I promise. I've been overwhelmingly busy as of late. I spent 7 hours last night writing and editing in a small coffee shop nearby my house, and it was the first time in weeks that I'd had time to. That's a depressing state of affairs for a writer. But last night was special. I was writing for about an hour when I suddenly, frighteningly, couldn't anymore. I had written myself into a corner.
There was a madman who didn't know he was mad, and his dashboard clock blinked at him when he wasn't looking, but never while he watched, and it was a perfect allegory for his own style of insanity, and then it just wouldn't work anymore. He had killed his friend, Paul, who kept asking him to get him up off of the floor, but the madman didn't pay him much attention. He was in the shower, washing blood from his hair and arms, and he didn't know it was blood, and suddenly I couldn't go on. I didn't know what came next. I had written myself into a corner.
So I backed up a bit, and this time he was going to go for a walk before he took a shower, still covered in blood, and he took Paul's car to make his dashboard clock jealous, but I had no idea where he would go.
The story is still sitting there, in my journal, unfinished, looking at me as I write this. I hope I will finish it, someday. I'm curious about what will happen when he discovers he's killed his best friend.
After that, I spent several hours editing "Moribund" - the upcoming book that is the sneak preview in the back of "A Glimpse into Madness." I managed to go through 2 whole chapters, making some rather crucial changes, and seeing things I wrote almost three years ago, now. Some of them I had forgotten, utterly, and reading it was as much a surprise as it was an editing session. I discovered, to my amazement, that while three years ago I had very little idea of where to put a period in a quote, I had some very touching moments to write about, and very disturbing ones, and forgetting them has made them all the more real. I loved that.
Tonight, I will be making another video recording. A very short story, I think, though I'm not sure which I'll be doing just yet. I should probably practice...
Until next time.
~Sean Walter
Where has the time gone?
There's quite a bit to catch up on, since it has been a month since I last posted on this site. I've been hard at work editing and writing for my next book, while at the same time promoting my current book. It's a hell of a task, but it's also quite fun. I love hearing from various people from all over the world who have read my work. It touches something in me edging on the point of pride.
Recently, while transcribing a series of edits onto my computer as I sat at an ill-used card table that holds my computer from the floor, I realized something: I know how to work with wood. Moreover, my father knows how to work well with wood. That thought in mind, I decided I would make myself a desk. I've been taking pictures of it as it progresses, and thus far it's looking spectacular. I'll be posting images of it as soon as it's complete.
I have found a new way to support myself with writing. It turns out that some websites will pay you to write silly things like blogs and advertising, and moreover, they will pay me to write silly things like blogs and advertising. They also pay people to edit the works of others. I've begun using several such websites, and if I'm lucky I'll be able to pay my rent with it this month. If I'm very lucky, I'll be able to work less in the labor-intensive fields that I've been working in all my life and focus more on the art that I love. I've also been giving a great deal of thought to hosting a Patreon. I'm curious as to what people would think about something like that. It's an interesting service. It allows people who enjoy someone's work to pay them for it (a strange idea, to be sure), but only pay for it on a monthly or a per-item-delivered basis. In my case, it would be for short stories or severely detailed character designs and sketches for upcoming books, and I can provide free things exclusively to supporters as well. Anything that would help me to get more writing done, more editing, to spend more time buried in my mind, barely noticing my hand scratching out stories from the depths.
It's getting close to 1am, and I have to get up soon to get on with the work that I loathe so that I can do the art that I love. Until next time.
D-Orc Cast
The wonderful people at D-Orc Cast did a podcast about "A Glimpse into Madness" and even did a short reading of one of the stories within. They said some fantastic things, and I thank them for it. They will be doing an interview with me in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. The podcast can be heard or downloaded below.
You can also follow them on Facebook
Easter and updates
I've been working myself ragged lately. Sleeping less than I have in ages, doing more manual labor and mental acrobatics than I should be, and writing and editing whenever I get the chance. It's been an interesting, if busy, time.
I did manage to find time to take all orders from last week, including some of the winners from the Facebook giveaway, to the post office and have them mailed out. If you bought an item from me, you'll be receiving an email letting you know either the tracking code or the estimated arrival time for your book.
It's Easter today, and while I'm not at all religious, I was raised Catholic. I spent the evening with my brother and my dad at the house I grew up in. My dad made a delicious beef roast, and I handled the trimmings (mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans). I love spending time with my family, and I do it whenever I get the chance, so it was great to see some of them.
Now, it's back to work. One of my many day-jobs is on for tomorrow at 8am, more the rest of the week, and a trip out to Phoenix, Arizona and L.A. sometime during the week of the 13th. If you live in those areas and would like to drop by and see me, do contact me and let me know.
Progress on the leather bounds still continues, but I expect they will be up sometime before my trip, or directly after. It all depends on how much work I have this week. I also added a new item to the storefront: the Original Cover Art for "A Glimpse into Madness." I put this up because I will be publishing "Moribund" sometime late this year or early next, and I'm looking for ways to reduce printing costs. Details regarding that can be found on the product description.
I think that's it for the moment. I'm exhausted, so I'm going to bed... after I transcribe a few of these edits.
I don't have a problem. You can't prove a thing.
~Sean Walter
Book making and jobs.
Leather books are a hassle to construct well, to be completely honest. They take time to sew them all correctly, then to glue them to make sure nothing will ever come undone, getting the page groups (known as signatures) to line up correctly... it's a lot of work. However, I must say, I can't argue with the results. The books are turning out gorgeous. I'll have several available on the site as soon as they are complete. Currently I'm working on back orders for them, since the glue I use (non-staining, non-acidic, lasts for decades) was unavailable for a long while due to the storms on the east coast.
For those who don't know, I work quite a bit. I have a full time job that is often more than full time, I write, I do my own editing, I run this website, my facebook, twitter, etc., and I also do freelance work for people who need a writer or editor. I also do security for Kato of Steamgirl.com and many of the models she works with, which is why I'm usually with them at conventions. I don't often sleep, but I do drink coffee by the gallon. Lately, since it's been nice, I've also been moving people in and out of houses. Being a large individual means that I get asked first, usually. With all this going on, it does sometimes take me a few days to get book orders out to customers. I do usually get them out within 2-3 days of them being ordered, and if there's a rush order I will try my best to get it out that same day or the next, but sometimes I simply can't. I hope you all understand.
I'm still working on an audiobook edition for "A Glimpse into Madness," which I will have for sale as soon as it is finished. I've had some setbacks with it as of late, mostly having to do with sound quality. I don't believe in cheap products, and refuse to sell them to my readers. It takes longer, sometimes, but it's worth the wait.
Over in facebook-land, I'll be doing a giveaway of several signed copies of "A Glimpse into Madness" once the page reaches 500 likes, plus one of those 5 will also receive a random item from my own collection. It's sure to be interesting. Check out my facebook for details.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I must be getting on with editing "Moribund." My main character's psychosis has become even more interesting, and the support characters are getting their own plots.