Throwback Thursday - 03/27/2014

Why?  Because my wife once fed a baby tiger.  That's why.

Brian 

Sunday Scoop - 3/16/2014

Okay, going to be honest here.  I haven't really written at all over the past couple of weeks.   However, it's for a darn good reason:

I'm not using a computer with my book files on it at the moment, but I do have a thousand-ish words more than my last update.  22K or so, maybe?  For now, though, back to baby Gavin!

Brian

Friday Review - Forging of a Knight: Rise of the Slavekeepers

As an added bonus to this week's Friday Review of Hugo Negron's new fantasy epic, Rise of the Slavekeepers, Hugo himself has graciously allowed me to interview him.  So, check out the review, and then learn a little more about this talented fantasy author.

Forging of a Knight: Rise of the Slavekeepers is Hugo Negron’s action-packed, epic sequel to his fantasy debut, Forging of a Knight.  With this new entry to the series, Negron has crafted a complex tale full of enough action, excitement, and plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. 

And then you’ll be left wanting more. (Read on for the full review and interview)

Throwback Thursday - 3/13/2014

Throwback Thursday - 3/13/2014

In honor of becoming a father for the second time this week, here's a look back at the first time a little over 3 years ago.

And here's a side by side of newborn Jonas(left) and his new baby brother, Gavin(right).

Warrior Wednesday - 3/12/2014 - Are You Up for the Challenge?

This week's Warrior Wednesday comes with a challenge.

But to start with, here's the few runs I've been able to fit in since the last Warrior Wednesday post two weeks ago. I'm still working on whittling my pace down to something closer to what it used to be, but I'll get there.  

3.5 mi - 32:36 (3/01/2014)

1.48 mi - 12:59 (3/02/2014)

3.22 mi - 29:41 (3/08/2014)

2.0 mi - 16:39 (3/09/2014)

1.09 mi - 9:22 (3/10/2014) (stroller run with Jonas)

Second, thanks to everyone's kind donations, I have officially met my $300 goal for St. Jude.  Not only that, but the goal was met more than 2 months early!  Since the race is not until May 17, I have decided to up the goal to $500.  Be sure to check out www.warrior.stjude.org/brianbeam to learn more about the wonderful things St. Jude does for sick children, and please consider donating to their wonderful organization while you are there.  Remember, every $5 you donate enters you to win a signed copy of one of my books, a free Kindle downloads of one of my books, or even have a major character named after you in Book 3 of Korin's Journal.  Also, if you donate $10 or more, your will automatically be named in the acknowledgements of Book 3 of Korin's Journal, in addition to being entered to win the previously mentioned prizes.  You can find more details about it at www.warrior.stjude.org/brianbeam, or by clicking the image below.

And lastly, since I may be further preoccupied from blogging much(read: will be preoccupied) with the new baby (I'm writing this before the baby is born, but we're getting induced on what will be yesterday when this post goes live), I want to end with something that will stick with you until the next post.

For anyone reading this, whether you typically exercise or not, I'd like to issue a small challenge for this week.  First, if you are able, I would like you to do something active, something you would not have done otherwise.  If you are a runner or walker, for example, add 5 minutes to your run/walk, or an extra half mile or more.  If you go to the gym, add a few more reps or weight to your exercises, or add a few minutes to the treadmill/elliptical/bike.  If you don't typically allow yourself structured exercise time(which doesn't necessarily mean you're not active), take 5-10 minutes one day this week to do so, whether by taking a walk, run, swim, or whatever.  Feel free to keep it simple; say, make a walking loop around your neighborhood.

Once you have completed this, I then challenge you to do the same activity again within the week, only this time adding on another 5-10 minutes/more weight/more reps/more distance . . . whatever you did for the first part of this challenge.  If you made that loop around your neighborhood, make two, for example.

All this challenge  is intended to do is to have you start pushing yourself beyond your comfort level  in exercise, or to help you be a little more active over the week.  

