So, in true ADHD fashion, I’ve managed to have far too many projects stack up at the same time. Also, yes, I am solidly ADHD, which means I either have to be insanely well organized, or I find myself in this situation.
First thing, I completed my last direct edits on Date Night, which I intend to submit to an anthology. Right now it’s out to a technical expert and my editor (not the same people) for a read through and then Date Night, my first and only (so far) romance oriented story will be sent out into the world.
Next, I’m going to focus on editing the stories I’ve selected for Tales of the E4 Mafia 2, and I’ll be writing a story for Butter Bars! This story is military fantasy, so that’s a very different style than my Burn and Bad Karma stories.
Once I get all that done, I’m back to novels. Look forward to more long format Burn and Bad Karma stories coming as soon as I can get them done!
And, since I wrapped a major edit, check out this song as a victor song for my cyberpunk stories!
So, I’m writing two stories and editing a third story at the moment.
The good news is that I found a home for Date Night, a romance novella based around Burn and Bad Karma going on a date. Well, after dealing with some other people’s shenanigans, and a bit of gun fighting, a car chase, and some gun slinging before it’s over. It also involves an Eastern European mob. In Atlanta. And, yes, I did check with TA Walker, who writes romance. She confirms that Date Night is a romance story.
I’m also working on a military fantasy short story about an ensign who’s interning with a mercenary marine infantry formation. This is for the Butter Bars anthology I’m working on with Henchman Press. Hopefully, I’ll get this finished in the next couple of weeks so I can start sharing some snippets.
Last, I’m working on the rough draft of the sixth novel in the Burn and Bad Karma series. I’ve got too many story lines, and my ADHD is showing hard right now, but I’ll get it done and then clean it up in edits. I’ve posted a few snippets of this one on social media and people like what they’ve seen!
So, that’s where I am in the world of writing. Things are busy and I’m juggling a lot of projects, but they’re getting done as fast as I can get words into files and then cleaned up in edits!
Thanks for all your patience as I keep rolling toward new stories going into the world!
First things first, I chose to take Friday off and make a weekend of the Con. And, as it turned out there’s a writing/creative track, which is now part of several of the Nerd Street conventions. So I took advantage of the panels, learned quite a bit at all of them, got to hear what is probably the most outrageous romance story about Thor ever (at a panel about writing adult material, specifically romance and violence). More importantly, I met up with friends, made some new friends, and made some contacts in the writing world.
Des Moines Con did a great job coordinating all the panels, and making sure everyone had the multimedia and support they needed. All of the panels I attended were both fun and educational, including panels about costuming for wrestlers (it gave me some great ideas for characters’ outfits in stories and considerations for where they might were specific types of materials, outfit styles, and color selection), a panel about how to produce ‘zines (those mini magazines that pop up in various places), and, of course, the intersection of comics and wrestling.
I also attended a 1 hour short story work shop, business panels for writers and comic book creation, a library panel and how libraries are relevant, a book in a month panel (Red did a great job with this one!), and the Writing After Dark (18+) mentioned above, Creating your own magic system to keep it coherent, a craft of writing panel, short story creation and opportunities.
My panels on fitness for the time crunched creative and all the things I wish I’d known when I started writing had small but interested and active participants who made both sessions more fun and valuable!
So, I’ll be going to other Nerd Street conventions, and I’ll definitely be back at Des Moines Con next year! I hope to see you there!
It’s true. I’m only held back by the need to sleep, have a day job, physics and law enforcement!
First things first: I’m working edits and story selection for Tales of the E4 Mafia 2, and Butter Bars! Large and (not so) In Charge! These are the next two anthologies from Henchman Press that I’m leading, and so far the stories are hitting all the marks: irreverent, action packed, funny, and, most important, good reads. I’ve even got a story set in my Burn and Bad Karma setting that takes place in the events in Sandblaster written by a friend of mine. It’s got a bit to go, but it is so funny. So, I’ll keep you posted as we get these anthologies closer to the publication mark.
