While I haven’t been making much progress on the book in the past, recently a friend and I made a pact. He is working on this large project with me currently and we both knew that we weren’t getting as much writing done as we should, so we decided that, from 11:00 to 11:30 every week night, we would reclaim for our writing. It’s not much, but it’s better than what we had been getting in. And the peer support is extremely helpful. I highly recommend finding a writing buddy to encourage you to move forward.

Here’s the opening to Book 2 of the Sundered Breath Trilogy, Heir of Fire. I debated a long time about whether or not to open the book this way, but it really tells so much about the state of the world, and the state of one of the minor, but influential, characters that I decided I had to. The debate is still going on in my mind about whether it should be a Prologue or Chapter 1. Mainly because I like to open the book with the main character, but I might make an exception this time. I just really like the mood this sets, and lets me dive into a fun, happier moment with the main character after I have (hopefully) grabbed your attention with this first chapter.

So, here it is. Raw. There has been no spit and polish applied to this chapter yet. It might not even end up in the book, but I wanted to give a taste.

Bonus points to anyone who remembers who this character is, and who she is related to.

Enjoy -

Chapter 1

The wind was the only thing alive here. The trees had shed their leaves and were hunched over like old men. The grass had gone back into the earth where it had been born. The Temple of the Sun lie in ruins, fingers of crumbling stone laying fetal on the broken earth. Where the Pool of Life had once stood full, infusing the lands with its energies and holding the pieces together, stood an empty, shattered well that tunneled deep into the ground until it was too black to see.
Sarah shivered, and then returned to work.

She moved fast, stopping at each corpse only long enough to verify that it was not him. She ignored the chill wind that grabbed at her just as she ignored the marred weapons and scarred shields that lie haphazardly on the broken ground around their previous owners. She had no use for the weapons. They would do no good against her opponent. Gideon Kaebal, the new Overlord, wielded the protective powers of the Breath as easily as she could slip through his Fire Palace unnoticed. The scant money that she assumed was in the worn pouches at the dead rebel waists was of just as little use. Already, he had frightened everyone enough that none were willing to take a bribe. Her life had become much harder in the two months since he had killed his father and taken his throne.

She hoped that Rafe would, even after his death, give her clues to break free of this tyrant’s hold.

She knelt down next to a corpse that might be Rafe. He had the same black hair, the same build. Her hand shook as she reached down and carefully moved his hair off of his face. It was gray and puffy, making a clear identification difficult. The fading light as the sun slid behind the tree line did not help.

She sucked in two long breaths, hoping they would calm her stomach, and then took his head in her hands. Biting her lip, she started to turn the swollen face to the side so she could get a better look.
The shadows moved behind her. She swallowed, released the corpse, and stood. Her knees trembled and her chest filled with ice at the sound. They were voices.

She could not resist. She spun towards the sound, knowing there could be no one here. She had watched the ruined lands for two days just to make sure that she would be alone. She had killed every raven, buzzard, and rodent she had seen. She could take no chances that the son would be every bit as talented as the Overlord had been.

Two men stood, not ten strides away. They leaned in toward each other, their whispers becoming clearer with every breath. Another crouched over a corpse, its shoulders shaking as if crying.

Their bodies rippled. That was the only way that she could describe it. The Fire Palace was surrounded by deserts formed by the overuse of the Breath. She had seen heat waves before. That is what this reminded her of, but it could not be that simple of an explanation. As each heat wave coursed along their bodies, they did not just warp from the waves, they disappeared. Pieces of their bodies were there one moment, and gone the next.

As the last man stood, still crying, he turned to her. She screamed.

Her feet responded without any urging from her. She bolted across the field of death, heedless of the corpses that she stumbled over.

To her left, another figure rippled into sight. His expression showed surprise, every bit as much as hers was filled with terror. The corpses were coming to life.

She angled to the right, darting for the cover of the trees, running away as one corpse after another transformed with an ethereal wave into a living soul.

She had seen the Temple when it was still alive. She had seen the pulse of life that appeared at dusk and spread its energizing force throughout the land. What happened next was nothing like that.
As she reached the perceived safety of the trees, she slid to a stop on the fallen leaves and then turned. She should run, but her feet were now unwilling.

It started in the center of the chasm that existed where the Pool of Life had once lived. It spread with the speed of angry ocean wave. The air boiled and churned. The bubbles of air huddled together until their heat waves became one giant ball that tore reality as it stretched farther and farther out, closer and closer to her.

