Well here it is the first Bastion Prequel to War Book Trailer video for all to see. We hope you enjoy just a small glimpse in to the world of Bastion. With all of the wonderful characters in this book you will be sure to have your favorite.
Check This Site Often For Upcoming Appearances, Book Signings, Products and Sneak Peaks into Aaron's Newest Projects
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Book Karma
As some of you may know, it's hard to follow your heart. As an author it's a constant struggle. From the rejections from publishing companies to the terror of trying to become a writer on your own, it's hard to write a book, pour your words and your soul into something and then subject it to everyone in the world to judge. It takes a special kind of person to wake up in the morning with a heart full of vigor and decide not to ever give up on their dreams.
And it takes a special kind of person to decide not to give up on other people's dreams as well. It takes something unique to be able to reach a hand out to someone who is close to falling and lead them to a safer place.
I only know a few people like that. My manager is like that. My grandmother was like that. And recently I had the luck of finding someone else who thinks more for others than she does for herself. Indie author Renee Pawlish is one of those people.
It happened through a chance following on Twitter. I was trying to expand my reach and attempting to learn the ropes of the website as a whole. I ended up following Renee and she followed me back. One simple thank you message to her and then later we're talking with each other about what we could do to help each other out.
We messaged back and forth. She asked about the candles and I asked her about her work. I realized her book Nephilim: Genisis of Evil has gained some serious traction and is doing very well. Naturally I'm determined to pick it up. With all the work I've been doing I actually haven't been able to read much lately. We got to talking and she interviewed me online and put it on her blog. She said things about me that I didn't even know about myself. Not just about my writing, but about my personality. It was new for me to hear what she had to say.
She has a good outlook on the writing world. You need to reach a hand out and know that there are so many people who are like you, desperately wanting to be heard. These kinds of journeys are important and they're so much more enjoyable when you meet these people who are so special. You feel like a better person just by letting them into your life.
Renee has a theory called Book Karma. Essentially if you help someone out, then you'll be paid back in full. I believe it. Not only with my work, but in life. Maybe if everyone took a little Book Karma and spread it around in every situation, you may be pleasantly surprised by who you meet and what happens next.
I have no doubts that Renee will do well. I really don't have a single doubt. Take the time to read her books and chat her up. I know that's what I'll be doing.
Here's a link to her website. Check out her book Nephilim: Genisis of Evil. It's in the top 10 in the book category. Extremely impressive.
http://www.reneepawlish.com/
If you want to hear what she wrote about lil' old me, here's the link to the interview and her blog.
http://tobecomeawriter.com/welcome-indie-author-a-l-collins/
Well it's getting late. May huge amounts of Book Karma find its way to all of you as well. Happy writing.
And it takes a special kind of person to decide not to give up on other people's dreams as well. It takes something unique to be able to reach a hand out to someone who is close to falling and lead them to a safer place.
I only know a few people like that. My manager is like that. My grandmother was like that. And recently I had the luck of finding someone else who thinks more for others than she does for herself. Indie author Renee Pawlish is one of those people.
It happened through a chance following on Twitter. I was trying to expand my reach and attempting to learn the ropes of the website as a whole. I ended up following Renee and she followed me back. One simple thank you message to her and then later we're talking with each other about what we could do to help each other out.
We messaged back and forth. She asked about the candles and I asked her about her work. I realized her book Nephilim: Genisis of Evil has gained some serious traction and is doing very well. Naturally I'm determined to pick it up. With all the work I've been doing I actually haven't been able to read much lately. We got to talking and she interviewed me online and put it on her blog. She said things about me that I didn't even know about myself. Not just about my writing, but about my personality. It was new for me to hear what she had to say.
She has a good outlook on the writing world. You need to reach a hand out and know that there are so many people who are like you, desperately wanting to be heard. These kinds of journeys are important and they're so much more enjoyable when you meet these people who are so special. You feel like a better person just by letting them into your life.
Renee has a theory called Book Karma. Essentially if you help someone out, then you'll be paid back in full. I believe it. Not only with my work, but in life. Maybe if everyone took a little Book Karma and spread it around in every situation, you may be pleasantly surprised by who you meet and what happens next.
I have no doubts that Renee will do well. I really don't have a single doubt. Take the time to read her books and chat her up. I know that's what I'll be doing.
Here's a link to her website. Check out her book Nephilim: Genisis of Evil. It's in the top 10 in the book category. Extremely impressive.
http://www.reneepawlish.com/
If you want to hear what she wrote about lil' old me, here's the link to the interview and her blog.
http://tobecomeawriter.com/welcome-indie-author-a-l-collins/
Well it's getting late. May huge amounts of Book Karma find its way to all of you as well. Happy writing.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
So If I Had a Soundtrack...
Went to see Carbon Leaf in concert today. It was pretty insane and a very personal experience. We were close to the band and everyone had a really good time. I've heard they really have developed quite the stage presence since they were an opening band for Seven Nations. Because I have to say the band members had a lot of personality. They were damn hilarious to talk to! They played songs from every album including Indian Summer, Love Loss Hope Repeat and Echo.
