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