She took a nervous step back.

Inside the bubble, the world was no longer the world she knew. The ruins disappeared and–in their place–stood another world. The colors of ruin and death that had filled the landscape when she had arrived were now muted and gray. The Temple was still a ruin. In the distance, a misty ladder formed the only color as it glowed with muted gold.

Where the corpses had lain on the ground, rotting, now stood whole men and women. Some were broken souls, their eyes full of despair. Others scanned the heavens, waiting for the Mother to reach down and take them into her grasp. Every face matched that of a corpse she had inspected as she searched the fields for her husband.

Rafe! She scanned the new faces, searching for the crying man that had turned to her and sent her screaming. He was running toward her, dodging through the crowds of spirits with every bit as much grace as he had shown when he was alive. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but these were not the tears of sorrow that he had been crying. The brightest smile lit his face as he raced towards her.
She ran again, away from her husband. She darted through the trees, ignoring the branches that swatted at her. While she had come here to find Rafe, she had known he would be dead.

“He is dead,” she reminded herself. “That is not him.” She licked away the salty tears that found purchase at the corners of the mouth.

Turning, hoping to see that, somehow, she had been imagining all of this, she watched in horror as the bubble expanded to cover the entire field where the Temple had once lain. It stopped as it strained against the life of the trees, and then snapped back with the sound of a fire that had been suddenly drenched. Her husband no longer chased her. He lay on the field, a corpse once more.
In the dark shelter of the trees, Sarah fell to the ground, her body wracked with mourning sobs for the husband she had come to bury.

She had come seeking closure, but had found, instead, horror for the future.
The Temple had truly fallen and its powers of life were gone. In its place, it brought the world of the dead.

For the last 17 years or so, I’ve been in the Civil Engineering field. Not the engineer himself, but the person who draws up the plans and does preliminary design on most of the project. As time has drawn on I’ve come to realize a few things. First, is that there is really no place left for me to go in this field. I’m at the top position in the firm, and there are no more rungs up the ladder to work toward. It has made working in the field a bit monotonous and very un-inspiring.

The second thing is that I want to do work that I have a passion for. While I would love for that to be writing, I’m not at a place in my career where I can even begin to contemplate that. Heck. Most writers have other jobs that support them. I know that someday I will get to that point, but I don’t want to survive the day job and have the life sucked out of me until that happens.

So I’ve been doing freelance web-design for the last couple of years, working it until a point where both my skill and my contacts will support me. Well, the good news is that I’m getting close. I’m even in talks with another entrepreneur to become a partner in his design company. I’m thrilled by this. It would give me a job I can enjoy, as well as free up time at nights to dive back head first into my writing, as well as a couple of side projects that I’m looking forward to getting completed, including an e-course on writing powerful fiction. (More on that later when we’re a bit closer).

I have not forgotten you. I have not dropped the series. It is still a world I want to see more of. Still a place that fills me with passion and wonder as I explore the world from the eyes of the “children” from the series. You all have been on my mind lately. I keep telling myself I should post here more, but a huge freelance project has had me tied up (as well as a smaller site or two taking up time that I should be working on that big project.)

I will be back here more often. I miss you all too much not to be.

I think I’ve solved the problem, though, and in a very unique way. I hope it works as good as I think it will….

I know for a fact that it would play well in a movie or a TV show. I am a little worried though about how it will work on the page.

When I wrote Daughter of the Sun, I wanted to write a fantasy with a thriller aspect to it. I wanted to up the pacing of the standard fantasy fare, and utilize some of the suspense of a great thriller to pull the writer along. According to most of the feedback I’ve gotten, it worked. But it’s still not as taught and action packed as a standard thriller. I think this one may end up a bit more that way, from the way the opening is taking shape.

Let’s go on a little experiment for a moment. I’m going to tell you a little bit about the opening and the shape it’s taking, and I want to hear what you think. Do you think it will work on the page? Do you think it might throw you off too much, or help pull you along?

—–WARNING! IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK 1, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THE REMAINDER OF THIS POST.—–

The book starts with Joss trapped in a room, dressed in nothing but a silk robe. She’s terrified of the ceremony that will make her an official part of the Duke’s new family. But she’s not sure why. She tries to escape, but can’t. And then the door opens and the Duke is standing there, holding an old bed sheet covered in blood in his hands.

