I am getting very close to finishing the last book of this series. I am going to miss these characters. To put off the writing of the last half of the seventh book, I went ahead and spent time on the graphics. I also need to compile the rest of the quotes for the beginning of the chapters and do four additional graphics. Then I suppose I won’t have any excuses. The plot is finished. The content has been lain out. It is time for me to finish this work.

I have had these characters buzzing around in my head ignoring my outlines and going above expectations for so long, I think I will be a bit lonely when they are gone.

Not for long though. I have other books to write and other characters to befriend.

Bob

The Third book of the Headgames series, “Gossamer and Goblins,” is currently being edited. At 117,100 words I found a good ending so I am stopping it at that point. I believe a book should have a good ending even if it is in a series.  It takes a bit of folding around of the plots and subplots to place a decent ending in a series. I think it is an effort worth making. Part of the “contract” between a writer and his reader is one of trust. When a reader goes through several books in a series there is an element of trust that the author will not cop out, fumble or otherwise mangle the ending. I am not generally a harsh judge of a book, but if a book ends on a weak note, the writer has to have had some pretty fine content for me to want to repeat the experience with a new book of theirs.

This book is one of the least serious examinations of free will that you can find. While it further examines the ramifications of destiny, free will and choice, I am not entirely sure that readers will notice. It seems more like a romp exploring the ramifications of having doorways into Fairy.

It also expands the examination of the battleground of church potluck meals that “Headgames II” started. Most importantly this book introduces one of my wife and my favorite characters, Dinodude.  Not the fellow you see on the cover, the cover picture is obviously Ben.

Now that I have finished the book, the editing begins.  While I crank out the words, I concern myself with plot, balance of mood and and a pathetic attempt to keep things simple. So I am done with writing the story and I think is a good story, Sadly though, that is not enough. I still have to try and make what I wrote conform to the rules of English. I also have to try and make things understandable and a bit less convoluted.

From the way it is shaping up I suspect this story will run to five or six books.  When it looks like the tale is complete I plan to move to other writing projects.  I will miss this one, I am beginning to get very fond of the characters and the world they live in.

Bob

Happy New Years! The second pass on editing is now half way done! The book is now 117,000 words.  I am enjoying reading this story now that I have finished it.

The Second book of the Headgames series is now available on Kindle.

Ben is a thirteen year old boy who is suffering from poisoning, a missing leg and a missing eye. He has been forbidden by his doctor from entering Fairy until he gets over the poisoning and his bowel issues.

His immortal grandmother has recently passed away and will be needing a new body soon, so arrangements have been made to get Grandmother’s ancient skull to Caroline, a girl that Ben has loved since he was five, so that Grandmother can have a new host body.

Ben is setting off to go to sea in a ship crafted in Fairy by his little brother, Bran the Blessed, an ancient Giant from British prehistory. Hopefully, Ben can survive a few weeks of gently sailing while developing a tan.

In this book, Ben meets the Dark Fairy, Giant Spiders, Death, and Loki as he continues following his ancient destiny.

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Bob

The first book of the Headgames series is now available on Kindle!

This story is about Benjamin Gray, a small twelve year old boy who has lived in fear most of his life. He has managed to smile and put one foot in front of the other despite his strong suspicions that this year may be his last.

It is February, 1977 and Ben has been summoned to visit his grandmother at her Winter House.

The Winter House is where the family keeps all the insane and infirm members of the family.  Ben has stayed at the Winter House every summer since he was five and managed to make friends with his sad and broken relatives.

He fears that he will soon be joining his insane relative as one of them.  That or be buried in the family cemetery where so many of the older stones are for children who died when they were only twelve. Ben has good reason for his fears. He has more than a few relatives with rather scary plans for him.

In a dark stone chamber, deep underground, Ben is about to meet the Fates, the three creatures that the Gods of old feared.

But doom is not what the Fates have planned for Ben.  Soon he will be protecting his family from Goblins, negotiating with Fairies, dealing with Daemons and getting along with girls.

Despite the odds, Ben has a strong advantage. The Fates are on his side.