Jumping Genres, a bad idea?

Ok, Like many people out there I have an eclectic reading taste. I like to read almost anything from Historical fiction, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Horror, and much more. The question I have is this: Why can't I write in more than one genre? I know it is done all the time where a writer will write in one genre under their real name and write in another using a pen name. Why can I not write multiple works in more than one genre?  Anyone want to answer this?

How would bouncing from one genre to another change one's writing style?  I know that there are subtle differences in genre, like mysteries and thrillers you really need that feeling of suspense while something like humor would not -unless you consider waiting for the punch line suspense-. Why can't I write Historical Fiction, Sc-Fi, or a thriller using my own name? I ponder this daily and would love input. If you have some advice email me at ceparmele@gmail.com. Thanks

Starting to write late in Life.

My Son, my oldest, will start college this week at Washington State University, and my daughter will be starting the 9th grade next month. These two events have me thinking I am old and getting older. I have also realized that most writers started their careers at a much earlier age. Think about some of the big names, I mean I do not have to list them here we all know them. These people, these, authors, these writers normally start writing in their 20's (some in their teens), at most in their 30's. I know there are exceptions to this but we can all agree their are not too many widely successful that started in their 40's. (I know you can point some out, but I already said there are exceptions.)
I questioned this an wondered why? Ability? No, their are older people (more than you can imagine) who write way better than younger people. Yes, they may not write books, poetry, or other such works, but they do write in their jobs: reports, evaluations, and various communiques. They take pride and write some of the best flowing prose you can imagine. (You should have seen some of my evals in the Navy).
Is it imagination? I know people say that older people are not as imaginative as younger people. Not true, it is not because we lose our imagination, it is because we have to face reality to make a living and use are imaginations less. (We use our imaginations to take mental breaks during the day, but we call it daydreaming) I know my imagination is still as good as it was when I was a kid. (Except I don't draw spaceships anymore)
I guess why most of us realize that, well, it is hard to make a living writing and this concern can trump the dream. Yes you can work and write. but at what cost? time with family, relaxation time, or other?
I wish I could get a huge book deal and live off my writing. (Might, most likely, never happen). The thing is I write because I love it and I can exercise my imagination and feel young. I want people to read my works. I want a fan base. I want to have at least one person say "I like it, I love it."

The Last Run by C. E. Parmele (Me) for free

Well I have broke down and decided that fan base is more important that money when it come to starting out. Yes, I did have a few short stories out there for free but it is not enough so my first Novel is now free. Right now it is on Smashwords.com but it will be available on BN.com and Amazon soon. (I had to remove the versions on those websites to post it for free)
To all those who have purchased The Last Run I thank you it means a lot to me. Now others can experience my writing and hopefully my fan base will expand.

Didn't catch a darn thing!

I went fishing yesterday and I did not catch a thing. I did have a relaxing time.
While I was fishing I saw four very Stupid (and I mean Stupid) men riding in a small boat meant to hold at most two people. What was more shocking was the conversation the men were having about the weight limit for the little boat, 300lbs; two of the men cleared that mark by at least 100 lbs. It is one thing to do something not knowing it's wrong and dangerous another to do it deliberately. If those men would have went into the water (none were wearing life vests ) they would all have drowned in the cool water of Puget Sound and there would be nothing anyone could have done for them except call 911 and watch. I felt most sorry for the small electric trolling motor that was pushing 2 tons of stupid around the water.
I should have taken a picture.
Well a little work on the car today and then back to writing. Title for next work: The Thunderhead Rebellion.

Been sweating The Last Run's ranking, going fishing.

Well I have decided to go fishing tomorrow for a few hours. I have no other choice with the exception of  losing my mind from sweating my novel The Last Run. Well I think it is a good move and should help with writing the next book. If I catch any fish I'll let you know.

Going SciFi for my next work.

