tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9559620469233158182024-02-20T08:02:10.049-05:00It's kind of a funny storyThe random ramblings of author Rashad FreemanRashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-90553699480460353332016-04-27T10:42:00.000-04:002016-04-27T10:42:02.411-04:00ONE BRICK AT A TIME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fP6abM49QME/VyC6_PhH8oI/AAAAAAAAAjE/ecr5L9t-XgEfHSxVnh924NddulPqbxwEQCLcB/s1600/wsmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fP6abM49QME/VyC6_PhH8oI/AAAAAAAAAjE/ecr5L9t-XgEfHSxVnh924NddulPqbxwEQCLcB/s320/wsmith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, I'm sure he was not the first one to say this...I mean the idea is as old as dirt and has presented itself in various flavored idioms, but when I heard him say it, it really rang true.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about Will Smith and an interview he gave with Charlie Rose where he told him a story about building a wall. In short his father had twelve year old Will Smith and his nine year old brother build a wall, which to children and most adults seems like an impossible task.<br />
<br />
At first all they could focus on was the final product, the massive wall that seemed like something they could never finish. But move the story along two years and sure enough they had a wall.<br />
<br />
The message their father instilled in them was nothing is impossible, but more importantly the idea that you focus on each task and not the final product. "You don't build a wall," he said. "You lay one perfect brick and you do that over and over and you will have a wall."<br />
<br />
It's easy to apply this principle in everyday life and especially in writing. Too many times as a writer we focus on the mountain ahead of us, the finished product. I've been guilty of staring that blank page in the face and wondering how I pull 80,000 words from it. But when you focus only on the sentence or even the word you're writing it changes your perspective.<br />
<br />
One step at a time, brick by brick, word by word, it's all the same. The important thing is you keep moving forward and eventually you'll be wherever it is you're going.<br />
<br />
As I sit here and work on my many WIPs I remind myself that and keep putting one word after the other on my path to success. Whatever your industry, whatever you goal, do the same thing and soon enough you'll be where you want to be. <br />
<br />
<br />
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-31024399923277273292015-09-04T16:11:00.001-04:002015-09-04T16:11:43.042-04:00I'm a full-time writer...now what?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VT-2EAZ-B4w/Ven4CVESk2I/AAAAAAAAAdA/DbXPMb6lb3M/s1600/confrused.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VT-2EAZ-B4w/Ven4CVESk2I/AAAAAAAAAdA/DbXPMb6lb3M/s320/confrused.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's right folks. I've taken the plunge and become a full-time writer. It's been a few weeks now and what I can tell you is scheduling is everything.<br />
<br />
I'll attribute a bit of my slacking to the kids going back to school a week or so ago and all the madness that went with that. I fell from my 3,000 words a day to like 3....<br />
But now things have gotten back to normal and I've carved out a schedule that I plan to stick to. I've got a basket of books to get out and no time to waste. (<i>my next meal depends on it</i>)<br />
<br />
On a bright note, as if Bookbub could read the stars, they finally approved the first book in my apocalyptic series "Countdown" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozuLMTSAW_A/Ven5NI9ABoI/AAAAAAAAAdM/7OeHLcH9HYI/s1600/cdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozuLMTSAW_A/Ven5NI9ABoI/AAAAAAAAAdM/7OeHLcH9HYI/s200/cdown.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
for a run on Oct. 5th. I have high hopes for that being that it's easily my best seller and the fifth and final novel will be out by then.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkmhfMsRK2Q/Ven5YyL2n_I/AAAAAAAAAdU/jlsYi0rMeMo/s1600/genesis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkmhfMsRK2Q/Ven5YyL2n_I/AAAAAAAAAdU/jlsYi0rMeMo/s200/genesis.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm really hoping this will break the series out and I can finally get that yacht and get to sailing like Hugh Howey lol.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have to admit it's great to be able to write and not be worried about anything else. The down side is you can quickly fill up writing time with things to do around the house. My advice to anyone looking at going full-time is to plan your day just like you're still working. If your schedule is 8-5 then write from 8-5 and don't end up changing light bulbs or checking off that to do list around the house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More updates to come and I hope to blog more regularly now as I really can't make anymore excuses. Until then, see you around.</div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-16852836593890581862015-03-17T15:12:00.002-04:002015-03-17T15:12:19.716-04:00All I can guarantee you is regular irregularity
<br /><br />
It's been a while since I've spewed my half-baked dribble on here. But
I'm back...again...for the um....well I'm just back. I've been working on
getting a vlog going because I think the world is really yearning to see my lovely face.