I'm trying to think of ways to add music and combine it with the average reading experience. Integrating the other senses would make for a whole new outlook on books. So I realized that a lot of songs from Carbon Leaf would sync wonderfully with the vibe of Twined. When you have a chance go check this band out. They really are one of a kind!
Listen to:
Lake of Silver Bells: A smooth mystic tune.
Life Less Ordinary: A breakout peppy song.
Another Man's Woman: A gritty love me not.
The War Was in Color: A deep melody that will make you think.
I'm trying to think of ways to add music and combine it with the average reading experience. Integrating the other senses would make for a whole new outlook on books. So I realized that a lot of songs from Carbon Leaf would sync wonderfully with the vibe of Twined. When you have a chance go check this band out. They really are one of a kind!
Listen to:
Lake of Silver Bells: A smooth mystic tune.
Life Less Ordinary: A breakout peppy song.
Another Man's Woman: A gritty love me not.
The War Was in Color: A deep melody that will make you think.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Welcome New Book Reviewers and Bloggers!
Welcome and Thank You! to Melissa Caldwell from Anniston, Alabama and Melanie Vautour from New Brunswick, Canada for taking time out of their busy schedules to read and review Bastion - Prequel To War for us. We will post their reviews and comments here and on http://www.thebastionbook.com/ website for all to see! Take the time to visit Melanie's website "Melanie's Book Addiction" there is a link posted on the right hand side of this blog. Great reading for all of you book enthusiasts!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
BASTION - Prequel To War Character Candles Now Available!
WHAT A DAY!
Well it's official. The first ever Bastion book signing was a HUGE success! All hardcovers sold despite being the most expensive.We gave out posters, bookmarks, cards and stickers. We sold Character candles and books even though we haven't done ANY marketing! This is all through word of mouth here! And now I've got soccer moms, 80 year olds and kids reading my book? Totally not the demographics I was shooting for but I'm not complaining! This day was an experience unlike any other. And the ones I love were there running the register and selling products with me! I'm stunned. Thanks to everyone who bought a book you are so special to me and to everyone who spent their time here tonight!
This is what we've been waiting for. This is Bastion.
And this world belongs to you.
This is what we've been waiting for. This is Bastion.
And this world belongs to you.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The Five Senses of Reading
Hey all. Merry almost soon-to-be Christmas and any other holiday that you love to celebrate! Hope you're all staying close to family and friends as the snow and the merry times creep even closer!
Well wanted to update what's going on. Lots of things to do! Marketing the Bastion book, writing three other stories, managing ALL the websites and as of late, introducing three new very special projects to our wing.
The Bastion comic book, possibly an upcoming video game based on my work and something pretty cool...
Scented candles.
That's right! Soon scented candles are going to be made (with homemade and developed scents) based on each of the Bastion characters! Both old... and some new! My goal is to bring the five senses to reading! Obviously the book and comic brings the visual, hopefully a developed story soundtrack will bring the hearing, and next the candles are going to add to the smell! Light a candle and bask in the aroma of Serrah as you pick from one of eight fantastic originally developed scents!
Spice Current- Based out of Shen-Mei's eastern ocean nation compiled of islands, the country of Bajoul is a land of rich heritage and magical secrets specific only to their people. With their focus on spice trades, it is said that the smell of winterwood, bajujan pepper and willowblossom floats in the very air itself. We were able to capture these smells and make it into a candle that will bring the therapeutic air of Bajoul to you in the comfort of your home!
Zaveena's Secret: The Wandermother of the Fatella'Sallah has seen much. She is older, wiser and perhaps stronger than most arcane soldiers in Aldania. But behind every sorceress... lies a sorceress' secret. And after traveling through so much of the land... it is a wonder why she has stayed in the Fallensa woods for so long. Unseen truths are being hidden from the world... and only Mother Zaveena knows the answers. We've taken the smell of Zaveena's favorite rare flowers and solidified it into a perfume. The lesome flower mixed with the molale weed... the scent of intrigue and mystery.
Sorbet Trees: The elvehn nations, specifically the tervilil nation of Saturnia, are a marvelous and clean civilization. The elves have learned much from their ancestors and their societies have maintained both cultural heritage and have excelled to create amazing cities of grand proportions. But wildlife is always present even in their urban locations. Particularly a tree named the sorbet, which is a strange dark wood tree that actually channels mannah into some sort of aroma that is theorized to extend life expectancy. In return, smelling the tree gives you the hint of a creamy scent that has become popular in elvehn nations as a romantic perfume.Wir has graciously provided a few sorbet leaves so we could grind and pour them into candles to improve your mental health and vitality!
Fallensa Berries: Deep in the Fallensa there are small round red berries. About the size of a coin, if you grind them into paste they form a sweet tasting mixture typically used for lipstick and some types of makeup. Meriah has created an entire makeup line specific only to her. She has mastered the making of such pastes after so many years of living within the Fallensa woods, surrounded by flora and wild plants. Not only do they give her a lovely touch of color to her everyday look, they also make her smell of the sweet scent of berries and pine. We've been able to gather some of these rich red berries, against Meriah's will unfortunately, and grind them into a scented candle so that you too can smell the aroma of delicious Fallensa berries! Just don't tell Meriah.