Well I changed blocks from my quarry of ideas so now my next project will be a SciFi piece. The draft is about 60 % complete and I should be finished within two months.
To give you a hint of what will be, just imagine the Revolutionary War in space. I have written biographies for the characters, designed and wrote up technology descriptions, the planetary systems have been created (In my mind. I am not God) and the ships are all ready to go (No they are not some hokey old sailing vessel in space)
While the story idea is based on the American Revolution the characters will not be dressed in that era's clothing. (There will not be illustrations. The description of appearance will reflect a hint of fashion from the era but nothing outlandish).  The Characters will not be named after or solely based on the founding fathers, they will be a mix of several individuals.
It will have mix of everything for everyone I hope! Well I have to get to work or it will remain a block of stone.

Stephen King's The Colorado Kid plus more on my typos

Just recently, like yesterday, I finished reading Stephen King's the The Colorado Kid. I won't tell you the story like some people do when they write a review. What I will do is tell you that it is a mystery that is not a mystery, a story that is not a story. Confusing?
Actually it is not. I learned that sometimes writers will be faced with what could be a story that is cut and dry but with a little leaving out of facts or implying something without basis, you can turn the story into a mystery when in fact the simple answer is the answer even though it does not seem so.
I also found myself thinking just because someone does something out of the blue and uncharacteristic they are not necessarily up to no good, it could be simply the "Spur of the Moment I want to do something different for a change." What influences the story and shapes it depends on the audience of course but mostly the reaction the writer wants out of the reader.  We see it every day in the news no matter the medium, ultimately it is colored by the person writing the article and the agency's agenda.
I learned two that sometimes it is best to just leave something the way it is to keep it from being tainted by those looking for a story. Why create dirty laundry for someone and hang it out there when there is no need to?
Speaking of create, I have found, or someone found for me, another typo in my novel. Somehow whether it be MS Word spell check or me on a roll and not thinking, I used creates when crates was what I meant. (If typos were holes in my submarine I would be on the bottom sleeping with the fishes.) I apologize to everyone and hope to have the corrected version up soon.
Thanks,
C. E. Parmele

My typo, My enemy!

Well today I will tell you about a couple things that really get under my skin and wound me deeply.
The first is the typo. You know, the misspelled word, the wrong letter, the wrong word or the left out word. I guess they may not all be considered typos, but I lump them together. I mean you are trying to look and sound professional, to produce a quality product and bam, there it is the fly in the ointment, the scratch on your new car, the flaw in the diamond, and the very booger in your cheerios. All of a sudden what looked good gets tossed in the trash. Who wants a booger? Not me.
The thing that is worse is finding out about the typo when you have uploaded your work and the whole world can see it.(It's like taking a bite of them there cheerios only to have a sibling tell you what they added to it for your enjoyment) Not good, it shows a lack of quality control.
When I was in the Navy I volunteered for Submarine duty (I was in the Navy for 12 years and was on 3 different subs. If you thought I might be crazy, well that should remove all doubt). A submarine and her crew depend on quality to ensure survival. Things are checked and rechecked and the men (and Women now) who serve on them learn to appreciate the extra effort and learn to expect quality in every thing. Though I have been out of the navy since 1997, I still think of quality control and I try to maintain this in my writing. Well you may notice I slip up. (I did not while serving in the navy)
In The Last run it has been brought to my attention I made at least 2 errors (I was hit with a bad headache when I found out). The first was during a dinner scene, I used dinning instead of dining. (apparently the people at the table were subjecting each other to loud noises)
The second has to do with a rewrite. Originally I had Beth be Lord Aubrey's wife but I decided this was not right and did not fit well. I changed everything in the draft during the rewrite that referenced the two being married. One sentence "He will not tell my husband will he?" escaped my eagle eye. (Yeah right, without my glasses I am lucky to read anything more than 3 feet away.) I want to assure everyone this is an error that will be revised and a new version uploaded and when you sync your device the new version should replace the old one. (I hope)
Errors are irritating and I feel bad when I miss them, but I have noticed that quite a few books these days have one or two typos and these are from major publishers and are in print! Still I can not just let this go without correction.
The second thing has nothing to do with typos. It has everything to do with my obsession with checking my books ranking daily. It is driving me nuts so I am laying of this for awhile and taking things as they are. If they go up? Great! If they go down? it's all good.
Well I'll catch you later.

Marketing, A salesman I am not.

