KIRI'S QUEST: THE EASTER EGGS

Hello Everybody!

Afraid I haven't accomplished much writing over this past week with the Thanksgiving holiday and personal matters to deal with. Hopefully next week will be better.

But when it was first released, I did promise everyone a run down of the Easter Eggs (those little tidbits authors hide to enrich their stories) within KIRI'S QUEST, so without further adieu...

Cover by Larry Nadolsky

Besides the jokes and other bits of nonsense within the tale of a Companion Dragon on an adventure to retrieve a magical item that was stolen from its rightful owner...

IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE...

MR. ROANOKE was a play on Ricardo Montalban's classic character from another island.

Among the ship references at the dock were THE LOVE BOAT (cruise ship guaranteeing love) and the S.S. Minnow from GILLIGAN'S ISLAND (the reference to three hour tours)

While I could not have Barnabas Collins appear in an all ages adventure, I did make a DARK SHADOWS reference in Castle Umbra’s appearance.

The Ghost Guard Warning Theme and Bruce the (Lone) Shark were nods to JAWS.

“This island proudly guarded by the Amalgamated Association of Monsters, Local 678.”

Was a play on a classic Three Stooges routine.

The two monsters on beach patrol were inspired by MONSTERS, INC. and TICKLE ME ELMO, along with RALPH E. WOLF and SAM SHEEPDOG from classic Chuck Jones’ LOONY TUNES shorts, while the SWORDFISH password was my homage to THE MARX BROTHERS’ AT THE CIRCUS.

In the jungle, the group was a conglomeration of musical acts from the 1960's while The Tally Man and the Tarantula were Easter Eggs from DAY-O by Harry Belafonte.

The Tired Lion Trying To Sleep and WIMOWEH are both nods to THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT by The Tokens.

And although most people think I can't carry a tune in a forklift, I not only know all the words to this classic song, but I can sing ALL the vocal parts too! SOLO! 😀

SHELDON’S GREAT GRANDMOTHER was a Kaiju reference to another classic monster, as also portrayed on Larry Nadolsky's cover.

The lion's lost “Movie studio mascot job” was at MGM, naturally.😉

Between Grewsum and Wiggamore, "The Illustrious Potentate" and "Nobel Lumpkin" were nods to THE SHRINERS’ CONVENTION by Ray Stevens.

For those unaware, a MIDDEN is a MEDIEVAL DUMP.

Grewsum calling the stolen magical item “My precious," was him aping Gollum in THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Just goes to show you how full of himself the man is.

I homaged that classic writer Snoopy quoting "IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT."

And Kiri's comment about “I did not have fun storming the castle," was a play on a classic line from that great novel/movie THE PRINCESS BRIDE.

Of course, these are far from the only jokes and other word play within the adventure that awaits you on every page.

COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST is available in print and e-book formats at Amazon.com.

Also available to Kindle Unlimited members for free.

KIRI'S QUEST NOW AVAILABLE

Okay, same old same old on the Writing Front right now concerning the SCIENCE FICTION PROJECT I'm working on, so thought I'd talk about something else today instead.

A DETERMINED DRAGON ON A DANGEROUS QUEST

‘COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST’ DEBUTS!

A very powerful magical tool has been stolen. In the wrong hands, it could be used to conquer the Otherworld realms so it must be recovered at all cost. Only one special companion dragon has the experience and skills to take on this covert quest to bring it back.

Young Pulp! and Pro Se Productions proudly announce the release of COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST by Nancy A. Hansen and Lee Houston, Junior, now available in print and digital formats.

Under the cover of darkness, ruby scaled Kiri travels to Castle Umbra, the monster guarded and foreboding stronghold of Grewsum–a wicked wizard, wretched writer, and shoddy speller now turned thief. Kiri is determined to retrieve what was stolen before it can be used for evil purposes—providing she survives that long!