Next, I’m presenting at Des Moines Con! I’ve mentioned this a couple of times, but I’ll repeat here:
On May 31st, at 11 AM, I’ll bein Panel 4 (Rooms 313-314) presenting Fitness for the Time Crunched Creative. This is for anyone in the creative world (fan or creator) who wants to improve their basic health and fitness, but doesn’t have the knowledge of what small changes to make or how to make them a habit so that they keep improving! No one will have to do burpees, but I’ll talk about hydration, better nutrition, sleep, exercise basics and how to make your medical team part of your fitness team.
On June 1st, at 3:45 PM, in Panel Room 3 (Rooms 315-316) I’m presenting Everything I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing. We’ll cover productivity, editing, the importance of covers, networking and finding your community, building a fan base, and all the questions the audience has. If I can answer it, I will. If not I’ll direct you to other sources who are more knowledgeable.
If you want to see the full schedule of panels and events at Des Moines Con, please go to the Schedule Link!
And, finally, in a move that is terrifying, I’m working on a script and schedule for creating a video channel! This might be a couple of weeks before I have the first video up (I have a lot to learn, including video editing software), but it’s coming soon. Since I’ve posted it on the internet, now I have to do it!
I’ll be hosting a panel on June 1st at Des Moines Con with this title. But I thought I’d sit down and share with you all some of the lessons I’ve learned and things I’m still working through as I develop as a writer, author, editor and understand the fiction business better.
First things first, I published my first story, Easy Jobs, on 13 December 2016. Since then, I’ve published three additional stories, contributed to four anthologies, and edited a military science fiction anthology (Tales of the E4 Mafia) with Henchman Press.
To say the least, I’ve learned a lot.
First, I have to sit my butt in a chair and put works in a document every day. Let me say that again: Work on new stories every day. I have a day job, a house, my wife, my daughter and her kids, and my fitness that all need my attention, but if I want to succeed as an author and writer, I have to create new stories every day.
Second, editors are your friend, even when they say things you don’t like. I’m an adult, and I know my writing isn’t perfect. But sometimes when Krystal, my editor, says somethings wrong, or a character doesn’t have a consistent voice, or I’ve got two characters who sound like the same person, it hurts a bit. What I remind myself of is that Krystal is helping me make the story the best it can be. That’s what we want, as writers. To provide our readers with the best story we can at the point we publish it.
Third, productivity is good, and publishing more is good. I’ve got a series of short stories and novellas on my storage that hasn’t been published anywhere. Some of it helps develop Burn and Bad Karma. Other parts develop the world Burn and Bad Karma live and operate in. One story was a response to a challenge from a romance writer to write a romance story.
Yes, I wrote a romance story. Two people, other than me, have seen Date Night.
What I’m going to do is combine those short stories into anthologies so I can get them in front of people who already like my stories. Because they deserve more stories they like, and I want to write more.
Fourth, marketing my stories is a critical piece of all this. If I can get my stories in front of people who want to read stories like mine, we all win. If the stories are good enough, those readers do two things. First, they become fans, and second, they share my stories with their friends. More people get to read more stories they like, I get to write more stories. Last, those fans might become friends of mine. And who doesn’t need more friends?
Alright, I hope that helps clarify where I’m at, what I’ve learned, and what I’m trying to do as I get better at writing, being an author and learning the fiction business.
Leave a comment about what questions you have for me, and what you want to see more of from me!
Life, family and writing have all gotten busy lately. I’ll update you as best I can!
The signing event at Pella Books during Tulip Time was successful. I sold a couple of books, met some really great local authors, and ate too much ‘fair food’ while I was up town. This annual event is always enjoyable, and it’s a great chance for me to get to know more local creatives, and meet people in the local community.
I finally got a box of author copies of Moving Target with the new cover by Tiffanie Gray. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to unbox the new books yet due to other issues going on.
We received sad news that The Curiosity Shop is closing at the end of the month. They’ve been great to work with, and their shop will be missed by many of us!
I’ve gotten started on story selection for Tales of the E4 Mafia 2 and Butter Bars! Large and (Not So) In Charge, but it’s been slow going between work and other issues.
Unfortunately, a family member has had a significant health issue, so the last few days have involved a lot of time in a hospital and tracking what’s going on.
May 31st, 11 AM in Rooms 313-314 : Fitness for Time Crunched Creatives, where I’ll give tips and advise for writers, creators, fans and anyone else who’s overworked and still trying to improve their health and fitness!
