Friday, October 15, 2010

Living with chronic illness

Life sucks when you or a loved one has a chronic illness. It's like working two jobs to cover home and work and taking care of them.

Added to this is the chronic sufferred who is an adult and unwilling to do what they're told. I have constantly remind myself that i don't always know better. Adding in the writing and now i've got three jobs keeping me busy.

I'm so tired and fucking frustrated right now i'm about ready to scream.

Enjoy your day too!

Friday, October 1, 2010

It's a Bestseller!

Okay, now for the gravy on all this!

The book promo has had a real benefit for the exposure.

My book is #3 overall on the bestseller's list at Smashwords as of today for the 2nd day in a row! Check it out here: Here

Out of over 20,000 books, that's not too shabby!

Also, the Book is #1 in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Section as well - which you can see here: HERE.

All that's been a pretty good thrill for hte las two days and a great way to start the weekend off with a bang!

oh, well, back to work. The kids need fed and I need to get back to work.

Talk you up later.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A Radical change yesterday!

So, I spent a month of no sales at all of the book since Aug 1. And I decided to shake things up a bit.

I am offerring the book for free at smashwords until 10/28/10 with coupon code ya89z!
I sent emails out to everyone and every site I could think of, and Leenks.com posted a link to it! Now, almost 48 hours later I have received 3000 hits to the book's page and 61 "sales" of the book!

For exposure, this is pretty cool and dwarfs the efforts of many promo ideas I have tried before!

I am pretty psyched about that as I write the follow up books in the series.

Also, got two reviews on Distant Star episodes I posted on-line. So far i got 5 stars for #1 and 4 stars for #2! Pretty good news!

Well, back to the grind stone....

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Future Useless Free Until October 28, 2010!!!!!

I want to spread the word around!

Future Useless is free at Smashwords.com for one month- Until October 28, 2010!

Just go to: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10488

and use Coupon code: YA89Z!

Have a fun time and remember a review would be nice but not needed!
If you want to post it here, feel free!
Thanks for all the support!

W. A. Patterson!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Future useless themes in the next two books.

Notes to self:

Future useless addressed the themes of willpower and over-specialization as well as homogenization.

Future Sentience /Useless Sentience (working titles) will cover the themes of free will, parenthood, family and sentience itself. What qualifies each of these items as real? Can a being with no free will be truly sentient? Does free will give a being sentinence? Can sentience be simple self-awareness or have diffent levels of sentience like Manny and Moe? Is a dog more sentient than a pocket nano due to free will? Where does creativity fall in these guidelines?

Also, family and parentage are subjects to be examined. What qualifies one as a parent, sibling or child to another? Is it defined in the genisis of the being or in their definition of the terms and their meaning? Do clones have parents? What are their roles to their offspring and responsabilities?

Useless Lineage/ Future Xenogenesis (working title)

The themes in this book carry on from the first but then push at the boundry of what constitutes a separate species and a new race among galactic civilizations? When do dirivitives of one race stop being dirivitives and become their own form of life?


Will check back on this later, but wanted to put these down before I forgot.

W. A.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Interrupted: by not-life!

Life interrupts constantly - that is a hard and fast rule to live by.
When things not-life interrupt, it's terribly irritating.
No- I am not talking about death, or some surreal limbo of something zombie-like in between.

I am talking about those things in life that are not normal, that blind-side you from the back-seat and send your car into a curb-check right in front of a cop on a monday morning on your way to work.

The wife has health issues. that's been taking time and effort away. I choose to take off from work to take care of her and rest and heal. Makes money scarce and hard to make ends meet.

With the health problems it makes finding time for over-time (or make up time in my case) harder to find.

All in that I'm supposed to be one here promoting my book. I got a new cover to make my cover more conventional. i got a better description on the book.
Guess what! Everyone loves the new cover and I haven't sold a copy of it yet!
F*ck!ng mass majority doesn't know sh!t on marketing! My last Cover stood-out! yes it was an eyesore but people stopped and looked! people bought the fu*king book! Now it just sits there with all the other covers looking like the same sh!t as before!

