Doug Romig's Blog

This morning I was sitting at my computer, uploading files to the all the right servers so they would be ready for the book launch on the 20th. There was a ring at the door that surprised me. Most of my friends don’t stop by without at least texting. Knowing my recent luck with drop-ins, I had a bad feeling as I headed to the door. I just knew it was going to be Tone and Zeke visiting at the same time to check on my work. I flung open the door…

Doug: Guys, I’m in the middle of…

My voice suddenly decided it wanted to go somewhere else as my eyes focused on the beauty at my door. She had long, flowing, midnight-black hair, a wide smile that made me feel warm from head to toe, and eyes with traces of amber dancing around them.

Arino: Hello, Doug. I’m Arino. May I come in?

Doug: Uhhh…

Arino: Can I take that as a yes?

Doug: Uhhh…

Arino: Let’s go sit down. You look flushed.

Doug: Ummmm…

Arino: For a writer, you don’t seem to know many words.

Doug: Uh huh.

Arino: Please sit down before you fall over. Let’s pretend I showed up at your door and you said something quite charming and witty about having a healing angel visiting, invited me in, and we sat down for coffee. Sound good?

Doug: Okay.

Arino: A semi-real word? Good job. Can you make a sentence for me now?

Doug: Maybe.

Arino: One word sentence? That’s progress. How about I talk for a while and let you remember where you left your vocabulary?

Doug: Sure.

Arino: Getting better. Nicely done. I really just stopped by to see how the work is going on New Fallen. I know you are under the gun to get it finished.

Doug: Almost done.

Arino: Two words! Yea! This was also my chance to say thank you for increasing my role in New Fallen. I had so much fun in Angelcide. This book has me in almost every chapter. That was so sweet of you. Stop blushing so brightly. That shade of red is not your color.

Doug: You’re welcome. I liked… ummm… something.

Arino: Awww. You almost had two sentences there. I am curious about the next book. Zeke told me you are calling it Demonize, right?

Doug: Yes. You’re in that one a lot, too.

Arino: Great. I love working with Zeke and Tone. So what is Demonize going to be about? I’m guessing there are demons.

Doug: Yes. Demons trying to take over the Spiritscape.

Arino: That seems unlikely. How are you planning on that?

Doug: Well, there is a character that I introduce in New Fallen who will be a major player in Demonize.

Arino: Your words are all back. That sounds like fun. Now you have me wondering who is in New Fallen that we will see in Demonize.

Doug: It’s a secret. But the prologue of Demonize is at the end of New Fallen. It will give a hint.

Arino: That’s a good idea. Sounds like something Zeke may have suggested.

Doug: Both Zeke and Tone were insistent that I start work on Demonize. It wasn’t pretty what they threatened.

Arino: I’ll keep them off your back as much as I can. Just don’t take too long.

Doug: I’ll work on it. I promise.

Then I was in my kitchen all alone, as if I had been by myself the whole time. The kid from next door was staring in the window. He had a strange look on his face. It was like he was watching a mad man talking to himself. Kids these day. What are you going to do?

Having just recovered from my impromptu meeting with Tone, I had just set down to work on my new book, Reunion, when I looked up and my heart almost stopped. There was this thing in my kitchen. It was golden and shiny, bright and sparkling, beautiful and breathtaking. It had a cup of coffee and sat down beside me. My first thought was, “Great. First Tone, now Zeke. How am I supposed to get any work done with figments of my imagination interrupting all the time?” Then I realized that they are not interruptions as much as storylines. Since my hold on reality is somewhat tenuous on any given day, I decided to go with this.

Doug: Hey, Zeke. Do you mind toning it down a bit? My sunglasses are out in the car.

Zeke: How did you know it was me?

(He took on his human look. I really wish I had those eyes. The babes would love that.)

Zeke: Thanks. I like to think they are my best feature.

Doug: Huh?

Zeke: My eyes. You were just wishing your eyes looked like mine.

Doug: Uh, yeah. I didn’t say anything.

Zeke: Uh, angel. You don’t have to. I know what you’re thinking. Plus, I am in your head anyway.

Doug: Oh yeah. I forgot. So what brings you here today?

Zeke: Just checking on you. I know you are under a lot of stress right now and was making sure you are staying on track.

Doug: Uh huh. Right. You just want to make sure New Fallen is ready.

Zeke: Well, I was mildly concerned about your well-being, too. If something happens to you, it could put a damper on my lifestyle.

Doug: What lifestyle? You’re an angel. You don’t even have a life!

Zeke: Fair point. Okay, my spirit-style. I like what you are planning for Arino and me in New Fallen. It is way outside the box for the angelolgy you created.

Doug: Angelogy? The study of angels? I like to think of it as Angel-mythology. A whole new way of thinking about angels from my twisted little mind.

Zeke: Call it what you like, it works for me. Now, let’s talk about this whole bad-boy-angel thing you have in mind for me. How much of a bad boy do I get to be?

Doug: Well, the book is done except for my final read-thru. You push the limits in New Fallenand will go even farther in Demonize.

Zeke: Demonize? Is that the next one? Not sure I like that title.

Doug: Like it or not, that’s what I’m calling it. Don’t worry. You are not the demonizer.

Zeke: Is that even a word?

Doug: It is now. I’m a writer. I make up words all the time. Anyway, I’ve got you playing close to the edge. You like?

