Weird Westerns discussion
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Orc demon-hunter gunslinger tries to rid a desert mining town of its demon problem.
Obviously there's more to it but that's pretty much the basic story.
Yeah, I got to say, that sounds pretty awesome. I flicked over to your website and saw the cover-art - the pic says it all. So it sounds like you've published book 1 and your in the process of writing book 2. What's your eta for book 2?
I've got 2 main projects. I'll tell you about the big one another time. My smaller project is (will be) a serirs of humorous novellas about an obsessive compulsive cross-eyed aspiring criminal cowboy.
Book 1 follows the protagonist as he attempts to rob a bank but is mistaken as a famious a Demon hunter. I've completed the first book and am ass-deep into editing.
The book is a quick easy read written with the sole purpose of having its reader piss themselves laughing.
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Well, the quick summary of my first book is this: Gunslinger wandering the slowly rebuilding ruins of a fantasy world (that was nuked by aliens years earlier and is now integrating discarded alien tech into their societies) with his mystic revolver gets involved in a plot by a former industrialist to extort and maybe destroy the biggest new empire currently going.
Book two (which is being beta read but is otherwise done being edited) involves the gunslinger's continuing adventure - the mystic gun is badly affecting him, he may be going crazy, the conspiracy was deeper than he realized and he must fight to save not only himself but everything he knows.
No ETA on book three.
I also have a series of short stories involving the sentient clockwork robot from the first book in various states of finished, and am expanding the world to other characters in novellas and short stories. I have vague plans for other novels in the setting once the first trilogy is done, but considering my personal schedule I have no idea when they will be done, much less started.
Book two (which is being beta read but is otherwise done being edited) involves the gunslinger's continuing adventure - the mystic gun is badly affecting him, he may be going crazy, the conspiracy was deeper than he realized and he must fight to save not only himself but everything he knows.
No ETA on book three.
I also have a series of short stories involving the sentient clockwork robot from the first book in various states of finished, and am expanding the world to other characters in novellas and short stories. I have vague plans for other novels in the setting once the first trilogy is done, but considering my personal schedule I have no idea when they will be done, much less started.
hi Ashe. Are you going to publish via ebook or attempt the ole traditional route with an agent and publisher? I'm not nearly to the stage of worrying about this sort of thing yet (for my own books) but I'm keenly aware that neither agents nor publishers will touch this genera. What are your thought/experience on the subject?
hi Philip. discarded alien technology and postaoclyptic recovering societies are, individually, a blast to write about. put them together and you've got a great platform to build your story. The addition of the gunslinger in your story just adds a whirling birch slap of awesomeness. What stands out for me most is the mystical gun. I've considered this for a long time when writing a story about a gunslinger going into another world that is hundreds of years behind in terms of technology. thus no ammo to be had. He's on a quest so he can't stop to manufacture more nor does he have the skill. The only other option is to give him a mystical gun that doesn't require reloading. ....hmmm for some stories, this could work. But it just wouldn't fit for mine.
Also. You mentioned staying to lose his marbles in book 2. Did you write this in 1st or 3rd person perspective?
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Self-pubbing. I had a successful kickstarter campaign so I have funds to buy a pack of isbn's, and then I'll hit createspace, do a paperback and kindle release, plus any other digital venue i can get into.
Have yet to look at aagents. Looked at publishers some. Stay far away from Damnation Books. Ragnarok Pub is fantastic though and run by some rad folks. There are aagents and publishers, we're just a harder sell. For now.
I'll need to find an agent at some point for two books at the very least. I'd love to do a Crow novel and a Star Trek novel. The latter of which doesn't really fit the normal plots.
hi Ashe. I hear a lot about writers doing kickstarts, but I dont really understand it. You said it's too purchase ISBNs? I lived in West Virginia for 27 years, but it is only since I've moved to New Zealand that I've been wiring. Here, ISBNs are free (issued from the national library a half block from where I work). These ISBNs can be used to publish in any country ... I know you meant to purchase ISBNs from the country your in, but in today's digital age, why not try elsewhere?