Give me a few weeks and I'll have that running. Besides, I think I can be
more consistent getting a video up. (Doubtful)<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Happy new year by the way. It's been that long since I've
posted. Let's see what else is new. I'm sure I've published a few
books here and there, I've started a basketball team and consumed a least 45
gallons of (insert random energy drink here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aside from that, I’ve kept it nice and boring.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Spring is here which for us Floridians means summer is here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a side not HBO’s fellowship program was a
bust, this is why I’ll just keep up with the movie scripts and leave that TV
writing to someone else.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
If you haven’t checked it out I’d suggest you all go take a look at the
serial #FML on amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
collaboration with two other authors and I think the episodes are coming along
quite nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyway just wanted to quickly catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I can post something meaningful within
the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually have some serious
thoughts hiding behind the fog in my head, but I must get back to my word count
for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shoot me an email or send me an
angry tweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then my friends fair
well. </span><br />
<br />Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-53743211599805517542014-08-04T09:42:00.001-04:002014-08-04T09:42:48.791-04:00So yeah....<div style="text-align: center;">
I had these lofty ambitions to do all this writing and then Murky Water happened. That book was probably one of the most difficult books I've ever written and I can't tell you why. The good news is I finished it and to those of you that haven't read it, you probably want to go ahead and do that. :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I removed all of the counters for my books because I don't have the time to update that stuff and meet my writing goals. So as the saying goes, something had to give. I'm knee deep in The Doomsday Playbook part 4 at the moment and will probably be releasing between 1 and 2 books a month until the end of the year. So all of my series readers be prepared for some horrifying conclusions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On that note, back to writing.</div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-60212817683613633882014-05-19T10:48:00.001-04:002014-05-19T10:48:53.028-04:00Updates, updates and updatesSo I've just updated all the word counts for the books I'm working on. And will probably update again before the day is over. I'm way behind so I better get in gear. Enough blogging time to write.Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-9738102253069484452014-04-30T10:36:00.001-04:002014-04-30T10:36:18.097-04:00Reaching for whatever comes after space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dq2zejQS_I/U2EKU1-6EsI/AAAAAAAAASs/n8YUbqDpog4/s1600/perfect-storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dq2zejQS_I/U2EKU1-6EsI/AAAAAAAAASs/n8YUbqDpog4/s1600/perfect-storm.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<em>Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover</em>." ~ Mark Twain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I've decided it would be a worthwhile endeavor to attempt 450,000 words in 90 days. That's correct an average of 5,000 words a day. I consider myself a professional underachiever so I suppose this will put a little pep in my step.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To the left I've listed all of the titles that I'm working on and their current word count. I also put a bar up that tracks my overall goal of 450k. Hopefully I'll be able to update this daily. So if you have a few encouraging or discouraging words to say now and then post away. I hope by posting this all to the blog it'll keep my honest and help me burn through half a million. We shall see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fingers crossed. Adios for now...I've got writing to do!!!!! </div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-18070652745084689452014-04-17T15:34:00.001-04:002014-04-17T15:34:54.559-04:00How dare you charge for that!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-McjzWcENP2g/U0_2ukcsChI/AAAAAAAAASA/Ju9jjKOTrqQ/s1600/homeless-starving-artist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-McjzWcENP2g/U0_2ukcsChI/AAAAAAAAASA/Ju9jjKOTrqQ/s1600/homeless-starving-artist.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
How Self-Publishing Ruined the World</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Yes, I know it’s a drastic headline, but it just might be
true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Let me start by saying, I am self-published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I’ve never chased agents and
submitted manuscripts, I did choose this as my avenue to spread my ridiculous
thoughts to the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have a
vested interest in the success of this new age of publishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
For the large part, self-publishing is one of the greatest
things ever offered to writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Retention of your work, full control of what you write and how it’s
delivered, and the ability to publish when you want, are all great things that
the vast majority of writers (whether traditionally published or not) were
never offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to that a more than
fair royalty rate and what could go wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The answer is much more than you think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
I see two very large issues arising in self-publishing, but
let me make you fully aware that I offer no solutions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Self-publishing removed the barriers of entry
and that is both a gift and a curse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
attempt to add more control around that will only take us back to where we were,
and here lies the “catch 22.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
My first issue with self-publishing stems from this lack of
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While many people saw this as a
liberation of sorts, many others saw it as a way to make a quick buck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, you would think that eventually all the
shifty, scheming trash peddlers would fade to oblivion, but unfortunately we
don’t currently live in that future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
in the present, anything is slopped up for sell and only makes the water muddy
for the rest of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Writing is a craft, an art form, and should be regarded as
such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability to take words and bring
them to life, to breath a new reality onto a page is the essence of
beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers, real writers honor this
craft and take pride in what they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The others, well let’s just say they don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in no position to judge anyone else’s
writing, but I think we can all agree that some are making an effort to
actually tell a story while others are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Enough said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
My second issue is with the perceived value that self-publishing
is creating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will elaborate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many authors, myself included at times, will
make a book free in order to gain readership and hopefully gain sales of other
titles, normally in a series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
great idea for unknown authors with little to no platform to gain
visibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly these free or even
discounted (.99 cents) books will not change the buying public’s
perception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
This may cost me readers, but I can’t bite my tongue any
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First off, let it be known that
the cheapest any author on amazon can make their book is .99 cents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to get it free for an extended
period of time they must jump through hoops and pray that Amazon price
matches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion paying under
$4.99 for any length of work, even a short story, is a deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It blows my mind that readers complain about
paying .99 cents for a short story or $2.99 for a novella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you serious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you think these stories get made?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much time do you think goes into creating
a novel, a novella or even a 5,000 word short story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why have we created this perception that
