even if it's only for a brief scene. That connection is necessary, or I'll just drop what I'm working on and go read a David Eddings novel or watch Battlestar Galactica.

For those thinking of writing a book or a short story, and you don't no where to begin, think up a place or time YOU would like to visit; write your story based around your coming into that story/time/scene.

Writing update...

2010-07-02T05:07:00.000-07:00

What's with July, anyway? Two days in and my writer's block has deteriorated. Last night broke thru more of RISE OF THE CELTS. With a long weekend coming, I'm hoping to have two chapters from each of the novels completed. And at this rate, that may be the minimum I get finished. I will keep everyone updated on the progress. Take care.

Do people really talk that way...

2010-07-02T04:53:00.001-07:00

Morning. I wanted to take a moment to discuss complaints I commonly hear about books (including my own). Let me start by saying, I am a realist - some people aren't going to like the book. Amazingly enough, I learned this by the fact that the comments I received from publishers and agents indicated that what one publisher liked, another wanted changed. Now, I have shelled out too much money on books produced by major houses ripe with typos and spelling errors. That aside, the issue of how authors create dialogue often gets critiqued (I myself have questioned why authors picked certain dialoque for scenes). How do I come up with dialogue? I guess that's really the best way to explain my approach. You see, everyone of us encounters different individuals every day. The way these individuals communicate forms the basis for our knowledge of how people speak. That aside, I'm also a professional anthropologist... I'm trained to observe how people communicate. When I develop dialogue I consider how my family, friends and contacts interact and communicate. I try and make the conversations as realistic as I possibly can. I can't explain why other authors write dialogue the way they do. I can only say that any dialogue you encounter in my writings reflects conversations I've observed. Scary isn't it! Take care.

Getting Unblocked

2010-07-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

So there I was... looking over the paragraphs I struggled to write Tuesday. Three bloody words I changed, and now I actually like how the scene progressed. Moral of the story... put your writing down and let it rest a day. The book is historical fiction about the Iroquoian speaking nation called "The Erie." The book itself, while fictional, is based on my research, primarily my archaeological excavations and examinations of data from Buffalo area colleges and museums. I will post more information about this novel as I get further into the writing, which should move quicker now that I finished that bloody scene.

So, here we are, the first day of the month. I plan on writing a new blog entry every day. In addition to updating readers on the progree of my writings, I will also try and give a bit of advice to other writers, advice I wish I had early on when I started this journey. For today, let me suggest one thing. Find 'readers' early on who will give you honest, CRITICAL feedback on you story line and characters. Doing so will help you find shortfalls in your writing quicker. Those same readers may offer good direction on how to correct those shortfalls. Take care.

Back on my feet

2010-06-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

OK, so there I was, awake Monday morning.... and I couldn't hear out of my right ear! Went to the doc, had the bloody thing fixed (all is well). For some reason, that got my writing juices flowing (hearing problems solve writer's block?). Anyway, writing 3 books at once, and things are starting to finally move at a good pace. As for the immediate future, I have a few short stories that will be published in an anthology later this summer. The stories are part of the historical backdrop of PEOPLE OF THE SWORD. As for this July, I am aiming to provide daily updates on each of the three books I am writing. They include:

1) Vlara's Song
2) Rise of the Celts
3) Calling Wren, Fallen Squirrel

The 1st two are a part of the "realm" of PEOPLE OF THE SWORD. The third book (Calling Wren) is a historical fiction novel detailing native american Iroquois populations during the early contact period (I am incorporating my archaeological research into that one).

I hope you enjoy the coming blog posts. As always, comments/feedback appreciated. Take care.

Neil

Beating Writer's Block

2010-06-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

OK, so I've had a bit of writer's block. Not in the sense that I don't have ideas, but in the sense that when I sit done to type my thoughts out, I get distracted. I finally found a solution. I have reverted back to hand writing everything and then typing things out. In a few days, I've written more than in the past few months. I feel like I'm back in college.

Back from trip to Germany

2010-06-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

I spent the last two weeks in Germany. Aside from a few luggage snaffus and a airline strike that made it necessary to suddenly change flight plans right before leaving for home, all went amazingly. Germany is such a beautiful country, as are its citizens. Friendly atmosphere, good food, great friends and a rich history that included the Neanderthal museum, castles and a number of magnificent churches (visiting the churches with the remains of the three Magi as well as the church containing Christ's Tunic were especially moving). On top of all this, I was able to break thru on some stumbling blocks I was facing in my writing. Additionally, I submitted a book on study techniques for college students, which my publsiher is planning to publish. I will update everyone as the book gets closer to publication.

As for the next novel in the series, I made a critical breakthrough on a serious problem. How was I to balance the power of the sword versus its enemies. I believe I worked it out so the coming conflicts will be more realistic and add obstacles for the heroes.

I am also now working on a stand-alone novel (historical fiction) about the Iroquoian peoples that occupied western New York about 500 years ago (the Erie). The storyline has been mapped out and the character list generated. Chapter 1 is almost complete. My hope is to have Vlara's Song and this historical fiction manuscript (currently titled CALLIN WREN, FALLING SQUIRREL) compeklted by mid summer. Here's hoping. Take care.