I am glad I was right- but I'm even more sore I caved into the pressure and change dhte cover because too many P*ssies cried about it being immature and making their eyes bleed. WAH! My pussy hurts! go fuck yourselves. if you JUDGE a book by it's COVER than you are a F*CKING MORON!

Anyway, just venting!
The old cover will be restored soon enough to all available avenues.

have a good one and enjoy the life things that interrupt you. not-life things have the suck factor of a large black-hole and really f*ck up your writing.

And yes, I know no one reads this fucking blog, so have fun if you stumble upon it.

W. A.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Life lately.

I know i haven't updated this lately.

Quite frankly life has been hard to contend with on its own the past month or so.

We moved and now are adjusting to a changed lifestyle, trying to work out schedules before the kids go back to school, and trying to find time to write has been a major challenge to balance between hame and family life and work.

I will post more later - much later, but for now it will have to wait.

Friday, June 4, 2010

And now - for a 2nd interview! Cool.

My 2nd interview is up. check it out HERE!

Monday, May 31, 2010

My First Interview is posted:

My first interview is posted over at a fellow author
's blog- Please check it out!

Kipps Blog!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ready for Chapter 3!

Prometheus - The Ugly Boy -And Medusa! O is ready for chapter 3 and ironically enough with summer break here and three kids home all day I am looking forward to writing the next few chpters this weekend and get into the "meat" of the story!

Will keep this posted as i do! Time to go back and finish my friday at work!

W. A.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

School is out!

Now i can start sleeping in on mornings during the week and get some much needed rest.
I've been averaging 5-6 hours a night for three months now due to publishing my book, my wife's helth and getting my 7 year old to 2nd grade each day.

Now that they are all out of school, the kids can sleep in, and now Dad can sleep in.
That leaves more energy for work and more energy to write!

Auuuugh! YIPPEEEEEE!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

General Updates

Just a genreal status update on everything going on with my life lately.

Family and Wife are well, considering the problems the wife is having and unique challenges every child brings with them. School is almost over - (C'mon Thursday! C'mon!!! Get here already! I need to sleep in again!)

Book sales are going well enough. I'm on Amazon, B&N & Smashwords now. Still waiting for Kobo and Sony to get with the program but that will come.

The Kickstarter Project is going - slowly but surely. I am getting some more interest in my project and two supporters yesterday. Now up to $160.00 out of 5000 and over a month to go. No worries and I hope to make it (see other blogs to see how this project will work if I don't raise funding)

The script for Leebor & Woolee is finished for the first fdraft and I'm supposed to get feedback to re-write now. Hopefully I'll see some cash soon before I'm writing it while living in a Van down by the river!

The book
Prometheus: The Ugly Boy - And Medusa! is currently stalled at chapter 3. I know what to write but making it to the page is hard as I am constantly distracted by life and money and other peroanl issues that rob me of my time!

I will get back to it soon as I hope to have it finished by a certain Little Girl's Birthday this summer. It's for her afterall and I can't afford too great a gift this year, but am working to have that to do! (1 Month to go on that Anita - way to pressure Daddy!)

OTher that that, I'm menacing Facebook and everywhere else with updates and pitches for my project for the next month as well.

I did however get to see some of the new Dr. Who episodes this week. I admit I had doubts about the new kid, but so far it's fitting with the whole new series rather well.

Ok that's it. It's my lunch time and I'm gonna relax for some time today!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Saturday, May 22, 2010

New book trailer is out!

The new book trailer is out now- featuring Puppets!
It's not the best - and certainly not the worst!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Failure is not an option - It's not even a reality! Check it!

Re; The Kickstarter Project
The reason I say "Failure is not an option " is because it isn't - and I proved that today.

The Reality of the situation is this: Today I went and dropped off 5 copies of the book in various colors to the store Watermark Books & Cafe here in Wichita, Ks.


