12/29/2020
Day 276 of Sheltering in place.
It's Monday again? Last Monday of 2020. Glad this year is over. The Covid-19 vaccine is out, I guess it is now time for the world to bring out Covid-20?
The screenplay writers have whittled the screenplay down to 128 pages. I guess one more round to get it down to 120 (their goal). I told them what's left of the story? Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl? They reassured me that the essence of the story is still there.
Waiting for the publisher's editor to do the first edit of my third book "Terror in the Shadows".
Trying to redo our movie website and getting a fund-me page set up.
We did a "Branding" photo shoot this weekend. Never been on one of those. We don't get the pictures for a couple of weeks. Here is one that my daughter took of Melissa and me with the photographer setting up:
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
12/21/2020
Day 269 of Sheltering in place.
The trailer is finally finished. Please let me know what you think. After $20,000, three days of shooting, here it is!
The screenplay writers are still whittling the script down, their goal is 120 to 130 pages.
Good news! The publisher accepted my book. So now comes the long tedious process of editing, creating a cover, etc.
Merry Christmas!!!!!
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
12/14/2020
Day 262 of Sheltering in place... nuf said.
Development meetings this week about the screenplay. The first draft of the screenplay was 260 pages. Mellissa, my business partner, called in another screenwriter and they got it down to 186 pages. Not enough. They said they must get it down to closer to 120 pages. The new screenwriters say that they combined some scenes, cut the scenes that are cute but do not move the story along, and cut out the internal thoughts (they are against voice-overs). As the author it sort of jabs at your heart when they take out some of your favorite parts. But that's showbiz.
Still haven't heard back from the publisher about the third book I submitted. No rejection or approval. Wondering what is happening???
Just finished drawing the January 2021 Human Beans comic story. Wow, the end of the year already?
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
12/7/2020
Day 255 of Sheltering in place... aren't you getting tired of this yet?
The film trailer "They Don't Cast Shadows" is still in editing. I got to see the raw footage. I am excited, it looks better than I imagined. Salt of the Sound, a Christian music group is has provided the soundtrack for the trailer. We wanted a romantic song with a feeling of underlining foreboding. They knocked it out of the park.
The trailer should be out of editing in two weeks!
A new Human beans comic story has been posted. It is a funny Christmas story.
My third book has been sent to the publisher. No word yet on whether they approved it ***fingers crossed***
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
11/30/2020
Day 248 of Sheltering-in-Place.
For those in the USA, I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving. For those not in the USA, I hope you had a wonderful day.
Sorry I missed last week's check-in. I was on set filming the promo-trailer for my book, "They Don't Cast Shadows". It was a grueling time of filming on locations in Northern California. As you know I am a novice at this filming business so I didn't know how hard of a job it was. Now, the raw footage goes to editing (film, sound, music, coloring) So many people! We posted some behind the scenes photos on our website:
www.inspireworksproductions.com Click "Current Projects" on the navigation bar.
I am sending in my third book in the Shadow series to the publisher tomorrow for review.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
11/16/2020
Day 234 of Sheltering in place.
I had a busy week. We had auditions for the promo-trailer. Forty-nine actors came to audition. We started at 8:30 am and finished with the auditions at Five pm. Then we met to discuss who we wanted for the cast. After dinner, I got home at Nine pm. I was exhausted. We did get some very professional actors. Our Cinematographer and Make-up artist also helped in the selections. We are lucky to have these professionals helping us.
Next on the agenda is wardrobe and make-up preparations. Saturday we are having a walk through with the scenes.
One thing that surprised me, which didn't surprise the professionals we are working with, was that many of the actors bought my book so they could get into character. Lol, that's one way to sell books.
My third book still sits within my computer. I guess I won't be getting to it until after Thanksgiving. Our shooting dates are November 23, 24, and 25. Lol, I call kept calling it "for the shoot" or "shooting day" - I was told not to say that when we "film" at the school. I guess it is not appropriate to say we are going to be shooting at the school on Wednesday.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
11/9/2020
Day 227 of Sheltering in place.
Working on December's Christmas Human Beans in what little that I have of my spare time.
My manuscript is still residing on my computer. I would like to go over it one more time before sending it off to the Publisher for approval by December but haven't found the time yet.
Working on the promo-trailer for "They Don't Cast Shadows". It is keeping me busy. We have auditions on Saturday. Thirty people to screen. We even have one flying 3,000 miles from Florida for a part.
No time, no time, I am drawing the storyboard for the trailer, firming up six locations, writing contracts, looking for props, actors wardrobe, and keeping the books. And this is just for a short promo-trailer!
I would covet your prayers for sunny days for our shooting (November 23-25). The Lord has been blessing us as we plow along. One of our shoots is 3,600 feet in elevation, it snows up there. So, please brothers and sisters pray for our production, it is for the Glory of our Lord Jesus.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
11/2/2020
Day 220 of sheltering-in-place.