Character Development - What works for me

2010-05-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

When I develop characters, I consider everything I want to see in a hero, villian or throw-away character. Every character needs to be 3-dimensional for me to get hooked (as a reader). Characters need to have strengths, weaknesses and have his or her physical presence described. As a writer, I keep my reading preferences in mind. Sir Harrison of Corrington, from PEOPLE OF THE SWORD, was actually created late in the process of writing the book. The sequel (RISE OF THE CELTS) and its characters were prepared first (yea, kinda screwy I know). As for Sir Harrison, he was geared to be a hero with flaws. A knight that ignored protocol [riding to investigate a disturbance instead of riding to report to commander]. A man that was affected by anger and remorse. His flaws will be further explored in 'VLARA'S SONG' as will his strengths. The point is, I made him as real as possible. Admittedly, there are adjustments I would like to make to him now that the final copy is in circulation; I'm sure most authors feel that way. At times, I wish I had clarified certain weaknesses/strengths of Sir Harrison and other characters. Yet,I believe my readers walk away understanding why Harrison was impacted by the loss of those he commanded and why he was open to people of different backgrounds. For me, if an author can accomplish that, get readers to understand a character's motivations and actions, that author has successfully generate a 3-D character, which will ultimately get me to turn the page and read on.

Character Profile of Sir Harrison: Knight of the Church of Tropal. He is of Celtic heritage. Promoted to Captain during the events in PEOPLE OF THE SWORD. A Calvary officer, he is trained in the use of lances, pole-arms as well as utilizing a horse in combat maneuvers. Sir Harrison is also a master swordsmen and experienced in infantry deployment. A knight of the Church, Sir Harrison has received training in theology and medicine along with military strategy. This character class was developed with the Templar knights and Paladins in mind. Temperament/personality wise, Sir Harrison is thoughful, considerate and open to accepting anyone as a friend and comrade as long as he/she is of good character/heart. Sir Harrison is also seeking to find his place in the world; he is constantly torn between his service to the knighthood and his wish to have a family, living his days in peace.

Onward we go...

2010-05-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

So the tales are finally spinning again... RISE OF THE CELTS and VLARA'S SONG are continuing. I am hoping to finish VLARA'S SONG shortly and will post updates on the blog as soon as I get them. In the immediate future, I have my next book signing scheduled for June (date posted when event finalized).

As for those of you writing your own tales, I strongly recommend joining a writing group. I have been a member of 'CRITTERS' (http://www.critters.org/), which is free to join; I found the members give great advice (PEOPLE OF THE SWORD made two rounds through the members before it was ready for publication). No, I'm not pressuring others to join any writing group. I'm just strongly urging other writers to consider doing so. Take care.

Time to write....

2010-05-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

The semester finally ended today. While I still have to give my students their final exam (my poor students), my time has certainly opened up. It seems like every time I'd sit donw to write during the last few months, something else came up. For the most part, I spent my time creating/updating power point presentations for my class. Now, it's finally time to get back at the fiction. :)

My time will be divided between RISE OF THE CELTS and VLARA'S SONG, the latter getting the most attention for now. For college students, I am also working on an academic support book that has tips for acheiving and maintaining success during their college years. How will I get all this done? Can you say 'COFFEE'?!

Writing continues...

2010-05-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

The semester is finally winding down. Now that all my power points/lectures are finished, I am slowly getting back into my fictional work. David Eddings wrote about the need to write everyday. I can honestly say that I don't have a problem finding time to write. However, getting time to work on a novel is not what I think is the important thing. It's the act of writing I feel is needed; getting into the habit of putting words to paper. As for the fiction end of things, when the story is ready to come out of the author, it will. Until then, authors should just work at the mechanics, whether it's writing reports, lectures or a silly message to a loved one. At least, that's what I'm doing. I think David Eddings would understand.

Thanks to Agents and Publishers

2010-04-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

I read a disturbing post recently where a writer seeking a publisher and agents ranted about the prossess (and yes, the writer named specific pubs and agents that had rejected the writer's queries/manuscript). That's a dangerous AND unprofessional things to do. Why is it dangerous? Because, agents and publishers discuss troublesome/arrogant/self-righteous/annoying writers. Word gets around. The writer (as well as the other writers that have foolishly done similar things) is only making things more difficult for themselves. Yes, my short stories and novel were all rejected many times before I found a publisher (I still haven't found an agent willing to represent me). Is it frustrating? Yes. Have I purchased a novel published by a major house that was filled with grammatical errors, historically inaccurate, lacking any true cohesion, or all of the above? YES! Did I write back scolding the publishers and/or agents? NO!

The reason I didn't send such venemous attack letters is two-fold. First, I did my research on the publishing industry and knew that most things written were never published. The odds are stacked against us writers. In some cases, rejection may be due to the fact we submitted a bad manuscript (my apologies to TOR - they were the 1st publisher I sent my novel to and it truly was not ready for publication at the time). In other cases, what we've written may simply not peak the interest of the agent or publisher. It's that simple. I've read some classics teachers shoved done our throats in high school, which I thought (and still believe) are far from worthy of finding space on my book shelf. We all have likes and dislikes when we choose a book. Publishers and agents have the same right! Case in point, GONE WITH THE WIND was rejected well over twenty times before it was accepted by a publisher.

The 2nd reason I don't write attack letters? Thank my Mom for that. She always said we should thank people for taking the time to help or listen to us. Consequently, I usually sent thank you notes to the publishers and agents that read my material. Maybe they didn't like what I wrote. Maybe they were in the process of publishing a similar story? Maybe... Honestly, it didn't matter. The publsihers and agents took the time to consider my manuscripts. I was never under the impression that the pubs/agents were obligated to love my story. Yet, I was grateful that the publishers and agents took time to read any part of my query package, something I think all writers should appreciate. Take care.