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Christopher wrote: "hi Philip. discarded alien technology and postaoclyptic recovering societies are, individually, a blast to write about. put them together and you've got a great platform to build your story. The ad..."
The alien tech has actually kickstarted this fantasy world into an industrial revolution of sorts, so magic and steampunk-style tech uneasily coexist. My protagonist's gun is wholly unique for this world; it was manufactured by a DaVinci-like figure and the protagonist sort of just found it. It uses ammo, which while uncommon is not unknown, but if he focuses his will it can fire a lethal blast that can wipe out swaths of foes - at great cost to the protagonist. This haunts him. It comes into play more in book two, when the "mystic" in the mystic revolver rears its ugly head (I'm not spoiling it here).
I wrote his lapses in sanity more in first person because it was appropriate; others viewing him during an episode begin to question his sanity, and so does he when he sees the reactions of those around him.
The alien tech has actually kickstarted this fantasy world into an industrial revolution of sorts, so magic and steampunk-style tech uneasily coexist. My protagonist's gun is wholly unique for this world; it was manufactured by a DaVinci-like figure and the protagonist sort of just found it. It uses ammo, which while uncommon is not unknown, but if he focuses his will it can fire a lethal blast that can wipe out swaths of foes - at great cost to the protagonist. This haunts him. It comes into play more in book two, when the "mystic" in the mystic revolver rears its ugly head (I'm not spoiling it here).
I wrote his lapses in sanity more in first person because it was appropriate; others viewing him during an episode begin to question his sanity, and so does he when he sees the reactions of those around him.
Ashe wrote: "Control. I could get a free ISBN through createspace but then I'd only be able to use the Amazon services. If I buy my own, I can spread farther."Ah. I see, said the blind man.
Philip wrote: "Christopher wrote: "hi Philip. discarded alien technology and postaoclyptic recovering societies are, individually, a blast to write about. put them together and you've got a great platform to buil..."Insanity from a first person perspective is great. Nothing like getting in a person's head at the moment they start to crack. ....doing the same in 3rd person just doesn't have that extra punch.
...I also tried to write a gunslinger into one of my stories that used a revolver that didn't shoot bullets. It shot his will power. That way not everyone was killed and I thought it added verity.... ... The idea was good, but it just didn't fit my story, so I dropped it.
...and replaced it with... something new (que evil laugh)
more editing last night. ... and pov change. blah.
Christopher wrote: "The only other option is to give him a mystical gun that doesn't require reloading."Funny how similar some of our basic premises sound. :)
Mine is this: Coffey is a hardened gunslinger, a hunter of daemons. When he rescues a young girl from an attack, he discovers that she has the Sight, and takes her under his wing. He teaches her to be a hunter of the dark.
Their weapon of choice is the flintlock, ancient weapons with talismans embedded in the grip that allow the hunters to pierce the Veil, the shadow world, where they can hunt and destroy the daemons.
Of course, the talismans have a secret of their own, as does Coffey.
hi wilson. That sounds pretty good. I can see that being anywhere from a novelette to a novel leignth. What your word count, or if unfinished, what is your target word count? Its an interesting predicament. ammo. It can be a great way to add depth and complexity to a story, but it can also be a pain in the ass when a gunslinger goes into another world or land that does not have the same level of technology.. This no ammo, black powder... etc. plus the advantage of a gunslinger has in a land accustomed to sword fighting removes all the cool factor for me.
thoughts?
Christopher wrote: "plus the advantage of a gunslinger has in a land accustomed to sword fighting removes all the cool factor for me."I could see a different kind of cool factor in sword-fighting depending on the types of blades chosen and some world-building. For instance, a swordslinger with an ensorcelled or storied blade, or even wielding an ordinary blade but with legendary reflexes, for example.
Simon Green did this well in a different way with The Speaking Gun, imo, as did Six-String Samurai.
