PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 23, 2017

Well, as I suspected at the end of my previous Progress Report, I really didn't get much of anything done writing wise this past week.
Not even on the short story projects I've been tackling while waiting for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader to come back on duty from the holidays and go over what I recently sent her on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

Maybe I should do what Nancy Hansen has been doing and next year just take the last couple of weeks off and really enjoy the holiday season to its fullest.

In any event, since today is Christmas Eve and tomorrow Christmas Day, I know I won't get any writing done before Tuesday at the earliest.
So just let me take a moment to wish everyone reading these words the happiest of holidays and remember: it's not the material things in life, but who you're with that matters most.

Lee Houston, Junior
24 December, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2017

Okay.

Because of everything she has to do over the holiday season, my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader has formally declared herself unavailable until after Christmas.
This puts work on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE on hold until she gets a chance to review Chapters 11-13.

Therefore, I will continue to work on short stories for possible submission to various publishers in 2018 as time permits.
No deadlines or commitments. Just catch as catch can.
Then again, the closer we get to Christmas, the more hectic my schedule looks too.
So it will be interesting to see just how much actual writing I get done this coming week.

Otherwise, take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
17 December, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2017

Well...
I've been writing when I can, although it's been a hectic week with doctor appointments and other life commitments that had to be honored first.
My friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader has informed me that it may not be until after Christmas before she can get to the latest version of the manuscript for HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.
Understandable. After all, family comes first.

Guess I'll just keep working on my short stories and other ideas until I get HUGH back.

See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
10 December, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 2, 2017

My friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader still has the latest version of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE manuscript. Nancy Hansen has promised me that she will go over it and get it back to me as soon as humanly possible, but as far as I know, she has a lot on her plate this coming week as it is.

I worked on some outstanding short stories this past week. Thankfully none of them have actual deadlines, but if I'm ever going to get them done...

Then again, with everything on my own agenda for this coming week, I'm not sure just how much writing I'm going to get done either.

We'll just have to see how things go.
Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
3 December, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 25, 2017

WELL...
As I foresaw last week, unfortunately I didn't get much actual writing done.
However, most of what creative writing time I had was spent on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

My friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader has informed me that she will be back in business either late Tuesday or Wednesday for sure of this coming week.

For those of you unfamiliar with my work as Editor-in-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine, I'd like to take a minute to share with you my annual "ODE TO BLACK FRIDAY"...

Some dare brave the gloom of blackest night,
Questing for bargains upon their trek
To hit every sale before daylight.

Me? I planned well ahead.
No nerves, credit, or car suffered wreck.
Just restful slumber within my own bed.

Okay. Hopefully I'll get more writing done this week.
Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
26 November, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 18, 2017

Spent another creative week working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.
Have finished Chapter 11 and am working on Chapter 12 now, although my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader has requested I don't send her anything for review until after the impending Thanksgiving holiday.

I will keep writing this coming week, but I'm not sure how things are going to go right now.

How to properly observe "Black Friday"!

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and Thanksgiving is Thursday.

The only thing I know for sure is that I will be nowhere near any retail store (especially any that are open on Thanksgiving Day/Night) for "Black Friday".
The only place I will be during that over hyped period of shopping madness is safe in my own home.

In any event, HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
19 November, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 2017

Finally had a week where all my writing time was spent on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

Put a lot of new words in the overall manuscript. But since it's been a couple weeks after my mom's funeral and everything, I needed to reread (and wound up rewriting bits and pieces of) the last couple of chapters to refresh my memory, so I have yet to actually finish the next chapter.

But at least there WAS progress! 😀

In any event take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
12 November, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2017

My Editor's Hat  😉

It was Editor's Hat time again this past week!

First I copy edited and formatted Nancy Hansen's latest manuscript for submission. Then I worked on my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader's notes and editing on "The New Idea" I've been toying with.

Not finished with that yet, and I know that I've got to get back to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE at some point; but then again: life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.

On that note, take care, and I'll see you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

5 November, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 28, 2017

Okay, I did get some writing done this past week.

The Companion Dragon series, to date: circa 2017

Added two chapters to "the new idea" that I've been contemplating, then worked on what will one day be my own addition to the Companion Dragon series.