June 1st, 3:45 PM in Room 315-316: Everything I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing – this is a panel for people getting started on their writing journey, looking for ways to progress, what marketing is, why editing your work is far more important than you think, and why you should not take Mom’s word that your story is brilliant, among many other lessons I’ve learned (far too often the hard way!). I’m even developing a presentation for this one!
So, there you have it and thanks for reading this far! I hope you’re all doing well. Reach out or comment if you’re having a busy time, and how you handle it when things feel like they’re all happening at once!
First I’ll be signing books at Pella Books from 4 – 6 PM CST on the 1st – 3rd of May during Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa. If you want to meet up, come see me there. I’ll probably be around for some other time slots, so I’ll keep you posted! Also, if you like gardening, tulips, Dutch foods and events, or Pella, Iowa in general, come out and check the place out!
Next I’ll be presenting a couple of panels at Des Moines Con. As soon as the event schedule is posted, I’ll provide dates and times, but I’m presenting “All The Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing” and “Fitness for Creatives”. More information when I have dates, times, and data. Des Moines Con is a great event, so check it out!
Here’s a snippet from ‘Corporals’, my current work in progress:
‘You good, babe?’ Karma shifted her sub machine gun to her shoulder. The white karat in her vision field swept along with the weapon’s point of aim as she moved down the corridor. Sounds reached her from an open office door on her left. ‘You know what they did to me.’ Shifting to the door, Karma breathed and listened. Three men talking, voices low. She moved through the door. The job was to rescue the kids and grab anyone they could for the cops and Rangers to get intel out of. That meant Burn should have been on the move, not her. But Burn wouldn’t put paid to these bastards. ‘This is a job. Stay focused.’ Stepping in the room, the three men turned to her, their conversation stopping. Her sub machine gun coughed three rounds. Three men collapsed back in their chairs, neat holes in their heads. Karma considered her options. Working solo, she didn’t have time to check for any data or documents. Finding the other kids was her priority. Turning, she moved out of the room and back down the hall. ‘I’m focused.’
I’m looking forward to this whole story getting out to the world.
Getting out to Roberts Creek for a little fishing and fun in my new kayak.
So, I bought a kayak, and went on a little adventure. Not that I haven’t had a few adventures in my life, between serving in the Army, getting into trail running and ultra marathons, and even doing a couple of Ironman Triathlons.
There are a few reasons I keep seeking out adventure and ways to both test and enjoy myself.
One, it helps keep me in shape, healthy and happy.
Two, I get to mentally recharge for all the day job, family and real world stresses that impact my life. We all have those things, and we all need to get away to refresh.
Three, it does help my writing. My characters do crazy, dangerous things. While I can’t recommend hiring out as mercenary to do a crazy low jump and then kidnap a general, or break into an apartment to steal some high tech item and then rappel down the building to escape (both events I’ve writing in stories), getting out for some kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing or long bike rides all give me a place to test myself to adapt to conditions and to see how my characters would respond to challenges.
Fourth, it’s fun.
So get out in the world and do something adventurous. Then come back and tell your story!
Working on edits, rough drafts, and story selection while on a day job work trip.
Well, as I said last week, I’ve got stories in for two anthologies. And I had a work trip to Virginia Beach last week. Yeah, I know, of all the places I could have to go, there are many worse places. I’m familiar with quite a few of those worse places.
So, I’m working on what will be the 6th novel in the Burn and Bad Karma Series. The 5th is currently in edits, but to give you an idea, Bad Karma goes to Chicago with no adult supervision. In the 6th book, we’ll see how she handles things getting home when Burn’s in a bit of trouble. The next story involves them stealing a yacht back from some criminal.
Thus far on the anthologies, I’ve selected two stories for Tales of the E4 Mafia 2. Hopefully, I’ll get through the rest that I’ve received this and next week.
Terri’s birthday’s coming up, so we’ll take a weekend out to enjoy a new area we’ve been meaning to check out. From what the hotel says, there’s beer and whiskey, so we’ll be fine!
I hope you’re all doing well! Let me know how you’re doing!
Keith Hedger's Home for Fiction 