Showing posts with label Rayden Valkyrie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rayden Valkyrie. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

TV Pilots and Conventions Back to Back Make Definitely Challenge One's Endurance

It's October and I need a vacation.  Haven't had one of those in a LONG while, but it would be nice.

It has been quite a run since March, a full-throttle work mode that encompassed the pre-production/production of Rayden Valkyrie, Saga of a Lionheart, and then the main preparations and delivery of Imaginarium Convention 2017.

Both are projects near and dear to my heart, but they both required wearing multiple hats and grueling schedules. I exhausted myself and regained some weight in the process, unfortunately, but in order to deliver both projects it had to be done.  Both were on very small budgets and a lot had to be taken on that would normally have been handled by a hired staff. 

We just released a new trailer about a week ago for the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot, which stars Brock O'Hurn and Sol Geirsdottir, and has an extremely talented ensemble cast. Take a few moments and enjoy the trailer here:




For the next few months I will not have any major events looming, thankfully.  We are in the post-production phase on the TV Pilot and we will be presenting it to a number of parties before the year is out as we seek a good home to develop a full series.  

I will have a lot of activity to attend to with my writing, working for Seventh Star Press, and developing things for next year's Imaginarium Convention, but it won't be at the same intensity as my March-October schedule was.  

I am also aiming to ramp up my physical training again.  Really not happy about backsliding a bit these past few months, but I had to do what I had to do to take the next steps on my path.  I sincerely hope I will not have to run that kind of gauntlet again, and the next time I will be able to operate on a level where there is a budget for additional staff help, etc.  I know I can get shored up physically again, it's just a matter of consistency and focus.  

One project I am excited about is The Creative's Cauldron, a new YouTube show I will be doing with my better half, Holly Phillipe, that will be a candid, funny, and entertaining take on our lives working in the indie creative world.  It won't be scripted I think a lot of authors, filmmakers and other creatives will relate to the kinds of stories we share from our daily lives working to take the next steps on the creative path.  Definitely check it out, and be sure to subscribe to the Seventh Star Press YouTube channel so you get the notifications on new episodes!  The link for that is: www.youtube.com/seventhstarpress

It's a very interesting time for sure, and I know there's an audience for the things we have developed and are developing, but I would not turn down a vacation opportunity! haha! 




Thursday, March 2, 2017

Chicago Trip for Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Project

Started this week with a very intensive two day excursion from Chicago to explore casting possibilities for the role of Rayden Valkyrie in the Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Project.



Obviously, the casting of this central role is critical to the potential success of the project, so we have to take extreme care with this decision.  We have had to adjust our production window a couple of times during the process, but we want to make absolutely sure we do it right.

This project could not only lead to an entire season of episodes, but it could kickoff some wonderful new projects for Seventh Star Studios, which is the production company bringing this to life (and it is the first project for Seventh Star Studios).

Me with production team members John Wells Ken Daniels and Holly Phillipe
We are very busy with several areas of the project at the moment, from storyboards to locations props, costuming, and building the production crew. It's coming together and I hope to be able to share some cool news in regards to our cast very soon!

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Looking Ahead, Writing Projects, Visual Media, and Much More.

I haven't posted here in a little while, as my friend Jorie (writer and reviewer/book blogger at Jorie Loves a Story) reminded me of.  Time slipped by fast over the holidays as I was engaged in a moving project, and moving during the holiday season is a double-whammy for sure!

I got back on a good writing rhythm again, and recently finished the manuscript for the second Rayden Valkyrie novel.  Tentatively titled Thunder Horizon, it is the followup to Heart of a Lion.  I am confident that readers will find it to be a very exciting, action-filled read that builds strongly from everything set in place in the first novel.  

I celebrated the finish of the book with a bottle of Blanton's, a wondrous bourbon made here in Kentucky that is a personal favorite of mine.  The photo below was taken a few hours after finishing the manuscript. 



The book has been sent to Scott M. Sandridge, the editor for the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.  I am hoping to see it released later this spring. 

Next on the writing horizon are two projects.  One is a YA novel, cross-genre, that I'm very excited about.  I'm probably about 2/3 finished on the manuscript and progressing daily.  

