#29 This Isn't Fair + More Stories

 Happy Blog Day Everyone!

I'll be giving a (hopefully!) final update on my steam punk tale, but as always, there's a lot more writing to do!

The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz

With Gallows introduction out of the way, it's time to increase the stakes, and nothing says that like a Zombie Snake! I'm aware that it probably should be Snake Zombie, but Zombie Snake rang better. What awaits our heroes next week? Well, a trap by Gallows is never straightforward!

Phantom Dawn: Memories of a Rose

Last week, Rose had unfortunately caught the attention of a this who didn't understand the word, 'boundaries'...Let's see if Rose can teach him.

(First posted 1st May 2021)

With the calm of a gathering storm, Rose reached over with her hand and clamped down tight on Mason's arm, grabbing flesh like tissue. He yelled out in pain as Rose pulled his hand off her. With eyes as clear as #nightfall, Rose stared down Mason.

(First posted 2nd May 2021)

Without as much as a #warcry, Rose started a beat down on Mason, leaving both Neal and Kurz in shock. As Rose stood over a defeated Mason, Neal realised that Rose had adjusted her strength to incapacitate but not kill the brute, just as before.

(First posted 3rd May 2021)

Rose, as if #brainwashed, walked calmly away from the crowd of people that gathered around Mason's unconscious form. Her eyes returned to their innocence. Neal was about to say something when Kurz fainted next to him.

"Kurz..." Neal sighed again.

(First posted 4th May 2021)

Rose and Neal peered down at the unconscious Kurz. He was sleeping so peacefully, that it was only his snoring that stopped him from looking like a #waxwork.

"Rose, can you help me? There's a place we can stay," Neal said, lifting his grandson.

(First posted 5th May 2021)

Neal and Rose carried Kurz to an Inn, and left him sleeping peacefully in his room. Knowing Neal was a #storyteller, Rose wanted to know more about the world.

"Not tonight, we both need rest. Your room is there, sleep well," Neal sighed.

(First posted 6th May 2021)

Rose felt stuck in a #TimeWarp, the same five minutes spent staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Sleep was evading her, always seeming on the peripheral but never coming into focus. She felt a dam break as tears flowed. Sleep crept on her after...

(First posted 7th May 2021)

Sleep did not bring comfort.

Rose found herself in that #Everlasting abyss once more. Surrounded by items, some she knew, most she didn't. Half glimpsed memorise danced tantalisingly close to her. One a photo, the other, evil in the darkness.

(First posted 8th May 2021)

Rose floated around, the dreamscape turning into a #lockdown. A malignant form materialised behind her, stalking her frantic movements.

When Rose realised what was there she panicked but saw the handle of a blade and reached out instinctively.

(First posted 9th May 2021)

The evil force loomed over Rose, it's bale miasma #supersizing the dreamscape.

"I am taking back what was promised. You belong to me," a sinister female voice called out, echoing around.

"Never!" Rose yelled, slashing with the sword in her hand.

(First posted 10th May 2021)

"He promised you to me," the evil force glared, her head floating in two pieces. The dreamscape wasn't #soundproof however, as the waking world began to bore through.

"I am no one's!" Rose roared.

"Rose! Wake up!" Neal's voice broke the dream.

We'll leave it there for now, next week finally gives Rose some answers about the world she's found herself in! Oh, and for the keen eyed, yes there's some hints there about who Rose really is...

More Stories!

So, how's my steampunk story coming along you might ask? I'd say it's coming along swimmingly, I'm over the half way mark, and all being well, I should have it submitted before next week's blog! Which is just as well, as the submission date for that is fast approaching. Looking back to a month or so ago, I said I was working on four short stories at once, this is the third of that batch, means I'm almost home free right?

No, not on your life.

I've managed to add two completely new short stories to my already voluminous work in progress file, one of which needs submitting before 6th August ideally (nervous about that one, as its to someone I've never queried before). The other isn't as on a tight time scale luckily. That one, I can confirm, is the return of Ghost Duty! Dealing with the antics the unlifers get up to on their only day off all year...Halloween. Looking forward to that one! No doubt when those two are done, something else will need to be wrote, like that dark fantasy story for a future Harvey Duckman Presents...Oh, that one does need writing!

Maybe I might find chance to write some Avalon Tales, a novella all about Rose, War of the Fae or maybe even Vector Unit Regen: Orphan's War. One of these days...

That's all for this week.

Join me next week where I look at writing another different genre...Though, do I hear banjos in the distance?

Till then,

Keep on writing!

Peter James Martin

Quick Links

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 1

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Book 1: A Boy and A Rat 

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 2

Malarkey's Imaginomnibus Volume 1

Harvey Duckman Presents Volume 13

#28 Gallows In The House + Attempting Steampunk II

 Happy Blog Day Everyone!

Today, there's a sudden twist in my steampunk writing attempts (and I'm not joking about the 'sudden' here) but before we get into all that, we really should check in on Brennan and Riz...

The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz 

Yup, that's certainly Gallows. Don't be surprised if I tweak his character design a bit more before his next appearance, but we'll see how it goes. We're almost at the middle point now. I'm certainly learning things about this process, and I plan to do better with the plotting of the Xmas multipart story later this year. I don't want that to be 12 parts long! 

Phantom Dawn: Memories of a Rose

Following last week's Gabriel shaped diversion we'll rejoin Rose and her new travelling companion, Neal, as they enter the next phase of their adventure...

(First posted 25th April 2021)

Rose shuddered as she felt violent thoughts being #drawn to her. She looked round for the source but saw nothing but the wasted plains.

"What's wrong?" The old man asked, before pointing over the ridge.

"There, that's our destination."

(First posted 26th April 2021)

Rose looked around in awe, as Neal explained.

"This is the town of #adoration, a small trading post on the edge of Finch's territory."

"Finch?" Rose asked. A drunk young man was thrown down in front of them, interrupting them.

"Kurz," Neal sighed.

(First posted 27th April 2021)

"Hi, gramps!" The drunken young man said looking up at Neal. He looked #cooked with the red face and dopey grin. "I just had a drink...or five!"

Rose turned in shock:

"You know him!" 

"Kurz," Neal said again. "What am I going to do with you."

(First posted 28th April 2021)

Kurz started to pull himself up from the dirt, blissfully unaware of the eyes in the doorway. A second later he was dragged to his feet and forced to look at a juggernaut of a man.

"Where's that #thousand coins you owe me cur?" The man asked.

(First posted 29th April 2021)

"Mason! Put Kurz down! He has no money to offer the likes of you!" Neal said, bravely stepping forward.

"Please! Don't make this messy old man!" Mason growled. Then he spotted Rose.

"A thousand poets could never #describe your beauty," he muttered.

(First posted 30th April 2021)

Mason towered over Rose, #nodding all the while.

"Yes, a pretty little flower like you, needs someone like me for tender lovin," he mused. He grabbed her arm which triggered revulsion within her that needed to express itself in a most violent way.

We'll leave things here for now, her violent retribution will have to wait till next week!

Attempting Steampunk II

Last week, I spoke about the latest short story I was working on and the trouble I was having with it. There looked to be light at the end of the tunnel, as I had the foundations of a story...And today I threw it in the bin.

I tried to work with it, changing bits, but a 1000 words in, I was ungripped, and worst, had barely started the story. To tell the story I wanted, I'd probably have needed novella length at least to play with, getting the most from the story concept. Was I too ambitious (probably, I tend to think big on these, making grand plans that tie everything together and yet never writing them), or was I just lacking in skill? Thinking back while writing this, I think it's maybe more that my issues with coming up a solid plan for the story caused the whole thing to fracture. I forced an idea on myself that never stood to scrutiny, included a character that didn't need to be in there (sorry Gabriel fans!) And just set myself up to fail.

Am I abandoning the effort of writing a steampunk story? Not on your life. No, I've still got a story to turn in, and I'm going all in on weird with it. The narrative of the old tale restricted me a bit with how I was going to handle events and including hallmarks of the genre. This new story will be doing the opposite. It will also have big robots in it...So, a definite win there! My word for this story would be pulp, as that's the feel I want. Larger than life characters in do or die situations! My preliminary outline involves a group of thieves, a oppressive regime, and everything in between.

Let's see how far I get with this one!

Till next time,

Keep on writing!

Peter James Martin

Quick Links

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 1

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Book 1: A Boy and A Rat

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 2

Malarkey's Imaginomnibus Volume 1

Harvey Duckman Presents Volume 13

#27 Now Showing + Attempting Steampunk

 Happy Blog Day Everyone!

Today I'm going to talk a little about my (mis)adventure in attempting to craft a steampunk story but I suppose we'd better check in on Brennan and Riz!

The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz

Our antagonist reveals themselves! Sort of. The identity was never going to be a mystery, especially if you've read A Boy and A Rat, but this will mark the first time that he's appeared in comic form...though he was originally supposed to appear much earlier. An tentative version of the tenth issue would have had Brennan go head to head with Gallows in a game of wits...Of course it never turned out like that! The script just failed to come together, hence why it turned into what it did. Next week, we'll learn what hoops our heroes will have to jump through (it'll probably involve zombies).

