tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53323753699206003362024-03-05T10:50:54.919-08:00TWO-TEN BOOK PRESS PRESENTS ... THE DARKSLAYER REPORTPAPERBACKS and EBOOKS for SALE Below at AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, and MORE! SEE Purchasing Details Below. Blog includes MOVIE, TELEVISION and other PRODUCT Reviews! All provided by THE DARKSLAYER himself...but you can call him CRAIG...and it may or may not offend him.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-13422690983663428532012-06-18T10:07:00.002-07:002012-06-18T10:13:25.561-07:00ATTENTION : NEW POSTINGS MOVED TO FACEBOOK!!!<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-DARKSLAYER-REPORT-by-CRAIG/355471586536?ref=tn_tnmn">THE DARKSLAYER REPORT on FACEBOOK</a><br />
CLICK THIS LINK!<br />
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Now that I have been extremely busy writing and editing, I have found myself completely unable to keep up with blogging. Hence, I am going to just put my thoughts, reviews, updates, etc... on one of my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-DARKSLAYER-REPORT-by-CRAIG/355471586536?ref=tn_tnmn">Facebook pages</a>. For me, it's less time consuming than blogging. I'll be putting out a lot more information about movies, books and so on, like I used to do in the past. So, if you happen to check this blog from time to time, please like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-DARKSLAYER-REPORT-by-CRAIG/355471586536?ref=tn_tnmn">The Darkslayer Report by Craig</a>, to see any news. I know there are many of you that abhore Facebook, and I respect that. But, Facebook works better for me at this time.<br />
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I also like being able to post pictures and videos on a site where people can go and look at them. I hope to generate more dialogue as well and branch out. We'll see how it goes, but for now, using facebook like this is better than doing nothing at all. <br />
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Thanks for the support, <br />
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Craig HalloranCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-48367879823536693162012-05-18T17:21:00.001-07:002012-05-21T17:24:01.072-07:00LEGENDARY MARVEL AND DC ARTIST ERNIE CHAN PASSES AWAY AT 71<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ernie Chan passed away on May 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, 2012 at the
age of 71, a day before his 72<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> B-Day. I had the pleasure of
working with Ernie over the past 2 years on The Darkslayer books. Simply said,
he was awesome! I told him about the time I lived in the Philippines for 2
years in the service and my long history of Filipino friends. He said that he
was a ‘Pinoy’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ernie worked for Marvel and DC comics for over 3 decades.
His titles included The Hulk, Conan the Barbarian, Savage Sword of Conan (my
personal favorite), Superman, Batman, Karate Kid, Power Man, Kung-Fu Fighter, Iron
Fist, Doctor Strange, Kull the Conqueror, Claw the Destroyer,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and many others </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Chan"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">(See Wikipedia link).</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I
actually have vivid memories of his works from the 70’s because<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just so drawn to his art. He is the
reason I bought many weaker titles like Karate Kid and Claw. WOW! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ernie Chan was also known as Ernie Chau on many issues as there
was a mix up with his paperwork when he immigrated to America. But he is Chan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I came to work with Ernie by chance when I was working on
book covers for The Darkslayer. I wasn’t really having any luck when I decided
to try and find an artist. When I came across Ernie’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>website </span><a href="http://www.erniechan.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.erniechan.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it said that he did commissions I got
excited. I sent him an email and when I heard back from him I was on Cloud 9. To
think that THE Ernie Chan was going to draw my characters was an honor. It
really didn’t take much and his inks were rolling. I’d send in a short, but
detailed, description and he would send me back a sketch (PDF), I’d give some
more information, and he’d nail it. BOOM it was done! I will never, ever
understand how he did that. We were in sync and the artwork just kept rolling.