We also have scents for Donovan, Asper, Syrius and Felicia. Donovan gives us an incense that calms him before battle called Finder's Promise. Asper has isolated the scent of a potion he uses to fuel his magic powers appropriately titled Bruhenna Brew. With Syrius' sensitive canine nose you can tell he is a master at scents. We enlisted his help to create a musty, manly smell he named Hair of the Dog. And finally the temptress Felicia gave us a little candle she made herself that is supposedly an aroma that fuels romance... as well as lustful intentions. She branded this smell Love Spell, which she gave us to sell... and kept a few for herself.
Now these candles will be available at the Hampstead book signing and will soon be on sale on our website www.thebastionbook.com for purchase! Thank you for all of your support and for helping me bring the five senses to reading! Okay we just have to come up with something edible. Hmmm... Maybe some of Zavenna's wonderful sugary nut cookies to enjoy while you curl up with a warm throw and your copy of Bastion. We'll work on it, we can promise you that!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Quote Time!
So I've been getting a lot of work done on four simultaneous stories. Insane to do more than one at a time, I know, but I kind of need to. Keeps me fresh and also a lot of people are counting on me right now, so I have to do this well.
So here's a quote from each of the books I'm working on. Each about 40 some pages in.
So here's a quote from each of the books I'm working on. Each about 40 some pages in.
"I was eleven years old, just turned. I didn’t want to grow up. I wanted to stay in my little townhouse and write on the sidewalk with chalk while I dreamed on what color giraffe I was going to be when I grew up. I just wanted things to be simple. I didn’t understand why things had to be so complicated for all the grown ups. And I decided that if growing up meant things got confusing, then I would stay little forever. I would stay simple. But unfortunately everything around me did its best not to be. The world liked to be complex. It liked to twist, to distort. To bleed you dry of whatever feeling you could muster while still letting you hold on to your sanity so that you could experience heartache at its prime. I didn’t know how cold the world was when I was eleven. If I would have known… then maybe I would have packed a sweater." -Avalin Marsh detailing how on her eleventh birthday her mother murdered a woman, in the book Twined
"One, two... they're watching you. Three, four... open the door. Five, six... bones break like sticks... Seven, eight, bodies stand straight... Nine, ten... they're alive again." -Agnus Chive, a demented little girl who plagues the main character's thoughts in the zombie survival tale Dead No More
“What I believe is that we should save ourselves from these cursed abominations far before we seek refuge in any sort of holy city.” -Tristian, stating she believes that Harkvane should save itself from the blackrot parasites infecting the country far before they use their forces to seek haven in a holy city that only the Old Testament say exist, in the grisly dark medieval fantasy Utopius
"I do smoke a drug Ashton. It's called happiness. I can't score it myself, but I'm the best dealer I know." -Jaime Williams telling her best friend how making others feel happy helps her find purpose, but she can't seem to find happiness herself, in the uplifting crossover story Scarlett's
So there's some pretty cool quotes so far. I can't wait to finish these books but I'm not going to rush. I'm going to make these stories as awesome as possible. Definitely time to get to work! Because at this point I'm running off of coffee and sarcasm!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Book Bloggers and Book Reviewers Wanted!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Expanding Our Horizons
So naturally we've been trying to branch out our pool of contacts as of late. Fellow authors, news reporters and so on have been under our radar for the past week. Getting the book known is, after all, half the battle. But now it seems that we are lucky enough to reach into a form of entertainment that I never really thought much about... until now.
That's right. If things go our way, we may have our very own Bastion comic book.
Now it most likely won't be a graphic novel version of Prequel. The comic artist and I both believe that the flow of a novel doesn't sync well with the flow of a comic. So what does that mean? Most likely I'll be creating a seperate branching story that will co-exist with the Bastion: Prequel to War timeline. It'll be a story that fits the pacing of a graphic novel itself. You may see some familiar characters, you may see familiar places. But it'll be from the point of view of a different hero or heroess. (That's not a typo. I never call female heroes heroins.) Anyway it'll take some time to write up with all the other things I have to do such as tweet, blog and write three other books. But when it's done it'll be a massive accomplishment.
Ooh, maybe I'll ask him to design images of Meriah and Syrius for T-shirts! You know I need me some Syrius T-shirt. Is it wrong I have a man-crush on my own character? Yes. It most likely is.
That's right. If things go our way, we may have our very own Bastion comic book.
Now it most likely won't be a graphic novel version of Prequel. The comic artist and I both believe that the flow of a novel doesn't sync well with the flow of a comic. So what does that mean? Most likely I'll be creating a seperate branching story that will co-exist with the Bastion: Prequel to War timeline. It'll be a story that fits the pacing of a graphic novel itself. You may see some familiar characters, you may see familiar places. But it'll be from the point of view of a different hero or heroess. (That's not a typo. I never call female heroes heroins.) Anyway it'll take some time to write up with all the other things I have to do such as tweet, blog and write three other books. But when it's done it'll be a massive accomplishment.
Ooh, maybe I'll ask him to design images of Meriah and Syrius for T-shirts! You know I need me some Syrius T-shirt. Is it wrong I have a man-crush on my own character? Yes. It most likely is.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Press Release Gets Responses From Television, Print and The United Kingdom!