people’s hard work shouldn’t be rewarded?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That books of all things should just be given away and authors are
greedy for wanting some type of compensation for their work?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
The average author will NEVER make a living doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, they simply write because they love it
and for the occasional fifty dollar check from Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What really set me off was the other day when
I was reading through book reviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
author, who I won’t say his name, had a novella out to tide his fans over until
the fifth novel was released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was, by
Amazon’s count 83 pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Which knowing
Amazon was probably more like 125)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
charged $2.99 for this novella and labeled it as such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reviews were insane. They called him
greedy and a trickster and said how they’d never purchase another one of his
books after being ripped off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told
him how such a short story should be free and how he was trying to get over on
his loyal fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This disgusted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$2.99 is too much now, really???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s less than a gallon of gas and I assure
you it was harder to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we stop
valuing the mind we stop valuing ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More than anything self-publishing has created this idea that books are
now nothing more than bargain basement commodities unless your last name is
King, Rowing, Patterson, Grisham, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Now as I said with my first issue, quality of the book is
important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the book is trash then it’s
trash no matter the length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
certainly for the readers to decide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
when I see a one star review that says this book was really good, but .99 cents
is just too much, it makes me want to crack my laptop over my knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may come as a surprise, but writing is
no easy task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability to carry an
organized thought over more than a few paragraphs is not something to be
scoffed at.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
For any readers that decide to peruse this blog, understand
that a short story is no more than 7500 words, a novella 17,000- 40,000 and a
novel 40,000 plus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a short story
may take an exceptionally fast writer a month to have ready for
publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that’s a month of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you make in a month?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt it is .35 cents or even worse…nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion short stories are a deal at
$.99-1.99 and novellas at $2.99-3.99.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Novels are anything over and if you think that a writer getting paid for
his work is just outrageous, then feel free to start the boycott at my books
first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-5758864270918619432014-04-16T09:35:00.000-04:002014-04-16T09:35:23.970-04:00It's review time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6tMAgMq4wU/U06Gr72_nHI/AAAAAAAAARs/RKqRZjOxqgU/s1600/imagesCAEKB79O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6tMAgMq4wU/U06Gr72_nHI/AAAAAAAAARs/RKqRZjOxqgU/s1600/imagesCAEKB79O.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I read the entire series and then waited about two
months before I wrote this review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, my opinions tend to
change as time passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that said, I
feel exactly the same way I did a few months ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought about giving a non-spoiling summary of the book,
but then that’s just more work than I’m really up for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So instead I’ll tell you what I liked, didn’t
like and what I absolutely hated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall the book was good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean I don’t feel an overwhelming urge to
tell anyone about it or encourage them to purchase it, but at the same time I’m
not inventing a time machine to go get my wasted hours back either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richelle writes well and has an engaging style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a nice level of detail to her work
for the most part, but sometimes it can be too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might just be my personal preference,
but I hate for lack of a better word, fluff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Throughout the book I found myself skipping large segments to get to
something I wanted to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another issue I found was her lack of detail during action
scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a writer myself I really hate
offering any opinion at all on someone else’s writing, but this part really
bothered me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would set up really great
situations and then not go into detail about what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was even more annoying because the book
was in first person where you’d expect the main character to have a really
gripping account of what was happening, but no. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully my overactive imagination filled
everything in </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her attempt on doing something different with the vampire
theme was admirable, but here is where I have my biggest issue and it almost
killed the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s
really two parts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For starters when I think vampire I think supernatural,
awesome, killing machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now like I
said I applaud Richelle’s attempt at doing something different, but making the
vampires weak, fragile, mortal creatures was really a letdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To go a step further having half-human,
half-vampire body guards was ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially since the human side is what made them stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she did include this other type of
vampire known as Strigoi, that were more like traditional vampires, but even
with that they could be killed in hand to hand combat by the half-human, half-vampire
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could think was Eric
Northman must be rolling over in his grave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second part that I loathed was right in line with the
Twilight series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look, when vampires get
in the sun they burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t
sparkle, twinkle, get weak, dance, suffer headaches, shoot magic spells, turn
translucent or any other fun, whimsical idea you might have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless said vampire is a daywalker, which is
few and far between, then that evil creature better shoot into flames upon
meeting the sun’s awesome rays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean
this is one of the biggest parts of being a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all drink blood and they all have given
up ever basking in the sun again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change
what you want, but these two laws of vampirology (yes I just made up a word)
must stand firm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all the series was decent and I did finish it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the overall idea was pretty good, but
the details were where I got lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need vampires that are well, vampires and these things were just too cute and
cuddly for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on a scale from 1 to 5
I give this offering a….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Andalus","serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 115%;">3 </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Andalus","serif"; font-size: 36pt; line-height: 115%;">Stars<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-61741441228415263992014-04-14T10:51:00.001-04:002014-04-14T10:51:18.979-04:00Escape has Escaped!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1h4CGK51JT8/U0vgJOPPGCI/AAAAAAAAARc/6hYEQieP-m8/s1600/ESCAPEamz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1h4CGK51JT8/U0vgJOPPGCI/AAAAAAAAARc/6hYEQieP-m8/s1600/ESCAPEamz.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>It's finally out!</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, I took way too long, but alas the full length novel is finally available. Escape has escaped and it had to work hard to do it. Maybe now I'll have more time to blog and what not, but doubt it. I'm busy writing book 4. For the time being books 1 and 2 are both free and you can find escape here - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQNX30U">http://www.amazon.com/dp/<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">B00AQNX30U</span></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well, I wish I could talk longer, but I have books to write.</span></div>
