I have made considerable progress with the editing process of my upcoming third volume. Now I have reached the 27th chapter, which leaves me with 8 chapters left. I am getting very close to finishing the editing and commencing the forthcoming publication. In addition, I have come up with more future works that will enable my series to branch out beyond the main five volumes. The fourth volume will feature five new characters who will join the Young Guardians in their crusade against evil. With this in mind, I have decided that each of these five characters will have their own stand-alone books that will elaborate their origins, backstories, and supervillains. Also, there will be another stand-alone book in which these five characters meet and band together against a threat they cannot face alone. I look forward to getting started with these stories. Wish me luck!
Monthly Archives: December 2014
WRITING UPDATE: VOLUME THREE SUPERVILLAINS
When I started writing volume three, I wanted to provide the Young Guardians with their most difficult challenge yet that would literally push them to the limit. To organize this challenge, I decided the Young Guardians would have to face the largest group of supervillains they had ever fought. The reason why this would be a significant challenge for them is because in the first book, they were mere rookies up against a single supervillain while in the second volume, they were semi-veteran crime fighters up against a supervillain with three minions. Now, with three years of superhero experience under their belt, I decided that the Young Guardians would be up against literally an army of supervillains, including Vogan, the main villain of the whole series, himself! Some of these supervillains are from previous volumes while others have a history with the Young Guardians during the time skips, all wanting revenge! Most important of all will be the Young Guardians’ showdown with the main villain, Vogan. When they confront Vogan, the extent of the Young Guardians’ limitations will be fully demonstrated. Overall, the Young Guardians are going to have the fight of their lives in the upcoming third volume so get ready for an epic battle!
FILM REVIEW: MYSTERY MEN
Starring Ben Stiller and Geoffrey Rush, I first aware of this film many years ago when I first saw its trailer. However, I watched the film itself recently and I enjoyed it for a variety of reasons. Even though it was intended to be a comedy and I am slow when it comes to catching subtle humor, I loved the superhero elements, themes and references. Because I am such a superhero fanatic, I was very analytical when examining the superhero traits of the film. One of the parts I enjoyed about the film is that the characters had genuine humanity to them. In the superhero genre, we are always paying attention to the most successful superheroes out there, but we tend to overlook the underdogs. I like this film because it portrays how the underdogs get their chance to fight the forces of evil. Geoffrey Rush is one my favorite actors and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he portrayed a supervillain. As for costumes, I liked Greg Kinnear’s uniform as Captain Amazing, but I often try to imagine how it would look without all of the corporate logos stitched to it. In addition, I liked the city in which the plot takes place because it looks like a combination between the cityscape in Blade Runner and the cityscape of Coruscant from Star Wars, both of which are cities I find fascinating. Overall, this film is recommended to anyone who is seeking to a story about superheroes that seem relatable and human.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE!!!
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and provide exciting news! A few days ago, I was accepted to transfer from my current colleges to a four year university called Concordia University. This will be a boon for my future writing career because the university provides a program for a Creative Writing Major. With this program, I will be able to learn about many writing genres I never explored before such as nonfiction and children’s literature, which would greatly expand my writing arsenal. In addition, it will grant me the education and certificates that I would need to explore other occupations that revolve around writing. I look forward to begin next Fall. Wish me luck and Merry Christmas!
AMAZON KINDLE SALES RANK: THE YOUNG GUARDIANS SERIES!!!
I have received further sales on the Kindle versions of both of my books. My first volume, The Young Guardians and the Genesis Spell has risen from over 800,000 to over 130,000. My second volume has greatly risen from over 1,000,000 to just over 160,000!
SUPERPOWER: ICE MANIPULATION
Since it is winter and it is Christmas Eve, I wish to discuss a superhuman ability that would be fitting for the occasion: cryokinesis or ice manipulation. I find this power intriguing because it can be utilized in a variety of different ways. Wielders of this ability could turn a glass of water into solid ice, turn organic beings into living icicles, and in more extreme cases plunge the planet into a new Ice Age. In my fourth volume, a new character will possess this power and will be the exact opposite of the main character, Patrick Donovan, in every single way. While Patrick controls fire and heat, this character will control ice and cold. In addition, this character’s presence will cause a rift in Patrick’s relationship with Tinisha, but I will not elaborate on what form this rift will take. I will keep you informed on anything new and have a Merry Christmas!
AMAZON KINDLE SALES RANK: THE YOUNG GUARDIANS AND THE GENESIS SPELL
The Kindle version of my first volume, The Young Guardians and the Genesis Spell has had a boost in its sales rank today. Last time I checked, it was over 900,000. Now it is less than 200,000! I will keep you updated and wish me luck!
LIEBSTER AWARD 3
I was nominated by katherineontheinside for the Liebster Award!
The Liebster Award is:
• An award that exists only on the internet and is awarded to bloggers by bloggers.
