fbpx

Tag: Evolved

Weekend Writing Warriors 11/2/14 #8sunday

5 Comments

the futility of loving a soldierI have a new book of short stories, The Futility of Loving a Soldier, coming out December 1st from Evolved Publishing.

The Futility of Loving a Soldier is a collection of eleven short stories about the effects of combat on relationships with military friends and family. Moving between why we love our soldiers to why we hate them, The Futility of Loving a Soldier demonstrates that we wouldn’t want lives without them.

Today’s excerpt is from “Burger Run,” about two friends sneaking out for a late-night snack the summer after their high school graduation. Eli has enlisted in the Army, and Abby is headed to college.

Eli cut the engine, handed me a burger, then took one for himself. I unwrapped it slowly, focusing on the patterns the grease made on the paper. I took a bite, even though I wasn’t that hungry. Beside me, Eli stared straight ahead, the burger on his lap untouched.

 

“Eli?” Usually he’d inhaled at least an entire burger before I even had mine out of the bag.

 

“What if they make me kill someone, Rabbit?” His voice was so quiet I had to strain to hear him.

Post a link to your eight sentences blog entry, or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

And make sure to get a copy of my latest short story, “Not My Thing,” free at Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Weekend Writing Warriors 9/21/14 #8sunday

3 Comments

lwcover300x446For September, I’m going to pull from my novel, The Lone Wolf, which was released last fall.

After her husband’s infidelities are revealed, Kasey Sanford just wants to rediscover who she is. After an abusive childhood and years as a career soldier, Andrew Adams just wants someone to tell him that he’s doing the right thing with his life. When their paths cross, Kasey and Andrew embark on a tumultuous journey that demonstrates just what they’re willing to do to save the ones they love.

Last week, Kasey and Andrew shared a look across a bookstore. This excerpt is from a week after that first meeting.

While browsing McKay’s history section, walking backwards reading the titles, I bumped into the blue-eyed man, who was engrossed in the military history section.

 

He scowled at me for a brief moment, but as recognition dawned in his eyes his expression softened.

 

“I’m so sorry,” I said as heat rushed to my face. “I wasn’t paying attention; I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

 

“No harm, no foul.” The corners of his lips drew back into a smile, or perhaps a smirk. “You come here a lot, right? I’ve noticed you around.”

Post a link to your eight sentences blog entry, or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

You can get a copy of The Lone Wolf at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords, or the audiobook at Amazon, Audible, or iTunes.

And make sure to get a copy of my latest short story, “Not My Thing,” free at Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Fall 2014 goal review

Comments

Every year, I set goals for myself, and every three months, I review my progress. After the hectic summer I had (working 50 hours/week, 20 hour/week internship, two classes, and researching for my thesis), I don’t know why I’m even bothering because I didn’t accomplish anything this summer, but here goes anyways.

1. Finish my third novel, tentatively titled On the Other Side, which will be a steampunk political thriller because, well, why not.

This not only didn’t happen, but On The Other Side has been pushed out of line by outlines for two other novels that I might write first. One is about five characters very loosely based on people I met while interning at a homeless shelter, and the other is a sequel to The Lone Wolf.

2. Write and submit at least one new short story every month.

I’ve had two submissions in 2014: one for a publication that went defunct, and one rejection. I haven’t finished any new stories recently, but I’ve been heavily mulling over plot points; all I really need is to make myself sit down and write them. And then submit them.

I’ve recently joined a local writing group that starts each bimonthly meeting with a short story prompt. I’m hoping to finish each story I write and get them submitted.

3.Get a short story collection ready for publication (not including The Futility of Loving a Soldier, which will be out this fall from Evolved – hopefully).

I have three stories with similar themes and tones, plus a couple more half-finished stories that would fit with them. If I can get six done, I’ll publish them like I did with Us, Together.

4. Self-publish at least two long short stories.

I’m currently working on three that should come out to be about 10-20k words. Depending on when/if I get them done, I’ll probably go through my publisher, Evolved Publishing, rather than self-publish, like I did for “Not My Thing.” The results have been awesome for that – it hit #1 in July on Amazon’s free literary short stories list.

5. Read 100 books.

I’m at 43 – 24 books behind schedule.

6. Learn a new language – either Spanish, Tamil, Arabic, or Icelandic – to the point I can carry on a basic conversation in it.