To this day, out of over 20 pieces he did for me, I can’t tell you which one is
my favorite. I just feel so blessed to have worked with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I offered to write a short book about my friend, his career and
works, and here is what he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Craig,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will ship out the package to you tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dunno about writing my Biography. I am
sure you are very capable of doing it. But I find my life to be very boring, I
spend the majority of my life in front of the drawing board. I hardly had any
adventure what so ever. I appreciate your proposing to do it,but no thanks. At
least not in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank
you,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ernie</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though that shows little, it says a lot. One thing I
wished I would have asked him is if anything inspired him at all. Where did all
of that talent come from? What characters did he like most, if any at all. I am
sure some of his friends and colleagues can answer that, but I would be curious
to know. I am just glad he told me that he really enjoyed and looked forward to
working on my characters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always
certain to thank him and told him how awesome he was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently, I emailed Ernie when I read on the Conan website
that Tony DeZuniga wasn’t doing well. I asked him if they were friends. He said
he knew about it, but said that his health wasn’t very well either. He said he’d
tell me about it later. He didn’t say what was wrong, so I had no idea it was
cancer. I told him I’d be checking on him and asked if he had friends and
family nearby, but I didn’t hear back. I emailed him on May 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and
asked how he was doing. No reply. I had a pretty bad feeling, but I didn’t
really want to think the worst. I figured maybe he was in a hospital or just very
sick. Then I get up this morning and see on Facebook where he died. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, I really can’t complain too much about
Social Media. We can really find out what happens to people awfully quick, good
or bad, unfortunately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other things. I know Ernie was working on a little skit of
his own that he posted on Facebook called Tof Kooky. It was really good. A humorous
series of one page art of a sexy Asian girl and her dog. I didn’t see his posts
anymore and I asked him about it a few of months ago and he said that he didn’t
have the time for Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t find
any of those images to post either, but it was a very original idea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait a minute, he posted them on </span><a href="http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=115764"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">comicartfans.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the link and you can check out more
of his other commissioned work as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=115764"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">TOF KOOKY</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will never be another Ernie Chan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is truly one of the last of his kind. I will miss you my friend.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-30625334918615301412012-04-19T07:31:00.000-07:002012-04-19T07:31:00.381-07:00The Darkslayer pays tribute to Dick Clark and American Bandstand ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eWXPuZoYJ0w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-91210299952941050842012-04-01T11:29:00.000-07:002012-04-01T11:29:44.732-07:00THE DARKSLAYER CHARACTER PROFILE: WHO IS FARC? THE HALF-OGRE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakRb4WyQ22uzLSV14WdzKYpVETkk7Uv289Sa0Mj_fOa_IY3K9oYHHZHGhtgkhKTT5QTy3kF1KHDcBLfccShcL4uOCjMaOw-atkp-Yrk6xGS-wp7r8ypm2t4-sSNTx5_vIMGcjkPY945c/s1600/HalloranC-TC-Farc-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakRb4WyQ22uzLSV14WdzKYpVETkk7Uv289Sa0Mj_fOa_IY3K9oYHHZHGhtgkhKTT5QTy3kF1KHDcBLfccShcL4uOCjMaOw-atkp-Yrk6xGS-wp7r8ypm2t4-sSNTx5_vIMGcjkPY945c/s320/HalloranC-TC-Farc-front.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI32XNgcgzbtvkA3px1CeSHCF9_2mRB_bJJinWJ-_48HPonMvA1j563K4LSlIdSDMUV7WHx-3rLJuZRWCzC1rsOU5kP-gDP9M5YZ8QSt0oTpc1knY3PJL-A19quf-0YeTKi_HEptBnO4Q/s1600/HalloranC-TC-Farc-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI32XNgcgzbtvkA3px1CeSHCF9_2mRB_bJJinWJ-_48HPonMvA1j563K4LSlIdSDMUV7WHx-3rLJuZRWCzC1rsOU5kP-gDP9M5YZ8QSt0oTpc1knY3PJL-A19quf-0YeTKi_HEptBnO4Q/s320/HalloranC-TC-Farc-back.