<br />Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-10427218000256540792014-02-20T14:34:00.000-05:002014-02-20T14:34:08.024-05:00Prepped: The Doomsday Playbook Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HG6imexfcao/UwZWWlx4ucI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Q1sXZZqHL60/s1600/prepped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HG6imexfcao/UwZWWlx4ucI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Q1sXZZqHL60/s1600/prepped.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
So I've taken this little child of mine and set her free. Get your copy today before the much awaited novel comes out in March. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prepped-Doomsday-Playbook-Part-1-ebook/dp/B00AQNX30U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392924304&sr=1-1&keywords=prepped">http://www.amazon.com/Prepped-Doomsday-Playbook-Part-1-ebook/dp/B00AQNX30U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392924304&sr=1-1&keywords=prepped</a><br />
<br />
Okay so I know I said I'd be posting at least once a week, but I obviously suck. I have been writing my tail off though. Escape, The Doomsday Playbook Part 3 is finally wrapping up and will be available for purchase in March. Stay tuned as I plan to drop a few sneak peeks. For all of you Creature Kid fans (ok the two of you out there) Invasion is slated for a summer release and the boys will be back together. (Save for the ones we lost)<br />
<br />
Aside from that I have some things in the works that I hope will be awesome. I finally started outlining my vampire trilogy. Keeping the name under wraps as I don't want anyone to steal it. (Cause it's super awesome) It'll be released as one novella and two novels. Well, unless I make more and it morphs into five or six books. Either way the novella and the first novel should be out before the summer and the novella shall be FREE!!!! Cause people just love free stuff right??<br />
<br />
Anyhow, back to writing I go. I hope to blog a bit more in the next few days, but if I don't, please don't hold it against me. What am I if not a man? Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-43985638331726173112013-12-18T15:02:00.001-05:002013-12-18T15:02:55.457-05:00Rewrites, Edits and Rewrites<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably the most important part of writing a story is going back and writing it again. It's probably most authors least favorite task as well. Don't worry, this post won't be long. I am no doubt knee deep in this lush, wandering forest of word play. As a pro at prose I meticulously make metaphors smiling as similes seem to seep from my very fingers. (Like syrup). Alive I align my alliteration with allegory allowing all who are too aloof or confuse illusion with allusion to escape delusion better yet confusion characterizing writers as proponents of collusion...and here I understand my need for rewrites and edits because I simply hate comas.</div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-77359363114093928012013-11-19T10:04:00.000-05:002013-11-19T10:04:03.867-05:00Can writing really be a job....when it's this much fun??!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
So last night I crept through a rundown seaport in Florida. I marched through swampy mangroves and evaded a swarm of infected marauders. Hot wiring a car, I drove all the way to Georgia and met up with one of the last bands of survivors. We shared horror stories over a campfire, while eating beans from a can I found buried in the forest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning I cleaned blood off of my hands with muddy sand at the river bank. I contemplated discarding the murder weapon, but I'm a sucker for shiny knives with sentimental engravings. Laughing, I dragged a body into the water and weighted it down with bricks. I smiled as the raging current took it away to never be seen again. Good riddance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Later today I'll probably take flight or prepare my weapons stash for the second wave of an alien invasion. There's a good chance I won't live through the night, since I'm pretty sure there's a traitor in our ranks. Then, as I slowly fade into my own persona, I'll prepare to give a riveting speech to a middle school full of enthusiastic writers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I sit here pounding away at a keyboard the looming question confounds me. Can this really be work? I'm certainly having too much fun.</div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-10396311246726982812013-11-10T22:55:00.000-05:002013-11-10T22:55:55.453-05:00It's Walking Dead Time!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Edn9-tOOKY/UoA98axIVuI/AAAAAAAAAOE/NjZxNI4EjAM/s1600/imagesCAH7A3YW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Edn9-tOOKY/UoA98axIVuI/AAAAAAAAAOE/NjZxNI4EjAM/s320/imagesCAH7A3YW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I'm sitting here writing and watching walking dead. I wonder what shall transpire this episode. They're already intubating some unlucky soul and another member has passed onto the zombie realm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This show always makes me wonder just how a real apocalypse would play out. I mean WHEN our zombie break out occurs just how bad will it get. I guess that depends on a multitude of factors.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think in order for an effective virus to spread it would have to be airborne. The whole bite people and you turn thing is exciting and all, but there's no way that would spread quick enough to be uncontainable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway back to the show. People are dropping left and right from this virus. Of course they'll come back with some drugs, but how many people they lose who knows. The show has slowed quite a bit and I can see why. Zombies are a terminal thing. Either they take over the world and that's the end or we fight back and get rid of them all. Trying to keep a showing going season after season based on an antogonist that assimilates everyone is a big ask.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At least it's done a great deal to convince the world that zombie's are cool. I mean everyone has a zombie novel now. And why not? It's the perfect line for a story. A virus that can make you kill your best friend, brother even your wife. Yeah that plot is full of twists.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, back to writing I go.</div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-53985557738488065602013-10-29T14:32:00.003-04:002013-10-29T14:32:42.403-04:00So I don't really blogIt's more of a confession than a statement. I try to, I really do, but I find myself so caught up in writing that I never get around to it. So as we prepare to roll into 2014 I'm making a commitment to have a new post at least once a week. (<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><em>We'll see how that goes</em></span>.) I mean, I need to have something to talk about and those that know me personally realize, that I'm not much of an interesting person. <---<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><em>Subtle cry for help</em></span>.<br />
<br />
And since I can't create all the content that you desire, I think it's only fair I at least lead you to some. I found the following post by JA Konrath pretty cool. Cool as in inspiring and depressing all at the same time. Like a kiss from an angel, while being pummeled in the nuts by a battering ram. - <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-by-tom-keller-and-konrath.html">http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-by-tom-keller-and-konrath.html</a><br />
<br />
Someday my numbers will be double or triple, or be ten times that. (<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><em>Hey I'm trying to catch the real unicorn of book sales, JK Rowling</em></span>.) Until then I'll continue to write awesome books that will go ignored by the public at large. (<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><em>Are you people crazy?!?!?!?!?</em></span>) Still trying to create that silver bullet.<br />
<br />
Well, here's post one of the week. Now I have seven whole days to do something exciting enough to talk about again. Toodles.Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-9459123732368728702013-10-14T11:00:00.000-04:002013-10-14T11:00:16.679-04:00Yep it's MondayI wonder if I'm the only person that thinks Monday should be eliminated. Kind of the way superstitious hotels ignore the 13th floor. Like it's a day we'll just skip over. Oh it's still there, but for practical purposes it doesn't exist so you can't expect me to do anything on that day.<br />
<br />