The story will cut back and forth on this ceremony. It has some very dark overtones, and hints at sexual elements that never come to fruition, but will be much like the healing scene when Joss first arrived at the Duke’s camp. Each chapter starts with the next portion of the story that leads us through the ceremony, always ending on a small cliff-hanger.

The rest of the chapters are 1 or 2 scenes that take us through past events right up to the moment the Rebels attempt to overthrow the ceremony. We see tense moments in the Overlord’s past that explain things that happen later in the book, and sets up things that will be important in the ending. We also get to see Rickward and Johan’s fight as Johan is hell bent on saving his daughter - to the point that he can’t pay attention to his new child in front of him. We get to learn more about Raven and the Nekodah and what terrible things their choice to leave the care of the Temple of the Sun has had on them.

So let me know your thoughts, please!

And a big, huge, thank you to everyone who has taken time out of their lives to listen to my story. I’m thrilled and honored, and hope that you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

This week, we get to wrap the story up - see who lives and who dies, and what sort of a pickle little Joss has managed to get herself into.

If you have any questions, please send them in for the Q&A episode at the end of July. You can do that either by email or voicemail.

Next week, don’t forget about the behind the scenes essay, Inside the Temple. Though, if you look around long enough, you can find it on this site. (Okay, you don’t really have to look that hard!)

Thanks again for listening! Never stop chasing your dreams!

This week, Elena duels the Overlord in the great beyond, while Johan and finish their battle inside the Temple of the Sun.

Don’t forget to get your questions in either by email, or voice mail for the Q&A session at the end of July!

[PROMO] Murder At Avedon Hill, by PG Holyfield

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world – there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do. Its not just in some of us, it’s in everyone; and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from out own fear, our presence automatically liberates other.

If we could all just grasp this concept - that by us being the absolute best we can, we make the world around us a better place - then we would all find the happiness we deserve. I wrote a post a while back about our passions that was similar in concept to this, but this just puts it so much more eloquently. I don’t know about you, but this is going on my dream board and will be read every day.

I hope you find as much hope and courage from it as I have.

This week Elena faces the Overlord inside the Temple of the Sun, Johan and the Rebels are attacked by the Duke and the Wolves, and we all wrap up in the Temple of the Sun. I think, after this one, you’ll probably be screaming at me, but don’t worry - you’ll find out the ending next week! And the week after that, I’ve got a special little ‘cast all about the trials, tribulations, and stuff I learned while writing the book.

I am taking calls for a Q&A episode for anyone that wants to write in or call me - so get your questions in now!

The promo this week is for Heaven Part 3: Earth, by Mur Lafferty. She’s the Grande Dame of podcasting, and has been a huge inspiration to many of us.

What’s happening this week? Well, I’m only going to tell you this much: we finally make it to the Temple of the Sun.

Daughter of the Sun is now on Amazon.com and a number of other online retailers. Find out where here.

And don’t forget the PodiobookChat interview that posted a week or so ago.

[PROMO] Shadow Falls: Badlands by Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff

Look for a new episode soon.

I’ve started browsing around at a lot of different author’s sites, especially fantasy and sci-fi authors, and I have found that I’m really not impressed. Now, I do freelance web design, so I may be a bit pickier than the next person, especially since I’ve been working with a very talented graphic designer, but the majority of websites out there do not express a really good feel for the author or book. Many are very old-style web and, generally, not very pretty.

It has also gotten me to thinking a lot about what a writer’s website should be. And I’ve come to the same conclusion that many other types of “celebrities” are realizing: it’s about building a community around your self, or your brand. If you are a band, you can include them in a fan group, and a street team that makes people feel a part of it all. TV shows like Lost are starting to create rabid fan-bases by online, immersive story lines. And I think that is awesome. That is something I would love to be able to do, but they have lots of people working for them that can help with this. I don’t have that luxury, and I don’t do writing full-time, so it’s a challenge just to find time to get the writing done, let alone create that type of community.

Which leaves me stuck. What is the best way to create a community with limited financial and time resources? I don’t know. I do know that I need to get better at posting on both more interesting topics, and much more frequently. Outside of that, though, I want to hear your thoughts. What makes you return to an author’s (or band, tv show, etc) site and become a part of the community?