This coming week, I'm hoping to get back to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE; but for some reason I just haven't been in the mood to tackle that particular project since I returned from my mother's funeral/memorial service.

In any event, at least I AM writing again, so I better get back to it.
Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
29 October, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 21, 2017

SO...

After everything that had to be dealt with of late, was there any writing progress this past week?

Depends upon how you look at it.

To attempt getting back into the swing of things, I finally went over all the notes my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader made concerning that "new idea" I've been toying with.
For the record, yes: the project does have an official name now, but I prefer not to share it publicly until I'm closer to having the manuscript/novel finished.

I know things will get back to what passes for "normal" in time, I just wish I knew when that would be...

But, I do know that I'm not going to accomplish anything just staring at my computer monitor, so I better get back to it now.
See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
22 October, 2017

I'M BACK!

It was a very rough, emotionally exhausting experience; but I have finally returned and am hoping to pick up where I left off both with life in general and writing wise before my mother left us.

Not sure how much, if any, actual progress I'll make this week as I attempt to get things back to "normal", but I'm certainly going to try.

For those interested, barring anything unforeseen, my role as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine will resume with that blog's regularly scheduled posts on October 21.

Thank you for all your friendship and support, but let's get on with life now, shall we?

Lee Houston, Junior

17 October, 2017

EVERYTHING'S ON HOLD!

I did manage to finish proofreading the latest Vagabond Bards novel for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader, but now I'm afraid that I must put all my creative endeavors on hold for awhile.

Tomorrow we should of been celebrating my mother's birthday.

Instead, we're planning her funeral. 😭

My mother passed away unexpectedly this morning of a heart attack. Funeral arrangements are pending as I post this.

When all the current family matters before me have been dealt with, I WILL return to my computer and pick up where I left off on everything, but until then...

Lee Houston, Junior

October 1, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

My editor's cap 😉

Writing wise, the entire week was spent on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE: BOOK 3—FEMME FATALE! 😀

Went over all the notes concerning Chapter 10 from my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader, and then started working on Chapter 11.

But I'm going to have to take a break from HUGH to don my editor's cap once more, for Nancy Hansen needs me to return the favor and go over her latest Tales From The Vagabond Bards novel before she submits it for publication.

Did you know that September 24-30 is Banned Books Week?
I get into more detail concerning this topic in my capacity as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine here, but between being both a writer and an avid reader myself, it is a subject near and dear to my heart.

Previous book banning targets pictured!

Obviously you support great books and good writing too, or else you wouldn't be here right now.😉
In any event, I've got to get back to it now.
Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
24 September, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Hugh by David L. Russell

Chapter 10 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE: Book 3 came back from my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen a little while ago.
Obviously I haven't had a chance to go over it yet.
Will probably start fresh on that tomorrow.

Don't worry, I wasn't idle while waiting for it.
Worked on a short story project I will eventually submit to it's potential publisher, but I'm not at the point where I can talk about it in more detail right now.

Still want to get back to that "new idea" at some point, but one project at a time. There's ALPHA's third book and a whole lot of other stuff in my writing future! 😁

I have finally come up with what I think is a great title for HUGH'S third book though.
FEMME FATALE! Whether it should stay as it, or be either THE FEMME FATALE or LE FEMME FATALE remains to be seen.
But that and a whole lot of other stuff will be coming your way in 2018 and beyond.
Yet to keep that promise, I better get back to writing now.

See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
17 September, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT, WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

THIS AND THAT...

For better or worse, there really isn't all that much to say about this past week.
Worked on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE: BOOK 3 whenever I wrote, although some of Saturday was devoted to doing a format check on the submission my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen is about to turn in; which means her fans will soon be one step closer toward another adventure on the high seas with a certain female pirate.

Starting to feel the itch in regards to wanting to get back to that "new idea", especially since I have yet to go over the edits that Nancy did on what I already have of that story.

Everyone in Texas is doing about as well as can be expected, post Hurricane Harvey.
One sister says her apartment was flooded during the storm and she lost everything, but otherwise everyone is still alive and well, so what more can you ask for?

Have also been thinking about PROJECT ALPHA, BOOK 3 and a few other projects I want/need to tackle, but one day at a time...

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
10 September, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

WRITING VERSUS HURRICANE HARVEY...

What writing I managed to accomplish this past week was all on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3; so I can honestly claim progress on that project.
Chapter 9 went to and came back from my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen, and I am on Chapter 10 now.