Anyway, in writing news I finished Rise of the Elementals and it's now available for a whopping .99 cents. Anyone waiting on Escape, the third installment of the doomsday playbook, I'm sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who knew that would be such a difficult book to finish. All I can say is I'm trying. It doesn't help that everyday I come up with three new story ideas that I have to jot down before they fade away to oblivion. So on my current writing plate I have Escape (duh), Apocalypse II, Invasion CK3, The lost ones and a few novels under a pen name I'll never reveal.<br />
<br />
So, I'm working on a post I'll probably put up later today to complain about free books. I read some article that seems to be getting some traction. It was about an author criticized for not writing like an introduction for free. While most agree with him, as do I, some of the responses seem to think it's his job to do free stuff. Sad how little respect the writer gets. I'm mean I have a free title, but it's a short story and it's an intro into a series. <br />
<br />
I'm still busy trying to convince the rest of the world that I'm important. And I actually possess a very small trace amount of writing talent. Guess it's harder than it initially sounded. I did get some pretty spiffy business cards and designed some posters though. I have a few appearances starting next month and through 2014. Gonna talk to the youth of America and convince them that reading is cool. Maybe I'll increase my fan base to two.<br />
<br />
To all you Fifty Shades fans, I heard that one actor fellow "pulled out" of playing the lead role. Guess he thought it may typecast him or ruin his acting career in general. Honestly if you're E.L. James, who cares. Her books have become a household name. Tom Clancy is dead :-( but you knew that already. Oh, and I've finally convinced Siri to refer to me as "Oh captain my captain," she was very reluctant at first.<br />
<br />
Well enjoy the week and happy reading. <br />
<br />
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-26538722558787139072013-10-10T22:13:00.000-04:002013-10-10T22:13:47.483-04:00Where have all the readers gone...Today while driving home, well more appropriately flying down I-75, I decided that I'd attempt a little poll. So I listed a few questions below. If you feel froggy leave a comment with your answers and we'll see what the data shows.<br />
<br />
1) Your age range?<br />
2) Favorite genre to read?<br />
3) Last book read?<br />
4) How do you find new books?<br />
5) Do you regularly read book reviews, if so from where?Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-54648347502372505242013-06-24T09:49:00.000-04:002013-06-24T09:49:16.542-04:00I did it!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1ZTnv-KTfk/UchMitAozpI/AAAAAAAAALM/0WYmrlLMNLk/s1600/teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1ZTnv-KTfk/UchMitAozpI/AAAAAAAAALM/0WYmrlLMNLk/s320/teaser.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's right, after countless hours slaved over a keyboard I've finally finished Volume II of the Creature Kid series. And if I may say so myself it's pretty awesome. While Volume I was a lot of setting things up and introducing characters, you really get into the world in Volume II. I'm really excited for the series and have already started on Volume III, which don't quote me but hopefully I can get out before August. Also there's a short story prequel called "Rise of the Elementals," that will be out this week. Anyway back to writing I go, but if you haven't got your copy yet just hit the link below.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Origins-Creature-Kid-Volume-ebook/dp/B00DJ8RYZE/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372081558&sr=1-6&keywords=rashad+freeman">http://www.amazon.com/Origins-Creature-Kid-Volume-ebook/dp/B00DJ8RYZE/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372081558&sr=1-6&keywords=rashad+freeman</a><br />
<br />Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-34031868728221032013-05-07T10:42:00.002-04:002013-05-07T10:42:49.796-04:00Flash in the pan or slow burning amber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jL4zcvAkBA/UYkScu32uXI/AAAAAAAAAKk/ZbGbrrSzqCY/s1600/spark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jL4zcvAkBA/UYkScu32uXI/AAAAAAAAAKk/ZbGbrrSzqCY/s1600/spark.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It seems like with so many things in life, people focus their efforts on purely the short term. Maybe it's the nature of our species or a societal ideal thrust upon us at a young age. Whatever the case may be, most times our greatest efforts are thwarted by short sightedness. It's like we are given a finite amount of gasoline and we are apt to pour it all into one pan creating the biggest explosion possible, only for it to dwindle quickly and extinguish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We never seem able to stop and connect the dots. See that not only our actions, but the actions of others and that of the universe are also at work. Newton so famously said "to every action there is always opposed an equal reaction." Yet we act as though our lives are conducted in silos. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take a pile of wood and pour gasoline all over them. Most times they'll burn themselves out before any real damage can be done. But a slow burning amber, forgotten by most will continue to burn. Slowly it will grow and spread it's roots deep. Focused just the right amount it will eventually set the forest ablaze.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's to the slow burning amber. </div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-86808305118507271482013-04-24T12:17:00.002-04:002013-04-24T12:17:59.678-04:00"The multiplying villanies of nature do swarm upon him"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IP8zSYXmuBI/UXf_w-SUliI/AAAAAAAAAKY/aE1ixovQBA4/s1600/sp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IP8zSYXmuBI/UXf_w-SUliI/AAAAAAAAAKY/aE1ixovQBA4/s320/sp.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here I am purporting pen as brandished steel. I wonder if when Shakespeare wrote that line in Macbeth he was thinking about me? Certainly I've had no dealings with witches, although one could debate that. And unlike our dear friend Macbeth I still yet draw breath. But it would be surely disingenuous to claim that I haven't had my fair share of swarming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like many things in life bad fortune often comes by our own doing. The skies seem to open and the evils of the world descend upon us all at once. What are men to stand in the way of fate? Unless we realize that we are the weavers of our own. Although if you believe that, then there is no fate. Just a future we create ourselves. I like that version better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's definitely the optimist that thinks only he is capable of changing his position, but maybe that's the truth that the realist sees as well. The pessimist is stuck in a world he is incapable of changing and those with the power lack the desire to do so. Life is a game by which we only truly learn by trial and error. And having the courage to take that step into the darkness is all one really needs to achieve greatness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While the statement has been said so many times it's become cliche, it's still worth repeating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Dare to be great." </div>
<br />
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-3238483348878048792013-02-20T14:32:00.002-05:002013-02-20T14:32:49.736-05:00I suck at deadlinesYes this is an epiphany. I've been creating writing deadlines and trying to get these series of books out to no avail. Maybe it's the stress of writing to a date or I'm just a slacker in general. But alas I've come to the conclusion that I suck at deadlines.<br />
<br />
It's actually a bit depressing because I have all these super awesome stories in my head and I'm just entirely too slow to get them on paper. I actually should be writing or attempting to write right now, but ugh...<br />
<br />
Enough of my whining I shall shrink off to obscurity now...Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-36538547915141426822013-01-18T14:51:00.000-05:002013-01-18T14:51:18.810-05:00Where we are with the 2nd Amendment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIBeHZz0e3Q/UPluInOl8hI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Vc5z9xvw1Nc/s1600/2ndamd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIBeHZz0e3Q/UPluInOl8hI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Vc5z9xvw1Nc/s320/2ndamd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So I've been pretty quiet for some time on this issue. I assumed after things calmed down common sense would prevail, but that is obviously not the case. Let me start this post with a tad bit of background information on myself. I'm a registered democrat although I think the whole party scenario is pretty stupid. (But that's another post.) I'm also a registered gun owner. Absolutely love them and if I could legally get my hands on a tank I'd own one too. I have a son in middle school, one in daycare and one entering kindergarten. I also live in Florida.<br />
<br />
With the rash of gun crimes it seems that common sense has gone out of the window. People are in a rush to do stupid stuff and spread misinformation which is a bit more than annoying. Our biggest gun control issue is every state has different laws. I think Florida's gun laws are great, Texas is pretty awesome too and a lot of the states in the Midwest. To give you an idea in Florida you are required to pass a background check when purchasing a weapon from a dealer. Private sales are excluded. Concealed carry permits are available. You have to take a weapons class, get fingerprinted and a host of other things.<br />
