Sunday, February 25, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 24, 2018

For better or worse, about the only thing I accomplished this past week was getting over this {censored} head cold!

Thought about writing. A lot.
But between the increased sinus pressure from trying to wear my reading glasses to see the computer screen to suddenly breaking out in bad coughing fits...

Some of those at the height of this bug had me worried.
My heart isn't at its best after surviving both congestive heart failure and an aortic aneurysm, so any illness is a greater cause for concern in my case, compared to the average person.

I'm certainly looking forward to getting back to work in earnest this week.
Still have a companion dragon and a mystery in the far flung future to finish before I tackle any new projects, like the third adventure of a certain superhero. 😉

In any event, take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
25 February, 2018

Sunday, February 18, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2018

WELL...

I was doing great on the Companion Dragon story the first half of this past week, and then I caught a <censored> head cold!

Okay. I didn't want to catch the dang thing.

Heck, I wasn't even looking for one to begin with.

But I have it, and I'm dealing with it the best I can right now.

At least it isn't the flu!

In any event, I'll be back to writing full time as soon as I can.

Take care everybody!
Lee Houston, Junior
18 February, 2018

Sunday, February 11, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 10, 2018

Back on the Companion Dragon novella this past week.
Have to admit, finding it a bit tough to tell an adventure without forgetting that the heroine is only a five year old companion dragon.
I'm too used to writing about more adult adventurers like HUGH MONN PRIVATE DETECTIVE or ALPHA the superhero.
Don't worry, my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader has already gone over the manuscript as it is once and has given me plenty of notes and suggestions.
It's just a question of actually doing the work.
Anyone who says writing is easy hasn't tried it for themselves.

In any event, going back to it now.
See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
11 February, 2018

*BONUS TIME AGAIN!*

Looks like I've wound up with another short Progress Report on my hands, so you folks know what that means!
This time, the excerpt below is from the Companion Dragon's adventure I'm working on. ENJOY!
😎
...She was in the Sandwich Islands of the Otherworlds, a group of small cays nestled together on the clearest, cleanest stretch of blue ocean you could ever imagine. It was a place of lavish resorts, beautiful beaches, and multiple eateries always open for your dining pleasure but unfortunately manned by the worst cooks in history. As long as you weren’t hungry and could afford the travel expenses, the Sandwich Islands always guaranteed you a great vacation...

...The ruby scaled dragon was perched in the branches of a tall palm tree at the edge of the shoreline, looking out across the Mayo Ocean at the dark storm clouds that hovered over where she needed to go, the Isle of Wurst. While not a very big island compared to some of the others, it was surrounded by large rugged rocks that made getting there by boat difficult. Rumor had it that there were monsters patrolling the shoreline to keep unwanted visitors away. Then again, hardly anyone ever willingly visited the Isle of Wurst. It was such a dismal place because of the constant cloud cover. The island was always dark and gloomy, even if it was a bright, sunny day everywhere else...

Sunday, February 4, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2018

I reached a decent stopping point (at 16,000+ words) on the Companion Dragon novella I'm writing for series editor (and my friendly neighborhood beta/proofreader) Nancy Hansen and e-mailed it to her for review.

Until I hear back from her on the subject, I've returned to working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
4 February, 2018

Wow. I didn't plan it this way, but that was kind of a short Progress Report, wasn't it?
Tell you what folks.

😎BONUS TIME!😎

The following is a brief snippet from FEMME FATALE. Ready?

...It was still a couple of hours before dawn as I felt my girlfriend’s hand tighten its grip on mine.

We were standing in the Public Viewing Room of the Galveston 2 morgue, which was in a below ground level tier of the City Services Tower. Except for the trim around the projector of the wall mounted holo-monitor and the control panel next to it, the space was all white in color. Even the floor, ceiling, and chairs for visiting mourners were the same bland, sterile looking hue.

We were there to see the body of...
...but being here was something Sandy insisted upon. Until she saw for herself, Sandy was unwilling to believe the news.

It was a solemn, but relatively quick event. In a low but gentle voice, the Grief Attendant on duty asked if she was ready. Sandy just silently nodded her head as the woman in the all white uniform activated the viewing screen.

One brief look was all it took. Sandy turned her head away and started crying again after confirming the identity of the deceased. I held my girlfriend close, trying to comfort her as I just stared at the mortal remains of...