Remembering Harold Ramis

I was shocked and saddened to find out that Harold Ramis passed away today. As someone who grew up in the 1980's, I remember Ghostbusters fondly. It was a huge movie franchise and a big part of my childhood. As a fan, I've been holding out hope that a third movie would be made with the original cast members. It just wouldn't be the same without Egon :(

Harold Ramis also directed a favorite movie of mine, Groundhog Day--not to mention National Lampoon's Vacation and Caddyshack. He will be sorely missed.

And remember, kids, don't cross the streams:

2014 Plans

Since I disappeared for such a long time, I thought I'd share some of things I have slated for 2014. I tend to be a tad overambitious, so these are pretty much tentative goals. I enjoy staying busy though, so I'm hoping to hit most of these goals without totally cracking under the pressure.

• Moonridge Memories collection - been on my to-do list for ages! I want to combine all four books into an ebook collection at a discounted price. I know how cluttered ereaders can get, so a collection is a no-brainer. I'm hoping to have this done in time for summer.
• Print editions - ugh! Another thing I've been wanting to do for quite some time. I'll be honest, the formatting just seems sooo daunting compared to ebooks. I'm slowly picking it up, working on making a template, etc, but there's still a lot of work involved. I don't have a timeline as to when I want to get my books into print, but I would like it to be this year before I fall too behind on it, and end up having to do a dozen books at once.
• The Virginia Chronicles Books Two and Three - Number two in the series (The Rook) will definitely be out this summer. I was actually hoping for a late spring release, but I didn't want to stretch myself too thin. I'd also LOVE to get book three out by the end of the year. So how long will the series be? I don't know yet. I'm just a fountain of information, aren't I? ;) I could see it being an ongoing series that I can add to between projects since each book is mostly a stand-alone story (though following a chronological timeline). So it could run to 5 or 6 or even more books, but it really depends on if I feel inspired to continue the story and if there is more story to tell. I don't outline books ahead of time. I usually jot down the general idea and plot of a book and let the characters lead the way when I sit down to write it. That's why it's hard to know when a series will be over for good. I try to always stay open-minded to the possibility of sequels and spin-offs and such. Inspiration can strike at any time--it's funny like that.
• A Horror Trilogy (Titles TBA) - I have a horror trilogy I've been wanting to release for some time now, but it still needs some work, rewrites, edits. I'm hoping for a fall release in time for Halloween. I'd like the whole trilogy to be out by December.

So, there ya go. Plans may change, but that should give you a general idea of what I'm working on and why I sometimes don't have the time/energy to blog. I'm terrible at keeping specific deadlines, because I never know when issues might creep in and spoil my plans. That's why I'm trying to keep my release schedule somewhat vague.

I love writing and doing what I do. I love self-publishing for allowing me the freedom to work at my own pace and for only having to answer to my own muse and to my wonderful readers. It's a good time to be a writer :)

I'm Baaaack...With A New Book Release!

Hello to all who have stopped by this blog over the last six months or so. Forgive my absence. I don't like to delve into personal matters much, but suffice it to say a lot of the writing plans I had six months ago went kablooey when I fell into a pit of anxiety and depression. This is something I've struggled with since I was a child, and it comes and goes, but when it comes it tends to hit me hard. I was about halfway through a writing project I had intended to have released in time for Halloween, and as you well know, it didn't happen. I basically just went into hiding and avoided everything and everyone. This has always been my coping mechanism.

Although my planned project involved a horror trilogy, I have placed that on the back burner for now, in favor of a new thriller series! It's entitled The Disk, Book One of The Virginia White Chronicles.

Summary:
From within the walls of a criminal asylum, Virginia White tells her story of a childhood dream becoming a waking nightmare. At fourteen, she invents a powerful weapon and places the plans on a computer disk. Now they want it, and they will stop at nothing to get it. Virginia soon learns that in order to survive she must become as coldblooded as the men pursuing her. Virginia is forced to lay everything on the line to keep them from obtaining the disk.~~

I'm really excited to be releasing my first thriller book! It's a vigilante justice book (I had no idea this was a subgenre until I went to publish, but it fits so well in the genre, lol!). It is gory and violent, but it's also a story of survival, not only physically but mentally.

I know I said before I'd be venturing into horror--and I will be, honest!--but for now my plans are to focus on this series, and maybe release something horror later this year, maybe in the fall.

Anyway, I apologize again for my absence, and I hope it doesn't happen again, or at least not anytime soon. In the meantime, I hope you check out my new book. It's available (so far) at:

Amazon.com
Smashwords

It should be available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and elsewhere within the next couple of weeks. Check back for further updates!