<br />
My biggest issue is that everything they are currently trying to pass won't make any difference at all. The amount of crimes committed by legal gun owners is negligible. And the amount committed with assault rifles is even smaller than that. The majority of all gun crime is committed by criminals in the first place, which oddly enough do not follow laws. Any laws you pass in addition to the current ones are just annoying.<br />
<br />
The shooter in the movie theatre. Yes he purchased those guns legally, but only because of an issue with the GOVERNMENT systems. He shouldn't have been able to, but the agencies involved do not share information so nothing was flagged on his background check. Spend your time fixing that.<br />
<br />
The Virgina Tech shooter. He purchased his guns legally. He had no psych profile to preclude him from buying them. You can't stop every crazy person although if guns were allowed on college campuses this may have never happened. I bring him up more as a counter to the assault rifle argument. He used two pistols and this was the deadliest school shooting in history. Anyone that knows anything about guns can tell you magazine size won't matter nor will pistol vs. AR to the determined. You can unload a glock just as fast as an AR because the speed is determined by how fast you pull the trigger, nothing else. Changing magazines takes a fraction of a second.<br />
<br />
The Newtown shooting. He stole his mother's guns after killing her. Please tell me what law could prevent this from happening. Again there was no one there that could return fire, which is a huge issue. In Florida all Middle Schools and High schools have armed resource officers present. I think this should be required at elementary schools as well. Furthermore if you have a concealed weapons permit you should be able to carry your gun everywhere.<br />
<br />
The big issue in America is mental health, but we refuse to talk about that. Who cares about guns, I'm more concerned on what would make someone crazy enough to kill a classroom full of children. And it's not video games. If you kill your mother and then a bunch of six year olds something is really wrong with you. If you walk into a movie theatre and open fire...something is wrong with you. If you chain the doors at a school and then to proceed to shoot everyone, guess what...<br />
<br />
It's time we start dealing with the real problems in America. <br />
<br />
******More ridiculous arguments.<br />
<br />
(Why do you need an assault rifle)<br />
Why not? An assault rifle is a more ergonomic version of any semi auto rifle. It has more user features and is lighter and better to shoot. Many people say they were designed for killing, but make no mistake every gun ever manufactured was designed to kill people.<br />
<br />
(Why do you need a 30 rd magazine)<br />
Again, why not? If you are practicing or fighting off an army of invading zombies reloading sucks. A 30 rd. magazine is very practical in both situations. A law on magazine size only stops me from having as many bullets ready to fire as the criminal attacking me. Is there enough info to say that 30 rd. magazines are somehow more detrimental than say a 10 rd? <br />
<br />
(Universal background checks)<br />
Not a horrible idea, but how do you apply this? Private party sales don't have access to this and even if they did how do you regulate it? I don't have an issue with a background check as I'm not a criminal, but why throw money at something you can't enforce. <br />
<br />
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-76472946307120258442013-01-17T11:18:00.002-05:002013-01-17T11:18:32.164-05:00Teaser Time!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AqNrSYHxGZg/UPgjjLcTS-I/AAAAAAAAAJs/7oAUb_R8dmc/s1600/teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AqNrSYHxGZg/UPgjjLcTS-I/AAAAAAAAAJs/7oAUb_R8dmc/s320/teaser.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
(Leave me your thoughts)</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Modern Day Iraq<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Professor Carson pulled hard on the heavy cement
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweat cascaded down his sandy face
and rolled into his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wiping at his
brow he looked around and sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He pushed the circular door to the side and gazed
down the cramped shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gust of foul
of wind swirled past him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It smelled
like damp clothes and moth balls. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Swiping at cob webs he slowly crawled through the
narrow tunnel and stood up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas
followed close behind him, mindful of every move he made.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The dimly lit cavern was known to be treacherous and
many archeologists had paid the ultimate price for their studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For decades before him, students and scholars
had come only to find that death was lurking in the shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">A small tunnel in a clay hut led to the underground
palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been unearthed over fifty
years ago, but now Professor Carson was on the brink of an even greater discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A secret chamber, that he believed hadn’t
been seen in over ten thousand years.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Douglas, bring me the reading lamp.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Carson sat down on a rock and took off his hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rubbed is graying beard and dabbed at his
face with a dirty hand towel.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“This is really something else.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas said.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He spun around looking at the underground structure
in awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spanning columns and looming
archways had been preserved in a near perfect state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls still bore the mark of an ancient
time, covered with paintings and mystic writings.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The room they were sitting in was enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was believed to be the last standing remnant
of the Kingship of Eridug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A long
forgotten civilization that mysteriously vanished overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some even thought that the secret tomb of
Alulim, Sumerian’s first king was hidden within the underground dome.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Carson took the light and shined it over a decaying
piece of parchment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed and bit
his bottom lip.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s that way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stood and suddenly pointed.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas followed Carson as he walked off into the
shadows, his torch glowing in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He moved silently straining his ears, for it was well known that this
place was riddled with booby traps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Warnings, illegible to most were stamped across every wall. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The ground was probably made of slate, but now more
than five inches of sand covered the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Skeletons lay partially covered in the dirt, a warning to all who dared
to go further.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Professor Carson edged on slowly, compelled by
curiosity to uncover the secrets buried in the depths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d studied the Sumerian culture for more
than forty years and was considered by many the foremost authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only right that he had deciphered the
message hidden in an ancient artifact, which revealed the location of the
hidden tomb.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">They stopped at a hole in the ground that was surrounded
by a small row of bricks with more writing etched into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rope ladder dangled into the depths,
disappearing after a few feet into the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Professor Carson looked back at Douglas and examined
his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t have to go down
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can wait for me here.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas smirked then rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hold the torch overhead so I can see where
I’m going.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas stepped over the row of bricks and carefully
placed his foot on the first step of the ladder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It swung wildly and he almost fell, but
Carson reached out and grabbed his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Careful son, these places are not known to be