Also up is the 4th installment in the Fires in Eden series.  There's been a little time since Spirit of Fire was released, and I feel with how I've grown these past couple of years I'm in a good position to deliver the best title in this series yet.  With many threads well-established in the story I have a lot to work with, but expect a fast-pace, intense read with a lot of development with the characters and plot. 

On the movie front, we are preparing for the production of the TV Pilot Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart.  From storyboarding, to costuming, casting, and other areas, a lot is going on right now and we're building a great group to bring this to life.  Production will take place later this spring in Kentucky.  Going to be an exciting one for sure! 

 All of this, in addition to my ongoing work for Seventh Star Press (including Imaginarium 2017) means a very busy year looms.  I'll work to be better at posting updates here  as well! :) 


Monday, March 28, 2016

I Invite You to Become Part of Something Truly Positive in the Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Project

At the moment we are a little more than two weeks away from the goal line.  We've made progress, with 79 backers on the Kickstarter campaign totaling $6,390 in pledges.  We have posted 31 updates to the campaign, and 4 full videos.  Our Thunderclap coming up on April 7th now has 137 participants, with a reach of 260,000 people among that group.

All of it is certainly positive, but we need additional help to reach the goal.

The questions are straightforward.

If we reach the goal, our task is to deliver a TV pilot.  Will we do that?

Yes, absolutely.

Will this project benefit the Eastern Kentucky region where most of it would be produced.

Yes, absolutely.

Will this project provide numerous opportunities for a variety of talented individual?

Yes, absolutely.

Will this project be something that those involved in it, whether backing it or working on it, an be proud of?

Yes, absolutely.

I won't make this post long, as the Kickstarter site now has posts addressing all aspects of the campaign and showcasing a variety of individuals representing the kind of folks that we would build a production group with.  There are also a slew of awesome custom memorabilia items available only through this campaign, on various reward levels for pledging.

Maybe I should also mention that my deep dedication to this project and character means that I will go to every end to see that this TV Pilot is delivered at the highest level possible.

We just need a little help.  Please consider coming over to the Kickstarter project page and clicking on the "Back this Project" link on the right side, and make a pledge to help us get closer to the goal.

If you back us, we will deliver.  Thank you for reading.





Sunday, March 13, 2016

Sunday Drive for 5 in Our Effort to Bring a Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot to the Screen!


Today we are doing a special drive to seek some $5 pledges in our campaign to bring to live a Rayden Valkyrie TV pilot. Some folks might not think a $5 pledge matters, but growing our backer family in a Kickstarter campaign makes an impact and helps more than you might know.

We're making headway for sure, but it's not an easy road to bring this Kickstarter Campaign to the goal line. And in a Kickstarter campaign you don't get the funding unless you reach the goal. It's all or nothing, which is a good thing as it ensures that the project is genuinely funded before it is confirmed.

Five dollars, in other areas, might mean a pack of smokes, a couple gallons of gas, 2 bags of chips, a couple gallons of milk, maybe a matinee movie, which are all gone quick, but the $5 pledged in our campaign will set in motion a tv pilot that we intend to grow into a full blown television series, something to entertain you for a long time to come and employing people and creating opportunities for a long time to come.

That's all we are asking on our Sunday Drive for 5. One day to encourage some folks to come aboard our backer family and just make a $5 pledge. Don't forget, a $5 pledge also gets you an eBook copy of Heart of a Lion, the first novel that Rayden Valkyrie starred in, and it also gets you entered into the Imaginarium Convention contest that includes 2 hotel room nights, 2 weekend passes, and 2 award banquet tickets where the winner will be seated with our guest of honor and other major writer/filmmaker guests!

It only takes a few moments to make a pledge, so join us today on this Sunday Drive for 5! You can help us make this project happen!


To make a pledge, visit:



Wednesday, March 2, 2016

One Project To Open Doors, Realize Dreams, and Bring an Inspirational Character to the World


Time and time again, a strong woman of honor and conviction has been a light to me during dark times.  In fact, she first manifested to me during a very difficult time in my own life, and I know from very personal experience what she can be as a model and inspiration.

