E-Mail Notification & NaNoWriMo

I told all of you I would set up an e-mail notification box and so I have. It's a bit caveman like but it's there and working. I will admit that I am clueless when it comes to designing a website. Don't expect bells and whistles on this website folks. :-)

I am enjoying my first day of vacation off from my daytime job. Free of the daily grind of sitting behind a computer screen. This free time will allow me to get my thoughts together on upcoming ideas for possible future books. I am gearing up for National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org) which takes place in November. I recommend everyone try it at least once. It's challenging to write 50,000 words in thirty days but it is fun to get your brain working that way. Just letting things spill out onto a page or in some cases a computer screen. October Rain was actually born from last year's NaNoWriMo challenge. It begins November 1st so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Hope all of you are enjoying your day.
- Maynard

October Rain Release Date

Hi Everyone!

It's official everyone, the release date for my book is October 1, 2007.

I hope to have an e-mail reminder box up soon so that you can enter your e-mail address and be notified when the book is available. Until that happens, you can e-mail me directly that you want a reminder notification e-mail.

I am nervous and excited. A writer is their own worst critic and I have definitely made myself go crazy about this book. There are pages where I feel I could have explained more or didn't do someone enough justice in explaining a relationship to them. Thankfully, I have this blog to explain such things when the book comes out!

I have a good group of friends who are lending me support as the release date looms closer. Someone asked me if I hope to make a lot of money with my book. I chuckled. The purpose of the book was to (1) see if I could write a book and (2) tell my story. I think there is a lot of good in my story and I know that it is a story that needs to be told. If reading my book helps someone out, then I know I did my job right. I just want people to read my book and walk away with something. Anything. Whether it's sadness, joy, understanding, enlightenment, whatever it may be. If my book can resonate with someone, than I know that this project was well worth the hard work I put into it.

Safe journeys to you all.
-Maynard

Good Vibes

Greetings All,

The proof copy is in my hands and I'm diligently looking over everything before giving the okay to publish. The book will be ready in September but won't be released until October to time with a very special anniversary. (It's all in the book!)

I would like to extend a 'hello' to a few folks at the Def Leppard forums for their excitement and encouraging words regarding my book. I was such a bad person revealing my book has a chapter about Steve Clark but I couldn't help myself. Steve Clark was an amazing guitar player. It's so nice to speak to others who have been touched by him in some way. However, I shall remain quiet about what else is in my book so as not to spoil anything.

I'd also like to say 'hello' to a couple of "Droogies" from the Megadeth forums for their words as well. Not to mention their offbeat sense of humor. You guys are awesome.

I bid you all a good night and safe journeys.

-Maynard

Getting Closer!

The proof copy of my book will be in my hands sometime next week. I can't wait. Things are moving nicely at this point and everything is on track for my October release. I am really looking forward to having the proof copy in my hands and going through it. This is my first book and I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Eleven months of work will finally pay off.

Ideas for books two and three are in my head and on paper. Part of me is leaning towards one more than the other but I'll write both and see where things lead. One may inspire me more than the other one. I also have an idea floating around having to do with my love of music but I'll keep that to myself for the time being.

Take care everyone.

-Maynard

Book Update

Surprises do arrive when you least expect them. I am happy to say that the format and layout of the book and my covers are. . .DONE!

Now I just have to get my ISBN number and look over a proof copy before making the book available. I can't wait. I'm really excited about this. When the book is released it will be just shy of a year of when I began writing it.

I started writing my book in November 2006 as part of National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org). If you are unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo, please check them out. It's demanding and yet fun to try and write 50,000 words in 30 days. I've done it two years in a row and have the best time. I normally get stuck around the 30,000 mark and then the creativity just starts to flow again.

What I worked so hard on is about to be published. I will finally be able to say I published a book. This is just the beginning and more books are on the way. I'm actually gathering information and outlining book two as I write this.

Once again, if you have questions for me, drop me a line.

Night.

Progress On The Book

Hit a bit of a snag with the book. Sadly, there is a three week delay in getting the format done. Thankfully, I had put enough extra time into my schedule that I should still be able to meet the October 14th release date. Keep your fingers crossed.

I recently saw a movie that I absolutely loved - The Curse of the Golden Flower. The cinematography was incredible. The colors so vivid. The Chinese really know how to make a movie. I wish American film companies would do such things. The movie had lots of plot twists and even til the very end the twists were going on. I highly recommend this movie. Speaking of movies to see, I also recommend the James Dean classic - Rebel Without A Cause. It is a timeless classic. I've watched it numerous times and never tire of it.

Once again, if you have questions for me or just wish to drop me a line, click the Contact Me link.

- Maynard