The first Press Release that we have issued in the two weeks since Bastion - Prequel To War was released by our publisher has proven to generate quite a bit of interest already. There have been various requests for information and interviews from television, print media and even a wonderful women named Jane from a news website in the United Kingdom. We are excited to get the word out about this wonderful and so very talented young author A.L. Collins. With all of the upcoming projects planned and at least two more books to be released by January 31, 2012 the excitement is only beginning. You can view the Press Release by clicking on the link provided below.
Best Regards,
James Huntington
Publishing Manager for A.L. Collins
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-service/250766
Best Regards,
James Huntington
Publishing Manager for A.L. Collins
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-service/250766
Monday, December 5, 2011
It Really Warms the Heart
So I had the joy and privilege of being part of a relative's surprise birthday party. I haven't been part of many of them. Mostly because the ones my friends planned always ended up failing in the surprise part. Anyway at this party I went to I met a girl who is also trying to start her writing career.
I was talking about my book, Bastion, to a relative of mine at this party, see. And in the middle of my conversation I noticed a woman with short hair listening in, which I found extremely flattering because she looked quite interested. My manager always said to have a PR opportunity ready so I guess I was doing my job, but making sure not to steal the spotlight from the real star of the evening, being the birthday guy.
Anyway after I was done speaking, the woman who was listening asked me if I wrote that book myself. I told her yes and she said that her daughter was trying to figure out a way to get her writing out and about in the world as well. I told this woman how I got started, and then suddenly she darted away into the crowd. She had said something and I had missed it, so I assumed the lady left.
But she didn't. She came back a minute later with her daughter. The girl was here at the party! She shook my hand gently with a copy of The Goblet of Fire in her other hand, a Harry Potter paperback. I couldn't stop smiling as this girl, timidly yet with excitement in her eyes, told me what she wrote about and asked how to get her work out there.
I didn't know how to take this at all. I had come here to celebrate a birthday so this was way unexpected. I just looked at her and saw myself in her. I was in this position if not six months ago, frantically trying to get all the information I could out of anyone willing to share. Trying to get someone, anyone to notice all the hard work I had put into this project. But initially no one was there to point me in the right direction. And direction is important, especially in the publishing world.
So I gave her all my contact information, told her to look up Amanda Hocking on youtube for inspiration, told her about my book blog and other numerous sites, and gave her the ups, downs, ins and outs of the self-publishing world and how I got my start, as well as the company that I went with. She seemed so floored, so excited, it really warms the heart to be in a position where you can help someone with the information that you know. I promised her that I would keep an eye out for her and when her work finally does debut, it'll be right here on this blog. I heard her sister asking if she could help her design posters and such. I told them to include as many friends in this as she could, to make a real project out of it and let it expand as far as her imagination allowed. I think she liked that idea.
She asked me if she could buy the paperback I had with me and if I would sign it. I signed it, but I didn't sell it. I told her she could just take it with her. I was honestly just aloof off the moment. I didn't want to ruin that feeling.
So in truth, she inspires me, and not the other way around. Maybe one day she'll be signing her book for me as I stand there all a flutter, waiting for her signature. I hope to see her soar, I really do.
I was talking about my book, Bastion, to a relative of mine at this party, see. And in the middle of my conversation I noticed a woman with short hair listening in, which I found extremely flattering because she looked quite interested. My manager always said to have a PR opportunity ready so I guess I was doing my job, but making sure not to steal the spotlight from the real star of the evening, being the birthday guy.
Anyway after I was done speaking, the woman who was listening asked me if I wrote that book myself. I told her yes and she said that her daughter was trying to figure out a way to get her writing out and about in the world as well. I told this woman how I got started, and then suddenly she darted away into the crowd. She had said something and I had missed it, so I assumed the lady left.
But she didn't. She came back a minute later with her daughter. The girl was here at the party! She shook my hand gently with a copy of The Goblet of Fire in her other hand, a Harry Potter paperback. I couldn't stop smiling as this girl, timidly yet with excitement in her eyes, told me what she wrote about and asked how to get her work out there.
I didn't know how to take this at all. I had come here to celebrate a birthday so this was way unexpected. I just looked at her and saw myself in her. I was in this position if not six months ago, frantically trying to get all the information I could out of anyone willing to share. Trying to get someone, anyone to notice all the hard work I had put into this project. But initially no one was there to point me in the right direction. And direction is important, especially in the publishing world.
So I gave her all my contact information, told her to look up Amanda Hocking on youtube for inspiration, told her about my book blog and other numerous sites, and gave her the ups, downs, ins and outs of the self-publishing world and how I got my start, as well as the company that I went with. She seemed so floored, so excited, it really warms the heart to be in a position where you can help someone with the information that you know. I promised her that I would keep an eye out for her and when her work finally does debut, it'll be right here on this blog. I heard her sister asking if she could help her design posters and such. I told them to include as many friends in this as she could, to make a real project out of it and let it expand as far as her imagination allowed. I think she liked that idea.
She asked me if she could buy the paperback I had with me and if I would sign it. I signed it, but I didn't sell it. I told her she could just take it with her. I was honestly just aloof off the moment. I didn't want to ruin that feeling.