I plan to really hit this goal this fall. I’m taking a class on campus once a week, so I’m hoping to get some language CDs to listen to on the hour-long drive. It’s nice to decompress to whatever’s on my iPod, but I feel kinda guilt for not being productive during that time, considering how much stuff I always have to do.

If you’ve set goals for yourself, how’re they going so far this year?

 

 

Summer 2014 goal review

Comments

Every year, I set goals for myself, and every quarter, I review my progress. This review will be very sad, because I currently work full-time, have a part-time internship, and take a couple classes in addition to writing and sleeping and eating when I get a chance.

1. Finish my third novel, tentatively titled On the Other Side, which will be a steampunk political thriller because, well, why not.

Same as in April: this hasn’t happened, and is nowhere close to happening any time soon. And actually, polishing my next novel, A Handful of Wishes, is taking longer than expected, so its release date has been pushed back to next April.

2. Write and submit at least one new short story every month.

I’m currently 2/6 for submissions. And one of those publications closed since I submitted. But on the plus side, I have a huge long list of story ideas that I’m slowly plodding through.

3.Get a short story collection ready for publication (not including The Futility of Loving a Soldier, which will be out this fall from Evolved – hopefully).

I have an idea for a themed anthology, kind of in the vein of Not My Thing, and I’m slowly working on some of them. Again, no time to write.

4. Self-publish at least two long short stories through my publisher.

My publisher, Evolved, released “Not My Thing” in April. It’s free everywhere, and currently #3 on Amazon’s list of literary short stories.

5. Read 100 books.

I haven’t read anything for about a month. According to Goodreads, I’m currently at 33 books – 16 behind.

6. Learn a new language – either Spanish, Tamil, Arabic, or Icelandic – to the point I can carry on a basic conversation in it.

Slowly but surely, I’m conquering Spanish. I’m able to read the Spanish billboards around town (although I think that’s more from knowing French than any Spanish I’ve learned). But I’ll get there!

If you’ve set goals for yourself, how’re they going so far this year?

Review: The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky by David Litwack

Comments

Daughter3DLast summer, I had a guest post by David Litwack, author of Along the Watchtower and There Comes a Prophet. He’s since signed with my publisher, Evolved Publishing, and his latest novel, The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, is releasing today. I received a review copy through Novel Publicity Events.

After centuries of religiously motivated war, the world has been split in two. Now the Blessed Lands are ruled by pure faith, while in the Republic, reason is the guiding light—two different realms, kept apart and at peace by a treaty and an ocean.

A mysterious nine-year-old from the Blessed Lands sails into the lives of a couple in the Republic, claiming to be the Daughter of the Sea and the Sky. Is she a troubled child longing to return home, or a powerful prophet sent to unravel the fabric of the Republic? The answer will change the lives of all she meets… and perhaps their world as well.

This book fit in well with his previous two; There Comes a Prophet is a post-apocalyptic world ruled by an authoritative government set on controlling all aspects of its citizens’ lives, and Along the Watchtower is a blend of our world and a Dungeons and Dragons-esque fantasy world. The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky is set in a world similar to ours, except for a sharp divide between reason and religion.

All these books center on the main characters leaving the familiar to fight against the status quo because that’s what they believe is morally best. For this latest book, Litwack skillfully portrays each side – atheists and believers – as both good and bad. After finishing the book, the reader is left seeing that neither side is entirely right or wrong. Personally, I come down pretty hard on one side of that debate, and so I’ve been thinking about this book for the past few days – is it okay to maintain neutrality in a situation like this? Whether you agree with Litwack’s characters’ views on this matter or not, the important thing is, this book will get you thinking.

The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky is available now through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can learn more about the author, David Litwack, on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

And, of course, there are goodies to sign up for!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weekend Writing Warriors 4/13/14 #WeWriWa

6 Comments

Not My Thing coverThis week continues with the story from last week, “Not My Thing,” which was just released as a free short ebook by Evolved Publishing.

When The Dancing Freemasons embark on their first major tour, Jeff’s dreams of being a rockstar have come true – until he can no longer connect with the music. One night after a show, he meets a woman who might be the one to get the music flowing again, but is the cost worth it?

For the last few scenes, Jeff’s been awkwardly chatting with that woman, and finally worked up the courage to ask her to grab a bite to eat.

“Give me your hand,” he says.

 

Her eyes narrow, but she complies.

 

He traces the veins on her wrist. “This, in here… your blood flowing through your body tells a song, a story for anyone who takes the time to listen.” He taps her smooth skin, playing out a drum beat he’s been working on. “For me it’s all about finding that song, that story, and translating it into something that other people can understand and connect with.”