How I come up with my cast of characters

2010-04-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

'Vlara's Song' and 'Rise of the Celts' are progressing. I will be posting the next chapter of 'Vlara's Song' soon afterwhich I will be focusing my primary attention on the book. No additional chapters will be posted until the book is complete [I hope to have the book completed by lated Spring]. As for the characters that populate my books, I thought a little background info would be useful for readers so they understood better just how I come up with this stuff.

For me, the "quest" is oviously an essential part of the story. However, the cast of adventurers in everybook are often a starting point for me. I think of the people I surround myself with in life and develop characters of similar dispositions. Why? I find a character that's me inevery book, a necessity for me. Then I think of my friend and family [i.e. who do I want to hang out with]. Then I consider what we, as a group, would like to do. Yes, in other words, I have my compatriots and see what we want to do any given evening. Traveling and accomplishing a task always is made easier and more exciting when you are sharing the experience with loved-ones. Hence, the development of the characters often supercedes the identification of an quest. Now, there will be times that I recognize that my friends and family need additional support [characters], which leads to the development of characters like Helean and Troje (People of the Sword). That said, I have a deep connection with most of my characters, which makes the writing process a whole lot easier. Take care!

Neil

Today's a Very Special Day

2010-03-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone:

Today is my mother's birthday, and while she is no longer with us, her spirit and conviction towards equality for all still resonates through my whole family. I found it fitting to think of her during Canisius College's 'Women's Studies' Luncheon yesterday. Mom always pushed everyone to looked passed stereotypes and consider others by their actions, not by their gender or ethnicity. In her memory, I encourage everyone to discard the bias that has plaqued humanity for so long.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I Love You!

p.s. Yes, there are two characters based on my parents, which appear at the end of 'Vlara's Song.' I felt it fitting that they should be a part of this writing journey for it was Mom and Dad who taught me and encouraged me to read. Thank God for my parents!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

2010-03-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone:

Update on 'RISE OF THE CELTS':

Today seemed fitting for this update. The last two weeks have been difficult getting through the next chapter (which is why further parts of 'VLARA'S SONG' have been delayed). It was one chapter filled with terror, compassion, destruction, villany and heroism (it also included the brazen actions of a raven and a skunk). Ultimately, the chapter was finished and I am able to move forward with the rest of the manuscript. At this point, my initial plan is being overhauled. What had once been planned for one book now is slated to cover two books. It's a lot more writing for me, but I think it does better justice to the generational story line. I owe that to the characters and to all of you.

As for 'VLARA'S SONG,' expect the next chapter to be posted by next week.

Thanks for the continued support and have a happy and safe Saint Patrick's Day!

Politics in Writing

2010-02-11T05:34:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Working on the sequel to PEOPLE OF THE SWORD, I've come to realize just how much I enjoy political intrigue. Political posturing simply makes for good prose. Throw in a coup, add in some elections, a revolt or two, and BAM, you've got plot. OK, for the record, the politics I put into my writing is not meant to criticize anyone or any single party (frankly, both major U.S. parties are providing writers with a lot of material). As an archaeologist by trade, I have a lot of years of history under my belt, which means a lot of references to political action leading to good stories. For those of you looking for writing tips or to write your own tales, politics makes for a good foundation, both for character development and plot. What to expect from my sequel, RISE OF THE CELTS:

1) A military coup
2) Assassination plots
3) A revolution
4) Espionage

Sound like fun? Take care.

Best regards,
Neil

Blogs of Wisdom

2010-02-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

I spent weeks studying the publishing industry before I sent out my first query. To this day, even after having published my 1st novel, I still look for new information on industry trends. I pay heed to the advice given by agents on there blogs (even though I don't, as yet, have an agent). For those seeking to get published, the best advice I can give you is to spend time studying the industry [publishers, agents, query letter writing etc]. If you are that set on publishing your manuscript, invest time in learning every aspect. One last thing, always be professional. Don't bash an agent or publisher that rejects your manuscript; thank them for their time and move on. Rejections are not meant tio be personal - don't take it so. My book was rejected 7 times before I found a publisher. Sending an email or letter to those who rejected the book [in order to bragg] doesn't say anything about my writing skills. It just sends the message that I'm immature and unprofessional.

For additional advice in this regard, check out the blogs of agents spread accross the web. These sites and their respective agent provide valuable bits of info to help you along.

Beating Writer's Block a.k.a. why snow is good

2010-01-27T05:46:00.000-08:00

For me, winter is always too short [no, I'm not a skiing fanatic]. For me the cold temps and snow are just a great backdrop. Today I woke up to a fresh, five inches of snow that needed to be dealt with before work. I got up at 6am, filled up the snowblower and started to work on the driveway. Funny thing while you're snowblowing: there's not much in the way of distractions, especially at 6am (not counting the swirling blades of course). What passes the time for me? This morning the time enjoying the snow (and the occasional blast of thrown snow in my face) also allowed me to consider part of my sequel, a pivotal part, that had been dogging me. The critical turning point for the two main characters is something I've been considering for years, and I am almost to that point in the novel [so time was running short]. That time this morning helped me consider the bare elements of the story, and, without distractions, I was able to plot out the related scenes [which I immediately outlined once I got into the house]. While I know not everyone enjoys or has access to snow, every writer has an environment or setting that calms them. Find that space or place, and the next time you face "writer's block," spend time in your space; it will help. Take care everyone.

