Writing Evil

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 4, Gods & Martyrs, Novel, story telling, Writing

I was writing a chapter in the fourth Gabby Wells novel, Gods & Martyrs, and, when I was done, was so disturbed by what I had written, I pushed the keyboard away in disgust. Creating characters is a tricky thing.  They end up taking on their own lives and making decisions you don’t want them […]

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Reminder – Kneel & Prey on Sale for $0.99 Until July 4th

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

Kneel & Prey, the first novel in the Gabby Wells Thriller series, is on sale for under a buck until July 4th. In this fast-paced novel, Gabby hears rumors a classmate is planning to commit mass murder during the town’s Independence Day celebration and is willing to risk everything, including her soul, to save her […]

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Kneel & Prey – Chapter Six

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

The popcorn ceiling looked like an alien landscape. With the full moon spraying its light into Gabby’s room, she stared up from her bed, her eyes exhibiting no interest in sleeping. The clock was nearing two in the morning, and Gabby did her best to convince herself it was time to dream. She didn’t peruse […]

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Kneel & Prey – Chapter Five

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

Energized by her time with her friends, Gabby headed over to the Safety Harbor Hardware Store to visit Harold, her father. She loved stopping by. It was a piece of home and smelled like wood, paint, cardboard, and metal all mixed together—like a potent cologne. Before entering, Gabby stopped outside and stared at the small, […]

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Kneel & Prey – Chapter Four

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

The downtown gazebo was the center of Gabby’s universe. Located on Main Street, catty-corner from her father’s hardware store, the old, wooden structure with a circular roof looked like something out of a Mark Twain novel. Gabby and her friends, self-dubbed The Gang, considered it their home away from home. The Gang started when she […]

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Kneel & Prey – Chapter Three

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

The child’s cry echoed in Gabby’s mind. She had heard it so many times before. She hopped out of the police cruiser and closed her eyes, using her ears to lead her to its source. “Gabs, we’re supposed to stay in the car,” Emma said through the window. Guided by the child’s screams, Gabby jogged […]

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Kneel & Prey – Chapter Two

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

Thirty minutes and two slices of pizza later, the school year officially ended and the student body surged from the building like a pimpled-skin tsunami. Gabby kept a steady pace toward the parking lot as the wave passed around her. Emma trudged next to her, lugging her stuffed backpack on her back, the searing June […]

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Kneel & Prey – Chapter One

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel

This wasn’t the first time Gabby Wells had snuck her way through Safety Harbor High unnoticed. It probably wouldn’t be the last. Heck, she could do it blindfolded. Actually, she had, once. But that wouldn’t help her now. Not today. Down the long, empty hall, the gray cinderblock walls resembled a prison and the harsh […]

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Kneel & Prey on Sale for $0.99 Until July 4th

Posted Sonlight Press Chapter Sample, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Kneel & Prey, Novel, Writing

Kneel & Prey, the first novel in the Gabby Wells Thriller series, is on sale for under a buck until July 4th. In this fast-paced novel, Gabby hears rumors a classmate is planning to commit mass murder during the town’s Independence Day celebration and is willing to risk everything, including her soul, to save her […]

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Trusting the Journey

Posted Sonlight Press Author, Author Blog, Faith, Gabby Wells, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells - Book 2, Gabby Wells - Book 3, Gabby Wells - Book 5, Gabby Wells - Novella 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Novella, Screenplay, Writing

God never seems to draw a straight line. I wish he did.  It’d sure make life a lot easier. The path I’ve been on in writing the Gabby Wells Thrillers is one of the most convoluted one could conceive.  Two years ago, almost to the day, I posted about this strange unfolding.  Back then I […]

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Creating an Enticing Book Trailer

Posted Sonlight Press Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Marketing, Novel

Books aren’t like movies.  It’s end form is not a series of moving images, it’s a number of pages with words.  Unlike movies, you can’t pick the coolest scenes, edit them together and make a trailer.  You have to be more creative. When movie trailers first came out, they were also called teasers.  And that’s […]

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Setting Expectations When Launching Your First Novel

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Independent Publishing, Novel, Social Media, Writing

The dream of everyone that wants to be a writer is to draft the next great American novel, release it to public accolades and sit back while the money and notoriety roll in. There’s one word for that… fantasy. In today’s publishing climate, its never been easier to get your idea into novel form.  However, […]

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Kneel & Prey – The Proof is in the Proof

Posted Sonlight Press Gabby Wells, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Independent Publishing, Novel, Novella, Screenplay, Writing

It took eight years to get my original idea into a printed book.  Through three screenplays, two 13-episode television series scripts, two novels that were scrubbed and four novellas that were augmented, Kneel & Prey, the kick off of the Gabby Wells Thriller series, is finally complete. It was a long journey with far more […]

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I Want it to Be Difficult

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Writing

Writing is hard.  Writing a series is harder.  Being successful as a writer is nearly impossible. And I love the challenge. I want it to be difficult, because then, only those most committed will make it.  And I’m committed. Sure, there are some things that also come into play… talent, luck, timing, communication skills, marketing […]

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Podcast – Generosity & Female Ninjas

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells - Book 2, Gabby Wells - Book 3, Gabby Wells - Book 4, Gabby Wells Novel, Marketing, Novel, Podcast, Screenplay, Writing

Author Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer talk about the generosity of the independent publishing community, female ninjas and audio books. Mobile Users: Click here to listen to the episode. Topics Covered: Independent Film Marketing Similar as Novels Competing with your Competitors Screenplays Collecting Dust Knowing your Audience Generosity of Independent Authors Hit and Miss Writing […]

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Podcast – Thanksgiving Episode & Mockingjay Part 1 Marketing

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Faith, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Marketing, Novel, Podcast, Screenplay, Writing

Author Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer talk about the issues with the Mockingjay Part 1 marketing approach and give thanks to those who have helped get them this far. Mobile Users: Click here to listen to the episode. In this episode: Thanksgiving Day Episode Mockingjay Part 1 Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2 Mockingjay Part […]

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Kneel & Prey Draft Complete

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Gabby Wells, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Novella, Writing

It’s taken writing over 500,000 words to get here. From the first attempt of converting 13 television scripts into a novel to 100 drafts later to a near finished product to tossing it out and starting over.  From turning the idea of five novels into five novellas and five novels to then deciding to write […]

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Podcast – Starting a Genre Mashup

Posted Sonlight Press Author, Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Podcast, Reviews, Social Media, Writing

Pete and Dorothea talk about participating in the recent Facebook Event: March to a Bestseller 2, genres, validation and the coming release of the first novel, Kneel & Prey. Mobile Users: Click here to listen to the episode. Topics Covered: Facebook Event Defining a New Genre First Novel Kneel & Prey Beta Reader Feedback Marketing […]

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Off to the Beta Readers

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells - Book 2, Gabby Wells - Book 3, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Novella, Writing

I’m relieved. The first novel, Kneel & Prey, has been sent out to our first group of Beta Readers.  These readers will read the book and let us know of any outstanding issues with the plot, character or grammar that we missed. Sending it off to Beta Readers is an important step.  It means you’re […]

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Introducing Character

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Writing

As I mentioned in my last post, Kneel & Prey is the third time I’ve had to introduce the character of Gabby Wells in the series.  The first attempt was in Water & Blood, the second was The Homecoming Incident and the third is Kneel & Prey.  Each time I spent a lot of time […]

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