Easter

I have to ask it again – where is the year going??? The days go by so fast I don’t see them arriving, let along leaving!

Okay, let’s get the update happening.

Clans in Conflict

The Kindle Unlimited story with Alex Travis and Chris McLaren in it is done and finally has a title.

Deadly Convergence.

I’m just waiting on the cover art for this, then I will be uploading it to Kindle Unlimited.

I do think that in the future there might be an anthology of stories in this particular universe, but that’s for the future.

Ryan Locke

There is also another Kindle Unlimited story that I am currently editing. This runs simultaneously with Dark Reign and is a side-story that complements the book. I hope to have that available in a couple of months.

The Dark Road

This is still with the beta reader. Real Life has gotten in the way of my beta reader, so please be patient with this.

Dark Beginnings

This is still on hold, but never forgotten. This will reveal how Troy’s father became a vampire and what led him to become Vlad the Supreme.

Consequences

Heart of Deception and Legacy of Risks

These are both with beta reader and proofreader. Hopefully they will also be available soon.

Dangerous Heart

Once the first to are published, I will look at getting Dangerous Heart read by a beta reader.

New Universes

Strefinobhan

Again, I have been working on two stories in this universe and completely rewriting the first one while concentrating on following the same vein with the second one. Stay tuned.

Shifters

For the first time, I admit to moving into the realm of shifters. This also includes those with powers. Okay, I’ll admit – more like metahuman powers. Not quite though and it’s a few thousand years in the future.

Paranormal

I may get back into this as I have an idea for another book with totally different characters and something entirely different. Will work on that next week.

Grow Write Anthology

Our anthology is coming along. The week after next I will be working on my piece that will become part of it. It needs a little work, but the feedback from it was really positive, so I am pleased with that.

Podcast Finding Elara

My session in this podcast will be aired early May, so stay tuned for that – I will share the address soon.

Reviews

I have not been reviewing anything recently, so you haven’t missed out. I may do some in a week’s time.

But that’s all I have for you today, so I will catch you in a fortnight’s time! Hooroo for now!

Almost Easter

Wow, how the year is flying!

Haven’t got a lot to talk about here. I have started a review blog, though, but at the moment, I’m a little busy to write in it. I will get more in it, I promise!

The differences between this one and that will be that the reviews have a subtitle of “Review”.

Onto other things.

Clans in Conflict

The first of the Kindle Unlimited stories is with the editor. Once that’s done, I’ll start working with the cover artist on what cover it will have. Knowing him, he’s already got some interesting ideas that we can talk about.

The Dark Road

Is still with the beta reader, but I’m sure it won’t be too long. Once it comes back, I’ll probably do some edits or rewrites before sending it to the editor.

Dark Beginnings

I will get back to this. The main content of it is currently percolating in my mind. Some of what I’ve actually put into it may go into a few other Kindle Unlimited stories as they are shorter stories about when Troy was growing up with his family and Tig.

Consequences

Heart of Deception is still with a proof reader. Again, when I’ve got that back I will go through it and probably do a lot of editing. Then it’s off to the cover artist. We have already been working on a new cover for this one. Much more exciting than the last one.

Legacy of Risks

This is also with the beta reader, then the next stop is putting their ideas in and sending it to the editor.

New universes

I have been working very closely on the story of Malevictus and his twin and hope to do a lot more in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Paranormal

This one is on the backburner. I will get it out there, but it just may be a little later than other stuff.

The anthology

So, as some of you know, I host a writing group in Midland every second Thursday. After 8 years of meetings, we have decided to put together an anthology. I was going to do a paranormal one for this, but I have since found a very old story that I put together for a competition something like 8 years ago. I am revamping this one to put in the anthology instead.

Completely different

On a completely different note, a friend asked me to do an interview with her for the second season of her podcast – Finding Elara. We have done the interview and it will air in a few weeks’ time in two parts.

Watch this space for more info.

So, that’s my update. If something unforeseen happens, I’ll fill you in at that time!

Gotta go – have a great fortnight (2 weeks, not the game) and talk to you then!

Middle of the month

Where is the year going? Did I blink and miss half of March? Just kidding.