Now, I have a chance to bring her to a wide audience in a way that will unleash opportunities, realize dreams, and spread positive energy that will only grow in time.

Her name is Rayden Valkyrie and the project is the Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Project.  Rayden is the character I most love to write, most deeply relate to, and who I have an unshakable passion to represent in the best way possible in every kind of media she is featured in.

This Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot project seeks to create a television pilot episode starring the Rayden Valkyrie character that will demonstrate the power, viability and potential of a full Rayden Valkyrie television series.  Needless to say, the show will offer the kind of visuals and elements that modern audiences have come to expect.  It will have action, monsters, the supernatural, beautiful scenery, the sensual, and much more that will appeal to fans of fantasy-driven television shows like Game of Thrones.

But there is something more to this project; something far from minor that makes this project a little extra special.

The Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot project holds the potential to be the genesis of a brand new television series to be produced here in my home state of Kentucky.  In every phase of producing an episodic television show, from concept art and storyboarding, to location scouting, to production management, to crew elements involving camera, light and sound, to support elements like transportation and catering, to special effects, post-production departments (including editors, sound mixing, scoring), to marketing and publicity, and so many more areas, a host of new opportunities will come to life.   This represents many instances in which individual dreams will be realized, as a number of talents from the region come together to create a top quality television show.

It will also introduce a character who can serve as a positive inspiration in an increasingly challenging and difficult world.  As those who have read the novel Heart of a Lion can attest, Rayden Valkyrie's inner strength and honor are every bit as compelling, if not more so, than her fearsome ability to wield a sword and ax in combat.  

She is a character who has endured great hardship, adversity and heartbreak, and knows what it is like to feel alone.  Nevertheless, she finds the strength to fight onward, to stand against all manner of evils and wrong doing, to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to stand with those who take up a righteous cause, and to stand alone when her heart holds the conviction that she is doing what is right.
Rayden lives her life with true honor, compassion and a passion for living, despite what the world has thrown at her.  She is real, with faults, moments of doubt and weakness, and longings.

I have no doubt that audiences will find many ways of connecting with her, and many areas in which they can draw inspiration from her.  In this way, I take the position that she can be a valuable contribution to entertainment realms that contain an abundance of vacuous and even negative influences.

In knowing what the Rayden Valkyrie character can represent to audiences and the numerous opportunities that will come to life for so many, I know in the core of my heart that this project deserves a chance to move forward.  To make that happen, we will need the involvement and support of a great many from the general public in the campaign now underway.

While this project will deliver a high quality television episode, it is still a demonstration of a concept, and as such there is no guaranteed series or home at a network just yet.  Without those elements, we cannot in good conscience seek support in traditional investor settings, with projected financial returns, schedules of financial return, and other elements contained in pitches to investors in projects like feature films.

While we have access to some channels of funding, we do need to attain a portion of our budgetary needs through crowdfunding.  To that end we have created a number of levels offering exclusive memorabilia, available only through the campaign (such as limited edition concept art prints, a book version of the screenplay for the pilot episode containing additional content, etc), credited positions (such as co-producer and even an executive producer credit), and event-oriented activities (ranging from activities surrounding the premiere of the episode to a special 2 day excursion with myself and members of the cast and crew to some unique Kentucky sites such as a bourbon distillery and historical site.

It is very important to state that every single contribution makes a difference.  We are not individuals with great personal means, nor do we have big studios backing us, nor are we seeking an unreasonably large budget figure.  We know what it will take to produce a top-quality show and we simply are seeking the resources to make that happen.  With a relatively smaller figure sought to round out our budget, every five, ten, or twenty dollars contributed makes a true difference.

This is a real instance where anyone has the opportunity to recognize potential, support it, and bring it into reality.  It is a chance to make a difference, and be a participant instead of a bystander, an actualizer instead of a spectator.

Get involved, make a difference, and help us make this wonderful project happen.  Join with Rayden Valkyrie and become a part of a project that has the heart of a lion.

