You've read the samples--now the book is done! Sexton Sand

Sexton Sand is published!

I was talking to a friend at work today, and she was glad Sexton Sand is ready for her to buy for her Kindle. She confided in me that she started another series (gasp!) while waiting for me to finish this book, but that she was really looking forward to reading it. I was tickled--not physically, but mentally. I accept the compliment that she's been waiting for me to finish this book.

   Others have been waiting for it as well, and now it's ready. I have published several sample chapters along the way, and I hope you like them.

   The book is available from www.lulu.com/spotlight/Misticuf as a paperback, hardcover, pdf download, and epub. It's also available from Barnes and Noble's website as a Nook book, and Amazon as a Kindle book.

Now that this one is done, I'm going to get started on book 5 in the series. I think I'll call it Sexton Retribution. When you finish reading this one, you'll understand why.   The link to the first book in the series, Sexton, can be found on the upper right-hand side of this blog. Click for a sample, and click to buy. Take time for a summer adventure without paying four bucks a gallon in gas.

Take it from the top! (A writing exercise)

I've mentioned before that I don't outline my books. I write without a net, enjoying the process for the process and the journey for the journey.

Sometimes that's not the best way. Don't get me wrong--I'm going to keep working that way because it works for me.

There's one downfall. If I stop writing for any length of time, there's a chance I'll forget where I was going. I did that with Sexton Sand.

Fortunately, I'm a fast typist. I can bang out 120 words per minute or more. Usually more. So...when I found myself wondering what happens in Chapter Sixty-seven and coming up with no answer, I started by printing the manuscript. 96,000 words.

Started typing. I can't just read the thing to get caught up with it again. If I start reading a pen appears in my hand as if by magic and I'm editing. For now the goal is to get back into the flow, the feel, the touch of the manuscript. Forward progress will resume in about a week.

Excerpt from Sexton Sand (Sexton Chronicles IV)

   Andy would never be able to hear the term royal bearing again without thinking of carrying King Rajahd'een's unconscious body--and the smelly feet that went with it--down the street in the middle of the night while being hunted by a bunch of guys who wanted to chop him and his friends into tiny little pieces. He was sure they looked ridiculous. He was equally sure no one would laugh at them until they chopped them into little tiny pieces. I have to stop thinking about tiny pieces.

  "What's the plan?" John asked. His voice sounded strained. No one answered him. Seconds later he asked again.

   "We're going to stop carrying him as soon as I think of something else to do."

   Tom's voice sounded smooth. Too smooth. Andy shot a look over his shoulder and tried not to grin. Tom's face was cracked in a smile in the light from a window they passed. Andy was glad to see the grin.

   "What're you thinking?"

   "On your right, up ahead, there's a store. We're going to take him in there and lie low for a couple of hours."

   "What happens when the store owner wants to open in the morning?" Andy asked.

   "And what happens when the king wakes up?" John asked.

   "We knock him out."

   "The store owner, or Raj?" Andy was pulling no the guy's leg in a rush to get to the doorway on his right. He forced himself to slow down.

   "Yes."

   "I knew you were going to say that."

   "Then why the hell did you ask?"

From Chapter Sixty-six, Sexton Sand