Updates

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  Eric Martell My latest author blog post (here) https://ericmartellauthor.com/2018/05/17/writing-dangerously/

  • May 18, 2018
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  Eric Martell Two day Gift for You
  
  bit.ly/ParadoxBlade
  
  Free on Kindle Saturday and Sunday 5/12 & 5/13/18. How would you respond if you were faced with a personal disaster and then found yourself in the Pleistocene with no obvious way to return? Predators think...  moreTwo day Gift for You
  
  bit.ly/ParadoxBlade
  
  Free on Kindle Saturday and Sunday 5/12 & 5/13/18. How would you respond if you were faced with a personal disaster and then found yourself in the Pleistocene with no obvious way to return? Predators think you're food, and then there's that crazy, elusive girl who keeps showing up.  

  Amazon.com: Paradox: On the Sharp Edge of the Blade (A Time Equa

  Paradox: On the Sharp Edge of the Blade (A Time Equation Novel) - Kindle edition by Eric Martell. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Paradox: On

  • May 11, 2018

  • Amy Lehman and Judith Rook like this.
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  Eric Martell → Writing Goal support group!: My goal is to get my WIP in progress again. I'm sitting on 25k words, six magicians (1 evil, 1 bad, 2 neutral or possibly allies, and 2 superstars), one fairy, a werebear, and an implacable dark force in the form of a distributed AI and my plot line...  moreMy goal is to get my WIP in progress again. I'm sitting on 25k words, six magicians (1 evil, 1 bad, 2 neutral or possibly allies, and 2 superstars), one fairy, a werebear, and an implacable dark force in the form of a distributed AI and my plot line suddenly seems inadequate, so I've been wandering in the wilderness for a few weeks. Besides paying business has picked up greatly and gets in the way. Then I'm moving. It looks like it may rain and the grass might grow and need attention. This is what writer's block looks like and I DON'T LIKE IT. I don't like it in a box. I don't like it with a fox. I will not tolerate Writer's Block. I will not, Sam-I-Am.  less

  • May 9, 2018

  • Amy Lehman likes this.
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  Eric Martell joined the group Writing Goal support group!

  • May 9, 2018
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  Eric Martell is now friends with Stephen Trolly.

  • May 1, 2018
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  Alvin Atwater is now friends with Eric Martell.

  • April 19, 2018
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  Eric Martell commented on Thomas Weaver's photo.

  

  • April 19, 2018

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    Eric Martell I like full cover pictures with the text integrated so that it grabs the viewers as a whole. You've only got the 1 chance and they will skim right on to the next book if they're not captured.

    • April 2, 2018
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    Thomas Weaver That makes sense, but WHY does the letterbox style not grab attention? Is it that it's too different? The picture isn't large enough? Something else?

    • April 2, 2018
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    Eric Martell Good question. The letterbox makes me think of non-fiction for some reason. It also seems to be used far less, (my opinion only), so I think people are more used to seeing a larger picture. Finally, reduce it to thumbnail size. The words aren't the main...  moreGood question. The letterbox makes me think of non-fiction for some reason. It also seems to be used far less, (my opinion only), so I think people are more used to seeing a larger picture. Finally, reduce it to thumbnail size. The words aren't the main selling proposition here. The genre isn't always represented well by the title. The cover art is what's going to get the eyeballs. Oh, look over there: a squirrel!  

    • April 2, 2018
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    Thomas Weaver "The letterbox makes me think of non-fiction for some reason. It also seems to be used far less, (my opinion only), so I think people are more used to seeing a larger picture." How does 'People are more used to seeing some other style of cover' translate...  more"The letterbox makes me think of non-fiction for some reason. It also seems to be used far less, (my opinion only), so I think people are more used to seeing a larger picture." How does 'People are more used to seeing some other style of cover' translate into 'A less-common cover style won't catch anyone's eyes'? (I'm well aware of what a cover is supposed to do; this is not my first rodeo, and even newbies are capable of doing relevant research before attempting something.) Please explain WHY, in your opinion, this cover art doesn't represent the genre of the book.  less

    • April 19, 2018
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    Eric Martell I'm working at writing and not on marketing as much. A less common cover might catch the buyer's eye and lead to them taking a second look. The only way to know for sure is to do a split test. Release the book with two different covers and compare the...  moreI'm working at writing and not on marketing as much. A less common cover might catch the buyer's eye and lead to them taking a second look. The only way to know for sure is to do a split test. Release the book with two different covers and compare the results. I've been giving you my opinion and that's based on my personal preference, so I could be wrong about the letterbox style. I don't think it will work as well, so I wouldn't use it on my books. For your friend it might work well and if so, great.  

