Red Team Series

Well, Jack is back. Ever since picking up A Shrouded World and writing the third novel in that series, he’s been clamoring in my head. And, honestly, I miss writing him. Jack has more tales to be told, and Red Team is along with him. The Shrouded World series has opened the avenue for those stories to be told. As much as I enjoyed the characters of Sergeants Brown Jennings and Emily in ARES Virus, Sam and Erin and the others in Eidolon, Jack just resides deep within me. He’s a part of me, my brother, my uncle, my twin. He’s Jack and I’m able to connect with him, to know and understand him.

Now, with that said, it’s not easy to start a completely new world. Red Team is also back, but in a different light. They don’t share the warmth of close bonds as they’re meeting for the first time. Their relationships cannot be contrived, but slowly developed and nurtured over time. The bonds and trust have to be fashioned. So, don’t expect a plunge back into the middle of A New World. Jack and Lynn are also meeting for the first time, so what they had in the other series isn’t to be found in these initial pages. All of these relationships will develop as they walk along the razor’s edge of the world. And, as such, Robert, Nicole, and Brianna aren’t suddenly thrust into the sudden demise of the world, along with the turmoils and dangers the end brings. This won’t be a repeat of A New World – this will be a new tale.

The rough draft of the first book, Red Team: Strigoi, has been completed and is undergoing the first round of edits. I cannot even begin to explain how much I enjoy writing about Jack. He’s ingrained into my psyche and we know each other. I know his thoughts and he relates to mine. There is no character to develop as with the others, he’s just there. So, as such, when the book is out, I ask that you go into it with an open mind and not one with the idea of Red Team that was in the other series.

John

Time for an Update

I know that I’ve said this many, many times, perhaps every time, but I suck at blogging and keeping everyone updated.  So, here it is, update time.

I first of all want to thank everyone for the great reviews on the last book.  I really appreciate you taking your time to come back and post reviews.  I read each and every one of them and ma humbled by your support.  And I would also like to thank you for all of your kind messages.  They truly make my day.

Okay, so, I said an update.  It’s been a little busy lately so I’ll try to keep this brief.  I am currently working on a companion book to the series.  It’s a set of short stories of others around the time when everything fell apart.  I wanted to do this to give a wider view of what people went through.  I passed through the 51k word count mark last night.  What does that mean?  I really have no idea.  I would like to make this a full novel length but I’m not sure at this point.  Nor do I know when I’ll be finished with it.  I guess that’s not much of an update, eh.  The writing has been slow lately but I’m hoping to pick that up now.  I’m hoping to have this one finished and out sometime by the end of April.  We’ll just see how that plan goes. 🙂

Once I finish with the companion novel, I’ll be starting on book number 10.  There are a lot of ends to tie up following the last one and I’m excited to get to it.  Jack and the gang have taken care of one headache but another, potentially more deadly one, looms on the horizon.  There are a lot of decisions to make and time is not their friend.  And no, I haven’t forgotten the collaboration with Mark Tufo.  We’ve been chatting and will get to it when our writing schedules allow.  Just know that it hasn’t sunk below the waves as yet.

I hope your week has been treating you well and the upcoming weekend is a fun one for you!  Thank you all so much once again!

John

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A New World: Reckoning

Well, in a rather anti-climactic moment, I put the last word and period on the draft of the next book, A New World: Reckoning, last night.  I say it was anti-climactic because there was no build up inside of me anticipating the story, at least this book anyway, drawing to an end.  It just kind of, well, ended.  That being said, I have no idea when the editing will be complete and the book ready to be published.  Soon I hope but now I have to tackle the first round of edits, which I so dearly enjoy.

