Apologies for my ignoring my blog of late. I have been remise My writing and editing schedule is grueling and I have precious little time left in the day. Not enough hours in the day if you add in all the family responsibilities. My grandson broke his leg last week when a protective mother cow trampled him when he got too close to her newborn calf. He has a cast all the way up to his hip. He is doing good now and just had a birthday with all his school mates coming over. Guardian angel looking over him as we all know how bad it could have been. My other grandson is a hero for being there to scare off the cow at his own perile and herding her back to a pen. Whew. Sometimes it seems harder being a grandparent then it was being a parent.
I finished Butcher and Blade finally. I really like writing in this new genre. Action/ Thriller and hope I can garner some new fans because of this transition. I put some medical scenes in it so hope my Medical Thriller fans will also be satisfied. Now I am trying to publish the old fasion way, sending out queries to agents and publishers. I am already getting a slew of rejections and this is both humbling and discouraging. Trying to get published is not for the weak of heart. You have to shrug off all the rejections and stand on the backs of so many famous writers who tell of mountains of rejections before being discovered.
I did get a request to read the manuscript from one of the big 5 publishers. I have never got this close before so am excited beyond all measure. I hope they like it as they print hardback versions first and send out to libraries and bookstores. Eventually they will put it out as a paperback and ebook and even offer it on Audible.com. It may be the real deal for me and this new novel. Keeping my fingers crossed and the whole experience has definately ratcheted up my attitude for being a writer.
I am also going to Hollywood once or twice a month to be a background actor. This is so much fun and a wonderful diversion for me. It is harder to do then it appears. The hours are long. I had to wait 7 hours before I even got on set ysterday. Once, on another show I arrived on set at 10 AM and was released at close to midnight. Add in the 3 hour drive each way and you do the math. Exhausted and thrilled at the opportunity. Acting has always been one of the items on my Bucket List. Check off this one. Skydiving? Scuba Diving? Have to work on that.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Friday, November 30, 2012
Best Day Ever
Best day ever for my new thriller Moon Shadow. It got to #160 in the ranking on the free ebooks list on Amazon and made it to #20 in the Thriller Genre. So proud. I also got featured today in the Top 5 Free Ebooks site.
http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/2012/11/30/5-free-kindle-books-21/
http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/2012/11/30/5-free-kindle-books-21/
I have spent the entire day on Twitter and SPAMing all of my FB friends and Goodreads friends. I most likely will be defriended roundly.
I have reached 40000 on my WIP called Butcher and Blade and am currently working on the query letter.
This is what I have so far for my query/synopsis. If it resonates with anyone or sucks please let me know.
"Butcher and Blade" is the title of my new action/adventure thriller. This is an approximately 80,000 word fictional account of what can happen in a world where foreign terrorists continue to wage a war against all nations who do not follow their Islamic religion and teachings in the Quoran. Two damaged strangers with divergent backgrounds become unlikely friends and heroes, when by chance they are thrown together. They have to fight for their own lives while trying to prevent a 9-11 type of terrorist attack in LA.
Synopsis
Unpredictable fate occurs when a prominent physician, Dr, Butcher, depressed and suicidal over the recent death of his wife, drives home along a deserted stretch of a LA freeway. A thief throws out a bag full of money from the roof of a moving armored vehicle during a hijacking. Accomplices following along in a van, watch helplessly as the scene unfolds. A homeless man, a wounded gulf war veteran nicknamed Blade, attempts to retrieve the bag, and is accidentally struck by Dr. Butcher's car. The gang attempts to take these two eye-witnesses out to the desert, kill them, and get rid of the evidence. But they don't realize their hostages have certain survival skills. Butcher and Blade manage to defeat their assassins, abscond with the get-away-van, and squirrel away the stolen money. But they are hunted down relentlessly by the surviving members of this ruthless gang. And due to a misconception and a series of unforeseen circumstances, find themselves unable to go to the authorities for help.
When the gang attempts to recapture them, a fierce gun battle ensues in the parking lot of a flea bag motel the fugitives are holed up in. The gang needs Dr. Butcher's surgical skills to patch up their wounded leader, while at the same time interrogating Blade to force him to give up the location of their loot. Blade, a decorated Iraqi war veteran and a double amputee, uses his sharp leg prosthesis and mixed-martial-arts skills to overcome his captors, escape, and single handedly attempt a hostage rescue. This story takes an unexpected twist when the gang reveals themselves to be a sleeper cell of al-Qaeda terrorists. They are bent on avenging the death of Osama bin Ladin, and creating large scale havoc in LA on this day, which is the 10th anniversary of 9-11.
The two fugitives discover the terrorist's plot, and attempt to thwart their deadly plans. Unable to get help from the local authorities, they enlist unlikely assistance from some PTSD hampered wounded war veteran friends and a band of highly motivated paramilitary-survivalists. The team has an advantage over the unsuspecting terrorists who mistakingly believe they killed Butcher and Blade in an IED explosion. The two manage to escape the explosion without injury, but not before getting a glimpse of a tattoo on the back of the leader of the terrorists. He brags about the attacks while under sedation and is delirious from an infection while recovering from surgery after being shot. The tattoo showed much of Los Angeles in ruins. It pictured theme parks, busted dams, fallen skyscrapers and radiation spilling from damaged nuclear reactors. They attempt to alert the authorities about the plot, but their claims are met with skepticism and ignored.
