Farewell Summer

Summer, to many, is not just a season, it's a feeling. That's what makes it to hard to write about.

I've been writing this blog over the course of the last three weeks. When I began the night sky was flashing with intermittent lightning while a modest rain pelted the windows and siding. As I finish, it's two days before school starts, and it's cool, quiet, and sunny. The last rounds of lawn mowing are taking place outside my office window. There's a keen scent of crispness to the air. A precursor to autumn.

And so winds down another summer; my second being entirely at home. Our family situation is fortunate enough that I don't have to work in the summertime, thus being able to spend the days with my daughter (who is just shy of 2), which has afforded unforgettable experiences that no amount of pay from any job could ever compensate for. I get to watch her - and be there - for a significant amount of time as she grows up.

Last year, around this time, Maddie was just about to take her first independent steps. Most of the summer of 2015 had me right there with her, attached at the hip every step of the way (couldn't help myself there). From the age of six months on she wanted to stand and walk, quite badly might I add (because that's what everyone around her was doing), she just wasn't quite there yet in terms of skill, but she's proven a fast learner. Maddie wasn't much into crawling - didn't really care for it (again, because, even though encouraged, she saw everyone else walking) - and wouldn't master that skill until after she'd walked; something I learned is not all that uncommon. So my three months off last year was defined by her wanting me available almost every second to assist in her attempts to move using her own two feet. Thank goodness my back is in good shape for all the leaning over to hold her hands as she practiced taking steps. 

This summer, though, has been surreal in regards to her progress. She, independently, can climb and play on the playground (though I still tend to hover nearby just for surveillance sake). At home she pinballs back and forth between her areas of play in the living room/dining room/"foyer," inviting me to play along or help her "make dinner" with the toy food in her kitchen set. She climbs and descends stairs with ease, sometimes now refusing assistance ("Maddie do myself!" she insists.). We've lost track of how many words she uses - it's beyond even counting now as she's into longer sentences. Her abilities with imaginative play are growing exponentially; she talks to her toys, talks about them, loves to call people on the phone, and interacts with her favorite show by answering questions asked to viewers on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She can count to fourteen without help, knows her ABCs, and, thankfully, loves to read (imagine that). She remembers most books in that she can recite the pages when prompted, sings to her baby doll while rocking her to sleep, and would much rather spend her time outside (at the park or carousel, if asked for her preference) than watching a screen. This may all sound like the bragging of a proud father, but, as previously mentioned, these are unforgettable experiences, and I'm beyond thankful I get to spend this time with her.

Which makes going back to work after tomorrow (Labor Day) all that much harder.

Not only does going back to work mean the number of my hours with Maddie will shorten, but my writing time also decreases once September comes around. As it is, I've been working during Maddie's afternoon nap, which allows me somewhere in the vicinity of ninety minutes to meet my quota of one-thousand words per day; on days she's visiting her grandparents, I work to double that output. When school is in session, I write during my half-hour lunch, and really try to keep it at that, regardless of how many words I produce (until it gets beyond first draft and I have to use my laptop), because by the time evening falls and Maddie's in bed, it's just my wife and I for a few hours before we're trying to catch a few hours to recharge - that 5 a.m. alarm always seems to go off earlier and earlier - and I'd much prefer to relax with my wife than push myself to work more. 

My brain's also pretty fried after 8 p.m.

As it is though, in a bit of surprise to myself, over the last six months I've hit a rather unusual stride of inspiration that's led to the completion of three first drafts - one short novel (The Long Road Home), a second YA novel (Among the Lights and Sounds of the Carousel), and a novella (Something Above the Stars) - all of which I've been very happy with the quality of said first drafts. I also completed and sent in my latest draft for An Unexpected Visit (which you'll be able to check out next month).

I've never been this productive.

And I attribute that to the decision I made a while back to not publish anything in 2017. Making that choice took off a lot of pressure. If I were planning a book release for next year, I never would have been able to focus on writing anything brand new, let alone three brand new stories. Just not how my mind works. I can't multitask stories.

The welcome increase in my output, the invaluable time with my daughter, both make summer difficult to acknowledge its passing until next year - only ten months away...

Though, and I can only wonder as the clock reads two in the afternoon and the last hours of summer break pass with a dreadful briskness, would this time be so cherished if it weren't finite?

If every day were like this would I appreciate them as much?

I'd love to say yes, and I believe I would.

Who could say no to a forever summer?

Forever Summer. Hmm.

Sounds like a story I may have to write.