I’m very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

As of this morning, the book is up for sale on Amazon.com. I’m really excited to have it listed there, even if they aren’t currently choosing to discount it.

But I would like to ask for a little bit of help. If you’ve read the book or listened to the podcast version, please stop by the book’s listing and add your honest comments and reviews. I think this will go a long way toward encouraging them to provide a discount on the item.

Of course, if you have any Lists on Amazon that you wanted to add it to, or something similar, I would be very appreciative of that, also. Now that it’s on Amazon - a company that many people trust - I think the possibilities for getting the book in front of a wider audience is much more possible, but I can’t do it alone. Anything you could do to help out would be fantastic.

If you’ve been waiting to get your own copy, now’s the perfect time!

Thanks to all of you for your support!

Listen to it here.

They’ve done a brilliant job, from what I’ve seen so far, with the website. This one seems to “get it” unlike so many other movie websites. They’ve provided a little bit of reason to pull people to the website other than just to find out about the movie, as well as provided ways to share the movie. One of those ways is through the neat little feature called Daemons. Here’s mine. If you know me well, please follow the link and “help me find my true daemon.”

Though often seen as a priestly order, the dream healers follow no set god. For them, the power of healing lies within the patient and their dreams. Able to enter another’s dreams, they guide their patients through past events, allowing them to relive them and heal many wounds that other healers cannot touch. The journey is not without risk, for the world within a dream becomes a new reality, and death there comes just as easily as in the waking world.

I, personally, think it’s a pretty cool little class, though it’s not for every campaign. When you need something a little different to add a new flavor to your campaign, it’s definitely worth looking at. I can’t wait to use a rogue Dream Healer as a bad guy in one of my games!

This week, Elena is reunited with her son and suffers a crisis of faith in her ability to do what she believes needs doing.

This is the last episode sponsored by the great guys over at Geek Label, so if you haven’t already done so, make sure to head over to GeekLabel.com and browse through their awesome shirts. I bet you’ll find at least one shirt you just have to have!

This week we dive into one of my absolute favorite scenes of the book: the Bone Yard, where Elena learns to use her powers while being attacked by the Duke. We also find out Raven’s true part in the manipulations going round, and whether he can manage to retain any of the friendships with the others in the story.

Last week, I was interviewed by The Nut Gallery Podcast and Podiobook Chat. The PB Chat won’t go up until June 19th, but the Nut Gallery interview is live right now! Be sure to check it out!

[PROMO] The Arwen, by Timmothy Callahan

It will be up sometime this week on their podcast. Be sure to check it out!

So, I’m trying to get my plot to work for Book 2 (yes, I have not gotten nearly as far as I would have liked - busy year) and I had to go digging to find out why volcanoes erupted. Yes, this is a hint, but I’m not telling you any more. What I found was interesting: when the rock melts, it becomes magma, which is less dense than rock, so it tries to rise above the rock; when it reaches the surface, it erupts if it had water and gases in it because they suddenly expand and all hell breaks loose.

How to make one happen, though, that’s the rub, ain’t it? Say someone wanted to intentionally cause a massive eruption, what would you have to do? Seems like if you could put some water into the magma, and then give it a way to get to the surface. . . okay. I get that.

It’s like taking a bag of pop-rocks, poking a tiny whole in the bag and pouring some carbonated water or soda into the bag, then covering the hole and shaking. So all my characters have to do is find a way to pour a giant can of soda into the pop-rocks inside the planet, and we’re all good, right? Instant belly-ache.

Sounds like fun.

Johan and the Rebels confront the Duke’s army, vastly outnumbered, but the Duke uses their trap against them. Elena wakes into Rafe’s camp of traitors and learns of both her captive and her destiny.

After the chapter, I have an admission to make about addictions. You can learn more here.

Daniel, from Highmoon Media, posted a preview of the character that will be featured in the product. Man! She looks awesome. If only for the art, you need to go preview this!

So go here now.

This episode is sponsored by Geek Label Tees - the best Geek shirts on the web, and by Nut Gallery Reviews - totally real reviews of movies, books and more.

My novel got off to a great start, but now I’m stuck in the middle and don’t know where to go.

There are, of course, a number of different variations:

• The middle feels flat
• I’ve hit a brick wall in the middle of my story
• I’ve got a dozen novels started, all stuck at page 30

Some days it may seem hopeless, but it’s not. It can be fixed. It might take some really hard work, and decisions you really didn’t want to have to make (like throwing away those 200 pages and starting over!) but it can be fixed.

