Daniel R. Davis, Writer

Figured I’d need an update here. I’ve hit brakes, sort of, to work on something for a friend. It’s another screenplay. A short. I’m not even certain it’ll see money, but in the instance of shorts, it’s not about money but exposure. I’ve made it no secret that I don’t want to be the next great screenplay writer, because frankly…name one. Name one that doesn’t direct AND produce their own work. If you can find one, I’ll eat my next words. Because there isn’t one. They get paid their lump sum and they go home. And then their work is modified, adapted, changed, and then run through a wringer, until someone else is satisfied with what their own vision of the script is at that point. The writer is no longer in the process. This is why I prefer writing novels.

Still, I’m writing the scripts for one guy. A guy I know. A guy that’s my friend. And that’s it. Yeah, these next ones will be short and may not glean anything, but I can look at it as both something to help a friend, and something that might one day become a feather in my own cap I can point to and say, hey, I wrote that.

So, I’m taking a short hiatus from my next work—which is a fun piece, I kid you not, being a noir/urban fantasy/zombie/low level supers sort of deal, that could honestly work as both movie AND comic series—to work on a short script(s) that I hope will help a friend get his own ball rolling. We’ll see what happens.

Till next update,
D

Because I think book two snuck up and became completed while I wasn’t looking.

At 21 chapters, 99,733 words, I just typed the final words that gave me that feeling of closure on book two of the trilogy, Selarel smiled (it’s not as nice sounding as you might think, he said with an evil chuckle). Granted, it’s just the first draft, and the word counts will likely fluctuate, probably climb a bit as I decide to expand on things here and there, but it’s still an accomplishment. I’ve written a total so far on this thing of 189,919 words, and the next book will be a beast. Most final books in an extended story arc usually are. There’s a lot of major battles coming, along with travel to neighboring nations to try to band all three lands together to combat the coming darkness. It’s going to be a massive undertaking.

An undertaking I may want to wait a bit on.

I know, strike while the iron is hot, but I’ve noticed that I’ve been distracted of late. I think it’s in part the daunting task I see ahead, but also the time I’ve spent so far with this story. I’m afraid if I don’t take a bit of a break, I may end up burnt out on it before I get halfway through the third book and stall. On top of that, I really feel I need to do some research on medieval battles, especially famous ones, to play out the next scenes well. Some of the characters are going to be in the thick of things and I want to make sure I’m doing it right. Most of the battles in book 2 were seen from the battlements, but I can’t do that in the next one. I also need to get a story bible written out. I noticed I was having to spend stupid amounts of time just looking for things I said in book one just to keep continuity that if I had it all in one place, it would make that job easier.

So, I think I will need to take a break on the trilogy, switch gears for my own sanity, I guess you’d say. But hey, on the upside, they’ll all be complete by the time I start looking for someone to rep them. No waiting for me to complete each one, just the wait for the publishers to bring each out, plus whatever revisions they might need.

Now, I just need to decide what to write in the interim. I hear zombies are still big…

Till next time,
D

This was once a longer piece I did some time ago, the AFMBE crowd may remember it. Figured I’d rewrite it down below 350 and see how it came out. I could probably play with it a bit more, but it turned out decent.

Alone and Hungry
Dawn broke, casting bright beams through cracks in boarded windows. He stood in the cramped little tool shed, trying to remember how long he had been there. It was quiet now, the damned things outside having moved on or found other prey. He returned to a pile of dirty blankets and rags and sat, cramped legs fighting him.

Just how long had he been here? His mind was beginning to wander through lack of food. He had wanted to go and find some, but whenever he tried, he would hear the creatures outside, making noises to each other. He forced his sluggish brain to focus and vaguely remembered running, fighting, monsters tearing at him, hiding, blocking the openings, and then closing his eyes. Each day ran into the next, fearing the creatures outside, yet becoming ever weaker with hunger.

Shifting, shambling noises approached, and the door rattled. He stood silently while the things outside made those harsh, guttural sounds, whether to each other or just as a reflex, he wasn’t sure. Something hammered the door and a board pulled free. It shuddered again, and two more boards clattered to the floor. He wanted to scream, but his throat would not work. He poised to sell himself dear, hunger tearing at his insides, and lunged as the last nails came away.

He clutched the first creature that entered, attacking with the only weapon he had, biting down on yielding flesh. Sweet food coursed into his mouth and he tore the beast’s throat away. As it fell, the black stick it carried thundered and a portion of the shed splintered. More guttural grunts and groans erupted and something slammed into his back, knocking him to the ground. He rolled, trying to stand, but a beast held him down with its foot. He clutched at the thing’s leg as its black stick pushed his head against the dirt. He was still hungry, so very hungry, and he moaned his need.