To see the full campaign on Kickstarter and make a pledge, please visit: 








Thursday, January 7, 2016

Full Song "Heart of a Lion" Released for Forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Project Campaign

I had an amazing surprise today! The FULL song "Heart of a Lion", composed and performed by Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek Studios for our upcoming TV Pilot Project campaign, to bring to life a dedicated Rayden Valkyrie television show. Kylie Jude captured Rayden's essence beautifully and this is a full lyrics video too. This character, this series, is all about staying strong and moving forward, onward and upward, in the face of all storms.".

As the chorus goes:

 "You can't break me
I will still be
Fighting.... 
Roaring...."



To sign up on the official mailing list for the Rayden Valkyrie TV Pilot Project Campaign and to keep up with this exciting project, please visit www.raydenvalkyrie.com

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Just a Few Updates Both Personal and Book-related

This week and last week have been incredibly busy. Blog tours are definitely big projects for an author, at least if you want to do one justice.  I've had two back to back, one coinciding with the release of Hellscapes, Volume II last week and this week for Heart of a Lion.

The posts, interviews, and reviews have gone very well. I got several amazing reviews for Hellscapes, Volume II, and have already added a couple more good ones for Heart of a Lion this week.  I hope everyone is enjoying the guest posts and interviews, as they do shed more light on my personal world, my writing, my approaches to writing, and both Hellscapes II and Heart of a Lion in particular.  It does take a lot of work to do a blog tour.  For example, I rounded out three guest posts today that totaled about 4,100 words.  That's a good chunk of output, writing-wise.

I really make every effort to make each post special and I think that comes across to anyone who reads of them.  I put in the extra effort out of respect for the blog hosts and readers, as I want to give both my very best.  I really enjoyed putting together the three new posts, one that has a list of theme songs I picked for Heart of a Lion, another that lists my "sweet sixteen" of all-time fantasy movies, and one that discusses five of my most inspirational heroines from history, legend and screen.

The blog tour for Heart of a Lion wraps up Sunday, and then the Fire HD 8 contest I sponsored that covered both tours (Heart of a Lion and Hellscapes, Volume II).  I intend to get a little downtime after that as I've had the afterburner going solid for this period.

I have been hitting my training really hard.  Krav Maga workouts are really intensive and I have been seeing more progress physically.  I really look forward to the daily workouts, as they are a period in which I clear my mind and also let a lot of things out.  Today I had a Danzig playlist cranking on the speakers and I hit it hard. I have been having some of my best workouts ever lately and am very focused on my training.

Saturday I'll be going on a tour of the Wild Turkey Distillery, joining my good friends Eric and Kylie Jude, Rachel Jude, Lisa Marie Ross, Bobby Little and Robin Blankenship.  Time to get another stamp on my Bourbon Trail passport book.  Should be a lot of fun and I'm REALLY looking forward to it after going full throttle recently.

I'll close out with a photo of me with my brand new Pete's Wok t-shirt. As folks who know me are well-aware, Pete's Wok is my favorite eatery of all time, and Pete Spencer, the owner, inspired the Lee Chen character in my Fires in Eden series.  I sometimes eat there five times in a week.  Ahhh. the life of a bachelor (though I'd love to change that status, LOL).  But the food is great, I eat healthy, and I support a great family and their business.  A win-win all around! :)







Monday, October 5, 2015

How About a Rayden Valkyrie TV Show?

Why not?

She's got an honor code that is worth taking a look at, there would be loads of action, some steamy scenes, and far more than a few cool SFX/monster elements.  I think audiences would embrace and love Rayden Valkyrie...so...why not demonstrate how she would make a fantastic central character for an episodic TV series?

I've been looking for a project to get back into movie-making and the answer has been staring me in the face. This amazing character has called out to me once more.  I have heard many times from readers how strongly Rayden has connected with them after they have read Heart of a Lion, and I've commented often how strongly Rayden has connected with me.

The content is strong. The message is strong.  It has mainstream appeal.  So why not?

It's not going to be easy.  It will involve a Kickstarter campaign, most likely, and an ensuing production that has to attain a high production value worthy of the content.  But I know of many exceptionally talented folks who I can bring into the project to reach the level that it needs to be.

I've waited for awhile to find the right movie project to get back into, as I want to be sure it's done right.  With a Rayden Valkyrie pilot episode, there is a lot to draw from story-wise that would not require massive scale ala "Game of Thrones." There are a lot of wilderness-based options with Rayden that would not require casts of thousands or massive sets.