From my experience, and all of the books and articles I’ve read, the problem boils down to a very simple thing. There isn’t enough conflict in the novel. There. I said it. If your story has big enough conflicts, and enough of them, it should easily carry you through the middle and all of the way to the end. Just like it will the readers.

In order to fix it, you have to go back and look at the problems in your story. First, start with the main character. Do they have both an internal and an external problem? They must. Unless you’re writing James Bond or pulp fiction. In which case, it’s okay for the characters not to change, and you have to pile on more external problems.

Now that you’ve determined their problems. You can’t make it easy for them to fix it. At every turn, they should hit a road block that makes it so the solution they came up with doesn’t work. Instead, it should create new obstacles. Don’t be nice to your main characters. I’ve heard many amateur writers say they loved their character so much they couldn’t bring themselves to hurt them. Fine. Then set them aside and find someone you like a little less to write about. Pile on the obstacles and pain, and then find a way to love them too. As humans, we only grow when we are pushed through problems. The same thing for your characters. If you can’t stand to put your characters in the worst predicament(s) of their lives, why would you expect me to care enough to read it?

As long as you keep the fact that you must constantly throw in new challenges–whether internal or external–in mind, you should be able to easily get through your book, and the readers will love you for it.

Do you think I’m right? Think I’ve got it all wrong? Need someone with fresh eyes to look at your plot and give some ideas to get things flowing? Then join me over in the forums and we’ll continue this discussion there.

Last week we left everyone just about ready to jump the Duke’s camp and get Joss back. This week we follow their actions and find out what Elena finds when she goes to retrieve her daughter who is currently under the Duke’s control. Does Johan manage to keep his wife safe, or does the battle prove too much for the aging soldier?

It’s also the week of the contest results. Congrats to the two winners - but you’ll have to listen to find out who they are! If you’re one of the lucky two to have won your very own trade paperback version of Daughter of the Sun, then please email me your mailing address so I can get the book out to you. If you didn’t win - thank you so much for joining the fun! Maybe next time!

Also, a huge thanks to The Nut Gallery Review and Geek Label Tees for sponsoring this week’s episode. You guys rock!

[PROMO] Long way from Disney, by Seth Harwood

As a side note, I need to let you all know that Podiobooks.com is experiencing some growing pains. After being heralded in the NY Times a couple of weeks ago, and another pretty good-sized site, they are having to rearrange how they do a few things, so, if you are having problems getting any feeds from there, or the site looks a bit wonky, that’s why. Give them time, they’ll get through it.

What’s in store this week? As Elena gets training from Johan so that she’ll stand some semblance of a chance when they meet the Duke and his army, Joss is pulled ever tighter into Gideon’s grasp.

Next week, we slip right up to the edge of the first big battle of the novel, and the following week we rush headlong into frantic battles, betrayals, and heartbreak. So stay tuned, and be sure to tell all your friends! You can tell you enemies too, but then they might start to like you for turning them onto such a great story!

Don’t forget the contest - rules are here.

Also new to the forums this week is a preliminary concept of the Overlord. He may look a little warm and fuzzy right now, but after he’s animated and tweaked, and drools and turns green and - wait, that’s Kermit, isn’t it? Well, you get the idea.

Next week, we’ll also debut the Duke. That’s right Gideon himself! So be sure to keep checking back!

Keep chasing your dreams, dadnabbit!

[PROMO] The Plitone Revisionist, by Paul S. Jenkins

So where am I with all of this crazy activity in my life? Good question. Not nearly where I want to be, but all that takes is time and persistence.

