Good news, I’ve added another chapter to the “Wade” series.  I also have a link on the Wade page to download the latest version of the story in PDF file format.  This will make it easier for me to add chapters each week without just posting each chapter separately or adding to the Wade page.  Be sure to check back each week as there will likely be a new chapter added!

Also, on somewhat of a sad note, it seems that Amazon.com is no longer accepting admissions to their Amazon Shorts program.  Unfortunately, I am now no longer to submit my short story, “Larry.”  I was planning to have Amazon.com publish it.  So for now, Larry will remain unpublished until I find another avenue to publish it.  On a lighter note, you can still download a copy of “Little White Lie” from amazon.com.  You can click on the picture of it on my website which will direct you to the story on Amazon.com.

Now that I am finished with the first draft of “Larry,”  I’ll be focusing now more on my first epic sci-fi novel, “Fear.”  I’m looking forward to the editing process of “Larry.”  Please note that both projects are still a work in progress and that there is no official title for both at this time.  I’m going to be rolling out more updates each week and adding new content!

It’s not very often I can say this about a video game brought to the big screen, but “Max Payne” surprised me in a good way.  Most often then not, video games tend to get a bad rap in Hollywood.  Most of the time, they end up not being very good.  “Hitman” is, unfortunately, the perfect example of it going wrong.

However, “Max Payne” seems to shine above the rest.  It’s not perfectly accurate to the game series.  That is to be expected, However, the movie is very close to the game.  The important characters are all there, if a bit different in some cases.  The mood of the film fits with the game.  As Max is looking back to the past when things were good for him, the colors are brighter and vibrant.  Present day for Max uses a lot more darker colors and gives a dark feel to the film.  The settings remind me a lot of the game and I think the overall feel was brought to the big screen quite well.

There are a few things that some of the fans might be picky about, but all in all the film works well.  I think most fans of the video game series will agree and maybe we’ll see another Payne adventure in the future…

You may have noticed an addition to my website recently.  

You may have noticed an addition to my website recently.  “Wade” was a small project that I started a few months ago, but I have servilely neglected it. It was my first stab at a detective novel, however, I’ve decided to publish it here on my website. I’ll be adding a chapter every week or so as a chance to give a little taste of my work. “Fear” and “Larry” have my focus right now, but I can continue to make some effort to work on “Wade” as well.

Also you have have noticed that I have added some more links to other websites. Absolute Write has been very useful in helping me with my craft. The members there give great advice. Many of them are published authors as well, so if any of you out there are writers be sure to visit it. Dictionary.com is a great source for words. There’s also a thesaurus there too, which I find most helpful. And Litmatch.com is great if you have a finished work that you want to find agents for. I’m planning on using the site to help keep track of my submissions to literary agents.

I’m having fun updating this site and seem to be pretty good so far about updating it regularly. I hope to add some fun new things in the near future.

So even though I usually try not to talk politics outside of the family, I thought there was something interesting about last nights debate.  I actually watched it on CNN’s website, admiringly I forgot all about the debate.

After watching the whole thing, there was one moment in the debate that really caught my attention more then others.  “That one.”  I thought it was a very strange remark on the part of Senator McCain.  Many people are already starting to claim it was a racist remark.  I’m not quite sure about that, though it could have been.  I don’t think that was McCain’s intention.  Despite that, it’s understandable that people would interpret that remark as racist.

It’s further evidence to me that Senator McCain is frustraited with his campaine falling behind.  As I look to the polls it does seem that Senator Obama is leading.  I think it’s a shame really that McCain seems to be loosing his edge.  I mean, I like the McCain from 2000, but he seems very different today.

I think statements like “that one” isn’t going to help McCain at all.  He certainly should have known that.  He was probably just getting too emotional about his own experience and let it slip.

I think this is a very critical election.  It’s going to be interesting to see what happens come November.

The economy is in the poop-er and yet we still seem to be asking why.  Or, well maybe you aren’t but a lot of people still don’t know why.  I try not to think about it too much because it just reminds me of my own financial situation.  I’m in debt like most Americans and I really wish I wasn’t.  It’s my own fault, so don’t feel too sorry for me.  I’m lucky, in a way, because I was able to stop before reaching the 30,000 or 60,000 mark.  Now I’m on the track towards freedom from debt, with a solid good plan.

Trouble briefly arouse when I had an unexpected immediate transfer out of the store I’d been working at for about a year or so.  I work retail, like so many of you, it’s just a day job.  My first store of about six years was closed and so I was transferred twenty minutes away from home.  But, now I’m much closer, though it was involuntary.  I was concerned to, because the process of the transfer didn’t go smoothly.  In fact, I didn’t even know for sure which store I was going to end up at till last Sunday.  Things seem to be working out though, as I don’t have to worry about not having enough hours for my next paycheck.

Things are settling down now and I have a lot less to be nervous about.  I guess sometimes change has a way of kicking you in the butt when you least expect it.  However, I find that it usually is for the better, or at least not as bad as it seems.

I’m up late, a bit past midnight, because I decided to do a little update to the site. I’ve added a new page aptly titled, “Works in Progress.” I just thought I’d give a tiny taste to you all of what I am working on. Currently I have two novels and one short story under development. Fallen Raven is in the final editing phase and I’m really proud of this one. I think it shows how far I have come since The Last Rejection. It’s a similar theme, science fiction, lot’s of action, and the like. However, Fallen Raven delivers more action and thrills. I feel like it flows better, moves at a fast pace, and doesn’t try to be too many genres at once.

“Fear” is my third novel that I am working on. It’s a political sci-fi novel. I’m exploring the idea of what might happen should the United States become a world threat under a religious dictatorship. It’s definitely going to be a bit controversial, but the idea of the story is to show what fear can do to a society. It’s my biggest project to date and looks to be my first epic tale. I have not yet decided on an official title yet.

“Larry” is my newest short story about a man who suddenly becomes down on his luck. I find that comedy is more difficult to write, but I’m really enjoying it so far. The main theme of this story is money. Too often we worry about having enough money and greed seems to be a big problem these days. So, for these tough economic times, we could use a laugh to take our minds off our troubles.  And yes there is no offical title for this short story either.