My Life and Times

Doolittle’s Tokyo Raiders

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At the beginning of the U.S. involvement in World War II, plans were drawn up for a daring raid on Tokyo after the devastation of Pearl Harbor.

If you’ve seen the movie Pearl Harbor, you know the raid I mean. The air raid itself consisted of 16 B-25 Mitchells, carrying 80 airmen dropping bombs on an enemy city half a world away. That doesn’t even include the carriers, seamen, and other personnel and equipment that it took to pull it off.

It amazes me that these men stripped their planes down to nothing and pulled off such a brave attack. Three died. Eight spent time as prisoners of war. Fifteen planes were destroyed.

Lt. Col. James Doolittle, USAAF, led the raid, and the men have come to be known as the Doolittle Raiders. Every year, the survivors have an annual reunion. Five airmen from that raid are still alive today.

Living in Ohio, I am constantly amazed at the rich aviation heritage in our state. I was even more amazed this past weekend when I got the opportunity to see restored B-25s at Grimes Airport in my own town.

This week is the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, and there are activities here in Urbana and at the National Air Force Museum, in Dayton, Ohio (actually down the road from where I used to live when I lived in Dayton!). We do have a small aviation museum, but like a lot of locals, it’s real easy to overlook the cool stuff we have when it’s right there every day. I’m awfully guilty of that…just like many of us are.

So…off we went, camera in hand, to take a look at restored B-25s and to take a moment to stop and just appreciate the bravery of the men who took this on. It wasn’t a huge tactical victory…instead, it was a huge morale boost to the United States, after Pearl Harbor, and a huge morale blow to Japan…who had been flying high after their successes.

We watched planes taking off, planes on the ground, watched them overhead in the sky even after we went home. All weekend we heard the sounds of the planes, a constant, steady reminder of another time and another place, but of a national pride that still exists.

Take a look.

This next one isn’t a B-25, but it’s kinda cool. Behind the pilot was a place for a wounded soldier to be airlifted to safety.

Fairy Tale Shows

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I gotta admit. I’m addicted to both Once Upon A Time and Grimm.

I think they are both doing outstanding jobs at incorporating old stories into a new storyline.

Here’s my thoughts on both.

ONCE UPON A TIME

I am thoroughly enjoying this show. There are times I think that the show itself borders on cheesy, but sometimes cheesy works…and it definitely works here.

As a writer, I can see that the writers of this show seem to be having the times of their lives putting this thing together…along with the production staff, the actors, and everyone else involved. The sheer joy in the performances is easy to see.

I am definitely rooting for the Mayor to get her comeuppance. I hate that character, but at the same time, she is the bad guy. Viewers are kinda supposed to hate her. I can see that the actress playing that part is doing so expertly and no question that she’s having a great time doing it.

This show is the epitome of writers and actors and everyone involved knowing that they are working on something special, enjoying every minute of it, and it shows.

GRIMM

This show is so much darker, in tone, in content, and in setting, than OUAT. That’s not a complaint.

I’m liking the introduction of fairy tales into modern police work. And I have to say that my favorite character is a tie…between the completely human Hank and the not-human Monroe. But the character surprising me is….Juliet. She’s definitely coming into her own as a supportive girlfriend who’s not afraid to kick a little ass from time to time, to stand up to Nick’s lies to cover the fact he’s a grimm. I’m good with that…makes me like her even more!

I have to say that there have been times that I’ve wondered where the mythology is coming from. I’ve done a metric ton of research in writing my upcoming novel (using fairy tales), and can’t place them. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist…and every writer is entitled to put their own spin on them. That said, I keep getting distracted from the plot because I’m trying to figure out where it came from. Maybe that’s my own personal foible. Very possible.

COMPARISONS

I’ve had several people ask me recently which is more like the book I wrote. I have to say neither…because the book is different in plot, in storyline, and in characters. That said…it’s closer in tone to Once Upon A Time than Grimm, but I think fans of either show might enjoy The Grimm Legacy.

 

Welcome to Crazytown, Population: Me

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There’s a lot going on here at Chez King, but not a lot that I can talk about. Needless to say, plenty of stress, plenty of holiday, plenty of family, and plenty of fun…and editing deadlines and conference appearances and writing, oh my!!

