Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

End of Year Wrap Up 2018

By

I won’t keep you. The holidays are upon is and the craziness is nestled at the heart of the Paduano household as well.

Thank you

It means a lot to have you here every week, reading these missives. I enjoy putting them out there, from the updates to the commentary and even the reading lists. It’s fun connecting with you and I hope to continue that next year.

A Goodbye to Greystone

I’ve done a few of these already but this really is the last time I’ll be talking about the series for some time. There was a sense of planning with the series that now that it is done, I’m slightly concerned about where things are heading. I certainly know what I’d like to do on multiple levels but not having Soriya and Loren at my side for the first time is a little strange.

I do have some short stories planned so maybe the break won’t be as long as I think.

What to expect in 2019

The steady flow of publishing was not quite as sustainable as I was hoping from a monetary aspect. My goal to crank out the DSA starting in the summer probably won’t be happening as a result.

I do have a plan to get these out to you. I think fans of Greystone and of my writing will enjoy the journey ahead for the characters. What form that takes, though, remains to be seen.

As for the blog? In order to maximize my output and make sure I’m hitting my deadlines I’m cutting the blog back to once a week for 2019. This will probably change once DSA heads your way. I like to talk about the books and always have plenty of interesting background details to throw at you about my process.

Plus it’s a nice change of pace writing-wise.

Wishing you and yours a happy holidays!

Take care of yourselves and enjoy the season!

Have a Happy New Year!

Writing Update – October 25, 2018

By

I am consistently surprised when my writing update blogs sneak up on me in the schedule. It’s crazy how quickly the months have flown by since starting this blog. I’m taking it as a good thing since I’m still here and there are still things to chat about with you!

Writing Update

This week I’m plugging away on Book 4 of the DSA’s inaugural season. It’s called Those Still Among Us and involves a vengeful spirit, murder and one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written and one you’ll be reading tons about in the coming years.

The DSA has been a consistent challenge for me. One that pesters the hell out of me, while also opening new opportunities in the storytelling. There are new techniques to learn. There is the connective tissue between the installments to play with. I think when all is said and done this is going to be an incredible journey on both sides of the page. I hope you’ll agree.

Book 4 brings a new dynamic to the mix; that of the SPIN-OFF series. That favorite character I mentioned earlier? Yeah, he’s getting his own series. It’s called Spectral Advocate and deals with our understanding of the relationship between the living and the dead.

I know the story already, been thinking about it more and more all week while delving into the DSA’s introduction of the character.

Speaking of new projects…

Another challenge with a long-term project like the DSA – one that will be occupying my writing schedule for years to come – is getting side-tracked. This month has brought not one but two very firm novels to mind. I refuse to allow myself to outline them any further than the sporadic note or ten, but damn, am I excited to get to them.

When will that be?

I wish I had an answer to that question. For now, the only thing I can do is keep plugging away on this draft and make it the best I can. Then move on to book 5 and 6 next month. After that?

So many options to think about. It’s going to be fun.

Writing Update – September 27, 2018

By

Are you ready for National Novel Writing Month? I’m gearing up for NaNoWriMo this November, my third year running in the program. It’s a great opportunity to get words on the page with some fantastic motivation by a community dedicated to telling stories.

Currently Writing

In order to put my best step forward this November, I’m currently scripting the last three books in the DSA’s inaugural season. My hope is to draft like a fiend for a six week stretch to close out the story, leaving edits for after the first of the year.

It’s a pretty big challenge I’ve set for myself this year but with the proper planning I think it is completely manageable. We’ll see how it goes.

The Bridge, book 3 of the DSA, is finished. My first time around this was my favorite story of the season. It still is. It really showcases each character so well, pushing the arc of every player into high gear for the rest of the season.

Story Bibles

I’ve been sidetracked of late. It happens. My brain gets stuck in idea mode. I’m forced to ride the wave while jotting down as many new concepts as I can before they slip away.

Some are just that – a note or two without any clue what they might mean down the line. Others are something bigger, more fleshed out. I’m currently working through one of these in the background of what I am currently writing, trying not to let it take over my entire week.

I don’t think I’m going to win this battle…

Another was a gift from a friend, an incredibly detailed time travel story. Usually when people ask me to write their book, I’m hesitant. Not this time. I can’t wait to dive into this world, when time allows. I think it’s going to be a very special novel when all is said and done.

Reading

Duel in the Dark by Jay Allan – An incredible start to a space-military series. Allan weaves quite the tale, building each world and their philosophies. It was perfectly paced, introducing multiple elements and characters, layering their backgrounds and conflicts, before kicking the action into overdrive for the second half in a blistering space battle.

I’ve already purchased the second book in the series and can’t wait to dive in.

 

Writing Update – August 23, 2018

By

Welcome, welcome! Let’s get to the writing update, shall we?

Greystone

Lots of cool things going on with the Greystone Saga right now. A Circle of Shadows drops on September 11th for all you digital readers out there. Interested in a paperback of the climactic finale to the series?

You can order one NOW!

The Medusa Coin Sale! – The third novel of the series is currently only $0.99! Interested in seeing where Samantha Myers comes into play? Want to know what divided Soriya and Loren to the breaking point? Look no further than this incredible tale of immortality and sacrifice.

Sale ends August 28th, just in time for…

Pathways in the Dark Sale! – That’s right. The road to A Circle of Shadows is becoming clear for you, isn’t it? Starting August 29th and running through September 4th, Pathways in the Dark will only be $0.99 digitally!

Know the whole story before grabbing the finale on September 11th. From the final tear in Soriya and Loren’s partnership to the secrets behind Samantha Myers’ arrival in Portents and more. Every story, every character explored is important to where the story is going.