Rise of the Celts

2010-01-15T11:28:00.000-08:00

Progress on the next book [tentatively titled 'RISE OF THE CELTS'] is progressing. It literally took about a month to make it through two pages of dialogue/narration, which is why LVARA'S SONG has been on the back burner. It's amazing how words can flow quickly and then feel like you've hit a brick wall. In any event, 'RISE OF THE CELTS' is really going o pull in place names from Buffalo, NY and will be more historically based then the 1st book. What's going to be included? The names of rivers, creeks, streets and historic buidlings will surface. Why use the names I heard from childhood? As a writer, I like to visualize stories, and the use of things I've experienced helps in that capacity. If you are a writer and faced with the dreaded 'writer's block,' I encourage you to try this. Name mountains, rivers and cities after ones from your childhood; it will help your writing progress.

P.S. If you're stuck on naming characters, open the phone book and start using LAST names for character 1st names. It always works for me.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

I know January's about half over. Yet, as the first blog the the new year, I thought wishing everyone a happy and safe 2010 was acceptable. As for the blog, I am adjusting things just a bit. Aside from the occasional shameless self-promotion (yeah! PEOPLE OF THE SWORD is for sale), I decided to add more on the writing side. For the first blog, I wanted to go over book promotion, something that's important now that holiday sales are over. How do authors publicize their work? I agree with many that there's is now simple answer. My suggestion, find some way to have an online presence (a blog, Twitter, FaceBook, etc). I thought about a web page, but that's just not me. Find an online medium that works for you.

Another suggestion, contact schools you attended and ask them to post an announcement in any alumni publication the institution has. While you are at it, see if the school will host a book signing for you.

Finally, search the internet for ideas. Many agents and authors have posted a variety of advice (some good, some not so good) about ways for authors to get the word out about their publications. Read thru the advice and find something that feels right.

Hope this gives readers at least some direction. Have your own ideas? Reply to this post; I'd love to hear about it. Take care.

K. Patrick Malone

2009-12-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

This week’s interview is with K. Patrick Malone. His latest work, THE DIGGER’S REST, chronicles “the journey of a motley team of art archaeologists sent to excavate a newly discovered castle ruin in the South West of England in search of proof of King Arthur. What they uncover, however, is a legend much older; more mind rending and soul shredding than anything they could ever have conceived with an ending that is nothing less than "biblically operatic" in proportion.”

Which 3 authors would you recommend all writers read?

Well this is a very broad question, so I guess I'll answer it the best way I know how. Firstly, I'm a secret classicist, so my initial response would be:

#1: Emile Zola, all novels from beginning to end, "Nana, The Human Best, Therese Raquin, Truth et at) Laymen would probably recognize the name from history because he was the champion of the wrongly convicted Alfred Dreyfuss of the infamous "Dreyfuss Affain" of 19 th Century France (See the film, "The Life of Emila Zola" from the 1930's featuring the Academy Award Winning performances by Paul Muni as Zola and Joseph Schildkraut as Dreyfuss. No writer, past or present, has captured the real "truth" of human nature like Zola.

#2: Charles Dickens, all novels from beginning to end ( particular favorites are Nicholas Nickelby (featured quote in the opening of my own "The Digger's Rest," Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities et al). Not quite a contemporary of Zola ( earlier by fifty or so years) Where Zola saw the real truth in the negative side of human nature but without redemption, Dickens saw the real truth in the negative side of human nature but always found the bright shining ( and rare) ligh of human nature as we could be and should be.

#3: Charlotte Bronte, her seminal work of "Jane Eyre" more than making up for the lack of quantity of her library (and featured in my own work in "An Unfinished House." Giving forth what I call the absolutely most romantic passage in all of English literature, "The Proposal". . . " I have a queer notion when I am close to you like this etc etc etc)

Now for the good stuff, my genre.

#1: Shirley Jackson, her, in my mind, perfect ghost story, "The Haunting of Hill House," is without a doubt the "smoke and mirrors" scare of the last century. Who can ever forget Little Nell asking, "Who was holding my hand?" Doesn't get any better than this.

#2: Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw perfectly combines the elements of malevolence with mystery for a stunningly realistic look at the supernatural for its time.

#3: Stephen King's "The Shining," one of the only times the prolific Mr. King created what could be considered timeless masterpieces of what scares us most.

Which authors impacted most on your writing style?

As mentioned above, I cannot seem to get away from my classic literature roots, Zola, Dickens and Bronte, but here I would add the odd addition of the hard boiled detective novels of the early 20th Century, Dashiell Hammett ( most notably "The Maltese Falcon," although the rest of his library is equally impressive), Raymond Chandler ( most notably "Farewell, My Lovely" but whose library is as equally large and impressive as Hammett's, and James M. Cain ( most notably "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Double Indemnity," and "Mildred Pierce." These authors had a punch rat- at- tat -tat cadence to them that reflected a new voice in men's voice novels. I don't know what I would have ever doe without their influence allowing me to believe than men's voice novels didn't all have to be . . . Ernest Hemingway. Thanks, guys!

What is your favorite element in your book (character, theme, setting, etc.)?

My all time favorite element is, of course, the characters. Without compelling characters, one doesn't really have a book, do they? And the best way to write a character is to love them, good characters and not so good characters alike, you've got to love them all to bring them to life and make them come alive for the reader.

What was your favorite part of the writing process?

Oddly enough, my favorite part of my writing process is when I put the words "The End" on the last page. My books are such an investment of intense emotional upheaval that when I've completed a book, I feel like I need to take more vitamins and retire to my bed for a week with a box of Kleenex to recover.

