Steven Paul Watson, Author

March and April Update

Just a quick update on word counts. I didn’t post a blog in April for March so I figured I’d just do both months in one.

My March word count was just under 20,000 words. My smallest word count of the year so far. And April on the flip side I wrote 50,000 which made me very happy. I’ve not completed NaNoWriMo in a few years and it just upped my confidence a little that I once again was able to do 50k in a month. So I am planning on doing it again this coming November. And that brings my word count up to over 114 k for the year.

I was able to complete a rough draft of Howling Moon 3. I’ve put a lot of work into Ulysses 2 and a fantasy novel I’ve started. Also got to complete a rough draft of another steampunk short story that I’m thinking of releasing a anthology of steampunk shorts one day down the road.

I think I’ve decided I will only be doing these word count update blogs once every two months. In the mean time I am working on other writing related for the site, so until next time.

A little mid-month update on my word counts…actually, a little more progress in my writing library thanks to my goals. It’s not even middle of the month and I’m already at the 10 k written words for the month. Anyways, I officially finished a rough draft of Howling Moon 3 this week. To be completely honest, I finished it about an hour ago after I got home from work. It’s a little shorter than the previous two books (13k less), I know there is a lot of stuff I need to add. There is a lot of dialog without in depth description in this book, especially with the parts that I had written going into the year. So by the time the next draft is done it’ll probably be close to the same word count as the previous two books.

As for when you will get to read book two… There is a lot going on with the second Howling Moon book. Mostly, it needs to be professionally edited. After I go over it again. I’ve had several beta readers read it and honestly I have gotten very positive feedback from people who read book one.  Book two is very different creature than book one and now that I have finished the 3^rd book.  I know more of what I need to go back and tweak in book 2. But I’m hoping to have some major news on that by summer. We’ll see. I’m slowly working my way through goals and projects and being very productive, publishing Howling Moon 2 is certainly on that list.

With the anniversay of Human 76 coming up soon thought it would be cool to throw some spotlight on it.

And to be completely honest, as a creative person this is still one of the coolest projects ive been involved in. The talent involved in writing the project, to the editors, and just the feel of the book to make it more than an anthology. To make it feel like one big story all tied together.

After a very success January with my word counts, I went into Feb with my head held high with hopes of hitting 15 k (1000 words for 15 days is my over all goal each month). I did more than I was expecting, I wrote 18 days in the month for a total of 25 k words. All of my words went into the third Howling Moon book, Trials. In fact I’m in the climax of the book and I should actually have a rough draft of the novel done sometime in march.

Bringing my updated word count for the year to 45 k words over 4 projects. One short story finished and so very close to a finished draft of HM #3.

I hope everyone else had a productive month!

Happy New Year Everyone.

Just wanting to wave from the outfield and say I’m still here… 2020 was a year wasn’t it? Though I guess in a way last year is still having a great influence on this year. Sorry I didn’t blog last year, as I’ve said before I’m not a good blogger to begin with. But really even my social media presence was absent last year. Not much of a writer either, at least not the past couple years. I can count how much I’ve gotten done in the past two to three years on one hand. And I had no excuses last year, laziness. Writers block. Who knows. I’ve not completed NaNoWriMo in three years and anyone who has followed me knows that is usually when I’ve gotten stuff done in the past. At least as far as putting words to page.

Really the only writery thing I accomplished in 2020 was a short story for a anthology that unfortunately wasn’t picked. But you can’t win them all. And I may even put it out later in some or another. And I have no excuse really, I did zero craft fairs or comic cons in the year for the obvious reasons. I didn’t even work, I was unemployed for most of the year. I just couldn’t break through the wall.

Looking forwad to 2021 as a writer…

I started the year telling myself I will get past my writers block. I will start putting words to page. I will finish editing existing projects and try my best to publish Howling Moon 2 or even Ulysses by years end. I will get past my own self doubt.

