PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 2, 2026

 OF WRITING AND PASSINGS...

Another busy week of everything under the sun and then some has passed, but at least I did get some writing done.

While I'm still on Chapter 16 to the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL NOVEL: PRIVATE BATTLES, I am now past the 30,000+ word mark!😀

I was also saddened to hear of the passing of two of my favorite comic book writers last week.😢

Gerry Conway is noted for many things, including creating a lot of popular characters as well as authoring the very first Marvel/DC crossover and several episodes of various television series.

Len Strazewski had great runs on The Flash, The Justice Society of America and a few other titles I've read over the years.

To say both gentlemen will be missed is an understatement.

In any event, I better get back to working on my own humble contribution(s) to the literary world.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

3 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 25, 2026

 I have FINALLY made it to Chapter 16 and am past the 29,000+ word mark in the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel manuscript PRIVATE BATTLES!

Nothing's changed on the personal front. In fact, I have a doctor's appointment later this week on top of all the usual chores, errands and other aspects of life.

But perseverance finally paid off, despite the fact that these past couple of weeks trying to finish Chapter 15 felt like I was trying to climb a mountain bare handed while blindfolded with a semi tied to each leg.😝

In any event, I'm hoping to have the manuscript completed and ready to submit to whoever Hugh's new publisher will be sometime this summer.

But to do that, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

26 April, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 18, 2026

 I truly wish I had more to report than the fact that I'm still on Chapter 15 and within the 28,000+ word
neighborhood working on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel manuscript PRIVATE BATTLES.

In past PROGRESS REPORTS I've detailed dealing with life, the universe and everything as a solo act while trying to take care of household responsibilities, errands, doctor appointments and the other assorted parts of life and also trying to make the best out of whatever writing time I might have available; so there's no point in going over old ground.

Suffice to say that I do have a couple of pages of handwritten notes I've jotted down over the course of the last few weeks, so I have a basic road map of how this prequel novel is going turn out, let alone an agenda of my plans to restart the series once the prequel novel is finished and I've found a new publisher for HUGH.

Those have also been discussed to some extent in past PROGRESS REPORTS too, but I will go over everything again in the future when appropriate.

With that I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

I'll see you around the Internet and HAPPY EARTH DAY APRIL 22! 🌎

Lee Houston, Junior

19 April, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 11, 2026

 On one hand, I'm unfortunately still on Chapter 15 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES.

On the other hand, I am now well into the 28,000+ word neighborhood.

Guess you have to take the good with the bad, and I have no idea how this coming week is going to turn out as I post this with errands tomorrow and a major expedition Thursday to help someone out.

Either way, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

12 April, 2026

SPECIAL TREAT: SNEAK PREVIEW!

 I've decided to give everyone a special Easter treat today and present the opening paragraphs to the forthcoming HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES for your reading enjoyment.

Lee Houston, Junior

5 April, 2026

CHAPTER 1

Most waiting rooms were all alike. Decorated in modern furnishings with a beautiful lady sitting behind the front desk.

The one I found myself in today was relatively the same. The only differences were the lack of anything on the walls beyond the standard dull white coloring most offices used and the tell tale hint of a surveillance camera over the entrance to the main office past the secretarial receptionist for, despite its relatively small size, technology still hadn’t fully resolved the classic light glare problem if you happened to view the lens at just the right angle.

After something on her desk chimed, the red haired woman looked up from her work to briefly smile at me. “He’ll just be a couple of more minutes at most. Would you like anything?” she asked, indicating whatever was behind the partitioned area between her position and the main entrance.

“No. Thank you,” I replied.

Despite having just survived what they were already calling the worst war in history, I was nervous. If he turned down my request…

Then another chime rang.

“Sir. You can go in now,” she announced.

“Thank you,” I replied while rising from the guest chair. After straightening my tie and double checking my appearance the best I could without a mirror, the door to the inner chamber silently but automatically slid open upon sensing my approach.

As I entered the office instead of saying hello, I slowly raised my hands with the open palms facing the room, for I was greeted by a weapon muzzle pointed directly at my chest.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 28, 2026

 The Doctor's visit last Monday went well, but otherwise not much of a writing week once again. 😞

I have made it into Chapter 15 and past the 27,000+ word mark on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES though.

Keeping my fingers crossed that this coming week will be better.

Better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

29 March, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 21, 2026

 Unfortunately there isn't much progress to report since last week. 😢

I'm still on Chapter 14 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES; but at least I've made it into the 26,000+ word territory.

For the most part it just wasn't a good week last week. Too much happened that needed to be addressed that I wasn't expecting and I have no idea how this week is going to be with a doctor's appointment Monday as well as all the usual errands, household chores, etc.

Guess I'll just have to take it one day at a time.

And in case you missed it, John Lustig published my very first Last Kiss on Saint Patrick's Day. 🍀

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

22 March, 2026