Lots of overwhelming gratitude and thanks go out to Jamie-Kristal Lott and Matt Teel, my editor and the head of the Urania fantasy imprint at Musa Publishing, respectively, for being prompt and thorough with all their work on my book, and for their patience in dealing with an author who is still figuring out how to make deadlines work with real life thrown into the mix. Now wait, that sounds bad. I did hit my editing deadlines with time to spare, but still, it was nice that they were so understanding about my questions and concerns. And they GET the book. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I’m just days back from MARCon, where I appeared on some interesting panels. Those who know me, know that I’ve just about always got plenty to say about just about anything…the question is whether I’ll say it or not. The panelists were all interesting and knowledgeable, and I hope that the people who attended got as much out of them as I did. I had a blast! Got to see some old friends and make new ones, and enjoyed the heck out of the time I spent there.

The only downside to the conference was that I was on LATE panels and driving back and forth to sleep in my own bed, and Easter Sunday was the last day of the conference. I chose to go to church with the family and eat way too much Easter dinner rather than come back for the third day when I found out that I was not on any panels on Sunday. I’d make the same choice again, although, next time I might need a steady IV of coffee to get through it all!

I’m through a bunch of edits on my novel, THE GRIMM LEGACY, which is still scheduled for release on May 25, 2012. I’m hoping to have more news soon regarding this, and some fun stuff for when it comes out, but those are still in the works, so rest assured…stuff is being planned. More stuff is being talked about. Miscellaneous stuff is being pondered. (And yes, Brother, that joke still works).

I’m finishing up some legal work tonight, and then hoping to dive back into writing tomorrow night, where at least two (and possibly three) projects will be claiming my attention. Plus we’re making plans for fun activities for the weekend. Life is all kinds of hectic, but in a pretty darn good way.

Meanwhile, Fuzzy Minion wanted to say hi.

And now I must step away from the computer and pay homage to the Fuzzy Minion. You see, it’s her house. I’m just allowed to live in it and pay the bills.

Silence and a Learning Curve

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I’ve been silent here because there are so many things going on that I wouldn’t know where to start. There’s also a lot of things in the news that make me crazy, but I possess both the right to remain silent, as well as the capacity to know when to keep my trap shut, so I’m being quiet. I’ve written many blog entries, and consigned them to the trash heap corner of my flash drive, where they will likely never see the light of day…and that’s probably for the best.

My personal life has gotten a lot busier than normal…but that’s not a topic I generally discuss on the blog.

I don’t have any major news to report regarding the writing. According to the conversations I’ve had over email with my publisher/editors, we’re on track to release THE GRIMM LEGACY right on schedule on May 25, 2012.

I’m learning real quick about working to deadline…I’ve had a bunch of those lately. And I’ve been learning about my own ability to meet them….as well as being realistic about hitting them without losing my mind.

I’ve been talking to people about different things with regard to the release of the book in May, but I don’t have anything to report yet.

I CAN tell everyone that I am scheduled to be at MARCon in Columbus, Ohio on April 6-8, 2012, and am scheduled to be on four different panels while I’m there.

Here’s the schedule…

Friday April 6, 2012

8:30 p.m.             Writer’s groups-the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

10:00 p.m.           Paranormal Romance

Saturday April 7, 2012

4:00 p.m.             The Urban Fantasy

11:00 p.m.           Beyond Sex: Writing Realistic Relationships in Novels and Short Fiction

As usual, there will be someone at the house when I’m not there, and Elizabeth the amazing whiny cat will be on her usual guard patrol.

More to come as I get deeper into this process!

Writer Crazy

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I was trying to explain writer crazy to a non-writer the other night and came up with this analogy…

Have you ever been to the circus? One with all three rings going on at once with different acts all at the same time, with barkers outside calling for people to come see the freak show, food trucks with cotton candy and corn dogs and French fries and popcorn and deep fried pickles and Mars bars and animal smells from the barn? Imagine that going on inside someone’s head. Then hear the du-du-dadda-da-da-du-du-dadda of the circus music. Now pour in your impressions of everything you’ve ever seen, everything you’ve ever done, every book you’ve ever read, every movie you’ve ever watched, every news report you’ve ever looked at, every funny face your little brother made when he was five, every pull of your pigtails by the boy behind you at school in the first grade, and every “MOOOOOM, she’s doing it AGAINNNN!!” you ever yelled at your sister as a kid. Shake until all the different things bouncing around start sticking to each other like caramel corn in a paper bag.

What comes out is what they put on a page, or the thought process that comes before putting it on the page.