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-62935320956432704852012-03-07T18:48:00.000-08:002012-03-07T18:48:12.780-08:00THE DARKSLAYER VOLUME THREE IS FINISHED!!!!That's right, DS V3 is done (written not edited)! Of course, many of you probably didn't realize that DS V2 is out on sale right now either. It is, go take a look at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Darkslayer-Volume-Two-ebook/dp/B00784ETC6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331172983&sr=8-3">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-darkslayer-volume-two-craig-halloran/1109155808">Barnes.</a> So, what's the blog about?<br />
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Well first, let me say that my blogging has been nothing but a craphole. I've not been doing it. I've been too busy writing. Here's what I wanted to talk about though ... my goal over the past 4 months. My goal was to write a complete 120,000 word fantasy novel in 4 months, 120 days. I started this venture on November 1st, 2011 and I finished March 2nd 2012. So yes ... I DID IT!!!<br />
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The main thing was proving to myself that I could stay on task and do it in 4 months. That's 1000 words a day of my life I pledged. I only spent about 1-2 hours per day doing it, maybe some extra time on the weekends. For the most part my life was normal, of course don't ask my wife that, she seems to believe I am doing this all of the time. If I was I wouldn't be watching TV, playing video games with my son and taking him to cub scouts. Women, wives in particular, can exaggerate. I maintained my normal life style and I am proud of that. Additionally, I did it with all of the distractions surrounding me. I don't hide in some dark room and close the doors and lock the windows. I wish I could sometimes, but I take pride in doing it through those distractions : the cats, dogs, my son and my wife, all of which need me in some capacity. The book thing is great, but family is by far the most important thing, well that and football.<br />
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So my message is, if you are writing a book, you have to do it through all of the distractions. If you are dedicated you can do it, you just block out the distractions and don't make any excuses. Give up something like TV and all of those sporting events. Trust me, I got alot done by not watching Mountaineer and Steeler games. That's the beautiful thing, you can go back and watch it later on DVR in 1/8th of the time. And if you already know your team lost, then screw it. <br />
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Writing can be fun, but don't let it take over your life, because then what happens if you've put in all of that hard work and your book sucks?Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-1629949818857908112012-03-07T18:39:00.000-08:002012-03-07T18:39:40.371-08:00THE DARKSLAYER CHARACTER PROFILE: EEP THE IMP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zWIbcjWt4_HHxcztZ2ldwUk_PhOZ_aC9WxD9vVgLD6mqFzxeErj1QO_kunvDHywh84f16LHx0cgTxBMHGJreut5P3-HhOlCp-07kIg60p45x5fs724WBdTXSG7hcvNoUaliasWz1wKk/s1600/HalloranC-TC-Eep-10-11-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zWIbcjWt4_HHxcztZ2ldwUk_PhOZ_aC9WxD9vVgLD6mqFzxeErj1QO_kunvDHywh84f16LHx0cgTxBMHGJreut5P3-HhOlCp-07kIg60p45x5fs724WBdTXSG7hcvNoUaliasWz1wKk/s320/HalloranC-TC-Eep-10-11-front.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds3zfOYsYs6G2DH_atF99d6xxeh8X8AAeAu4uSeNDm_M0jxWmV6soNt9e7We783YuWAY6ZmWDb-zWudisIcKPQgGgM454tNecw6bEUlRdzev41QZvEC4_rYPLs6qJlhemzraLio1nf-I/s1600/The+Darkslayer+-+EEP+back+of+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds3zfOYsYs6G2DH_atF99d6xxeh8X8AAeAu4uSeNDm_M0jxWmV6soNt9e7We783YuWAY6ZmWDb-zWudisIcKPQgGgM454tNecw6bEUlRdzev41QZvEC4_rYPLs6qJlhemzraLio1nf-I/s320/The+Darkslayer+-+EEP+back+of+Card.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-64565022381193647412012-03-07T18:36:00.000-08:002012-03-07T18:36:59.976-08:00THE DARKSLAYER CHARACTER PROFILE: MOOD THE BLOOD RANGER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh264oosvY90Wp1UaZCiXcV_AFzIDH3G5Nxx5CbKUd-1O5YgcDLaRxCGRjeexYMWkksybDrh6AaSyhKS5igYfU8ut0vO35MUxRWsWzgYVhtDfyPAfU2oEUbnKg0Ydn2afjd9LokSESQX6U/s1600/HalloranC-TC-Mood-2-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh264oosvY90Wp1UaZCiXcV_AFzIDH3G5Nxx5CbKUd-1O5YgcDLaRxCGRjeexYMWkksybDrh6AaSyhKS5igYfU8ut0vO35MUxRWsWzgYVhtDfyPAfU2oEUbnKg0Ydn2afjd9LokSESQX6U/s320/HalloranC-TC-Mood-2-front.