What about the publishing process most shocked you?

The abject rudeness of so called literate and literary professionals.

What advice do you wish you’d received before you started searching for a publisher?

Don't be naive and expect that any of us will be in any way be appreciated as artists instead of commodities.

What advice would you give to writers trying to publish their first book?

Keep trying, its like dating, sometimes one has to kiss a lot of frogs before one finds their prince or princess. Become thick skinned. Rejection is everywhere. If your art has any real merit, someone somewhere at some time will see it and give you a chance. Take a chance on small press publishers. We could all be long in the grave before the muckety mucks at Random House or Simon and Schuster decide that Margaret Mitchell really won't drop out of heaven and toss the true sequel to "Gone with the Wind" in theirs laps out of the goodness of her heart like manna from heaven.

Thanks to Kevin for answering my questions.

Happy Holidays to all!!!!!!

D. Kevin Singleton: Author of ‘The Longinus Quest’

2009-12-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

This week’s interview is with D. Kevin Singleton.

A former US Army Airborne Ranger, Drill Sergeant, Engineer and a prolific Writer of adventure stories, D. Kevin Singleton has traveled and worked extensively throughout Asia, Europe and South America to include Australia and New Zeeland. He currently lives in North East Arkansas and Western Michigan with his wife and two daughters where he writes and works in defense contracting.

1) Which 3 authors would you recommend all writers read?

The three authors that I would recommend for writers to read is Robert Ludlum, he provides an expertise and detail to his writing that I feel is missing from others that work in his genre. John Steinbeck, his ability to show the conflicts between man and the world we live in has always intrigued me. Last but not lest in my view is a writer that most people may not recognize by the name of Barry Sadler. Barry Sadler wrote a series of paper backs titled Casca, The Eternal Warrior. When I was a young soldier I would set at night in the bottom of a machine gun nest and read these books by flashlight. The theme of these books was an immortal warrior that is introduced at the crucifixion of Christ and continues on through the Viet Nam War. In my opinion I learned a lot about character development from his work.

2) Which authors impacted most on your writing style?

When most people read my book one of the first questions that I hear is are you a Dan Brown fan? While I enjoy his work to a point, the influence that caused me to write in the same or similar genre was the discovery of my fifth generation grandfather William D. Singleton and his involvement in the Revolution and the early Masons of this country. Perhaps authors like Ernest Hemmingway, Falkner, to John Grisham might have had some influence. After all they all have ties to or are from the Mid South where I grew up. Perhaps it is the magic of the land and people of the Mississippi Delta that has had the greatest influence on the styles of writer’s from this area.

3) What is your favorite element in your book (character, theme, setting, etc.)?

The favorite elements of my book have to be writing about the settings and themes. How a guy like me can go from working in cotton fields to traveling around the world is still a mystery to me. I have worked and lived in more countries then I have fingers and toes. Sharing these experiences with the reader is a way I give back a piece of the adventures I have known. I spend months researching the alternative history that I share in my writings when developing the theme. It was Mark Twain that said and I paraphrase, “History is what they want you to remember about an event. The news reports the facts of an event. Fiction tells you what really happened.” The information that I uncovered during the research for The Longinus Quest at times was dumbfounding. However, when you look at the evidence even though it might be circumstantial it makes the reader say, “So that is what really happened.”

4) What was your favorite part of the writing process?

My favorite part of the writing process is the therapeutic benefit that I get from it. Stepping out into the dangerous world will change a man forever. You have never felt more alive until that moment that you face death. For those of us who survive it life has a meaning that the protected will never know. Men who gain this understanding pay the price of losing their place in a world that no longer understands them. You never truly fit back into society. Writing gives me a means to try and explain why I seem so strange. Guys like me who jump out of airplanes, wade through swamps, and chop through jungles are just a different breed apart from the average Joe. Don’t mistake this as a boast. There have been many times I wished I wasn’t.

5) What about the publishing process most shocked you?

What shocked me the most about the publishing process was the arrogance that writers face when dealing with agents and publishers. I wonder how many great writers are out there that will never be discovered because some intern barely out of puberty was too busy texting to give a submitted manuscript the attention it deserved. I guess that is why I feel so much gratitude to my current publisher. He took the time to actually read my writing, imagine that. Once I sent a query off to an agent that said she specialized in historical fiction. Like many times before she sent the standard rejection letter. This time it was with a suggestion that perhaps I write a non fiction book about the Templar Knights and the Knights of Malta if they really existed. If they really existed! Here was an agent who claimed to represent historical fiction and she didn’t even know if the Templar Knights and the Maltese Knights were real.

6) What advice do you wish you’d received before you started searching for a publisher?

I wished I had an experienced writer to tell me to be a bit humble about my work. I wasted a lot of time trying to get agent representation and submitting to the big publishing houses. The chances that you are going to run into an agent like J.K. Rowling did are a billion to one. I wasted a lot of time trying to contact John Grisham. Since he and I are from the same home town I thought he could help get me on the inside to an agent or big publisher. He never once contacted me back.

7) What advice would you give to writers trying to publish their first book?

