Plodding Through Plot Problems

Cover Concept Art

My last book came out on Valentine's Day this year (2017). I've been working on and off on another novella, but a few other things have taken from my book writing time AND, when I have been writing, it's been a struggle with my present work. There have been plot perplexities, which I am now working out...when I have the time.

It's not that I'm not writing.

This year I've done a lot of work for local news services and a magazine, not to mention editing and other business writing work. So, I have my excuses, I guess. (Don't we all?) We've been running Harbor House Writing Center this year and we opened Harbor BOOKs & Gifts in September, too.

I wanted to get the new Bayou Boys Adventure, Alien Ambush, out for Thanksgiving 2017 (because the story takes place over the holiday and addresses timely matters).

That may still be possible, but it will be a challenge. I have about fifteen writing days to write half the work (that's 15K words) and then it still has to go through editing and polishing and formatting within the three weeks following.

I may yet do it, but some days I just have too many other things on my mind and on my plate. And honestly, I'm pretty lazy, too. So, please, bear with me. Maybe say a little prayer for me as well.

Fall into Books

I can't believe it's been since July that I last posted here! I guess, I might have been busy. LOL

The truth of the matter is that I have. I've been doing a lot of freelance writing and editing as well as working toward opening a bookstore in Aberdeen, Wash. And then there was a week of vacation, too.

Anyway, here's the update:

The bookstore, Harbor BOOKS & Gifts, will open Saturday, Sept. 16. The grand opening open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and there are lots of reasons (books) to come on out if you can. You can find out more at the website.

Like I said, I've been writing, just not on a book. I do have one in process (a good portion of the writing done) and another in planning. I plan to finish the first (the fourth Bayou Boys Adventure book, Alien Ambush) by the end of October and have it available by Thanksgiving (as it takes place over that holiday).

Our writing center, Harbor House, has an exciting array of fall offerings, too. You can see that at the website as well.

Winter Writing Report and Update

Wowzers! I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last blogged. I'm sorry. You have every right when I do that to get on my case and ask for something. LOL

I have been writing after all, it being NaNoWriMo, you know. And I did finish the book I was working on; not a novel though. Not just that either. I wrote a piece for the winter edition of Washington Coast Magazine and wrote an article for today's The Daily World (that ended up on the front page). Plus my annual Christmas letter.

Then there's been all the Christmas stuff--shopping, wrapping, decorating. And running Harbor House.

I'll be editing this month and next as well as working on cover designs and layout towards the February release of Beyond Insanity and Another Load of Chicken Poop in April (fingers crossed, send in your short stories about farm life and country living).

In the meantime, I'll try to find some interesting things to blog about, but if I don't get to it, have a Merry Christmas. LOL

Write Right now? Ri-iiight.

I wish I could report that I'm working on a great book right now, but I can't. Most of the writing I DO get done lately has been marketing material.

And then there's the Articles of Incorporation, signage, policies, business plans, press releases, contracts and other such matter. All of it for Harbor House.

I do have works in the works, but they are on hold until after we get Harbor House open. After that I'll be there right with the other writers, writing every day.

Can't wait!

Meanwhile, we're just about set to open and you can find out all about it here.

HOT, HOT, HOT! News to Bake Your Brain

Boy, is it HOT! Bet you haven't heard that before. LOL

Well, the weather is going to cool down a bit this week. Out here in Aberdeen we'll see a twenty degree dip from the 80's. But we're not here to talk about the weather.

Things are heating up on the home front. We continue to work on the renovation of Harbor House (still quite enough to keep us busy) as well as active promotion. We were in the newspaper this week and last week we were on the radio. There are a few other media things lined up and we're about a month out to open.

We continue to find good deals on some of the furnishings we need. Now we just need 30+ folding chairs, LOL (and a few other things).

In other news:

My lovely wife is getting a book together for publication. And I have a new idea (a book of my poems and Ruth's photos). However, most of my writing (other than ad copy and press releases) has been set aside while we get Harbor House off the ground.

I'm working on a play (39 Steps) at the Driftwood Players Theatre; building sets and working on a lighting effect. That's in my free time. LOL

That be it for now.

If you'd like to know how the IndieGoGo goes you can click here.

Here's the Poop on Chicken Poop

Well, the Chicken Poop* is about to drop. 

I just realized  that all the files have to be finalized by May 11 and uploaded by May 12 with the proofing process completed by May 17 in order to meet the release date of May 28, 2016!

The good news is that the interior is nearly done and the cover has been designed (though the final art needs created). I also need to get back all the use agreements from the authors.

With only two weeks as of today (April 27) to get that all done I'd better step up my game!