Mod
On top of that, I rather like the idea of a gunslinger meeting his past counterpart, a knight errant, just on principle, but you could easily add some cool and tension through that conservation of ammo.
Man, I might have to do this now haha. But yeah, it could be a lot of fun if done right. And now I'm gonna have to look up the Speaking Gun.
Ashe wrote: "Cannons have been around a long time, so while a revolver would astound a sword and sorcery type world (if it's a medieval analog at least), they could still figure out what it was. Plus, archers ..."Cannons are always appropriate in the weird West. Bonus points if they shoot random projectiles instead of cannonballs.
Mod
Yeah, even in the age of the pistol and musket, archers and crossbowmen were very prevalent. Plus we can look at more recent historical cases of revolvers and rifles versus archers in the various skirmishes of the U.S. Army and the Native Americans to see how well they did. Hell, the last recorded pike and lance cavalry charge occurred during World War 1! Talk about old meets new!
So you could send a gunfighter back to olden or medieval times and it could work; the gunfighter might complain about the old type of guns but he'd know what to do, or at least figure it out quickly.
As a side note, The Speaking Gun. That darn thing still gives me the creeps to imagine.
So you could send a gunfighter back to olden or medieval times and it could work; the gunfighter might complain about the old type of guns but he'd know what to do, or at least figure it out quickly.
As a side note, The Speaking Gun. That darn thing still gives me the creeps to imagine.
I think I have found my home XDI've been working on a book with a western-like genre for a while now. The main protagonist is a demon cowboy.
Ashe wrote: "Hells yeah. Maybe cannons stuffed with cushioned vials of alchemical potions. ALCHEMICAL WARFARE!"Or cannons stuffed with angry wild pigs. That's right: CHEMICAL BOARFARE.
Mesa wrote: "I think I have found my home XDI've been working on a book with a western-like genre for a while now. The main protagonist is a demon cowboy."
Welcome Mesa, sounds like you'll fit right in.
Chemical Boarfare LOL
Ok Im going there: We could also fill ladies of the evening with some type of chemical and fire them from cannons. Then we'd have:
CHEMICAL WH...ok you get the idea LOL
Quentin wrote: "Mesa wrote: "I think I have found my home XDI've been working on a book with a western-like genre for a while now. The main protagonist is a demon cowboy."
Welcome Mesa, sounds like you'll fit ri..."
I'd offer more, but that's basic jist of it lol
Might be a bit off topic and maybe already addressed but I figured I would offer it to other authors here-- if anyone's heard of the Southern Gothic/Dark Country genre of music--it compliments this genre quite nicely if anyone's like me who enjoys listening to music relevant to what they're writing.
I've accumulated quite the playlist of it lol
Sounds very interesting Mesa, I'll have to look into that musical genre.
Quentin wrote: "Sounds very interesting Mesa, I'll have to look into that musical genre."A lot of it I've kinda had to cherry pick, but stuff by Blues Saraceno, The Wright Brothers and Nick Nolan are personal favorites.
Mod
Along with puns. If I fired birds at my enemies would you suspect me of...fowl play?
Ashe wrote: " If I fired birds at my enemies would you suspect me of...fowl play?"Only if you winged them...
Mesa wrote: "Quentin wrote: "Sounds very interesting Mesa, I'll have to look into that musical genre."A lot of it I've kinda had to cherry pick, but stuff by Blues Saraceno, The Wright Brothers and Nick Nolan..."
Welcome! I'm a radio dj in my other life, so I'd love to see your playlist. For me, Southern Gothic always makes me think of Trailer Bride...
Mod
Only if you winged them..."
That only works if no one screams, "DUCK!"
Ashe wrote: "That only works if no one screams, "DUCK!""When "Get down!" takes on an entirely different meaning.
Oddmonster wrote: "Mesa wrote: "Quentin wrote: "Sounds very interesting Mesa, I'll have to look into that musical genre."A lot of it I've kinda had to cherry pick, but stuff by Blues Saraceno, The Wright Brothers a..."
