Rob’s Update: The Files of Kaj Ludek
Greetings all!
This past week saw me sending out another anthology submission. This is the second in the Files of Kaj Ludek. The first was in Vice Noir, and it debuted him as a PI in 1980s Kansas City.
It wasn’t intended to be a debut, but I liked the character and the writing business involves creating characters that then want to see the light of day over and over.
Anyway, Kaj is the grandson of a Czech man who fled to England before the war and fought at D-Day and across France to Germany. That gives me the cool Czech name and a neat family background.
It also allowed me to give him a gun with a neat backstory in its own right. He carries a Browning Hi-Power, or rather, an FN Hi-Power made and used by the Germans during the war. His grandfather killed an SS officer and took the gun, and now it’s a family heirloom.
Kaj himself served in Vietnam. Nothing extraordinary, no Green Beret thing, just an infantry grunt who saw more than he wanted.
The best part of writing these stories is setting them in KC. The worst part of writing these stories is setting them in 1980s KC. I’ve done a bunch of research about what was there at that time, and so far, I’m confident I got it right.
The one in Vice Noir involved the Civellas, the local mob. There’s some interesting stories there in their own right, some of which continue to this day.
This one involves the Steamboat Arabia, which was dug up in 1988. I submitted it to Raconteur Press’s anthology High Class Muscle, and here’s hoping it gets accepted.
I also spent this week working on other projects. I’d gotten to the part of my current novel where I needed to really do the basic Save the Cat Beatsheet so I’m writing in the basic general direction. I’m excited about this one, but I’m just going to tease it for now.
We also did a bunch more work around this building. Certain parts of it are finally taking shape.
So, all in all, a great week! Here’s hoping you have a great one yourself.
What I’m Listening ToBack to Inspector Morse.
Quote of the WeekHappy birthday to Will Rogers. I like today’s quote, and wish I could live up to its message.
Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
– Will Rogers
fencon.org/Gulf Wars, March 14-22, Lumberton, MS
gulfwars.org/Tracked Items
My Weight Today: 344.2lbs
Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.
Have a great week, everyone.
Rob Howell
Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe
