And the theme for LESSONS IV is...

(drumroll)

Carnivals!

That's right. Each of these drabbles take place at random carnivals. Plenty of bloody ride mishaps (and most of them aren't accidents!), and terrible rigged games where your life depends on the outcome (spoiler alert: the games are rigged!).

I know I said I wanted to take a break from the LESSONS universe after I wrote III, and that was the truth at the time. Even though I haven't published anything new, I've been working on other things. I still have a short story collection that I need to work on and I'll hopefully have it out sometime this year.

But I've always wanted to write another LESSONS book. They're so much fun, but as I've always said I need to have a solid idea or theme. When I wrote the first two, themes just kind of happened as I wrote the drabbles--and that was easy since they were still new to me. Now, I actually have to have a bit of a gameplan when I do one of these. Also, it helps prevent me from doing the same old, same old (or at least, I hope!)

I had an idea about a carnival theme a few days ago. I ran with it, not sure if I could make anything out of it or not. The ideas came flooding in, and as I'm writing this post I'm up to 15 drabbles.

This is still months away. Even when I do get the drabbles done, there's still a lot of work that needs to be done before I can release it to the world. But know this, it's going to happen. I can now say that with confidence after working hard on it for the past few days.

I'm really excited. I hope you guys will enjoy it once it's out. I'll keep you posted!

LESSONS IV???

Maybe... I have a possible theme for a new collection and I'm running with it. Nothing's set in stone, and right now I'm just experimenting. That said, I'd love to put out another collection. Hopefully I can make this happen. Stay tuned!

A message from Nermie to Mr. Giggles

Mr. Giggles,

I saw you last night. I don't know what you were planning to do to Michael with those scissors, but I'm keeping my eye on you. Don't mess with me, buster! Try to harm Michael again, and I'll tear the stuffing right out of you!!!

-Nermie (aka the watchful chinchilla)

IBDD (I Blame David Dalglish)

David Dalglish is one of my author buddies. He’s a terrific guy and he’s one hell of a writer—you can find a ton of his books by clicking here.

But he’s also a prick.

There’s a reason I use such a harsh term. We were talking about bad movies, and he asked me if I saw THE ROOM. I didn’t, and he told me that I should immediately purchase it, along with the Rifftrax audio commentary. (I later found out that Rifftrax is by the guys who did Mystery Science Theater 3000, which I’m a huge fan of) So, I decided what the hell? I picked up the DVD along with the audio track, and my girlfriend and I watched it a few weeks back.

Oh. My. Gawd.

I don’t even think I can do it justice on here, but I’ll do my best. The writing, acting and directing is atrocious. I couldn’t believe this was an actual movie we were watching. Many times throughout the film, our mouths were on the floor (and we had to look away from a bunch of the sex scenes where they would only be considered “sexy” on April Fools). We were also in tears from the commentary by Rifftrax as we watched. When it was over, we still couldn’t believe what we had witnessed. That had to have been one of the worst movies we ever saw.

And then… it stuck with us. We can’t stop repeating lines from both the film and Rifftrax. We say things like, “Oh hai, Darkness. Oh hai, Building,” etc. etc. We went out to eat after watching the movie and when I had to go to the restroom, it took all the strength in the world not to mutter, “Oh hai, Urinal! Oh hai, Sink! Have I told you how wonderful and sexy Lisa is?” for fear of somebody being in one of the stalls.

I’m effin’ obsessed with this movie now. I can’t stop watching Youtube clips. Even the ones without the Rifftrax! It’s that fantastic. My girlfriend and I are forever doomed to recite the awful lines. I’m still waiting for the day where I have a really, really bad day so I can scream, “Everybody betrayed me! I’m fed up with this world!”

So, I blame David Dalglish. Hence, me calling him a “prick.” He knew this would happen. It was all a part of his evil plan all along. I’m sure of it!

And now, it’s my turn to be a prick.

If you haven’t seen the “awesomeness” that is THE ROOM, do yourself a favor and buy/rent it. Then go to Rifftrax and purchase thecommentary. Watch it, and let it sink in. Try not to say “Oh hai (insert object/person name)” once you see it. Impossible, I say. Im-effin’-possible.

The Rifftrax sample:
http://youtu.be/X_7zpB1v0Og

Some “epic” clips without the Rifftrax audio:

Everybody betrayed me

http://youtu.be/UhQst2mFlJM

Oh hai, Mark

http://youtu.be/ISXiFJS9D5A

What a story, Mark!

http://youtu.be/CY29dSaCCu8

The Flower Shop scene
http://youtu.be/7S9Ew3TIeVQ

29 for one more week

So, on Sunday (the 15th) I'll be turning the big 3-0. Kinda hard to get my head around that, not that I feel that much different now. Still, it's a milestone birthday and I can't deny that. I have to say that I'm pretty psyched with the way life's going. If you told me that I'd sell thousands of ebooks before my 30th birthday a couple of years ago, I would've thought you were nuts. I never expected that to happen.

I know my numbers aren't as grand as a bunch of other indie authors out there, but for a short story writer I have to say I've gone above and beyond where I thought I'd be. :)

What's in store for the new year? I hope to have a new short story collection out. I'm still working on the second draft, so it'll be a while. A new short story of mine will be featured in THE GATE II (which comes out in February). Other than that, I'm just going to keep on writing and see what I come up with. I've never been good with plans on writing. The stories just happen in my head.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, THANK YOU for all of your wonderful support. My writing career wouldn't be what it is today without you.