• The word “liebster” is German in origin and has several definitions that include dearest, sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, welcome, sweetheart and boyfriend (really?)
• The Award follows the principles of a chain letter, that it should be passed on.
• Bloggers are nominated and it is their choice to accept it, and continue PAYING IT FORWARD or to refuse to accept it, thereby stopping or interrupting the chain.
• Variations have been made over time to the “rules”.
• And lets be honest, the marketing associated with accepting this award helps promote your own and other worthy bloggers.
The rules are simple:
• If you accept the award you should link your acceptance post back to their blog;
• Answer the questions posed by the nominating blogger;
• Pay it forward and nominate 5-10 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.
I gratefully accept this award and answer the following questions:
1. What is the main goal of your blog?
To spread word of my books and writing.
2. Link to your most favourite blog post and tell why it’s your favourite.
https://andtherecameaday.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/countdown-to-star-wars-episode-seven-361-days/
This is my favorite post because it talks about Star Wars and the upcoming Episode VII. If it is related to Star Wars, in either a good way or a bad way, it doesn’t matter because I am such a devout Star Wars fan that I like to read what other people think about such a successful franchise.
3. What is the one moment in your life you would re-do if you had the opportunity?
Probably a few specific days in high school because now that I am much more mentally stable and in control of my autism, I am curious to see how I would handle certain situations back then if I had the control that I have today.
4. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Since I like to research every superpower ever depicted, I am kind of torn between either reality warping, which would enable me to make whatever I imagine real or power mimicry, which would allow me to copy any superpower I encounter, making me increasingly more powerful.
5. If you could have a large block of free time, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t so consumed by either school or my job, I would probably have much more time to continue my writing since I have so many stories I wish to write and publish before I kick the bucket. On the other hand, I would probably do either a Star Wars or Marvel Cinematic Universe movie marathon.
6. When was the last time you were so happy you broke out in tears? And why?
The last time I was that happy was when my first volume was published. On that weekend, I was the keynote speaker for the Orange County Department of Education and all of my family and loved ones gathered at the local Spaghetti Factory to celebrate the publication. That was the happiest weekend of my life.
7. How has your faith had an effect on your life, relationships, and blog?
It has given me the strength and confidence I needed to overcome the limitations my autism had given me and the desire to utilize it in a way that made me strong. To that end, it allowed me to start creating my series and a chance to share it with the rest of the world.
8. Who is the person you’ve learned the most from in your life?
When I was younger, my autism made me so mentally and emotionally unstable that I required an aide to help me during middle and high school. While a number of these individuals were either cruel or thought of me as nothing but a job instead of a person, there was one aide who was good to me and taught me many philosophical principles that had a significant influence in my writing. That would be the person I have learned from the most.
9. What are 3-5 adjectives that sum up who you are?
People have often called me intelligent, ambitious, caring, modest, and patient.
10. Name something on your bucket list. Why did it make it on your list?
On my bucket list, I have made my main goal to be completing my entire franchise, which will consist of the five main volumes as well as who knows how many spin-offs, prequels, and sequels. In addition, I wish to help people understand what kinds of benefits one can gain from being autistic. Because these objectives are essentially my life’s work, I hope to create a successful franchise, become a working autism ambassador, and make as big of an impact as possible before I die.
I nominate the following bloggers:
1.) eurobrat
2.) wendy
3.) Debbie
4.) Gale Wright
5.) thortonjakes
In addition, I wish to ask them the following:
1.) What are your plans for the holidays?
2.) What is your happiest memory?
3.) What would you regard as your greatest achievement?
4.) Who is your favorite actor/actress?
5.) Which do you prefer, Star Wars or Star Trek?
6.) Do you have a favorite superhero? If so, who?
7.) If you could have any animal for a pet, what would you choose?
8.) If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
9.) What is your favorite book or graphic novel?
10.) Who do you think is the scariest human being alive?
AMAZON SALES RANK: THE YOUNG GUARDIANS AND THE GENESIS SPELL
Good news! The first volume of my series, The Young Guardians and the Genesis Spell, has had a few sales recently. Last week, its sales rank on Amazon was in the 2,000,000. Now, it has risen to less than 700,000! I will keep you updated and wish me luck!
WRITING UPDATE: VOLUME THREE EDITING PROCESS AND WONDERCON BOOTH
As I continue the editing process for my upcoming third volume, I become more and more excited for its ultimate completion. Yesterday, I have reached the 24th chapter, which means I am more than two thirds of the way done. In addition, I grow even more excited as January approaches because it is not only my planned publication date for volume three, but also when I find out whether or not I will receive my book signing booth for the 2015 WonderCon. If I do get accepted, I hope my third volume will be fully published in time for WonderCon. I will keep you updated on any further developments. Wish me luck!
Grady P Brown - Author 