When you see a writer starting off into blank space, and it seems like they aren’t really focusing on anything? Or you’re in a store with them and they come to an abrupt stop in the middle of the store, then you look in their eyes and you can almost see the hamsters running frantically on wheels inside? They’re trying to sift through all that stuff to solidify the idea that has suddenly popped out at them. That’s writer crazy.

Believe me when I say it’s nothing personal. It has nothing to do with anything that was going on before they got that glint in their eye and that slight sideways head-cock that signals that they’re on a little different angle.

Give it a few minutes. Quietly hand them a notepad and pen. Let them take a few notes. And then they’ll be back to you again.

If you’re the one dating the writer, just know that this is part of the package. Just like the football fan who wants to watch the game on Sunday, or the girl who has a corner of her bedroom allocated just for her shoes (or purses, books, scrapbooking supplies, fill in the blanks)…(or vice versa, since I’m not trying to be sexist here)…there are some things that are just part of who they are.

And when they ask you to go on a road trip to look at used RVs, or to a rubber band museum, or to go see an art exhibit that used nothing but used milk crates because it pertains to something they are writing…understand that they are sharing that crazy with you. It’s a good thing. It means you are passing the test of being able to understand the writer crazy that they live with. Enjoy it. You never know what you might see, what you might learn, or what you might find that you enjoy.

 

Updates and Stuff

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WOWZA!!

The past month or so has been off the charts awesome, both on the personal front as well as on the writing front.

There is exciting family news, exciting personal news, and exciting writing news; some of which is ready for sharing, some of which will be shared down the road, and some of which, while way awesome, isn’t really the stuff I write about here on the blog.

The best way to put it…is that the personal stuff doesn’t get posted here until I’m comfortable with it…and it’s not about personal comfort all the time…sometimes it’s just about being careful about what one posts on the internet. You know, personal security, privacy of others, etc. Suffice it to say that life is pretty darn good at the moment. More will come later, I’m sure.

The family news, well, isn’t my news. I’m kinda waiting for others to out the news on the interwebs (and I’ll take a Facebook post from them, you know who you are…) before I post it, or anything about it. I’m sure you’ll understand when you see what it is. It’s way exciting!

And on the writing front…

We are looking at MAY 25, 2012 as a release date for THE GRIMM LEGACY. It will be released as an ebook on that date, barring complications, delays, or other issues. At this point, I don’t see any on the horizon, but that’s still five months away and a lot could happen between now and then. Lots of people are asking me about print…at this point, I don’t have a good answer. I’ll post when and if I get one.

I’m working on a proposal/synopsis for another book, writing a first draft of a third, and have several short stories in various stages of completion. I’m also planning some research day trips with friends/relatives/guinea pigs to get some hands on information for stuff I’m writing…some of them are odd and cool and awesome…others are just weird. Stay tuned for more info. I’m hoping to post pictures as I go see what I need to see!

 

Holiday Time

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So it’s Thanksgiving Week. Thanksgiving isn’t just a single day anymore with all the different family, work, and friend related gatherings. It’s hectic and stressful and insanity-inducing.

And when I’m overwhelmed by all the craziness?

I stop to remember how thankful I am to have a job with co-workers who want to celebrate together. I’m thankful I have SOOOOOOOOO much family that enjoys spending time together, and I’m grateful that they’re in good enough health to do so. I’m thankful for my friends, who I will see at what’s becoming the annual, “I-Ate-Too-Much-Turkey” Party.  Much fun will be had by all.

I’m grateful to be employed after all the stress of the past year.

I’m appreciative of all the early sales…I’ve got most of my Christmas shopping done already…and some big expenses for the house were TONS cheaper because of those sales. I’m especially happy that I didn’t have to stand in line in the cold and be awake at the crackiest crack of dawn to stand in line for those sales on Black Friday. I’m not a Black Friday shopper. In fact, I’m not a shopping in a crowd kind of shopper, either, unless I’m in a bookstore, and even then, I’d rather take my time and browse.

On the writing front, I’m grateful for a publisher and editor who have been genuinely enthusiastic about my book, and I’m excited to work with them. I’m grateful for writer’s groups I’ve worked with in the past, ones I work with now, beta readers and crit partners who know that it’s better to speak up (in a constructive manner) than to be nice when trying to make a book better, because it’s the only way to improve. I’m grateful for blog readers. I’m grateful for Facebook friends and Twitter followers. And I’m very thankful for the response I got from everyone when I announced that I’d signed a publishing contract. I’m still grinning a week later.