    • April 19, 2018
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  Eric Martell Some of you may have already seen this going around, but it's too funny not to repost (I rewrote it in 3rd pov, though.)
  A woman was sitting at her husband's funeral. A stranger came up and asked if she minded if he said a word?
  She answered, "No,...  moreSome of you may have already seen this going around, but it's too funny not to repost (I rewrote it in 3rd pov, though.)
  A woman was sitting at her husband's funeral. A stranger came up and asked if she minded if he said a word?
  She answered, "No, go right ahead."
  The man cleared his throat and said loudly, "Plethora." Then he sat down.
  "Thanks," said the woman. "That means a lot."  

  • April 16, 2018

  • Amy Lehman and Alvin Atwater like this.
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  Eric Martell wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Point of view

  Eric...  moreEric Martell
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  Two philosophers were walking down the street when they passed between two houses. The owners of the two houses were arguing with each other from open 2nd floor windows. One philosopher told the other, "They'll never reso...  

  • April 15, 2018
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  Eric Martell liked Mary R. Woldering's photo.

  

  LOOKING FOR AUTHORS TO INTERVIEW ASAP!!!
  
  DO YOU
  LIKE MYSTERY, MAGIC, AND A LITTLE HISTORY?...  moreLOOKING FOR AUTHORS TO INTERVIEW ASAP!!!
  
  DO YOU
  LIKE MYSTERY, MAGIC, AND A LITTLE HISTORY?
  HERE’S A FREE WEEKLY BLOG FOR YOU…It’s all about CHILDREN OF STONE – a “historical science fantasy” series
  set in Ancient Egypt, the Middle East and later on…? --ODD & CONTROVERSIAL HISTORY -- BITS & PICTURES bits and pictures I’ve found from time to time.--MY EXCERPTS--AUTHOR
  & CHARACTER INTERVIEWS (request one now) --WRITING TIPS --RELEASES & PROMOS--MONTHLY SHARE THE LOVE PARTY HAT FREEBIES
  Mary R.
  Woldering Author, Children of Stone – and other
  coming stories! Https://www.maryrwoldering.com  less

  • April 14, 2018

  • 4 people like this
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    Alvin Atwater Seems like I'm not the only one who jumped on the excellent wix-site editor lol. I won't be able to get my domain name until the end of the month though

    • April 18, 2018
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  Eric Martell is now friends with Jacquie Rogers.

  • April 14, 2018
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  Eric Martell What happens when you finish the massive A.I. computer project and everyone gathers round to see how it works. Naturally you ask the question that's been on humans minds throughout history: Does God exist? You know you're in trouble when the answer is,...  moreWhat happens when you finish the massive A.I. computer project and everyone gathers round to see how it works. Naturally you ask the question that's been on humans minds throughout history: Does God exist? You know you're in trouble when the answer is, "Now he does." ;-)  

  • April 13, 2018

  • Jacquie Rogers likes this.
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  Eric Martell wrote a new blog entry:

  

  Now doing a test of a new cover

  I was excited when I released my last novel. It hit the Kindle shelves with a total thunk. Almost zero sales. I made the book free for a short time, but no good.
  Then I posted the cover on my FB cover critique group. They unanimously pointed out that it ...

  • #Cover Art

  • April 13, 2018

  • Timothy Bateson likes this.
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    Timothy Bateson It's taken me two years (and a little more) to reconsider how my book cover is potentially affecting my sales. I recently asked a similar question of people I trust, and at least one said they thought my original cover came across as Paranormal Romance...  moreIt's taken me two years (and a little more) to reconsider how my book cover is potentially affecting my sales. I recently asked a similar question of people I trust, and at least one said they thought my original cover came across as Paranormal Romance instead of Urban Fantasy. So, I invested in new covers for the first three short stories...  

