It's a brand new year!

I've got projects in my head and they all want to speak at once. Maybe you can help me decide which to do first. I've got the bugmaggedon story, a near future dystopian which features ferocious dog-to-horse-sized insects as a constant menace to the heroes. The trailer park mystery book (sort of Smoke for the 90s). Book 7 of the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series about the adventures of Rip and Antonio during the events of book 6. The tale of a warrior-king in ancient America. I've also got a few short stories bouncing around without settling into something I'm sure I want to write about yet.

Which novel should I complete first?

Don't miss the next paragraph in our collaborative story, as well as a suggested title, farther down this letter.

Finished reading:

Alan Dean Foster's Flavors of Other Worlds, a book of short stories. I liked it, but did tire of the subtle invasion theme. Some stories left me unfulfilled--and as a result, I plan to use inspiration from a couple of those with some other ideas I've had to do a novel that will give me greater satisfaction.

D. John Butler's Plain and Precious Things. I burned through the short book in a couple days. The subject matter had whispered to me for a few years that deeper study was called for, and I recently had a related epiphany, so the timing was perfect for me--and I'm deep into the sequel, The Goodness and The Mysteries.

I'm part way through Samuel Delany's About Writing, and I have mixed feelings about it. The introduction started well and progressed nicely but ended in what I considered to be authorial bloviation. The rest of the book has likewise been a mixed bag so far. For more on authorial bloviation, read my next segment.

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From my discussion with a reader and writer:

I've found that for every piece of writing advice, there's another author who has a contrary opinion. I usually decide that both are correct, most of the time, within proper limits. For example: The character vs. story/plot issue, I believe, depends on the reader and what he or she expects from the book. Personally, I like both interesting characters (with at least one I can root for) and an exciting story--I think most readers would agree me. Vivid characters who face no interesting peril (an oblique reference to my 3 magic elements of writing wizardry: the Trauma, the Drama, and the Dream) usually result in an unfinished read for me--a character, no matter how richly described, does not a story make any more than does a cool setting. However, I'll finish a compelling tale even if it leaves me unsatisfied on the character and setting levels. Perhaps the correct formula is that story elements draw in the reader, and character and setting elements make the reader fall in love with the story. -- And now my bloviation is done.

Do you have different thoughts about it?

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Have a look at these magnificent specimens of the written word at free or discounted rates:

Books featuring creatures of myth and legend etc.

Books featuring fabled lands and portals.

Books with Adventure and Fantasy.

Good Winter Reads are still available.

J.C. Wade would like you to take a look at Fate of Our Sorrows, a free prequel to The White Witch's Daughter.

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As for our collaborative story: These title ideas and paragraph come from

Susan J. Please pick the title you like best or suggest another you would prefer:

Hot Revenge Bleeds Cold -- or -- Showdown After Sunset

Unaware of the steely blue eyes upon them, the riders walked their mounts down the street. Several of the horses laid back their ears, wide eyes darting as if they sensed the showdown to come. A sudden puff of dirt swirled a few feet before the lead horse, accompanied by the blast of a rifle. The animals reared, blowing and snorting as their riders struggled to rein them in. Had they made a mistake brazenly riding down the village's main thoroughfare? There was no turning back now, not that their leader would have allowed it. His need for revenge ruled him like the iron fist on his horse's reins. (Susan J.)

We've had some great submissions so far, and I haven't been able to select them all. For our next submission, let's try two or three paragraphs at a time. The action is rising and some short paragraphs will be needed to emphasize the commotion and energy. The story to this point can be found here.

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Honor Roll with special thanks to these subscribers:

Lois for her stunning review and heroic defense of The Shrinking Zone.

JBudd for reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, In Death Bedrenched, Power to Hurt, The Shrinking Zone, Clamorous Harbingers, Promise of Carnage and Flame, Truth in Flames, and Crisis in Fire and Snow.

Colleen for leaving ratings for several of my books on Amazon.

Rob for leaving a review of Threading the Rude Eye.

Michael for leaving reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, and The Shrinking Zone.

Mayra for a review of Threading the Rude Eye.

Gloria for a review of Threading the Rude Eye.

ShannonC for a review of In Death Bedrenched

Jan for reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, Power to Hurt, Clamorous Harbingers, Promise of Carnage and Flame, In Death Bedrenched, The Shrinking Zone, Truth in Flames, Justice in Season, and Justice Resurgent.

Bonnie for a review of In Death Bedrenched, and Crisis in Fire and Snow.

PAR for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

-There are many other reviews of my books, of course, but I don't know whether those reviewers are also subscribers to this newsletter.