White light flared.

So, I guess I got bit by the 350 word flash fiction bug and decided to create two more pieces. Don’t know what to do with them, so I believe I’ll share. Enjoy.

The Mirror
It was a simple thing, not even fancy, but if Margaret hadn’t seen it first hand, she would not have believed it. Mirela, the gypsy girl that caught the eyes of all the boys in town, told her it was a special hand mirror. She was always so sweet and cute, bright and smiling. She said it was the mirror that made it so. When Margaret pressed, Mirela finally relented and showed her, looking into it to reveal her reflection.

Margaret gasped. Mirela was even lovelier in that gleaming circle. The girl told her that it reflected you and gave you the chance to live a better life for it. She said she was once ugly, but the mirror changed all of that. Margaret pleaded to try it. If it did this for the gypsy then it must make her positively divine. But Mirela explained the mirror could only have one owner at a time and would not work for another.

And so it was that Margaret brought the girl to her family estate and struck her down with a stone from the garden. No one would miss a gypsy. As Mirela lay bleeding and dazed, Margaret picked up the mirror.

“You…don’t understand…” Mirela tried.

“You said I will live a better life, that it will make me even more beautiful.”

“Only…” Mirela’s words were beginning to trail away, not fast enough, Margaret thought. “Only…if you…understand…”

Margaret struck her again, shutting her up at last. She primped her golden locks, smoothed her pretty white dress, and raised the mirror.

She screamed.

“What is this?” she cried, but the dead do not respond. “I’m…I’m…no!”

She dashed the mirror to the cobbles, her shriek becoming a growl, then the roar of something out of nightmare. Her dress ripped, her golden curls fell away, bones shifted and popped. As silver shards reflected what Margaret had become, what she always was, the beast lumbered into the evening, roaring its lament into the sky, cursed with the shattering of the mirror to live as the horrid monster she truly was for eternity.

The Self-Replenishing Potion – or, the half-truths of advertising
“Only one silver and you, yes you, can transform into a faerie with this handy-dandy, self-replenishing magical potion!”

Kevin turned from where he watched glittering wings through a hole in the wagon that read, free faerie show, eyebrow raised. What he could do with a potion like that! He was already an excellent pickpocket, if he did say so himself. If he was one of those lithe creatures—a few of them were buxom too, and cavorting, giving him other thoughts!—there was nothing he could not get his hands on. Still, he was skeptical.

“You say it’s self-replenishing?” he asked, slipping his hand into a full purse he had stolen from the peddler earlier. Worst case, he’d pay for the snake oil from the swindler’s own pouch and still get away with a tidy sum when nothing happened. “If I take more can I change back?”

“Of course!” The peddler grinned.

“And just one silver?” The man nodded.

He handed over a silver coin, the peddler replacing it with a tiny bottle. “Satisfaction guaranteed.”

“You won’t mind if I try it now,” Kevin said, “just to make sure it works.”

The man shook his head, his smile ingratiating. Kevin uncorked the bottle, tipping it back. It was sweet, acrid, with a metallic tang he couldn’t quite—

Light glimmered around him and a flash blinded him. He rubbed his eyes, recovering too late to avoid the cage that clamped down over him. He tried the bottle, hoping to grow large, but it was empty.

“You said it was self-replenishing!” Kevin squeaked in a tiny voice, wings buzzing.

“I did indeed.” The peddler smirked. “And it is. For me. See, all I need to make it is a little powdered silver and faerie blood. And as a bonus, I get all the batter-fried faerie I can eat!”

The Peddler laughed as he locked Kevin’s cage in the wagon with the others.

“You didn’t think to grab his keys when you were stealing his money, did ya?” a faerie asked. Kevin sulked, lamenting his fate.

So, there’s a contest for flash fiction out there and the details are below if you want to check it out yourself. I’ve never been spectacular at flash fiction, but I figured I’d give it a shot.

So, this is my piece for the Unexpected Fairy Tales Flash Fiction Contest, just squeaking in at 349 words. Enjoy.

A Grim Tale
Jared’s steps echoed off looming, moonlit buildings, their darkened windows like the eye sockets of grinning skulls. He had not planned on this walk home, or the trek down the alley, but a broken carriage wheel forced him into both, and now terror screamed silently that someone followed him.

