This site is a place where I discuss my writing journey, my books and stories.
Here it is, my next project! 30 minute shivers: A collection of Macabre tales! If you have been following me here for a while, you may already be in the know, I have had this project in my back pocket for a while and I have mentioned is more than a few times.. But I am finally ready to pull the trigger on it.
October is my planned release, though no specific date has been decided as of yet. Stay tuned! As always feel free to like and or comment!
Just a quick update. Well, NaNoWriMo is half over. I have fallen behind over the last week. I am 5000 words behind, but I hope to make up for lost time this weekend. I still have high hopes and good spirits about completing this challenge. I was starting to feel frustrated that I was not keeping up, but I know that you can not fail at NaNoWriMo. It’s a personal challenge, so the 20199 words I have written in the last 2 weeks are a remarkable success, in my opinion, whether I complete it or not. I looked up how many people finished NaNoWriMo with 50000 words, and I was surprised that only about 10% to 20% actually finished (According to Wikipedia). So I feel pretty damn good that I know if I push hard enough, I too can do it. (I wish I can add blog post to my word count LOL but I play fair)
No, Mork, that is not Nanoo Nanoo. NaNoWriMo is a writing challenge to finish your novel of fifty thousand words (or more) in one month, held every November. Sounds crazy (especially when it took me two years to write sixty thousand). The idea is not to end November with a ready-to-publish manuscript but to get your crazy idea out of your head onto proverbial paper. Bang out two thousand words a day, and you can login a sixty thousand word novel that is ready to be dissected, rearranged, edited, edited, etc…
This year I joined officially. It was good timing since I finished Emergence Asended, I am ready to get to work on “Yellow Man” (I have got to come up with a better name). Oh… maybe “Slicker”? Anyway, I figured I’d give it a shot. I do not expect to do two thousand a day; that’s a great average, but I hope to keep close to it, more on the weekends and whatever I can pound out at lunch and breaks from work. If you are a writer and you want to participate, It’s not too late to start. It is only day two. Search my username JsHallett on NaNoWriMo.org and we can be writing buddies! Challenge and support each other, or join the forums and make new friends.
Are you gonna join? Let me know in the comments, or just say hi!
HERE IS THE LINK to the interview by a local video blogger.
Do things that make you uncomfortable in your life complacency and comfort do not help you grow. So I am taking a heaping spoonful of my own medicine. I have always firmly believed that to grow, you need something to push against, even if that thing is your stage fright. I hope you enjoy it! for me, let the cringe begin.
After thinking about Emergence Ascended for way too long, and now that I am finished, I found there is a dead space in my head. I sat down to put together some notes and instinctively opened my ‘work in progress’ that is no longer in progress, at least the creative part of it. I had a strange feeling of separation. It’s not as dramatic as postpartum depression (not that I am trivializing a mental health condition), but the correlation is that there was a sense of “Oh, okay, what do I do now?” Of course, it was brief; I have 2 more novels in line, so there is plenty to do PLENTY.
It was a weird feeling, not a sad one, but it was definitely something to acknowledge. When you are close to a project and then it’s over, there is an almost whimsical feeling of longing for the ‘good ol days’. At that same moment, there was also a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. I did complete it, and I am really happy with the ending. A strange bag of mixed feelings.
When I completed Emergence Collective, I was too elated to feel any loss. However, I did have ideas to put on paper (Like the ghost story I am starting). I pushed the ghost story aside to write the sequel, so maybe I didn’t suffer because the next project was in the same world as the one my brain was still stuck in. I wonder if other writers feel similar things after they finish? To me, this isn’t a negative thing; it’s an introspective look at myself, a new emotion that I do not have much experience in. Maybe I can put it in a story. (Everything is fodder for inspiration.)