The Soundtrack Of My Summer

When I write, more often than not, there's music playing. Different songs help settle me into the groove and mood of whatever it is I'm writing. And usually what I listen to is score music (I've always dug James Newton Howard's cues), but this summer there have been a few lyrical tunes that have wormed their way inside my head and have been useful placing my mind where it needs to be when I've sat down to work on the next story.

Here are a few.

SIGNS - Complete Score - James Newton Howard
James creates sensational music, and his theme for SIGNS is iconic. Nestled within that repetitive three-note motif are sweeping variations on the theme that include heights and lows in the pace. Some of the music is somber, some is frantic. It's all so well balanced. One of my favorite scores to listen to, and was put on in the background while I recently typed away on my novella SOMETHING ABOVE THE STARS.

THE VILLAGE - Complete Score - James Newton Howard
Another brilliant score from James. The music here is tender at times, and then the tone changes on a dime into high energy/spooky elsewhere. Another of my favorite scores. This one I also listened to while writing SOMETHING ABOVE THE STARS.

"I Won't Give Up" - Jason Mraz
Snippets of this song have played in commercials for the upcoming show "This is Us" and I'd be lying if I said it didn't stick in my head (I suppose that's the point of the marketing campaign). The melody of this song helped establish the tone I wanted when developing SOMETHING ABOVE THE STARS.

"Down In Mexico" - The Coasters
If you're a big follower of Quentin Tarantino's films, you're aware of DEATH PROOF. Despite the film being "horror" it's just like all his others - mostly consisting of long stretches of conversations and plenty of catchy tunes. There also happens to be the always awesome Kurt Russell as a murderous stunt car driver. Anyway, in the movie, Kurt's character "Stunt Man" Mike convinces a girl to give him a lap dance (the means aren't important), and what results is a pretty high energy scene that was expertly filmed and includes a contagious track by The Coasters. The song begs to be played over and over. It played during stretches when I was writing the second draft of my short novel THE LONG ROAD HOME.

"Staggolee" - Pacific Gas & Electric
Another song from the DEATH PROOF soundtrack, "Staggolee" was in my head, and playing on the stereo, when writing THE LONG ROAD HOME.

"The Man Comes Around" - Johnny Cash
I can't say much about THE LONG ROAD HOME, but I can tell you the hero of the story is confronted by an unsettling stranger who's intentions are long debated between many in the hero's camp. The idea of the stranger came to me when I thought of this famous Cash song.

LADY IN THE WATER - Complete Score - James Newton Howard
Just beautiful. Perfect. Elemental. Portions of suspense, fantasy, and a recurring theme you can almost feel as pinpricks in your skin. My absolute favorite score. I listen to it with every story I write.

The (Art of the) New Author Photo

I suppose I don't have to do it - I'm not a fan of having my picture taken - but with the onset of a new book (An Unexpected Visit is almost a month away!), there comes the inevitable decision: use the previous author photo, or take a new one?

Let's go back two years.

Here is my author photo from 2014 for Seeing:

Not too shabby, no? Alright, let's dissect it.

I took this photo myself one spring afternoon while my wife was out grocery shopping. As mentioned, I don't like sitting for pictures - and they can be costly - so I figured I'd just do it myself. I simply set our camera up on a tripod, set the timer, and placed myself in a recliner, making it look like I was caught near a particularly bright window, looking over the pages of some work. Because that's how all authors get things done.

Yes, that's a white binder. I think the lined pages inside were blank. No, the lens flare isn't real; I added it later for effect (could be worse, I could have gone all J.J. Abrams and lens flared the whole pic so that you could only see my jaw). And I can't tell, is it supposed to look like I'm writing something? Kinda looks like I'm about to nod off.

Note to self: Don't take picture of yourself looking down. It doesn't have the impact you think it does.

Alright then, when it was time for The Painted Lady the following year, the choice was obvious: New picture!

And here it is:

Once more I went with the black and white. Looks more dramatic. Striking. I also took my own picture again. This time it was with my iPhone, with the camera set to Selfie Mode.

That's right, my 2015 author picture was a selfie. #win

This one was easy. I stood in front of an upstairs window in our house and just started snapping while looking all contemplative...at the wall. Yep, that's where my eyes are pointed. At a wall. The sun sure did a nice job of bleaching out most of that window. Ah, dramatic lighting.

That "shadow" of stubble is what I get the day after I shave. I could have a mountain-man beard in no time if I stop taming that thing.

This year it was obvious again - take a new picture! - but I wanted to do something a little more...meaningful, and try for better (production) quality.

Man, my new iPhone takes a hell of a picture. Not a selfie this time.

So, this pic isn't cropped down to actual "author photo" size, but in this wide shot you can see a frame on my desk that has a picture of my wife with Maddie, who was just a day old, and over my head is a picture of Maddie at two months holding a copy of Seeing. Yeah, there's also a BB-8. And a Millennium Falcon. What?