Who am I to give advice to anyone? A man will hear what he wants to hear and disregards the rest. At the risk of being ignored I will offer this. Write about what you know. My homeboy John Grisham is a lawyer and that is what he writes about. Dan Brown’s character Robert Langdon is an academic. That is what he knows. I wouldn’t be surprised if we all find out one day that J.K. Rowling is a witch. I am not saying that it should dictate the genre you work in. A lawyer can get caught up in an international terrorist conspiracy just as easy as a CIA agent. However, it is hard for anyone to believe that a lawyer could pick up an MP-5 assault weapon and take out a five man clearing team from Langley. I am currently working on a screenplay about an airborne ranger that survives a massacre in Afghanistan only to find out that his miraculous survival was due to him being a werewolf. It is a total different genre then The Longinus Quest but again it is what I know. Not about being a werewolf but about being a special ops soldier although my wife may argue that I know a bit about the first part as well. To me the story is the most important but don’t forget the writing fundamentals. Don’t be ashamed if you slept through English 101 and 102 in college like I did to seek out assistance to polish your work. Don’t be embarrassed about it. Most college English professors have never attempted to write a book. You have already accomplished more then them. Above all keep at it never surrender. It is pretty cool to walk into Barnes & Noble and see your work on the shelf.

Be sure to check out Singleton’s most recent work, ‘The Longinus Quest’

The Longinus Quest
When demoted C.I.A. Agent Trevor Hawk is assigned the uncomplicated task of having stolen artifacts identified, he discovers that he is entrapped in a vortex of mystical legends that warp the senses. In what seems to be an unreal world, a secret group of American Masons known as the Knights of Athena protect the true source of American power, the Spear of Longinus. In a fatal contest between the decedents of the famed Knights Templar and the Knights of Malta, supported by their ruthless assassins known as The Hasshishans, Trevor Hawk finds himself caught up in the battle for the possession of the this implement of incredible power. Having been declared a Rogue Agent and not knowing what side to fight on, Hawk finds himself dead center in what would be an amusing flight into fantasy, except for one small problem: everyone wants him dead!

Thanks to D. Kevin Singleton for answering my questions.

Rudy Dunnigan

2009-12-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

To say that author Rudy Dunnigan leads a hectic life is an understatement. Check out a glimpse of his bio below:

"A Graduate of the University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry and a practicing dentist for more than forty years, Dr. Rudy Dunnigan has been a student of the human psyche for more than five decades. Despite his hectic schedule, Rudy found time to serve his neighbors as a two-term member of the Ashland Kentucky Independent Board of Education. After this sacrifice, rather than allow Dr. Dunnigan to return to his practice, his community called upon him to serve two terms as Mayor of Ashland."

Add to this experience his recent publication of BOONE SPRINGS, I'd say Rudy's a busy man.

His book, BOONE SPRINGS, is described here:

"Take sex and drugs and a man who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. Mix with murder, kidnapping and rape. Stir in violence, vengeance and revenge and the result is an explosive situation that is a danger to everyone. Add a neurotic psychopath wearing a sheriff’s badge and carrying a gun plus a husband seeking to avenge the rape and murder of his wife and you’ll have Boone Springs; the provocative, often vicious, saga of a plethora of fascinating characters.
A good brother and an amoral brother. A good cop and an evil cop. Two unusual, bitter-sweet love stories. Altogether, a captivating story of good versus evil and there’s no guarantee that good will win. A page-turner of the first quality. "

As for Dunnigan's inspiration and interests, his answers to my endless questions speak volumes.

1) Which 3 authors would you recommend all writers read? John Steinbeck, Robert Penn Warren and Ernest Hemingway.

2) Which authors impacted most on your writing style? Each of the above impacted my writing in some way. I have always wished to have the talent to string words together in the way that Robert Frost did.

3) What is your favorite element in your book (character, theme, setting, etc.)?I presented an opportunity to describe a much misunderstood people i.e. those living in Eastern Kentucky. Much like everyone else they are the best and the worst, but there is a charm about the area that needs to be experienced by everyone.

4) What was your favorite part of the writing process?Being almost amazed at the torrent at which the words come when the inspiration is there.

5) What about the publishing process most shocked you?The number of authors who at any given time are trying to be published. That number runs to 250,000. Query letters are vital . . . spend a lot of thought and time when writing one.

6) What advice do you wish you’d received before you started searching for a publisher?Beware of some agents and some publishers. It is so important to research the publisher/agent before you commit to them.

7) What advice would you give to writers trying to publish their first book? Write and rewrite and rewrite. Be sure that the product is your best effort before you begin to market it. When you think it's ready, have confidence in your work and be persistent. You most likely will have many, many refusals before you are successful.

Thanks to Rudy for taking the time to answer my questions!

Special shout out to local reporter

2009-11-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a second and say thank you to Jennifer Lysiak, a reporter for the 'Lancaster Source,' a local Buffalo-area newspaper; she wrote a story about my book that was incredible.

I have to admit that I've felt as if many local news outlets couldn't care less about authors other than national celebrities. It's reporters like Jennifer that remind me there are those in the news-media that care about local authors/artists. Thank you so much for your time, Jennifer!

Best regards,
Neil

Jeanne L. Drouillard

2009-11-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

Our next interview is with Jeanne L. Drouillard.

Jeanne L. Drouillard graduated from Madonna University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with minors in French, computers and Sign Language. Other recognized studies and experiences have included handwriting analysis, bible studies, love & logic parenting, attachment disorder and other adoptive issues, listening skills as well as various seminars in leadership, self-improvement and psychology. She has published many articles dealing with the positive side of human nature and emphasizes what can be accomplished with a strong belief system coupled with tenacity. Her first book, Thinking Out Loud, was conceived because of her fascination with the world of thought and how it relates to our lives. Sammi Evans, her heroine, is in a unique position to study the inner and outer environment of people and to monitor their success and failure while relating it to their thought world.