One thing I will never claim to be nor have I ever claimed to be is a Salesman. I mean if I was hired to sell new cars I I was told to sell a brand new Rolls-Royce for the special price of one dollar and I had a week to do it, well let's just say the next Monday I would be out job searching. I am just not the type of person who would go into sales. I am not really a socializing type of guy. I am quite shy when it comes down to it. Yes people will say in social situations I may talk a lot but that is just nerves.
Now here is my problem, something I am not is hurting something I want to be. I want to write and have people read my creations but I find it hard to get people to my work. The new Rolls-Royce is stuck on the lot with the dollar price tag and I am hiding in my office, or the restroom (where would you be if your nerves were acting up?) Yes, people drive by the lot see the price tag but keep driving thinking something has to be wrong. Well there is nothing wrong except there is no one on the lot to explain the deal. I mean it is a perfectly good car with a lot of extras and styling (can you believe i am comparing my writing to a Rolls?) but there is no salesman to say "Hey check this deal out! No gimmick just a get to no me deal.".
If I could get people to read my books and not make a dime I would be happy but, well, I don't know. "It's free, can't be good" mind set come up to rear it's ugly head. (Damn Catch 22, A good book and movie by the way).
I will still write and still put it out there. I will try to market the book and myself (No, not that way. I'd go broke with my looks). In the end I may have a ton of books out there with only a few followers, but they will be my creations and if just one person enjoys just one of my books, then I can call myself a writer. (Never a salesman)

Pulling a block from the quarry.

Well here I am a few days removed from self-publishing my first novel online and now I am ready for my next project. Now it is time to find the perfect literary stone to carve the perfect literary statue.
Today I went into my quarry today expecting to have to cut out a new block to work with when I realized I have a couple of blocks waiting around for the sculptor to start working the stone. Well I looked at one, saw the stone had weathered some but otherwise it was solid with no cracks, a perfect stone, marble of my imagination that I could shape, polish, and refine to form a master piece. (I am glad the block is just a concept because if it was real stone I'd be suffering from back problems and a hernia.) I lifted the block and brought it to my studio and now I will begin the work and in the end I pray will become a work of art, a thing of beauty. I leave you now, my mallet and chisel in hand ready to work.

Beth, Ah Beth

I have to say that when I was writing The Last Run Beth was the hardest character to bring to life. The reason? She is a she and I am a he. I mean I am a guy and after 43 years I still have yet to figure women out so how the heck could I write a realistic character. After stressing a while I said to hell with it and did some research. I went out an rented all the chic flicks out there and watched the movies for 48 hours straight. I knew I was ready to write when I looked at my finger nails and thought I needed a manicure. I even started thinking a purse could hold more stuff than my wallet, I mean I could have several purses to go with different outfits.
Anyway I went to writing, I chose Elizabeth because there our many variations to the name's short-form, such as Beth, Liz. Lizzy, Eliza and so forth. I know some people prefer one name over another and still people would use the name the least liked. I used this to add some tension to Beth and her uncle's relationship. I also decided to have her be an orphan so she would have something in common with Stephen, Kindred Spirits. I know I may not have created the perfect female character, but I did not want her to be perfect. I did want to have the social barrier thing with her and Stephen, I mean common on what is more appealing than a "wrong side of the tracks meets up-town) relationship.
Ok, I have to say that since I have finished writing the book I have deprogrammed myself. I watched 72 hours worth of Westerns and War movies. I no longer wonder what nail polish would work to complement my clothes and am satisfied my wallet contains all I need.
Till next Time,
See ya

Stephen Hull our main protagonist

Well it is time to discuss the main man of The Last Run, Stephen Hull. First a little about his name. His Last name, Hull, is another thing I pulled from history, Specifically Captain Isaac Hull one of our heroes from the War of 1812. His first name, Stephen, is from Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey / Maturin series "Stephen Maturin" the Ship's surgeon. I chose the names because I have respect for the historical and fictional characters.
Personality: Stephen is stubborn especially when it comes to Beth. He does not like having restrictions place on him and that is why he ran away from his aunt. He loves adventure although he can be a little unsure of himself. He is constantly questioning himself about the death of his parents and friends thinking he could have saved them. He is a little shy. He would rather work doing something he enjoys than at a job that pays a lot of money. He is loyal. He looks up to the Skipper as a replacement for the father he lost.
I tried to make Stephen a toned down version of Tom Sawyer an adventurous spirit. I wanted him to have that self-doubt and show him fighting to overcome it. If you have read Tom Sawyer you will note he did not suffer from self-doubt.
In the sequel I plan on writing in the future you will see a mature Stephen using his knowledge he gained from his time with the Skipper to aid the Pacific War effort.
I hope you enjoy reading my book, The Last Run.