My first goal, start writing. After a few years where I haven’t put hardly anything to page I’m happy to say I’m doing better. So much so in the month of January alone I probably made more progress than the past two years combined. I simply wanted to write a 1000 words a day for 15 days every month this year. It doesn’t matter to what, as long as I’m putting words to page. And I was successful for the month of Jan. I wrote 20,000 words over 4 projects. Even completing a draft of a Steampunk short story that I’ve had sitting on my works in progress pile for quite some time. And as of the time i’m writing this blog, i’ve already wrote 10,000 words in the month of Februaray. All of which went into Howling Moon 3. So that’s a start. Here’s hoping I can keep this up the entire year and I can hopefully start moving forward as a writer. As I’m not getting any younger.

Another goal, and honestly I came to this one tonight actually. I’ve got to start blogging more. Build my audience for this blog and my Author Social Media sites. So. Here goes, as long as I’m making progress on stuff I’m going to start posting snippets from my wips, at least once a month. And maybe if a blog my progress reports on my word counts that will also help motivate me. Cause I’ve let self doubt cloud who I am as a writer. I know we all do that and it’s not something one just gets over. But here’s to that. And I’m just going to start blogging on random things where I can, just to keep things active.

So here’s wishing everyone a fantastic year ahead. Good thoughts and peace, love to all!

As we enter a new year, I find myself in a sort of flux. As the coming year has the potential to be something different. Life is changing gears for me and my family. And with it…maybe I can gain some fresh focus on my writing. And yes, get the second Howling Moon novel out. It’s on top of my list to get it out this year. There has been some issues with getting it out the past couple years, part of it, maybe even a lot of it is I’ve gotten in my own way and haven’t pushed myself as much as I should. Some of it has been my focus, i’ve not focused on my writing as much as I should. Another part writer’s block…i’ve had issues whenever i’ve sat down to try an get some writing done. Or even some editing. And has gotten no where.

So here is something to start the new year off with for those who are following me. It’s the rough opening of Howling Moon 2. Enjoy.

Also. For those who may be interested, Howling Moon’s price on Amazon for the kindle edition has dropped. Check it out.

Spoilers. There are spoilers ahead for book one. Warning for language as well.

Happy New Year.

———

Chapter One

                It all flashed before her eyes, the night of the attack. The night Emily Meyer’s life changed forever.  The thought of it alone took her breath away, she was so helpless as the wolf stalked and attacked her. The first painful seizure, she knew there was something terribly wrong with her own body from that first gut wrenching pain tore through her. The helplessness of it as she fought her attacker only to realize he hadn’t been alone. To the moment she saw one of her best friends murdered. It all brought her to this moment, whipping the fogged-up mirror clean not recognizing the woman looking back at her.  Hiding in the middle of nowhere. Away from her parents, away from Ashley.  Lost to the person she once was. A distorted image in a cracked and dirty mirror, but the haggard glass surface wasn’t at fault. Blood shot eyes, near as red as her hair surrounded by dark circles swollen from exhaustion. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a rested hour sleep that wasn’t the result of pure fatigue. It was no wonder the cashier gave her such a revolting glare. She’d likely already called the police to report a suspected robbery. Emily’s lips were chapped, no makeup, she couldn’t remember the last time she had worn any or had a descent hot shower. The night she and Ashley went to the club maybe, what felt like years was only a couple of months. Her skin was brittle and dry. She needed a shower, a long hot shower. Just the thought of it sent her into a daze. She missed the small comforts of life now more than ever.

The crash of knocks broke her daydream. “Come on,” an unhappy female voice called from the other side of the old metal door. Emily heard the breathing of the angry woman on the other side.

                “Give me a couple more minutes,” Emily pleaded. 

Emily grabbed the scissors and chopped at her tangled hair, it was a mess and had gone too long without proper care. She knew how badly it was turning out with each strand falling into the rusted sink. But the hacked locks looked better than the tangled web it was moment before. “Bitch.” She heard the mumbled expletive from the other side of the door. The other person had barely said it as a whisper but with Emily’s enhanced hearing she might as well been yelling into a bull horn. Emily smiled. So much about her new life she hated, the enhanced senses were not one of them. It only took a couple minutes to cut her way through it, it looked worse now than before. At least having it cut off at her shoulders was more manageable. 

