Other than the fact that my abode smells like a dog kennel, I'm filling my lungs to dive into a pre-submission edit of my manuscript, "The Sheep Eater." I'm slowly learning that editors like a writer to have his work honed when he submits it...go figure! It's only taken me four books to work this out in my wee noggin.
I had a revelation when I submitted my most recent edit on "Hollow Point" the other day. Gee, I'll bet the editor would like the same things on my next manuscript, too. And the wheels turned. I have a cheat sheet to help now as well.
Maybe I can get a head start on this one and give my editor less reason to want to physically harm himself. It slows things way down when he does that sort of thing. This time he tried death by a thousand cuts and only made it to one. I'm not even sure that counted because I think it was a paper cut and didn't qualify as self-destructive.
Maybe I should run outside before I take that deep breath. My eyes are watering now and I can't see the PC screen.
Gary
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
A Different Lesson
I kid you not, the puppy chewed up my eyeglasses. You know, the ones that cost about $400? It's a good thing I have an appointment with the optometrist in a couple of weeks, otherwise Lily might have improved vision coming from her patooty by morning!
She and I are developing an intense love/hate relationship. She may become a poster dog for being left outside before long. I can just hear PETA carrying on now about the poor abused doggie. It's a good thing I have a backup pair to get by with. I'd hate to miss the next stack she leaves on the floor!
Gary
She and I are developing an intense love/hate relationship. She may become a poster dog for being left outside before long. I can just hear PETA carrying on now about the poor abused doggie. It's a good thing I have a backup pair to get by with. I'd hate to miss the next stack she leaves on the floor!
Gary
Sunday, September 1, 2013
The Lesson of the Wounded Blackbear
This is a true story: The names have been changed to maintain the anonimity associated with a big "Oops!"
About this time of year a few years ago during blackberry season, some friends spotted a blackbear near their home out by one of the area lakes. The lady of the house felt that her property and animals were being threatened, therefore she pulled out her large caliber revolver and plugged the bear, sending it scurrying into the brush.
She and her hubby wanted to confirm the kill, so like anyone concerned for their neighbors' welfare, they followed the blood trail, weapons still at ready, husband now packing a rifle as backup. The brush was reportedly thick.
With the stealth of Great White hunters, the couple snuck down the trail. Suddenly, the brush beside them came to life. The blackbear was a bit put off by being shot and started mauling the missus in its displeasure.
Hubby managed to complete the task of euthanizing the beast somehow without hitting the missus, too. Her ordeal ended with several lacerations and probably in need of a change of clothes.
This was somehow posted as a minor story in the local press, possibly because of their standing in the community, but more likely because the two felt a little sheepish about spreading it around that they went after a wounded bear in dense brush by themselves.
In my old haunts I was visited by two blackbears and they ignored me when I shut the back door and hid under my bed. I have blackberries all over my current place and to this day I keep one eye out for another eye that may be out on the other side of the bushes when I'm picking the berries. I'm more than willing to share...or give...to the local wildlife that wants them.
I've got the armament to do them in, but for blackberries? I'll wait until they want something more important, like me!
About this time of year a few years ago during blackberry season, some friends spotted a blackbear near their home out by one of the area lakes. The lady of the house felt that her property and animals were being threatened, therefore she pulled out her large caliber revolver and plugged the bear, sending it scurrying into the brush.
She and her hubby wanted to confirm the kill, so like anyone concerned for their neighbors' welfare, they followed the blood trail, weapons still at ready, husband now packing a rifle as backup. The brush was reportedly thick.
With the stealth of Great White hunters, the couple snuck down the trail. Suddenly, the brush beside them came to life. The blackbear was a bit put off by being shot and started mauling the missus in its displeasure.
Hubby managed to complete the task of euthanizing the beast somehow without hitting the missus, too. Her ordeal ended with several lacerations and probably in need of a change of clothes.
This was somehow posted as a minor story in the local press, possibly because of their standing in the community, but more likely because the two felt a little sheepish about spreading it around that they went after a wounded bear in dense brush by themselves.
In my old haunts I was visited by two blackbears and they ignored me when I shut the back door and hid under my bed. I have blackberries all over my current place and to this day I keep one eye out for another eye that may be out on the other side of the bushes when I'm picking the berries. I'm more than willing to share...or give...to the local wildlife that wants them.
I've got the armament to do them in, but for blackberries? I'll wait until they want something more important, like me!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
How Do You Make A Living In A Place With Nearly 70% Unemployment?
Rance's father had it all figured out. For years he brewed and sold moonshine from his homemade still in the woods behind their cabin. Business was good. It was so good that the still was retrofitted to a larger size several times to keep up with demand.
Of course, the sale of bootleg alcohol was forbidden on the Rez, but it didn't seem to stop the traffic to get it. A lot of government assistance checks were cashed and used to acquire the tonsil-scorching liquid in a jar, much to the chagrin of many a housewife.
Rance was a hard worker for his dad. In return, his father taught him everything he knew about the woods in between beatings and verbal assaults growing up. His old man was a mean drunk, even with money in his pocket.
One day that all changed and Rance was alone and became his own man. He was recruited for a man hunt into the woods by the government in spite of his own anti-social mannerisms. It would change his life and the days of tending the still for income were left far behind.
Of course, the sale of bootleg alcohol was forbidden on the Rez, but it didn't seem to stop the traffic to get it. A lot of government assistance checks were cashed and used to acquire the tonsil-scorching liquid in a jar, much to the chagrin of many a housewife.
Rance was a hard worker for his dad. In return, his father taught him everything he knew about the woods in between beatings and verbal assaults growing up. His old man was a mean drunk, even with money in his pocket.
One day that all changed and Rance was alone and became his own man. He was recruited for a man hunt into the woods by the government in spite of his own anti-social mannerisms. It would change his life and the days of tending the still for income were left far behind.
Gary
Sunday, August 18, 2013
And It Begins: The Backbone of the World
This novel will center around the Blackfoot tribe of Montana (Niitsitapii) in the area known to them as "the backbone of the world" - The Continental Divide. This area is wild and prime grizzly habitat, particularly The Badger Two Medicine that is seldom set foot on by humans except those seeking a vision. The Badger Mountains cover an area of about 130,000 acres of jagged peaks and winding rivers and are sacred to the Blackfoot. The Thunder God resides there.
The main character has lived in the Divide's foothills all of his life, about 15 miles from Browning, the Reservation's biggest town. He's a loner and not inclined to be neighborly. More people know of him than know him personally. He's been in the tribal jail a few times for ending fights someone else usually started. He has backwoods skills that few other Blackfoot members possess. He is feared by the people, yet fiercely loyal to his tribe and system of beliefs.
The most unlikely of events is going to alter his reputation forever. The Thunder God may not be pleased.
Gary
Monday, August 12, 2013
Thank God For Editors
I just turned in my first revision on my new book, HOLLOW POINT, to my editor yesterday afternoon. It is amazing how many repetitive words and phrases I put in that story! I've found that trying to use appropriate synonyms is more of a challenge than I imagined. This could end up being work!
We'll see what my editor thinks. I'm relatively sure this ain't the end of it, but it should be a better story once the edges are filed smooth. Too bad I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed!
Hollow Point will be another e-book and is due to be released on January 6th, 2014 through Champagne Books. www.champagnebooks.com
Gary
We'll see what my editor thinks. I'm relatively sure this ain't the end of it, but it should be a better story once the edges are filed smooth. Too bad I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed!
Hollow Point will be another e-book and is due to be released on January 6th, 2014 through Champagne Books. www.champagnebooks.com
Gary
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