The reason failure does not apply to this project is that the fact of the matter is that I will make it to the Magic Number of printing and Selling 1000 copies of this book with or without this project.

Last night I ordered more toner for my printer. Tomorrow I am buying more card-stock for covers. When I look at the books, I am spending about $2.00 in materials to make each book. I sell them for a minimum of $10. (I think that's a more than fair price for a limited edition hand-bound and signed copy of the book- btw)

1000 copies of the book will come and go in time. I will write other books and probably bind and sell them too if I don't get a publisher to take them on either.

This Project would be a great boost to that goal, but it's not a pitfall should I not reach it with 37 days to go and $4880.00 (98%) to go. In fact, as I keep looking to market and get the word out on the project I'm selling more books online and have more downloads of the book samples than before it stared. I'm seeing a sharp increase the web-traffic at Smashwords.com.

It seems seredipity is working uphill here and selling the digital copies instead of pushing downhill to make paper copies.

If you want to back the project then that's fine. If I can't make it work, you pay nothing! If I do, you get a reward if you chose too!

Also, I am going to start the rewards at $1.00. Yes, for $1.00 you will get your name printed on a "thank you" page in the back of the book - read that as really tiny print. Additionally, if you donate and send me an SASE I will send you a hand-made and signed bookmark with the Future Useless Logo on it in one of several random colors!

Don't worry! I'm still workin' this thing like a hooker during fleet-week, but don't worry if we don't make it - It will happen eventually, and thanks for tuning in to check it out!

W. A. Patterson

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

New Script is Up

I've been working with David Seuss for the last 3 years off and on as I need to occasionally write something other than books and he needs someone to put his cartoon ideas on paper.

What we've come up with is a very convoluted friendship and partnership of sorts when I can manage as I've been writing different scripts for him during that time.

We both met when I posted the offer of a free-writer on Myspace ads and filtered David out of a slew of crackpots and other less-than-clear people who wanted the moon for the price of free.

David Seuss came to me with a simple idea and a slew of characters in a world all his own. He also came with a relentless drive to succeed no matter what the world threw at him. Through the last 3 years he has persevered in his dream to get this thing produced and made into a cartoon despite numerous rejections, crackpot producers and whatever the world throws at him.

Now he's finally posted something I've written for him online and I'm proud to put the link up for him.

Go to THIS LINK! and click on the "SCRIPT" button to see the script's first draft!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Day 1: 0 dollars raised. :( Sad face. :(

well, day one went off and not a dime raised.
I did some math, Took some feedback, and reshot the promo video.
Added subtitles with windows movie maker - not fun when you haven't used it before.

Came up with a decent widget to add to web-sites and such.
Check it out!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Race is on to get Funds for 1000 copies of Future Useless in Print

At Kickstarter.com they have a great site to help independant artists and creators of all genres to help them get off the ground!

I just got approved to launch my project at their site to make 1000 copies of my book!

deadline is June 27!
Funding Rewards start at just $1.00!

Please check out my Video HERE!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Rapidly reaching 50 copies sold!

So I started making and selling copies of my book.

Now I am up to #41 and rapidly approaching 50 copies sold as the word starts to get around and people are now looking for me to buy copies for themselves. The books are paying for themselves, and my time with them, so that's not bad.

If you want one, head over to my website and pick one up.

I am also getting onto my wife to proofread the copy and make improvements throughout the book.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

FUTURE USELESS IS NOW IN PRINT!

I started printing and binding my own copies of my book by hand.
It started off as a gift idea for my Mom.
Then my wife wanted one.
Then my oldest daughter wanted one.
Now it seems a lot of people want one!

I've sold several copies of the paperback already to friends at work.
Other people on facebook have been asking for copies.

At their urging, I overhauled my web-site at WAPatterson.com to take orders for paperback books.

Then they wanted hardback books.

So I posted them up there too.