But this past week certainly wasn't an easy one to deal with!
While I have touched upon this subject in the past, sometimes real life does intrude upon one's creative endeavors.
Case in point...

Although I now reside in the wilds of New England, I'm originally from Texas, with a whole lot of family and friends still residing in The Lone Star State.

The Texas Gulf Coast was recently hit by Hurricane Harvey.
Now, anyone with either common sense or past experience dealing with hurricanes can tell you the best advice is: "Whatever direction the storm is headed, go the opposite way!"
However, if that course of action isn't available, you hunker down preparing for the worst and hope for the best.
That was the only option open to my family, so you can imagine how worried I was about them as Hurricane Harvey came and went, then looked like it might come back again before the storm finally decided to move on.

Hurricanes are a very serious matter, and I'm certainly not about to downplay the subject.
Thankfully, being on the north side of the Houston area, my family weathered the storm (no pun intended) with minimal damage.
The water came up to the wrong side of the sidewalk, but rose no closer to their house.
They did lose electricity for awhile, but their power has since been restored.
The worst they were experiencing when last I talked to them were long lines at the grocery stores, a shortage of perishable foods at those establishments, and avoiding anyone attempting to raise their prices to take advantage of the situation.

Others weren't as fortunate.
If you can give to the relief efforts down there, please do so.
If it isn't possible, I understand.
In any event, have a good week, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
3 September, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 26, 2017

THERE'S ONLY 24...

My editing hat

Had to wear my Editor's Hat for a while this past week helping out my friendly neighborhood beta/proofreader Nancy Hansen, while she in turn looked over what I have so far of that "New Idea" I've been working on.

Don't want to disclose any details about it since the "New Idea" is still in its infancy, but otherwise any real writing time this past week was devoted to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3.

Okay, I'm going to be totally honest with everyone and admit that for whatever reason(s), this one's been kicking my @$$.

Who is Hugh?

I know part of that was being caught flat footed in need of a new plot when Tommy Hancock at Pro Se Press suggested pushing back what I originally had planned for Book 3 until Book 4 to build up the suspense and mystery some more, because I intended to explore the skeletons in his closet and reveal exactly who this person who calls himself Hugh Monn really is.

Another part of the equation is unfortunately getting distracted by other things like the "New Idea" and Jim Beard's 1970s project. For those wondering why I haven't mentioned it lately, due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, the 1970s project has been pushed back to a 2018 deadline for a 2019 release. More on this as it develops.

There are just so many hours in a day. Chores, errands, doctor appointments, other life commitments...
In the end it does all add up.
We may not like the results, but we can't escape the math.

And on that note, I better get back to writing now.
Take care everybody, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior—who is now also on Twitter @leehoustonjr
27 August, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 19, 2017

Okay, I managed to spend any writing time I got this past week on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE: BOOK 3!
Granted, the first story isn't complete yet, but I HAVE figured out how the two halves of the book will tie together and if I'm totally successful in this endeavor, I may not have to make the novel two separate but interconnected novellas!
Or in other words, Book 3 may turn out to be Hugh's second full length adventure, with Catch A Rising Star  being the first.
Yeah me!

And for those interested, I am now also on Twitter!
You can find me @leehoustonjr with this banner:

Well, better get back to writing now.
See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
20 August, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 12, 2017

DECISIONS

Okay. I tried to spend all my writing time on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE: BOOK 3 this past week.
I really did.
But my muse kept talking to me about that new idea I've been thinking about for a while now and before I knew it, I was three chapters and almost 6000 words into it!
Granted, that doesn't do Hugh any good.
At the rate I'm going, there's probably no hope left for a 2017 release date for Book 3.
That's entirely my fault and I do apologize to all my readers and fans about that.
On the other hand though, I DID get some serious writing done this past week, and one should never ignore their muse(s) for too long.
Otherwise, who knows what great ideas you might lose out on?
In any event, going back to writing now.
Hopefully I'll be able to concentrate more on Hugh this week, but we'll see.
In any event, take care.

Lee Houston, Junior
13 August, 2017

NEW RELEASE: TALES FROM THE HANGING MONKEY 2

While I am hard at work on new projects, as detailed in every weekly progress report on this website, a new short story I co-authored has been released!