Wow, Cavalry Chapel San Jose was just fined $350,000 for holding church service. That is the same church I went to the Pastor Leadership conference a couple of weeks ago. North Valley Baptist church was fined $50,000, I thought that was a lot of money, but now with this new fine that seems minuscule.
Our movie production company Inspireworks, LLC is rolling along. We met with some cinematographers and chose one seems like a real professional with real movies under his belt.
November Human Beans comic story has been posted on my website. Now to work on a Christmas one, lots of good ideas for that one.
Going through my manuscript again, then off to the publisher. Maybe in a couple of weeks. This movie business for my first book is really cutting into my time. Now I've been tasked to do a storyboard for the Director of Photography. I've never done one before, so it going to be a fun challenge.
On a personal note, I received a scratch on my cornea last week. It felt like if you cut your arm and poured alcohol in it. Excruciating pain. I'm okay now, but wow, it hurt. Now, this is going to sound strange, but through it, I praise the Lord. All things that happen to Christians have to go through our heavenly Father. So it was for God's purpose. I didn't ask why, I figured it was none of my business.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
10/26/2020
Day 213 of sheltering-in-place.
California's fires are mostly out, now were are having windstorms. The wind will probably fan the flames. Also, our power company is starting blackouts to prevent their powerlines from starting more fires. Fun and games in the Golden State.
Church service attendance is still down. Wait for the real persecution, there will probably be even fewer people in the church.
Our movie production company Inspireworks, LLC is rolling along. I started by testing the waters with my toe, now I feel like I am waist-deep with the waters rising. Scheduling, auditions, locations, casting calls, website building, funding procurement, and hiring crew; all taking time away from my third book. I am going over the manuscript looking for anything I missed. It is slow, because of my movie participation.
I'm continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. The next one comes out this Sunday on November 1st.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
10/19/2020
Day 206 of sheltering-in-place. I think this is going to go on indefinitely?
California is still burning. The big fires are mostly out. Now just small fires in different cities from homeless encampment fires.
We had another legal church service Sunday. Attendance is down, about half of what we had before the Covid scare. I can understand that some of the people are still frightened by the media frenzy, but some are just getting used to staying home.
Our movie production company is rolling along. So far we have secured five of the six locations for the scene filming.
I'm continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. The next one comes out on November 1st.
My third book has been edited. My deepest thanks to our illustrious editor and friend. I will be going over the manuscript looking for anything I missed, then off to the publisher.
I was invited to attend a Pastor/Leadership conference last week. It was enlightening. The speakers were great. One thing I learned was that everything that happens to us passes through our Heavenly Father's hands. So, when trials happen to us and we wonder why, we should realize that it is none of our business. The Father has things under control and has our best interest at heart.
I am building up my endurance on my new mountain bike. I went up and down a hill a few times and was exhausted. I thought I couldn't pedal another foot. Then a little dog came running after me barking like crazy. I pedaled away faster than I ever thought I could. The dog gave up after about twenty feet. I had to laugh, I thought I was too exhausted, but the reserve energy sure kicked in fast.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
10/12/2020
Day 206 of sheltering-in-place.
California's fires are almost out. We are finally getting some pollution-free days.
Legal church services are in their second week. I am disappointed that only half of the congregation is showing up. Some are still watching our services on the internet. Some have dropped off the face of the earth.
As I said last month I have become part of a reborn movie production company. Inspireworks, LLC. We are having business cards made up. I asked what was my title. They told me Executive Producer/Writer. I get the writer's part. But I asked what is an executive producer. They told me that I keep the financial books.
I'm continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. The next one comes out on November 1st.
The last chapter of my third book is being edited by our illustrious editor and friend.
I have been riding my new mountain bike. I found out that I am out of shape. I have to start slow and build up my strength. One funny thing happened. I haven't ridden a bike since I was 15, that's when I got my first motorcycle. The last bicycle I rode didn't have any gears, and all it had was a coaster brake. This bike has hydraulic brakes and 16 gears. I was stopped on the side of the road trying to figure out how to change gears. There are two levers on each side to change the gears. An eight-year-old boy stopped next to me and said, "Hey, mister do you need some help." He dismounted and showed me how to change the gears. Evidently, one lever moves the gears up and the other lever moves the gears down.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
10/5/2020
Day 199 of sheltering-in-place.
California is still burning. Although the fires are mostly contained.
We had our first legal church service Sunday! The county finally loosened up the regulations.
As I said last month I have become part of a reborn movie production company. Inspireworks, LLC. My first assignment was to get a "movie intro video" produced. Most of the production companies I went to wanted from $16,000 to $50,000 to create a 10-second video. It was suggested by one of the studios that I try Fiverr.com. There are many creative people on there (Actors, artists, AV, and other talented people). I contacted one guy and he created the video for $400. It looks great!! Everyone was pleased with the result.
Here is a low-quality video of the movie logo intro (the high-quality movie file is too massive)
I'm continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. The next one comes out on November 1st.
The last chapter of my third book is being edited by our illustrious editor and friend. I love her comments. They get me to look at things more closely.
