Crossroads

I've never really been here before.

I've had days, weeks even, when I couldn't decide how to move forward with a story, but never with three separate books.

And yet, that's exactly where I am right now.

The Division of the Damned is crying out for a sequel and I have the plot down as well. However, I want to introduce some more Biblical/Sumerian elements into it and I'm not sure if they're too over the top?

Basically, if you've read, "Division", you might remember about the war that Lilith started with the Gods? My idea was/is to make the followers of Lilith into the Fallen Angels or the Anunnaki, and have one searching for the last splinter of the Tree of Life, which is stolen from an old Rabbi at Treblinka.

Mmmm, I don't know. The thing is, half the people loved the Sumerian/Bible thing, and the other half didn't.

Whatever, it'll have to gestate a while for its true form to appear, as I think rushing it would kill the yeast, as it were.

My second idea is here:The Eckton Empire

Have a read if you have twenty minutes or so, tell me what you think please.

The last plot I have in my head is set in the south Pacific.

I originally wanted to write a Cthulhu story, but that's a no go, due to rights and having to pay estates for the use of Cthulhu.

So, I decided to stick with the south Pacific theme, and set it around the crew of a whaler in the 18th/early 19th century.

The ship stops at an island for supplies, meets up with a tribe who worship whales and blah blah blah, other stuff happens involving kidnapped girls, murderously evil missionaries and schools of angry cetaceans.

So, as ever, now you know.

I've hit a wall and really need to get over it.

However, if there's one thing I do have, it's time. The "Chronicles of Supernatural Warfare" anthology isn't out yet, and I want to send a few short stories out to other collections. But, before you can send 'em, you have to write 'em... so I better get my skates on.

Take it easy.

Reg.

PS BTW, I reached the 400 Likes mark on my Facebook page the other day.

Happy days, happy days...

America, what's wrong??

The House in Wales has been out now since March 29th, and it's going great guns, seriously. Priced at a lowly 79 pence, it isn't making me any money, but it is pushing my name out there, and that's the idea. Not six weeks into its release and it has twenty reviews already, some books can go six years without seeing twenty reviews so you can imagine how chuffed I am.

So thank you, every last one of you, who has written a review.

On the other hand, on the other side of the pond, it's not doing too well. I have no idea why, but it simply hasn't caught on over there. This saddens me a tad as I like the idea of some dude in, say, LA., reading about my home town. Wouldn't it be great to inspire someone on a different continent to think about where your home town is, where your family and past lie? I think it would, (but I've often been told I think too much so we'll leave it there).

However, that isn't me being deviously greedy because, well as for money making, it isn't; and if the truth be known it won't in the near future either. It'd be folly to expect massive profits without the clout of a large publishing house to back your work, paying for promotion, reviews from other big authors, distribution to the large book chains blah, blah, blah. We did try Facebook advertising, and I'd be interested to know if anyone saw my book on their page as there was no major impact that I saw, but that's about it in regards to promotion.

That said, there are, of course, subtle market differences with each genre that affect sales in general.

For example, romance ALWAYS sells. The fairer sex read a lot more than their brutish other halves and hunky, shining knights on white chargers or dark eyed vampires with six packs you could wash your grollies on, will always be a hit with the more imaginative 50% of the world. I take nothing away from the very talented ladies I know who write such literature, but I do envy their automatic fan base :-)

Crime is another that sells well. Gumshoe detectives, (whatever they are?), ghastly murders and the workings of the law enforcement agencies can inspire a spark of interest in even the dampest of minds, (Everton and Man United supporters etc etc.) and if you can come up with a good title, an interesting premise and credible dialogue you're on a winner. Of course, you have to be able to write as well ;-)

No, seriously, these two genres, although not guaranteed to generate sales, have a large fan base anyway and the couple of people I know who write in these veins are above average writers and are doing nicely.

Horror, on the other hand, is in the middle ground.

