Winner of AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES

First off, I want to thank Lee for being a great sport and writing a guest post for my blog. I really appreciate it! He's a great guy; make sure you check out his work! And second, thank you to everyone that stopped by and read/commented on Lee's post. I hope you'll come back later and find something useful around here.

Now, according to my count there were 12 comments eligible for a copy of Lee's e-book. I went to Random.org to generate a number for the winner. And that winner is...

Bec!!!

Contact me with your e-mail address you would like me to send the book to. If I don't hear anything within five days, I'll draw another name.

Make sure you stop by and check out tomorrow's guest...you'll be in for a treat!

Guest Blogger: Author Lee Thompson

It is with tremendous pleasure I present to you the first-ever guest blogger here at Bookhound's Den: author Lee Thompson. Lee started selling his work last year and recently his novelette, As I Embrace My Jagged Edges, was published as an e-book and should be available as a deluxe hardcover in February. I recently reviewed this startlingly powerful work and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a well-told story. Make sure you watch out for Lee's work in the future because I expect a lot of good things from him.

And now, here's Lee:

Big thanks to Neal for allowing me to spray dribble on his blog. I’ll try to avoid being tedious.
I’m happier than I can express that readers are enjoying the hell out of AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES. (http://sideshowpressonline.com/?page_id=4&category=7&product_id=26)

That story has been through a number of frustrating drafts. When I’d first written it, the timing wasn’t right. I wasn’t right, or ready. I’m a firm believer that authors can try to tell stories too soon and the consequences are cruel. It’s hard not to rush, hell, with anything. We want people to read our latest work Right Now.

Finding others who love a well-crafted tale always thrills me—whether they’re in it solely for entertainment/as an escape from the sad monotony of everyday life, or if they want fiction to enlighten them and make them think, or both. When something moves us and our brains taste some small amount of magic, we end up wanting to share it with others in hope that they’ll experience that feeling as well. It’s a wonderful thing to see—one of my favorite parts of human nature and an example of really connecting with others.

I think I write weird. I’m definitely NOT big on being linear, or easy to understand. But looking at the WHY, I see it. I’ve been walking into writing from a different direction; a realization I’ve had recently and one I’ve come to appreciate.

Life Experience bleeds into The Work. A hell of a lot of it. Over the past year, as I’ve started finding my voice, I see how many things that are separate from writing, which came long before it for me, influence how I approach stories.

I’ve played guitar for a number of years (classical, blues, rock, rockabilly, folk, progressive) and when I sit down to create a story my brain automatically jumps to rhythm, harmony, phrasing, hooks, structure, and progressions. It’s been a revelation. And with martial arts (Jeet Kune Do) I embrace Bruce Lee’s philosophy to take from everything: the boxing arts, the kicking arts, the grappling arts, to be better-rounded and one step ahead of the opponent; to use rudiments until they’re second nature, to parry and attack simultaneously, to condition, feint, stop-hit, misdirect, use combinations, and sidestep.

This is how I write. I take from what I know, what I’ve been passionate about, and find ways to use the ideas in composing something new. On the surface I really have no idea what I’m doing when I approach a story. A lot of it is pure subconscious and training in music and martial arts that has wired my brain a certain way. What a revelation.

I imagine a lot of ‘creative types’ will read this. Find out what influences you, and your creations—what came long before the latest project. Hell, before the first project.

Even if you’re not creative, you can look back over your life, and learn what you’re good at.

Once you’re aware of them, use those strengths.


Blog: http://alongthispathsodarkly.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Thompsons-Scary-and-Slightly-Sad-Stories/113352152049331

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LeeThompson

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Please leave a comment by 12:00 p.m. January 20th to be entered for a chance to win an e-book copy of Lee's As I Embrace My Jagged Edges. I'll draw one lucky winner from those who leave a comment. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.

AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES by Lee Thompson

Lee Thompson* first sold his stories this past year and his work has appeared in a number of places. His novelette, As I Embrace My Jagged Edges from Sideshow Press, is the first of his work that I’ve read. I went into this one not knowing what to expect but came away with my mouth hanging open.

Boaz’s family has a legacy to uphold. They are the latest in a long line of those entrusted to protect a sacred relic: a bronze shard from the fabled Temple of Solomon. Constantly moving around, they never settle in one place for long and are always in danger from those who want to get their hands on the powerful relic. One day Boaz’s uncle, Jack, is found dead with his throat sliced open. Not only have they been discovered, but the one person who understands and accepts Boaz is dead. Now Boaz must face not only his inner turmoil alone, but he also must make a stand against the dark forces seeking the shard.

I was amazed to find that I could be so affected by such a small work of fiction. Thompson’s writing can only be described as beautiful, passionate, and emotional. Though he just recently began selling his work, his writing displays a maturity of a much more seasoned author. He crafted a truly engaging story that left this reader wanting more. Keep an eye on Lee Thompson; he has a bright future and will be an author to be reckoned with.

Reminiscent of Tom Piccirilli’s style, if you enjoy a raw, put-it-all-out-there type of storytelling, As I Embrace My Jagged Edges is for you. Also available from Thompson is Before Leonora Wakes.

*Thompson is a co-reviewer for The Bag and The Crow with me.