Unknown to them, the director of the joint task force against terrorism knows full well about the potential threat, but is choosing to look the other way and allow the terrorists to succeed in order to achieve his own political gains. The team realize they are on their own and have to rely on limited resources and their own military skills in order to prevent disaster and the loss of thousands of lives.
This is a high-octane tale with non-stop action, and introduces two refreshing new heroes and a divers cast of fallible yet likable characters who have disabilities.
Author Bio
Reggie Ridgway is a full time writer and is the published author of two successful thrillers which have earned great reviews. He was a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Author contest. He is a member of International Thriller Writers. He enjoys blogging and uses social networking to promote his work and hone his writing skills. He is married and lives in Southern California. He earned a BA from National University Vista in Computer Science. He is a Viet Nam War vet and retired after forty years in the medical field as an x-ray technologist and sonographer.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Peers and Self Loathing Near Las Vegas
Just a play on words on the title there. No I don't think I am like Johnny Depp who played in the great movie portrayal of Hunter S Thompson. I never have even seen the movie, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, but someday I think I will. I do have fear of peers however, and their loathing. I take umbrage sometimes to reviewers who were not there in the fox hole with me as I spent countless hours on my novel only to dismiss my work with a snarky remark and only give it a few reluctant stars on Amazon.com.
I have been on this new journey in my life for about a month now. I have not been working in my day job due to a neck injury which has kept me in a haze of pain pills and booze. So Hunter, my writer brother watching down from writer's heaven; I think I am beginning to feel your pain. I also have not been able to earn my comfortable six figure income and am relying on savings and my dear wife to bring home the bacon. She works as a nurse and comes home with stories of this and that. Mostly I tune her out except for the story she told the other day of how a rattlesnake managed to get through the automatic doors and terrorized the nurses at work. One intrepid nurse grabbed a pillow case and a stick and prodded the hissing monster into the sac and put it outside to slither away. Shudder. I hate snakes.
The spiders and snakes are a cause for concern around this mountain community above Lake Isabella, and lately I have been feeling the stare of a possible mountain lion stalking me as I go on walks in the hills around my house. The dogs have been acting a bit spooked of late, and yesterday they stood stock still, like pointers, silently gazing at the same spot for an uncomfortable minute or two. Then I heard or else my imagination conjured up a squalling sound like I have heard mountain lions make in movies and commercials. I don't carry a weapon on these walks and now am reconsidering this lack of preparidness. I did see a dead mountain lion by the side of the road nearby. It most likely was struck by a car and when I drove by the same spot later, it was gone. Heebeejeebies.
This neck injury setback has actually allowed me to pursue my life long dream of becomming a writer and so I sit here writing, while wearing a neck brace. I am getting into a morning routine now. Coffee and social networking to get my eyes less bleary and brain cells working properly and clear the cob webs. Then a little editing on my work in progress which I am writting by the seat of my pants. I still am not sure how the story will end. Lol. Not to worry. I usually write like this. It makes it more interesting for me. Like some malevolent entity is lurking inside my body and using me to write their stories. He he. Like in THe Dark Half. Thanks for planting that in my head Stephen King.
I am picking up a bit of steam now and learning to ignore the distractions in my life. The television stays off. I even have decided music is a distraction as I tend to want to sing along. ScarryOkie style. I am working towards a thousand word a day quota. It takes me about 2 to 3 hours to get up there and at this pace I might see a couple of novels done per year. Dreamer. But I like to dream big.
So I hope everyone has a pleasant Halloween and more treats than tricks befall you.
Reggie Ridgway
http://characterswellmet.blogspot.com
I have been on this new journey in my life for about a month now. I have not been working in my day job due to a neck injury which has kept me in a haze of pain pills and booze. So Hunter, my writer brother watching down from writer's heaven; I think I am beginning to feel your pain. I also have not been able to earn my comfortable six figure income and am relying on savings and my dear wife to bring home the bacon. She works as a nurse and comes home with stories of this and that. Mostly I tune her out except for the story she told the other day of how a rattlesnake managed to get through the automatic doors and terrorized the nurses at work. One intrepid nurse grabbed a pillow case and a stick and prodded the hissing monster into the sac and put it outside to slither away. Shudder. I hate snakes.
The spiders and snakes are a cause for concern around this mountain community above Lake Isabella, and lately I have been feeling the stare of a possible mountain lion stalking me as I go on walks in the hills around my house. The dogs have been acting a bit spooked of late, and yesterday they stood stock still, like pointers, silently gazing at the same spot for an uncomfortable minute or two. Then I heard or else my imagination conjured up a squalling sound like I have heard mountain lions make in movies and commercials. I don't carry a weapon on these walks and now am reconsidering this lack of preparidness. I did see a dead mountain lion by the side of the road nearby. It most likely was struck by a car and when I drove by the same spot later, it was gone. Heebeejeebies.