Phantom Dawn: Memories of a Rose

When we last left the story, Dagger and Haze were joined by Void, their 'father'. Who informed them that an even more special guest was due to arrive...

Let's see who it is...

(First posted 18th April 2021)

"Grandfather?" Dagger and Haze said in unison, the twins voices in shock and fear.

From the portal, he emerged, that smirk saying to the world that it should feel #blessed for him being there.

"Did you miss me?" Gabriel asked.

(First posted 19th April 2021)

"I'm here to remind you of your purpose," Gabriel said, putting his hand to Dagger's chin.

"Everything you are, is because of me," Letting go, he circled her.

"You wouldn't want to disappoint me again after losing the girl on your #watch."

(First posted 20th April 2021)

"Grandfather, if I may. The target was stronger then we anticipated," Haze started, before she was interrupted by a gun pointed at her, black mist swirling around it.

"This isn't #personal Haze, but you know how I hate excuses," Gabriel sighed.

(First posted 21st April 2021)

"Now," Gabriel took his gun away from Haze's face. "I think you're motivated." His smirk belied the fear he'd generated in both Dagger and Haze, the two girls trembling in face of his storm.

"Of course, a reward always does well." Gabriel added...

(First posted 22nd April 2021)

"A reward?" Dagger and Haze looked at each other, noting the intensity in their grandfather's eyes.

"Bring her to me, so I can find out how she survived. Do this, and this dimension and everything that #settles here is yours!" Gabriel laughed.

(First posted 23rd April 2021)

"I have to be going. Void?" Gabriel called.

"Yes, Master?"

"I leave your daughters to your care. Don't fail me," Gabriel said leaving. His voice rumbled like distant #thunder, but those there felt the intensity like lightning, striking deep inside.

(First posted 24th April 2021)

"Well, girls," Void said, refocusing their attention to the task at hand. A #ring of darkness grew around him like a sinister halo. "We have a job to do. We find her, we keep her alive."

"In pain?" Dagger enquired.

"Master only said alive."

That's the end of another arc right there, so a perfect ending point for this week! We'll pick things up with Rose again then!

Attempting Steampunk

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was taking on the task of doing four short stories at once. Two of which are done and are in the hands of those that need them. With that task done, I set upon the next one...Only to realise what I'd gotten myself into!

See, Harvey Duckman Presents is going along the themed route at the moment, which is interesting as it forces me to write things I normally wouldn't. Last time it was post-apocalyptic, this time it was in steampunk.

Oh, dear.

That 'oh dear' isn't a bad thing I should point our but more of me underestimating how hard it was to adjust a genre I'd never considered before. This was something that my post-apocalyptic writing struggle with as I'd worked in that space before (see those Phantom Dawn tweets above!). Steampunk had only been something I'd read about...in the pages of Harvey Duckman. It was just never a thing I'd been into, though it does go nice with a dash of cosmic horror. My ignorance of the genre really shown when it came down to plot my latest short as my notebook pages were still blank after an hour.

None of my ideas were really feeling steam punky and I started to wonder if I even knew anything about the genre. There was no doubt about it, I was going to have to hit the books! For this, I read individual stories as well as several essay on a what a good steampunk story should look like. None of these helped.

The biggest break through I made was when I decided that the antagonist would be a very familiar face...You'll soon see who I mean. I still needed the rest of the plot, but it was a start. More details started to prod themselves forward.

After a few days intense writing (and lots of deleting), I started pulling a plot together. As I hadn't been lucky in other approaches to the genre, I changed tact and wrote about a character who first ushered in that change for this version of the world. I also linked this with the next element that came forward.

That being the end of the world. It stood to reason that this technology was going to be a game changer, then it would quickly find certain agencies wanting it to utilise it for their own nefarious ends. It wasn't a leap to consider that for many, a deep dive into the tech would take them to dangerous places, for themselves and the world.

That's where I am now of course. I've got the bare bones of a plot that I need to flesh out, but it's certainly better than nothing!

Join me next week to see if I've managed to get any further.

Till then,

Keep on writing!

Peter James Martin

Quick Links

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 1

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Book 1: A Boy and A Rat

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 2

Malarkey's Imaginomnibus Volume 1

Harvey Duckman Presents Volume 13

#26 Not Helpful In The Least + Discoveries

 Happy Blog Day Everyone!

