I’ve had a YouTube channel for a few years now. I’ve mostly used it for viewing other people’s videos, listening to music, author interviews, etc. So, I figured it was time to post a new video to my channel.
About a week ago I recorded this video – Introduction (To My Writing). Check the video blog out to learn a little bit more about me, how I started writing and my future plans.
The below flash piece, ‘Future Fall-of-Famer’, was originally published in Daily Flash 2011: 365 Days of Flash Fiction in October 2010. But I figured since baseball season is now in full swing, I’d provide it to you here for free. Hope you enjoy.
‘Future Hall-of-Famer’
Adam Evans knew his time was coming. His manager, Dean, would get the call first, hail him into his cramped minor league office, and tell him that he had just been called up to the big leagues. It would be a glorious day.
Adam dug his cleats into the soft dirt in the batters’ box, took a few practice swings and then lifted his bat above his right ear. He narrowed his eyes and stared back at the one pitcher that ever really gave him trouble – Sonny Erb. Erb had a goatee, a mean stare and a cannon of an arm. The truth of the matter was there weren’t many people that Erb had trouble with. Though, maybe he just enjoyed toying with Evans a bit more than the average bear.
The first pitch was a screamer. It took only a split-second for the ball to go from Erb’s hand to buzzing Evans’ ear. He spun backwards and tripped. A plume of dust came up from where he hit the dirt. Evans stood up and glared back at Erb. The smug pitcher just smiled back.
You sonofabitch, Evans said to himself, dusting himself off and climbing back into the batters’ box. That’s the last time you make a fool out of me, Erb. The last time.
Evans did his ritual and readied himself for the next pitch.
Outside. Ball two.
Trying to make me reach there, aren’t ya?
The count got up to 3-2.
Here it comes.
A fastball.
Right over the plate.
Just where Evans knew it would be.
CRACK!
A deep fly ball to center field.
Evans took off out of the box like a rocket. It was well-known around the league that he was a complete player – he could run, throw, catch and hit.
The man.
He rounded second and headed to third.
Evans looked over and noticed a visibly stunned Erb.
Evans glanced over his right shoulder and saw the players fielding the ball.
In the Park, baby! Evans thought to himself, really pouring on the speed.
His right foot came down on the bag as his left foot started towards home.
Evans felt his ankle give and then heard a loud POP!
He cried out and crumbled to the ground.
Through his tears, Evans saw his manager and two trainers come running from the dugout.
And then there was Erb standing over him, smiling.
Just like the smug son-of-a-bitch that he was.
In his hand he had the ball that Evans had just crushed to the centerfield fence.
Erb bent down and tapped Evans’ chest with the ball.
The future slugger turned his head to one side and wept as the trainers started to work on his shattered ankle.
The worse part about it was; Evans was not only beat once again by Erb, but knew from the blistering pain radiating up his leg from his ankle, that his season was over.
And his dream of being called up to the show anytime soon.
Fan and aspiring author Trent Silcock from the land down under shows off his new copy of Twisted Tales from the Torchlight Inn.
You can order your copy via Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
To promote his new book, WILD, Lincoln Crisler asked if I’d be willing to give him a guest blog/interview on my website. I replied, but of course. I dig Lincoln’s writing and think he has a bright future in the industry. So without further ado, below is the interview. Hope you enjoy!
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always been a writer; I wrote some stories when I was younger (one of which is included in my 2008 collection, DESPAIRS & DELIGHTS) and did some newspaper work. I started writing fiction for publication in 2006 while deployed to Afghanistan. My wife and I promised we’d try and make the year apart count for something. I think we managed to pull it off.
What are your goals in the publishing world?
I want to be a bestselling author, break into comics and eventually turn some of my stories into movies. Becoming headmaster of Hogwarts, Dark Lord of the Sith and a three-time Stoker winner before my next birthday would be pretty sweet too.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I would like to think my writing style is best described as “doesn’t suck.”
I also try to write simply and get my point across efficiently. I enjoy learning how to do this in different ways; using comparisons, finding that one perfect word that can replace five, using a character’s personality as a substitute for extra scene-setting or descriptive language.
How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use a set formula?
I usually let the story lead where it will. I’ve only recently changed my “no-outlining-EVER” policy; a minimal outline seems to increase my chances of success when working on longer projects. However, I’d rather chug drain cleaner than write formula novels. I can think of at least one bestselling author in my chosen genre than writes him, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about a new book from him. I’ve probably never even mentioned him to other readers, except as an example of what not to do. I don’t wanna be that guy.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I’m constantly challenged because I’m always writing longer works, and that has always been challenging to me. In 2006, a 3,000 word story was an outstanding effort. Now I’m working on a novel, and my shorter projects are in the 10-15K area.
Speaking of novels, I hear your book, WILD, is getting ready to come out. Mind telling everyone the main gist of what it’s all about?
WILD is a Weird West tale (with zombies!) based on a real unsolved mystery from the Old West: the disappearance of Colonel Albert Jennings Fountain, war hero, politician and legislator, near his Mesilla, NM, home. More information on WILD can be found here.
