Book Review: Pond Life

Only put in about three hours since we last talked. I blame this on you. Because that's easier.

I read a book called Pond Life by Sam Kates; it's a collection of short horror stories--maybe horror isn't always the right word for each story, but creepy sure as hell describes them. I was thinking about how to review this book since I can't compare it to other novels, because it isn't actually a novel, per se. Given that I've published 4-5 short stories, and have a read a good number of them, including collections like this--I think I have some authority on it though.

The worst part about this book is the name. It doesn't nearly describe what you're going to experience when you begin reading, and I think that's to the detriment of Mr. Kates wallet--because the book is good. The best short horror story collection I've ever read is The Collection, by Bentley Little. Sam Kates barely misses this honor with these ten stories.

I don't want to spend my time describing each of the stories, because you can simply go here and read about them. What I want to do is describe the world that Kates creates in Pond Life.

He never tells you completely what is going on in each story, but sends you down a path of macabre and wonder that makes it hard to step away from the book at any given time. It's infuriating and yet wonderful how each story leaves you guessing at what happens to the characters in the long run. For the most part, Kates gives you a glimpse of the horror they're about to face, but then pulls you away--only to drop you into another story in which you witness a man murder his wife or the worst prison ever created.

One other thing I wanted to comment on is Sam Kates writing style. It's superb. He has a meticulous way with words that accurately paints a picture, but leaves enough room for the imagination to fill in blanks--which I always believe can create more powerful scenes than any writer can on paper.

If you're into short stories, this book is a definite buy. Kudos to Mr. Kates for creating these creepy stories.

Rating: 4/5
Recommendation: Buy

The Importance of Focus

I've put in 8 hours since my last update (I know, it's been a week--I've been busy). 

Today is the last day you can get twenty our horror novels for FREE: Free Horror

If you haven't picked up all those books yet, you should now, before you have to end up paying for them.

I've been thinking a lot about focus lately. I suppose around my junior or senior year of college I began bringing my laptop to class, and I honestly believe that is when my ability to focus intensely on one particular item at a time started degrade. I suddenly had every piece of information I could ever need in front of me, as well as all my idiot friends posting all the time (unless you've bought my book, then you're smart as a whip). It was virtually a foregone conclusion that I would stop paying attention. My grades didn't suffer, but my learning did.

This has transferred itself to every piece of my life now. I constantly zone out, check my phone, check my tablet, check my email, check facebook, check twitter, check my book stats. I check everything all the goddamn time AS IF IT MATTERS. 

It doesn't. None of it does. It's counterproductive. 

I had been writing two hours per day, with all those interruptions (and don't even get me started when someone starts posting politics on Facebook, that can take away HOURS of my time while writing). I cut it in half and now have a strict rule that only my Work In Progress can be on my screen. The results?

I'm getting through more of End Times (my next book) than I was at 2 hours a day. 

I'm trying to import focus into the rest of my life, and I think it would be smart for you to as well. Stop checking your phone when you're at work, talking with someone, or reading. Focus on what's at hand--THAT is what is important, not anything else. 

When Einstein theorized, he used a single notepad, and a pencil. It didn't matter where he was at. Literally, he could be in a crowded room with people talking all around him, and his focus was so intense that he kept right on going. Get that kind of focus, and success is the only thing that is going to be able to interrupt you.

Contest: I'm giving 10% of my profits to your favorite charity!

I'm not even going to attempt to count the hours I've racked up since the last time I wrote. I'll say I've been on a tear, already 9,000 words into the End Times. I'm hoping it's going to be around 100,000, so I'm moving along nice with that.

First, I want to say thanks to anyone who has purchased Dead Religion. I can't thank you enough. If you haven't, get it now, and gift it ten times (I kid, kinda): Buy Here. The reviews I'm getting back are all very positive, and that's good. I'm having trouble penetrating the horror market, everything so far has been word of mouth that stems from me or someone I know. Just gotta keep on keepin' on, though. Currently I put an hour a day into marketing, and I've been neglecting this blog. I'm going to get back onto blogging, Monday's and Thursday's--as it's necessary too. Holla at Meet My Husband for reminding me of that all the time.

So what's next? I have an interview tomorrow for my book, and I've done another interview that is going up at the end of November (takes forever, right?). Got something in the works for late October, kinda Halloween themed, which should be cool for any horror fans--teaming up with some other horror authors for it.

So, I'm going to do a pretty little contest that I doubt many people will participate in, but I'm going to give it a try anyway. This is what I want to do: whoever can convince the most people to buy my book, I'll do two things for them: 1) I'll name a character in End Times (my next book) after them, and they can decide the character attributes (up to a point, after all, creative control rests with me), and more importantly 2) I will dedicate 10% of all profits I make during the month of October with Dead Religion to a charity of your choice. 

Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.

Now, this is how you prove to me you did it: Simply have someone email (DavidBeersAuthor@gmail.com), comment here, tweet me (@engineofsociety), or facebook saying they bought it because you told them to. That's it. I'll trust you. Fairly simple, fairly easy, and in the end we're doing a good deed with charity.

We'll do it from today to 10/1/2012 until 10/11/2012.

Questions? Just drop me a line the same way.

Hope you guys decide to participate.