Now people are ordering online!

You can too by going to WAPatterson.com .

Thanks,

Will

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Hand bound books!

Check out the blog tonite for more info on how to order a hand bound book from me - the author! It's a new hobby so I don't expect to sell much. Paperbacks are $10.00, hardbacks are $20.00. More details to follow!

Also, the future useless book trailer is coming soon! Stay tuned for more!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Still here! And soon the IPAD too!

smashwords is distributing Future Useless on the IPAD! Cool! Now apple-ites everywhere who are too stubborn to get a real net book will be able to download and read Future Useless on their Ipads!

I've had an Ipad for years now, it was called a Palm Pilot! LOL
Then I went to a T-mobile Wing,
And now I am sporting a touchpro 2.

I really want a Hd2 or the new Dell netbook (the mini 10) but that will have to wait.

Well, I will post more up here as time goes on but I have to sleep!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Last Day! Help me out! Free Book Download!

Last Day! Download my book fro free using coupon code Rk44K at:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10488
You have a computer, so I know you can download it.
Help me get this up the charts!
Thanks,
W. A.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Writing ideas to work on

These are the idea I am working on right now:
Super Human
Prime Madras
Omega Age
Useless Heretic
And his friend
My Days With The ZU
I Ain't Tellin'

(Family stuff)
Prometheus
Medusa's Turn

(Ghost Series)
When Angels Scream
Mr. Smith
The Glass Ghost

(Series)
Dub stories
The Incredible Losers
Distant Star Episodes

I don't know when I will get anything done on this list. I just want to post them here so they are accessible to me when I am on the go and have a moment to jot things down. I will put more about each later.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Distant Star Episodes One & Two up

I have published two new scripts at Smashwords.com.
They are two little things I did to see if we could make a show like "twilight Zone" with absolutely no budget.

It's what we did when we were getting drunk on cheap beer and brainstorming.
Not a good idea - ever - but a something good came out of it then.

I only wrote the two episodes. I never had the urge to write more due to no one around to do anything with them. I always had other stories and other things to write.

I will eventually return to them one day and do more with it, but for now it's all just an exercise in no-budget film-making and screenwriting.

They are up at the Reader-sets-the-price, so anyone can see them for free if they really want. I didn't want to charge anything for it, but if someone thinks they are worth a try, then I will let them figure out what they are worth.

You can get to my Author page by going to: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wapatterson
and seeing the links to them there.

everyone seems to be publishing now so I am going to let the smashwords meatgrinder do its work and sign off for now.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

First day back at work!

My first day back at work after taking off to take care of my wife and family.
Being off for 5 days is a bit of a stretch. I am not really rested or composed- but my worry is less as my wife is much better now and the kids are rambuncious as always.

I've been plotting my next book and working to get enough action in it as well as balancing plot and theme with the characters.

When I think of one answer to "How to write a book?" I realize how bad the answer was.

The author in question said something like "Put on word down the another until you are done."

That author writes crap!

My point is that unless you decide on a theme, define your characters, and make definite choices on the type of story you are telling, you may write something that entertains, but is as useful and lasting as used toilet paper.

I'm not in this to put out toilet paper- but to make something that lasts.

If you want to write, make decisions on what you want to say, how you want to say it, the shape of the character saying it. Make something that will last.

Or make fun stuff to read- but enjoy doing it too!

W. A. Patterson

Saturday, March 13, 2010

From my email!

Live and in person, this test should work and make it much easier for me to post my ideas and thoughts here!

W. A.

Microblogging and Twitter!

Hi there,

I started a twitter account for anyone who chooses to follow me.
I don't know what you would, but I think it might be fun.

Go to: http://twitter.com/W_A_Patterson
to follow my twits.

Sorry. I refuse to call them "tweets". That seems to make me sound like more of a self-important hipster twit if I did. Besides "tweeting" sounds like something I would best leave in the bedroom with my wife.