I finally received my mountain bike. Plan to go riding today. I found out that there are many trails all throughout the area I live in. It's going to be fun exploring them.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
9/28/2020
Day 192 of sheltering-in-place. There is talk in California about keeping it in place until 2021. Ridiculous.
I'm continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. This Thursday, October 1st. the funny conclusion of September's comic story will be posted on my website. (www.aimhigherbooks.com)
I am also, correcting the edit recommendations on my third book. Almost finished. The last chapter is being edited by our illustrious editor and friend. I love her comments. They get me to look at things more closely.
California is still burning! New fires are breaking out as old ones are being put out.
Indoor church services continue to be banned! We are still holding our "underground" services.
Grace Community Church (Pastor John MacArthur) is still sticking to his first amendment rights and holding church, in spite of the county of Los Angeles dirty tricks, fines, and threats of jail.
I've become part of a reborn movie production company. Inspireworks, LLC. (incorporated in 2007. dissolved 2009, re-incorporated 2020) This is the production company that is working on getting my first book, "They Don't Cast Shadows" made into a movie. Exciting.
I bought a mountain bike, last week. Trying to get a little exercise. I didn't realize how much prices have gone up.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
9/21/2020
Day 185 of sheltering-in-place. This is getting ridiculous.
I am continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. This month was the first of a two-parter. Next month the funny conclusion.
I am also, correcting the edit recommendations on my third book.
California is still burning!
Indoor church is still banned!
I did take a little mini-vacation to Bodega Bay. It was nice to getaway. Foghorns at night and listening to the ocean waves. Seagulls crying and seals barking in the day. And great seafood!! It was nice!
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
9/14/2020
Day 178 of sheltering-in-place. This is getting ridiculous. Now they are saying that it could go on indefinitely.
I am continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. This month was the first of a two-parter. Next month the conclusion.
I am also, correcting the edit recommendations on my third book.
California is still burning! We had a weird Wednesday last week. The sun didn't come out until around 10 am. And still, you could barely see it. The sky remained reddish-orange all day. The funny thing is the newscasters keep saying that it was like Armageddon. Lol, they really don't know what Armageddon is going to be like. Even with all of the virus scares, fires, church closures, we have to keep the faith, and trust that God is in control.
Here are a few pictures of the San Francisco Bay Area during the red sky day. The last picture someone Photoshopped, I thought it was funny.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
9/7/2020
Day 171 of sheltering-in-place.Gee, a long time. Stop already!
Still holding our "underground" church. So far we haven't been caught. Six churches have been caught and they are levying heavy fines. And now threatening jail time.
We must obey God, not man. Hebrews 10:25.
I am continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. A new Human Beans comic story came out last week. It is a two-parter. An exciting story of the Blueberry family getting sued. What did Little Jeffery do now?
I am also, correcting the edit recommendations on my third book.
California is still burning! Multiple fires are burning up and down the State. Some are around 60 -70% contained. But this heat isn't helping. 111 degrees today.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
8/31/2020
Day 164 of sheltering-in-place.Gee, a long time. I'll be glad when the November election is over, then this virus scare will stop.
Our illegal church attendance numbers are holding steady, with the rest watching on live streaming. We are locking doors and turning off lights in the foyer. Keeping it low profile, but still singing and worshiping God!
Five churches have been fined ($20,000, $10,000, $3,000, $1,000, and $1,000) for singing and holding church services. And they were CDC compliant. They are forbidden by the government to hold church service, if they do, they will be fined again. The North Valley Baptist Church is being fined $5,000 for each church service they hold. And now they are threatening jail time for the pastor and anyone attending. They are having three church services a week, and the pastor says that they will continue to do so.
We must obey God, not man. Hebrews 10:25.
I am continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. A new Human Beans comic story comes out tomorrow!!
I am also, correcting the edit recommendations on my third book.
California is still burning! Multiple fires are burning up and down the State. I was talking to my pastor and said what's next a big earthquake? And he said, please don't say that. I said, I'm not prophesying or anything.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
8/24/2020
Day 157 of sheltering-in-place.
Our illegal church attendance numbers are holding steady, with the rest watching on live streaming.
Three churches have been fined ($3,000, $1,000, and $1,000) for singing and holding church services. And they were CDC compliant. They are forbidden by the government to hold church service, if they do, they will be fined again.
Strange how they cry separation of church and state when it suits their evil purposes, but when they want to close churches there is no mention of the first amendment.
We must obey God, not man.
Other churches are finally getting vocal in California. As for us, we are meeting, but keeping it low key.
I am continuing to work on my little Human Beans comic stories. And correcting the edit recommendations on my third book.
California is burning! Multiple fires are burning up and down the State. All of my family is safe. Although it was touch and go for a few of them. They had to be evacuated, but when they returned their homes were safe.
MY first book is going to get a "Pitch Movie Trailer" made in October. I get to watch the auditions and filming. Exciting!
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
8/17/2020
Day 150 of sheltering-in-place.