Three big knocks came, louder and more forceful than before. The smell of oil and sweat drifted into the room causing as much panic in the pit of Emily’s stomach as the crashes on the metal surface. “Hurry up,” a male voice yelled. There were no pleasantries in his tone, only anger. Emily swiftly pushed all the loose hair from her shoulders into the sink. The large sweatshirt pulled down over her head, keeping the hood up. Despite her own smell, it still had Colin’s scent imbedded in it. Each time giving her a smile and each time it broke her heart all over again. 

Emily grabbed the worn duffel bag at her foot before sliding the lock on the door, it came open instantly from the other side. The man leaned against the edge barely enough room for her to squeeze past. He smelled. His clothing matched his scent, covered in dirt and oil, likely worked as a mechanic, the smell of grease filled her dulling all her other senses. She still didn’t have control. It was always one or the other she had yet to be able to push one sense to the side for another.

The girl smelled different, she stepped into Emily’s path, as she tried to navigate past the brute. She could smell his sweat on her skin and in her hair but there was a sweet lavender smell as well. “God, you reek,” she held her hand over her mouth and nose. Emily knew this she also wondered if the woman noticed how her boyfriend smelled or if she just wanted to be rude to her. Emily lowered her head keeping her eyes from making contact. She heard the girl speak again, same small whisper. “Trash.  What’s the world coming to?”

Emily quickly grabbed the couple of bottles of water, a few snacks rushing to the counter. She had been in there longer than she thought, the sun was starting to go down. She rushed to get past a couple of men as they approached the counter. She watched the cashier ring her stuff up trying to ignore the heavy breathing and muffled laugh of the two men who had settled in behind her. She could see their reflection in the window, they were in football jerseys barely old enough to buy the beer in their arms, and they ogled her, looking her up and down. She knew how she looked.  The thought they might be into her still made her feel uneasy. She pulled at the back of the sweatshirt down on her jeans. “Don’t do that baby, you’ve got a fine ass,” one of the men stated.

“Makes up for the crack whore smell,” the other said laughing. She could see the two of them bump fists to celebrate his vulgarity. “Bet if I had a pill bottle and shook it, you’d come runnin’.”

Emily gritted her teeth. The two of them were no older than twenty, she saw the disgusted look on the cashier’s face as she took her money careful not to let their skin connect. It wasn’t directed at the two men either. Emily focused, seeing her own distorted reflection in the glass, it looked so different with her tangled shoulder length hair. The cashier handed her the money back, careful not to touch her still, the young woman sneered not even trying in her swift motion dropping the money into Emily’s palm. Emily’s anger grew, she felt the wolf deep down in her stomach. It was dark now, it was sudden, and the wolf had more control when the sun was down.

His hands were cold on her waist, “I bet you clean up real nice.” She felt the first man’s hot breath on the back of her neck. She pushed forcefully off the counter turning landing on top of him with enlarged canines just missing the soft of his exposed neck as her jaws snapped fiercely. Emily felt the wolf’s anger. It matched her own at the unwelcome touch of a stranger. She could smell the blood pulsating through his veins, and she wanted to rip his throat open.

“What the fuck,” the other man questioned quickly moving away falling over a display of chips, scattering debris all around the store in the process.

Emily could smell the man under her, he had soiled himself. She smiled, wanted to laugh but all that came was a huff of breath as she snarled. Her heart raced she was enjoying the fear she put into the men who thought they were so much better than her.

“John…her teeth….” The couple from the bathroom was on the other side of her having rushed to check out the commotion. She could smell their fear, hear their hearts race, the guy even stopped breathing at the sight of her. The brute of a man who was so threatening to her a moment earlier was a heartbeat from running and she wanted him to. The wolf wanted him to chase him down. But she couldn’t let that happen.

Emily jumped to her feet, pulling the hood down. She grabbed her things from the counter before rushing out the door. “Damn it,” she muttered.

