The Beat Goes On

I realize it has been a while since I posted anything. I know this because I can't remember posting and the date on the last post indicates it has been about two months.

I am in awe at some like Seth Godin who posted his 5000th daily post today. Even more in awe that his posts are so good too. If you don't know Seth Godin, finish reading this post and Google Seth. And then enjoy the wisdom I enjoy every day.

What Am I Up To?

I have been revising my Work in Progress and have spent any extra time making that book make sense. I have corrected verbs, fixed sentences, and cleaned up the story. I am pretty proud of it.

My next job is to get the book to market (which can take a while) and at teh same time start a new project. This should get me back to writing mode and although I'm not sure I'll hit 5,000 consecutive days, I should be around a little more often.

So that's what I'm up to. I'll spare the details for now but fill you in as we go forward from here.

The Lord and Mr. Rockwell

“You know, Brother Rockwell, the Lord would rather that you don't drink.”

“It’s all right.” Porter calmed the situation and offered the lady an explanation. “The Lord would that I not do a number of things I do. I figure, one day I’ll oblige him and do right. For now, I do appreciate your concern.”-Excerpt from AIN'T DEAD YET.

"It was an experience calculated to undermine one's religious convictions"

Hey y'all!

Sorry again for my awayness, but I have been businessing. Of course my busnessing is writing, or something so related.

I have been hanging out in the desert- the Utah Western Desert to be exact. The crossing of such caused Mark Twain to pen the sentence from which I drew my blog post title.

The stories of which I am writing are set in and around this environment, especially my second book CURSING BLACK'S TRAIL. I love this area and being out in it makes me feel connected. It makes me feel the story I want to tell. It makes me return to those thoughts that drive me to want to write in the first place.

So again I must apologize for my awayness. But I am out there, getting to know my characters and my story better. And getting a good dose of religion to boot.

If you need me, just howl like a coyote and follow my howl back. I'll keep the 'dutch' warm until you get here.

Branstorm Mad!

Another short exchange from my WIP AIN'T DEAD YET. An exchange between Charles Dunbar and Porter Rockwell:

“I’m assuming he just figured out we crossed back the other way.” Dunbar commented with a laugh.

“Yeah, I imagine so.”

“He’s going to be pretty angry if he ever catches up to us.”

“Yeah, I imagine so.”

“Do you do this kind of thing all the time?”

“What’s that?”

“Get people so hopping mad at ya, they can’t do anything but scream your name at you?”

“Occasionally, but mostly just with the wife.”

Old Tricks

“The old throw-the-rock-to-my-side-to-distract-me-trick, eh?” Branstorm called out. “I thought you were beyond that sort of nonsense, Rockwell. Did you really think I would fall for that?”

“Not really.” Porter spoke up, standing right next to Branstorm, having approached from the other side, his gun held ready. “But it seems like it always works.”

Excerpt from WIP- "AIN'T DEAD YET". 

AIN'T DEAD YET- Looksie

“I didn’t figure you much of a religious man, Rockwell, but,” Wells held up the bottle. “To the wheat and the tares!”

He took one last drink and handed it back to Porter who returned the gesture, re-corked the bottle and slid it down into the saddle bag.

“I just believe in God’s judgment.” Porter concluded.

Weekend Homework

I used to hate doing homework, back in the day, back when I had to. Especially when it invaded on my precious weekend. Not so much anymore.

I attended my first ever writers conference on Saturday. Held on a college campus, in classrooms, it felt like being in school again. I have to admit, though, I liked it.

It's funny how as an adult, learning is so much more enjoyable. We, this weekend, were all chomping at the bit to hear the next piece of wisdom that we each needed so desperately. We awed at the published authors imparting their wisdom, sharing their secrets, and we clapped at their conclusions.

If the other writers were like me, they left with copious amounts of notes, many with stars and exclamation points on things to start, improve or to forever cease and desist. New rules by which to live our writing lives. I left different, full of thoughts and ideas, and excited to get back to work. My work. My writing. My passion.

If you have a passion for something, fear not to try to learn from others more about it. It is not like the homework of old. It is worth surrendering a weekend, or a few bucks, or a little humility to admit someone knew something you did not. Add it to your arsenal of tools for better results and/or enjoyment.

Homework, even weekend homework, as an adult rocks!

Rocking the Karma

A number of years ago, I joined the Twitter scene. I knew very little about it but I jumped in all the same.

I "met" a number of people, most of which at the beginning were book related since it was the focus of my joining this social network. One of the people I met early on and who has been a constant presence in my timeline is Kerry Schafer.

She was one of the few that stood out as a real person and who took a true interest in how I was doing in a time she perceived was a tough time for me personally. She became one of the very few people from Twitter I would call friend.

As a testament of my excellent taste in friends, Kerry has worked hard during these years, and then some, and today is the release date of her debut novel, BETWEEN.

I'm so happy for her.

I urge anyone within the sound of my voice and the reach of this blog to check out Kerry's blog and especially her book. I hope you will support my dear friend in her efforts. Buy the book, let her know how you liked it- which I am sure you will- and then tell someone else about it.

See Kerry, the karma is for you. Thanks for your friendship and congratulations.

10 Rules of Writing

OK, they are not really rules; just guidelines- observations really. And thoughts. And not very good ones either.

1) I will always think I suck when compared to the great ones. If I didn't, I need to hang it up, I'd be too cocky. They are great. I am not. When I'm dead, that's when I'll stop trying to be better.

2) Yes the first draft is always crap. Hemingway's rule actually, but see #1. I'll learn from the great ones.

3) Adverbs are like relatives. One at a time, spaced out well, and not seen too often is just fine. They are not evil, they just can be. Really.

4) Above all other things, I write best when I write. When I don't, it doesn't blow or anything, the writing just isn't; which is worse.

5) If it's important that the boy's eyes are blue, I'll tell you; otherwise, fill in whatever color you care to see.

6) I hate main characters that are writers. It seems so self-indulgent, so wishy, so pathetic. You're a writer, make the main character or any other charatcer for that matter, a plumber or something. Expand a little. Besides, when the story works out well for the pretend writer, it just makes me hate him or her.

7) I don't have an agent. Why? Because I'm still too dumb and too much a nobody to need one. When the time comes that I need one, I'll have one. Twain said that a banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain. Kind of like that. I'm waiting for my sunny day. (See #1)

8) I Love commas. A novice it makes me, I am sure. But I like them so. ,,,,,,,,, 

9) I don't care much for the eBook versus TreeBook argument. It's reading. We're already geeks and dorks. Choose your poison, or poisons, and enjoy it.  No one else cares.

10) Writing is fun. It's hard work, but it ain't digging no ditch. I really don't care too much for the martyr syndrome that seems to be attached to writing. Maybe when it was done with the quill and ink; but with a laptop, with music, tweets, and  cups of hot beverage of choice, it's pretty plush. Let's be honest, we're "working" on not working. "Writing is easy, all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Gene Fowler 

I have more, but this is enough for now. I am sure these are quite enough for which to be mocked, argued, and later on for which to be embarrassed.

Ain't Dead Yet- Another Peek

“You wouldn’t know anything about three dead bounty hunters left in Judge Drummond’s office, would you?”

Brigham set back in his chair, holding the correspondence in his hand and peering over the top of it at Porter.

Porter shook his head with a slow side to side, giving the impression he was actually giving it some thought. Without another word, he tipped his hat and headed out the door.

Excerpt from AIN'T DEAD YET, a fictionalized story about Orrin Porter Rockwell by Mike M Jensen.