AP2 DRAFT 5: Chapters 10-15 COMPLETE!

The early chapters have their share of action, but this is where things really start ‘rolling’ as the dads say. Sorry. June is Fathers’ Day month, so I had to think of some dumb gag.

Again, most of the work here is just fleshing things out. There are multiple new characters from multiple new nations, and I’m adding slang, customs, and belief systems to keep them all feeling different.

All of this contrasts well with the first book. The first book had VERY little culture, and that was intentional. The characters were rejecting society. Parlay rejected his world, because they rejected him. And Mean rejected her world because she felt she never had a choice.

Now everything is going to be turned around. Culture is going to be forced upon the characters. Many cultures. How will they respond? Will they accept it or will they attempt to escape again? And to where?

Stay tuned! Continue reading →

Abandonment Party 2 Draft 5: Chapters 5-9 COMPLETE.

Again, mostly minor changes throughout.

I suppose I can mention one thing without too much spoilers: exclamations!

Y’know, those things characters say when they’re shocked or frustrated. Kim kept bugging me because ‘oh no’ and ‘dang’ didn’t sound alien enough. So I found a way to change a bit of the slang in this book.

There are quite a few new characters that will use the new exclamations from the get-go, but Mean’s dialog will be affected as well. You could say she’s going to get in touch with her other-worldly roots and start saying more UNEARTHLY things.

This will be set up in the chapters I just finished, and it won’t be THAT big of a change. Just a little spice. She won’t be singing Klingon opera or anything. 😄

Now let’s talk about the games and shows I’ve been watching. Although, SPOILERS, it’s the same show I’ve been watching all freakin’ year. 😑

Monster Train 2: My birthday was the ninth, and I got gift cards galore! My brother also gifted me the new Doom: the Dark Ages game, but my computer won’t run it. No ray tracing. Such a tragedy.

But that’s okay; the sequel to Monster Train is here! 😎

The first game was one of the most unique card battle games I’ve ever played, and the sequel leans into the creative insanity that made the first one so good. I mean, look at this:

Continue reading →

Draft 5, Chapters 1-4: COMPLETE.

I was hoping to be further than four chapters, but I’ve been running into some real-life trouble lately. Nothing serious, just that annoying thing where I have to work longer hours so I can have more money. 🙄

If you live in the United States, you know how it goes with tax time. Also, my truck’s radiator needed to be replaced.

Sheesh, I thought my writing would have made me a billion dollars by now. Who knew being a nobody artist was tough on the wallet?

Anyway, most of the edits so far have been ‘world-building’ additions. As I said before, I’m going to include more lore about the planet in this book. I even tell you about the different days of the alien week and their names. Isn’t that fascinating? 🤯

Okay, time for the reviews. Continue reading →

ABANDONMENET PARTY 2 EPILOGUE AND ALL OF DRAFT 4: COMPLETE!

BOOK COVER: COMPLETE!

Yes, they were both finished at the same time. Maura Watkins did an AMAZING job and put everything on the cover exactly as I asked. And yes, I’ll just say her name instead of being vague. Her name will be credited, after all.

And speaking of vague, it is time for the final vague poem of the book:

A crone and elder creep along the wretched ceiling;

masked actors bow and keep the sour fruits a-peeling;

executioners gather here, at creation’s end;

it’s rather far, the hateful grudges those siblings send. Continue reading →

Chapters 35 and 36: Draft 4: COMPLETE!

Yes, two chapters. I just went ahead and finished them both instead of stopping to write a blog for January. Now all I have left is the epilogue. And the vague spoiler-free poem about the chapters.

Get up, everyone! Look for your friends.

Where could they be? Is this how it ends?

There are holes in the walls and lights destroyed on the ceiling.

Many strings and chains in weird places; these sights have me reeling.

A stage, once empty, now sounding with cheers and celebration most hardy.

Take a bow players! It’s curtain call for the next Abandonment Party. Continue reading →

Chapter 34: Draft 4: Complete!

I want you to see me.

We should be friends.

Don’t close yourself off.

Or the party ends. Continue reading →

Chapter 33, Draft 4: COMPLETE!

Hurry, before the way is closed!

Ah, too late; your plan is hosed!

Pick a route; again, it’s time;

Scattered pieces; leave them behind. Continue reading →

AP 2 Draft 4, Chapter 32: COMPLETE.

For safe transit you must deal.

Two passengers’ quick reveal.

One rider is bared at the first’s behest.

The end of their ride leads to a pierced chest. Continue reading →

Chapters 30-31, Draft 4 COMPLETE!

Yes, TWO chapters this time!

Chapter 30: Got trimmed; Kim convinced me to move a big event to the beginning of the book. It works better as a ‘reintroduction’ to the main characters, so I agreed. And it helps the flow of the finale.

So many paths to pick and choose,

Which leads to the exit? What route should I use?

Only when you reach the point that is highest,

Will your vantage show:

The labyrinth is biased. Continue reading →

Chapter 29, Draft 4 – COMPLETE!

To have strength in yourself is conviction indeed

But when your peers falter what then will you need?

Will it be faith if your conviction is strong?

Or is murder the lie you’ve been told all along? Continue reading →