A scrape echoed behind and he quickened his pace, clutching his cane like a club, or perhaps some magical warding device. Silly notion, he thought. He would have chuckled if he were not scared witless. His sister was the one who believed in such magical nonsense. He had never seen anything to suggest its existence and doubted he ever would. Shivering, he pulled his collar tighter and glanced over his shoulder, knowing that just as before he would find nothing.

The dark form struck, knocking him to the cobblestones. His spinning gaze rose to find a hoodlum looming over him, knife glinting, face a leering patchwork of teeth and shadows.

“Yer valuables,” the thief growled. “Now!”

Jared tore at his frock coat for anything that might keep him from the business end of that blade. He found his money purse and pocket watch, thrusting both at the assailant, pleading.

Steel flashed, splashing dark streaks into the moonlit sky. The hoodlum gurgled, knife clattering away, his body slumping to the cobbles, a dark pool spreading about the feet of Jared’s almost petite savior.

“Th…thank you!” he blurted, heart hammering. “If you hadn’t come—”

“Oh.” His savior turned, grinning, adjusting a faded stocking hat, red, Jared thought. “Wasn’t here for him.”

Jared’s soul froze and he crab-walked to unyielding stone.

“Ye see,” the man continued, “it’s m’ cap. ‘Tis a bit faded, an’ you’re gonna help me fix it. It needs t’ be red, an’ I chose you. Needs t’ be you, it does.”

Red cap’s blade glittered, crimson coated, dripping. Clouds crawled over the moon, and Jared’s final thoughts as glowing red eyes descended were of his sister and how he would never get a chance to tell her that at least one of those fairy tales were true.

Theme: Unexpected Fairy Tales
Length: 350 words or less.
Details: yearningforwonderland.blogspot.com & www.sjiholliday.com
Timetable: Contest open from April 4 till midnight, April 29th
Twitter: @ruanna3 & @sjiholliday & #ouatwriting

The update, as promised in the last post. I’m nearing the home stretch on book two of the trilogy and I feel like I’m picking up some steam again. I can’t wait for it to be over, but it also means I have the arduous task of tying it all up with a bow in the third book, as well as dealing with some pretty big battle scenes. I may want to go get a book on historical battles of the Middle Ages and study it before delving into the final book. It is just the first draft, however, same as with book one. I wanted to finish them all before going back in and doing the revisions.

I can see some good pluses and a few minuses to doing it this way, but I feel like it’s the easiest way to do an extended story arc, at least for me. Of course, the biggest plus is that I have them all complete before trying to sell the thing. They can be brought out at the publisher’s leisure. The drawback is that if the first doesn’t sell well (Gods forbid), the other two may not come out, or may see a smaller run and feel like a waste of energy. Still, I guess there are alternatives out there now for that eventuality. The other drawback is that publishers are somewhat hesitant of signing on an extended story arc because they know they have to buy the entire thing and if the first novel tanks, they have to decide to bring out the next or take a loss by not continuing the line.

I’m breaking a convention or two in the novels, as well, which may make it a difficult sell out of the gate. I may need to drop the “romance” or tone it down considerably and make it a straight epic fantasy for non-romance markets, but we’ll see. It was an intentional choice from the jump, based on the focus of the story. When I began writing it, I knew that there was some rule in romance markets that with a sequel type thing, you need two new focus characters to fall in love because readers want to see new people fall in love in each book, but that’s not really how it works with an extended story arc, and definitely not how it works in this story. The POV characters in this are pretty integral throughout and dropping them for another couple would be a detriment to the tale.

When you’re writing an extended story arc, you have to think of it more in terms of one single, long story that takes multiple books to complete. In essence, it’s the same story, so your romance ups and downs of your POV characters have to reflect that, be more drawn out, if it is to focus on the same characters. Instead of everything happening in the first book, they happen throughout all three. You want your happily ever after of those two characters? You gotta read all three books. It would make no sense, and would actually break the story somewhat, and in my opinion, irritate the readers if there was a sudden POV focus shift to two other characters for the bulk of the next book if it’s the same story.

Still there is plenty of budding romance within it with other characters, it’s just that they’re not the main POV characters but good friends and travel companions with the POV characters. So I guess we’ll see how it all comes out in the end. I’m not averse to pulling or toning down scenes to make the books work for the normal fantasy markets if this won’t sell because of convention. I’ve always been one to sort of kick over convention for the sake of the story. And who knows, it could start a new trend.