There were some who didn’t enjoy the turn the last book took but I only tell the story the way it wants to be told.  I know this sounds rather cliche but it’s the truth.  This book takes off from where the last one left off and, without giving any spoilers away, continues down the same path.  I will say that this one took off on its own like some of the others have.  What was meant to be only part of the book ended up filling the entire one.  So, that means that some of the story I meant to tell will have to be in the next one.  There’s your spoiler; yes, there is going to be another one.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the group next.  I mean in the next one after this.  It should prove to be interesting.  I am contemplating writing a companion book between this one and the next that will encompass the some of the stories of those bodies that Jack and the crew have run across.  I’m not sure about this as yet but they have a story to tell as well and it’s been tickling the few brain cells I have remaining.

Again, thank you for all of your support, kind message, and reviews.  I appreciate each and every one of them.  Receiving them truly does make my day.  I hope you have an awesome weekend.  I’ll just be here slowly going brain dead as I go through the edits.

 

John

Update Time

I suppose it’s time for an update on the next book, number nine.  I’m so good at blogging and keeping the web site up-to-date.  Yes, you can read facetious into that.  The writing on this one has been extremely slow, meaning, the words per day haven’t been all that spectacular.  So, late last night, I was actually rather surprised to see the word count at almost 74k.  I have absolutely no idea what that means in regards to when the book will be ready to publish, but hopefully soon.  Of course, it’s hard to write a story when most of the characters have perished.  You’d think that would make it easier but that’s just not the case.  Okay, I’m kidding, kind of, not really, maybe.

What’s the book title you ask?  Well, that is a very good question.  I had one in mind when I started but the story has, once again, left my control.  Parts that were to be included in this one will probably have to wait until the next book, yes, perhaps that’s a spoiler.  What that means though, is that I have no idea what this one will be called as yet.  I’m sure I’ll come up with something but right now the title is, A New World: F*#k It, I Have No Idea What to Call It.  Okay, either more or less caffeine is required.

So, in between wracking my brain for a title, I’ll be continuing on with jotting the occasional word down and hope some sense comes of it.  Eventually, the book will be finished or I’ll just throw a period down at the end of a random sentence and call it good.

I will admit that I’m a little disappointed with length that this particular episode has taken to write.  I had this killer cliff-hanger but, alas, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to use it for the end of the book.  So disappointing.  Oh well, the story tells it like it wants to.  Of course, I’ll have to come up with something, maybe, and that really doesn’t bode well for the characters.  As a matter of fact, the characters all just turned over their shoulders and gave me a ‘WTF’ look.

Okay, it’s obvious that I’m in need of some medical attention.  So, I will leave you on this wonderful Tuesday evening and get back to the story.  As I mention is most every other post, I want to thank you all for your wonderful support.  You’re messages and reviews are both humbling and uplifting, so truly, thank you.  I hope you have an awesome evening and rest of your week!

John

A New World: Conspiracy Release

Well, after a long wait – not to mention, blood, sweat, and tears – the release of the 8th book is out.  At least on Amazon.  Okay, there wasn’t really any blood or sweat, but there were many tears of frustration.  Oh, and bruises from pounding my head on the desk.  Yes, I have problems.  You will see the book begin showing up in the other locations, iTunes, Sony, B&N, Kobo, other online locations in a couple of weeks.  Oh, and it’s on Smashwords.

The book takes a little different angle but I won’t give out any spoilers here.  Just suffice it to say that things became a little more difficult for our small group of survivors.  Or at least potentially so.  A lot of people asked who was shot and who the shooter was.  Well, I didn’t go into that with this book.  Perhaps the next one.  Haha…just kidding.  You’ll find out.

I want to say thank you to all of the veterans – past and present.  Your service is very much appreciated.  As I mentioned in a post on my Facebook page, I would like to extend that thanks to everyone in law enforcement, the fire services, and all responders.  You also put your lives on the line on a daily basis to protect and save others.  Seriously…Thank You!!!

I have to thank you, the readers and fans!  You have been so supportive – beyond anything I could ever imagine.  It’s you who keeps the story alive and going.  I thoroughly enjoy your messages and posts.  They truly keep me going.

There’s not really a whole lot more to say.  My mind is fried and there’s dinner and a movie to attend to.  I’ll be back at it very soon so hopefully you won’t have too long to wait for the 9th.  Ooops, there’s a spoiler.  No, the series doesn’t end with this one.  The coyotes are howling outside – maybe they are reading the book and voicing their opinion – and so, with that, I bid  you a good night.