Work.
Due to a bipolar child, I’m still working partial days at my old place - it’s a civil engineering company. It’s been great, lately, though, as I’m starting to be given the opportunity to do a more fun work - like 3D visualizations of sites. The first was for some possible overpasses in a small town about 1 hour away from here, and the second was for a realignment of a road outside of Silver Dollar City. That one’s been quite the chore (striping in Sketchup sucks!) but it’s been a great learning experience. Which brings me to…

The Movie
Progress is going pretty good on that. We’ve got 2 or 3 characters very close to being nailed down. We’ve decided on the look for the project and we’ve even got 3 new people working on the project. They’re all students at MSU and working on final projects right now, so their time is slim, but from what I’ve seen of their work, I’m very impressed so far. It’s a small team so far, but it is growing, and will continue to grow. Kevin and I have been discussing some directions to go that has us both very excited. Oh, and I’m still plugging away at the screenplay, though I’ve got enough we can start storyboarding it as soon as a couple more characters get pinned down. But there will be little work on that this week because of…

More Work
After a 3-month long dry spell in the freelance web-design workload, I finally got what I’ve been asking for: plenty of work with money coming in (and boy does that ever feel good!) We’ve got contracts on 2 sites right now, with 3 or 4 (or even more - see, there’s my rhyme!) looking very good. One of the sites is absolutely huge, and the one that I’m working on right now had the deadline pushed up by a week or so since the company contact is leaving the company. Needless to say, this week is push ahead and don’t look back time. But it’s great to be able to loosen the belt a little, financially. However, with all of this work right now…

The Podcast will be late
This is really what I came here to mention, but I felt like letting everyone know how wonderful, and busy, my life is right now. I am truly blessed with all that’s going on. With the deadline on this job, though, I don’t know when I’ll be able to squeeze in recording Episode 14. So, it might be next week. Heck, I’m not sure how I’m going to get DLI edited and posted, but I’ll find a way.

Oh, And Book 2?
Yeah. About that. Not as strongly as I had hoped. I’m spending most lunches working through that, and there are some exciting things ahead in Joss‘ world. I’m enjoying it and am sure you will have every bit the ride with this book, as you did with book 1!

Never stop chasing your dreams! But, wait. You know that already don’t you?

As Elena struggles to find a way that holds some chance of success to save her daughter, Johan is tasked with whipping a bunch of commoners into shape and ready to fight the Duke. But Betzalel is attacked by supernatural forces and Rafe is as obstinate as ever.

[PROMO] Come Let Me Whisper, by Russel L. Burt

[PROMO] Fiddle and Burn, by Jason Pomerantz

Don’t forget about the contest, and you’re chance to win a free copy of the novel!

It’s simply awesome to see such a big paper as that writing a good article about authors taking their own initiative and building an audience through podcast novels.

Congratulations, guys!

[PROMO] Taken Liberties

This week brings the first contest of the series: up at stakes are 2 trade paperback versions of my novel. All yours to keep for free. What do you have to do to get your chance? It’s simple: you can find the full details on the forum.

Also this week is the first, “Behind The Scenes” moment of the story. I think we’ve gotten far enough into it that I can start telling some of the process without giving anything away. This time I talk about the Breath - the source of magic through the novel - and Raven’s people’s own magic. We look at how it came about and some if it’s real-world counterparts that served as the springboard for my imagination. Be sure to let me know if you enjoyed this, and I’ll include more of them!

I’m am thrilled to announce that my local paper, the Springfield News Leader ran a small blurb about me in the paper today. Thank you Sony! It’s almost surreal to see it, but very exciting too. Especially since it mentions the movie project. So, now it’s in writing and I have to see it through!

Here’s a link to a small “blurb” version of the article.

Thrilled and honored!

And I’m not just thanking the PB voters, either. People have left great reviews on iTunes, at Lulu.com, Podcast Pickle and a number of other places. Others have mentioned it on their blogs, or are sharing the downloaded files with family and friends. Thank you all!

I’m so honored that my story is something you’re finding worth while.

Now you can!

The Daughter of the Sun podcast is now accepting sponsors. Visit this page for more information.

[STORY SO FAR] Steve Eley of Escape Pod

[PROMO] ShadowMagic, by John Lanehan

[PROMO] Escape Pod

And here’s the partners I mentioned in the movie project:

Anna Hybsier
dotDIGITAL Studios

Simply Incredible!

Thanks so much guys!

And if you ever need some wonderfully funny, slightly (or very!) geeky, shirts - or hoodies! - you should be sure to check them out. And, no, I’m not saying this just because of the free stuff. I’ve had a couple of their shirts for quite a while, now, and love them!