What draws people to horror novels and movies? Why do we, as readers, like to be scared?
Simple science, really. Pain, spicy foods, orgasm, danger and other forms of stress, like being scared at a movie or by a book, cause the human body to release endorphins. Endorphins make you feel good, similar to the effect of opiates.
Where can people learn more about your work?
My website can be found at http://lincolncrisler.info. I enjoy interacting with readers there and on my Facebook. I also put out a newsletter pretty much every month that readers can sign up for here; I often treat my subscribers to free fiction and sneak peeks at upcoming projects.
I normally don’t post very many personal things on here. But, I figured it was time to vent a little and give you a little snippet on what I’m going to be up to going forward.
The last 4 months have been exhausting for me. I’ve been working both a full & part time job, besides trying to keep up with my various writing and editing projects. You might not be able to tell from everything I have going on, but I’ve reached my limit. Something has to give…and I’ve decided it will be the pointless PT job.
What does this mean?
I’m going to kick it up another notch the next few months.
Really, it came down to this: prior to 4 months ago I had no trouble saying, “Sure, I can complete a novella for you in a month. No problem.” Then bam! It’d be done. Or, “You need a short story in two days? No problem.” Bam! Done, again. Needless to say, the last few months haven’t been that way. Sure, I still have plenty of things coming out during the next two years, but during the last 4 months I had to start carefully planning each and every turn-in date to make sure I could meet it. And even though deadlines are the name of the game (and to some extent I actually dig them) this isn’t the way I like doing things.
Fact of the matter is – I like to write. A lot. My output can be pretty staggering when I actually have the time to do it.
The last 4 months haven’t been that way.
Instead, I’ve had to carefully plan when I was going to sit down and do some writing, editing, whatever.
No more.
Two weeks and I’m done.
That’s my plan, my notice, to my PT job employer come this evening.
2 & Done.
Yup. That’s right.
I’ve gotten a few emails about this, so I figured it was time to post something about my writing, editing anthologies, and my role as Acquisitions Editor of Ambrotos Press.
As I touched on in my article for Morpheus Tales #11, it’s all about diversifying yourself. This also goes into why I don’t ever see myself having an agent. Reason being; I really do enjoy all aspects of the publishing world – from writing a story, editing them, or working with a publisher on the business side of things. I find the process of each thing fascinating, and I think if you follow me on here or on Facebook, you’ll see how passionate I am about it all. I enjoy crafting a story just as much as working with another author to get their short story, novella or novel into print. I dig working with cover artists on my own stuff and that of others. Pretty much the whole thing. I can’t speak for the other genres, but folks in the horror realm are some of the nicest and most down to earth people I have ever met. I love this world, even though it does make my blood pressure rise sometimes, and it’s always been my dream to do it fulltime (though some ask how I work two jobs and find time to write…to which I reply…Red Bull) one day – which I have no doubt will happen.
The point of all this is; yes, I am still writing (which can be seen by the number of books I have coming out over the next two years), being the Editor for anthologies AND running Ambrotos Press.
Welcome to my world. This is only the beginning.
Two thousand and ten was a pretty damn good year for me – both personally and professionally. I got engaged right before the new year to my beautiful fiancé (believe me, it’s essential you have someone in your corner that believes in what you’re trying to accomplish), strengthened existing and literally made dozens of new friendships and had a slew of book deals and some other various ventures come to fruition that will be announced after the first of the upcoming year (one in particular is going to blow a lot of people’s socks off in the publishing world). In 2010 I had a short film come out, a few short stories (including one in Shroud) and two anthologies where I was the Editor. Then comes the upcoming year; where I have a total of seven books that are due to be released. Half of these titles I will be Editor on and the other half will be my own writings. Looking all the way to 2012; there will be a short story collection, a novella and another anthology where I’ll be the Editor. Almost all of the upcoming books during the next two years were announced in 2010. So, as you can see, it has been a hell of a year.
2010 was the year I set the stage of things to come. 2011 is when I start to take over the genre – in more ways than one – but that involves the announcement that will be made after the first of the year.
Until then…hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. See you all in 2011.
As previously mentioned, Twisted Tales from the Torchlight Inn, is a 3-author, 3-novella collection (containing stories by: Thomas A. Erb, Dean Harrison & Myself) coming out in February 2011. But until the book is available for purchase; we thought you might like to get your bar-type swag on by picking up one of the following items from Devious Designz.
Enjoy!
What do authors – Wrath James White, John Everson, Gord Rollo, Adam P. Lewis, Tim Deal, Deborah LeBlanc, Steven Shrewsbury, Thomas A. Erb, Dean Harrison, Sheldon Higdon, Maurice Broaddus, Mike Oliveri, Dora Machado, Michael Laimo, Jeff Strand, among many many others – all have in common?
That’s right – AMBROTOS!
The major announcement is coming soon…
Is now available.
Click here to check it out.
Ty Schwamberger 