Oh, I suppose I should leave a link to the book, and if you would leave a review when you finish, I would very much appreciate it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GKHKXKE

Enjoy your week and I hope happiness and joy encompass  your lives!

John

 

Conspiracy Update

Well, in the wee hours of last Friday, I managed to finish the draft of the eighth book, A New World: Conspiracy. Since then I have been glued to the keyboard going through the first edits and finished those today. I now have this rectangular white spot in my vision. The manuscript has been carefully placed in the editor’s hands to let the magic be worked.  By the way, I suck at editing.  Which is unfortunate as I really enjoy it – read sarcasm.  

The cover has almost been completed and I’ll share a sneak preview of it very soon. When will it be finished and released you ask?  Excellent question.  The answer – I don’t know.  When the rough boulder of a draft I sent comes back gleaming and polished, I’ll have to format it for publication which takes months.  Kidding – it will take a day and then it will take up to 12 hours after I upload it to Amazon before it’s ready for purchase.  For the other online distributors, this could take a couple of weeks before it starts showing up.  I’m sure you all followed that but if you’re not baffled yet, I could throw in some math equations.

So, what does this all really mean? I’m expecting the book to be ready for release in about a week.  Yes, I know, I could have just said that.

As always, I really want to thank you for all of your support and messages. They are one of the highlights of my day.  Waking is another.  Wait, no it’s not.  Yes, I need more caffeine.  However, Battlefield 4 came out today so I must bid you adieu.  I hope your week treats you well and brings your dreams to life – if they’re good ones that is.

John

Summer Is Over

Unfortunately, summer has ended. Of course, I guess that depends on your perspective.  I took a little more time off than I usually do at the end of a book.  The sun came out, the kids came over, and I spent the summer hanging with them and taking a trip here and there.  Of course, I suppose that was bad timing seeing how the last book ended.  You have my apologies for leaving everything hanging like that. But now, the sun said its goodbye here for another few seasons – there are only really two here – and the wet weather has shown itself.  That means I sat down, dusted off the keyboard – I had to find it first – and began hammering out senseless words once again.

I had left the draft of the 8th book sitting close to the 1/3 mark, typing away on it periodically, but now I am tied to the chair.  Starting last Sunday evening, I passed the half way point last night.  There is a particular furry one here who isn’t appreciating my time spent in my chair much and lets me know from time to time his dissatisfaction.  So, I spend my time here and seeing to his whims.

The characters have been calling for some time and so I must answer their call.  Without giving any spoilers, there is a lot going on and it’s not easy keeping track of all the threads.  The action is slow to materialize but it’s coming and so I hope the writing will become easier as well.  Again, sorry to keep everyone waiting to see what happened after the ending of the last book.  Hopefully you won’t have too much longer to wait.  I don’t have a date or time line to when it will be ready as yet, but I’ll make sure and let you know when it’s drawing near.

Thank you so much for all of your words of encouragement and support.  And yes, those words of ‘when is it going to be done’.  I wish everyone a very happy week and hope it treats you well!

John

The Journey Continues

The story is calling once again.  I’ve left it hanging for far too long and the characters are itching to continue their tale.  Summer is about on us so this may take some time – when the sun is out in the Northwest, it must be taken advantage of.  However, with that said, I don’t think Jack and the group will allow me to idle too much with the story.

Today will be musing on the tale and thinking through story line, although that is  seldom held to.  But, we have to start somewhere.  Lurking in the background, Michael is calling as well.  *spoiler* Sandra and her craziness may have been dealt with but the danger from the night runners is far from over.   Greg has been left out on the road with just one team, the sub continues its journey along the seaboard, and a sniper shot has rung out.  The world has become an interesting place.

I do want to clarify something regarding the last title.  I referred to the last book often as “Rampage”.  When I finished the book, that title no longer truly corresponded to the story so I changed it to “Takedown”.  I apologize for any confusion about that.

