Lost in the Weeds - again!

 Hi Guys,

Just a brief note to let you know where I am these days and why I haven't posted anything for a while. And I think the title about sums it up. As you know I recently put out Freaksville, and was extremely happy to have finally got it finished after more than a year of procrastination. But after that I found myself losing focus for a time and ended up watching masses of Youtube and various telly shows. Some old ones but also some brand new.

By the way for those of you into quirky and sort of detectivy, I can't recommend the shows Deadlock and Population 11 highly enough. I don't know what is happening on the other side of the ditch, but the Australians really seem to be excelling with their offbeat characters and plots. Damn, I just wish I could write characters that completely and so hilariously off the wall! I mean years ago they put out films like Malcolm, Strictly Ballroom and Garbo, but lately they've been taking things to a whole new level. I love it!

Other than that, I've been sort of blocked in my writing, sitting at my desk and wondering how the orange trees outside the window can be fruiting when we're just starting winter, and the overnight temperature drops to damn near freezing. Most people keep telling me that oranges shouldn't grow in this climate at all! But I figure since I've also got lemons and grapefruit in my back yard, my back yard must be some sort of tropical micro-climate. Or magical!

The good news is that I'm nearly through the first draft of an urban sci fi - Good Neighbours - the story of a typical New Zealand Vet beset by aliens. The bad news is that I'm blocked again. For some reason this whole book has been like that. I write a chapter or two and then can't think where I go from there. It's like pulling teeth as they say and a lot of coffee has been drunk, a lot of swear words muttered! On the positive side I can't pull my hair out since I got stuck in with the trimmer a few weeks ago and there isn't anything long enough left to get a good solid grip on!

Anyway, that's been my life lately, that and trying to explain to the cat that no she wasn't born in a glass factory and I can't see through her when she decides to deposit herself in front of the monitor, and the reason it's been a while since I've posted. But I hope to have some better news by the next post. And in the meantime, enjoy the alien duck!

Cheers, Greg.

Finally Freaksville!

 Hi Guys,

Yes - it has finally happened! After an entire year of failed promises, Freaksville has finally gone to Amazon! And I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am! (Or is that relieved?)

The book as you know has been a struggle. I've written and re-written it so many times that I can't even remember what it looked like at the start. There have been multiple attempts at a cover - I'm really pleased with the one that I finally got out of Deep Dream. And the blurb actually had me pulling my hair out!

But it's finally done. A 136 K of science fiction, genetic engineering and urban fantasy, all set in the fictional town of Freaksville (Arundale) where witches do battle with one another in the streets and humans stay clear of them if they know what's good for them! Where the mist rises and falls and people arrive and leave. And of course where there are soldiers patrolling the streets, making sure no one escapes the quarantine zone. Meanwhile on the horizon there are sea monsters and six legged cats and battle!

And standing in the middle of it are Frank Fischer - a mechanical engineer trapped in the town - and Rina Crofter, a faerie and orchardist from the other side of the mist. And as their romance blossoms, while all around chaos rages and war looms, the conflicting plans of all the different factions slowly come into focus.

Anyway it's written and my eyeballs are trying to burn their way out of their sockets. Most of all I need coffee. And so I wish you all a great time and hope you enjoy the book.

And of course, be good or don't get caught!

Cheers, Greg.

Moody Rockers is out!

 Hi Guys,

Yes, it's been a battle, but Moody rockers is out in Kindle, finally. I did the paperback too, but thus far, after hours of pulling my hair out this morning, I haven't had word from Amazon as to whether it's going to make it through the inspection process. There were four typos after all! But we'll wait and see, I suppose.

Moody Rockers is an urban sci fi set in 2030 New Zealand, when backyard genetic engineering has become a thing, and it explores a number of the issues associated with the technology - not to mention a growing freedom of expression movement called Moody Rocking. Essentially it's the next step in body art. Why paint an elf or an ogre on your skin when you can actually become one?! 

Doctor  Robert Moody is my MC and the guy who invented the process (this year in fact so he'd better get moving!), which is why the movement bears his name. And why he's becoming the next thing to a cult leader whether he likes it or not!

But the story is essentially a slightly futuristic police procedural revolving around the criminal side of genetic body modification. What people can do to themselves - and others - with the technology. And what those who have been modified can do on the criminal side of things. (And of course I had to have werewolves and elves and super soldiers because as Homer would say - doh!!!)

It also looks at how this particular technology will change our society and the problems it may cause. But the advantages it will bring as well - like longer life spans and improved health. It's essentially a genie that is almost out of the bottle.

Anyway, it should be an enjoyable romp, and I hope people enjoy it.

https://www.amazon.com/Moody-Rockers-Greg-Curtis-ebook/dp/B0C3ZDYDGC/ref=sr_1_2?

Cheers, Greg. (And as always, be good or don't get caught!)