Now, I don't expect all two people who may still be reading by this point (and assuming there are two of you may be wishful thinking) to  post in the comments below, but if you do choose to do this, I'd recommend doing so.  Whether stating that you plan to try this challenge, or posting what you did to meet it, I would love to be able to offer you my support, congratulations, and/or encouragement.  Who knows, maybe others who happen by this blog post will throw in some of their own.

Well, future me probably wants to tell the current me to go to sleep now while I still can (since the baby will be here by the time you read this, sleep will be an oh so precious commodity).  Hope everyone is well!

Brian

Top-Ten Tuesday - My Favorite Bands

I have to have music when I write or run, so here's my top ten favorite bands(which fluctuates semi-regularly).  I've included the cover art for my favorite album from each band, as well a video of one of my favorite songs from each.

Feel free to let me know some of your own favorites in the comments below. 

10.  The Used

9.  Silverchair

8.  Yellowcard

7.  Zebrahead

 

6.  Filter

5.  Reel Big Fish

 

4.  Foo Fighters

3.  Blink 182

2.  Collective Soul

1.  Our Lady Peace

Brian

Sorry for not blogging

Free time's been a bit scarce with the baby coming soon, which is why I haven't been blogging this week.  I doubt I'll do much better over the next couple of weeks(with both the blog and writing progress), but I'll try not to completely disappear from the face of the internet.   

Best wishes!

Brian

Top-Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Movies (at the moment)

The main reason I qualify this top ten list as "at the moment" is that my favorite movies can many times be skewed by a strong urge to watch a movie I love that I haven't seen in a while(Snatch and Willow below may be a result of this), though there will always be mainstays such as The Lion King, Fight Club, Labyrinth, and The Princess Bride.  Also, I'm sure if my wife reads this, she'll be able to name a couple movies that should be on the list that just didn't come to mind when I put it together.  Anyway, so as with my Top Ten Books, when it comes to series, I'm limiting myself to one movie from that series.  Here goes!

10. Snatch

Sunday Scoop - 03/02/2014

All right, first Sunday Scoop of March!

Book 3 of Korin's Journal stands at 21,310 words as of this moment, or about 10% of the first draft.  I'm basing the estimated length on The Forgotten King, so that 10% may be overestimating, or possibly selling myself short.  In truth, I feel that it will probably end up being a little shorter than The Forgotten King, but my aversion to formally outline and my inability to accurately estimate the page/word length of planned scenes keep me from feeling comfortable saying for sure.  Nearly the whole book is there in my head, I just have trouble projecting it in terms of length.

Tonight, I'll likely be finishing the sixth chapter and starting into the seventh.  This is the chapter I mentioned in a previous post that will onfront Korin with a massive revelation.  Though I won't say anything to give away what that revelation will be, I will say that in this chapter, Korin is going to learn the allegiance of his captors, as well as the fates of his friends.

My Goodreads giveaway for Alinor's Shard has officially ended, and two lucky (does labeling the winners as lucky for winning a copy of my book make me pretentious?) winners will be getting a signed copy of Alinor's Shard in the next week or so.  I'd love to do more giveaways in the future, possibly on Goodreads, and possibly on this blog or Facebook, so keep an eye out for that.

And speaking of giveaways, you still have a chance to win signed copies or Kindle downloads of one of my three novels, have a character named after you in Book 3 of Korin's Journal, or have your name listed in the book's acknowledgements for donating $5 or more to St. Jude through my fundraiser for the North Carolina Warrior Dash.  Click this link: www.warrior.stjude.org/brianbeam or click the picture below to donate.  St. Jude ensures that the children treated in their hospital do not pay a dime for their treatment, and they strive to advance the treatment of major childhood diseases.  Every dollar you donate can go a long way to help sick children in need.

My wife's due date is rapidly approaching (Yeah, I know I mention this a lot), so I don't anticipate having a ton of writing progress for a bit, but I will continue to post updates every Sunday (and probably some baby pictures as well).  But for now, I leave you with a picture of my current baby :)

Brian