Would you like to win a signed copy of the 1st Duncan Andrews book, Pale As a Ghost? Well, let's pretend for a moment that you would. Just leave a comment saying something (anything) and I'll pick a name at random and that person will win. Anyone can join in. Already read the book, but have it on ebook and want a copy for your library? Comment away! Want to give one to Aunt Sally? Comment! I'll sign it however you like. You can be a friend, a fellow writer, a reader, a fan, a hater who wants to line their bird cage with it. All are welcome. Even the bird. Don't know anything about me or the book? Well, here's the blurb for the book:
Private detective Duncan Andrews’s best friend Gina is a witch. His dog is a zombie. And his dead boyfriend, Robbie, is a ghost. So it’s hardly any wonder that he uses his connection to the supernatural to help him solve cases. Good thing, too, because Duncan has his hands full. Janice Sanderson, the richest woman in Indianapolis, wants him to find her stripper daughter, Brenda, and another client is having some trouble with a specter haunting her family home. On top of that, Duncan has decided to add dating into the mix, though after Robbie’s death, he’s not sure he’s ready.
When Duncan meets Nick while tracking down a lead on Brenda’s boyfriend, he shelves his doubts and agrees to a date. Robbie doesn’t make it easy on him, showing up to spoil his chances, but that is the least of Duncan’s worries—because one of his clients’ husbands is missing and there’s a serial killer on the loose—one Duncan fears isn’t human.
I'll draw the winner on March 17th. That'll give the five people interested time to comment. Check back then to see who won!
Musing and whatnot from the author of Pale As a Ghost, Pop Goes the Weasel, etc.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Why didn't I think of this 2 months ago?
I'm nearly done with The Scarlet Tide, the third book in the Duncan Andrews series. I was, anyway. Last night, while working at my "real" job, an idea suddenly hit me. And, darn it, it was a good idea. Unfortunately, it means changing a few things I've already written. Why the hell I didn't think of this when I was plotting out the story, I have no idea, because it's a beauty of an idea, but I didn't. At least I thought of it now, instead of after I sent the book off to the publisher. That would have sucked. I'll just have to work a lot harder on it this weekend to keep on my schedule (self-imposed) of getting the manuscript done by the end of the month.
And I'm okay with that. I don't mind the work, once I actually get down to it. I'll procrastinate like anything before rolling up my sleeves and getting down to it, but once I get going I'm fine. I want it to be the best I'm capable of doing, and this idea will, in my humble opinion, improve the story.
Which brings me to another thing. I saw someone post their New Year's resolution on Facebook to write 7 books this year. 7? Really? 7? Back in the days when I worked at a book store, people used to joke about Stephen King writing a book a week. He didn't, of course. I don't think he's ever put out more than 2 in a year. Certainly never 7.
Maybe this person doesn't have a day job and writing is their only income. If so, I can understand wanting to publish as much as possible, but I still think that 7 is pushing it. Surely the quality of writing wouldn't be the best with this much output. Heck, I'm never satisfied that a book is ready but I force myself to let it go and get on with other things.
My goal this year: 2. Maybe three. Tops. Three would be nice. And a few short stories peppered in between. But 7? Jeesh!
And I'm okay with that. I don't mind the work, once I actually get down to it. I'll procrastinate like anything before rolling up my sleeves and getting down to it, but once I get going I'm fine. I want it to be the best I'm capable of doing, and this idea will, in my humble opinion, improve the story.
Which brings me to another thing. I saw someone post their New Year's resolution on Facebook to write 7 books this year. 7? Really? 7? Back in the days when I worked at a book store, people used to joke about Stephen King writing a book a week. He didn't, of course. I don't think he's ever put out more than 2 in a year. Certainly never 7.
Maybe this person doesn't have a day job and writing is their only income. If so, I can understand wanting to publish as much as possible, but I still think that 7 is pushing it. Surely the quality of writing wouldn't be the best with this much output. Heck, I'm never satisfied that a book is ready but I force myself to let it go and get on with other things.
My goal this year: 2. Maybe three. Tops. Three would be nice. And a few short stories peppered in between. But 7? Jeesh!
Monday, February 11, 2013
When we last left Duncan...
When I began this blog yesterday, I thought I might con one or two people into reading it. And I obviously did, as Deeze left the following message for me on Goodreads: "Wow you must be a little psychic, just the other day I was thinking of sending you a message to ask how the next Duncan Andrews installments coming along, although I'm not sitting in a basement or in my underwear 
Look forward to hearing a few of your thoughts and seeing your updates."