forgiving.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas grinned and righted himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed the sides of the ladder and
gradually began to climb down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor
Carson held the torch over the hole lighting the way.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Each step took him deeper and deeper into the Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After five minutes he could no longer see the
top or even the torch above him.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Have you reached the bottom yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Carson called down.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“No, no I still can’t see it.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas methodically placed each foot, step after
step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He purposefully stared straight
ahead, terrified to look down into the abyss beneath him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ladder twisted and turned with the
slightest movement, making each step harder than the last.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He slid down another level, planting his foot firmly
on the wooden plank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly it snapped
and he tumbled backwards and lost his grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He reached for the rope, but only grasped air.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He fell in slow motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His legs and arms were sprawling helplessly
in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plummeting downward he let
out a yelp and then landed with a thud onto the rocky floor.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Douglas are you okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carson screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Found the bottom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Douglas responded in a whimper.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Rubbing his lower back he slowly got to his
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around, barely able to
see past his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Throw the torch down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He stared towards the top, but he couldn’t see a
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if he was trying to
open his eyes while his hands were covering his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped to the side just as a flame
erupted out of nowhere and fell to the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The torch barely missed him as it smashed to the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bent over and picked it up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding it over his head he swept back and
forth he looking around. In every direction the ground seemed to disappear into
the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The ladder swung about, brushing against him as
Professor Carson started to make his way down.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Be careful professor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the steps are broken.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">A few minutes later Professor Carson stepped off the
ladder onto the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Let me see the torch.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Carson lifted it towards the roof and examined the
rocky surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A series of dots were
marked on the stone that ran off into the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s that way.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carson pointed and began to walk.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas scurried along trying to keep up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The torch didn’t provide much light and if the
professor was more than five feet ahead of him he’d disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas huffed as they marched across the endless
sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was strange that while there
was a strong smell of musk in the other room this part of the tunnel was
odorless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t recognize any
scent at all.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The glow of the fire burned feebly as the sand
crunched beneath each step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
professor would stop from time to time and stare up at the ceiling to make sure
they were on track.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">They walked for a while and then the room suddenly
opened up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rocky ceiling had only
been a meter above them, but now it rose to more than thirty feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The torch grew brighter as the darkness thinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It glowed, illuminating the staggering dome
structure.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">There was no sand any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floor was made of pristine marble, like
it had never been walked on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
footsteps echoed loudly with each step.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Carson stopped right at the edge of a long ramp way
that slanted even further underground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It dropped down another twenty feet and then disappeared into another
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked back at Douglas who was
still staring up at the expansive ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Almost there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carson mumbled as he stepped down the declining ramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be careful Douglas, it’s quite slippery.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas cautiously placed his feet onto the ramp and
slid down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he reached the bottom he
sighed and took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
marble floor had ended and he was standing in thick sand once again.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly there was a loud hiss and the dome began to
shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opening they’d just slid down
slammed shut as an enormous rock fell onto the other side of the ramp.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“So much for their booby traps.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Carson smirked.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He walked forward a few steps to a large door that
was etched in the rock in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He ran his hand across it, tracing the ancient symbols with his finger.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“This is it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This has to be it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carson
smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas slowly inched towards him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was cautious, but also intrigued by what could
be the discovery of the century.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“How…How do we open it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas stuttered.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Professor Carson stared at the door, beaming with
joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The code was hidden in that old shield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right there for anyone to see.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to be talking to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“There was nothing to it really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a simple mathematical pattern.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slowly touched different symbols along the
rock.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“And of course it all ends with the sun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Carson brought his finger to rest
on the oblong circle with flames surrounding it.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">For a moment nothing happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Carson stepped back and looked up
and down the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas eyed him
pessimistically.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Then suddenly the ground began to shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rocks raked against each other making a
loud shriek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door slowly creeped
open, shuffling sand to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carson
breathed heavily in anticipation, his eyes wide with wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“All my years, I never dreamed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carson said in awe.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Douglas moved closer as the door stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both gazed inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pitch black except a luminous blue