The D.S.A.

From now until the end of the month I am putting the finishing touches on Book Three of the first season, with a novel called The Bridge. I really like how much of the original version held up and can’t wait for you to see where the series is headed. This installment is the crux for the season in my opinion.

A smaller story in scope, The Bridge allows the reader to step back from the main plot and explore the pasts of each of these characters.

My main focus has been to ramp up the action in a few spots and keep the story consistent with the previous two books already completed.

Season Two – Yeah, I know. Season one isn’t due for another year. Yet here I am, unable to turn off my brain. I outlined the first book of season two this week and even have the first five chapters of book two outlined and ready for dialogue.

Why am I jumping the gun when I know I should be focused on the current project? Mostly it’s about finding answers to questions raised in season one. Having those in my back pocket, including a character who turns from foe to friend, means I can go back and seed those shifts, those slight details and make the whole reading experience all the better. (I hope…)

I intended to spend the autumn working on a separate project before returning to the back half of season one but right now I’m having such a blast I might just keep going.

Writing Update – July 23, 2018

By

So much going on this month, folks! Let’s get this writing update going!

Writing!

A Circle of Shadows

The proof is in. First copies have been sent to my advance readers. Some feedback has already been trickling in and I’m loving what I’ve been hearing. Lots of praise for where the story goes, quite a few screams as well, but people seem to enjoy the book.

Can’t ask for more than that!

Oh, except that if you should pre-order your copy today!

As people have mentioned certain aspects of the novel, I’ve realized how much A Circle of Shadows changed during the drafting. This is going to make a great author commentary so be sure to grab your copy and read it as soon as you can!

Promethean

Book Two of the DSA is finally coming together. I’ve buckled down this week to finish my first massive pass on the draft. Hoping to have this off my plate by the end of the month.

I’m so happy to have made some real progress on this one. It’s been an editing struggle. Lots learned during the process, some lessons repeated multiple times, in order to refine the narrative and make sense of each character’s role.

Really excited to keep plugging away at the DSA series. It has all my favorite aspects of a conspiracy thriller, heavy in the science-fiction vein.

Ancient Weapons

I put together the script for what will be Book One in a series called Red Epsilon. This one is pure space opera. We’re talking starships and space battles. Aliens and cool weapons. Snarky banter and heartfelt characters.

This one holds a special place in my heart and I’m really working to keep each book in the series standalone. That is a new challenge for me. (DSA goes the opposite way and everything is very interconnected and runs together for a full narrative.)

I think it is the strongest script I’ve put together in a long time and I can’t wait to sit down to start the draft this fall.

Superman

Say what? You’re writing Superman now?

I wish!

I am working on a spec script for the character (in my “spare” time). The idea is to keep my hand in the comic world. To do so, I realized I should be putting more time on crafting comic book scripts in order to better grasp the genre.

Why Superman?

I recently read Man of Steel #2 by Brian Michael Bendis. I won’t give away the whole plot of the issue but there was a sequence early in the book concerning the Toyman. Great villain. Great pathos.

He is in Coast City, rampaging in some giant Kaiju monster. Just destroying the city for no justifiable reason. His motivations completely unknown, the impetus behind his appearance totally lost. A wasted element from a writer claiming Superman doesn’t have many decent villains…

Suffice it to say, I was not a fan.

It made me realize he missed the point of the character. But what is the point of the Toyman? That’s where I started and put together a basic outline for a single issue story utilizing my favorite elements of Superman.

My plan is to finish the script between projects and share it here on the blog.

Interview!

I recently sat down with L.A. Frederick to discuss my writing. You can check out the interview here. And be sure to pick up a copy of The Rain.

Thanks for reading!

Writing Update – May 28, 2018

By

A busy month over here. Lots of projects coming together so let’s get to it!

Writing Update

Welcome to the D.S.A.

So excited to announce the new series next year!! The D.S.A is something I’ve been tinkering with since 2015, an episodic series with a seasonal structure.

I am two books in on this science-fiction conspiracy thriller. It mashes my love of The X-Files with big question mysteries like The Atlantis Gene.

Because of the structure each book will be delivered rapid fire from the last. Every other month or even monthly depending on a few other variables, so that the action is front and center on your Kindle.

The first season is six books with a free prequel only available for newsletter subscribers!

The D.S.A. Season One launches next summer.

Greystone

The Greystone Saga Volume Two comes out June 12th!! Have you ordered your copy yet?

            

This box set contains The Medusa Coin and Pathways in the Dark, as well as a sneak peek at the climactic finale coming your way this September, A Circle of Shadows.

I spent most of the week putting the manuscript together and was immediately pulled back into the world. I am missing Portents something fierce. I can’t wait to dive back into the world at the end of this year with some cool short stories revolving around Soriya’s training and a fun Loren story dealing with his prophetic dreams. (Fun might be a stretch when it comes to Loren…you get the idea.)

Reading

Bravo by Greg Rucka – I had some difficulty getting into this one. The fault is mine though as drafting seems to pull me out of the world more and more often. This follow up to Alpha was an incredible thrill ride. Fast paced, action packed, Jad Bell’s story grabs you and refuses to let up until the last page. Rucka jams this book with detail and his character work is flawless. Loved it.

Sci-Fi Valley Con is in less than 2 weeks!

I assume you’ll be there. Of course you will. Who would want to miss out on the insane line up of guests at this show?

Grab your ticket today and I’ll see you in Altoona!

Stop by my booth at the show and say hello!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Disclaimer: Links throughout this site may be affiliate links. All commission earned through these links go to Eleven Ten Publishing to produce more books for your reading pleasure.

You can view our privacy policy here.

Recent Posts