Our illegal church attendance numbers are holding steady, with the rest watching on live streaming.
The larger churches in California are being more bold in obeying God not man. Pastor John MacArthur won a temporary stay judgment by a superior court judge in the government's restraining order against his church. (until September 4th). The government wanted a complete shut down of Pastor John's 6,000 member church. No services were to be held indoors or outdoors. It denies the first amendment rights of the U.S. constitution. Other churches are finally getting vocal in California. As for us, we are meeting, but keeping it low key.
I gave out all ten of the advance copies the publisher sent of my second book. Lol, I asked them to send me more, since the book won't go on sale until sometime in September.
Working on next month's Human Beans comic story.
I am working with our friend and amazing editor on my third book in the Shadow series. As always, she not only is a grammatical wizard, but her insightful comments and recommendations are helpful and welcomed.
We had a thunderstorm pass through yesterday night. Woke me up out of a sound sleep. It is unusual to have thunder and lightning out here on the coast of California. The weather feels like Florida or Georgia with high humidity. The temperature was 109 degrees. That also is very High for around here. We usually have moderate weather all year round.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
8/10/2020
Day 143 of sheltering-in-place.
We had 34 brave souls attending church service Sunday. All of us worshiped our Lord Jesus Christ in spite of the threat of imprisonment and fines. Sort of feels like the first-century church, lol, without the beheading, Crucifixions, and being fed to the lions. We still have to be careful in protecting our vulnerable parishioners. We are following all of the CDC guidelines. Just not the county's no singing or meeting together laws.
I am still tweaking my third book in the series and it is still being edited.
I received ten advanced copies of my second book in the Shadow series. It will be going on sale, my guess, at the end of September.
I am working on my Human Beans comic stories and expanding my fan base.
One thing surprised me this past week. My friend had breast cancer. That's a tragedy and not too far out of the ordinary, except that he is a man. I didn't know men could get breast cancer. He had an operation, a double mastectomy and he is doing fine.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
8/3/2020
Day 136 sheltering-in-place. Ridiculous!
Melissa is finished with the first draft of the screenplay for my first book. It is 261 pages. She says that she needs to cut it down. One minute of screen time per page is an average. After she is finished then she will have a production meeting to determine the next step.
My manuscript for my third book is undergoing editing by my favorite editor. She is very good!!! I love her comments, which make me think.
My daughter-in-law went through a traumatic experience last week. Mike, one of her co-workers was murdered at her workplace. My daughter-in-law was just talking to him before the gunman shot him. A female co-worker had just broken up with her boyfriend and he didn't take it so well. And came looking for her. When Mike wouldn't let him in the building he shot him five times in the chest. Two days later they caught the gunman. My daughter-in-law is okay now, after a few days off work. Mike was a hero. If the gunman would have entered the building, who knows how many more would have been shot.
The new Human Beans for the month of August has been posted on my website! This time Little Jeffery gets in trouble during church service with the passing around of the collection plate.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
7/27/2020
Day 129 of sheltering-in-place. Seems like forever.
We had a second church service under the new ban. Two Sundays ago we had 10 people show up for service. This Sunday we had twenty-five. It seems like more are getting braver risking the $2,500 fine if caught in church. Plus we sang hymns and praise songs to the Lord, which was also banned.
Went over my draft of "Terror in the Shadows", the third book in the Shadow series.
I did find a couple of inconsistencies that I had to correct and other things that I caught to add clarity.
I tried trimming down the sentences, but by correcting the errors I went from 86,000 words to 89,000 words. Wednesday, I am sending the first chapter for content and grammatical editing to my favorite and most competent editor.
A new Human Beans comic story comes out this Saturday!
Little Jeffery gets in trouble in church service. Oh my, poor little bean.
My son learned a lesson this weekend. When he was a teen he was a great skateboarder.
Much older now he took his 13-year-old son to the skateboard park to teach him to skateboard.
Well, he broke his toe. I told him when we get older we don't do, but teach with words.
In our minds think we are young, but our body proves otherwise.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
7/20/2020
Day 122 of sheltering-in-place - when will this be over! I can hardly wait.
I completed my first draft of my third book in the Shadow series. a little over 86,000 words. Now comes the hard part. Reworking, editing, and reworking.
Our State (California) is once again cracking down on church services. No church services or in-home bible studies. We are still having church service, and we are adhering to all of the CDC guidelines. However, church attendance is way down in our little illegal gatherings. I guess people are scared of getting caught? Come on people we need to worship our God and obey God not man.
The other night I got awoken, out of a sound sleep by a very large boom. I had a flashback of Vietnam for a split-second. My car alarm went off. I put on my robe, not knowing if my car exploded. It was okay. I found out later that someone in the next neighborhood set off an M-1000 quarter stick of dynamite firecracker and my next-door neighbor went over and told them that the Fourth of July was over.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
7/13/2020
Day 115 of sheltering-in-place. When will it end???
Still working on my third book in the Shadow series. I am on the last chapter, wrapping things up. My goal is to finish the draft this week.
