Tag: amwriting

Emergence Ascended · writing

“Light bulb moment!” Gru.

Joe Hallett3 Comments

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!

Audible · blogging · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · readers

Chapter snippet…

Joe HallettLeave a comment

Chapter 33 of Emergence Ascended just a tease. Sadly the Audio gods are angry, and my plans of recording more chapters of Emergence ascended went the way of the Dodo (with fewer feathers.) Still in the plans I might try to squeeze it out after work, if I can fine a quiet space. I have been considering dropping chapters of Emergence Ascended right here. Any interest out there or should I wait for the book release?

Thanks for checking it out!

art · Author · blogging · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective

Switching gears

Joe Hallett3 Comments

It’s been a great couple of weeks, with a quick vacation and a holiday weekend. I did not spend any time writing. I let myself get bored. Boredom is a very healthy state of being in my opinion. It makes your brain ooze creativity as it aches to do something, anything. So I let myself get bored, refilling the creativity, parts of my brain. I also switched gears from writing and spent a lot of time doing some laser engraving projects (As shown above). Now that things are going back to normal, I will start posting again and writing my WIP. I also plan on recording more chapters of “Emergence collective.” So if you have been following my Spotify, more episodes are coming soon (Sunday maybe)

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Author · blogging · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · magic · narrators · science fiction · spiritualism · voice acting · writing

Go with the flow…

Joe Hallett3 Comments

Another quick Saturday note(In the US, a quick nod to my “down under” audience}note. (I have noticed that when I post on weekends that there is less traffic overall, but eventually, someone will read it, right?) After having a bit of mild to moderate writer’s block, I managed to get back on track, and I am happy with the progress I am making. Chapter 28 and most of 29 of “Emergence Ascended” are down with a meager 38000 words. I estimate it’s just under half complete, but I am a discovery writer, so I don’t know where it will end, somewhere between Doctor Suese and Tolkien in length.

If you are one of those that are listening through my narration of “Emergence Collective” on Spotify, I expect to have chapters 10 and maybe 11 recorded tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! As always, thanks for stopping by. Give it a like or comment (I love comments!)

about me · Author · blogging

Where ever you go, there you are.

Joe Hallett2 Comments

This blog is my space to write about my writing journey. So I try not to talk about the mundane life stuff like work or personal matters, since everyone already gets to have their own, I don’t need to give them more. But work-life does interfere with my writing, so that part of the crossover is what I am talking about. Hopefully, this will be one of the last times I type the word Covid. but yeah, that’s part of it. The Aerospace industry had also been impacted by Covid. The one-two punch for those of us that are Boeing Subcontractors, The 737 Max production getting shut down for almost 3 years has almost killed our shop and I have watched many (of our competitors muwahahahah) completely go out of business. Our workload has decreases and we had to let a lot of good people go. Most of my crew too.

That means that I have been busy doing the work of 3 other people that I used to lean on. Don’t get the idea that I am complaining, that is not my point. The point is that fatigue and time to actually write my stories and keep up with the blog have been influenced by world events. I am pretty sure I have made similar posts with promises that I will be more consistent in posting on the blog. I apologize that that hasn’t been the case.

That was then, this is now. Covid is seemingly under control, the FAA has allowed production again and our shop is getting much busier, and hiring! (If you work in Aerospace and need a job, I know a guy 😉 ) That being said I am building my crew back and that should give me some of my valuable time back to give to you. If you have stuck with me so far, I sincerely appreciate it. If you are new to my blog, expect more fun to happen. As always feel free to comment on this post or shoot me an email at hello@hand-printsofdarkness.com or simply give it a like! Thanks for reading.

art · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · Horror · narrators · voice acting · writing

What do I get out of it?

Joe Hallett2 Comments

As a creative person, I am driven to make stuff. Most of the time, the stuff I create is just for me, something to scratch the itch. I am usually happy with my creations; most go unfinished, however. A lot of times, there are things I do to express an emotion or try out an idea, and once I have done that, I move on to the next thing (an expression of Attention deficit disorder). But it works for me. Creating things like writing, I need a little more, I need to share some things, and I want feedback on my ideas. Not that I am seeking attention, quite the opposite to be honest, I am very introverted (The pandemic was the best thing that ever happened to me, aside from all the death and dying stuff), and for the most part have to be poked and prodded to be social.

