Month: December 2017

Skin Hunger Q&A

Well, not too many questions asked, but interesting results to the polls- First and foremost, Jormungandr won a frankly stunning number of votes, and came in first! Also it made me realize I didn’t have her in the fucking Stranger in Paradise poll! Whoopsie. Our recurring characters had the good scores one would expect, and the new characters- by and large- seemed to get some actual decent responses, particularly Ku and the ever-mysterious Grandmother Spider!

As for how people like Li best, 6 votes for as a girl, 3 for as a guy, 3 for as- well, something else. Highly egalitarian, everyone!

What next? There will be updates, with any luck, up to Tuesday the 16th- First a two-part thing I wrote for Christmas for the next two days, then the January first chapter, and finally, a two-parter showing some of the adventures of Oliver and Randall Creed, back in their monster-hunting days.

After that? Gonna depend a lot on what my work schedule looks like. I’m currently working 55 hours a week, so my writing output is variable. The next novel is Actus Deus, an Atina LeRoux story, revolving around the fairy courts, a murder charge (what other kind is there), and swords. I’ll keep you guys updated on my progress as I work my ass through it.

Skin Hunger Afterthoughts

Another novel finished! Good times as always. As always, there will be a brief period before the next story starts- This one, for me to write the next story. I know I’ve fallen behind; Work has been a bear, and relationships more so. Nonetheless, there will still be regular content, and if you can’t stand the lack of my writing- Well, there’s always my patreon! Shilling aside, I’d love to hear any questions or comments people have; I always enjoy talking about my work, and hearing people ask questions shows me that people care enough to think about it, so please, contact me, either in the comments, or via mgexaminer@gmail.com

A few notable things about this story…

The twist- with Ku-Thule being Howard- was something I only really came up with relatively late in the story, but I adjusted it a bit after coming up with it to foreshadow it more- same for Walter having his heart on the wrong side of his body, and a few other things. This is part of why I don’t post the chapters as soon as I finish them- There’s nothing like proper foreshadowing, for me!

One of the things I hate in a lot of modern fantasy stuff is how the magical stuff is somehow magically always kept out of the eye of the public. Like, if any of those things are acknowledged, the rest will all naturally have to come out, and it will become an entirely different kind of genre. I wanted to avoid that- which is why the Atlanteans emerged. I want them to have a real impact on the setting- But in a way that remains nonetheless realistic to how our world might change if weird fish people who are biologically human and who have a culture and technology oriented around divine power were to appear. We’re good at making the amazing seem mundane. But we’re also good at realizing how amazing the mundane can be. I’m looking forward to that, a lot.

While writing this, I had a lot of thoughts leading up to chapter 12 about how, exactly, Horace was going to respond to Betty. For quite a while, I strongly considered having her weakened by him having a lack of faith in her. That he would be wounded by everything that happened, and let her down. I’m very glad I said to hell with that notion, because in a very real way, sometimes, it’s just Horace and Betty against a cold and uncaring cosmos.

Also, you’ll notice, I’ve been foreshadowing the whole ‘Longfish’ thing for quite a long time. I like foreshadowing. Wonder what minor references I’ll be turning into a full story next!

Our usual character polls follow. Remember, this is particularly important because it may very well influence what kind of novellas I suggest for the patreon! You can vote for up to five characters you enjoyed! http://www.strawpoll.me/14687626

And the usual super-serious poll question. http://www.strawpoll.me/14687645

Once again; ask questions all you like!

One last thing: For those who’d like to know exactly when I update, I’ve set up a twitter feed, so any new posts can be found instantly on my twitter, here. https://twitter.com/Helskichinsink

December Novella: When We Do Wrong

This month’s Patreon novella is When We Do Wrong. The whole thing is available on my Patreon, along with- at this point- a whole 9 others, for only a dollar a month! For five dollars a month, you can also vote for the novellas I do in the future, and have a chance at a free 10,000 word commission. Starting for February, the choices are

The Daring Adventures of Captain Rock Dove: Nazi War Hawks Terrorize the Skies! : Pulp, Action, Comedy. The Year is 1940. The Battle for France has been lost; The Battle for Britain now begins. In desperation to destroy Britain’s air defences, Hitler turns increasingly to powers he does not know how to control; Awakening an ancient Egyptian demon of flight and violence. Only one man can stop him: Captain Rock Dove, Commander of the Allied Pigeons. Can the hard-drinking, cigarette-smoking, two-winged commander face up to this threat without soiling some poor bastard’s coat? Find out, in The Daring Adventures of Captain Rock Dove!

Still Life: Horror, Post-Apocalypse, Romance. A young man wakes up to find the world suddenly emptied. Wandering the streets, he finds that the only other things are what he terms the Mannequins, plastic dolls that only move while he isn’t watching them. While slow and not particularly strong, he nonetheless finds himself being stalked by them, staying constantly ahead of their approaches. Then, he hears a radio signal being broadcast from nearby- By another human. Specifically, a young woman.

A Big, Bright, Shining Star: Sex Comedy, Action. A mysterious figure has been scouring the San Fernando Valley’s criminal underbelly for the better part of a week, claiming to be the goddess Ishtar, threatening to punish mankind for their sins- though her method of punishment is a bit unusual. The entrenched demonic figures in San Fernando Valley don’t want an outsider horning in on their business, but if she is who she claims to be, they may not stand a chance… Not to mention that the criminals she’s punished have been unsettlingly eager to do what she wants.

Chapter 1: Grievous Bodily Harm

“God, not another one.”

Continue reading “December Novella: When We Do Wrong” →

Chapter 21: Horace Ties Up Loose Ends

There was something in the room with me. Breathing. A presence. Evil, and hungry. I lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling as the car lights far below flashed by. The darkness fled from the lights in stripes across the ceiling, and then returned once the car had gone. I couldn’t lift my head. Couldn’t look away. I could still remember the sight of Daryl, as he told me that I was worth more than his father. Still remember Betty’s expression as she begged me to stop. Begged me not to give too much. I could have given more. Damn it, I had so much, and I couldn’t use it for anything. I could have saved him. I wouldn’t have died. If I hadn’t been such a coward…

Continue reading “Chapter 21: Horace Ties Up Loose Ends” →

Chapter 20: Betty Finishes It

I slowly set down Ku’s father, resting him on the ground. The street lights were on, and the sky was black, the skyscrapers on either side lit up bright. There was no questioning what city I was in; New York had a smell all its own. John Pertwee faced me, his eyes wide, his gray hair flapping in the soft breeze. He held the sword in one hand, his shirt sleeve loose now, flapping in the air, bringing attention to that missing arm. He stared at me with a sense of loathing that I had felt in very few humans, every tendon standing out, his eyes wide and unblinking. He was fighting the very desperate urge to run away from me. “What is it,” I asked softly, “about you Order of Set assholes? What is it that drives you to attack me, time and again?”

Continue reading “Chapter 20: Betty Finishes It” →