My agent says that the second book in the series is going to printing. The gallery version for me to check. Once approved it goes off into the world.
I am so excited about my little Human Beans. They are slowly regaining the following I once had. Five years ago I had 20,000 fans, then I took my three-year hiatus. So this year I started creating them once again. I am up to 500 fans now. Not as much as there used to be but slowly gaining fans monthly.
As of Sunday, July 12th at midnight our glorious Contra Costa County officials have band church services once again. However, protesters can still gather. So, we joked that we would tell the investigators that we are protesting against Satan this week in church if we get raided.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
7/6/2020
Day 108 of sheltering-in-place. When will it end???
Our illustrious governor and CalOSHA have made it illegal to sing in church. I know that's hard to believe, but they said no singing or chanting, even with masks on! We had church service on Sunday and we all sang! Sticking it to the man.
I am on the last chapter of the third book in my Shadow series trilogy.
Good news! I received the cover for my second book and I approved it,. Now it goes to printing. I think the book will be available in September!
As I related before the ranch owners where we practiced shooting invited me up to their ranch for a party on July 4th Independence Day, for shooting and blowing things up. I didn't think that it was a good idea to mix alcohol, guns, and dynamite. Well, they started a 100-acre fire when the blew up tannerite. No one was hurt.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
Here is the approved cover:
6/29/2020
Day 101 of sheltering-in-place. When will it end *he sighed* Our illustrious governor has just extended the shelter-in-place indefinitely.
I am almost finished with the second to the last chapter in my third book.
My first book was 53,000 words, the second 79,000 words, the third is already at 73,000 words, I think it will end up around 79000 to 82,000 words. I'm having so much fun writing the novel, that my little Human Beans have taken a back seat for a few weeks.
But, have no fear, the new Human Beans comic story will be posted on my website on Wednesday, July 1st.
I haven't received the revised cover for my review from the publisher yet. I am waiting in anticipation to see how they redid the cover.
I don't know how ya'll feel about guns, but my family and I went target shooting last week. We had a blast. The ranch owners where we practiced invited us up to their ranch for a party on July 4th Independence Day, for shooting and blowing things up. I do not drink alcohol, but the guys up at the ranch do. So I told them no thank you. Alcohol, guns, and dynamite didn't feel like a good safe combination.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
6/22/2020
Day 94 of sheltering-in-place. When will it end *he sighed*
I received the cover of my second book for my review. Yippee and boo. I am happy with the layout and wording but the girl's face looks too old for a teenager, she looks like maybe twenty-something. With a nose ring?? That's nowhere in the story. So, I sent it back with my comments. Also, it is a longer book so they want to charge $20.95 a copy. I told them that that was too much, so at least they reduced it by a dollar. I guess $19.95 looks better?
I am 3/4 of the way with the draft of my third book in the series. Wrapping up loose ends and dealing with a surprise threat coming.
Love my Human beans! The Human Beans T-shirt's are now only 19.95! Get one for the Summer!
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
6/15/2020
Day 87 of sheltering-in-place.
I had fun doing an author interview on The Jesus Road on June 11, 2020.
I finished drawing next month's Human Beans comic story for July 2020. It will be posted on July 1 st.
I have been busily working on my third book in the Shadow series. I am having fun with the story, but new characters keep popping in, and they are so interesting that I want to develop them more. The story is getting flooded with too many characters. So, I think I am going to have to cull the characters or just leave them undeveloped?
Usually, when my car is in for its regular servicing, they have a shuttle that takes me home and then picks me up when it is finished. Due to the Wuhan flu, they stopped the shuttle service. So not having a laptop or a tablet I brought a pen and paper to work on my book. Old school, but it worked. I was surprised at how much I got done.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
6/8/2020
Day 80 of Sheltering-in-place.
The county leaders finally said we could begin to hold church services. But of course, there were some restrictions. 25% of capacity or 12 people whichever was lowest. So, who do they expect us to tell that they couldn't come to church? I think Satan did that to cause hurt feelings or shake up the unity of the church. We decided to just open the doors (with CDC rules of course) and let whoever wanted to come to attend. We've been operating illegally for a few services already so we just continued to serve the Lord the way He has been leading us.
Perhaps this week I will get the cover sample of my second book for review from my publisher? I requested that the same artist who created the cover for my first book be used on the second book. He/she did a good job and I would like to keep some constancy with the series covers.
Been working on my Human Beans comic story and on my third book in the Shadow series.
I have the goal set for the ending of the third book. Although, I am writing along and then a new twist exposes itself. My characters have minds of their own and come up with problems for me to figure out how to get them out of. Sometimes the answer comes to me, and sometimes I just let them figure it out for themselves. After all, they started it.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
6/1/2020
Day 73 of Sheltering-in-place.
Still waiting for the cover to be created for my second book.
The new Human Beans comic story has just been posted!!!
