I'm actually working on my novel!

Yep, you heard it. I have my fantasy trilogy partially edited. Very exciting.

Oh, and in case you haven't yet, please go to the Lorelei Signal and read "Mother Cassie Goes on Account" and vote for it.

I hope everybody is as well as can be expected.
Trav

Spooked myself out.

I've had this idea for a horror story for over a year. It seemed to fit the requirements for an anthology submission call, so I wrote it. Wow, I am one sick puppy. I didn't realize that I had quite so dark a side. I hope they enjoy being disturbed in the editor's office.

This has been a tough summer. My boy is very sick. My teenagers are very teenagery. My beautiful wife has taken pity on me and given me a this week to write. I edited some old tales, wrote a huge novelette, and a short story about a vampire mother. The novelette is about a group of kids that start performing necromancy in their club house.

So, I have averaged about a story a week this summer. Not horrible, but not what I wanted, so I'm going to stop babbling on the blog and start writing...

Oh, yeah, I'm going to the circus tonight with my super twins! Yeah!

Trav

Isaac Asimov Jr.

I went to my brother-in-law's 40th last night. My neice had a pair of fake eye glasses. We started all trying them on and seeing what kind of character we would become. Everybody thought I had arrived at the party to warn them that the invaders were not from this planet. After looking at the photo today, I was shocked at how much like Isaac Asimov I looked. I am going to go drill my mother about her whereabouts in 1973. Then I'm going to contact the estate of the esteemed science-fiction writer. Maybe there is a chance I can write full time, soon. (:

Read "Mother Cassie Goes on Account" on line!

Wow, what a day. First I get another acceptance and then I realize that my short fantasy story, "Mother Cassie Goes on Account" is available to read on the internet. Carol Hightshoe accepted it into The Lorelei Signal. There is a wonderful illustration from the story by Marge Simon. Check it out!
http://www.loreleisignal.com/LoreleiSignal.html

"A Funeral for Mister Cuddles" has been accepted!

My funny story about the friendship between a sasquatch and a werewolf will see print in Library of Horror Press's Groanology: Amusing Monster Mash-ups. This made my day! I loved writing this story and I hope people will enjoy reading it.

I've been writing like a madman, when I am not eating, picking up kids, dropping off kids, helping out around the house and everything else necessary for a husband and a father of five. I have written two more stories this week. The first is a short story about a retired superhero who finds out his son has inherited his propensity for powers. The second is a dark tale about an American student who gets stuck between two supernatural forces of evil in England. I wish them well, and send them out.

I will be on vacation on a very deep and cold lake next week, but I look forward to writing a few more tales and finishing my latest novel this summer. I hope yours is going well.

Sincerely,

Trav

Summer is here!

Summer vacation has arrived. I have been helping my son get better from an operation last week, but still managed to squeeze out a horror story, entitled: "The Reservoir". It scared me and it was a story I always knew I would have to write. I always swim and canoe at a couple of Connecticut River reservoirs. One of them lies over a village in which my great grandfather lived. I always wondered what waited down there... It is even technically a Lovecraft mythos story, my first (that I've tried to publish).

I have got to get started on a big project, but what to do, what to do? I'm sure inspiration will strike me. I just have so many big projects lined up in my head, I'm not sure which one to pull out dust off and hope the magic is still there.

I just got my copy of A Magical Summer by Pandora's Imagination. "Thorbadin's Dilemma" is there, just on the front side of the center of the book. Not too shabby a place. Thorbadin is a carpenter that is despondent that the gods do not afford him and his wife any "quality quiet time" together. Then a member of his wife's coven discovers an ancient prophecy. Apparently the gods want Thorbadin to father a hero on the next summer solstice. The problem is, he's not to father it with his wife. What will he do? Buy a copy and find out.

Well, it is back to the blank screen and the big creative leap to who knows where...

Trav

Been busy writing!

Well, I have been putting in a concentrated effort to be a bit more productive. It is amazing how the stress of dealing with work as a teacher, being a father of five, dealing with my boy's arthritis and related conditions, and everything else can sap a guy's creative drive. It is also interesting how one can use those daily trials as excuses for not doing one of the things that make him or her most happy. In the end, though, when I stop hemming and hawing and sit down and just write, all of that anguish and frustration just floats away and I am better fit to face those trials.

Last week I wrote a story called: "A Funeral for Mister Cuddles". It is a buddy story between a werewolf and a Sasquatch. It was so much fun to write. I had the experience once again of feeling like I was just reporting on something that I had given the opportunity of witnessing. Well, my usual readers loved it and pointed out some themes that I guess I must have been subconsciously mulling over. I sent it out and have high hopes.

This weekend I wrote a novelet entitled: "The Pyrelord Awakens". It is sword and sorcery fantasy with a couple of interesting characters that came to me sitting by the campfire years ago. It was fun to finally find out what they were all about. I anticipate writing many more stories about Crimm the Pyrelord and Dr. Jack Ween the Wardmaster (and their girl, Friday).

I can't wait for Summer vacation. I have so much I want to write. I will be working on a horror story next. As soon as June 19th strikes, I'll be editing my fantasy novel and finishing my novel: The Gifted Program.

It's Memorial Day, so remember those that stood in liberty's defense. I lost my Uncle Andy last year, who had one arm and a golden heart. I never got to meet my grandpa Eddie, who worked his way through France and Germany against the Fascists. I hope to soon see my Dad-in-law, the one-eyed Richard. To these and all those who have put aside their safety for ours, thank you.