Moving on… I’m still thinking about the title(and working title) for ‘The Ghost Story’ (that is going to get old.) But Yellow Man, or the man in yellow. Ohh, maybe something catchy like Slicker Man or just ‘Slicker.” Something Stephen Kingish. He always had cool one-name titles: Cujo, Carrie, Christine… That seems to work. Anyway. I started my research (before I finished Emergence Ascended) because I can’t stop myself from working on three things at once) on yellow man, the guy in a yellow rain slicker? Ugh. I started researching the next book.
I had an interesting conversation with a Paranormal investigator from a group in the UK. And I think I have my finger on the pulse of how those things operate. I have a plan for some of the early background stuff in my world-building. I have the setting in my head, and the characters are starting to flesh out. I am not sure how spoilery I should get here; after all, this blog is as much for me (maybe more) as it is for you. Since you are reading this, you are in the Hand-prints of Darkness Insiders club. So maybe you get the privilege of witnessing not only the behind-the-scenes process but also some of the secrets rattling in my head. Maybe it will be fun to expose the inner workings of my brain, for better or worse. However, if I did lay bare my secrets to the story, it would make writing about the process easier.
Maybe if you heard it, it won’t sound confusing, but to me, a little dyslexic, attention deficit muddled brain, I am trying the best way to approach it.
“Emergence Ascended” is now finished! I think I found an Illustrator for the book cover. (Of course, you will be the first to see it when it is completed.) I have no idea when it will be released on Amazon (Kindle and paperback), but my hopes are it will be released sometime in mid-November!
I have a few more projects lined up; next is my ghost story. I am very excited about this. As a discovery writer, or “seat of the pants” writer, as some call it, I feel pretty comfortable. I do hit a few snags here and there and sometimes have to write my way out of corners I put myself in, but I manage to muddle through. However, the ghost story is pretty complex, and there are a lot of components that need to mesh just right. So, I am going to make myself uncomfortable and try to do an “outline.” I know it’s strange saying those words, but I’m going to give it a go.
I already have a plan; I want to start by gathering up all my characters and writing bio’s on them. Establish relationships and behind-the-scenes details that may or may not make it in the book. I am excited about this process since I am usually getting to know the characters as I write them.
Also, since there are some complex mechanics, I am flirting with the idea of writing most or part, at least from the end. And work my way backward. I am not sure if that will stick; I will have to play around and see.
Thank you for checking out my blog! If you like it, leave a ‘like’ or a comment! I love responding to comments and I do my best to respond to all of them. (If you commented in the past and I missed it, I apologize. Thanks again!
Remember, I’m still new to this writing thing. So sometimes I am reinventing the wheel or discovering a known thing (to the wizened writer). Every once in a while, I come to a fork in the road of the plot. I am a discovery writer, so as I am writing the story, I am making it up as I go. I have a mental road map about the direction the story will go. A rough idea about how it will end. I surprise even myself sometimes at how it is turning out, a new character I add to fill a gap might end up being integral to the plot as a whole and one I had not conceived of when I started writing.
So as it turns out, I again, have to come to a decision about what some characters are going to do. It’s not an issue with writer’s block, though I think it’s related a cousin, or uncle to writer’s block maybe. This has happened about 3 times in this story “Emergence Ascended,” and a few times in “Emergence Collective,” but the emergence collective one stumped me for a few months LOL. I write as I go, but I also think about the story as a whole when I am not writing (am I still a discovery writer?) In particular when an important scene (like the middle of the 3rd act). Someone I love has to die. Which of the bad guys deserve redemption? Am I supposed to pick up the dry cleaning? ( sorry that’s how my brain works and why it takes so long to write) I have a general idea how this book ends. but there are some situations that are almost interchangeable but will slightly alter my original idea (not that that is a bad thing) but which option will make the best, most satisfying end?
I had been quite productive in the last few weeks, I can feel the end coming and that has inspired me and that inspiration turned into an urgency. thing were smooth and flowing (I get that weird flow state when I write sometimes) well until now. I will reflect on who is going to die, who is worthy.