We had our live in-person church meeting on Pentecost Sunday. Everything went great! It was a blessing to see each other live again. Our county has still not approved our meeting together for next Sunday. They said possibly on the 14th we can legally meet. It is so nice that the government is "allowing" us to meet. What's next, telling our pastor what he can say? Oh, wait they do that already.
I am working on next month's Human Beans comic story and my third book in the Shadow series.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
5/25/2020
Day 66 of Sheltering-in-place.
Yeah!!! We are going to start in-person church attendance on May 31st, on Pentecost, the birthday of the church. Our governor still is forbidding the California churches from holding services, however, 3000 churches are defying his order. My next post maybe from a Christian concentration camp. All glory to God.
No writing this week. We are busy sanitizing our church and getting it ready for Sunday.
We did get to visit with my mother in the nursing home. She had been declining because we haven't been able to see her or talk with her for two and a half months. She would look forward to all of us kids and grandkids visiting her every week. Plus we would play cards with her and laugh and joke around. Without that stimulation the Hospice nurse said that her health declined. Hopefully, now that we can once again visit her periodically she will bounce back.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
5/18/2020
Day 59 of Sheltering-in-place.
My 96-year-old mother is in a nursing home. We get to visit her this Sunday. Only one at a time and in the open-air courtyard. We have to wear masks and gloves. I do hope she realizes what is happening. We (my 3 brothers and 3 sisters) haven't seen my mother since this lockdown 9 weeks ago.
3,000 churches are now onboard to defy California Governor "Nuisance" and open on May 31st. I hope they do!! We will all take the "proper" safety precautions.
The ongoing long wait for the publisher's art department to design the cover for my second book. Restrictions on business during this flu season had lengthened the time for everything for the company.
My hair is growing longer. My granddaughter volunteered to cut my hair (13 years old). She said she cut my son's hair. So after checking my son's hair, I said no thanks. He had a buzz cut all around his head and long on the top. It looked like someone put a bowl on his head and shaved around it. I was wondering when I came into their house, why he was wearing a baseball cap indoors, mystery solved.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
5/11/2020
Day 52 of Sheltering-in-place.
My 96-year -old mother is in a nursing home. They have two cases of the CoVid-19 reported in there. Both were health workers. They tested every one on Wednesday, still no word on the results. (Update 5/13/2020: Received the test results, there are no new cases of the virus. All tests came back negative, Praise God!)
1,500 churches are going to defy California Governor "Nuisance" and open on May 31st. I hope they do!! We can open safely with certain precautionary rules.
My second book is in the publisher's art department designing the cover. I am looking forward to what they come up with and how close he/she gets to my suggestion.
I tried something different on my Human Beans comic story for May. I added a little animation. Just an experiment. I will be experimenting more in the coming months. The reaction has been positive.
Working on my third book a little slower than my first two books. I want it to be a fantastic finale to the trilogy. I guess that's why it is taking so much time. I keep overthinking each scene.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
5/4/2020
Day 45 of Sheltering-in-place.
Publisher finished setting the page design (marking chapters, text, and book layout). Next cover design.
Nothing much happening. My Human Beans comic story popularity is going up. I am receiving good feedback. Slowly adding more subscribers. Having fun working on next month's story.
I didn't work on my third book in the Shadow series this week, no excuses, I just didn't feel like it. I will get back to it when I get inspired to write. I am halfway through the manuscript.
One positive thing about sheltering-in-place is that we are live streaming our church services and getting on Zoom with the church family. We are getting to know each other better as we are having longer conversations, rather than the usual hello/goodbyes at church.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
4/27/2020
Lol, it does seem like everyone, especially teachers and parents with kids at home are busier than ever. Prayers go out to you.
I Didn't work on my third book in the Shadow series. I did with the help of a friend make a video for my second book. A sort of pre-teaser, I guess you would call it. The book will *fingers crossed* will come out in September. I received good comments about the video. I posted it on a writer's forum, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on my website.Click here to see the video
I did some work on my next Human Beans comic story. A new Human Beans will be posted on my website this Friday, May first.
I broke the law yesterday. *bows his head in shame* I visited my son in the next county. My "wonderful" county passed a law that residence in our county couldn't travel outside of our county, except for essential business or government business. So I asked my brother, who used to be the mayor of the city I live in, about law enforcement. He said if they stop you for something else and find out you are outside of the county, then they would tack that charge on. Luckily I didn't get stopped. *whew*.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
4/20/2020
I was thinking about doing a Human Beans comic story about the virus and social distancing but decided against it. It seems like too many people are in a panic right now and wouldn't find it very funny. So, I guess the virus has skipped over Jelly Bean Land, or lol, the virus hasn't crossed species to jelly beans.
I am still helping at church with the live streaming of our church services, and having a little fellowship but keeping our social distancing.
We are using Zoom at our church for gatherings. And my brothers and sisters are using it once a week to get our families together during this time of social distancing. I still can't visit my mother (96 years old) who is in an assisted living home. We write her cards and one of the workers there reads them to her. A little solace.