It isn't as desired as romance or crime, but it isn't as despised as that pariah dog of the library, poetry, either. Horror is the poor relation, along with fantasy and military history; the working class cousin who demands a beer at a cheese and wine party, or listens to football scores at a wedding, (Hey, that's me!!).

So Reg, I hear you asking, why don't you write something with an automatic fan base?

My Mam asked that very same question.

"Oh good grief Rich!" My Mam is the only person I know who calls me Richard. "Vampires and Nazis? Why not write something nice? Romance sells, you want to be a writer, write something that sells."

I had no answer for her, well not one that I could articulate without looking like a petulant 12 year old, ("You just don't understand, do you?" he said, throwing his teddy in the corner and stomping off to his room.).

It's a good question, I suppose. However, the fact is, that just isn't me. I don't think I could look at myself in the mirror if I, (here it comes, that old cliché), "sold out". I want to write what I want to write, and romance isn't it, Gumshoe crime stories either, though I would like to know what a Gumshoe is?

I dabbled with a few romantic scenes in both books, but an out and out, full on, weepy love fest is just not on.

And that's the best with these guys, (Taylor Street). Yes we're not massive, yes we're not raking it in. However, we are free and I like the atmosphere.

Casual but dedicated to the joint cause, which is how it should be in my eyes.

So where was I again?

Ah, yes, The House in Wales is doing well, I'm very happy and thanks all for the reviews. Oh, and America... yes, America. Not good. Ah well, nil desperandum, right kids?

Right Reg.

Take it easy peeps.

Reg.

Well, it's out there.

Well, it's out there and to a mixed response.

In Britain it seems to be doing well, selling steadily and collecting reviews, (18 as of today). Two 4 star reviews and the rest 5 star, which is satisfying to say the least, (I hope I don't sound smug there?). I'm really happy that some people from my home town have read it and made comments about the references to the country side. I think I'll definitely do another story set in North Wales again, it just felt right.

HOWEVER, on the other side of the pond all is not well. Sales are subterranean and the reviews faltering, two 5 star write ups and one 3 star; in which the reader complained about the ending being too abrupt. Well, I shouldn't complain, at least he/she made an effort to put down some feedback, right?

I wonder how I can push it out more Stateside? "Division" picked up nicely there and though Britain outstrips it in sales, the difference isn't as big as with "House". Whatever, it's early days yet.

As for what I'm doing now, well it's complicated.

I started on the sequel to "Division". I have the plot down, some great biblical/Sumerian background mythology and, (I think) some interesting characters to add to the original crew. However... again, that word, I can't seem to find the inspiration to set about it. It'll come, but when exactly I don't know.

I toyed with the idea about writing a story about Cthulhu, the fictional cosmic entity who first appeared in H. P. Lovecraft's short story "The Call of Cthulhu". I had a great idea about the captain of a Whaler in the 19th Century being caught up in the cult of Cthulhu and bringing his crew into danger. My main protagonist was going to be a young lad, and I wanted him to be the only survivor. The thing is though, if I wanted to use the character of Cthulhu, I'd have to ask permission from Lovecraft's estate, who would naturally want money for it. So the idea gasped its first breath and promptly passed away, to be flushed into the sewer of inspirations past.

Never the less, I liked the idea of a 19th Century Whaler in the south Pacific seas, sailing the loneliest oceans of the world, making landfall on remote, exotic islands habituated by natives who follow strange, menacing dogmas. I won't go into what I have, but I'm thinking whale cults, far-flung islands, insane Whaler captains, an impressionable young crew member as a hero and lots of horror. Moby Dick meets Rapa Nui meets Pocahontas, (I bet that last one threw you).

I've also thought a lot more about my dinosaurs meets War and Peace story. Inspired as I am by The Game of Thrones, I've decided the story needs to be broadened; it has to have more background and characters. I have a few ideas floating around, nothing on paper though. I'll definitely get back to it sometime, the idea is far too good to let rot.