Emily rushed past the vehicles out from across the road not looking either direction and into the wilderness. She ran, fast as she possibly could, heart racing with each padding of her worn out shoes on wet ground. The wolf wanted to run.  With each quick step, she took she wanted to go faster. The wolf wanted to go faster. She stumbled stepping on a dead log tumbling to the ground. She screamed. This was her life now. Her few possessions spilled from the duffel bag, scattered with the unhealthy snack and water on the ground around her. She rested back on her knees starring up at the moon and attempted to scream. But what she released with her anger was a howl, wildlife around her running in terror as her voice deepened. She leaned forward. “No,” she growled looking at her longer fingernails and disjointed knuckles. She would not let it out. She took long deep breathes; the shaking stopped upon standing. Quick to gather all her things before walking away at a calmer more controlled pace.

—— End scene.

So a long over due update on the second Howling Moon novel. I wish this was a here it is, type post where I was announcing an actual release date or a cover or something positive with the book. No one wishes it was out or ready to come out more than me.

I’ve gotten the question quite a bit at events where I have sold the book at in the past. Where is book 2? And I hate the idea of making an excuse post but here it is. I had wanted book two to come out late last year or even early this year. But I can say, The Pack (the current working title of book 2) won’t even see light this year.

Life. Life sort of kicked my plans to the curb. I still have a day job, as much as I might wish being a writer and creative was my main financial resource it’s not. I ended up switching jobs late summer of last year and it put a strain on me getting the book moving forward. Add on top of that, we’ve bought a house. So moving, something I never want to do again has taken up the better part of my time this year.

Current standings…book 2 is still waiting to be edited. I’ve even thought about starting a kickstarter to try an cover this part of the process. But I’m often unsure on how that would go over. I’m still hoping to publish with BHC Press who has been nothing but patient and supportive along the way. And I’m hoping at least by mid summer I can post some sort of positive news about book 2.

Again I want to thank everyone for their support over the past couple years. It means a lot.

It’s funny how you can set goals for yourself. Goals you’d like to achieve in a certain amount of time. I have a habit of going into every year and making a list of goals I want to complete in that year. The list is always so long that there is no way I can do it all. More often than not I only knock a handful of them off. I’ve been thinking about it, over the past ten years if I’d just completed a fraction of that list there is no telling where I would be right now as a writer, artist, or crafter.

And most often its my own fault, I get in my own way and sometimes I will try and find any excuse not to sit down and work on a project. this year so far hasn’t been much different. Though I can say i’ve been doing my best to work on a few things every week just to make some sort of progress.

I saw a meme the other day, one of which I wish I had saved. Basically saying, “no one is going to do it for you”. Chase your dreams and don’t get in your own way. One step at a time and all of that.

I’m going into 2019 with new eyes so to say. Trying to have a newer outlook on life. A more upbeat and positive outlook as in the past I can let things linger and needle at me and it could cause me to be very depressing an outlook on things. 2018 saw me changing jobs unexpectedly and things don’t always go quite the way I’d hoped or planned.

I have a lot to be thankful for. My beautiful wife, Samantha. My family. Some new friends who are pushing me in a direction I really want to go. And I’m hoping to be a better person in 2019. A more productive artist and writer without excuses.

And yes, once again, hope to be a better blogger. Starting with just trying to blog once a month and hope it becomes a habit. Just like writing, if I can get into the habit of it. I can hit all my goals for the new year and beyond.

For those hoping for an update on Howling Moon 2…it is done and ready for editing and to move forward with that. Sorry it’s taken so long. With the changing of my job, it has thrown me months behind where I want to be and even now I don’t have a timeline. Even by a best guess I’m thinking it’ll not be released until early 2020. I have other stuff that is in the works too that may see before then. But it’s all sort of up in the air depending on my real life job and just me being a better more productive writer.

There is a lot in the works for 2019, I obviously won’t go into great detail because that would probably set me up to fail. I did 26 events in 2018, I hope to do more this year. Most of which were smaller local craft fair events and I’m attempting to get into some bigger stuff as I type this. I will be better at blogging about these events as they happen this year, if nothing else to keep a more up to date calendar.

I do want to say thank you to everyone who has been so supportive.

• 

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Happy New Year!

Little late of course. I’m always a little behind.

I want to thank everyone for their support the past year. All the events. Reviews. Everything. My lovely wife. My dad and mom. All of my family and friends. I thank you for your support.