My second book "More Than Just Shadows" is at the publisher's art department where they are creating the page design.
Worked on my WIP (Work-In-Progress) and Human Beans. Sheltering-in-place.
I am getting a promotion video done for my second book. I am drawing the pictures and a friend is editing it all together.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
4/13/2020
I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Even though we had to shelter-in-place.
I am still helping at church with the live streaming of our church services. We have a little fellowship but keeping our social distancing. Speaking of social distancing, I think my buttons are doing a little distancing on their own. I think I've gained a few pounds.
We are using Zoom at our church for gatherings and my brothers and sisters are using it once a week to get our families together during this time of sacrifice. I am using my smartphone to participate in our Zoom visits. So I decided to buy a cheap laptop. I received the laptop from Amazon and found that it had been loaded with Windows S. With Windows S you can't download anything from the internet you have to go through Google Play. Which doesn't have Zoom. So I sent it back. Still watching Zoom on my phone.
My second book "More Than Just Shadows" is at the publisher's art department where they are to creating the page design. When that's finished then off to the cover art which is the most fun for me.
Worked on my WIP (Work-In-Progress) and Human Beans. Sheltering-in-place. Had to cancel my family's Disneyland trip, maybe we'll revisit it in September.
God bless everyone and stay safe.
Bob :)
4/6/2020
Sheltering in place. I am getting a lot more visits and calls (mainly texts) daily from my children and friends checking on how I am doing. I appreciate it. I am doing fine.
I am helping at church with the audio/visual for our live streaming. On Wednesdays, there are four of us at church and on Sundays, there are seven of us. A little fellowship, but no hugging or shaking hands.
I had my first radio interview last week. It was fun. I was interviewed from New York, and it was broadcast out of Minneapolis on 980 am.
My second book is coming down to the wire as far as editing goes. It is now onto text design and formatting. After that the cover.
My new Human Beans comic story was posted on my website. Based on a true incident that happened to my grandson while playing flag football. I was thinking of doing one about the Covid19 virus but decided against it. I couldn't find anything funny in what we are going through. Maybe later, about parents going crazy sheltering in place with their kids. But I don't think that would be funny at the present time.
I pray that all of you are healthy, staying close to Jesus, and remaining calm.
Bob :)
3/30/2020
Still sheltering-in-place. Getting grief from my nephews and nieces saying that I am not taking the COVID-19 seriously. I am taking it seriously, just like every other flu season. Washing my hands while singing Happy Birthday and stay at least six feet away from people who are coughing. But I do think that it is being overhyped by the media.
Working on my WIP "Terror in the Shadows".
The publisher's editors have finished doing their thing, on my second book, "More Than Just Shadows". Now the book is off to page design.
My new Human Beans comic story will be posted Wednesday, April 1st.
It is based on a true funny incident that happened to my grandson while playing flag football.
Remember folks, stay calm, and remember: "Let not your heart be troubled," John 14: 1a
Bob :)
3/23/2020
I am tired of hearing 24/7 about the coronavirus (covid19)! Being an introvert I don't mind sheltering in place, but I miss seeing people walking their dogs, children playing and people in the neighborhood chatting in the streets. I also miss my church brothers and sisters. We have been broadcasting our service on Facebook Live. But it's not the same thing. I have been helping with the live broadcast by operating the sound system, which is fun.
I received another royalty check, but this one was from the writer's conference I attended. They had set up a bookstore and invited all of us authors to set up our books there for sale. Sort of made me feel good that my fellow authors thought that my book was worth buying.
Working on my WIP "Terror in the Shadows". I am in the meat of the book. Getting my protagonists deeper and deeper in trouble. If I have to suffer in the covid19 shelter in place, they will suffer more *muahahaha*
I found a way to lower my Human Beans T-Shirts from $29.95 down to $19.95. Maybe sales will increase now?
Bob :)
3/16/2020
I hope that everyone stays safe and healthy during this hyped-up corona-virus scare. Wash your hands, cough into your armpit, stay away from people who appear sick, and if you are sick - please stay home. This is the same advice given for every flu season. And probably good advice all year round.
I don't know what's happening in your neck of the woods, but out here in crazy California, people are panicking and buying out grocery stores of water, toilet paper, and can goods. The shelves seem bare, like something out of The Walking Dead or an apocalyptic movie. One thing that happened to me while I was praying before I ate breakfast was it dawned on me how easily the food chain could be broken. It made my prayer more than just rote words.
Whew, I finished updating my website. The entire website from stem to stern. It was a big job.
I am currently working on my WIP, the third book in the Shadow trilogy. I am about in the middle, where the real meat of the story is. Exciting part!
Bob :)
3/9/2020
At the Writers' Conference, I was told that my website was out of date. So I spend the whole week working on updating and streamlining my website. Please let me know how you like my new and improved website.
Thanks in advance, Bob :)
3/2/2020
I went to a Christian Writers Conference (West Coast Christian Writers) this weekend. I learned a lot. One thing I learned was that no matter who publishes your book, you are responsible for marketing. I felt a little intimidated, there were authors there with 20 or more books under their belt. Another interesting thing was listening to a panel of three literary agents and the Q and A portion was an eye-opener.