Right, so that's it. I have no idea when my anthology with Paul Rudd is coming out, there's been a cloak of silence about it. However, I've done a bit of research on the matter, and it seems anthologies don't sell all that well, so perhaps the publishers are hoping the idea will go to sleep somewhere and not wake up, lol.

OK, I'm off to Berlin all weekend, all the best people, have a nice weekend and thanks for any support you've given me these last couple of weeks.

I do appreciate it.

Reg :-)

The first reviews...

So, they're in, and we're off to a good start!

5.0 out of 5 stars A fast-paced and creepy story 5 April 2013

The house in wales was a cracking story. There was a genuine creepiness to it (especially as Danny was so alone) and some nice gory parts. I read this in a couple of days as I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to Danny.
The story itself was great, involving Satanic rituals and sacrifice. The writing was fluid and made for a very quick read. There were a few small typos but nothing that detracted from the story. I will definitely read more by this author.

and

5.0 out of 5 stars Cover to cover, well screen to screen actually!! 5 April 2013

Well this is the second book from RR Jones that I've read and it could not have been a more differing plot. Although still as captivating, read on an iPhone in two days to show my commitment to it!!! Great read I look forward to the next book!!!!

I remember the first ones I had for "Division". At that time I didn't care, other people's opinions, (outside of my family and friends) haven't really meant anything to me for a while now. However, nowadays, for some obscure reason, I scan Amazon about four times a day for any new ones.

Why?

I don't know, I really don't. Yes praise is always nice, but reviews are opinions and EVERYONE has their own opinion. The One Star review I was awarded was from someone I never knew, nor will I ever know, and I honestly cannot fathom why it took so much of my attention?

Whatever, the first two are down for The House in Wales and they're good. I just thought I'd let you know in case you're interested.

Have a good week.

Reg.

Sex feedback..

It's hard for me to explain how important feedback is for someone who has just released a book. So I'll paint a picture for you using the vehicle of sex.

Imagine the situation.

You've fancied someone for a long time. Finally he asks you out/she says yes to a date. 

The courting, (love that word, so old fashioned) moves along smoothly with no horrible surprises, (He's a "violent, bigoted drunk", she has a "psycho crush on a boy band" sort of thing) and all seems set for the last hurdle, (or first with some girls... if you're lucky...) into an unknown future together.

So the hour of intimacy is upon you and the act is consummated. Contented and spent, you lie back and ponder on what just happened. For you it was great, every thing you thought it would be and more, but how does your partner feel?

"How was it for you darling?" (I never use the word Darling, unless quoting Blackadder, of course).

Wordlessly he/she stands up and leaves the room.

... and that's how it is when you release a book. Months of slow build up while you write, (courting), thinking what would please the reader, (buying gifts), fine tuning and editing, (making yourself presentable) and then finally release... literally!

But after the release, after you've burst messily all over the public platform, what then? Is it good, will it sell or is the magic simply not there?

That's where I am right now.

The book is out there but the bathroom is silent. 

OK, admittedly it's only been out since Good Friday and Amazon did have me down as Ricahrd Rhys Jones so my fans had no way of finding it... ahem, (coughs) but it's out there.

However, apart from the feedback from my great beta readers, Bob and Dixie, who gave me the standard, "Yeah, s'alright", and George who corrected my laughable grammar and bounced ideas at me, I have nothing to go on.

She's still in the bathroom either weeping her disappointment or whooping at the mirror in exhausted, sweaty glee!

Well, OK, that's not strictly true actually.

Yesterday I received two very encouraging messages on Facebook, (the only contact I have with the outside world while I'm working. I lead such a troglodyte existence). I'll not name names but the two gentlemen informed me that they have the book and not only that, but they're enjoying it too!

It's not quite a whoop from the bathroom yet, but it is the shuffle of feet doing a happy dance.

The real test is what she tells her girlfriends...

Take it easy. (Wish I could).

Reg :-)