This neck injury setback has actually allowed me to pursue my life long dream of becomming a writer and so I sit here writing, while wearing a neck brace. I am getting into a morning routine now. Coffee and social networking to get my eyes less bleary and brain cells working properly and clear the cob webs. Then a little editing on my work in progress which I am writting by the seat of my pants. I still am not sure how the story will end. Lol. Not to worry. I usually write like this. It makes it more interesting for me. Like some malevolent entity is lurking inside my body and using me to write their stories. He he. Like in THe Dark Half. Thanks for planting that in my head Stephen King.
I am picking up a bit of steam now and learning to ignore the distractions in my life. The television stays off. I even have decided music is a distraction as I tend to want to sing along. ScarryOkie style. I am working towards a thousand word a day quota. It takes me about 2 to 3 hours to get up there and at this pace I might see a couple of novels done per year. Dreamer. But I like to dream big.
So I hope everyone has a pleasant Halloween and more treats than tricks befall you.
Reggie Ridgway
http://characterswellmet.blogspot.com
Monday, September 24, 2012
New 4**** review for Moon Shadow
A dark and chilling medical thriller, September 23, 2012
By
Bill Franklin (California, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: In the Midnight Hour (Kindle Edition)
In The Midnight Hour is a dark and chilling medical thriller sure to keep you up at night. I especially liked the beginning; Ridgway knows how to get you hooked fast. Like romance? It's got some of that. Like creepy characters? Sure. Like to keep your dictionary close by? You'll have to if you aren't in a medical field. Thank goodness for the Kindle dictionary.My only complaint is the overuse of adjectives. If he'd chopped out most of the words that end with "ly" it would've been an easier and more enjoyable read. It's a pet peeve of mine; other readers may not even notice.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Ridgway!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
2 new Reviews for In The Midnight Hour 5*****
GREAT SURVIVAL THRILLER, September 23, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: In The Midnight Hour (Paperback)
I REALLY LIKED THIS THRILLER. IT GRABS YOU FROM THE FIRST CHAPTER AND DOESN'T LET UP. THERE IS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF MEDICAL SCENES WHICH I LIKE, AS I AM A FAN OF SHOWS LIKE GRAYS ANATOMY. THE DETAIL IS AMAZING AND THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL WRITTEN AND EASY TO RELATE TO. THERE IS A GREAT LOVE STORY WHICH HELPED BALANCE THE INTENSE DRAMA AND HORROR. THE MAIN CHARACTER IS A PHYSICIAN WHO HAS GONE MAD AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE AND HE IS SEEKING REVENGE FOR THOSE WHO RUINED HIS LIFE AND CAREER. I RECOMMEND THIS NOVEL FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A MEDICAL THRILLER RIVALING THOSE WRITTEN BY ROBIN COOK OR MICHAEL CRICHTON.
Awesome!!! Thriller with A Heart!, September 21, 2012
By
This review is from: In The Midnight Hour (Paperback)
I enjoyed reading this and couldn't put it down. It does have a lot of heart and I really loved the characters. Even the antagonist, Dr. Anderson, is easy to understand his motive for escape and then to get revenge on the people who changed his life. There is much tension in the scenes that made me want to cringe and yell out. "Look Out" and "Don't Go In There". The story takes place in a huge hospital at night where it is mostly deserted and there are many hiding places for the killer to jump out of. It sent chills down my spine. The killer can move about at will and has knowledge of his surroundings because he used to work there. He knows where his victims go at night and can get there without being discovered is spite of the fact he is wearing a hospital gown and should be up in ICU in a coma. I don't want to give anything away but there is a wonderful love story between the two protagonists who find themselves in hot water when the creepy administrator tries to cover up the killings by saying they were accidental. This kind of reminded me of the Phantom of The Opera without the great music. This is a must read if you are a thriller fan. There is some medical jargon which makes it more real and the medical scenes make it authentic like the show Grays Anatomy. Get this novel and read it. It will make you want to scream with horror and delight.Another 5***** review for Moon Shadow
Awesome Survival Thriller, September 22, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Moon Shadow (Kindle Edition)
Great read. I could hardly put the thing down when the action started. The two main characters are trying to escape the clutches of a madman who is in charge of a quarantine in the deepest wilderness of Alaska. If the bears and the wolves don't get you, the raging waters of a river might. Lots of Survival scenes that will leave you breathless with vivid scenery and well written characters. I liked the love story building as the two young people run for their life. And the cliff-hangers will leave you on the edge of your seat. The mad scientist comes after them with a fully armed helicopter, and they have now weapons and can only use their wits and shear good fortune to survive. The cave scene was tense and made me a bit claustrophobic. The river scene made me cry. There is a red Irish Setter who will steal scene after scene and will also steal your heart. All this while a mysterious virus is running amok and threatening the world with annihilation. This is a page turner. I read it in a couple of sittings and will probably read it again for the detail is so good you want to see if you missed something.
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