Anyway, with that out of the way, my total so far is 94,526 words and I’m coming into the home stretch. Looking at the last update, that’s 24,545 words since 3/9. This one will top 100k and spill over, but that’s fine. It is epic fantasy, after all. I think I have either two or three chapters left and I can set this one aside. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll jump right into book three or take a break to let my mind recharge for this project by writing something else for a bit. I don’t want to get burn out on this thing and not end up finishing. I guess it will depend on how psyched I am to jump into the next when I put “the end” on this one. And with luck, I may soon be doing revisions on Rogue 5 for someone, so I may have to switch gears for that as well. That news still forthcoming, but my fingers are crossed once more, making it difficult to type. Thankfully, I’m already a two-finger typist.

Oh, and the total word investment so far for the entire thing is, 184,696. Also, I’ve stopped adding excerpts but may be doing other things soon to promote my writing.

94526 / 100000 words. 95% done!

I haven’t been updating in a while, but I’ve had a few snags that has caused me to drop off the word count wagon a bit. I haven’t had the word count I wanted, but I will be updating that soon and at least posting my totals from the last update point to now. I had one week where I was doing some research and I may soon have some good news. My fingers are crossed, at least.

Over on Magical Words, David B. Coe posted about The Writing Life: Fear, Want, Dissatisfaction, Defiance and it sort of struck a chord because I have had many of these same general feelings for a long time. I have plenty of tenacity, drive, and ambition, though there’s also uncertainty, trepidation, and those he mentions, especially.

Fear, definitely. The fear that, despite my constant writing and attempting to improve my skills, despite feeling that I’m on par with many published works I’ve read recently—and in some cases better—I’m still just a hack and will never go anywhere. Though I am happy to know that I’m at least doing something right, based on recent events that I don’t want to mention right now lest I jinx it. I also fear that I’m just behind the trend-wheel, constantly trying to catch up, hoping that a trend will come back around and I’ll catch a hold and be at the forefront.

I guess, because of the above statement, there’s a little vanity built up in there too, but I think writers have to have that to a degree to even dare to believe that other people would want to read their novels. It’s taken me a long time to build what little ego I have, but thankfully, it’s tempered with the knowledge that I don’t know everything, nor am I the best thing since the use of fire. I’m good, but I can always be better and there are people that can help me get there if I listen to what they have to say. Everyone needs editing. Everyone. Even those big timers who think they’ve achieved some sort of pinnacle, some godlike ability beyond those of mortal authors. But you can see the difference. I can, at least.

Want…no–NEED–for the success, the notoriety, to be prolific in my genres, and yes, the sales, of which the money springs, and the bestsellers. I may not get there, though I hope beyond hope that I do, we all do, but it drives me to continue to strive to be the best I can. It also smacks me around and keeps me understanding that it’s not doable alone and the advice of the agent, the editor, the beta, are all important to getting me there, and so I have to seriously consider their words, because if they found fault, others are likely to as well. Whether I take their advice or find another way to satisfy us both, I have to consider every possibility. Funny how that same need for success causes me to be more receptive to criticism, humble, in my approach. It’s also what has made me strive to write faster. I don’t want to be an author that gets one book out every two to three years. From the time I began this ride, I wanted this as a full-time career, and I’ll do whatever needs done to make it happen. Except perhaps ignore family obligations. Those films with “that guy,” the one that misses his kid’s recitals, graduations, and such because he’s a slave to his career always irked me.

Dissatisfied that I’m not there yet, that it’s taking far more time beyond the exorbitant amount I’ve spent just climbing to this point, just building up the confidence in my work to take the next step. I started writing at 15-16, I’m 41 now, and I’ve written almost constantly, trying to get myself to the point where I felt I was ready, both in skill, voice, and confidence. I am my own worst critic and I’m a born pessimist and introvert. Though a part of me knows that nothing is instant in this business, it still makes me feel like I wasted time getting here, that I could have started at 30, or 25, that if I hadn’t been so down on my own ability, if I’d had more confidence, I would be published by now. And then I look back on my earlier work.

There’s some jealousy as well, but I think everyone gets some of that and I don’t let it get me down. Some of those aforementioned books out there I’ve read just irritate me. To know that those were published and I’m still languishing in “thanks but no thanks” territory (but that may change soon). I shouldn’t feel that way. At least some of them have worked just as hard as I to get where they are now. But still, as I’m tossing the book across the room I wonder what made that one sell and not mine. I’m willing to do the work, willing to go the distance to fix whatever’s broken, but I can’t fix it if no one gives me the why. And though I may grumble, in the end I don’t begrudge others their success. It’s just frustration.