Another short one this week as another project has come to gobble my time (well two non-writing projects). So many things to do, so little time to do them!

I should break ground on a new story this week mind if I'm to get it done before the submission date 

The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz 

Part 2 of this continuing conundrum is here!

Our heroes are still as clueless as ever, maybe next week they'll get a peek at the despot who put them in a zombie filled mad house (I'd be surprised if people couldn't guess the culprits identity however...)

Still no end date for this storyline in sight, so it might be something that sees me over the summer holidays and into Autumn....Where has this year gone? If everything goes well I may commit to doing a Xmas themed one in November/December.

Phantom Dawn: Memories of a Rose

Last time, we were left with an ominous portal, let's see who steps through it...

(First posted April 13th 2021)

Out of the pitch black portal, two robed figures emerged, wearing a #halo of darkness.

"My magic can't locate her," one said, observing the screens she created with a gesture.

"Looks like we get to do this the fun way!" The other eagerly replied.

(First posted April 14th 2021)

The two shadowy figures were interrupted, as a hydra the size of a #bungalow, roused by the Phantom Dawn charged them.

One of them enthusiastically raced to meet it, throwing off her robe as she did, a segmented barbed whip clenched in her fist.

(First posted April 15th 2021)

"I #feel so alive!" The young woman with the chain whip laughed as she tore the middle head of the hydra. "Now be a good boy and sit!" She chided.

"Dagger! Stop this at once! We don't have time to waste!" Her comrade shouted.

"Oh Haze! Loosen up!"

(First posted April 16th 2021)

Dagger turned away from her sister.

"Now, where was I? Oh yeah! Hydra training."

Tired of feeling #Invisible, a burst of magic flashed out from Haze's hand, annihilating the hydra utterly.

"As I said, we do not have the time!" Haze said calmly.

(First posted April 17th 2021)

"Stop killing my pets!" Dagger hissed at her sister. "You killed that bear, the boy and now that Hydra!"

"We do not have the time to indulge your desires!" Haze's #language belaying her intent.

"Stop your arguing!" A cold voice interrupted.

The siblings turned and their #language changed as they saw the two baleful eyes glaring from under a pearl white mask.

"Father," they each said with hushed reverence. Under his mask, Void smiled.

"Your grandfather wants a word," he said.

Discovery

So, one of the non-writing projects I was tasked with doing was drawing some pictures, and the most important part, colouring digitally. It was a technique I first learned (badly) way back in 2007-2008. While I was never fluent like the masters, I was, semi decent. For this task though I needed some decent software and for differing  reasons, what I could get for my chrome book wasn't cutting it (they're fine programs but I've got odd tastes). To do this job, I needed my old program. For this, I'd have to dig out am ancient piece of hardware, my first laptop from 2006 (that still boots up but is probably on its way out).

Starting up that laptop was like opening a time capsule of decades past. When delving into the files,  I found treasures rubbing elbows with complete garbage. For examples of garbage, I found all my notes and manuscripts for my Terrorform stories (I shared an extract on this blog a few years ago...it was terrible). The notes also included plans for two unwritten sequels which would have furthered the awfulness. There is also half a dozen barely started stories, including the original Phantom Dawn. There is also a whole heap of Daemon Soul on there, a lit it I can't remember writing, including a 3rd version of Daemon Soul Avalon (the 2nd story). Amongst the treasures though was all the notes I made during the redraft process. This includes dates when things happened, character's motivation and ideas for the future. Other gems was the plans I had for a visual Novel which would have been the final piece of the whole storyline, with every character coming together for the last battle. Yes, I was very ambitious.

Something else I found was my old rpgmaker games (a software that does exactly what it says on the tin, makes top down view rpg like the old final fantasy games...I think there's been several new versions of the engine since I made these files back in 2010...), the most developed was, you guessed it, a Daemon Soul title...that dropped the Urban from urban fantasy, taking on a complete fantasy aesthetic. It represents a niche, a dead end passion project, but I did use it to explore some other characters that I hope to rework into the stories someday.

There was far more files I found as well (role-playing game notes! Drawings left unfinished! Warhammer fan rules! My own Mech wargame rules set!), but too many to discuss here. I hope to start sharing snippets of work again, resurrecting my old lost writings pieces from this very blog.

Till then,

Keep on writing!

Peter James Martin

Quick Links

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 1

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Book 1: A Boy and A Rat

The Strange Tales of Brennan and Riz Volume 2

Malarkey's Imaginomnibus Volume 1

Harvey Duckman Presents Volume 13