So in truth, she inspires me, and not the other way around. Maybe one day she'll be signing her book for me as I stand there all a flutter, waiting for her signature. I hope to see her soar, I really do.
 |
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Four Books at Once
So the first Bastion book just came out. I'm beyond pleased, but the sequel is nowhere on the way currently because I'm trying to branch out to different genres. I've literally written... like... twelve pages on the sequel? But I've started three other books that I wanted to get out there. Some feedback would be lovely because I don't know which to start on. Of course if it gets no feedback, which it might not because nobody knows about this blog yet, I may just have to trust myself to make a good decision.
So here are the three I'm working on.
Scarlett's- A feel good and motivational story about a girl named Jaime Williams, down on her luck after moving out of her home and struggling to make a living, she finds solace in a restaurant named Scarlett's where she can finally feel part of something and attempt to make something out of herself. She's inspired by the stories of the people she meets there and decides to write a book based on their strengths, loves, despairs and heartaches. There she finds good everyday people struggling with money, direction, loss and sexuality as each person working there has their own tale to tell. But when the people she loves face troubles that threaten to tear the staff apart, she decides to make a difference in their lives and attempt to publish her work. She thinks that if she can become successful herself, then she'll be in a better position to help others. As she draws others into her own projects with her drive and success, they all become enraptured as they each become part of what Jaime has created. What happens on that road to becoming the author she craves to be is nothing short of spectacular.
Twined- A high school escapism fantasy about a girl named Avalin Marsh. On her eleventh birthday, a day that was supposed to be so perfect and filled with happiness, her mother murdered a woman. Avalin was scarred seeing her mother do such a thing. But when the police arrived there was no body, no blood, despite what she and her father saw. Her mother was taken to a mental institution and Avalin and her father lived alone in that townhouse for six more years... and Avalin thought the worst of her life was over. But after she begins to imagine these strange things, such as hallucinations, hearing voices and seeing people's faces change in front of her, she becomes terrified thinking that she's becoming just like her mother. But when a strange young man named Ashur comes to her and tells her of the Twined, mythical beings that survive off of forming pacts with humans, she begins to realize maybe her mother wasn't the insane one to begin with... that maybe everything her mother claimed was real from the start.
Blackout- Davis is sleepwalking through his life. He doesn't remember making the decisions that led to where he is. He figures he's just like every other person trying to get by. He works for the IRS, so he's used to being hated. Despite living such a monotone life, however, he is doing the best he can to look forward to the day ahead. But suddenly things start becoming strange. He begins seeing these same people in the crowd. They look familiar to him but he can't place where he's seen them. He does his best to push them aside despite the fact that he's having blackouts, missing pieces creating holes in his memories. Again he ignores them, paying them no mind. That is until the day he's kidnapped by the very same people he's been seeing and thrown into the back of a van. It turns out nothing is clear when it turns out these abductors may not be his enemies after all, as he finds out later that there are a group of people out there trying to kill him. As twists and turns ensue, it appears that maybe the life that Davis is living isn't reality at all. Because these abductors claim to know him... and they claim he saved their lives.
So that's it so far. I wanted to also do a zombie book, and I'm going to, but I'm going to have to nail down the story completely before I post anything because I want this zombie book to be different. As different as possible, that is. So I hope I can get some thoughts on these projects. Now I'm going to finish eating and turn off The Breakfast Club. Because you just can't turn away from The Breakfast Club.
So here are the three I'm working on.
Scarlett's- A feel good and motivational story about a girl named Jaime Williams, down on her luck after moving out of her home and struggling to make a living, she finds solace in a restaurant named Scarlett's where she can finally feel part of something and attempt to make something out of herself. She's inspired by the stories of the people she meets there and decides to write a book based on their strengths, loves, despairs and heartaches. There she finds good everyday people struggling with money, direction, loss and sexuality as each person working there has their own tale to tell. But when the people she loves face troubles that threaten to tear the staff apart, she decides to make a difference in their lives and attempt to publish her work. She thinks that if she can become successful herself, then she'll be in a better position to help others. As she draws others into her own projects with her drive and success, they all become enraptured as they each become part of what Jaime has created. What happens on that road to becoming the author she craves to be is nothing short of spectacular.
Twined- A high school escapism fantasy about a girl named Avalin Marsh. On her eleventh birthday, a day that was supposed to be so perfect and filled with happiness, her mother murdered a woman. Avalin was scarred seeing her mother do such a thing. But when the police arrived there was no body, no blood, despite what she and her father saw. Her mother was taken to a mental institution and Avalin and her father lived alone in that townhouse for six more years... and Avalin thought the worst of her life was over. But after she begins to imagine these strange things, such as hallucinations, hearing voices and seeing people's faces change in front of her, she becomes terrified thinking that she's becoming just like her mother. But when a strange young man named Ashur comes to her and tells her of the Twined, mythical beings that survive off of forming pacts with humans, she begins to realize maybe her mother wasn't the insane one to begin with... that maybe everything her mother claimed was real from the start.