It's nice to know someone cares! So for Deeze and anyone else interested, here's the skinny. I'm about 2/3 through with the 2nd draft of The Scarlet Tide, the 3rd Duncan Andrews book. I'm hoping to have it in shape to send out by the end of the month.
For those who aren't familiar with Duncan, his story started in my first published novel Pale As a Ghost. The second novel in the series, Animal Instinct, came out last year. Duncan is a private detective based out of Indianapolis who has some psychic ability in that he knows whenever something supernatural is around. He can also see and talk with ghosts, which is a good thing as his boyfriend, Robbie, is still hanging around even though he died over a decade ago. Duncan's best friend is Gina, a centuries old witch, and his bulldog, Daisy, is a zombie.
Confession time: The Scarlet Tide, the working title of the third book, nearly wasn't the third book. All last summer I worked on a Duncan Andrews story and got almost to the end (I had just got to the 60,000 word mark) when I realized it wouldn't work. At all. The plot was okay, but it wasn't for Duncan and company. It was much too serious and came across like Bugs Bunny starring in Schindler's List. Too jarring. So I abandoned it, a hard thing to do when you've put three months into something. Still, it was the right thing to do.
I'm much happier with The Scarlet Tide. There are still some things I need to fix, but overall I like the plot. This one concentrates more on the dynamic between Duncan and Robbie and Nick and will lead directly to the fourth (and last?) book in the series. Stay tuned!
Look forward to hearing a few of your thoughts and seeing your updates."
It's nice to know someone cares! So for Deeze and anyone else interested, here's the skinny. I'm about 2/3 through with the 2nd draft of The Scarlet Tide, the 3rd Duncan Andrews book. I'm hoping to have it in shape to send out by the end of the month.
For those who aren't familiar with Duncan, his story started in my first published novel Pale As a Ghost. The second novel in the series, Animal Instinct, came out last year. Duncan is a private detective based out of Indianapolis who has some psychic ability in that he knows whenever something supernatural is around. He can also see and talk with ghosts, which is a good thing as his boyfriend, Robbie, is still hanging around even though he died over a decade ago. Duncan's best friend is Gina, a centuries old witch, and his bulldog, Daisy, is a zombie.
Confession time: The Scarlet Tide, the working title of the third book, nearly wasn't the third book. All last summer I worked on a Duncan Andrews story and got almost to the end (I had just got to the 60,000 word mark) when I realized it wouldn't work. At all. The plot was okay, but it wasn't for Duncan and company. It was much too serious and came across like Bugs Bunny starring in Schindler's List. Too jarring. So I abandoned it, a hard thing to do when you've put three months into something. Still, it was the right thing to do.
I'm much happier with The Scarlet Tide. There are still some things I need to fix, but overall I like the plot. This one concentrates more on the dynamic between Duncan and Robbie and Nick and will lead directly to the fourth (and last?) book in the series. Stay tuned!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
There'll be a short pause for everyone to say "Who cares?"
When Jack Benny hosted his first radio show, back when radio was new and no one knew quite what to make of the new medium, his first on air words were, "Hello, everyone. My name is Jack Benny. There will be a short pause for everyone to say, 'Who cares?'"
A funny line, but one that is hitting home to me right now. I've put off having a blog because, honestly, who cares what I think? And, more to the point, do I have anything to say?
As a writer, I like to think that my books speak for me. It's my characters and stories I want people to pay attention to, not my ramblings. But, who knows, maybe there is some soul out there who's sitting in some dank basement in his underwear (or hers, for that matter) thinking, Gee, I wonder what's going on with Stephen Osborne right now?
So for that one person and maybe his dog, this is for you. I'll try to keep you updated on my writing, what's going on in my life, and whatnot. Especially whatnot. There'll be a lot of whatnot.
Maybe I'll have contests. Maybe I'll auction myself off to the highest bidder, or just the cutest one. Or maybe I won't figure out how this thing works and it won't matter.
That last is probably the most likely scenario.
A funny line, but one that is hitting home to me right now. I've put off having a blog because, honestly, who cares what I think? And, more to the point, do I have anything to say?
As a writer, I like to think that my books speak for me. It's my characters and stories I want people to pay attention to, not my ramblings. But, who knows, maybe there is some soul out there who's sitting in some dank basement in his underwear (or hers, for that matter) thinking, Gee, I wonder what's going on with Stephen Osborne right now?
So for that one person and maybe his dog, this is for you. I'll try to keep you updated on my writing, what's going on in my life, and whatnot. Especially whatnot. There'll be a lot of whatnot.
Maybe I'll have contests. Maybe I'll auction myself off to the highest bidder, or just the cutest one. Or maybe I won't figure out how this thing works and it won't matter.
That last is probably the most likely scenario.
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