 

“You probably say that to all your groupies.”

 

“Groupies aren’t my thing.”

Get the whole thing free at Smashwords or Barnes and Noble, and help make it free at Amazon too by reporting a lower price.

And as always, post a link to your eight sentences blog entry, or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

Weekend Writing Warriors 3/9/14 #WeWriWa

8 Comments

This week continues with the story from last week, “Not My Thing,” which will be released as a free short ebook by Evolved Publishing either later this month or early April.

Jeff is a drummer out on his first major tour, playing small clubs across the Midwest, but he’s come down with a bad case of writer’s (musician’s?) block and can’t get the songs to come out right.

Last week he met a girl in an alley after a show. It was a bit awkward.

A smile twitches across her lip. The vodka has begun flowing through Jeff’s veins, tamping his inhibitions; he feels encouraged to keep talking to her, but he can’t think of anything clever or funny to say, and he hates using the whole band thing as a pick-up line.

 

“So…” she says, hugging her arms around her body and shivering just a bit.

 

“Want my jacket?”

 

“I shouldn’t.”

 

“I don’t have cooties.” Who even says that anymore? She’s going to leave; he’s sure of it.

Post a link to your eight sentences blog entry, or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

Weekend Writing Warriors 3/2/14 #WeWriWa

8 Comments

New month, new story. This time I’m pulling from a short story, “Not My Thing,” that’ll be released free from Evolved Publishing sometime in the near future.

Jeff is a drummer out on his first major tour, playing small clubs across the Midwest, but he’s come down with a bad case of writer’s (musician’s?) block and can’t get the songs to come out right.

In this excerpt, he’s just played a set and is in an alley outside the venue, where he meets a local woman.

He nods at her and says, “S’up.”
“Hey,” she says as she stares straight ahead, as if aware she shouldn’t be talking to strange guys in dark alleys.

 

“Want a light?”

 

Still staring ahead, she says, “I don’t smoke.”

 

“Me neither.”

 

She turns her head slightly, probably sizing him up. “But you offered me a light.”

 

“Then it’s a good thing you didn’t accept.”

Post a link to your eight sentences blog entry, or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

I may be feeling a little overwhelmed

Comments

At my university, you don’t have to pay extra for any credits beyond 9 semester hours. Free classes, right? So, in the spirit of insanity, I’m taking 5 classes this semester (although one’s about to end and another start, so it’s just 4 at the same time).

And then I got a full-time job (which I love; although it’s in a field that makes my soul kind of heart I get to play in databases all day) that has mandatory overtime half the year.

And I have family obligations.

Oh, and writing – I’ve decided to go through my publisher, Evolved, for the short story collection I’ve been trying to release for the past year, and it should be released this summer. And I’m trying to finish polishing my next novel, A Handful of Wishes, which will hopefully be released in December.

A fellow grad student tonight, in a similar overload position, described herself tonight as “whelmed,” to which I responded:

How do you keep from being overwhelmed?

2013 Book Round Up

Comments

2013readingchallengelogoOne of my goals for 2013 was to read 100 books. While I didn’t quite make it (72), that’s still pretty impressive. Here’s a breakdown of what I read:

  • 11 were either kids or young adult; the rest were adult.
  • 9 were nonfiction and the rest were fiction.
  • 20 were single short stories (yes, I realize it’s cheating to include those), and 12 were short story anthologies.
  • I know the authors of 27 of the books; 8 of them are also with my publisher, Evolved.
  • Only 16 were books that randomly caught my eye on a library shelf or website; the rest were either recommended or written by someone I know.
  • 17 were by Lindsay Buroker.

Best books I read in 2012:

  • Lindsay Buroker’s Emperor’s Edge series (7 books, plus some short stories): A steampunk/fantasy series about assassins and intrigue that’s really just a lot of fun. Plus the first one is free.
  • Butter by Erin Jade Lange (who’s originally from my hometown, but I don’t know her – although I found out that she’s an ex-girlfriend of my high school best friend’s husband): a YA book about an obese kid who gains popularity when he announces his plans to kill himself live on the internet
  • Strange Pilgrims: a book of short stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

If you challenged yourself to read a set number of books in 2013, how did you end up doing?  What were your favorites?  Anything you particularly disliked?

The Musings of E.D. Martin © 2011-2020 Privacy Policy Frontier Theme