Nick Nicholson's Blog: Lost in the Desert

none

I had to take a break from doing any heavy writing on "Break On Through", as we are immersed in the editing of "Dubious Heroes". Jeanne has been doing an amazing job of the editing, finding a plethora of things my paid "professional" editor missed completely.

As it is, we are nearing completion, and will make the submission deadline of December 1st. At that point, it is in the hands of the publisher.

As for the release date, I won't know for awhile. It could be in February (that would be rushing it), or, if they go the traditional route (as I'm hoping), courting the reviewers with advance copies, it could be somewhat longer. Stay tuned.

Well, sort of. "Break On Through" is progressing, more or less on schedule. The editing of "Dubious Heroes" is also moving along, thanks to the expert help from Jeanne. In addition to being smart and beautiful (and my fiancee), she is truly the Goddess of Grammar and Punctuation.

What isn't progressing is the new album. We are short by three new tracks, and what time I have is being devoted to editing and writing, so... the December release date for "Monsoon" is not happening. I'm thinking it will likely be Spring 2013, after the release of "Dubious Heroes".

Headed north to Flagstaff for a couple of days; looking forward to actually seeing the changing of the seasons.

Nearing the end of a vacation along the Oregon coast (near Pacific City), in the company of my vivacious fiancee. It is so incredibly beautiful here. The old growth forests, with the towering, moss-covered trees, and the sandy beaches, with huge, monolithic rocks jutting up from the sea, are all just stunning.

I've done a little writing on "Break on Through", but mostly, this has been about some much needed R&R. Unfortunately, it's back to the desert tomorrow evening.

I'll post pictures on Facebook, in a few days, so look me up there if you're interested.

All the books won in the giveaway have been signed, packaged, and shipped via priority mail.

I have tabled "Stolen Moonlight" for now, and have begun writing the sequel to "Riders on the Storm". The tentative title is "Break On Through (to the Other Side)". Yes, that's another Doors tune, but it is... pertinent.

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway, and congrats to the winners.

[image error]

I've been seeing a lot of questions floating around out there about what I'm working on, and what's out on the horizon.

The new novel (I posted the cover in this blog) is called "Dubious Heroes". It is a science-fiction adventure. I'll post a blurb about it, as soon as I actually write one. We've been negotiating a deal with Random House for the last couple of months. I will go ahead and accept their offer next week, even though it isn't exactly what I wanted. The tentative release date is in February 2013. We should have the specific date, once the contract is signed.

I am currently working on a story that is a supernatural thriller, set in Savannah, Georgia. I expect to have the original writing done by the end of the year, schedule allowing. It has the working title of "Stolen Moonlight".

"Riders on the Storm" was written in such a way that a sequel would be possible (and even likely). I outlined and plotted the sequel a couple of years ago. The intention is to begin the sequel after I complete "Stolen Moonlight", but if the interest is significant enough, I may table the current project, and continue the tale of Danny, Regina, and Hank.

Feel free to comment, or drop me a note.

While "Dubious Heroes" is still in editing, I got the artwork back for the cover, and I am really liking it. I will try to attach it here. Comments would be appreciated.

It's well into August, now, and I've written maybe another 2000 words this month. I've been pretty busy, just not with writing. Finished up a track for the new album, plus did some traveling, as well as the obligations I can't avoid.

The boredom is so real, it is palpable. I know what I need - to be out in the desert at night, the wind, rain and lightning raging all around me. So far, not a lot of opportunities for such, this year. Still, I watch the skies, the radar and other tools, and wait for it to happen.

When it does, I will be fine, once again.

Today marks the end of July, and I am supposed to be writing. The reasons why not are varied; a touch of writers' block, and other projects, such as the band, or getting the new website online, all eating up large chunks of time. While those are contributing factors to my not writing, they are not the largest obstacle, by far. The primary reason writing is not happening is this scorching, relentless heat of the Arizona summer.

Day after day of temperatures that soar to over 110 degrees, and only fall to around 90 at night. The monsoon season, with its' dust storms and infrequent rain, only serves to turn the desert heat into a hot, sticky sauna.

My problem is this; the new novel, entitled "Stolen Moonlight" is set in Savannah, Georgia, in the Spring. Normally, I can transport myself anywhere as I write (even into deep space, in "Dubious Heroes"), but I'm just not feeling the warm spring breezes, the cool fog as it creeps into town from the river, or the magnolia blossoms and azaleas, fragrant in the sultry night.

On the plus side, I can photograph the lightning when it happens, but that isn't helping to get any writing done, either.

I believe I may have to spend a little time looking into the eyes of my muse, losing myself in the infinite depth of her glorious gaze.

Closing the blinds might help, too. :)