A Writer's Week #109: The Series is a Trilogy--For Now

Things have been hopping since my last Writer's Week post. In that time, the Deliverers Series became a trilogy with the release of The Deliverers 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang. Of course, I won't be stopping there. I'm currently working on The Deliverers 4. For now, though, it's pretty cool to say I've written a trilogy for some reason--probably because I grew up totally in love with The Lord of the Rings.

In addition to that, I had a very successful promo. The Kindle versions of the first two books in the series (Sharky & the Jewel and Order of the Crystal Lion) were 99 cents each for a week. Thank you to everyone who have supported myself and the series so enthusiastically!

Finally, today I received the paperback copies of The Golden Dragon of Ang. I'm looking forward to getting out, enjoying some warmer weather, and seeing everyone at some shows. I've lined up a show in Madison, CT on May 17th, and I'm hoping to add more as the spring progresses.

Now that the good news is out of the way, it's time for an update on The Deliverers 4. I wrote a little bit this week, but not half as much as I wanted. I was only able to write 1,000. That brings book 4 to 12,500 words over 53 pages and 11 chapters. With things hopping both with book 3 and at work, I've been having trouble focusing on writing this past month and a half. It's been extremely frustrating to me, because I've worked hard to discipline myself to crank out at least 2,000 words a week. I'm going to have to make an effort to rededicate myself to hit my goal. We'll see how that works out. I'll update you next week!

What's Christian Reading? The Deliverers 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang

The celebration of the release of The Deliverers 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang continues this week. Christian has read the book, which is surprising because in his soon to be teenage brain he has the idea that it's not cool to read books his father writes. To my surprise, he read the proof copy with very little pleading on my part. Hmmm, maybe he's hooked in spite of himself. Anyway, here are his thoughts on the book.

Here's what Christian says the book is about.

This book is well written. The characters seem real and not fake. I would recommend this book for children ages 9-13. This book is the best one in the series.

Some of the parts I found exciting where when the main characters had to sneak out of Ang’s capital and find Eric and Kate, when they had to escape the Serpent Fortress and when they had to find the legendary island. This book is very exciting and is a very interesting read.

Some of the main characters include Kang, Jiao, The Fang, that Denchi dude who helps them out, and the Golden Dragon of Ang.

When Eric and his friends Kate, Stig the owl and Hallo the dwarf enter the special doors that lead to the “hallway of worlds” they are always plunged into an adventure of mystery and intrigue. Last time it was the Vynestri and Selango, this time it is the five Dragon Islands and the search for the missing Dragon's Voice. What will happen in this exciting installment of the Deliverers series? Find out today!

Bless his soul, I actually think he was trying to slide in a sales pitch at the end there. So how did Christian rate The Golden Dragon of Ang? 

He gave it 4.95 out of 5 flaming monkey heads (he's always been tough, this is pretty good!).

What's Abigail Reading? The Deliverers: Sharky & the Jewel

With the release of the latest book in The Deliverers Series, The Golden Dragon of Ang, my children wanted to mark the event by sharing their thoughts on the books. At first I was reluctant, but they really wanted to and finally managed to convince me. Today is Abigail's turn. She's going to tell us a little about the first book in the series, Sharky & the Jewel. Christian will stop by on Wednesday to share his thoughts on The Golden Dragon of Ang. 

Here's what Abigail says the book is about.

In the book the main characters are Kate, Eric, Stig and Hallo. They go through secret doors to different places to save the lands. This book is mainly about trying to defeat Sharky the pirate.

First, Eric had a bad dream about losing his dad. He heard an owl talking that night and the owl was named Stig. He lead Eric to a secret door. When they went through the door they were on an island. Next, Kate--a girl who lived there--went looking for Eric and Stig. Kate was planning to meet them there. When they met she told them about Sharky, the person who came to their island and ordered them around.

Then they had to think about a way to get rid of Sharky and his crew. Finally they thought of a plan and met a new friend named Hallo. Hallo helped with the plan, too. When Sharky came to the island they were waiting for him. They got the gem from Sharky.

They used the ring they got from the Guardian a twirled it in the air to get the ring from Sharky. After that, Eric and Stig had to go back home. hey said goodbye to everyone from Calendria, even Hallo and Kate their best friends, and left. There are still more trips to come!

So, how did Abigail rate The Deliverers: Sharky & the Jewel, by--um--me?

She gave it four and a half out of five dolphins.

Gotcha Day

I'm doing something new here today. Since it's Gotcha Day, the day Stephanie and I received our daughter Abigail in China, I thought Steph could introduce Abby's version of what happened nine years ago today.

Today is Abby's Gotcha Day (9 years ago).... Just this week she wrote this up after interviewing Greg and I. I thought it captured the spirit of our little girl! (She said I could post it on facebook if I paid her $0.50, lol... I did!) In her words....

TRIP to CHINA by: Abigail Jiao Ying 

On my mom and dad's way to china to get their second baby they met my china sisters' parents by picking up their information in New York State and getting to meet everyone. When it was time to go to China they all got together again and went on the same plane. After that, they got off the plane and it was dark outside in China and the first place they went to is Hong Kong because they were going to stay the night there that day. Then they all flew on another plane to the mainland of China. they also filled out more papers and went into the new hotel, unpacked and did much more. 

The next day was gotcha day. Everyone was so excited to get their new babies!!! I came with a cold and it got worse the next day. I liked to play with cups and play with my feet. Next we went shopping in Changsha and bought Chinese pampers. We also went to get a beautiful dress and shoes that were hand made. I still have the shoes today. On the last day of Changsha my mom got sick by food poisioning. The next week we flew to Guangzhou. In Guangzhou my dad got a cold too from my cold. After that, my mom and dad finally got to take me home. 

When we got home we went to a restaurant and I met my grandparents and some cousins. When I got home I got greeted by a lovely sign saying: (WELCOME HOME ABIGAIL!!) Everyone was excited. I still see my china sisters today and celebrate Chinese New Year with them and go on fun trips too. I LOVE LIFE!!!!!!! I also have a Chinese book that shows pictures in china, money and all other things!!!

Uncover the Knowledge of Distant Lands For Only 99 Cents Each

With the release of The Deliverers 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang less than a week away, I've made the first two books in the Deliverers Series, Sharky & the Jewel and Order of the Crystal Lion, 99 cents each on Kindle from now until the release of book 3 on April 1st.

When you purchase and read these two books, you'll be swept away to worlds of wonder and imagination. Better yet, you'll learn the answers to many of the important questions of the universe. Questions such as:

• How does a talking owl open a door?

• Do dwarven women have beards?

• Can a boy, a girl, an owl and a dwarf deliver a beatdown to an immortal pirate?

• Will splicing monkey jeans into the DNA of a 13 year old boy make him overly sensitive or hyper or is that just their nature?

• Is making a virtual tunnel out of sparkling mist a viable alternative to digging one?

• What's the best way to stop a civil war? 

Armed with those answers you'll be ready to dive into The Golden Dragon of Ang to unravel further mysteries of the universe:

So what are you waiting for? All this knowledge and more awaits. Act now before this amazing deal disappears!