Blackout- Davis is sleepwalking through his life. He doesn't remember making the decisions that led to where he is. He figures he's just like every other person trying to get by. He works for the IRS, so he's used to being hated. Despite living such a monotone life, however, he is doing the best he can to look forward to the day ahead. But suddenly things start becoming strange. He begins seeing these same people in the crowd. They look familiar to him but he can't place where he's seen them. He does his best to push them aside despite the fact that he's having blackouts, missing pieces creating holes in his memories. Again he ignores them, paying them no mind. That is until the day he's kidnapped by the very same people he's been seeing and thrown into the back of a van. It turns out nothing is clear when it turns out these abductors may not be his enemies after all, as he finds out later that there are a group of people out there trying to kill him. As twists and turns ensue, it appears that maybe the life that Davis is living isn't reality at all. Because these abductors claim to know him... and they claim he saved their lives.
So that's it so far. I wanted to also do a zombie book, and I'm going to, but I'm going to have to nail down the story completely before I post anything because I want this zombie book to be different. As different as possible, that is. So I hope I can get some thoughts on these projects. Now I'm going to finish eating and turn off The Breakfast Club. Because you just can't turn away from The Breakfast Club.
How it Feels to be a Writer
So the first Bastion is out there on the marketplace. The first book I've ever written. I love the feel of the first book. It's new, it's exciting I think and it sets the series up to get darker as things progress onward. I'm excited for that. But today I gave my copy of my book to a couple people to read. And to my surprise everyone who I gave the book to loved it. People started skimming through it, reading it, saying they wanted to buy copies for their kids for Christmas. I was in shock. I was in complete and utter shock. As one of the people I gave the book to sat in the restaurant I work at and read it while I worked... he couldn't put it down.
That's the most gratifying thing in the world. To see that someone liked the ideas that I put down on paper just triggers an insuperable level of emotions. I mean it's the first book I've ever written. I know it's not perfect. It's not the best thing in the world. But it was the best thing in the world to someone for a few minutes. And I can't thank that person enough.
I set out to do this so that I could bring my ideas to life and so that I could try to help a lot of people. But I didn't expect that seeing my work admired would feel like this. It was humbling and so enjoyable to experience. I just thought I should share it.
That's the most gratifying thing in the world. To see that someone liked the ideas that I put down on paper just triggers an insuperable level of emotions. I mean it's the first book I've ever written. I know it's not perfect. It's not the best thing in the world. But it was the best thing in the world to someone for a few minutes. And I can't thank that person enough.
I set out to do this so that I could bring my ideas to life and so that I could try to help a lot of people. But I didn't expect that seeing my work admired would feel like this. It was humbling and so enjoyable to experience. I just thought I should share it.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
One of my FAVORITE Characters
Now it's no surprise that I'm a huge nerd. That's a given. Love it, I wave the flag and everything. So for me the biggest deal in the world was surprisingly a video game. I was always a big fan of movies, so when I heard of the practically playable movie Mass Effect by BioWare, I really became interested.
Now here's the story. I picked up the game back in like... 2009 from a gamestop because I was buying my brother a present and I had about fifteen bucks left over. Mass Effect came out in like... what, 2007? So I bought it for 14.99 and took it home. Apparently the storyline is your character, Shepard, is a human who is sent to acquire a signal-emitting beacon from a planet that is built by an ancient alien race. You get there and of course things go horribly wrong which sets you up for a massive adventure along with a bunch of alien and human companions racing to fight against an evil race of sentient machines coming to harvest all life from the galaxy. It's a great game. And lucky enough for me as soon as I got it the second one came out. I didn't even know it was out. But my mother came home and surprised us with ME2 due to an upcoming blizzard (she thought we'd be bored) and it indeed snowed its ass off. So I finished the game in four days since I couldn't even go outside. She didn't even know that I liked the series. She just judged the game's awesomeness based on a quick commercial.
Now the first was amazing, the second blows everything out of the water. I loved the second one in every way. Not to mention that many of my favorite actors/actresses like Tricia Helfer (EDI) and the lovely Yvonne Strahovski are both in the game. Anyway I was hooked. The characters were deep and I loved each and every one of them. Garrus is my bro, love Miranda, Samara, Grunt, Jacob, Zaeed and more. Hell Legion was hilarious. Totally blew that stereotype robot pet peeve I had out the window.
But there was one character that I could not live without. And crime against crimes, she wasn't even in the original game! You had to order her after the game came out. But she quickly became my love. My favorite character yet, voiced by the magnificent Kym Hoy, is none other than the stealthy space infiltrator...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4HsvEOlNAo
Kasumi.
Kasumi Goto is a tactical stealth master and expert thief. She can cloak and disappear in the blink of an eye and is a master at all things technical. She is one of Shepard's companions drafted by the shadow organization Cerberus to help him on his Suicide Mission to take down these aliens. Now the story behind her is she has a surgical implant called a gray box. Or grey box, I forgot how to spell it. A weapons smuggler named Hock had killed her partner in order to get his gray box and Kasumi was heartbroken. She petitions for help to get her boyfriend, Keiji's gray box away from Hock. Since Cerberus already wants her help, she strikes a deal. Shepard helps her get the gray box back and then she helps him with his mission.