*Chicken Poop on My Sole: Feel-Good Fodder from the Farm

March Madness Means Manuscript Munching Mode

Munch, munch, munch. I guess I'm in the editing and design modes for the month of March. I have two editing and three design projects I'm working on for a total of three projects (that's right one of the projects requires no editing).

Project One is simply the redesign of the cover for my book Rocketman: From the Trailer Park to Insomnia and Beyond.

Here, at the left, is a rough of the new design without some of the detail (like an old fashioned photo border, a drop shadow for the rocket, a better space background and possibly a 3D-like text for the top title word).

Project Two is the design and layout (with some line editing) of a new children's book, Silly Billy and the Duck for new author Joe Benjamin (the pen name for my son Josiah).

Basically, I just have to check the spelling and punctuation, put the pages together and convert the files. See the unfinished, uncolored, proposed working panel on the right.

Project Three, the final project (which I don't expect to be done this month), Chicken Poop on My Sole, which I am editing with my wife, is mostly editing for now, but I may get to finalizing the cover soon. The proposed cover mock-up is at the left. This could be on ongoing project through the summer depending on one major factor:

We need stories! That's right this book is meant to be a multi-author anthology. the slower they trickle in the longer the project will take. I'd like to have the book out no later than the first of September.

Do you have a story to contribute?

I'm looking for first person, original pieces 300 to 3,000 words in length (750-1,200 is ideal) that are true (or based on a true event) that are comedic and/or inspirational in nature.

If you have a story you can share email me for details. I may publish up to three stories from any given writer. gregory.zschomler@gmail.com

Update: Revealing Another Illustration for SAMSON

Illustration by April Bullard. Click the pic to make it larger and see the detail.

Hard to believe that the release of "I'm Samson," said Sydney is just three months away! 

I wrote the original text years ago and now, with the fantastic illustrations by local artist April Bullard, the book is, at last, coming to life!

The book, I hope, will be the first in a series of Bible characters books as seen through the eyes of six year-old Sydney. The debut book is about Samson whose story can be found in the Bible book of Judges. Subsequent books will be about Solomon, Noah, Joseph, Moses, David, etc.

I thought it was time that I shared yet another of her illustrations with you. Because even though my rhyming text is cute, the art will make this book beloved.

IN OTHER NEWS: The Amish vs. The Zombies has sold more copies in it's first month than any of my other books have. I'm getting great feedback, too. Many people expect some sort of splatter-film type story and are pleased to find a tale with heartfelt faith, romance and life-lessons as well as thrill. Why not order your copy today?

Progress Report on "'I'm Samson,' said Sydney"

One of the books proposed illustrations by April Bullard.

Today, April Bullard sent me the panel illustrations (in black and white) for our upcoming book "'I'm Samson,' said Sydney" and I must say they make me excited.

We'll meet this week and talk colors after which she'll begin painting. The release date iis Thanksgiving 2014.

I am so excited!

Too Many Books, Too Little Time

Books arrived in today's mail! James L. Rubart's MEMORY'S DOOR and my own PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM proofs. Such a dilemma! Of course, one desires to pour over ones own work, but I've also promised a timely review to Jim.

Don't worry Jim, I will read yours first. I should be done by the end of next week. Then? I'll tackle mine while on the road to and from vacation.

And, meanwhile, be on the lookout for my link/post to an interview I did for Andy Bunch's blog.

TO HEAVEN, HELL AND BACK Begins

With one book proposal (THE AMISH VS. THE ZOMBIES) still out to two publishers for consideration, a manuscript (LIGHTS, CAMERA, WORSHIP) being considered by another, having just finished two works (LCW and PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM), one close to publication (PP), having finished the libretto for a rock opera (THIS CHILD) and at a loss for what else to do (lol), I am proceeding to write (early) on TO HEAVEN, HELL AND BACK.

I have previously begun the work and had plans to continue it in November, but being ahead of the game and nothing else to tackle (although we'll be working on getting THIS CHILD into production beginning next week), I am taking it on early. I've just begun chapter three.

Here is a sample from the opening chapter:

It has long been speculated that parallel worlds (or universes) exist side by side—or, rather, together in the same space, one, perhaps, within another within another. Although imagined, never in the wildest dreams of scientists, has anyone ever thought it actually possible to travel inter-dimensionally. And no one—no one—ever believes me when I tell them that I have, in fact, achieved that very feat.

            

Mind you, I am not a scientist. My Higher Ed studies are in philosophy and theology; disciplines that do not ask dimensional questions. Though they tend to deal with the abstract and the unknown, they only ask metaphysical questions and those often do not seem to have a practical—down to earth--application. I, however, beg to differ. I believe that nothing could be further from the truth...

The PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Proof has Shipped

I'm looking forward to reading through the hard copy (bound) proof of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM.

It shipped today and should arrive within five business days!

Who else wishes to read an advance copy?

Second Edition of LIGHTS, CAMERA, WORSHIP Revised and Expanded

The original title and cover.

Today, I finished the revised, expanded and updated Second Edition of LIGHTS, CAMERA, WORSHIP: Redefining Media and Technical Arts Ministry for Today’s Worship

It features:

      Many new illustrations (the popular original cartoons 

       are left intact).

      Two entirely NEW chapters: Smartphones, Tablets 

      and Apps, Oh My! and Making Social Media Work 4 U

      Plus Many New Resources.

I'm not sure when it will be released, but the manuscript is currently out to reader-endorsers. I'll keep you posted, of course.

The former title (first edition, 2005) is available here.

Advance Readers Sought for PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM

The hard copy proofs (bound books) of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM have been ordered and will arrive Thursday, August 22. I ordered two so that someone else could read through it at the same time I do.

Who wants to be an advance first reader and proof and comment? 

You would need to be done reading in one week (by Aug. 29), since I will begin any edit-changes over a car trip on Aug. 30/31. For such an invaluable service I will also give you a signed copy when the book come out in October.

To the left is the book's final cover art.

Proofing PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Proofs

The screen capture of the digital cover proof with the ISBN barcode added.

Nice to have this in the inbox this morning:

"Congratulations your files are printable! We've reviewed the interior and cover files for Playhouse Phantom, #4389461 and they meet submission requirements. 

"The next step in the publishing process is to proof [a sample physical copy of the] book."

This morning I was able to see an online digital proof and download it (as PDF) as well as view a 3D rotation of the cover.

Currently, I am going over a PDF galley proof. When that is completed I will order a bound printed copy of the book to proof and will also have it read by an advance reader. Any changes are made before final approval and then the books are printed!

PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Revisions and Reformatting

After a day of errands and then hours at the Clark County Fair I managed to reformat the interior of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM. I'd been using the wrong template (book size). I will tackle the cover once again beginning Monday.

When all that's done and uploaded, I'll move on to more revision, writing and editing on LIGHTS, CAMERA,WORSHIP while I await the online proof of PP. When I get that there'll be another round of edits before ordered the hard copy proof for yet another round of editing.

Meanwhile, remember the Sunday Streets Alive event one week from tomorrow. (We're at location 1 on the link's map.) We'd love to see you!

PHANTOM PLAYHOUSE Layout/Formatting Finished

Today I finished the layout and formatting as well as the Table of Contents for PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM. That means I move onto the cover art and then it's off to the printer for a proof copy (after which is the final editing process).

And remember, I'm appearing at Sunday Streets Alive on August 18 with three other authors. Be there or be square.

PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Pre-proof Revision/Edit Done

I just finished the last revision and editing of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM, which means, as soon as I finish the cover art (which I will attack next week) it's off to the printer for a proof copy. I will then go over the it again before it's scheduled for release.

Now I set my hand at writing the libretto/text for THIS CHILD, the rock opera I'm working on with Mark Keele.

Meanwhile, don't forget to come out and see me (and three other authors) at the Vancouver (Wash.) Hilton for the Loyal Local event this Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Catching Up With What I'm Up To

After a couple of redrafts and proofs PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM is now in the hands of my able-bodied editor. After she goes through it I will do one more revision and then proceed to formatting. After that I'll work on the cover art. It should be ready for the printer well in advance of the deadline to make the October release date.

I have also begun writing ALIEN AMBUSH and begun to formulate the story, but probably won't actively write more until next year. In the meantime I have begun another novel--a sci-fi, adult novel (not a Bayou Boys Adventure) called TO HELL, HEAVEN AND BACK AGAIN--which I plan to fully tackle for NaNoWriMo (in November) though I am writing on it somewhat now.

I am also revising and updating my 2005 text LIGHTS, CAMERA, WORSHIP! for re-release later this year. The book continues to be used as a college text at Mid-America Christian University and I'd like to see it used more widely--in schools and churches. But it needed an overhaul.

I'm also doing some slight revisions to MARSH MONSTER for its next printing. And, finally, I am waiting to hear back from three publishers about my novel THE AMISH vs. THE ZOMBIES (so far, out of five submissions, I have two rejections).

Meanwhile, I have an author appearance at the Battle Ground Library tomorrow, another on the 4th of August and another on August 18th.

Proposed PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Cover

So, this is the newest proposed PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM cover.

What do you think?