One thing my teacher (eight hours of class time) said was that my website was out of date. So one of my goals is to update it to look more like 2020 instead of 2002 when I made it.
My second book is still being edited by the publisher. Working a little on my third book in the trilogy. And of course, working on my beloved Human Beans.
Bob :)
2/24/2020
Well, it's the first of the week so it's time for another look back at the week that was.
I worked on my third book to my Shadow trilogy. I got my little protagonist group in trouble, then got them out, now they are back in trouble. Why can't the protagonist ever get peace? Because it's no fun, until the end of the story.
My second book is almost being finished editing by the publisher. Probably one more go around until they're satisfied. Then it's off to the cover design department.
My new March Human Beans comic story is coming out Thursday the 27th. I usually post them on the first of every month, however, I am going to my first writer's conference on the 28th and won't be back to my computer until after the first.
I am redoing my T-shirt prices and web page. Lower prices (not by much, but a little) probably won't be done until the middle of March. Too many things going on right now.
Bob :)
2/17/2020
Oh, my! My Human Beans T-shirts are too expensive. I received that comment from several people. So I am working on getting the price lower.
I did some writing on my third book in the trilogy. Even if I do say so myself, this is going to be the best one yet.
A week and a half and I'll be attending the Christian Writers Conference. Looking forward to meeting other Christian writers. One thing I find strange is that out of the 300 people attending 99% are women. In the secular world, about 48% of the novelist are women. But, it seems in the Christian non-fiction world, women are the overwhelming majority. Nothing wrong with that, just an observation.
FYI - my next Human Beans comic story will be coming out on February 27th. I usually post the new comic story the first of every month, however, because I will be away attending the writers' conference I will be posting the story earlier.
Bob :)
2/10/2020
My book "They Don't Cast Shadows" is being featured on www.1531Entertainment.com website, today.
I am still working on my Human Beans T-shirts web page for my website. I should be finished by the end of the week. They are turning out cute.
Going back and forth with the editing of my second book with the publisher's editor. The longest part of the process.
Drawing a new Human Beans comic story and writing a little on my third book in the trilogy.
Bob :)
2/1/2020
Posted my February Human Beans comic story on my web site.
Worked on my Human Bean t-shirt designs. Got them mocked up. I will post pictures on my website later this week. Starting to finish up my T-Shirt web page. They are going for $29.95 which seems like a lot to me, but they are time-intensive the way they are being done. Made in America, not China.
I haven't done much actual writing this week on my third book. Mulling over ideas, but nothing typed down.
My second book is still at the editors. It seems like it takes a long time, but I guess mine isn't the only book the publisher has in the works.
I received my quarterly report for the sales of my first book from the publisher. 172 books sold. I don't know if it is good or bad. I am just happy someone actually bought them.
Bob :)
1/27/2020
I worked on my third book in the Shadow Series, a little. not much. Rewrote a few scenes. Still getting my protagonist into more situations that seem hopeless. *he laughs* which is fun. But getting them out of trouble is the hard part. *he sighs*
Spent a lot of time drawing designs for the Human Beans T-Shirts that may be coming out in a month or two. I want the drawing to be simple yet cute. And I still have to design a web page for the T-Shirts introduction and sales.
Bob :)
1/20/2020
I checked editing that the publisher did on my second book. Found a few errors. I sent them in, now waiting for the manuscript to come back with comments.
Not much else done, except for praying and putting together my sermon for Wednesday.
Bob :)
1/13/2020
I entered a writing contest that the West Coast Christian Writers Conference is sponsoring.
I hooked up with a gal (not that way) I met a gal that is starting a business making t-shirts designs. We might get together and make some Human Bean t-shirts. It seems like a fun way to spread the word of my little Human Beans!
Working on my third book while my second one is being edited by the publisher. I got my characters in a pickle that I couldn't find a way to get them out. Alley suggested a brainstorming session on a thread with the Helping Hands club. I slept on it overnight and thought "brainstorming" that's a great idea. Since all of my characters have their own personalities I decide to sit down and just write a discussion between them. After two pages of their chatter. They came up with the solution themselves. Thank you, Alley, for the inspiration.
Bob :)
1/6/2020
A new year! A new beginning!
I signed up and paid for a writer's conference at the end of February. (West Coast Christian Writers Conference)
I have never been to one of these conferences, but I was encouraged by my pastor's wife to attend.
My first Human Beans comic story for my 2020 reboot has been received well. Back when I was creating it for ten years I had built up 20,000 fans. Now that I am starting over the numbers are way, way below that. The first story received 600 views. I don't know how many will become fans, but it is heartwarming that people are reading my little Human Beans.
MY first book has sold 150 copies. Not as much as I had hoped for. But it's a start.
The second book is still at the publishers being edited.
Completed the outline of my third book and final book in my Shadow series
Bob :)