Now you think a silent and stealthy thief would be quiet, serious, zen, right? Wrong. Kasumi is hilarious. She's light hearted, funny and oh so unpredictable. Truthfully her thrill-seeking lifestyle has given her quite the romantic and "take risks" kind of viewpoint. She's the kind of person whose opinions are so hard to disagree with, mainly because she ends up being right even without saying that someone else is wrong. I was very surprised when this attitude came from her. I really enjoyed this character because it just shows that even someone with such a mysterious backstory can still be so exciting. She has a third dimension added to her character based on how she treats other people. She's kind, but she knows not to get shit on. Her head is in the right place and she's very stabilizing. I wanted to take her everywhere in my game. Hell, I did take her everywhere.
Anyway she's a good inspiration on what a character is about. And it's a good inspiration on what good voice acting can lead to as well, so major props to Kym on a job well done really capturing Kasumi's personality. It's safe to say that my characters all stemmed from Kasumi's inspiration as a whole really. She was a major inspiration for this book. I hope that maybe I can write stories and create characters that are half as good as Ms. Goto...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVWXxSOlPKY&feature=related
Kasumi is indeed an optimist.
Now here's the story. I picked up the game back in like... 2009 from a gamestop because I was buying my brother a present and I had about fifteen bucks left over. Mass Effect came out in like... what, 2007? So I bought it for 14.99 and took it home. Apparently the storyline is your character, Shepard, is a human who is sent to acquire a signal-emitting beacon from a planet that is built by an ancient alien race. You get there and of course things go horribly wrong which sets you up for a massive adventure along with a bunch of alien and human companions racing to fight against an evil race of sentient machines coming to harvest all life from the galaxy. It's a great game. And lucky enough for me as soon as I got it the second one came out. I didn't even know it was out. But my mother came home and surprised us with ME2 due to an upcoming blizzard (she thought we'd be bored) and it indeed snowed its ass off. So I finished the game in four days since I couldn't even go outside. She didn't even know that I liked the series. She just judged the game's awesomeness based on a quick commercial.
Now the first was amazing, the second blows everything out of the water. I loved the second one in every way. Not to mention that many of my favorite actors/actresses like Tricia Helfer (EDI) and the lovely Yvonne Strahovski are both in the game. Anyway I was hooked. The characters were deep and I loved each and every one of them. Garrus is my bro, love Miranda, Samara, Grunt, Jacob, Zaeed and more. Hell Legion was hilarious. Totally blew that stereotype robot pet peeve I had out the window.
But there was one character that I could not live without. And crime against crimes, she wasn't even in the original game! You had to order her after the game came out. But she quickly became my love. My favorite character yet, voiced by the magnificent Kym Hoy, is none other than the stealthy space infiltrator...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4HsvEOlNAo
Kasumi.
Kasumi Goto is a tactical stealth master and expert thief. She can cloak and disappear in the blink of an eye and is a master at all things technical. She is one of Shepard's companions drafted by the shadow organization Cerberus to help him on his Suicide Mission to take down these aliens. Now the story behind her is she has a surgical implant called a gray box. Or grey box, I forgot how to spell it. A weapons smuggler named Hock had killed her partner in order to get his gray box and Kasumi was heartbroken. She petitions for help to get her boyfriend, Keiji's gray box away from Hock. Since Cerberus already wants her help, she strikes a deal. Shepard helps her get the gray box back and then she helps him with his mission.
Now you think a silent and stealthy thief would be quiet, serious, zen, right? Wrong. Kasumi is hilarious. She's light hearted, funny and oh so unpredictable. Truthfully her thrill-seeking lifestyle has given her quite the romantic and "take risks" kind of viewpoint. She's the kind of person whose opinions are so hard to disagree with, mainly because she ends up being right even without saying that someone else is wrong. I was very surprised when this attitude came from her. I really enjoyed this character because it just shows that even someone with such a mysterious backstory can still be so exciting. She has a third dimension added to her character based on how she treats other people. She's kind, but she knows not to get shit on. Her head is in the right place and she's very stabilizing. I wanted to take her everywhere in my game. Hell, I did take her everywhere.
Anyway she's a good inspiration on what a character is about. And it's a good inspiration on what good voice acting can lead to as well, so major props to Kym on a job well done really capturing Kasumi's personality. It's safe to say that my characters all stemmed from Kasumi's inspiration as a whole really. She was a major inspiration for this book. I hope that maybe I can write stories and create characters that are half as good as Ms. Goto...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVWXxSOlPKY&feature=related
Kasumi is indeed an optimist.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Just a Quick Update!
So the book is finally out and about on the market! That's fantastic. Nerve wracking and emotionally jarring, yes, but also very much fantastic. It's really weird to see my picture on the back of a book because this is supposedly not what people had planned for my life. But I love it! And it gives me a massive case of the goose-pimples to see my work online. Granted it has only been live for a couple days and I'm already too nervous to check any of the websites, I know that when I get that first ounce of feedback that I'm going to wig out hardcore.
Check that. Just got a call from the manager. Apparently my book is being sold in England.
England.
ENGLAND.
I love England. Really I do. I do the accent and everything. I can't do it now, mind you I'm sick. But I will eventually. I'll record it. And I'll put it on here. But I have to go to work so I gotta cut this short. Blah. I'll write later. It's not like I have four books waiting to be written or anything. Ah, just teasing. Much love people, have a good day!
Check that. Just got a call from the manager. Apparently my book is being sold in England.
England.
ENGLAND.