Do a few things exceptionally well.  That would be the key.  Bringing across her character in a high production value episode.

It is VERY doable. We would have to be very diligent in who took on the role of Rayden, as there is a lot of dimension to her, but I know we could find the right individual.  I feel that to the core.

It's going to get very interesting and I hope that everyone who has read Heart of a Lion and loved Rayden will help us get the word out on the Kickstarter that is forthcoming.

Stay tuned.... ;)



Sunday, September 20, 2015

New Blog Tours Up For Sign-Ups! Heart of a Lion and Hellscapes II!

I have a couple of blog tours up for sign-ups.  They take place the final week of October and the first week of November, for Hellscapes Volume 2 and Heart of a Lion, respectively.

We are looking for book bloggers and reviewers to host activities ranging from interviews, reviews and perhaps other activities for these two week-long tours.  I really want to put a lot of effort into these two weeks, so if you know some book blogs, or are a book blogger yourself, please do have a look!  I want to make these fun and informative visits.  I really enjoy blog tours and am excited about these two back to back tours!

The signups for Hellscapes 2, which will be coming out that week, is at: http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/stephen-zimmers-hellscapes-volume-ii-horror/

The signups for Heart of a Lion, which is already available, is at: http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/stephen-zimmers-heart-of-a-lion-tour-sword-and-sorcery/

Take a look and signup or share with those who might be interested in hosting a visit!


Friday, July 24, 2015

Works in Progress and Other Updates

Been quite a summer so far, and gearing up for a busy late summer and fall.  Going to be posting some updates here on works in progress and other things going on, as I know I've been slack over here on my personal blog.

On the personal side, I've continued to have some challenges, but there's some good things too.  I'm training as hard as I ever have and recently got down just under the weight I was at when I still was playing baseball at age 21.  So far over 153 lbs down over the 6 month journey, and it's been good enough that a company is talking to me about representing a supplement line, believe it or not.  If this actually happens, it would be pretty amazing to say the least.

Me with Valkyrie, my restored 1992 Z28
I also resurrected/restored my 1992 Z-28 Camaro.  There's a big story behind this car, it's very personal, and I kind of let it go during the years when I was suffering the losses of my parents, etc.  It had fallen into rougher shape but I've brought it back with a vengeance, making sure that not only is it as good as before, but better. I have named the vehicle Valkyrie, in honor of Rayden Valkyrie, and she has a new silver paint job, shining like a steel blade in the sun.

Me with reader Breanna Broad
in Madison, IN at That Book Place
In June I got out and about a little, hitting a signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Hypericon in Nashville, and a signing at That Book Place in Madison, Indiana.  All were good events, and now I'm gearing up to oversee the Writers Track at Fandom Fest in Louisville August 7-9.  Just beyond is Imaginarium 2015, taking place September 11-13 this year.

I recently handed in the manuscript for Hellscapes, Vol. 2 to my editor on this one, Scott Sandridge.  This will be my next book release, but I'm immersing into two projects at the moment.  It's high time to work on the 4th Fires in Eden novel, the follow-up to Spirit of Fire.  I am also going to be working on the next Rayden Valkyrie novel, the 2nd in the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy and the follow-up to Heart of a Lion.  In the past, I have not posted a lot about works in progress, but I intended to do so from here going forward.  I'm really going to push myself to grow and make further strides as a writer with each of these projects.


Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Heart of a Lion trailer and eBook debuts today! The First Rayden Valkyrie Novel!



It is definitely a day to celebrate, the release of the eBook and video trailer for Heart of a Lion, the first Rayden Valkyrie novel and Book One in the Dark Sun Dawn trilogy! We are gearing up for the celebration of the print version this Saturday at 5pm at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY, but those with eReaders can dive right into Rayden's world today.

The video trailer was created by the incredible Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek Studios.  She has composed Rayden Valkyrie theme music as well, which is included in this trailer.  