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7zofJRU22YyUWDBddfDA09bexsY1iAO854Gik7N47-PUv8tpkQjkUjZfjWnCyXWwaaz1I3JTSpuY36SHNa7Ev_sldaWn1lZKCfmODbEe_Qb-7fOuLw57AkZByoDlvysn2aMG9iCoWFs/s1600/HalloranC-TC-Mood-2-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7zofJRU22YyUWDBddfDA09bexsY1iAO854Gik7N47-PUv8tpkQjkUjZfjWnCyXWwaaz1I3JTSpuY36SHNa7Ev_sldaWn1lZKCfmODbEe_Qb-7fOuLw57AkZByoDlvysn2aMG9iCoWFs/s320/HalloranC-TC-Mood-2-back.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-65652998979181714962012-03-02T19:48:00.000-08:002012-03-02T19:48:33.855-08:00THE DARKSLAYER: JARLA THE BRIGAND QUEEN<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volume Two Cover</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volume One Interior Art</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.erniechan.com/">ARTWORK BY THE GREAT ERNIE CHAN</a></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-72260120946874422572012-01-29T16:51:00.000-08:002012-01-29T16:51:20.839-08:00THE DARKSLAYER UPDATE ...So maybe, just maybe, you are wondering about the status of the next Darkslayer book. Well, here is what is going on. I'll recieve the final edit of Volume 2 by February 15th, 2012. The ebook should be ready for release about one month after that. The paperback should take about 2 months, give or take a month. I can't wait to get the book out because it has taken entirely too long. But, Bish Happens.<br />
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Volume 3 is in the initial writing phases. I have written 90,000 words since November 1st. My goal has been 1000 words per day and I've met that. So the rough draft is on pace to be finished by the end of February, unless Bish wants it to become longer. The editing phase takes as long as writing the book. It's the nature of the beast. The best thing is the fact that my first trilogy is almost complete, but The Darkslayer will not be over.<br />
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The Darkslayer will go on, Volume after Volume, as long as I can stand it. I have a hundred stories within the miserable world of Bish I want to write. So, this first trilogy is only the beginning. Wasn't it Rocky that said, "Nothing's over til it's over." That's right, the beast inside will keep me writing and it'll be a long time before it tires out.<br />
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Slay the Day,<br />
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HALLORANCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-58576675487642336422012-01-25T18:49:00.000-08:002012-01-29T16:37:52.449-08:00THE DARKSLAYER, VOLUME II, COMING SOON ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7PtYKaa8xWBfBtEEkrtLMq3ungFnx1PRkmHOy2f3QeGLjvIrIDiOzhBmZSitzTGcbAQiIJVU4Vhsyv0m6da3mlbxFiM1gYL5oDTcwLc37PevIwQTwipKILJjL2-vkXaLiSa2VfU-HYU/s1600/darkslayer-cover12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7PtYKaa8xWBfBtEEkrtLMq3ungFnx1PRkmHOy2f3QeGLjvIrIDiOzhBmZSitzTGcbAQiIJVU4Vhsyv0m6da3mlbxFiM1gYL5oDTcwLc37PevIwQTwipKILJjL2-vkXaLiSa2VfU-HYU/s200/darkslayer-cover12.jpg" width="132" /></a><strong>What will happen next, in the world of Bish? </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>More Monsters? More Magic? More Mayhem? <em>YES! YES! YES!</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-5540875519995638082012-01-20T12:16:00.000-08:002012-01-20T12:16:09.520-08:00SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ...WHY?Writing a book isn't easy. It's work that takes endless hours and demands your attention to a thousand details. I wish I knew all of this before I started. I flew into it blind. I had no clue about the brutality of the publishing word. <br />
<br />
So, here are some things to consider before you even start ...<br />
<br />
1. Why are you doing it? If it isn't to make money then you are making a big mistake. I'm strictly speaking from a publishing standpoint, not that you are doing something special for you kids. No, the best way to be successful is to think about the money. Do your homework. How much does it really pay to get published or how much does it really cost to publish yourself. I'm not going to help you with this There are oodles of articles on this. I will tell you what to look for though. However, if you are looking to self publish, read <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/">J.A. Konrath's' blog</a>.<br />
