Prelude to a Hero Trailer!
For some reason, we never did a book trailer for Prelude to a Hero and it was overdue. I apologize for the wait, we did have technical difficulties with our Gnomes.
Let me know what you think and by all means, join us on Facebook and let us know if you LIKE it…
Read MoreMapping the Future
When I go shopping with Kathilynn it’s usually so we can spend time talking alone about the story and what we want to do next as a family when it comes to Wanted Hero. It’s amusing to watch some of the looks the housewives give me when I get animated in the isles of grocery stores, waving my arms around and talking about the various races or how certain families were brutally murdered and that I felt the villain who did it shouldn’t get caught (I once looked at a lady, shrugged my shoulders and whispered…“At LEAST not until book four…don’t you agree?”). People think I’m nuts and Kathi just laughs.
The publishing industry is changing so fast I’m having a hard time staying in the flow. In fact, if it wasn’t for David Farlands Daily Kick I’d miss a lot of what’s going on. My habit is to keep my head buried in my projects and work hard and fast until I run out of energy or pass out. I don’t pay a lot of attention to what others are doing…and it’s getting to me. So I brought the subject up to Kathi today while shopping:
Can we create a system that will help us as a family to build Wanted Hero into a successful story and support our family financially?
I know full well (as did Kathi), that our one book (Prelude) sitting there on Amazon.com isn’t going to do us much good. People like it and we’re growing interest…but we also sell it for $.99 specifically because people just don’t know who I am as a writer yet. I had a fan base with the comics–but I don’t DO the comics anymore and that group (for some reason) has not transferred over to the book…and that’s perfectly ok. It’s the way writing goes, but our goal now is to change that if we can–to create a series of books that readers not only enjoy, they go crazy over them.
Kathi has a difficult time with how big the Wanted Hero universe is. All the notes, backgrounds, intertwining lives, events, prophecies and side stories that tie into Wendell and his life. It’s literally 20 years of ideas and though not all of them are great ideas…they all end up becoming springboards TO great ideas…which in turn dramatically increases the size of the story. We simply don’t have years to come out with 2-3 books. The story needs to grow faster!
So how do we get the story out faster to the readers, so;
- readers have entertainment and don’t lose interest in the story;
- readers actually gain interest in the story and recommend it to those they know;
- the story itself is not compromised, and;
- the story is produced in rapid succession to feed readers and feed my family.
I had a few ideas that I shared with my wife, which I’d like to share. The most important thought was to create a basic system of how we literally produce the books. Not a rigid box we conform to, but guidelines, such as 40,000+ words in a few months, rather than 200,000+ words a year. Maybe 10 chapters averaging 4,000 words each. Then there could be follow up books, like Hobins field guides which aren’t required for the series…but they certainly enhance the enjoyment of them.
Then there are background stories of characters in the books, histories and obscure knowledge about the vast world that people might enjoy. All created and illustrated to enhance the readers experience.
What this came down to was having to make the decision to produce as best we can, as fast as we can, so people can enjoy as much as they can. My desire is to not only bring you a great story, but to create a universe rarely seen. I can see it in my mind and I’ve dreamed of it for decades…the real test now is to bring it to you.
Read MoreHungry 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 MoreMy Latest Book