So, our weather has calmed down – nowhere near as hot, but having said that, we’ve got our first very local bushfire for about 10 years or so. We are expecting 38 Celsius, and I know they’ve jumped on the fire pretty quick, but I’ve got my aircon on to stop smoke coming in. The joys of being asthmatic. Them’s the breaks as we used to say. Other than that, I’ll keep monitoring it.

Onto news.

Stuff your Kindle

So, my books are currently available for 99c at Stuff your Kindle. So, if you want them cheap, feel free to grab them. They’ll be cheap for a few days’ more.

Kindle Unlimited

One of the stories is with the editor now. The other one will take a little longer, but that’s okay. I don’t mind that one taking a bit longer. My cover artist is champing at the bit to get his hands on this one!

The Dark Road

Still with the beta readers, so still waiting on that.

Dark Beginnings

Still on hold, but I hope to get back into it really soon.

Consequences

Heart of Deception

Again, with beta readers. Hopefully will have that back very soon. The new cover is extremely different to the other cover it had.

Legacy of Risks

Still with my friend, but early indications are that I’ve done it justice, so that’s a bonus.

Dangerous Heart

Almost done tweaking it, then it’ll go to beta readers before being sent to the publisher for a final once-over.

New universes

I have been visiting Malevictus again and toying with ideas from that. Will get into that once we get the other books published.

Paranormal

Still looking into the anthology for this one and hopefully, get more of that published as well.

I don’t have any words of wisdom regarding the English language this fortnight, but what I do want to share is something I think is important.

Most of the so-called “writing rules” are not rules. They’re conventions and conventions can be broken and go out of style.

This is why I always follow the Macquarie Dictionary (and so does my editor, so if I miss something, she usually picks it up) and the Australian Government Style Manual. There is an Australian Style Guide, however, when I started out on this journey, that wasn’t available and I’m not about to change.

For those who are not Australian, you will find my grammar and punctuation may be somewhat different to what you are used to. Please, don’t let that put you off the story or the characters. It’s all about the book, not the mechanics. (oh, dear. Yes, I did say that, even though I notice typos in what I read. Never mind. Move along. Nothing to see here.)

Anyway, must go, have lots to do and I’ll talk to you in a couple of weeks!

Take it easy and remember to breathe. That’s the most important thing you can do.

March is here!

First up – my apologies! I ran out of time for my last instalment!

Okay, updates.

Kindle Unlimited

Both stories are finished. Just waiting for beta readers still, then they’ll go to editing. Once they’ve gone through editing I’ll be able to get their covers and upload them! Excited and scared to see how they go.

Clans in Conflict

The Dark Road

Still waiting to hear back from the beta readers, but it shouldn’t be too long, now. I hate waiting. What about you?

Dark Beginnings

I am still writing this but I have given it a rest while I see what’s going on. I will get back to it, but I’d like to get The Dark Road out there first.

Consequences

Heart of Deception

Still waiting for beta readers. Again, shouldn’t be too long.

Legacy of Risks

I have actually sent this to a friend who can give me a better understanding of how this is going. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy what I have written.

Dangerous Heart

Currently tweaking this to fit with the other two books. I’d rather have it close to what they are before publishing it.

New universes

I have been working on the shifter, Alek. That has become very complicated family-wise as well. I don’t know if he and his cousin will forgive me.

Paranormal

I am looking at putting one of those into an anthology that a group I am part of is putting together this year. Just have to go through it.

The English Language

What is it with our unique language? Some words get combined while others don’t. Take the list below:

Insofar

Straightforward

Loungeroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Nevertheless

Moreover

Moreso

Northbound

Westbound

Eastbound

Southbound

I know there are more out there – I should make a list of them! But why not the ones below:

Diningroom

What is it about those words that allows them to be combined, yet others aren’t allowed to be combined?

And what is it with spelling a word and yet the context used either has two different sounds or meanings?

Take

Lead – you either lead someone around or it’s a metal

But the metal sounds like “led”

February start

Wow! Already February! Hopefully, it won’t be as fast (I know, wishful thinking). Anyway, I have a lot of news.

Big one, big one – I have entered the Western Australian State Premier’s Writing Awards. Fingers are crossed that something will come of it.

Also, I have expanded my distribution and all 3 books will be released to other online stores on Wednesday 12 February. There are a few places I wouldn’t mind adding, but they’re emails to the company and I’ll look into that later.