I’m grateful for opportunities, both pursued and not, because they give one choices to make in life. It’s the choices we make that shape who we are. If we don’t get those choices we don’t become someone; we stand still. Life’s not about standing still.

And then I remember that if I stand still, I’ll never get it all done.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Aw, You Like Me. You Really Like Me!

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I’m not sure how to top the news from yesterday. I don’t think I can at this point.

I’m overwhelmed at the support, and the encouragement I’ve seen since I’ve announced this…the number of comments and likes on Facebook, the responses on Twitter, and the number of visitors to the site in the last 24-48 hours has been phenomenal.

You guys do get that just because I signed the contract this week doesn’t mean that it gets released tomorrow, right?

The official release date has not yet been set. It’s likely several months away.

Let me lay a few things to rest:

1)      No, I’m not quitting my day job.

This is my first published novel (not the first novel I’ve written, but the first one to be accepted for publication). To date, my writing income is a four figure amount…if you count the figures that come after the decimal point. I’ve got a mortgage, a student loan payment, and a car payment, and I’d like to, well, buy groceries and pay the electric bill, too. All of that means I need the day job.

And well, the health insurance and dental insurance are nice, too. Writing doesn’t come with benefits, usually.

2)      You’ve made it…you wanted to get published. You ready to put that writing thing away yet?

Boy, if someone’s thinking this, they sure don’t know me. I’ve been writing fiction in various forms and states of completion since I was eight years old. Writing’s not ever gonna go away.

Technically, however, I’m already published, even before my news yesterday, with the anthology MYSTERY TIMES TEN, which came out this past summer. My short story, “Poltergeist on Aisle Fourteen” was included. That didn’t stop me from seeking out a publisher for my novel. And it hasn’t stopped me from working on the novel I’m writing now. Or the outline for the novel after that. Or making notes for other projects. Or working on new short stories. Or submitting the short stories that are ready.

So what’s my bigger goal?

Well, to take over the world, of course.

No, seriously, it’s not. I’m kidding. (Maybe 😉 But I believe that setting goals for ourselves is important. And when you reach a goal…you set a new one…who knows, maybe my next goal will be learning to juggle baby geese (bonus points if you get this reference!)

Nah, it’s to finish the current novel.  I’m allergic to feathers, anyway.

3)      What did you do to celebrate?

Well, my best friend lives a couple of hours away, with her husband and baby. We all love to cook and try new foodie things, so I went down there for the weekend. Brother and his girlfriend live closer to them than to where I live, so they joined us. We joked and laughed and talked and watched movies and opened a bottle of wine or three, had yummy snacks and a lovely dinner…and Boston cream pie for dessert.

And talked life, the universe, and writing, among other things.

Because I am that kind of geek.

And then, breakfast with friends, driving home for a writer’s group meeting, and cuddling up with a good book at the end of the night with the fuzzy minion purring away in my lap.

I count that as a pretty awesome weekend.

The Grimm Legacy

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It’s official!

As of last night, I have signed a contract with Musa Publishing to publish my contemporary fantasy novel, THE GRIMM LEGACY.

I do not have an official publication date yet; the discussion involves mid-2012. I will post when I have an official date.

You can find the website for Musa Publishing here.

I am all kinds of thrilled, not just for this opportunity, but also about the amazing conversations I’ve had with the editor for Urania, the speculative fiction imprint, as well as the promotions department and the main office. I’m excited to work with this company!

National Novel Writing Month

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I’ve been involved with NaNoWriMo since  2005 in the Dayton, Ohio region.

This year, I’m the Municipal Liaison for the “Elsewhere in Ohio” region, and am running a few events in and around Urbana, Ohio.

Since this region is so spread out, I’ve scheduled a kick off event in my own town, and I’m planning a few other events in my area. I’m hoping to try to do some online networking as well…more to come soon. Really.

For those in the Logan/Champaign/Clark county areas of Ohio…(and, well, Union, Madison, Miami, or Greene counties as well…)

There is a kick off event scheduled for

OCTOBER 29, 2011 FROM 2 PM UNTIL 5 PM IN THE CHAMPAIGN COUNTY LIBRARY MEETING ROOM.

I’ll be there…and I’m hoping to push/pull/drag a few people into helping out.

I’ll provide some snacks (and maybe cookies!) and will be there to answer questions about the event, talk about writing, and otherwise see what I can do to encourage others to take on the manic insanity of writing a novel in 30 days!

Come join us!