Zeke: I like. Now, what about a love scene between Arino and me?

Doug: I already have your spirits merging. What more do you want?

Zeke: Well, there was that hot tub thing that Tone mentioned…

Doug: That was a joke.

Zeke: Was it?

Doug: Yes. It was Tone making a joke.

(Zeke’s eyes glowed golden at this point.)

Zeke: Was it?

Doug: I’ll see what I can do in Demonize. Is that good enough?

(His eyes returned to hazel.)

Zeke: For now. So when are you starting on Demonize?

Doug: Not you, too! Tone has already been here harassing me about it. I’ll write a prologue today. Okay?

Zeke: For now. I’ll be watching. Don’t take too long getting to it. I am, after all, the bad-boy of the angels.

Doug: Noted. Can I get back to work now?
Zeke: Well, there is one more thing.

Doug: What now?

Zeke: You really need to take better care of yourself. We had a meeting.

Doug: Who had a meeting?

Zeke: Well, let’s see. Arino, Tone and I were there from The Spiritscape Chronicles. Then, Abby, Jonas, and Seneca were there from your Chilton/Lange series. I even met Keira from the Storytellers’ Guild.

Doug: Wait a second. I haven’t even told people about Seneca or Keira. What were they doing there? And, why wasn’t I invited? I made all of you.

Zeke: Don’t get all high and mighty with me, Mr. I-Created-All-Of-You. We just want you to get some more exercise and take care of yourself. You do that and we will keep talking to you. If you don’t…

Doug: Then you will go on strike and not talk to me and I’ll get writer’s block. Blah, blah, blah.

Zeke: Blah, blah, blah is all you’ll be writing if we won’t talk to you.

Doug: Okay. Okay. I’ll get more exercise. Anything else?

Zeke: Now, about your diet?

I made a loud groan which caused my son to check on me. I told him it was something I wrote. He just shook his head, walking away. I didn’t want to scare him with the truth that an angel had just stopped by for coffee.

I was sitting in my kitchen, editing New Fallen, when I looked up and saw Tone sitting there making faces at me. For most of you, a person from a book appearing next to you would be a little disconcerting, to say the least. For me, it’s just another day at the office. I decided to interview him since he was distracting me from getting any real work done. What was I thinking?

Doug: Hey, Tone. How are you doing today?
Tone: Well, I’m gassy if you really need to know.
Doug: I already knew that. (gag, gasp, turning green)
Tone: I’d say sorry, but you know better. That is a very cool shade of green you’re turning. Is that chartreuse or more of a seafoam?
Doug: No more chili dogs for you! (cough, cough)
Tone: Like you could stop me. So am I going to be heroic in the new book? Do I get the girl? I’m going to save the day again, right? Do I get to fart a lot?
Doug: Well, there is a farting scene.
Tone: Cha-ching! I really don’t care about all that other stuff. Farting! Farting! Farting!
Doug: Uh, yeah. So, what is the best part of being in the Spiritscape? Is it the beauty? The grandeur? The excitement?
Tone: I get to fly butt first.
Doug: Butt first? Not the amber-hued mountains? Not the battles with demons?
Tone: Nope. I guess that stuff is okay. But there is nothing like the Spiritscape on your butt to make you feel alive. It’s better than a really good poop!
Doug: Poop? Really, Tone?
Tone: Hey, you made me up. Don’t blame me. Think about it. I get to say anything that crosses your messed-up mind! All those stories I get to tell about my childhood are really things that happened to…
Doug: On another topic, what is it like working with Zeke.
Tone: Hold on. Let me get out my cue cards. Ehem. Working with Zeke is a great pleasure. He is always …psst. What’s that word?
Doug: Professional
Tone: Yeah. He is always professional and loves a good joke… Do I really have to say this next part?
Doug: This is your interview. Say whatever you want.
Tone: Really? Cool!
Doug: Oh crap.
Tone: Here’s the deal. He is too cool for words and he has loosened up a lot in New Fallen. I think there is something going on between Zekey and Arino. Let me just say, I caught them making googley eyes at each other several times. It was cute in a make-me-wanna-puke kind of way.
Doug: Zeke and Arino? Really?
Tone: Dude, you wrote it. Why are you acting surprised?
Doug: Just trying to be a good interviewer.
Tone: Yeah. About that, stick to writing fiction. So, what do you have in mind for me in the next book? Superpowers? Turn me into an angel? Give me my own pudding-filled hot tub?
Doug: Well, the next book is going to be called Demonize. You are going to meet up with some old enemies.
Tone: Demonize? Is that the best you can do? Okay. I guess it works. So when are you going to start on it?
Doug: Who is interviewing who here?
Tone: I’m interviewing you, now. Answer the question before I’m forced to fill your head with images of me dressed up like a belly dancer wearing nothing but bologna in strategic spots.
Doug: NO! Not that! Please, I need the brain cells that would destroy. I’ll start on Demonize as soon as I finish Reunion and Interpol.
Tone: Okaaaay, that doesn’t work for me. You need to start on it tomorrow. Here is an image of me belly dancing.
Doug: AAAAAARRRRGGGG!
Tone: So when are you starting it?
Doug: Today! Today! Just no more!!
Tone: Thank you. Now, about my love life…


That was when I passed out.