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2. How many books are you willing to write? Uh, if you are only planning on ONE, you will fail. You need to find your genre and plan on doing as many as you possibly can. That way, if you get rejected by agents and publishing houses, you have something to build off by self publishing on your own. Publishers are looking for a running series as well. Success with self publishing comes from many, many books. Readers want to see that you have many books before they even try. Many super successful authors are doing great because their stories were rejected over and over. But when it came time to self publish they already were established in there work. You can be as well.<br />
<br />
3. Read books on how to write a book. YES! There are dozens of details you have never considered. Books are not like movies and television shows. They are an art unto themselves. You might as well do some reading up before an editor or agent tells you that you need to re-write the entire story. I did that with my first two Darkslayer books. It was brutal, but man, I learned alot. I recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Immediate-Fiction-Complete-Writing-Course/dp/031228716X">Immediate Fiction</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Self-Editing-Fiction-Writers-Second-Yourself/dp/0060545690/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327090297&sr=1-1">Self-Editing for fiction writers</a>. They opened my eyes to an entire new world.<br />
<br />
4. I am stopping now. This is just the beginning. I like to feed bits at time. It's easier to swallow that way. The truth is, there are volumes you really need to read to be successful. I just hope I can help many of you save some time and money. It's not an endeavor you should take on without all the help you can get.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkslayer-Epic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B003UV8X6O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">REMEMBER, THE DARKSLAYER VOLUME ONE EBOOK IS FREE!!!</a>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-22504720400740483342012-01-20T11:30:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:34:13.912-08:00I finished and this is what I thought ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/244998214">THE GUNSLINGER REVIEW</a><br />
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I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Shame on me. But, I didn't expected more.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-17846614815547089812011-12-09T12:13:00.000-08:002011-12-09T12:13:39.733-08:00This is what I am currently reading ...<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/995103.The_Gunslinger%22%20style=%22float:%20left;%20padding-right:%2020px%22%3E%3Cimg%20alt=%22The%20Gunslinger%20(The%20Dark%20Tower,%20#1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1261575759m/995103.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/995103.The_Gunslinger">The Gunslinger</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King">Stephen King</a><br/>"></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/995103.The_Gunslinger" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1261575759m/995103.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/995103.The_Gunslinger">The Gunslinger</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King">Stephen King</a><br />
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Click on cover to see what I thinkCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-58173345583096855162011-11-25T17:50:00.000-08:002011-11-25T17:50:05.498-08:00THE DARKSLAYER IS FREE ... LITERALLY!!!Well, the ebook, that is. If you have downloaded the free version, you might want to know about The Darkslayer and Volume Two. Volume Two will be out soon, Early 2012. It's written, complete and going through the final editing stages. Also, I will be re-releasing Volume One, as well. Why?<br />
<br />
When I was writing Volume Two I changed my writing style. I broke it out in shorter chapters and maintained a straight timeline. No flashbacks, or going back in time, just a straight red hot light. I liked this style better when writing and I grew into doing other things. I worked on the POV (Point of View) of all of the characters, their thoughts and feelings. More characters are developed this way. It get's the readers more involved and attached. After making these adjustments to my writing style I realized Volume One could be even better. I re-wrote it and tall orders like that make a writer better. I also added another 25,000 words to Volume One as well. Part of it was from Volume Two, but when I changed the timeline, I had to make the change. The plan is to release it before Volume Two and it will still be FREE (the ebook.). BTW, Volume Three is underway, and will be compete by February 2012. <br />