I also set up to send microblog messages from my phone to here. Pretty neat how we can blend all this tech together.

Now I just have to set up an email contact to send this stuff to my blog as I need to. I can email from my phone but I rarely have anyone to write to. With a full hour for lunch I need to do more that is productive with my time and this might be a good way to get my words and ideas out there.

Well, time to sleep. See you later.
This is a test message. I can now microblog from my phone! Wow. This is cool!

- Will -

My first Press Release

It was a fun exercise on how to write a proper press release:

LOCAL AUTHOR GIVING AWAY FREE COPIES OF HIS EBOOK TO FELLOW WICHITANS

(DATELINE) Wichita, Ks. March 12, 2010 – Wichita author and resident, W. A. Patterson has published his first novel “Future Useless”, a book that follows Carl Gussman on his journey to the far future where he’s found antiquated, handicapped, and considered useless. Using his own natural stubbornness, the lessons of his past, and upbringing he manages to carve out a place in the universe and now the universe is struggling to catch up!

For a limited time (Sunday, March 14 through Saturday March 20) an electronic book version of “Future Useless,” normally priced at 3.99 will be available to the public as a free download at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10488 using coupon code: rk44k.

While many authors publish books themselves these days over the internet, W. A. Patterson is taking a lesson from his own book and fighting back against the impact of a weakened economy, publishers putting out fewer real books each year, and championing the individuality that makes up the main premise of his novel.

About Smashwords

Launched in 2008, privately held Smashwords operates a digital publishing platform and online book store for independent ebook authors, publishers and their readers. The free service puts authors and publishers in full control over the publishing, pricing and marketing of their works. In addition to receiving exposure to hundreds of thousands of potential readers on the Smashwords web site and via distribution on Stanza, authors and publishers receive up to 85% of the net proceeds from sales of their works. For readers, Smashwords offers the opportunity to discover exciting new voices in fiction and non-fiction. Smashwords, Inc. is based in Los Gatos, California, and can be reached on the web at http://www.smashwords.com. Visit the official Smashwords blog at http://blog.smashwords.com

About W. A. Patterson

Raised in Kansas since age 8, W. A. Patterson traveled the U.S. in the late 90’s and decided to return to Wichita to make it his home. He is married, the father of four, and works and lives in Wichita since then. He’s been writing since high school but only just finished and published his first novel and is now working hard on his second novel – which he let his seven-year-old-daughter pick out of a hat in order to push him into productivity.

Contact:
W. A. Patterson

Friday, March 12, 2010

Future Useless - Available now for download!

Hi there,

This is my writing Blog.
I just published my first Novel: Future Useless at Smashwords.com.

Sales are okay for the first two weeks and my own slow marketing campaign.
12 books so far and 46 sample downloads.
Hopefully the samples will turn into sales! Here's me keeping my fingers crossed!

My first review is in- 5 out of 5 stars! ***** pretty good for my first novel.

I've been submitting press releases and begging online review sites to review it for a free plug, but so far no bites.

One thing I was proud to do was that I was able to send out emails to my favorite authors and invite them to read the book for free! I didn't ask for anything in return, but I've heard back from three of them thanking me for the offer and I hope that others will get around to checking it out if they want to.

I'll be starting out on my next novel soon.
I let my daughter Anita pick the next one out of a hat filled with the working titles of all the books I have in my head and computer.
She picked a good one and now I have to write it. She's only seven-years-old but she knows enough that writing a book and selling it are a big thing to me and her mother. She also knows I love writing and for the last few years I've been a bit hollow without the ability to put my thoughts down somewhere.

Well, time to take a break. I've been at my computer desk for 4 hours now and I need to rest a bit before I start writing my latest book.

My next work is titled: Super Human and it follows a Minor Super hero trying to be a dad to his step-daughter and teach her right from wrong in the best way he can.
In a way it's about immaturity, parenthood, immortality, morality, good, evil, heroes and villains and how the last two are not always mutually exclusive.