Posts filed under ‘THE BEAST AWAITS’
WHO I AM
Some time ago I received a questionnaire from Book Buzzr, a marketing website I’m using to promote my novel, New Moon Rising. I thought I would share my answers to give you a closer look into who I am.
BOOK BUZZR
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Now a retired scientist, I spent 34 years studying renal physiology.
I’m a Newark, New Jersey boy now living in West Chester, Pennsylvania, divorced with two outstanding daughters. One is a farmer working for the Rodale Institute and the other is pursing and MFA in fiction at Syracuse University.
Describe your book, New Moon Rising, in 30 words or less.
The novel is science fiction centered on the Ring of Fire. Think of the movie, Deep Impact, but in reverse.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Editing? I hate editing. The initial story just flowed. I went along with the characters and saw the action through their eyes. But when it came to editing the adventure was over, and I missed it.
What books had the greatest influence on you?
When I was in high school I read three books by Tom Dooley, a doctor who went to Laos, among other countries, to provide medical assistance. Of the three, the only title I can remember is The Night They Burned the Mountain.
His work was influential in establishing CARE.
What Dooley did to me I could never reverse. His words established in me the need for a sense of purpose, that you must strive to make a difference. Even at my advanced age, I cannot shake this mind-set.
Briefly share with us what you do to market your book.
Not enough. I have has one signing at a local bookstore which went quite well.
I am, of course on your site. I also have a blog, walttriznastories.wordpress.com, where I have discussed my novel and have provided links to my publisher, Melange Books, barns&noble.com and amazon.com., where my novel is available. But the primary purpose of my blog is to provide help for writers on the road to publication.
How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
I read a great deal, as most writers do. I firmly believe the basis for any writers desire to write begins with reading and the love for books. Of house and outside chores also require certain amount of time.
What are you working on next?
I have multiple short stories I am editing and hope to publish.
I also have two novels that are written and need to be edited and published.
The first, Sweet Depression, follows a corrupt high-level officer in a pharmaceutical company fulfilling his need for control and greed with devastating results. Think of a cross between novels written by James Patterson and Robin Cook.
The second novel, The Beast Awaits, combines illicit stem cell research creating a monster mindlessly intent on destroying our world.
A NEW GENRE
While reading the May, 19 issue of Time over breakfast this morning, I came across an article which proved quite exciting for me. The article discussed movies released or soon to be such as Godzilla, Into the Storm and Snowpiercer.
In discussing these movies, a new genre was mentioned, at least new to me, cli-fi. This is a story of science fiction or fantasy dealing with a climate or environmental factor.
My novel, The Beast Awaits, which I sure you are all getting sick of hearing about, is about stem cell research gone bad leading to global warming. Is that a fit or what?
I plan to start working on a new query letter and will share it with you soon to see what you think.
THE BEAST AWAITS, AN UPDATE, SORT OF
Still sucking up library WiFi.
In reference to the last piece, The Beast Awaits, a novel I often refer to is written and already made the rounds to agents with a 100% rate of rejection, so far.
I had one publisher show interest in publishing the novel but, upon doing my homework, found they did not have a good reputation, so I declined.
You have to watch your ass, no one else will.
DISASTER IN REAL-TIME
In my novel, The Beast Awaits, I try to convey the atmosphere of impending doom which exits for populations thousands of mile away from the initial incident. As with everything I write it needs editing. I find that even to be true with work I have published. The process never stops. I recently had an experience which brought to mind the atmosphere I tried to create. I must go back and see if I can now find better words.
The incident I am referring to is the recent rash of tornadoes our country has experienced. I’ve always been a weather junkie and during the tornado outbreak I tuned to the Weather Channel. The meteorologists were following the storms in real-time, analyzing the radar and issuing warnings. A strange feeling crept over me as they recorded evidence of debris circulating in the air picked up by the tornado. These debris clouds were people’s lives being changed forever, perhaps the people themselves being destroyed, all as it actually happened.
Occasionally they would have people on the ground right after the storm passed and, together with the residents, survey the damage left behind. I sat in the comfort of my family room watching up to the minute changes in people’s lives.
In The Beast Awaits, I deal with events such as this and the emotions they create, the ‘I’m glad it’s not me’ feeling and try to convey the atmosphere that ‘your turn is coming soon’.
Car accidents also come to mind, how everyone slows down to survey the damage, mostly I’m sure glad with the ‘glad it’s not me’ feeling. In The Beast Awaits that emotion is short-lived, for just down the road will be your turn.
RADIO INTERVIEW
Here’s a more direct link to my radio interview.
Tell me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBNto6p7c1Fpiwz4gTgWO5w/videos
This will give you and opportunity to listen to the other authors’ interviews.
RADIO INTERVIEW
Here is a link to the radio interview I had yesterday,
I hope it gives you a chance to learn more about me.
Take care,
Walt
HAPPY NEW YEAR
My consistent readers, and all others that might tune-in,
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I hope you all have a prosperous New Year, and more important, that you accomplish what you set out to do.
I must admit that I spent most of New Year’s Eve and part of New Year’s Day tuned to the SYFY channel. For years now they run a Twilight Zone marathon for the New Year.
I’m addicted to the shows. The special effects, what few there are, are laughable, but these shows were made before the age of computers when special effects were second to the story. The writing and story lines are so wonderful. I remember when I was a kid that short story anthologies of Twilight Zone stories were published, and I would devour them.
Well, enough about me, wrong. Me is why this blog exists. I am writing this piece to tell you of my upcoming projects, what you will see and my plans for this year.
Books To Go Now will soon publish two of my stories, Cat’s Eyes which is a horror offering and Second Chance a science fiction piece.
This year I will hopefully find a publisher for my novel, The Beast Awaits. The story concerns stem cell research and the environment. Who wouldn’t want to read such a work?
I’m also working on a novella which follows a character I created, Elmo, in his younger years. Elmo first appeared in a novella entitled Elmo’s Sojourn which appeared in the anthology, Curious Hearts, published by Mélange Books.
Finally, I will attempt to publish a chapbook of my poetry, all of which has been published on this blog.
There are also a host of short stories and another novel, Sweet Depression, which I hope to edit.
That is what I hope you have an opportunity to read and what I hope to accomplish this year. I hope life treats you well and we spend another fulfilling year together.
Walt
Walttriznastories's Blog 