I got a big package in the mail yesterday . . .
This bit, four real books, finally published, represents a final payoff. It’s done, it exists. There’s also something a little, I don’t know, deflating about it. An ending. Now it will go out into the world, probably to be largely ignored. That might sound a touch maudlin, or even self-pitying, and I’m sorry about that. But that’s the business these days. So many books don’t make it, even the good ones. It can be disheartening. And, yes, scary.
Hey, check out my new shirt . . .
Cool, right? I love it.
And lastly, most exciting of all, came the editorial revisions for my upcoming book, THE FALL, a quasi-sequel to BYSTANDER. I try to enter the process of revisions with an open mind and an open heart. I trust my editor, Liz Szabla, and endeavor to deeply consider all of her comments, thoughts, suggestions. This is a new opportunity for me to try to make this book better than ever. That involves, sometimes, letting go of old ideas, favorite sentences. It means stepping back — to truly re/vise, to see again — and, well, take another whack at it.
In a moment, the sound you’ll hear will be that of a writer rolling up his sleeves.
Here’s a brief excerpt from THE ONE-EYED DOLL (Scary Tales #5, October). Artwork by Iacopo Bruno, of course.
Do you think she’s trouble?
Malik grabbed the axe and felt it’s heft in his hands. “Better step back,” he warned. He raised the axe high and let it fall.
THWACK, SMASH!
The box was well built, but no match for a sharp axe. Bits of wood splintered loose and one corner of the box split open.
The cat, Midnight, rubbed against Malik’s legs. It hissed and spat at the box, back raised in an arch.
“Shhh, Midnight,” Malik hushed. He smoothed the cat’s raised fur. “What’s gotten into you?”
Soda Pop stepped forward. “What’s inside it?”
“Hold on a minute,” Malik hushed. “Gimmie that hammer, Tee.”
Working carefully, Malik pried apart the box.
“Is that all there is?” Soda Pop asked. “A crummy old doll?”
And in truth, that’s all there was. Just an ordinary doll –- and not a very nice one, either. The doll had curly black hair with a red ribbon in it, a dirty blue-and-white checked dress, and one of its eyes was missing entirely. The doll’s painted face was badly cracked and worn.
“I don’t get it.” Soda Pop scratched his head, befuddled.
Malik pushed the doll aside. He searched through the scraps of wood. “There was nothing else in it,” he said, disappointment in his voice.
Tiana picked up the doll and pressed it close to her chest. “I love it,” she said. “I love it lots.”
Uh-huh, yes, you are correct. It is that time again, where I share with you a letter from a fan, along with my answer.
Past visitors might notice that I changed the furniture around, bought new drapes. This blog got its start back in 2008 and it was time for a new look. Some tweaks may still be in order.
Here’s a letter from Natalie, who was kind enough to include art work, which always makes my day.
I replied:
Dear Natalie:
Thanks for your letter and, most especially, your brilliant artwork. I recognized the scene immediately, from when Jigsaw, Ralphie, and Mila pull a prank on Ralphie’s brother, Justin.
“I can make this bucket of water stick like magic to the ceiling. Want to see?”
It’s cool that you make ghost traps, too. Have you ever caught one? That would be pretty awesome. Or terrifying, I’m not sure.
The simple question — “What if?” — is so important for a writer. What if a girl named Natalie set a ghost trap . . . and it worked? Imagine that. What happens next?
Since you like “spooky and action stories,” you might want to check out my new series, SCARY TALES, which should be just perfect for readers who are ready to move beyond Jigsaw Jones. The stories are not hard to read, but I should warn you that there are some thrills and chills and creepy parts. Not everybody likes that stuff, while other people –- such as my daughter, Maggie –- can’t get enough. The creepier, the better! Maggie helped inspire the main character in SCARY TALES #2: I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM.
Each book is different, new characters, new settings, but each one promises to make your heart beat faster. Boom, boom, boom. Don’t they look great?
The fourth book in the “Scary Tales” Series, NIGHTMARELAND, is due to come out in June, 2104. The fifth book, THE ONE-EYED DOLL, comes out in October, in time for Halloween.
Be well, and keep reading!
Your friend,
James Preller