(And for the record - that’s me on the right…)

1. It can help publicize the book, and hopefully generate more sales. This is good, not just for me, but the movie as a whole. The more people that read it, the more interest we can generate in the movie, and in possible funding.
2. It can help publicize the movie. This will be the first major step in beginning the word-of-mouth engine that will, hopefully, grow from there during the production of the movie. I’d like to make the process very open. Instead of a behind-the-scenes that gets released with the DVD, I’d like to use some of the behind the scenes info to put out a monthly podcast about the production. It might have cast/crew interviews, what’s happened this month, sneak peaks, etc. I think that this will help build the interest not just among movie-goers, but also in possible cast/crew, financiers, and anyone interested in how movies are made. I know it’s the kind of thing I’d love to see.
3. It helps us work out the work flow of the project. How do we handle everyone working from different locations? How can we best organize our files and scenes for multiple people working on it with the software we have? Stuff like that.
4. It also provides something that we can take to potential investors as proof that we can do what we’re saying. Otherwise, it’s just me coming up and saying, “Yeah, I want to do this really expensive thing, and, no, I don’t have any track record that I can do this, and, yeah, I know it’s been 10 years since I’ve done anything even remotely close to art . . .” Plus, the experience will let me have more defined processes that can be put into a business plan.

It’s such an incredible feeling to be working on this! Granted, I wish that I could be in my own studio building, able to sit down face-to-face with the wonderful people that are and will be working with me on this. And that time will come. Just you watch!

I’ve got feelers out to 4 or 5 other artists that I’ve found online. I don’t know how many will be interested, but they are all incredible artists whom I would be absolutely honored to work with!

Oh - and I started this entire post just to say that: I finished the script for the Interest Trailer tonight. It’s been uploaded to my ActiveCollab software and is ready for us all to work on.

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/interest-trailer/feed/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter/the-plane-the-plane/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter/the-plane-the-plane/#comments Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:21:20 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter/the-plane-the-plane/ Okay. Not really. But I had to use that title. You remember the excitement that the little guy had on Fantasy Island when he saw the plane, right? (Man, I’m showing my age here…) Anyway, that’s how I felt when Anna’s first few character sketches came in. She sent in one’s for Jocelyn, Johan, and Raven. They were all very rough, first round sketches. As such, though, they looked great. Anna’s very talented and I’m thrilled that she offered to work with me on this. Thanks Anna!

If you’d like to get a small feel for what we will be doing in this project, head over to the forums and take a look.

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter/the-plane-the-plane/feed/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/general/under-construction/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/general/under-construction/#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2007 03:47:22 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/general/under-construction/ Don’t you hate those signs? They used to be on web pages everywhere for what seemed like a small eternity.

Well, consider this site “under construction” for the next week or two while I squeeze in a little time here and there to redo the site look and functionality. If you drop by and things aren’t working quite like you think they should . . . stop by later. They should be fixed. If you have suggestions and love or hate the new design, well, let me know that too!’

Thanks for your patience!
Lonnie

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/general/under-construction/feed/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapters-13-15/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapters-13-15/#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2007 03:37:02 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapters-13-15/ Three chapters of cliff-hangers for you this week! Did Elena survive the flash flood? What are Raven’s real motives? What are the Duke’s real plans for Elena and Jocelyn? All these answers and more . . . oh, and don’t forget your Ginsu knives! All for only . . . nah. I’m not gonna charge for this much fun!

[STORY SO FAR] read by Tee Morris

[PROMO] Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword

[PROMO] ShadowMagic

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapters-13-15/feed/ 00:38:43 Three chapters of cliff-hangers for you this week! Did Elena survive the flash flood? What are Raven's real motives? What are the Duke's real ... Three chapters of cliff-hangers for you this week! Did Elena survive the flash flood? What are Raven's real motives? What are the Duke's real plans for Elena and Jocelyn? All these answers and more . . . oh, and don't forget your Ginsu knives! All for only . . . nah. I'm not gonna charge for this much fun! [STORY SO FAR] read by Tee Morris [PROMO] Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword [PROMO] ShadowMagic Podcast Lonnie Ezell yes No http://www.lonnieezell.com/making-life/the-power-of-passion/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/making-life/the-power-of-passion/#comments Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:29:34 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/making-life/the-power-of-passion/ We all have hobbies, and dreams, that we have a passion for. It’s something that we can’t get enough of. Something that makes us smile when we talk about. Something that fires us up, and gets us involved whether we want it or not.

I have been realizing lately, how important those passions are to our life. If we choose to follow our passions and truly make something of this passion, we are going to have positive affects on others. It’s not just being selfish. Granted, we can take it to far . . .

