First Draft is DONE!!!

Yep! That's right. The first draft of Arizona State Guard: Target Terror is done...complete...fini! 

And now, a heavy sigh of relief. It's taken some time and some real work but I feel confident in what I wrote.

So what's next?

Well, first I plan to take the next week off from writing at home. Two reasons:

1) At work this week I'm going to be getting the final seven chapters of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting ready to go to Graphics for layout! That will sap a lot of creative energy.

2) Taking a week off from a story allows me to unwind, clear my mind, and tackle the next pass in a positive manner.

Second, I need to work with Sean on a cover design for the new book. 

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With that being said, I'm spent! Time to relax, watch the TV, and chill for the remainder of the night.

Stay safe out there, folks!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

The Writing Goes On and On and...

Writing on The Arizona State Guard: Target Terror is coming along well. I wish I could say it was moving at a tremendous pace, but that wouldn't be accurate. As I still work full-time to pay the bills, my daytime hours for writing for personal profit are limited. And, as I wish to spend time with my lovely wife, there are fewer hours for writing. On occasion, like tonight, I must do some advertising on Facebook, Book Barista, Blogger, and other sites.

So when do I write? Usually between 8:30 and 11:30 at night. I know...I know, not optimal for writing prolifically but it's what I have time for right now. Robert A. Heinlein, the Dean of American Science Fiction, said a writer should set aside a regular time to write, in a quiet area without distractions, and one needs to sit there for that entire period of time, whether or not you write anything. In other words, build writing into a habit and take advantage of that time when the Muse speaks. 

If, as, or when I can do otherwise, I shall. Until then, I write when I can.

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Target Terror is doing well, though! I'm working on the big, BIG fight scene right now. This is going to be a long one as part of it occurs on the ground, another part in the air, then a short segment back on the ground. There will be repercussions that ripple through the remainder of the book and in the next sequel.

It's more fun writing this book than its predecessor because I'm more familiar with the characters and I've added more from the bad guys point of view than in any other book. I really want to finish my first draft by the end of April or middle of May. That will allow me time two do some editing, polishing, addition/subtraction, and tweaking to get it ready for e-publication in June. I need to get Sean working on the cover soon!

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Projects at work are taking up a lot of energy and subconscious thought. I just can't shut off my brain when I go home, so part of it is always working on my office projects, even when I'm at home. I've often sit up in the middle of the night with a solution to a problem that stumped me during the day. 

- Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting 6th edition is almost off my desk. Just waiting for some photos/videos from a friend and one chapter's Manual/Curriculum shared content and I'll be able to turn the final components in to Graphics for layout!

- I've roughed out all but two chapters of Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th edition. Should get them roughed out soon, then it's back to Chapters 11 through 21 for edits, cutting, tweaking, and polishing. Then I'll turn them over to the Project Manager and the Committee while I start working on photography/videography.

- I've almost completed the outline for Industrial Fire Brigades 2nd edition. Yay!

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So, don't forget to tell everyone about my published e-novels:

Chaos on Terra-Prime
Foothold on Terra-Bravo
Crisis on Terra-Bravo
Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border

These e-novels are available through:

Amazon.com (for Kindles)
Smashwords.com (in a variety of formats for different e-readers)
B&N.com
and others

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Stay safe out there!

Jeff

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

I'm Back! (Once more!)

I haven't posted in almost a month for a number of reasons:

1) I've been battling that Spring-time scourge...allergies! (I'm better now...Thanks!)

2) I REALLY wanted to focus on writing the sequel to the Arizona State Guard! (It's coming along nicely...Thank you for asking!)

3) I had a quick photo/video shoot to attend to in San Angelo, TX. (Mega-thanks to the troops at the DoD Fire Academy!)

4) I'm currently working on four projects at work (and making progress on each!!!).

5) I wanted to give all of you a break from my barrage of updates and advertising! (I have to thank each of you who have been spreading the word about my e-novels without me nudging your elbows!)

All that being said, things are moving along! Medications are taking care of the allergies. I've made significant progress on the new e-novel. The photo/video shoot went very well! At work, I have one project about done, another well under way, another in good shape to start up, and will be able to complete the other project quickly. And, I think you appreciated the break in updates/advertising.

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Finished a major scene in the new e-novel and am in the process of setting up the big confrontation. This is going to be FUN, FUN, FUN! Guns and rockets firing, explosions, aerial battles, etc... BOOM! I've got a great big smile just thinking about writing the big confrontation!

I'm also looking forward to working with Sean on the cover for this one (and the new covers for Chaos on Terra-Prime, Foothold on Terra-Bravo, and Crisis on Terra-Bravo)! The fellow is quite talented!

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I want to talk for a moment about the trip to San Angelo and Goodfellow AFB. When driving to (and from) San Angelo, Nathan and I drove past a unique set of mesas on the west side of Highway 277. Those mesas (and a certain test track) gave me a major idea that became part of Foothold on Terra-Bravo.

Upon reaching Goodfellow, Nathan and I were sponsored onto the base by Bryn Crandell, my longtime friend. Going to the DoD Fire Academy (more formally...the Louis F. Garland Fire Training Academy) is always special for me as I get to see so many of my brothers in the Fire Service, some I trained years ago and others I served as an instructor with. Folks like my Big Brother, Scott Hebert; Ron Hoelle, Rod Born, Danny Hebert, Leonard Finley, Steve Seghers, and many others. 

The highlight of this trip was seeing Chief Master Sergeant Jesse Longoria. He greeted us as we walked up to the front of the academy and after a bear hug, I noticed the Chief stripes. When I asked what duty he was performing, he said, Fire Academy Superintendent. I have to admit that my eyes teared up a bit!

You see, 27 years ago, Jesse was one of my young students. Bright, smiling, and outgoing, he raced through the Fire Protection Specialist course with ease. Years later, when I returned to instructing as a civilian at Goodfellow, Jesse returned as a Staff Sergeant to serve as an instructor. And now, he's the Superintendent...older, wiser, but still Jesse.

I told him that he was filling some mighty big boots, worn by men such as Don McGee, Paul Menches, and others...and that he was wearing those boots well. Jesse is one of my troops and I'm damn proud to be his brother, his friend, and his instructor!

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So here it is...Easter Sunday! 

I've heard two sad tales this morning. A friend reported that his father passed away this morning following a long illness. Another friend told of a bad vehicle accident in front of his house that claimed three lives.

Let's all take some time today and in the days to come to appreciate all of those in our lives! There will come a time when they pass from our lives and all we'll be left with are the memories.

All my best!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015