That’s where the paradox lies, where I am not looking for attention but want feedback on my creativity, but don’t want to have to be social about it. I am terrible about self-promotion. So, what do I get out of it? There is nothing better than hearing how a story I wrote made an impact on someone. If I frightened you, or made you think about a crazy idea I had, is a sense of fulfillment that is unequaled. When I write, I aspire to write something that will make the reader just think about my story a week or month later or even want to read it again.

I did get some very satisfying writing done this weekend. Wow, I am on Chapter 28 of Emergence Ascended, and I am really happy with it so far. As far as recording Emergence Collective, I had technical issues that prevented that from happening and that is disappointing. I am starting to feel confident, my narration skills are approaching “decent”, my editing is fair. Thanks for taking the time to read! Feel free to leave a like or comment, I enjoy the conversations! You can also email me at hello@hand-printsofdarkness.com

Audible · Author · blogging · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · magic · science fiction · spiritualism · voice acting · writing

Audible update

Joe HallettLeave a comment

Chapter 7 is recorded. As a bonus I recorded a sneak peek episode of Emergence Ascended.

Check it out on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/66Hha7Dq9ZJBTRTKCzddOC?si=cd780b32bf634a93
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DoPIKLPHkst5QPtiT7QPo?si=486b77fd387d47a8
about me · Author · Emergence Ascended · readers · reading · science fiction · writing

Fundamental Habits

Joe HallettLeave a comment

My first Computer was a Commador Vic20; yes, I am that old. When I first started using computers, I was taught a valuable skill. Save early, Save often. Repeat, forever. Keep in mind that I was never taught the reverse, which is to delete outdated versions and keep your files system clean and tidy. I still struggle with that, and it brings its own set of problems. My computer glitched over the weekend after I poured my heart into a particularly important chapter of my WIP, “Emergence Ascended.” Of course, I had finished the chapter to my satisfaction. I use autosave on my one drive, and up until now, it had been my go-to for “save early, save often,” and I relied on it. When I wanted to give my chapter a quick review, I opened the WIP, and everything I had written was gone. I double-checked save settings, file locations, time stamps, etc. but to no avail. I was left in shock; it was a great chapter and a pivotal part in the story.

Whatever the glitch was, it saved over an old file (chapter 4, of all things). I was lucky enough to randomly open that file (not the first I tried) and noticed a line I had recently written. I carefully copied and pasted it into the correct location. SAVED again, made a copy of the entire WIP, and saved it to an archive folder just in case.

My diligence in saving early save often but using automation that is not always reliable taught me another lesson to periodically clean out the old and make copies. Learn from me.

Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · Horror · magic · paranormal · science fiction · writing

Workshoppin a scene

Joe HallettLeave a comment

I am at a pivot point in the plot of Emergence Ascended. I thought I would workshop the scene and share it with you. There is no context yet. My goal is to catch the reader off, guard. If I decide not to include it in the novel, I just might keep it in my backpocket of flash fiction ideas. Let me know what you think (as always, my shoot from the hip, flash fiction ideas are NOT polished, so bare that in mind)

Content may be too graphic for sensitive readers (Im not sure anymore, I am so jaded I don’t know what is offensive)

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.

                There was no resistance as the body slid over the spere, causing a surgical swath nearly cutting the man’s head off as it passed. Stunned at the scene, the hero moved his hand to cover his mouth. His fingers were trimmed off neatly and cleanly as they brushed the sphere causing the would-be hero to cry out and vomit on the driver.

about me · Author · blogging · poetry

Monday quick post

Joe HallettLeave a comment

It’s Monday again, and back to the work routine. Just a quick post today. Sadly no writing or recording progress for two reasons. The first is that I have had a cold (not Covid!) over the weekend, which kind of puts a damper on creative thinking; recording audio with a cold is a waste of time unless you want to hear me sneeze and sniffle. Second, it was my son’s 16th birthday, so we had a busy weekend for that.

I will leave you with a fun poem I wrote, Enjoy!