1) Which 3 authors would you recommend all writers read?

A must read for all writers are Agatha Christie, Margaret Mitchell and John Grisham. These different styles and techniques give a well rounded and educated view that can only enchance your talent.

2) Which authors impacted most on your writing style?

Agatha Christie, Margaret Mitchell, John Grisham and Ernest Hemmingway.

3) What is your favorite element in your book (character, theme, setting, etc.)?

I love to keep building on a theme, making it come alive and keeping the reader wondering if the theme is plausible.

4) What was your favorite part of the writing process?

My favorite part of writing is the creativity, especially not always knowing where I'm going and yet being able to tie all the parts and clues together at the end.

5) What about the publishing process most shocked you?

The most shocking part was the fact that most publishers won't speak to you unless you have an agent. And most agents aren't interested in you unless you have been previously published.

6) What advice do you wish you’d received before you started searching for a publisher?

Be sure to connect with the Editors and Preditors website to ensure that a publisher is legitimate. Also check out your chosen publisher as carefully as you can.

7) What advice would you give to writers trying to publish their first book?

Keep trying. No matter how many times you get rejected, keep trying. You have to believe in your work and if you do, don't give up.

Thanks to Jeanne L. Drouillard for answering my questions.

True Courage

2009-11-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

Check out this blog detailing the journey of Jessica Watson, who is attempting to sail around the world unaided (by the way, when she reaches her goal, she'll be the youngest person to have accomplished this feat).

http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/

Bill Connor, Publisher for Argus Books

2009-11-10T04:47:00.000-08:00

Bill Connor, publisher for A-Argus Books, answered some questions recently regarding the publishing industry. His advice should be of great value to authors, particularly authors just starting out.

1) As a publisher, what are you looking for in a query letter?

“The first five sentences in a query letter dictates if I read the complete query letter or not. If the letter is well written, relatively short, and the author can capture my attention in the first paragraph, it is likely we will request the completed manuscript. That is, providing the manuscript is of a subject in which we have an interest.”

2) What are query letter mistakes authors often make?

“The major mistakes that a writer makes in his or her query letter is to try to tell what the story is about rather than telling about the story. At Argus Enterprises, we receive over fifty queries a day, so you can imagine how many manuscripts are available. The query letter needs to have a dynamic opening and quickly address the subject. Finally, the author needs to include a limited amount of information about himself or herself, including publishing credits, if any.”

3) What advice would you give 1st time authors?

“My advice to the first time author? Write about something of which you have knowledge. Either that, or research carefully the subject matter. Don't include an elecric coffee pot if the era is the 17th century. Also, keep writing and keep believing. Finally, have patience and realize that a successful author isn't born, it doesn't happen by accident. To generate a reasonably successsful novel, 15,000 copies or so, requires a tremendous amount of work by the first time author. No one, outside of family and friends, even know the author exists, so it is necessary to tell the world.”

4) What has been the most enjoyable part of being a publisher?

“The most enjoyable part of being a publisher is the sharing the thrill of an author's first novel. Whether it's a million seller, or only sells ten copies, there is a certain amount of sheer joy that an author receives when he or she sees their effort in print. There is also a great amount of enjoyment watching an author grow as he or she pens a second or third manuscript. It is easy to see the growth, as professionalism begins to take over and the amateur mistakes become fewer and fewer. The knowledge that you, the publisher, had an input into that growth is not unlike a father watching an off-spring succeed in their efforts.”

* Thanks to Bill Connor for taking the time to answer my questions

Argus Authors - Robert B. Marchand

2009-11-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

Robert B. Marchand, author of 'Caylen's Quest,' made a career in the Canadian Armed Forces. Following that twenty year career, he began a second fifteen year career as a Municipal Public Works Director before beginning his third career as a building manager and a writer of novels in British Columbia, Canada .

His book, 'Caylen's Quest,' follows the adventures of a boy, Caylen, who is forced to become a man at an early age. In a seemingly helpless situation, succor comes from an unusual source; dreams that pervade Caylen's mind, dreams of an old Indian shaman and a huge black wolf. Was the call from the old Indian only a dream? Caylen and Lora was certain that was the situation, and that the Indian and the wolf were merely a dream. But, was it? Suddenly, as Caylen opens the cabin door, a black wolf cub is at his feet. Can the vision from his dream and the mystical promised by the Indian sage lead Caylen to success in his quest for a rich goldmine, justice for his family, and the love of a beautiful Indian maiden?

Interview with Bob Marchand:

1) Which 3 authors would you recommend all writers read? Jean M. Auel, Kathleen O'Neal Gear and Dan Brown

2) Which author impacted most on your writing style? Lean M. Auel

3) What is your favorite element in your book (character, theme, setting, etc.)? I had two favorite elements in my book. #1 was creating "Farris Lubak" the villian, in which I had to create a slang usage of his volcabulary. #2 was the native research I did to create the character "Sania" the native Hopi indian Medicine man.

4) What was your favorite part of the writing process? Describing the boy's (Caylen) adventures in the remote wilderness in the 1900's.

5) What about the publishing process most shocked you? That not all Publishers are created equal. Make sure they also promote and help sell your book.

6) What advice would you give 1st time authors? Go to the website of "Preditors and Editors" and see what they have to say about different Publishers.

My thanks to Bob for taking time to answer my questions.