Ted "Skipper" Simms and John Wayne

I wrote yesterday oh how I used events from the early 1900's for the Skipper's background. Today I will tell you about something else about his character, his voice.
When I was creating the Skipper character I wanted him to be gruff, a little hard headed when it came to people he cared about safety. I wanted him to be no-nonsense and practical, I wanted him to be a student of life, someone who learned from both his successes and failure, but most of all I wanted him to have a voice, one I was familiar with from watching movies, I wanted him to be like John Wayne. I do not know if I was successful in doing this but I tried. To me John Wayne fit the bill of the Skipper, rough, tough and caring. I even tried to incorporate a sense of humor like the characters John Wayne played in the movies. I was lucky to grow up in a family where my dad liked to watch Westerns and of all I liked the ones with John Wayne. I was also lucky to grow up with a dad that watched war movies and again my favorites were the ones with, you guesses it, John Wayne.
I was only 11 when John Wayne died, but still I felt like I lost a hero. I still watch John Wayne movies and I feel that, in a way, The Last Run, is a tribute to the great actor. I know I didn't dedicate the book to Mr. Wayne, but here I want to thank him for many years of entertainment, and believe it or not, Life Lessons.

Why I wrote "The Last Run"

I guess if I want to share my writing experience then I should let you know why I wrote The Last run. The reason simply put, I wanted to write a book and torture the mind's of others through literature. No seriously, I have always liked to read and I have always had an active imagination and figured I could combine the two and what ya know, I became a writer. (A starving one).
I started to write different projects and became side tracked until the Idea for The Last run popped into my head. I was in bed drifting off to sleep when the idea hit me of writing about an old rum smuggler and World War two. I was tempted that night to start writing or at least write the idea down so I would remember it in the morning but I did not. Lucky for me I remembered the next morning and began to write. Over a period of a year I would write little bits at a time, read about different events from the 1900's and incorporate some of those events into the story to add background and form the character of the Skipper. It was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, the picture is already there in your mind you have just got to get the right pieces in their proper place. After the year was up and the rough draft completed I put the project down for awhile, about 6 months, then I read it, noticed some pieces were not quite right so I rewrote those to make it fit into the Big Picture. It is that Big Picture I want to convey to the audience, I hope I have accomplished it.
My writing, like the characters in the book, except a few, is simple. There is no fluff, no extra wordy descriptions, no flowery prose that trails on forever just to say something simple like, Stephen Liked Beth, or like how the sea and Island look. I treat writing like a sculptor, I remove what is not needed to show the figure inside. Sometimes it is what you leave out that counts.
I plan on writing two other books related to The Last Run. One book will cover the Skipper's past, the other will cover Stephen's contribution to the war effort in the Pacific.
Right now I am working on setting up social networking pages and hopefully a new website.
Thanks for reading.
Oh if you can spread the word about this blog and my book, The Last Run.

And so it begins.

After a year, I guess closer to 2 years considering, I have finally published my first novel The Last Run. I have to say it has given me a sense of pride just to get it published even if though it was self-published. (Imagine a book publishing itself, has to be a great book to do that all by its self) Now I am suffering from what can only be called "The watched pot Syndrome". I check everyday, sometimes multiple times, to see how many copies have been sold, and like the watched pot nothing seems to be happening. It is frustrating but to be expected. Imean I have yet to really start pushing the book. I am just now coming up with an advertising campaign. We will see how it goes. If you want to know where tp find it check out Barnes and Nobles website, Amazon, or Smashwords.com, Search C. E. Parmele.
Thank you.