Here’s how I see it. My passion is story telling, in books, movies, songs, whatever. I know, because I’ve been through it, that stories can affect people lives. Maybe, just maybe, my stories will touch someone right when they need it most. Maybe they’ll get something out of it that helps them make it through a hard time. Even if it’s on a subconscious level.

By me following my passions, I become a happier person because I’m immersing myself in stuff that makes me happy. Yeah, I know, that sounds really selfish, and on some levels it is. But if I’m happier, then the people around me are happier. If I can live a life of passion and happiness, then my kids will be raised by a happy person, and that will make a huge difference in their lives.

But what if your passion is video games? Perhaps by playing them you can give advice on line on playing games and someone who lives in a crappy environment can gain a few moments of happiness from finally getting past that point they’ve been struggling with.

If your passion is web design, then who are you doing jobs for? Other people with their own passions who you are becoming a vital part of making their dreams come true. Just by following your own passion.

There is a power in passion. I think that, tonight, I have finally realized the power of our passions and how important they are to our life. And I have a friend who’s going through a terrible time, and the movie The Secret to thank for it.

Now, more than ever, I say, “Never stop chasing your dreams.”

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/making-life/the-power-of-passion/feed/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-12/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-12/#comments Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:53:19 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-12/ This week, Johan and Betzalel strive to get the Rebellion started once again, but an undead assassin tries to stop them.

[STORY SO FAR] read by Jack Hosley of Wander Radio

[PROMO] Brave Men Run

[PROMO] Number One With a Bullet

And for everyone that uses the Digg.com service for all the latest and greatest news around the web, they now do podcasts, too! Stop by and digg Daughter of the Sun today.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Also, I’m proud to announce that on February 9, 2007 I’ll be speaking at the Success Solutions reader’s group at the Hastings at 23rd and Iowa in Lawrence, Kansas. I hope to see you there!

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/writing/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-12/feed/ 00:34:13 This week, Johan and Betzalel strive to get the Rebellion started once again, but an undead assassin tries to stop them. [STORY SO FAR] read by ... This week, Johan and Betzalel strive to get the Rebellion started once again, but an undead assassin tries to stop them. [STORY SO FAR] read by Jack Hosley of Wander Radio [PROMO] Brave Men Run [PROMO] Number One With a Bullet And for everyone that uses the Digg.com service for all the latest and greatest news around the web, they now do podcasts, too! Stop by and digg Daughter of the Sun today. - - - - - - - - - - - Also, I'm proud to announce that on February 9, 2007 I'll be speaking at the Success Solutions reader's group at the Hastings at 23rd and Iowa in Lawrence, Kansas. I hope to see you there! Podcast,,Writing Lonnie Ezell no No http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-11/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-11/#comments Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:40:38 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-11/

After a much needed holiday break, and the worst ice-storm Springfield has ever seen, we’re back! Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and that you managed to survive the crazy weather that seems to have struck much of the USA over the last couple of weeks.

Last time, we left Elena hanging on for dear life on a small branch that was sticking out from the side of a cliff. This week, we find out what happens when she makes it to the bottom of the cliff. Does she make it safely? Listen in to find out!

[STORY SO FAR] read by the great guys over at Pulp Gamer.

And for everyone that uses the Digg.com service for all the latest and greatest news around the web, they now do podcasts, too! Stop by and digg Daughter of the Sun today.

]]> http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/daughter-of-the-sun-chapter-11/feed/ 00:21:57 After a much needed holiday break, and the worst ice-storm Springfield has ever seen, we're back! Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and that ... After a much needed holiday break, and the worst ice-storm Springfield has ever seen, we're back! Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and that you managed to survive the crazy weather that seems to have struck much of the USA over the last couple of weeks. Last time, we left Elena hanging on for dear life on a small branch that was sticking out from the side of a cliff. This week, we find out what happens when she makes it to the bottom of the cliff. Does she make it safely? Listen in to find out! [STORY SO FAR] read by the great guys over at Pulp Gamer. And for everyone that uses the Digg.com service for all the latest and greatest news around the web, they now do podcasts, too! Stop by and digg Daughter of the Sun today. Podcast Lonnie Ezell no No http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/the-unwelcome-delay/ http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/the-unwelcome-delay/#comments Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:26:20 +0000 lonnie http://www.lonnieezell.com/podcast/the-unwelcome-delay/