light that seemed to be floating in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The room was like nothing they’d ever seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the embodiment of emptiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like staring into nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no floor no roof just blackness and
that eerie light.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Carson and Douglas seemed to be hypnotized by
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minutes passed and they didn’t
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their mouths hung open, they didn’t
even blink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long time Carson
took a step forward and spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m going inside.”<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“Yes, we must go inside.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas said in staccato.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">They deliberately moved forward throwing caution to
the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they crossed the threshold
time seemed to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A serene feeling
overwhelmed the Professor and he suddenly felt connected to everything.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He could feel the blood coursing through Douglas’s
veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could sense the irregular rhythm
of his heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room was alive
with activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched as atoms
bombarded with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally
had a sense of his place in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“The light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Professor the light.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas
stuttered.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Carson hadn’t noticed that the blue light was slowly
itching towards them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the sound of
Douglas’s voice he seemed to snap out of his trance.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">He tried to move, but he couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were suspended in the nothingness of the
room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caron began to panic as Douglas squirmed
and screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The light was growing brighter and brighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it suddenly zipped towards them in a
flash.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No… no!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carson’s voice flooded the room, echoing into
the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><em><span style="font-size: large;">The light exploded, filling the emptiness with a
harsh blue light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As quickly as it had
flashed it vanished and the room was empty again.</span> </em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-43041058771360056312013-01-10T11:29:00.001-05:002013-01-10T11:29:39.360-05:00So if you actually pay attentionIf you have actually read any of my books it's pretty obvious that the covers floating above are super old. Yes in my early days I did not have the skill I possess now. I promise, well maybe I shouldn't promise, but I'll make a valiant effort to update all the images on my blog this week. I swear the new covers are so much more awesome. In other news Origins Volume 2 of Creature Kid is picking up steam. I'd lost a bit of my mojo for a while. I also have Apocalypse 2 in the works, Escape Part 3 of the Doomsday Playbook and a new post apocalyptic work, Second. There are some other things in the works as well, but I'll keep them wrapped up and do a giant cover reveal pretty soon. Well as you can see I have a lot to write so I'm getting back to it. Until next time.Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-86003494713132074722013-01-09T09:23:00.000-05:002013-01-09T09:23:22.830-05:00Blog Hop<strong>BLOG HOP – The Next Big Thing</strong><br />
<strong>I was recently tagged by J.B. Raleigh, author of Death Knell. </strong><br />
<a href="http://http//jeanetteraleigh.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow"><u><span style="color: #0066cc;">http://jeanetteraleigh.wordpress.com/</span></u></a><u><span style="color: #0066cc;"></span></u><br />
<u><span style="color: #0066cc;"></span></u><br />
The rules for the blog hop are as follows:<br />
****Give credit to the person/blog that tagged you<br />**** Post the rules for the blog hop<br />****Answer these ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress) on your blog<br />****Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.<br />
Ten Interview Questions for Origins: Volume II of The Creature Kid Series.<br />
<strong>What is the working title of your book? </strong><br />
Admist the pile of books I'm currently working on, Origins: Volume II of The Creature Kid Series is the one I'm talking about today. It's a continuation from Shadow of Darkness and follows a teenage boy through a series of adventures as he comes to terms with the reality of not being human.<br /><strong><br />Where did the idea come from for the book?</strong>Well I've always liked the idea of giving some sort of powers to an unasuming character who'd rather relinquish them all. From that seed an entire series developed.<br /><strong><br />What genre does your book fall under?</strong><br />
YA Science Fiction/Paranormal<br /><strong><br />Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? </strong><br />
I like Jayden Smith as the main character. He's about the right age and would fit nicely.<br />
<strong>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?</strong><br />
Kid finds out he's not human, people want him dead, his parents aren't really his parents, bang! (I'm horrible with synopsis')<br />
<strong>Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? </strong><br />
Self-published on Amazon, etc.<br />
<strong>How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?</strong><br />
It's a WIP, I'm still writing it, lol.<br />
<strong>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? </strong><br />
Harry Potter meets Twilight meets City of Bones<br />
<strong>Who or What inspired you to write this book? </strong><br />My overwhelming desire to fly.<br />
<strong>What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?</strong><br />
It is jam packed with action and engaging characters. You get to follow a set of characters on a journey and watch them grow through the series.<br />
<strong>And the writer I’m tagging is -</strong><br />
<strong>Chris Ward, author of Tube Riders</strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://amillionmilesfromanywhere.blogspot.jp/">http://amillionmilesfromanywhere.blogspot.jp/</a><br />
</strong><br />
<div class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled" id="jp-post-flair">
</div>
<!-- .entry-content --><div class="entry-utility">
<span class="cat-links"><span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links"></span></span></div>
Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955962046923315818.post-72415517232664326942013-01-02T14:10:00.001-05:002013-01-02T14:10:41.829-05:00Writing Talent VS. Writing SkillI could always write. From term papers and resumes to stories about flaming dragons, writing was a talent that I obviously possessed. I don't say this to sound egotistical, but it's just a fact. To sit down and compose a narrative that flowed and held most readers attention was as simple as walking for me. I don't know how many times someone has said to me, "Wow you can write."<br />
<br />
I've always known I could write. Just as certain as I was that I could talk or ride a bicycle. Writing was and likely still is a talent I've taken for granted. During my years on this Earth one could say I squandered my gifts, never taking them to their full potential.<br />
<br />
Intro, Ebooks. While I've dabbled at writing my entire life, writing novels that is. Up until last year I'd never finished one. I always assumed it was because I was just too lazy, but that's an assumption I've come to learn as false. All those years I stopped and started was because I lacked the skill.<br />
<br />
I know that sounds strange. To be a talented writer without the skill to finish a book, but there are very real differences between the two. Talent you are born with. It's that inalienable gift that you either have or you don't. Skill on the other hand is developed over time. You earn skill, through countless hours of practice and repetition.<br />
<br />
Talent and luck may get you to where you want to be, but with talent and skill, you write your own ticket. (No pun intended.) As I contemplate my own self publishing journey I can't help but think of all the other talented writers out there. Some have taken to perfecting their craft, writing for hours on end in an effort to become professionals. Others have decided that talent alone is enough.<br />
<br />
There is no real point to this post, just an observation or an epiphany that I thought I'd share. Maybe it'll make someone think, maybe it won't. But if there comes a time that you wonder why your writing career isn't where you'd like it to be. Perhaps you should think about developing your skill a bit more and relying less on your talent.Rashad Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431829800763275364noreply@blogger.com2