The main (shorter XD) playlist I'll usually have on repeat are: "Blood on My Name" by The Wright Brothers, "Blood On The Rails", "Save My Soul", "Dogs Of War", "Blood To Spill", and "The Wicked" by Blues Saraceno, "Guilty Man" by Nik Ammar, "The Preacher" by Jamie N Commons, "Rain Down" by Robin Loxley, "Wanted Man" by Nick Nolan, "Devil's Backbone" by The Civil Wars,and "Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene" by Hozier.
It's a shame it's not a more popular genre!
Mod
Nice list, Mesa, thanks! When I was writing "Ghost Marshal," I had a heavy rotation of The Black Angels. "The Sniper at the Gates of Heaven" is my favorite from them. I always cranked up the receiver to 11 with that one before writing a gunfight scene.
Oh, and Cash's rendition of "God's Gonna Cut You Down." That's Jesse Parker's theme. I even snuck in the title with her dialogue. :)
I always thought of Cash's "When The Man Comes Around" as a theme for Brackett Hollister. I also have a song I wrote that fits the character. If I ever get around to doing a book trailer I'm going to use it.
I bet Cash never imagined he'd inspire Weird Western writers! Then again, there's Ghost Riders in the Sky, so maybe he had an inkling. :)
John wrote: "I bet Cash never imagined he'd inspire Weird Western writers! Then again, there's Ghost Riders in the Sky, so maybe he had an inkling. :)"Actually if you think about, Cash is sort of a weird western musician in a way. A lot of his lyrics and songs were eerie.
Mod
I need to go through that list though and listen to everything. The first song was great.
Southern Gothic? I may have to look into that!
When I sit down to write more about Judes Marlen, there are four songs that need to be on the rotation - Cash's "I See A Darkness", "The Hero" by Amon Amarth, "Progenies of The Great Apocalypse" by Dimmu Borgir (for atmosphere), and "Watch Chimes" by Ennio Morricone.
When I sit down to write more about Judes Marlen, there are four songs that need to be on the rotation - Cash's "I See A Darkness", "The Hero" by Amon Amarth, "Progenies of The Great Apocalypse" by Dimmu Borgir (for atmosphere), and "Watch Chimes" by Ennio Morricone.
At the risk of a little collateral self-promotion, here's a link to my author's website and a post where I created a PDF with my complete Western playlist. I just updated the list to add songs I've downloaded since the original post. http://johnchamilton.com/77/
Mod
Good list, John. Damn good list.
I actually played "Ain't No Grave" for an event I held on Facebook and mentioned it as a great fitting song for my book. Its got a great sound.
I always think of The Undertaker when I hear "Aint No Grave".
Also on a side note, some of you were mentioning cannons and ammo and it got me thinking. Anyone ever play Final Fantasy? In one of them I believe 8 or 9 the main character uses a weapon called a "Gunblade". I always wondered if such a weapon existed and if not could it? I figure something along the lines of pulling the trigger on the side handle of the sword concept and it either raising or heating the blade making it ready for action..Hmm...think I just gave myself something to look up and think about.
I think that was FF8, I had forgotten about that. Pretty cool weapon.
Yep. FF8, Squall Leonhart was the character. Been a lot of debate if his weapon was feasible as something that could be made, but most weapon experts I've come across say no, except as a bayonette on a rifle or if you were somehow able to weld a dagger to a revolver.
great sugestions re the music everyone. and thanks john for collating and merging the list. I'll totally going to spelled these tonight. I can't say that I have a specific song or playlist for my Cailean the cross eyed cowboy series, but I absolutely do for my Levi West series: Nightwish's Once and Within Temptation's Unforgiven and Hydra. check them out.
Many of us write weird western stories. As writers, we're passionate about our stories. We're excited to share them with others and keen to receive comments. Sometimes, all it takes is a little encouragement, for us to get the motivation we need to dust of the ole' manuscript and finish a story.
This thread is for writers to share high level summaries of our stories and to comment, question, and encourage other writers.
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