As far as the book itself, here are the direct links to the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo versions.  The synopsis is below.  The cover art was created by Bonnie Wasson and my editor on this one was Scott Sandridge, both of whom I want to give a big shout out too! :)   
If you enjoy dark fantasy/sword and sorcery, you will find all the goods in here along with a wonderful heroine! :) 
Kindle Version
Kobo Version
Nook Version
Synopsis: Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home
A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances. 

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between. 

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north. 

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people. 

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion. 

Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.

Monday, December 29, 2014

A Champion in a Time of Storm: Rayden Valkyrie

Heading toward the start of 2015, I look to a number of things to keep me moving forward as best as I can, and one of those things is my work as a writer.  I will be starting off the new year with a new book, one starring my sword and axe-wielding heroine Rayden Valkyrie.



The book is Heart of a Lion, the first of a three book story arc.  We are doing an official launch party at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, February 7th at 5pm.  Expect LOTS of surprises at that one, I intend this to be the biggest presentation I've ever done for a book release.

Rayden deserves no less.  She is a character who has grown very special to me, as she has emerged during a couple of my worst storms over the past year.  I do plan on writing about this more in detail, but when I've needed something to hold onto, she stepped forward to help me get back to writing coming out of last winter, and this fall she stepped forward again when I needed something to look forward to on the horizon in a big way.

Bonnie Wasson was given the task of creating the first Rayden Valkyrie image and I am so thrilled with the result.  Bonnie has a knack for warrior art, but she also has a knack for capturing a character in art.  When I look at the cover for Heart of a Lion, I see Rayden shining through.  Bonnie knocked it out of the park and then some, another reason why I call her the "Awesome Wasson".

The book itself will be out in eBook format in early January, with print by mid-January.  As far as a look at what it's about:

"A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt.  To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion.  For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between. Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power.  Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion."

Scott Sandridge was my editor on this project, a great guy with a great reservoir of knowledge on speculative fiction.  Many kudos to him for working on this one as well.

Expect a grand dark fantasy adventure in this one for sure and I do want to follow Rayden's adventures as much as possible, in novels, novellas, and short stories.  She's a wonderful character with a lot of great qualities that more people in this world could benefit by adopting, in my opinion.  She inspires me a great deal and I hope she does the same for readers everywhere.

Next up is my New Year's post, I plan on writing a similar style one to last year's.  Not going to the one I hoped to write when 2014 began, but it will be honest and it will have an upside despite a lot of difficult elements.  But, as always, it will be honest.  I am who I am and I don't apologize for that. Look for that post probably on the 31st.





Monday, December 22, 2014

Holiday Week, a Mix of Things

Christmas week arrives and quite a lot is swirling, some good, some things difficult.

I am excited about revealing the new cover art shortly for my first Rayden Valkyrie novel.  Artist Bonnie Wasson has done a tremendous job capturing the look and intensity of Rayden in this very first image of her.  The cover is a real tribute to a character that I have to say I connect with and enjoy writing more than any other I have ever written before.  Rayden has come to mean a lot to me and oddly she has emerged into my world during times to storms, almost as if she's there to help me keep moving forward.  I plan to write more about that aspect, but it really is incredible how this character has been there for me on a personal level too.

I've been embroiled in quite a lot of work for the press, I've been working out hard, playing a lot of guitar and making some progress there, and in general trying to keep my mind on moving forward.  I did have an experience last week that I feel shows some of the benefits of training in martial arts, even if it wasn't a physical encounter.  Just involved reacting and quick decision making in a very short amount of time, a mindset that is definitely honed in a martial arts kind of setting, though part of me wishes I could have been in a position to have physically intervened in this case.

I was at a light at a major intersection here in Lexington last week, running an errand during rush hour traffic.  I was in the left hand turning lane, and I tend to make it a practice of looking around at my environment.  Near the corner of the intersecting road to my left, I notice a girl, maybe later teens or early twenties, who comes tumbling out of the side of a car that's stopped by a curb on a right turning lane near a sidewalk.  A guy of about the same age range gets out of the car and it looks like a struggle breaks out right away. 

All of this transpires fast, and he seems to be moving to tie her hands behind her back.  She clearly looks to be resisting, to the point that her shirt nearly comes off entirely in the process.  She does look up in my general direction and the expression on her face was unmistakably fear/great distress. 

I had two lanes of full speed traffic coming the other way and I was also at a long enough distance that the guy could have seen me coming from a ways off and perhaps managed to stuff the girl back into the car and scoot instead of working to restrain her, so I decided to call 911.  I did take a second first to lock in the description of his vehicle (especially the model and color) and the features of the guy and the girl.

I called 911, gave them plenty of detail, from the actions I witnessed to the detailed descriptions of vehicle and individuals.  Chalk a little of that up to being an author, for sure, in that I was able to give an organized and thorough description of everything. 

My light changed, and I went down to a place where I was able to turn around and come back up the other side. It was a few minutes, but the Fire Department EMT's were already working on the girl and the place was swarming with police. I didn't see the guy involved or his car, which leads me to think something really bad was indeed going on. It just gave me great relief to see the girl in the hands of the EMT's and being attended to.

Some other people I know from Lexington commented later on a Facebook post I made that they saw the girl talking with the police and EMT's, and that she was crying, a little after the time I was there. At the very least, she was out of the hands of the guy and I would probably bet that he did not get too far before the police caught up to him. 

But seeing it, reacting to it, making a fast decision, and keeping my cool to focus on details and transmitting a clear report to the 911 folks were elements I'm glad I was capable of executing and I do attribute part of that to martial arts training.  Just one of the many benefits of that, in terms of reaction and fast decision-making.  

Nevertheless, I wish I was in the same position as a city "Wheels" vehicle that was right behind the guy when everything unfolded, and had to have seen the same struggle that I did, yet just calmly pulled around him and drove on while I was making the phone call far away from my position.  At the very least, the city vehicle should have stayed in place to witness everything and keep a locked eye on what was happening, even if they were not willing to confront the guy.  If I had been that close, I could have, which is the only thing I was bummed about.  But at the end of the day, the important thing is that whatever the guy had in mind was disrupted and the girl ended up in safe hands.  

As far as my world goes, I'm heading into a very tough week with Christmas and the New Year holidays.  The combination of the way things are for me right now and the recent storm make for a very difficult time, as I truly thought back at the start of Fall that this Christmas was going to be different than last year, and last New Year I thought 2014 would be an uplift year.  Instead, I have to steel myself for enduring the fact that neither of those two things turned out to be the case. If anything, the storm I went through this fall has made this holiday season much more painful.   It is hard to even go out in public right now, as so many things I see trigger thoughts of what I had hoped to be a part of this Christmas and drive home how empty and difficult things are in my world.  

Nevertheless, I am doing all I can to keep moving forward, which is not an easy task when everything is in gray and I've gotten to the point where I find it impossible to believe the sun will shine again in my heart.  Been many long years since I've seen that wonderful kind of sunlight and it absolutely tortures me to think of how close I felt I was to seeing it not so long ago.  But I'll summon up whatever strength I can and keep moving. 


Thursday, August 8, 2013

Rayden Valkyrie Debuts Today in Thunder on the Battlefield: Sword!

Hey everybody,

I plan on getting back into the blogging mode a little more, just been a very rough year personally with the passing of my mother back in June.

I do have a little good news today in regards to writing, as my new character Rayden Valkyrie makes her debut in "All the Lands, Nowhere a Home" in the anthology Thunder on the Battlefield: Sword from editor James. R. Tuck, who you might know as the author of the popular Deacon Chalk novels.

This is really hard-hitting sword and sorcery, and I highly recommend all the authors in both volumes (the other is Thunder on the Battlefield: Sorcery).

It is an appropriate day for the release, too, as Thursay is the Day of Thunder named for the Norse god Thor!

I really hope you enjoy these anthologies and Rayden.  She's going to be doing a whole lot more in the future!



Here's the links for the Sword volume, which has my short story:
Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Battlefield-Sword-ebook/dp/B00EE0YL8Y


Nook version: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thunder-on-the-battlefield-james-r-tuck/1116359898?ean=2940148400639

and here's the links for the second volume, Sorcery:

Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Battlefield-Sorcery-ebook/dp/B00EE15GY6


Nook verison: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thunder-on-the-battlefield-james-r-tuck/1116359900?ean=2940148400660




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