I like this year's author photo more than the previous takes (though I still don't like having it done) because it places a lot into one picture that makes up me - my family, my work, and some of my favorite things (behind me on the shelf are copies of my favorite books and movies, not placed overtly that they'd be obvious, but I know they're there).

With no plans for a book release next year, I've got two years to plan the next shot.

Imagine what my iPhone 8 will be able to do....

Continuing A Prolific Summer

"The scariest moment is always just before you start." - Stephen King

Here we go.

Open Submissions at Winter Goose

Are you a writer in search of a publishing home? Got a manuscript you've been working on, burning away the long hours of the night in hopes of finding it some pairs of loving hands that'll help you get it out to the world? Perhaps you've got a novel-in-progress stuffed away in a drawer waiting for some inspiration to finally return and finish it? If so, I have some great news for you:

My publisher, Winter Goose Publishing, will be holding an open submission period from the beginning of the day on August 1st till the end of the day August 15. All of the details on submissions and this upcoming open submission period can be found at their site.

Having published two books (with a third on the way in October) with WGP, I can attest that they've been nothing short of wonderful to work with - extremely professional with terrific communication; they're all about making sure - through the hard work that is editing and design - that their authors and readers are happy with the final product. Authors also aren't treated like authors; they're treated as family.

So finish up those manuscripts or dust 'em off, fellow writers, and good luck!

Full Details on AN UNEXPECTED VISIT

Three short months from now, in October, my third book, An Unexpected Visit, will be available in both e-book and print formats.

What makes Visit different from my previous releases is that this one isn't a novel. It's novella length - about half as long as Seeing and The Painted Lady.

Because I don't want to short anyone, I've included some "special features" - nine additional micro stories to make up for the...length. Full details below.

From my publisher, Winter Goose Publishing:

Look for the upcoming novella, An Unexpected Visit, by Joseph Falank, author of the hit YA fiction novel Seeing, and the adult fiction novel The Painted Lady, later this year.

There are fates worse than death.

In his early thirties, Noah Adams writes of the turning point in his life: a long weekend spent in the company of his estranged father, Scott, a Special Forces soldier who had been gone two years. During their stay in a remote farmhouse out in the Pennsylvania countryside, Noah recalls encountering both bizarre behaviors and horrifying truths.

It is this visit that has shaped the man, husband, and father he has become. For better and for worse.

Along with the titular novella, which headlines the book, the nine additional micro stories are as follows:

• The Morning After, and Answering The Call - The first two stories I ever had published; they were originally included in issues of RiverLit magazine (which, unfortunately, has since gone on indefinite hiatus).
• Confessions, and At Sundown - Two never-before-published micro stories selected just for this release.
• The Tales Of The Painted Lady series - Last summer, in the lead-up to The Painted Lady's release, I wrote a series of five stories that were from the point-of-view of different characters from the book, taking place right before the events of the novel. The stories are titled: Moving Dad, For Rent, Anniversary, At All Costs, and From Downstairs.

1st Book Trailer: "Inspiration"

An Unexpected Visit - Book Trailer # 1: Inspiration

For each book I want to try something different when it comes to the aspect of marketing. To say having to put on my businessman hat is one that doesn't fit too comfortably is pretty much on point. I'm no marketer. I know the message of my book to sell to readers to get them interested, it's finding the right angle and approach that doesn't tread on becoming overbearing, annoying, and/or off-putting. It's quite the puzzle to solve while trying to remain original and not produce carbon copies of what other authors do to market their books. And in this day where advertisements can be found everywhere, and salespeople are as pushy as ever, my stance is one of remaining low key whenever possible.

With Seeing I filmed a live-action book trailer. With The Painted Lady I did a modest video book teaser and wrote a series of independent micro-stories from different points of view that led into the beginning of the novel, which were posted weekly on this blog and on my site (www.josephfalank.com).

This time, for An Unexpected Visit, I decided to go back to creating a book trailer, but the substance of the trailer is different.

My hope this time is to do a series of book trailers (if possible) that touch on specifics not only involved with the book itself in final form but everything that went into its creation. For instance, in the first trailer, titled "Inspiration," I decided to narrate what gave me the idea for the story and what my intention was while writing it as you get glimpses of the work-in-progress. Maybe you'll find it interesting, or maybe you won't. That's the gamble I'm betting on, so we'll see.

Deciding to narrate wasn't a comfortable bed to sleep in (I don't like hearing my own voice), but I do like the final product of the trailer. Hopefully you will too.