Oh yes, and defiance. Because of all the rest, I will do whatever it takes to get to where I want to be. Because I want this. I NEED this. I have stories to tell, people to entertain, and a career to finally get on its feet, and I can’t do it if I give in to my doubts. I am good enough. I just need a shot to prove it. And once I’m there, I will pay it forward. Just like the folk on Magical Words. And just maybe, my experiences, my knowledge, whatever contacts and friends I make, can someday help someone else achieve their dreams. And really, that’s what success is all about.

Till next time,
D

So, looks like I’ve been tagged on a meme and I figured I’d go ahead and post because it’s kind of writer related. I’m not sure I know 7 people with blogs to tag who may wanna do this, but I’ll post anyway. I’ve always held to not presuming I can just tag people though, so If you wanna join in, consider yourself tagged and add your blog addy here.

So: The Lucky 7 Meme goes like this:
1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating
4. Tag 7 authors
5. Let them know

“Truly,” Sen’at said in the silence, “I could not have asked for better companions for my daughter. We must prepare then.”
He called for runners, and within moments, had word spreading through the entire wood for the strongest and bravest to come. Within two days time, he would hand pick a group to travel with the queen. But first, they needed to scout Keleth’s units, a prospect that, for all Mikal’s training, butterflies still fluttered around in his stomach. They’d been near Sennaka castle once, but that seemed long ago now and there was no telling what additions and defenses Keleth had put in place.

1. What is your dream vacation?
I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. The place calls to me down my ancestry. If I could spend a month there with plenty of money to eat, drink, and explore, I’d be happy.

2. Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead?
Both, really. In writing, I used to be spontaneous, but now I find it easier to plan it out. In my daily life, I tend to be more spontaneous because I never know when I’ll have money or time to do things. When things fall out right, I tend to jump at a chance.

3. Tell us one thing you want to do but don’t dare to do.
Tell some folk what I really think, but I’m always too tactful and don’t care for confrontation.

4. What’s your biggest phobia?
Thought it was heights, but I believe it’s really failure. Every rejection, every thanks but no thanks, makes me feel like I’m one step closer to failing, to having to give up because, despite my skill, no one wants what I have to offer.

5. If you were stranded on a desert island – what 3 things would you want with you (not including laptop, or family).
A Teleporter, a power source, and a recall device, because it sounds like it’d be a nice place to come back to and hang out from time to time.

6. Name three blessings in your life.
Wife, daughter, and my writing skill.

7. What was your nickname in High School?
Does nerd count? Whitey? Cracker? I didn’t really have a nickname in high school other than derogatory remarks.

8. If you could meet the President of the United States, what would you say to him?
Warning: You asked…
So, were they holding a gun to your head or are you really that much of a control freak?

9. If you could be any literary character for a day, who would you be?
From literary fiction or just a character from any novel? Because I think it’d be kinda sweet to be Fizban the Fabulous. He wasn’t really crazy and bumbling, and the powers of a god would be kinda useful for a day.

10. What is your favorite quote?
There’s a bunch I like equally, but I guess if I had to pick, it’d be:
“Do, or do not, there is no try.” – Yoda
Then again, there’s always: “Always plan for the worst, that way, all your surprises will be pleasant ones.” – Verin Mathwin – The Great Hunt

Well, I didn’t get the 10k word count this week, but I needed to take a day to write an outline for the rest of the book, and I had to scour the house for paperwork. As a result, I only managed 8,568 for the week; however, I know where the rest of the novel’s going and where it’s ending. I felt as though the book was beginning to meander and without the direction, I was afraid it would fall flat. So, I took a day to deal with the problem. I will find an excerpt to add to this soon. Kind of tired tonight.

3/5/12 Words: 1,513 Time: 1:30pm to 5:30pm
3/6/12 Words: 1,881 Time: 9:00pm to 1:00am
3/7/12 Words: 2,602 Time: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
3/8/12 Words: 325 Time: 3:30pm to ?pm Wrote an outline instead.
3/9/12 Words: 2,174 Time: 1:05pm to 4:30pm

8,568 for the week.

69981 / 100000 words. 70% done!

Till next time,
D

I’m typing this on Thursday because I’ve reached my word count for the week! I would normally be working for another couple thousand for Friday, just to get ahead, but I have other things to catch up on, so I think I’ll focus on those instead.

2/27/12 Words: 853 Time: 2:00pm to 3:30pm
2/28/12 Words: 3,112 Time: 2:30pm to 10:06pm with massive downtime
2/29/12 Words: 3,610 Time: 10:30am to 7:30pm with breaks
3/1/12 Words: 2,804 Time: 11:00am to 5:30pm

10,386 words for the week on Thursday! Going to play catch up on some beta work Friday.

61404 / 100000 words. 61% done!

Till next time,
D