The journey to Grewsum’s fortress is fraught with dangerous perils and Kiri has nothing but her wits and unique dragon abilities to aid her. One misstep could not only end her quest, but alert Grewsum to the fact that his opponents on the side of keeping the Otherworlds free have invaded his private island. That would amount to a declaration of war.

Yet even if Kiri safely makes it all the way to where the magical item is hidden, she might still have to face Grewsum himself. How can one small dragon outwit such a power hungry fiend?

Book Six in one of the most imaginative young reader for all ages series ever-COMPANION DRAGONS TALES-KIRI’S QUEST by Nancy A. Hansen and Lee Houston, Junior. From Young Pulp! and Pro Se Productions.

Featuring an exciting cover by Larry Nadolsky and cover design and print formatting by Antonino lo Iacono and Marcia Marina, COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST is available in print and e-book formats at Amazon.com.

Also available to Kindle Unlimited members for free.

Truthfully I had a lot of fun writing this adventure, with Nancy mostly serving as My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader and Companion Dragon Universe Continuity Coordinator.

Someday I will definitely have to post a list of all the Easter Eggs I put into the story.

The only thing it lacks is the kitchen sink, and that's only because I couldn't figure out how to squeeze it in!

I can guarantee you that you'll never think of what composes a BLT the same way ever again.😉

In any event I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE! 😷

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

10 October, 2021

FAN MAIL: FORTHCOMING PROJECTS

Fan/reader Richard Gordon posted on my professional Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/Lee-Houston-Junior-WriterEditor-176556222390227/ , asking what projects I might have that were awaiting publication.

Well Richard, there are 5/FIVE pending!😀

HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE, coming soon from Pro Se Press. I've already seen the cover sketch and it looks great!

"ZEPHYR LILY", a short story I wrote for Jim Beard's 1970s themed anthology.

KIRI’S QUEST, a Companion Dragons 🐉adventure I co-wrote with my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen for Pro Se Press' Young Pulp line.

"CHANGING HORSES" 🐎a short story I wrote for an anthology Sean Taylor is putting together,

AND WAY BACK WHEN...
"THE FAMILY BUSINESS" a short story for an anthology Tommy Hancock was working on called Strong City.

The last I heard on the subject(s), HUGH & LILY should be released before the end of 2019 for sure.
But as things develop, I will keep all of you informed.

Thanks for asking Richard, and if anyone has any questions or comments, just post them at the end of any article here on my writing blog, on my aforementioned Facebook page, or on Twitter @leehoustonjr

Going back to writing now.
See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
10 June, 2019  (all links were active on this date)

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 4, 2018

Well, I've been all over the place this past week.

Most of the time I did work on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

But I spent one day in Victorian England kicking around ideas for a new Sherlock Holmes tale (or two), and had to put everything aside for a while Friday to create and review back cover copy for KIRI'S QUEST, the Companion Dragons novella I co-wrote with my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen, before the manuscript was submitted.

Hmm...
Between HUGH'S far flung future, Sherlock's vintage setting, and my writing desk being in the present, I wonder if I can get frequent flyer miles for all the time travelling I did??? 😕

In any event, I better get back to writing now.
Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet, whatever century I'm in. 😉

Lee Houston, Junior
5 August, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JULY 14, 2018

WELL...
"Kiri's Quest" has come and gone! 😀
I've made my final pass and sent it onward.

Am back to work on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.
Now 18 Chapters and 45,000+ words into the private detective of the far flung future's next novel length mystery and will probably wind up sending Hugh somewhere he has never been before.

"Where's that?" you ask.
Sorry.
Afraid I can't tell you right now.
But I've got to get back to writing now, and don't worry, my equipment is a lot more advance than what's pictured in that old clip art image I sometimes use.

Anyway, see you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
15 July, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JULY 7, 2018

Finally got "Kiri's Quest" back this past week, and have begun making my final pass over it now.

Once that's done, will return to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

Wish I had more news to report, but I have to get back to writing now.