That took me just about all of yesterday (Saturday)! But I got it done!

Kindle Unlimited

I have finished two stories to go into Kindle Unlimited, I’m just waiting for beta readers to have a look at those.

They’re both part of the Clans in Conflict universe and Alex Travis plays a role in those.

Clans in Conflict

I am still waiting on beta readers for The Dark Road. I’ve been promised they’re nearly finished, but I’m getting a little antsy on that.

For that reason, Dark Beginnings is still on hold. And that one I’m actually struggling with because there’s going to be a lot of politics in it and – well, that’s not really my strong point.

Consequences

Still waiting on proof readers to finish with Heart of Deception but it shouldn’t be too much longer.

I’m still editing Legacy of Risks and that’s still plodding along.

New universes

I had a quick look over Malevictus’s story yesterday and, yeah, that will need looking at before it goes out to beta readers.

And I’m still writing Alek’s story. (Don’t worry, I’m a little annoyed that it’s another Alek/Alex, too.) Poor shifter’s been through the ringer, just like his cousin.

Paranormal

I’m looking at a publishing house for the paranormal, but that will be a long way off. Any short stories will probably go under that banner as well.

New writing program

As I said last time, I have discovered Lore Forge and while I love it, I have had a few instances in the past week where it has frozen and blanked all the text. When it came back, all the text was there, but it was a little disconcerting. (Understatement – heart-pounding, sweat pouring – come on! Where are those words????)

I still like using it, though. It’s stripped back and works with my strange brain!

We’ve finally hit some cooler weather, but only until next Friday, then higher temps again. Oh, well, summer will be over soon. Like, 2 more months … then I’ll probably be complaining about the c-c-c-cold! Haha

Anyway, got some more writing to do, so have a great 2 weeks!

Where did January go?

What? It’s nearly the end of January already? Has someone sped time up? Last I knew, it was the week after New Year! Maybe I was snoozing!

So, I have done a very bold thing. I have entered the WA State Premier’s Awards for the first time. All that is left to do is take the books in. I have to take one in for legal deposit, anyway, so may as well make 2 trips.

On a different note, I’ve decided to venture into the world of Kindle Unlimited with some shorter stories related to the books. Well, at the moment, I’ve got one finished and I’m working on a second one – both related to Dark Reign. I do have to produce one related to Dark Dimensions, yet.

As I publish more books, I intend to do the same with them. So, they’re like complementary or supplementary items.

Let’s get down to business.

Clans in Conflict

The Dark Road is still with beta readers and probably will be for a little while longer.

Dark Beginnings – for those interested in the origin of Vlad and the Clan Leaders, I have also started working on this. I have paused it for a while, due to other commitments. Have no fear, I will return to it.

Consequences

Heart of Deception is currently with proof readers and hopefully I’ll get that back soon.

Legacy of Risks – I’m still editing that, but I’m slogging away at it piece by piece.

New universes

I have a few new series up my sleeve – one has a completed book – and some of you know Malevictus from Facebook.

The other one is a story that ground to a halt because Blair Fletcher stopped talking to me. Well, 2 nights ago, he tells me he’s got a cousin – Aleksander. Who starts talking? Aleksander does! So, those are on the go as well.

Paranormal

I haven’t forgotten my paranormal stories, I’m rewriting one of those to hopefully get that onto Kindle Unlimited, too.

New writing program

I have to say – I have discovered a new writing program that I really enjoy using. It’s pretty stripped down, not as complicated as the popular one, but not as text-based as the one created by a Perth Nanowrimoer – both of which I still use.

I love the fact that this one is a straight export to a doc file which I can use in both Word and Libre Office and doesn’t require compiling and holds all my formatting! It is an absolute joy to work with.

Oh, and the character sheets are just the type I need. I still don’t fill them out completely, but I intend to get better at it.

Anyway, that’s about it!

Have a great two weeks and I’ll talk to you soon!

Full Steam Ahead

So, we’re almost half-way through January 2025. Can we all believe it? Where on earth did 2024 go? Did we all fall asleep and miss it (oh, wait, that’s Flash Forward!)?

Okay, updates on books.

