Hungry Minds Must Be Fed…
Just finished ordering the review copies of Prelude to a Hero in print, due Monday morning (hope that extra $20 for shipping is actually worth it). Then Kathilynn and I can sit down, separately, and mark up the copy–make sure it’s all pretty for you and printable. Looking forward to seeing the final, physical copy!
Also had some challenges when it came to Smashwords. NOTE: make sure to follow their guide, no matter how much you’re convinced of your own cleverness…or you’ll have to do it all over. Resubmitted work, epub checked it (successfully) and now we wait once again. It’s all very annoying, but I’m glad this process is in place: making sure you get the best book possible.
So what now? Other than taking a small breath and perhaps trying to get some exercise?
It’s time to write again. The plotting, the outlining, the expansion of histories and even some game creation with Evan. He’s got an incredible idea for a card game that I’m excited about.
The focus is now upon the Chronicles of a Hero series. The first novel due this fall (2011). Kathi thinks I’m crazy, the kids think it’s cool and the readers need to have their hungry minds fed as soon as possible when it comes to the adventures of Wendell. So I’m working with speed and diligence.
Having gone through this process [writing with Kathi] was a great learning experience, and now I feel like running at full speed–following the carefully outlined course set for this story, and I hope…truly hope, that you’ll be an intimate part of that adventure.
I’m looking forward to answering questions, creating side stories to expand on your interests, creating merchandise you’d actually love to have–instead of creating ‘stuff’ and throwing it at you.
I want to have fun…with you and everyone you know.
Read MoreLove Notes
My beloved Kathilynn,
It’s been twenty years now since God had mercy on me and showed me how much I was loved, forever changing the path I would walk the rest of my days. I still remember the moment my eyes rested upon you. That first smile that still makes my heart race. The amazing smile that makes the butterflies stir.
I still have a crush on you.
Thank you for being the love of my life.
Twenty years has taught me something about us: I have always known you. I have always loved you. My heart was reaching out, calling out to you until your heart heard the cry and echoed back. It’s so easy to love you, Kathilynn. To adore you. It’s as natural as the beat of my heart.
You are an inspiration and example of what’s best in life and humanity, and when I look at our amazing children my heart cries to the heavens in gratitude for the incredible companion I have, because my love, the best in them is the best from you.
Your laugh brightens my soul, your smile brightens my world and when you look at me, I know I am loved. I can feel it and it always amazes me how you can do that without saying a word. What we have is rare, admired and envied by many because it is based on a foundation stronger than either of us.
I look forward to the next twenty years together, growing old together and to build our dreams together. I know we can do it, because you are my personal confirmation that dreams do come true.
You are my love, my inspiration and my best friend.
Thank you for simply being you.
I love you always and forever,
Your Jester.
Read MoreBaby -vs- Novel
As hard as we are working to finish this first novel, my beloved editor and translator to the world is too close to having the baby to spend any time thinking about writing. I don’t blame her. Arguing about points of Iskari History and whether to include the mating rituals of the Blue Bumbleback Hornswallows doesn’t apeal to me right now either.
I’m going to be a daddy again and I’m excited.
So this is notification that the Wanted Hero novel: Prelude to a Hero is on hold until the baby comes and Kathilynn can get settled in. I know that throws off the May 27th date for publication, but I will make it up to those great readers who contributed to it’s printing with an extra signed copy for the wait. It’s baby versus the book and I’m not shy to say the book loses out for the moment.
It has always been my blessing to be at home for the first two weeks with my wife and to take care of her and the baby. Not going to stop now. Life happens and we roll with it. I’ll keep you all up to date.
God Bless.
Jaime Buckley
Read MoreThe Heavens Sighed With Relief
On May 27th 1969 I think the great heavens above breathed a sigh of relief as I was promptly shoved into a body and sent here to Earth. Now that I’m 40 years old and have experience as a father myself, I’m pretty sure my personality in Heaven drove my family there to the verge of insanity. They couldn’t wait to have at least a tiny break from the teasing, the opinions on everything and the constant chasing of my future wife Kathilynn to get a kiss.
I’m not so sure about that last part, but I chase her all the time now, so it tends to reason.
My religion teaches me that our lives in Heaven before we came here [Earth] were very similar; with close family associations and personalities such as we have here. That’s incredible in one respect, but it gets me wondering: how much trouble was I in up there?
I have a hard time imagining my Father in Heaven running behind me while I marked up the clouds with a stray black bull nib screaming “THAT’S IT! I’M COUNTING TO FIVE YOUNG MAN!”
The more I think about it, the more I start wondering if Father in Heaven is bald. The stress I caused had to be horrible.
So I was sent to Earth and was born in Oakland California to Daniel and Rosina Buckley.
…who unfortunately had no idea what they were in for.
Good thing we’re all born [relatively] cute.
Read MoreRights of a Child: The Child Itself
The state of the world disturbs me. It becomes almost unbearable to listen to the current news, to read the newspapers and listen to the lives taken, the violence, the atrocities against children in every part of the world…especially in our own backyard. As a father of 10+1 and a brother of 18, the thought of a person harming a child turns my stomach.
Its been burning in my mind and I want to share my own opinion with you in the hopes that you’ll share your views with me. To share with those out there looking for the strength to stand up for their own beliefs, hopefully raising the bar of parenthood. I know it’s a lofty goal, but it’s worth the fight.
It all started as a conversation with Kathi (my sweet wife) as we drove in the car, talking about this blog and how I wanted to share hope through Wanted Hero (my comics and novels). We talked about the Rights of Children and how we as adults have a distorted perspective at times when it comes to what our children actually have rights to, or miss what we should be addressing altogether.
My baby girl Carley Rosina, named after my mom.
First off, shouldn’t we look at the child in and of itself? When a child is brought into this world, it (he/she) comes with a set of obligations on our part. It comes with the child’s creation, because its something WE did. We CHOSE to use our bodies in such a way to create another. Make excuses if you think it’ll help, but once you engage with the opposite sex, you are electing to start a process which creates a drive to make a child. You are responsible.
Now consider that child. It is the weakest creature born on planet Earth in the animal kingdom. When they are born they require immediate and constant care, being completely dependent upon others (it’s parents) for its survival. It cannot walk, communicate or feed itself. You called. It came. Now what?
Too many parents or those contemplating parenthood consider this a ‘pastime’ rather than a life mission. Unfortunately I had many friends who’s parents didn’t show more than mild acknowledgment towards them, and they spent most of their time at my own home. In many instances it was the pursuit of worldly goods, rather than family excellence. Not the required day-to-day needs, but the pursuit of toys, fine clothes and status symbols of various types.
My little buddy, Simon Paul (age 3).
It’s not good enough to simply bring a child into existence, providing nothing more than sustenance and leaving it to its own design. It is your responsibility to provide a foundation for your child to grow and become a productive member of society with the skill set to provide for it’s own comfort and the ability to improve upon all it has and has become.
Namely Love, Security & Education.
Read MoreMy Latest Book