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
8 July, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 30, 2018

"LET'S SEE NOW... THIS WEEK WAS NEXT WEEK LAST WEEK..." — DAFFY DUCK.

Or in other words, I'm still working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE, while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen is working on a few of her other projects before making one last pass over "Kiri's Quest".
Then she will send it back to me for my final review.

PRO SE PRODUCTIONS, the home of HUGH and ALPHA the superhero, along with various short stories I have written for them, is having a big promotional push starting TODAY and lasting the WHOLE month of July, so feel free to check that out for some exciting new titles and maybe some great deals too.


And for those interested, Blogger is updating its features and other aspects of its blog hosting functions, so as its Editor-In-Chief, I've taken the liberty of updating the background appearance/look of THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE, but I just haven't seen anything I like in regards to my writing blog here.
(Yet?)

In any event, I better get back to writing now, so take care and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
1 July, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2018

"IT'S DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN!"—Yogi Berra.

Basically what it comes down to is that I'm still working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE; while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader is still going over the Companion Dragon's adventure "Kiri's Quest".

Now, some of you may think this is taking a long time, whether we're discussing my writing or Nancy Hansen's editing, but the fact of the matter is that both of us are meticulous in our creative endeavors and try to produce the best work humanly possible.

Of course, stuff like errands, doctors' appointments, babysitting in Nancy's case, me being the Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine, and a whole slew of other matters can interrupt and take precedent over writing.

But when we are at our respective keyboards, we do work hard on these projects, so it's time for me to get back to work now, and if you honestly don't think writing is work, I will have to respectifully disagree with you.

Lee Houston, Junior
24 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 16, 2018

Okay, you may think this week's Progress Report is a repeat of the last two weeks or so, but it isn't.
Why?
Three reasons.

01. I'm now on Chapter 15 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

02. I will hopefully be getting "Kiri's Quest" back sometime this week from my friendly neighborhood beta proofreader.

03.

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

17 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2018

Well folks, I hate to sound like a broken record, but this week was next week last week.😉

Still working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader is going over the Companion Dragons adventure "Kiri's Quest".

I will be pausing work on Hugh to make my final read through of the quest when I get the manuscript back. Then I will go back to Hugh and continue working on him until that's done before going on to my next projects.

So take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
10 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 2, 2018

Basically, what it all boils down to is that my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen is still going over the second draft of my Companion Dragons novella "Kiri's Quest" while I continue working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

Once the above is totally completed, upcoming projects WILL include a couple of short stories I want to write, going back to that "new idea" I've kicked around and mentioned in previous Progress Reports over the last few months, and what will eventually become PROJECT ALPHA, BOOK 3.

Life IS good, especially since I passed my cardiologist exam last week. 😁
My heart💓 and overall health are about as good as a man my age who has (luckily!💚🍀) survived both congestive heart failure AND an aortic aneurysm can be.
I still have my good days😊 and my bad ones😔, but as my Dad would say, at least I'm still above ground.

Well, I better get back to writing now.
See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
3 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 26, 2018

REMEMBER THE VETERANS!

I hope those celebrating are having a nice Memorial Day weekend, and remember that the holiday
has more importance than just being for sales, cookouts, and the unofficial start of summer.

Have just about finished my second pass of "Kiri's Quest", the Companion Dragon novella I've written for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

When that's done, it's back to Chapter 14 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE, where things are really starting to heat up and come together.

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

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 19, 2018

Still need to take a photo of me at my computer someday.

A LOT of writing this past week!

I finished Chapter 13 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE and was well into Chapter 14 when I got the manuscript for "Kiri's Quest" back from my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

Going over it in earnest now, for there are (unfortunately) a few sections that need some reworking on what will be my first Companion Dragons novella.

Not sure exactly when I will get back to HUGH, but definitely once I send KIRI back to its editor.

Until then, take care.

Lee Houston, Junior
20 May, 2018