Argus Authors - Kamelia Sojlevska

2009-10-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the 1st in a series of interviews with authors from Argus Books. In addition to these authors taking time to answer my questions, they’ve also written some great books worth reading. Take care.

Neil (Happy Halloween!)

Kamelia Sojlevska
Author of ‘Quantum Woman—Celestial Man’

Kamelia Sojlevska is a Macedonian published author, documentary scriptwriter and director, a TV host and University lecturer. Born and raised in Macedonia, a small developing country, full of quest for knowledge, she was traveling the world, grasping the cultural, spiritual and social values that were fulfilling her life and creating her originality and individuality. Sharing ideas and communication with the public is her main goal since the beginning of her professional life.

QUANTUM WOMAN--CELESTIAL MAN explores the issues relating to love, identity and belief, and Kamelia’s electrifying book gathers a range of characters around the concept of a journey with potentially wide-reaching implications. It takes into account a particular understanding of human nature in order to explore the relative complexities of a being, in unbelievable twists and turns. The story plot imagines consciousness as a kind of place, largely based on a view of certain scientific and sociological principles.

Which 3 authors would you recommend all writers read?
Marques, Paolo Quelo, Eckhart Tolle

What is your favorite element in your book (character, theme, setting, etc.)?
That the story is written in the "first person" and is still challenging and interesting.

What was your favorite part of the writing process?
The challenge to find a good communication line with the readers and to easy communicate the heavy subject.

What about the publishing process most shocked you?
That it is a longer process than I expected.

What advice do you wish you’d received before you started searching for a publisher?
I wanted somebody to assure me that it will happen.

What advice would you give to writers trying to publish their first book?
Never give up, but to continue no matter what is happening. You just have to find the right people who will understand what you have to give to others.

* Thanks to Kamelia for taking time to answer my questions

Next Chapter

2009-09-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

The next chapter of 'Vlara's Song' is posted. Sorry for the delay; 1st month of the semester has been nuts. Book signings for 'People of the Sword' will begin in October (already have one signing scheduled for November - I will post details in mid-October).

For those who read my novels and know me personally, some of the names and places discussed are likely familiar. For other readers, I thought I'd give a little feedback on where I pull names from. Inevitably, I think all authors put their own history into their prose; God knows I do. It's a nice way to keep the writing familiar and worth spending time on. You see, writers don't just need to keep readers riveted to the story and text, we also have to entertain ourselves. If we don't, our books will never conclude with the words "the end."

P.s. Dillon is the name of my brother's dog, whose mischievousness, intelligence and loyalty are unending.

September Happenings

2009-09-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

'PEOPLE OF THE SWORD' is out and available thru Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and your local bookstores. Thank you all so much for the continued support. As for book signings and readings, I will list dates/info as soon as it is available. For now, the Prologue of VLARA'S SONG is posted here and on the Facebook Fansite. Feedback on both books is appreciated. Take care!

npo

And yet another book update

2009-06-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

I received a proof of the book last week, and I read it through and emailed a list of revision requests (nothing major). Hopefully, the book will be ready by mid-July. It was nice to have an actual book in-hand. It's so cool having my own isbn number. Anyway, thanks to everyone for their patience. Take care.

Book Update

2009-06-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the summer weather (personally, I miss the winter).

As for the book, I just received an update from the publisher. I should be receiving a proof to review soon, and the book's release date has been moved to the end of June.

Thank you to everyone for their interest in the book. I will continue to update the blog as I receive news. In the meantime, if you're looking for things to read, my publisher (http://a-argusbooks.com/) offers a variety of genres/books that you might be interested in. The range is genre's includes mystery, historical fiction, children's books, biographies, humor and romance.

Take care!
npo

The further adventures of an author...

2009-05-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am waiting for the arrival of the galley proofs, which will be the last step before publication. In the meantime, I thought I'd give a little information on VLARA'S SONG, which is a sequel (of sorts) to PEOPLE OF THE SWORD. VLARA'S SONG, will focus on the activities of a few of the characters presented in the book. I will begin posting sections of VLARA'S SONG a couple weeks after PEOPLE OF THE SWORD'S release (otherwise I would ruin some surprises in the book). VLARA'S SONG will highlight additional rifts in Tropalian society as well as the after effects associated with war, on soldiers and civilians alike. The book will also continue the incorporation of my family history, something every manuscript I write does to an extent. Until later, take care.

npo

Cover Art

2009-04-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

Here's the cover art for the book. Let me know what you think!

People of the Sword - Synopsis

2009-04-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

Crarnock, the Mage-King of Veron, reasoned that only after humanity's annihilation would the world achieve peace. With the aid of goblin army, Crarnock sets out accomplish this very feat.

People of the Sword chronicles Crarnock's assault on humanity and the effort of the Church knights and their druid allies to thwart the Mage-King's plans. Aside form being outnumbered by the goblin forces, what else serves to hinder humanity's quest to endure? The knights and druids must quell centuries of bias, deceit and distrust that haunts their every move. Of course, it doesn't help matters that the human allies have less than two weeks to organize a counter-attack, traverse the haunted woods of Veron, endure the wrath of an ancient banshee, and scale a frost covered mountain just to reach Crarnock.

People of the Sword - Title Finalized

2009-04-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

"People of the Sword" is no longer a "working title." I was informed yesterday by the publisher (Argus). That they are planning to use the title I suggested (People of the Sword) for the novel, which is scheduled for publication later this Spring. I will update the blog as soon as I receive the cover art and any other updates. Stay tuned!