    • April 13, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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  Eric Martell → Free Space Science Fiction: Hard science question for consideration: Why would our government ever waste money on conventional ground and sea-based weapons if we had (or possibly have) the capability of using smart crowbars or as some call them "Rods from God." If you're...  moreHard science question for consideration: Why would our government ever waste money on conventional ground and sea-based weapons if we had (or possibly have) the capability of using smart crowbars or as some call them "Rods from God." If you're not familiar with the concept. It's simple. A GPS-guided steel rod with programmable steerable fins dropped from orbit; a kinetic energy weapon or KEW. The impact would have enough energy to take out any conventional target and the rod could be sized proportionately to the intended target. It would be cheap, especially when you compare the cost of an aircraft carrier or even a conventional jet fighter to the cost of putting mass in space. The only problem I can see at this point would be moving the delivery vehicle. The added benefit is no fall-out and little collateral damage compared to conventional or atomic explosives.  less

  • April 11, 2018

  • Timothy Bateson and Amy Lehman like this.
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    Timothy Bateson I'm going to say craters... You're talking about something large enough to be self-guiding, which requires electronics and mechanics to be workable. Because it would be dropped from orbit, it'd also be traveling at terminal velocity which means that it...  moreI'm going to say craters... You're talking about something large enough to be self-guiding, which requires electronics and mechanics to be workable. Because it would be dropped from orbit, it'd also be traveling at terminal velocity which means that it would have considerable kinetic energy at the time of impact. I can't see that the immediate damage radius would be any less than with conventional explosives and actually has the potential to leave more devastation than a conventional explosive scaled for the same target.  less

    • April 11, 2018
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    Eric Martell It's a complex question, since terminal vel will be dependent on fluid dynamics as the object enters the atmosphere. I just found a gps the size of a usb drive and the computer circuitry to steer fins wouldn't weigh more than a gram or two. The fins...  moreIt's a complex question, since terminal vel will be dependent on fluid dynamics as the object enters the atmosphere. I just found a gps the size of a usb drive and the computer circuitry to steer fins wouldn't weigh more than a gram or two. The fins would probably ablate as the atmosphere gets thicker, but I think you could make a unit that would only weigh a kilogram or two. As for momentum transferred to the target? I could probably calculate it, but It might be possible to take out a single vehicle without too much damage to the surroundings. Certainly a larger object could hit with the impact of kilotons so you're correct about craters. Scalable is good. Also you could launch multiple objects against the same target. I've read at least one speculation that the collapse of the tunnel in NK that killed a number of their atomic bomb scientists was this type of weapon. My question is still: W hy aren't we spending on this sort of thing rather than ancient technology like ships and tanks (or fancy...    less

    • April 12, 2018
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    Timothy Bateson Hmmm, the end of that comment got cut off. But I'd imagine we're talking looking at the politics behind which contractors are picked for the research and development, the need to develop in secret, and the matter of getting approvals for the necessary...  moreHmmm, the end of that comment got cut off. But I'd imagine we're talking looking at the politics behind which contractors are picked for the research and development, the need to develop in secret, and the matter of getting approvals for the necessary security clearances.  

    • April 12, 2018
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  Eric Martell commented on Judith Rook's photo.

  

  I'm not sure I agree.

  • April 10, 2018

  • Amy Lehman likes this.
  • View all 9 comments
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    Timothy Bateson Sometimes writing anything is required to get that first draft finished, or the second, or the third... It's when you take that draft and polish it that most of the magic really happens. But until you get the shape of the story, and the characters where...  moreSometimes writing anything is required to get that first draft finished, or the second, or the third... It's when you take that draft and polish it that most of the magic really happens. But until you get the shape of the story, and the characters where it needs to be, then by all means allow yourself to write garbage. Most of my stories wouldn't have been finished without allowing myself that luxury.  

    • April 11, 2018
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    • 3 like this
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    Alvin Atwater There is almost no way to get out of revising or rewriting your work xD. Write, put it away for a month or two, then read it. Finding problems is inevitable.

    • April 11, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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    Jacquie Rogers I don't agree. My first writing is always the most rhythmic and carries the strongest voice. Of course I edit for typos and such but if a passage doesn't work, I don't rewrite--I throw it out and write new. Also, I'm a plotter so I don't have to worry...  moreI don't agree. My first writing is always the most rhythmic and carries the strongest voice. Of course I edit for typos and such but if a passage doesn't work, I don't rewrite--I throw it out and write new. Also, I'm a plotter so I don't have to worry about revisions. If you want to put out 4 to 6 books a year, you have to get the thing written and move on.  

    • April 12, 2018
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    • 2 like this
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    Amy Lehman My goal for this year is to produce a finished product faster. I was never a plotter but I am trying to do it for my next WIP. I hope that it will reduce the rewrites.

    • April 12, 2018
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    • 1 likes this
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    Thomas Weaver I don't think Ms. Cherryh meant than anyone SHOULD write a bad first draft if you don't have to, but rather that it's OKAY to write a bad first draft as long as you don't leave it that way.

    • April 12, 2018
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    • 2 like this