Thank you for visiting
The golf ball-sized chrome sphere appeared in the middle of the pine and seventh avenue intersection. It hovered silently and unwavering as a tractor-green waste management truck collided with it, punching a perfect hole through the length of the truck. Out of control, the dump truck plowed into the traffic ahead, tossing a few small cars aside as it ground to a halt. Another perfectly round hole pierced through the vehicle following the truck, and it, in turn, smashed violently into the garbage truck. In a desperate attempt to avoid the collision in front, the third vehicle braked hard and turned sharply. It slid sideways, the momentum carrying the car into the sphere, forcing the globe through the temple of the driver’s head like a hole punch. The sphere sat steady unmarred, with a mirror finish that made it appear innocent despite the carnage surrounding it.
Shocked at the scene, the onlookers quickly noticed the strange imperturbable object that had caused so much damage and bloodshed. One of the witnesses sprang into action in the seconds that followed the collisions. He rushed to the man with the perfect circle of gore just beginning to ooze out of his head, deciding in horror that there was no help, and looked into the back seat for any passengers that may need assistance. The body slumped over, its former owner no longer in control, and fell into the sphere still hovering inside the car.
So as I mentioned before, I have been stalling on Emergence Ascended. When I started, I had the gist of the story in my head from beginning to end (sort of). I had a rough map, at any rate. Sometimes I write myself into a corner or (as the reader is) wonder what will happen next (that’s where I need to be clever and creative), but sometimes I get stuck. There were a few possible plot directions I could go, but one way led to a problem, and the other leads to another issue. Trying to find the best possible solution without sounding derivative or a bland ending, I had to give it some serious thought.
Well, I had an epiphany. I had all the elements in place, but for some reason, my dumb brain took a minute to sort it out. I Passed the bumps in the road and am ready to finish the 3rd act. As I am primarily a discovery writer, I do not usually outline; I have an idea and go from there. But After my epiphany, I decided to jot it down to keep my thoughts in order. Maybe I am evolving my writing style.
Here is a question for the other writers out there. Have you ever written the end, last chapter, or whatever before you finished? Then connect the dots? How’d that go?
Thank you for checking out my blog; I love replying to comments, so feel free to say hi, and drop a like!
A few more paragraphs. Hey, this is how my brain does stuff, a little here, a dash there. One reason why it takes me so long to produce anything, I am busy doing every other thing. This little short horror is planned on being entered into a project, “30 minute shivers” a collection of short horror stories. The final version may end up completely different, Im just putting thoughts down.
Phantom Black
The scientists fiddled with the device with excited banter, enthusiastic about their apparent success. The device looked like an over-engineered paint spray gun. One of the scientists adjusted a setting on the machine, causing a pleasant harmonic tone to emanate from it. The other scientist poured a black viscous liquid into a small vat attached to the instrument with tubes, hoses, and electrical connections. The first scientist starts speaking into a recorder, taking verbal notes with a shaky, excited voice. “Four-thirty two hertz to four forty hertz seems to be the correct resonant frequencies to properly align the filaments. We have achieved approximately….” He looks up at the other scientist and nods slightly, prompting the missing information.
“Ninety-nine point nine, nine percent.” The other scientist reads off of a computer monitor in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Yes, right. Ninety-nine point nine, nine percent of photon absorption.” He continued, “We have found with the increased amplitude and voltage, the harmonic frequencies will correctly align the carbon nanotubes vertically, giving us an additional twenty percent efficiency.” He said, his voice still quivering with obvious exhilaration.
The scientist that poured the fluid into the contraption turned to a wall with a stark white square painted across its surface, then began to spray. A five-foot blob of black paint appeared on the wall. The scientist had to stop at that point as vertigo overcame him, and he swayed on unstable feet. To look into the blackness was to see a complete void that lied to his brain and made him dizzy as if falling into a never-ending hole.
He set the sprayer down and stumbled to the other scientist, that was busy monitoring the equipment. He laughed as he walked drunkenly back to the monitors. “I can’t believe it! I felt like I was going to fall into it for a minute!” he said, finally reaching the desk where he could grab hold and steady his feat.