I am often asked how long the story will be… how many books will the series eventually encompass?  The answer is that I don’t really know.  I know of three books at least including this next one.  It could end up being just those three books or it could go on.  The line I walk is to tell the survival story of the group without becoming repetitious in the events.  And the timeline of the story is an element as well.  The seventh book, Takedown, takes us to a point four to five months into the apocalyptic event.  I keep asking myself how long this will go and what it will entail but that is something that only Jack and the group of survivors can answer.  Once I start typing, they let me know what happens.

I wish all of the fathers out there a Happy Father’s Day and a fantastic weekend to all.  Thanks for following along with me.

 

John

A New World: Rampage Draft

Happy weekend everyone.  I just finished the first draft of the seventh book, A New World: Rampage, yesterday and am engaged in that wonderful world of editing.  I’ll hopefully be able to finish that in the next few days and send it off to the real editor.  I’ve long ago found out that I suck at editing.  At any rate, I’m hoping the finalized version will be out on Amazon toward the end of the month with the other distribution following a couple of weeks after.  I thought, however, that I would leave you with this little tease from the new book.  Keep in mind that it’s in draft form so forgive any errors.

The snarling face vanishes in a mist of dark spray. Its trajectory is altered and it sails between Henderson and me, landing on the floor with a heavy thud. Robert’s smoking barrel in my periphery tells me he just saved my bacon. However, this has allowed another night runner to follow and dive into the air, descending at a rapid pace directly at Robert. I still haven’t reloaded and he isn’t able to turn quickly enough.

I open up and scream a picture message of “NO!” The night runner’s expression, with its lips peeled back in a snarl revealing a set of broken teeth, changes to one of confusion. This does nothing to arrest its swift dive however. Timing it, I bring the butt of my M-4 up and slam it into the side of its face, feeling the jolt run up my arms and into my shoulder. It spins in mid-air, its body slamming into both of us crosswise high on our chests. The forceful impact knocks both of us off our feet and we land heavily across several other bodies lying on the floor.

The core of the night runner body is across my chest, effectively pinning my arms and me beneath it. Its chest lies across Robert. The night runner begins thrashing and squirming, growling in an attempt to get at him. Its face lies close to Robert but it can’t immediately get to him without shifting positions. That doesn’t prevent it from trying though. I feel the vibrations of a deep growl coming from the night runner. I try to get leverage with my arms but I can only wriggle like the foul-smelling creature on me. Next to me, I feel Robert struggling to do the same.

“Shoot it! Shoot the motherfucker!” I shout, thinking Robert might have his weapon free.

A New World: Rampage

That’s at least what I’m calling the seventh book at this stage.  That may change as the story progresses.  However, I’m happy to say that I have started on the 7th book and just passed the 20,000 word mark.  That’s almost about a quarter of the way through as most of the books are between 90,000 and 100,000 words.  As far as a schedule for finishing?  Yeah, good question.  I have a few irons in the fire right now so the writing is not my usual daily average.  However, that may pick up soon.  I am hoping to finish, or be close to being finished, toward the end of March.  We’ll see how that schedule pans out.

Mark Tufo and I have also started on our collaboration and I’m happy to say we are a fair ways into it.  It’s a lot of fun to write and if you haven’t read his Zombie Fallout series, you should.

Other little tid bits.  I’m working on getting the series out on audiobooks.  I have a publisher and narrator ready.  I’m wanting them more to be acted out so that is taking it a little longer.  Hopefully though, you should see that coming out within the next four months or so.  There are a lot of other things happening with the books which I’ll share at a later point when those parts are a little farther along the path.  It’s pretty cool though.

At any rate, I just wanted to share that the seventh is started so you hopefully won’t have to wait too long to read about the fine memorial services… wait, was that a spoiler?  hehe… jk… maybe.  As always, thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and messages.  You continue to humble me with your support. We are just a few weeks into the new year but I hope that it has been treating each and every one of you well!

 

John