TALES FROM THE HANGING MONKEY (Airship 27) features the talents of Bill Craig, J. Walt Layne, Don Gates, and my first team up with my good friend, writing buddy and friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen!

It's new adventures in the South Seas for Corky O'Brian, the owner of the tropical island bar known as The Hanging Monkey, and his friends.
Within a beautiful cover by Rob Davis, you will find Craig's "Black Diamond, Black Death"; Layne's "Prophecy of the Firelord"; Gates' "The Star of the Sea"; and our tale "The Merciless Mermaid", where island natives are being pressed into slave labor, a twist ending, and a cameo by a historic object. Each story is accompanied by Mike Harris doing interior illustrations.

Nancy and I have known each other for years, and have endlessly kibitzed and gone over each other's creative endeavors to make sure the work has been the best it can be before submitting it to our respective publishers, but this is the first time we have actually written a story together.
I sincerely look forward to more collaborations.

TALES FROM THE HANGING MONKEY, VOLUME 2 is available from Airship 27 in both print and e-book formats via Amazon.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 5, 2017

Hugh by David L. Russell

Spent the entire week, when I did have writing time, working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE BOOK 3.
Finished Chapter 8 of the first story and have sent it on to my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader.
At the moment I am 25,000+ words into that tale, and the overall book looks like it's going to be composed of two interconnected novellas.
In other words, some plot points of the first story will lead into the other, but each adventure will be self contained too for reading enjoyment.

I also have news of a NEW RELEASE!
But that deserves a separate post.

Going back to writing now.

Lee Houston, Junior

6 August, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JULY 29, 2017

I was literally all over the place this past week whenever I had writing time.
In the far flung future with HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE.
In the 1970s working on my story for Jim Beard, and at {{undisclosed locations}} working on that new idea I've previously mentioned that just won't leave me alone.

It's great to have so many projects, considering variety is supposed to be the spice of life, but at some point I know I've got to knuckle down and start completing these things, considering what I want to accomplish in the future.

Have errands Monday and Friday along with a doctor's appointment Thursday. Otherwise, writing is the big thing on my agenda for this week.

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
30 July, 2017

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JULY 22, 2017

IT'S STILL A QUESTION OF QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Once again I spent the past writing week in the 1970s, working on my story for Jim Beard's project; when I wasn't trying to flesh out a new idea that has been running through my mind for some time now and wouldn't leave me alone until I did.

There are times when I wish I was a more proficient writer, at least from a quantity perspective, because there is so much I want to do just within the immediate future.

*Finish my 1970s story.
*Proofread the other contributor's 1970s stories as they are submitted.
*Finish what will become HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3 for Pro Se Press.
*Finish the short story I promised Nancy Hansen so long ago.
*Create another Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective story for Ron Fortier at Airship 27. The first one I wrote is (tentatively) scheduled for Volume 11 of that series, with Volume 9 being the latest release as I post this progress report.
*At least begin what will become PROJECT ALPHA, BOOK 3 before the end of this year.
*Eventually start work on the book that will feature the new idea mentioned above.
*And so much more.

Thankfully, only the 1970s project has any true deadline(s), which is why I'm concentrating on that first. While it might goeth before a fall, I take great pride in the fact that I have never missed a deadline, and I don't intend to start now.

I know that there are only so many hours in a day.
One must rest, eat, do household chores, honor other life commitments, keep doctor's appointments, and so much more.
Just this coming week, there are errands Monday and Friday, with Tuesday probably a lost cause on the writing front.

I do try to write every day, and when I'm "in the zone", it's a marvelous feeling.
The words and thoughts are coming faster than my hands can type, and I have never been a great typist to begin with.😉
But how many words are recorded at the end of a writing session, let alone how many stay after I proofread any specific passage varies.

It's the age old battle. "Quantity versus Quality".
Do you want it done fast or do you want it done right?
In the end, I will always choose quality over quantity, because I want my creative endeavors to be the best I can make them.
It may sound selfish, but in the long run, I not only want my writing to be enjoyed and loved by its readers and fans, but I also would like to see my stories live on long after I have shuffled off this mortal coil to whatever lies hidden beyond the veil.

So, if I'm going to accomplish that goal, I better get back to writing now.
Take care.
Lee Houston, Junior
23 July, 2017