The beam of light pierced the veil. Like an ugly knife wound tearing a rough, misshapen hole in the darkness. The light touched the creature’s tentacle, a warm tingle drawing its attention. Confused and curious, it extended its tentacles, reaching, feeling the jagged edges of the opening. It wrapped its tentacles around it with more confusion about the nature of this new thing in its world, then examined the edges, feeling its solidity. Reaching in and gaining purchase on the inside surface, it began to pull itself through, marveling at the warm tingly, yet slightly stinging sensation on its skin.
Tentacles wavered through the opening, touching the air and feeling the strange tingle of the light. As it pushed deeper into the new expanse, it could feel a vibration of sound emanating from inside this new space. It waved a tentacle sniffing the air, searching for the source of the vibrations. With so many new sensations, the creature grew eager and more curious. It pulled itself through the hole, sniffing and feeling.
With their backs turned away from the black painted surface, the scientists quickly prepared their device for the new round of testing; the creature probed a tentacle towards them. The probing tentacle extended toward the sound vibrations and detected a unique sensation that triggered a biological response; Hunger.
The tentacle wrapped around one of the scientists and pulled closer to the creature. Strange and delightful sensations came from it. It was warm and squishy and made sound vibrations that pleasantly tickled its senses. A warm gush of liquid poured out when it was pulled apart, metallic and salty. The creature pulled the pieces into its beak-like maw, enjoying the warm salty and chewy sensations. It was intoxicating. Its first taste of this new food unleashed an unapologetic yearning for more as it felt the nutrients provided a near-explosive growth.
The sounds the other scientist made while the creature devoured his comrade intensified. The creature hesitated despite its sudden craving for the new sensations of the food source, but the sounds of it were so compelling it wasn’t sure it wanted it to stop. The creature decided to split the difference by plucking the other scientist up but only pulling off and eating one appendage at a time. This seemed to work as the appendage tore away; the sound reached a pitch that sent shivers of ecstasy through the creature’s body. To the creature’s disappointment, the sounds abruptly stopped after the warm salty liquid stopped draining from the stump end of the appendage.
It finished consuming the still delicious treat when the door burst open. Several people rushed into the room to investigate the screams that echoed through the facility’s hallways. They skidded to a halt just inside the laboratory as the carnage stunned them into indecision. The creature didn’t hesitate and snatched up the first one that entered the room and sucked it into its maw. They screamed.
The creature stretched out into the hallway with fluid, almost vapor-like movements exploring the hallway. It could feel the vibrations of the footfalls of these new treats all around it, behind doors or around corners. It was glad for the new space to explore as its size increased with explosive growth. Every morsel it consumed is added to its now immense bulk and hunger.
It found a few more treats in a room at the end of the hall. The pleasant sound they made drew its attention to them. It enjoyed the first, particularly plump and juicy; its lower baritone screams added to the enjoyment like a savory spice. It allowed the increasing volume and intensity of the screams of the other two to carry on for a moment as it indulged in the cacophony of their anguish and fear until it could no longer resist the craving of the flesh.
The walls and hallway of the building became confining as it continued to consume more and more. It reached farther with a tentacle until it breached the front entrance. Finding more freedom of movement, it nearly gushed through the doorway to the outside. There were many new things outside the facility, strobing lights and new sound vibrations. These new sounds were not pleasant, like the noise the prey made. The frequency of the sirens was annoying and almost painful, dampening the joy of gluttony it was feeling.
It extended a tentacle outward to the nearest the offending vehicle and wiped it out of existence in one swipe of the now enormous appendage. This seemed to excite the human creatures. They reacted by flinging metal fragments from small pipes that they carried. These projectiles didn’t penetrate the creature and only served to further its annoyance. It swiped its tentacle back the other way, scooping up a huge swath of the prey creatures, then it sucked them into its beaked maw with a wooshing sound.
Hand-prints of Darkness 