Clans in Conflict : www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTHRMJQW

The Dark Road is still with a beta reader, however, I have had verbal feedback that the story fits with Dark Dimensions and Dark Reign, so I’m just waiting for that to come back and then I’ll send that to the editor.

Of course, the other two (three) books can be found at the above link.

Dark Dimensions – sometime in the future I will combine both books and offer them as a special edition.

Consequences

Heart of Deception Edition 2 is currently with proofreaders, so hopefully that will be back soon. The cover will be completely different, but I’ll do a cover reveal when the time comes.

Legacy of Risks Edition 2 – I am still in the throws of editing this. I have decided to do a heavy edit, which means turning as many paragraphs around to see which works best. Of course, being a pantser and an author who sees everything as a big movie (yes, sounds and smells as well), I find this really hard which is why it’s taking a bit longer than I’d hoped.

Dangerous Heart has been rewritten, but I may do a heavy edit of that, also. Just to be sure it’s the best it possibly can be.

Other work.

I have decided to be brave.

I have a paranormal story of about 10,000 words which I’m going to put up on Kindle Unlimited. Just out of curiosity more than anything. Just to see how it goes. Wish me luck!

Website

The website is still progressing. Hopefully I’ll be able to work on it a bit more. I have been distracted by all the Christmas/New Year celebrations!

Other writing stuff

English spelling and meanings

I won’t cover everything here – there’s just too much!

Gotta love the English language – when you can have two words with similar spelling but mean different things and sound completely different – or two words with exactly the same spelling but sound and mean two different things.

Take for instance, the word ‘lead’.

LEAD – to lead someone around – this is pronounced ‘leed’ but basically someone or an animal follows you around – or it could be a group of people or animals.

LEAD – a metal – this is pronounced ‘led’ but relates to an actual physical metal (yeah, don’t quote me – it could be an alloy but I don’t have a scientific bone in me!)

Then you get this as well.

LED – you have led someone around – this is pronounced ‘led’ but is not a metal. It is a past-tense of the ‘lead’ in the first instance, meaning you’ve led someone or an animal or a group of people or animals around.

Have I confused everyone yet? I’m not surprised if I have! As I said, the joys of the English language!

If you’re very unlucky, I might put some more of these gems out in a fortnight!

Until then, have a great fortnight and conquer the world!

New year

Well, it’s almost the end of 2024!

What a year it’s been.

I’ve successfully wrenched control of one of my books from the defunct publisher and managed to publish a second edition of it. So, it’s in 2 parts, but in the future I may put out a single version so both parts are in one book. At over 160,000 words, it’s going to be a huge book.

I have also successfully published its sequel. This was due to be published by the original publisher, but I’m glad it wasn’t because I didn’t have to jump through any hoops to publish it.

So, on with news!

Clans in Conflict

As I said, Dark Dimensions Parts 1 and 2 are available to purchase from Amazon. I have yet to take it to other distributors. I’m still working on that.

Dark Reign, the sequel, is also published through Amazon and will be distributed more widely hopefully some time in the near future.

The Dark Road, the third book in the series, is with beta readers to check for its pacing, etc., and whether it actually works as a story.

Dark Beginnings – the story of Vlad the Supreme – is currently being written, but I still have a lot of other things to do before I can finish that.

Dark Dimensions Parts 1 and 2, and Dark Reign can be found here: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTHRMJQW

Consequences

Heart of Deception Edition 2 has been edited and is with a beta reader to see whether they can pick up any issues with it. Cover artist is already working on the cover art for that.

Legacy of Risks is still being rewritten. It will be an edition 2 when it’s completed. That needs to go to the editor and beta readers, so it will be a while yet.

Dangerous Heart has been edited but needs tweaking, but as it has not been published it is still an edition 1.

Website

I am still working on my website rebuild. With all of the upheaval with Christmas and New Year, I didn’t really get a chance to work on it, but I will get back to it. I have built some of it but I need to really spend some time on it.

General stuff

Aircon is fixed just in time for another heat wave from Tuesday onwards! We’ve had some cooler weather which was a great respite, but now the aircon is fixed it’s much more bearable.

Hopefully, next time I’ll have more news to share with you!

In the meantime, have a safe and great New Year and talk to you in 2025 (oh, that’s scary!)!

Christmas – New Year

So, we’re at the end of the year.