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What is the future of The Darkslayer? My plan initially was to do a trilogy, but that won't do. That's why I call them 'Volumes'. I'm not putting a limit on how many I am going to do. There is at least a thousand years of stories about The Darkslayer's on the world of Bish. I've got alot of work to do. I'll take it one book at a time. In the meantime, you might want to check out ZOMBIE DAY CARE. Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-35845224944687781862011-11-10T13:00:00.000-08:002011-11-10T13:00:21.266-08:00CLASSIC FAMILY FEUD! THIS WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BQRMvg5TAl8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-80728815519753880952011-10-20T08:37:00.000-07:002011-10-20T08:37:59.914-07:00Come see Craig Halloran at the WV BOOK FESTIVAL!!! OCT 22nd-23rd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wvbookfestival.org/images/logos/wvbflogo2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wvbookfestival.org/images/logos/wvbflogo2.gif" /></a></div><a href="http://www.wvbookfestival.org/">WV Book Festival Links</a><br />
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This will be my second appearance. Last year went great and I sold and signed a lot of books. I will be featuring the debut of my latest book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Day-Care-ebook/dp/B005WMLIOI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319124792&sr=8-1">ZOMBIE DAY CARE</a> as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkslayer-Fantasy-Adventure-Illustrated-ebook/dp/B003UV8X6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1319124824&sr=1-1">THE DARKSLAYER Volume One</a>. <br />
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I'll have new trading cards for the Darkslayer as well. If you can't make it my books and eBooks are available at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, KOBO, Smashwords and more ....<br />
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I hope to see you there!!!Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-788576053326834922011-10-12T09:27:00.000-07:002011-10-12T09:27:39.619-07:00CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE MUSICAL!!! Man, Musicals ROCK!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OBGOQ7SsJrw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-33100971425538793982011-09-25T18:47:00.000-07:002011-09-25T18:54:44.081-07:00Are you ready for...ZOMBIE DAY CARE by Craig Halloran It's time to start the buzz!!!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyday now (Today is Sept 25th, 2011) it shall be released in eBook format, the Paperback will be available in a few more weeks. I think my readers are going to love this story. It's a short-novel, 37,000 words only. It took me a month to write and 2 more months for editing. Seriously though, I am jacked about this story. Here is what is on the backcover of the book, I hope get's you interested. </div><br />
<strong><em>He had dozed off, feeling safe and exhausted, in the middle of nowhere. He laid his head back just for a second, listening to the madness on the satellite radio. America has fallen! Russia has fallen! The Middle East has fallen! He fell asleep. </em></strong><strong><br />
<em></em></strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><em>His eyes snapped open. A shuffle of dirt caught his ear. He wiped the drool from his mouth. The rearview mirror showed nothing. His heart raced. Something was out there. A flicker of movement caught his eye in the side view mirror. He jerked out of the way just as a hand clutched for his neck. He scrambled through the passenger side door and rolled outside. </em></strong></div><br />
<strong>The Facility is what the Washington D.C. officials call it. </strong><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>It is a day care for zombie children, tucked deep in the hills of West Virginia. </strong><strong><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Is there a cure for the zombies? </strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The children of the undead give them the best hope.</strong><strong><br />
</strong></div><strong>There are those who think the zombie threat is harmless…and those that don’t. </strong><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>The World Humanitarian Society wants to protect the zombies…or do they? </strong><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>Friends, family and colleagues are set at odds, dealing with the deadly dilemma. </strong><strong><br />
</strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>What about the zombies? What rights do they have in all of this? Or are they just a means to another diabolical end?</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJ2t_dIESK_cC-HMTujD7SX7nAoOZN0UtwbfchelDS-FgFWL9iPfowH-dZcGlLlGz0yy2_2nUdE5iANVyxaCnnlw-100mJ5zZ2nDnJCl4_pLIZUE6UX-FBqPPj9M49WSrVFecJ0IFH4M/s1600/Louie+color++low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJ2t_dIESK_cC-HMTujD7SX7nAoOZN0UtwbfchelDS-FgFWL9iPfowH-dZcGlLlGz0yy2_2nUdE5iANVyxaCnnlw-100mJ5zZ2nDnJCl4_pLIZUE6UX-FBqPPj9M49WSrVFecJ0IFH4M/s320/Louie+color++low+res.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book Cover Image<br />
Artwork by Ernie Chan</td></tr>
</tbody></table> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-63232480569101215232011-04-09T13:05:00.000-07:002011-04-09T13:05:23.253-07:00The Darkslayer Book Trailer!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yuBnAT-vBew?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-8908569521056338492011-03-22T09:49:00.001-07:002011-03-22T09:49:37.520-07:00Enjoy the Sexy Sax Man and try not to laugh...too hard!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GaoLU6zKaws?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-14346895344210233712011-02-13T18:03:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:08:03.746-08:00Secretariat, a movie about an Awesome Horse! 7.5 out of 10!<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028576/">IMDB REVIEW LINK 7.1</a><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We needed a good family film to watch ant this was all they had on Dishnetwork. I wanted to see it though, because I always remembered the stories about <em>Big Red</em> (Secretariat's real name) and thought he was fascinating. But would the movie be? The movie is pretty good, and certainly it could have been better, but the wife and I liked it plenty. I like it so much I had to go on youtube and watch the final race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, just to see it for myself. Here it is below.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xoFquax2F-k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-39208492349391028792011-02-11T12:24:00.000-08:002011-02-11T12:32:09.362-08:00Robert E. Howard, The legend behind Sword and Sorcery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crossplains.com/howard/Image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="http://www.crossplains.com/howard/Image3.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703439504576116281598338192.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Great Link to Read Right here! </a>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-31513533132804154322011-02-04T16:23:00.000-08:002011-02-04T16:23:32.177-08:00SALT...too SALTY for me but better than expected. A good flick, 7.0 out of 10!<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944835/">IMBD Review Link 6.5!</a><br />
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When the hottest CIA agent of all-time (Angelina Jolie) is accused of being a Russian super spy, nothing unfolds as it should. You know...a woman like Angelina can certainly distract from a good story, but time and again she proves herself to be a very convincing actress. She plays CIA agent Evelyn Salt, who turns out to be a decades long sleeper agent. (Note: I'd mention the other actors of note, but theer weren't any.) It is a compelling story that leaves you searching for answers about the characters and thier mysterious past. The beginning is the best part of the movie, because it wasn't long after that the entire action filled story became impossibly believable. Think about it...Impossibly Believable! Jumping from a truck (higher level) to a truck (lower leverl) on an interstate might work once, but not three times. Certainly there would be a better way to escape than that. The ending was not to shabby and I'll give them props because endings are difficult. My wife watched it with me, and she liked it, as did I. It's pretty good by movie standards these days. Feel free to spend your dollar on this one, but my rental was free. Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-681078823035772562011-02-01T06:17:00.001-08:002011-02-01T06:17:26.481-08:00The Darkslayer, Volume One Book Trailer! Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yuBnAT-vBew?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5332375369920600336.post-73020795707806797802011-01-29T17:11:00.000-08:002011-01-29T17:11:52.657-08:00Having Fun with Father Ted! Ever watch this show on the BBC?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XKMILzbVmxI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
This is one I never saw, but it is absolutely hilarious. If you never saw this show before this will bet you hooked on it's characters. If you don't laugh outloud, you must be dead. Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019956056014446642noreply@blogger.com