This Sci-Fi files tales takes us back to the ocean depths to something that happened when a casual beach walker found a tag that had been attached to a 3 metre Great White shark. When the data on it was analysed it revealed that on Christmas Eve 2003 the shark dived to a depth of […]
Hey Space Cadets, how are you doing this fine Thursday morning? I’m doing good, working on finishing book four in the Sleeping Legion Series. I’ve been a bit MIA lately, but I didn’t fall into a black hole. Instead, I’ve been busy with real life and writing. I’ll try to be more consistent, but ultimately I need to prioritize the books over the blog. I know you’ll understand, but until then I have a treat for you. I sponsored this episode of the Keystroke Medium interview with another veteran, author Josh Dalzelle. Check it out, enjoy the show!
Until next time, stay frosty and don’t forget to keep your powder dry!
JR
–> As usual, all images came from the Google’s “labeled for reuse” section or are images used by JR Handley for use under the Fair Use Doctrine.
Another CLASH OF THE COVERS!!! Vote early, vote often but damn it VOTE!!!
Happy first everyone! It’s time to kick off a new bracket. If you’re curios or new, check out the Book Covers for December, January, February, March, and April.
May’s bracket has 31 new covers and last month’s runner up, Fate of the Big Bad Wolf by Neo Edmund, has another chance to take the title home.
We’re doing things differently this month. In previous months, we had a round-by-round competition, which I loved. But it’s demanding on readers and fans. They have to keep coming back to vote each week, and I want this to be fun, with as much participation as possible. So this round is a one shot bracket. What this means is each person will only have to vote once for his or her own bracket. Instead of waiting a few days between rounds, you can vote all the way through the…
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Just some thoughts on this Memorial Day Weekend.
To all of you who do not know the history–the reason for Memorial Day, I’m taking you to school. Leave your Bud beer, shitty potato salad, and platter of grilled meats at the table.
Memorial Day honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. This holiday originated in the years following the Civil War, officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, a leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, and was known as Decoration Day. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield spoke at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 people decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers.
New York was the first state to recognize the holiday in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states; the south honored their dead on separate days until after WWI, when Memorial Day was changed to honor…
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Tell me a little about your military service?
I spent six years in the Air Force as an analyst. Mostly I just nodded and said “Yes, sir” and “no, sir.” I enjoyed it, and it definitely gave me an appreciation for those who wore the uniform before me.
How do you feel that your military service has influenced your writing?
It definitely made me care more about the characters, to pay attention to all the details, and gave me the discipline to actually finish what I started.
Do you think your military service, and more specifically your training, adds to the realism in your books? If so, how?
I don’t think it did, as I’m not writing military fiction yet. Most likely, once I do start doing military fiction, it will help bring out realism that I might not have otherwise.
When did you start pursuing your writing more seriously?
Around 2012, when I released my first book.
Of all your work, which was your favorite to write?
Might as well ask which body part of mine is my favorite! I think Best Served Cold was the one, as it was the first time I was able to bring all the separate threads of the story together for a “season closer.”
How many of your characters were inspired by your military service?
Way too many. Names are changed to protect the guilty.
How many of the scenes you wrote were inspired from your service?
Some of the analytical scenes, really.
Do you feel like your writing has served any therapeutic value for you? Has it helped you process your experiences?
Without writing, I wouldn’t be here today. It is some of the best therapy out there for me, and has allowed me to let things go.
If you could serve with any of your characters, who would it be and why?
Oh god… None of them. I’d probably get killed in the first few minutes when the shots start firing.
If you would want to avoid serving with any of your characters, who would it be and why?
All of them, as they are all quite loony.
What are you currently working on?
Working on book nine of the Statford Chronicles called The Twain Shall Meet. Also, a military sci-fi novel, and a fantasy serial that is going to be a lot of fun to write.
How can people find you?
Until next time, stay frosty and don’t forget to keep your powder dry!
JR
->As usual, all images came from the Google’s “labeled for reuse” section or are screen grabs taken by JR Handley for use under the Fair Use Doctrine.
Some good advice from my developmental editor. Give it a read!
“What’s it all about?” “What’s the point?” If you’re a writer or reader, these are usually questions of plot. They could be the things we whisper in the dark before we sleep, too.
Anyways, moving along.
Let’s start this shindig with a basic definition. I pulled this one from The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing, by Alice LaPlante (it’s one gigantic book, but a really great one). “So plot, as we will define it, is that series of events, arranged in a particular order, which brings about the desired final effect of a short story or novel” (p. 377).
Highfalutin folks People who have taken some creative writing courses (or read a few textbooks on the subject) will mutter about The Major Dramatic Question. To put it simply, the major dramatic question is the problem the author presents for their…
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My editor’s thoughts and experiences at RavenCon! Well worth the read!
This weekend was basically a crash course in indie publishing: Off to the races! Ken and I finished the book learned how to format it in Draft2Digital (love them) write a blurb load the book on Instafreebie sign up for a Sci-Fi cross-promo link it to our Mailchimp list, and set up the automation sequence…
via Marketing Monday – A Free Story — Julia Vee, Writes At Night
Hey Space Cadets, saw this informative article and wanted to share! Stay tuned for a review of an awesome novel tomorrow!!
JR
Exciting news for anyone who enjoyed The Martian: Ebury is delighted to announce that they will publish ARTEMIS, the new novel from worldwide bestselling author of THE MARTIAN, Andy Weir. Ebury bought British Commonwealth rights from Crown, and will publish ARTEMIS simultaneously with the US on their Del Rey imprint on 14th November 2017. Film rights…
via News: New book from Andy Weir due. — SFFWorld
Hey Space Cadets, I don’t have a lot to share with you today as I’m pushing hard on book four. Instead, here is an interesting article about Andy Weir’s new book set to release later this year! He has a lot to live up too, but I think he’s up to it!
JR
With the latest novel in the Sleeping Legion series fresh out this week, here are some calm and thoughtful reflections on his writing experience by its author, JR Handley. Writing book three, Operation Breakout, was definitely fun. It was definitely a learning experience, and I wrote with the intention of fulfilling the call for action […]
via JR Handley on his latest book, Operation Breakout — The Human Legion
J.R. Handley's Blog 