Deadlines, schmeadlines

So, I am behind. Way behind. I had planned on writing all summer and getting Book Two completed by now. Life got in the way... and is still doing so. After realizing I would not make my self imposed deadline, I reset my goals. I would start writing intensely again once school got back in session. Well, schools back in and I'm not writing. I am currently preparing for some job interviews and that is taking up most of my writing time. So, here we go again: After the job situation is resolved, I will start writing intensively. I hope to complete and publish the book right around the holidays. I am still excited about it, and it eats away at me because I know what great adventures Shy is going to have..... red caps be damned!

Update: Book 2

I am having a hard time making progress now, what with life getting in the way! I am 12,500 words into book 2. I have tons of ideas floating in my head that I would like to get down on paper, but haven't yet. I will probably not make a lot of progress this coming week either, as I am speaking at Kaleidoscope Charter School in Otsego, MN, about my writing and publishing experience! Should be interesting. It will be two presentations to two separate groups of students. If this goes well, I may try to set up more for next school year. I know it sounds hokey, but if I can convince or persuade just a few kids to make that leap and really dive into a book... you know, where they really disappear into their imagination... well, I will count that as giving something back.

BTW, I was sick recently, and in my drug induced sleep I had a very vivid dream that I really think may be the basis for my next series of books! I can still see one of the creatures in my mind's eye! Kinda creepy actually...

Book 2

Well, Shy is well on his way to Camp Lac Igam for summer 2. I have started the book and my tenative launch date is September 1. I have the rough outline and 2 chapters completed. A new character is introduced in this book. His name will be Moriarty... the boys will call him Morrie for short. He is a professor of Folklore and Mythology during the school year, and is an evil character in this book... one of the prime obstacles that the boys will need to overcome this summer. Can anyone guess how I came up with the name Moriarty for this character? No cheating by using Mr. Google, or Mrs. Wikipedia.....

My working title for book 2 is: The Huldra Hostility. What is a Huldra? To answer that, you should read book 1, The Fossegrimen Folly!

5 stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars The visuals alone make this book a good read., April 28, 2012

By 

Chad Holm - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam) (Kindle Edition)

When I began reading this, I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it would be something that only young kids and teens would enjoy... I was wrong. I am 39 and loved it! Being that my favorite Author is Stephen King, I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed this fantasy book. I usually lean toward the suspenseful/horror/supernatural genre. I am now looking forward to the next book like you anticipate the next weekly episode of your favorite television show.

For a first time author, Michael Almich created a visual story that you would expect from a seasoned author. I am hoping that this becomes a movie. There are so many things that would be really cool to be seen, not just imagined. I really believe the story is just begging for a screenplay.

I have many favorite parts but what I liked most was the beginning of summer camp and the discovery of... well, I don't want to give anything away. The last 20 pages or so really kept me on my toe's anticipating what was going to happen. I was happy with the ending unlike many books that leave you asking.... What?

Great first book Mr. Almich. Bring on book two!!!

First Amazon Review

Shawn gave 5 stars to: The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam)

Today, April 23, 2012, 6 hours ago

Shawn reviewed:
The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam) by Michael Almich

Amazing, April 23, 2012

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: The Fossegrimen Folly (Camp Lac Igam) (Kindle Edition)

This book is awesome. The author does an amazing job of painting a picture and letting your mind run wild throughout the pages of the book. He has a great cast of characters, and does a very good job of introducing them to you. The book has a great lesson and shows that you can overcome any obstacle if you believe in yourself. Although I am not a big fantasy genera reader this book got me hooked, and I will defiantly be buying the next book as soon as it comes out!!!! This is a must read for anyone that enjoys a great book and wants to get lost in a not so distant place full of mystery and adventure.

The Fossegrimen Folly

Well, I did it. I published. One small problem, somehow the final copy that I uploaded was not my true final copy. Come to find out many of my edits ended up on a different file... or something. Anyway, I am frustrated because I can't yet upload corrections. For those millions of you who have already purchased a copy of this book, forgive me. I fully intended to avoid the pitfall of putting out a poorly edited copy. I read all the advice: edit, edit, edit, and then edit again. I ask that you overlook any errors until I am able to fix 'em! Or write me a review criticizing the poorly edited copy!

Mid-life

Many changes in life are hard to swallow. Recently, I moved my parents into nursing facilities. I had to wade through their possessions and discard, keep, store, etc etc etc. It affected me more than I ever would have believed possible. I pulled out their set of pots and pans, stuff that I had seen daily for my entire childhood. The ferocity with which those damn pans brought me back in time to the black vinyl chairs and round table in the kitchen of my childhood was breathtaking. I remember my mom would cut all my steak for me, because I claimed I would throw up if there was any sign of fat on it. I remember sitting at the table because I couldn't leave until I finished my peas (did you know that if you squash them up, it doesn't make them appear to be less!). So cliche, mentioning not being able to leave the table until you were done. Nonetheless, it's true. I miss all of those small moments of childhood. Those damn pans make me sad.

I heard today that a friend, a former co-worker had passed away. This was not someone I hung out with outside of work. Even at work, we had our disagreements. No matter, every incident like this has really made me pause lately.

I turned forty last fall. Maybe that's it... maybe this is what mid life crisis is... missing those little things and grasping to get them back. I never thought I would have these kind of issues, but I really miss being a kid sometimes. I hope my three read this and learn to really soak up all the little stuff.

Coming Soon... time wasted

I am getting close to releasing my first book, The Fossegrimen Folly. I am excited, yet I am steeling myself to face critics. I mean, that's their job... right? I keep telling myself that criticism will make my writing better but the more reviews I read of other peoples work, I start to wonder how one sifts through the crappy angst filled reviews to find those gems that actually strive to make legit suggestions. Obviously the internet has changed the world, for better and worse. The 'worse' portion, for me, is that I spend too much time now sifting through and rejecting information I either don't believe or just don't want. Thus I am worried that reviews of my book are just going to suck up more valuable time. Maybe I just skip 'em....

"Lost time is never found again" - Benjamin Franklin

Lightbulb Moments

3/7/12

Have you ever had one of those lightbulb-comes-on-moments where something from your childhood clicks and makes sense? I remember the moment I understood the saying "sew buttons on your underwear." As a young child, my standard response to anything and everything was always, "so what?" To which I continually received the response "sew buttons on your underwear." No one would explain it, and I wasn't the type to ask. I just accepted and moved on. It wasn't until I was in my teens that I had that lightbulb moment, and understood.

I love those unexpected moments, whether it's remembering where you have seen someone before, solving a longstanding mystery, or something finally making sense. Those are the times we tap into that potential our brain has.

St. Patrick's Rune

The first fantasy book I ever read was A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeline L'Engle. My reading up until this point consisted of The Hardy Boys series, which I still credit for my love of reading. Nonetheless, Frank and Joe Hardy were pretty vanilla to say the least. A Swiftly Tilting Planet mesmerized me and really opened that door to how imaginative fiction could be. I still think about St. Patrick's Rune, which plays a part in the book. It's wonderful, and if I make any money from YA fantasy series I am writing, Camp Lac Igam (coming soon), I will get this poem tattooed on my arm. Here it is:

St. Patrick's Rune

At Tara in this fateful hour,
I place all Heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And the fire with all the strength it hath,
And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
And the wind with its swiftness along its path,
And the sea with its deepness,
And the rocks with their steepness,
And the Earth with its starkness
All these I place
By God's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of darkness