Cover # 6

This is cover number six.

It’s the last cover that Christi has done that is prepared for publication, because the next covers are for things that are either being written, or have been written but are awaiting acceptance or rejection by various publications.

This cover represents the first time I’ve ventured away from my two series, Nicholas Turner and Justice Security.  I wanted to do something different, something that might be “sellable” in a magazine format.  And I had always enjoyed the song, “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald”, so I came up with a story for it, suggesting that a large commercial fishing vessel had been named after the well-known ship that went down in the Great Lakes years ago.  Then, when I read about the Fukushima nuclear reactor leaking radioactive water into the Pacific, my story “jelled”, or came together.

Of course, when I wrote it, I only knew of two magazines that might accept submissions from me, and I gave up after the second rejection.  If I had known then what I know now…but I drift from my topic.

The cover, again designed by my sweet, artistic wife, displays a ship in peril by something huge, with glowing red eyes.

It fits the story, and is just creepy enough for Halloween, don’t you think?  And it’s now an Audiobook performed by the talented Patrick Peterson, available at Amazon.com, Audible.com, and, soon, at iTunes.

Keep reading!

Michael  (T. M.)

Second Sentence

What did you do this past weekend?

I told you that you needed to write your first sentence.  I hope you did.

Now, before the week is out, I’d like you to write sentence two and three.

Sentence two and three usually expand on what you wrote in the first sentence.  They will take you further into what you are trying to say, and will explain your direction.  Read the first three sentences below, from my story, The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald:

“I can’t believe you talked me into sailing on this boat, Jacky,” said David Rudolph to his friend, Jacky Baker.  “I mean, the owner has some serious guts naming a two-hundred-twenty-foot fishing boat the Edmund Fitzgerald II.  That’s almost daring the sea gods to do their damndest to us.”  Copyright 2013 by T. M. Bilderback

The first sentence, a quote, hopefully captures your attention.  The second sentence, another quote, explains the name of the fishing boat.  The third sentence sort of sets the tone of the story, and lets you know that bad things are coming.

That’s what you need to do with your story.  Catch the reader’s attention, expand a little with the second sentence, then try to set the tone with the third sentence.  And, with any luck, that will be your first paragraph!

Try it…you’ll be surprised at what you come up with!

Keep reading (and writing!)

Michael  (T. M.)

News Flash!

News flash!

I got some interesting and exciting news late last night.

The Audiobook version of The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald – A Short Story, performed by the talented Patrick Peterson, is now available at Amazon.com and Audible.com!

Patrick has some very talented voices, and brings this short story to life!

That makes three of my stories that are now available as Audiobooks:  The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, and Someone Saved My Life Tonight.  The latter two are performed by Scott O’Neill, who is also pretty talented!

In production now are Jackie Blue, performed by Scott O’Neill, and Mama Told Me Not To Come, performed by Patrick Peterson.  Scott will also be performing If You Could Read My Mind.

The Audiobooks just keep on coming!

Keep reading (or listening)!

Michael  (T. M.)

My, My...How Completely Unproductive!

{sigh}  Today, Monday, was one of those non-productive days for me.

I mean, it was productive outside of writing.  In my writing world, it was one of the most un-productive days I’ve ever had.

I had appointments to keep, a trip to make, and a very important joint appointment with my wife.  Following that, there was shopping that had to be done, and a meal to be eaten.

I haven’t written a single word yet on any of the stories that I have going.  I’ll have to remedy that shortly.

As a writer, you’ll find that, occasionally, the outside world intrudes on your work, and has to be dealt with.  Once your outside world tasks are complete, you are free to return to the world of the written word.

Which is as it should be.

I hope you completed your first sentence assignment this past weekend.  I’ll be very disappointed if you didn’t.

Meantime,  keep reading!

Michael  (T. M.)

Weekend? What Does That Mean?

The weekend is here, and you know what that means!

No, it's not time for that!

It's time for YOU to sit down in front of your computer, and start your first sentence!

Yep, with all the hours in the weekend, you shouldn’t have any trouble starting your writing project.  Sit down with that first cup of coffee on Saturday morning, and pound out that first sentence.

After you’ve done that, by all means, go out and enjoy your day.  You’ll enjoy it even more, knowing that your project has begun.  You will have written your first sentence, and, while you’re out, you’ll be thinking about your second sentence!  What would be a great follow-up to that first sentence?  What story are you telling?  What information are you trying to share?

If you’re telling a fictional story, think of your main characters.  Place them in a situation, and let them react the way they would react in real life.  Picture in your mind the actions taking place in your story, and describe them.  Break down the picture so much that your reader can put him- or her-self in the story, and can see what’s happening!  Take the time to describe it in superb detail!

If you’re sharing information, describe step-by-step the actions you would need to take to arrive at the desired solution.  Don’t leave anything out – include everything necessary, so that your reader will be able to come to the same answer.

If you’re writing a biography, then by all means, begin at the beginning!  Describe the person’s life, family, and actions that person took to make themselves worthy of a biography written by you!

The possibilities are endless this weekend!  So, get cracking, and write that first sentence!  You’ll be glad you did!

Keep reading!

Michael (T. M.)