I love England. Really I do. I do the accent and everything. I can't do it now, mind you I'm sick. But I will eventually. I'll record it. And I'll put it on here. But I have to go to work so I gotta cut this short. Blah. I'll write later. It's not like I have four books waiting to be written or anything. Ah, just teasing. Much love people, have a good day!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Here's an Excerpt From Bastion - Prequel to War
So Rigil gently opened his locker and looked inside. He grinned to himself warmly as he pulled out a shined metal blade. It was a gorgeous make, handcrafted in an era that he knew was far beyond his time. The hilt was jet black and smooth, crafted from a special metal called reave that harnessed mannah freely in battle. Carved with special insignias he didn’t recognize, it was also wrapped in a sturdy gray cloth that kept the weapon from flying out of your hand in the midst of a fight. The blade itself however was more unique with a slight green hue in the coloration. Rigil decided it must have been made from a different metal alloy not found in today’s times, so he guessed it was quite valuable. Despite being a strange looking sword, it never failed him in his training or in any of his duels so far and it was definitely the subject of envy from the other students in his squadron. More than that though, it felt like home. Whenever he had a particularly bad night, he always took his sword out and polished it or something. Made him relax and took the stress away.
“Aye, are you still eye-groping that thing every morning?” Tavis said, trying to be funny in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Rigil smiled a little, “It’s strange. Every time I see this sword I grin. Kind of feels like the rush you get when you come home after a long journey.”
Tavin looked over at him, face dripping with water. “I swear, not all’s right in the head with you.”
“Can’t you take me seriously just once in your life, Tavis?” Rigil sighed, “You’re never serious. Ever.”
“I can be serious when the situation calls for it.” He wiped his face off with an old rag next to the sink. “Like these nightmares you’ve been having. Bad dreams are often-“
Rigil turned around and pointed at Tavis, “No, don’t say it.”
“I’m just saying-“
“Tavis!” Rigil yelled.
“Bad dreams are often the symptom of having succumbed to a curse or hex.” Tavis raised his hands defensively, “That’s all I’m saying.”
“For the love of Skiesfeld I’m not under a curse!” he stood up and grabbed his blade by its hilt, “You ace one Hexial Remedy class and you think you know black magic like the back of your hand.”
Tavis’ face suddenly became quite nervous, “Rigil we’re not even supposed to talk about that…”
“Why not?” Rigil questioned, “We learned enough about it in Diverse Magic sessions.”
“Only enough to know that it should be feared.” Tavis replied.
“That is nowhere near enough information to begin with in my opinion.” Rigil reached down for his under-armor cloth shirt and sat his blade on his bed. “I will not fear something I know so little about. Besides it’s a dead practice. No one has been able to use black magic for hundreds of years.”
Tavis’ head cocked back a little, “That’s plenty fine with me.” He scoffed to himself, “You sound like you’re curious about it.”
“I am curious about it.” Rigil put on his shirt and smoothened out the folds in it. “Not curious on how to use it. Just curious on what it does.” He picked up his blade. Suddenly he whipped it around in his right hand. He brought it around to his left and as his hands passed he grabbed the sword into his left and he arced it in front of him impressively, striking a menacing pose after his swing.
“And how to fight it.” He smiled.
Tavis grinned, “Impressive, I’ll give you that much. But hopefully we will never see black magic used by anyone.” He shrugged, “It can stay dead for all I care.”
And then there was a loud thump. The left half of the wooden bar that suspended his cloth curtains fell to the bed with a muffled noise and broke apart into several pieces. Rigil looked behind himself with an embarrassed shrug.
“My fault…” he admitted.
Tavis laughed, “Well if the source of all dark magic is a curtain rod, then we all have nothing to worry about for Rigil the conqueror is here!”
Rigil leaned against his blade, “You think so?”
The adjacent portion of the curtain rod fell to the ground, also breaking into pieces. The young man grimaced at the less than pleasant sound.
Tavis nodded, “Positive. Now let’s get dressed already.”
Rigil nodded. He knew that today was no ordinary day at the guard’s barracks. Today was the day that he and Tavis found out if they had enough skill, courage and luck to become members of the Endican city guard force, a dream that had fueled Rigil’s passion for quite a long time. All he had to do was pass this final test and then years of training would finally be put to good use. He’d be defending the people of his beloved town and city like he was supposed to. This was, after all, his destiny.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Bastion is Available Now! at www.the bastionbook.com!
Okay just go to http://www.thebastionbook.com/ and you'll have full access to order your copy of Bastion -Prequel To War today! Just go to the webstore and place your order online. You have your choice of either Paperback or Hardcover. The first 50 copies will be autographed by the author. To order E-Books just go to the Amazon search box at the bottom of the page. Type Bastion into the box and you can order it from Amazon.com The title will be available on Monday November 28th!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Bastion - Prequel To War Is At The Printer!
Well finally Bastion - Prequel To War is at the printer. We are hoping for a release date of December 19th!
We will keep you posted on the upcoming Book Signing dates, locations and times. If you have any questions you can email us at personaepublications@yahoo.com Keep checking back for new updates and information. Thanks A.L.
We will keep you posted on the upcoming Book Signing dates, locations and times. If you have any questions you can email us at personaepublications@yahoo.com Keep checking back for new updates and information. Thanks A.L.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)