PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 28, 2013

As I predicted, for better or worse not much creative work got accomplished this past week beyond tending to my duties as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.

Although I did manage to complete chapter 6 of Alpha, Book 2: Wayward Son; Christmas is more about being with family and friends.

While I am not much of a "party animal", there is still New Year's Eve on the horizon, and I am looking forward to watching the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day; besides more camaraderie with the aforementioned family and friends.


In any event, we'll see just how much actually got done in my first progress
report of 2014 next weekend.

But until then; I wish all my friends, family, fans, and readers the safest and happiest of New Year's.

See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
29 December 2013

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 21, 2013

Well folks, here we are, just a couple of days away from Christmas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, or whatever you celebrate.
Because of all the holiday prep that needed to be attended to, unfortunately I didn't get much actual writing done this past week beyond my responsibilities to The Free Choice E-zine.

Chapter 6 to Alpha, Book 2: Wayward Son is almost done, but that is far from having the entire manuscript completed.
Not sure how much will be accomplished between now and the start of the New Year, but I wish all my readers and fans the happiest of holidays, and I'll see you around the Internet.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 14, 2013

Oh the weather outside is frightful 
But the keyboard is so delightful
So as long as the power stays on
Let me write, let me write, let me write!

Although winter doesn't officially start until December 21st, one would think it has already arrived from the cold temperatures and snow on the ground. It has not gotten above freezing in my neck of the woods (New England) since December 9th, and the earliest prediction of it doing so again is December 18th!

Meanwhile, I have finished my short story commitments for 2013, and am back at work on Alpha, Book 2: Wayward Son. The first five chapters of that project are completed, and hopefully I'll have it completely done and submitted to the publisher before the Spring thaw.

Looking ahead: As soon as Alpha, Book 2 is done; I will immediately start work on Book 3 in the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE series! So far, there are only two short stories currently on my agenda for 2014. Thankfully neither one of them actually has a specific deadline at the moment, but there are still a couple of previously written short stories in various publisher queues that await their debut. However, everything will be put on pause the next time I have to don my Editor's Cap, for I promised my friend and writing buddy Nancy Hansen that I would beta/proofread her next manuscript when it is ready. And of course there is still my Editor-In-Chief responsibilities for The Free Choice E-zine.

All that, and Christmas fast approaching with the New Year close behind!

Take care everybody!
Stay warm and I'll see you around the Internet.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 7, 2013

Well the weather outside is frightful
But the keyboard is so delightful
So as long as the power's on
Let me write! Let me write! Let me write!

Not really much to report since last week.
It took a little longer than I thought it would to finish making corrections to that last short story. Some other authors and myself are contributing to a shared anthology, and I was trying to figure out how/when Character A could be with Character B when that character was actually somewhere else at the time.

But I am thankfully back at work on Alpha, Book 2: Wayward Son now.
That manuscript will definitely be finished in the early part of 2014, although I certainly can't make a more exact prediction at this point.
Otherwise, am trying to prepare for the holidays and winter while taking care of The Free Choice E-zine and a few other things.

I hope you and yours are doing well.
See you around the Internet!

PROGRESS REPORT, WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2013

"I handed in a script last year and the studio didn't change one word. The word they didn't change was on Page 87."--Steve Martin, at the 2003 Academy Awards.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and/or Hanukkah. While the two holidays will share weekends again, they will not share the day again until 79,811!

I am almost done with the requested revisions to those two short stories I had to amend.
As I post this, there are no short stories currently on my agenda for 2014, but we're still a month away from the start of the new year, so who knows?

In any event, will definitely be back to work on ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON before the end of this week.

Meanwhile, have had another fun week as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.

ALPHA

HUGH MONN

Wish I could say writing paid, let alone paid well, but let's be honest with each other.
If I was in this strictly for the money, I would have quit a long time ago!
Writing is not only an unique, creative endeavor, but it is a creative outlet that I happen to love and am good at.
I may not be the fastest writer in the world, but I do take great pride in my work.
I apologize to those of you who are waiting (patiently, I hope) for the next volumes in the lives of Alpha the superhero (at left) and HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE (at right); but in my mind it is a question of quality over quantity, and obviously I'm doing something right for these characters to be building the following(s) they are.

See you around the Internet!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 23, 2013

Lots of exciting stuff going on creatively this past week!

Revisions are continuing apace in regards to the short stories I have to go over. The corrections I'm making are more in regards to keeping in line with the continuity between the rest of the tales in their respective anthologies and what has already been established between their series more than anything else.

Posted a lot of articles on The Free Choice E-zine too. Besides the weekly features The Puzzle Corner (games), The Week In Review (news), and the Sunday Funnies (comedy); there is also the first half of an interview with author I. A. (Ian) Watson, and remembrances on the 50 anniversaries of the world losing United States President John F. Kennedy and gaining the BBC series Doctor Who.

In all honesty, not sure how much work will get done this week between Thanksgiving and preparing for the upcoming holiday season, for there are still Christmas presents to buy, let alone wrap and ship.
However I can tell you that the only place I will be on "Black Friday" is safe and sound asleep in bed!

See you around the Internet, and for those celebrating: HAPPY THANKSGIVING and/or HAPPY HANUKKAH!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2013

Well folks, it has been a really great writing week for yours truly.

The good news is that I have completed the first five chapters to ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON.
The (sort of) bad news is that I have to temporarily pause work on that novel because I have gotten a couple of short stories back from their potential future publishers for revision requests.
And on another front The Free Choice E-zine, of which I am its (humble) Editor-In-Chief, has received over 1000+ page views from its loyal fans for the 28th straight month, and is on track to break 2000+ page views for the third straight month before the end of November!
I hope everyone visits that site as well, because Monday (November 18) I will be posting the first half of a two part interview with noted writer Ian Watson!