It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s all about letting off steam and letting go of worries. Of course, it isn’t always like that. Sometimes there’s strife in the holidays.

But that’s part of life. I wish everyone a great two weeks – or three – depends – and be sure to stay safe!

Anyhow, onto my work.

Clans in Conflict

As you’re aware, Dark Reign has been out for a while. This is a sequel to Dark Dimensions and you can find all of the books for Clans in Conflict here.

www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTHRMJQW

I am still working on a new website, but unfortunately, the above link is where they are available.

The Dark Road

The Dark Road is a follow-on to Dark Reign and it is currently with beta readers who are picking through it to see if it’ll work. They’re probably already pulling their hair out regarding what I subject Alex and Fernid to.

Consequences

As you all know, I have also rewritten the first two books of the Consequences series and I have got Heart of Deception back from the editor and am currently working my way through the changes she has suggested (and her comments that are amazing, by the way). Some of the comments mean I have to go back and look at what I’ve written and look at new ways of writing it. Which is part of the process every writer goes through. She did tell me, however, that the additions I’ve included have really rounded Marek’s character and given you all a deeper look into his history as well as his character.

I am still editing Legacy of Risks, which has also been rewritten. This follows-on directly to Heart of Deception and again has inclusions there much like the first book has. I will finish it, I promise.

The third book of the series, Dangerous Heart has been rewritten as well and is waiting in the queue.

Now, new stuff.

I have put my other stuff, like paranormal and my synergist books on hold at the moment, but their characters are still niggling at me, so I will get to them. I promise.

I have slowed down over the last week, but that’s because of Perth’s weather and the fact that the fan motor for our air conditioner decided it was too old and refused to help keep me cool over the last week. The motor is currently with the installer and he has promised us he will install it on Monday. Which is just as well because there is more hot weather coming. I made great use of a spray water bottle and the spa in the last week since the motor went.

So, I should be back to full throttle in my writing and editing from tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather has cooled today and tomorrow – just in time for the motor to be installed, because, let’s face it – who wants someone on their roof on a 39C day? (For those with imperial temps, that’s 102.2F and that was one of the cooler days – we got up to about 42C – 107.6F – I think.)

Okay, more real life stuff to do! Catch you next time!

It’s finally here!

Dark Reign has been released – well, it will on 2 December 2024.

This is the first time this book has been published and I’m really proud of it.

Dark Reign is the sequel to Dark Dimensions and although Troy plays a strong role in it, most of the story is from the viewpoint of Alex Travis.

Whilst there are science fiction elements in this story, such as dimensional travel, multiple versions of the same people, a lot of this story is how a detective, namely Alex Travis, goes through life learning about how to cope with a world that constantly changes around him.

In Dark Reign, Troy has mostly taken control of his city, but, as I said, this story is from Alex’s point of view and Alex has a strong idea of what his world is about.

Through this book, Alex has to come to terms about his place in the world and what that actually means.

While you don’t have to read Dark Dimensions to understand Dark Reign, Dark Dimensions is the first in the Clans In Conflict Series and Dark Reign is the second.

On a different note altogether, Heart of Deception, the first in the Consequences series, is currently with the editor. This will be coming out early 2025 if all goes well.

This, like Dark Dimensions, is a second edition as there are many changes to the storyline as sometimes happens when an author looks back over previously published works. Already, the editor is saying that the book is much more tightly packed with the pacing much better and the storyline tighter.

Having said all that, I will probably experience the same issue with Heart of Deception (and with Legacy of Risks, the sequel) that I did with Dark Dimensions, so I intend the release date to be two or more months’ in length to give that process time to be resolved.

I am currently editing Legacy of Risks currently before that goes to the editor.

Also, The Dark Road, the third in the Clans in Conflict series, is currently with a beta reader for analysis before anything further goes through with that.

I still have other stories on the go and hopefully an updated website will be up and running soon whereby I can add things like maps, character backgrounds and stuff like that for the published books – along with small snippets of their lives.

Mal’s story is currently on hold, only because I am trying to concentrate on these other stories, but there are currently two books in that series – not one on Mal and one on Alloric, but two books, nevertheless.

Of course, with the heat we have just experienced, I’m heading for the spa to cool down!

Talk to you all later!

Julz.

PS. You can find all my books here