Have to get back to work now. See you around the Internet!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 9, 2013

Here we are once again, and there is good news on the writing front!
While it took me a bit of time to get back in the saddle again (had to reread everything I already wrote to figure out where I left off), I have made good time on ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON this past week!
Now, whether or not the manuscript gets finished and sent off to the publisher before the end of this calendar year remains to be seen.
Irregardless, the novel won't see print until sometime in 2014 at the earliest, but at least I'm writing!
What about you?

Of course, the above is not counting my efforts as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.

See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
09 November, 2013

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 2, 2013

Well folks, I'm late again, but I can't blame baseball this time; despite the fact that the Boston Red Sox won the 2013  World Series!
The reason this time though, is two fold.
01. I realized there was no point in posting a progress report before the week was completely through, so these weekly progress reports for my fans and readership will now be aimed for Sunday posting.
02. But I missed doing it this Sunday because my parents celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary, so I did my best to attend via telephone because we live in different states.

ALPHA

With that said, my last short story for this year is in the capable hands of my writing buddy and friendly neighborhood proof/beta reader Nancy Hansen, which is only fair since I am still reviewing her latest manuscript for bugs and other glitches.

Meanwhile, I am back to work on the manuscript for ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON; as the fledgling superhero tries to find his place in the universe following events of book 1: PROJECT ALPHA.

When Nancy sends me back that short story for review, I will have to pause my Alpha work to put on my editor's hat and go over that, before finishing the prep work for Pro Se Presents issue 21, which is now scheduled for an early 2014 release since issue 20 will not be out until later this November.
Not sure what happened to cause the delay, but life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.

All this, plus Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up as a new year begins to appear on the horizon.
In all honesty, with the winter months upon us, I'd rather stay inside at the keyboard where it's warm.

Have to get back to work now, so see you around the Internet!

And remember, besides here, I can also be reached through Facebook, Google +, my Amazon Author's Page, and in my capacity as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 26, 2013

Once again, my apologies for posting this late. Same excuse as last weekend, although this time it was Game 3 of the 2013 World Series. Just wish I had better news for my fellow Boston Red Sox fans...

If image isn't public domain, please let me know for removal.

Anyway, I have FINISHED my last short story for 2013!
It is in the hands of my friend, writing buddy, and very capable proof/beta reader Nancy Hansen, while I resume work on ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON until she sends it back to me with her comments.

I also have other short stories in various ques that might be returned for revisions before the end of the year, but I'll tackle those projects as they come.

And besides my other duties as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine, I have recently posted an interview with Jim Beard and am editing an upcoming interview with author I. A. (Ian) Watson!

So it's back to the keyboard.
See you around the Internet and GO SOX!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 19, 2013

Well folks, sorry I'm late posting this; but I stayed up late Saturday night watching the Boston Red Sox win the 2013 American League Championship Series and earn a trip to their third World Series competition of the 21st century.
But that's not what you came here to read about.

I had a great week writing wise!
I am ALMOST done with my last short story for this year and even got a little work done on ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON!

I still have to finish proof/beta reading that manuscript for my friend/writing buddy Nancy Hansen that I keep mentioning. Although she has informed me that there is no rush on that project at the present time, I do promise to (hopefully) have it finished before the holiday season gets into full swing next month.

Sorry I can't give you more details on everything, but I certainly don't want to spoil any of the surprises before these projects are published.

In any event, see you around the Internet!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 12, 2013

Well folks, the time is just sailing past as we enter the last quarter of this year. The daylight hours are getting shorter, and the deadline looms on my last short story commitment for 2013.
Luckily, I am almost done with it! At the moment, the heroes have reached their final destination, but they have yet to overcome the last obstacles in their quest.
Unfortunately, this means that I had to put Alpha Book 2: Wayward Son and the proof/beta reading for my friend and writing buddy Nancy Hansen on hold at the moment. The only other creative pursuits I have chased at the moment is my obligations to The Free Choice E-zine as its Editor-In-Chief, including lining up some potential future interview guests!
I also have a few post ideas under consideration for this blog too, so stay tuned.

Lee
12 October 2013

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 5, 2013

Well, I wish I had more progress to report this week compared to last week.
Unfortunately, life had other ideas.

However I can say that the spider research came in handy for that short story I am working on. The arachnid threat is over and I am on to the next obstacle in that adventure.
I also posted an excerpt earlier this week and made some more progress on ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON; but unfortunately not enough to complete the next chapter, and for better or worse I did not get to read one additional word on the manuscript I am proof/beta reading for my good friend and writing buddy Nancy Hansen.
I also managed to take care of my Editor-In-Chief commitments at The Free Choice E-zine, so at least I can honestly say some creative work got done this past week.

Hopefully next week will be better.
See you around the Internet!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

Welcome to what will be a regular feature of this blog.
Once a week, I shall post how things are going on whatever project(s) I am working on at the moment so you (the readers) will know how things are progressing on the future releases you are looking forward to.

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

I have proof/beta read several more pages of my friend and writing buddy's Nancy Hansen's latest manuscript.
I have worked more on Alpha, Book 2: Wayward Son, although I am not as far along on that as I would like to be because
I am about halfway through my last short story commitment for 2013. Work on that had to be paused while I did some research on spiders.
I have also honored my duties as Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine, and started this blog.

So, maybe not as much work as I would have liked to have done, but there has definitely been progress on filling the various blank spaces of the moment in my writing career.

See you around the Internet!