WR Benton's Writing Blog

Survival Manual in Draft

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 13:30:48 +0000

The simple survival manual is now in rough draft and at the publishers. I will know in a few days how much work will be needed to complete the book. I think I will go with an ebook this time.

Photos for the new books!

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 14:27:53 +0000

I now have permission to use of some of J.C. Rankin, Seniors, mountain man photos. I love his work. In the future, as he releases them to me, I will feature them on the blog.

Keep in mind, his pics are copyrighted and so is my blog, so do not steal J.C.'s work. I am sure that would upset my publisher deeply.
I appreciate his assitance to the book covers!

You can visit his site http://www.rankinsaddlery.com/to see more of his work.

Indian Dreamer is Finished!

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 13:47:48 +0000

I finally finished Indian Dreamer tonight and must admit, I am tired of proofing the book! I never dreamed writing and proofing a book could be so different. As I write I enjoy telling the tale, but proofing is just plain old hard work!

While the book makes a great read, it is old hat to me by now. I guess after so many corrections and proofs of the text I am burned out on it. My publisher liked the draft and perhaps it will go final soon.

To read a sample of Indian Dreamer, go to http://www.wrbenton.shyper.com
Photos on this graphic by J.C. Rankin

Indian Dreamer

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 15:00:43 +0000

Indian Dreamer is also being edited as you read this entry. I have put about eight hours into the book editing process today and should be finished with it tomorrow. Then it goes back to the publishers and we wait until they have a chance to bleed red ink on it once more. This time next month it should be at the printers.

We are still not sure how many pages it will be or the actual cost to a reader, but I suspect it will be over 500 pages. A lot depends on how much the publisher decides to cut during the editing process.

In The Shadow Of The Mountain

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:42:50 +0000

In The Shadow Of The Mountian has been proofed and edited by me and is now at the publishers for a final edit. Once this edit has been completed the book will go to the printers. I suspect it will take a month or two for the editing to be completed. I will keep all of you informed of the release date and the ISBN when it is ready.

Press Release for Silently Beats the Drum

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 16:38:47 +0000

Silently Beats the Drum will be released in January of 2005 with ISBN 1-59453-603-1. Check the Blog often for more information on the actual release date.

New OnLine Store to Open in January

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 09:51:25 +0000

My online store will open on January the 1st 2005. It will have all of my books available for purchase and for the first two weeks, if you order a book, you will get a discount!

The store will be at http://wrbenton.vstore.ca and I will be accepting paypal payments.

Free Christmas Graphics!

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 14:28:38 +0000

Go to my writing site, http://www.wrbenton.shyper.com and download FREE Christmas Graphics for personal use. More than 30 pages of FREE original Art by WR Benton.

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Drum Novel Max

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 12:52:01 +0000

CHAPTER 3� 2004 W.R. Benton, All Rights Reserved.

Jeb rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked around. Dawn had come with a cloud covered sky and the threat of more cold rain. Many of the men were still asleep. Getting up he realized how poorly he had slept. His back was stiff and he could hardly move. Slowly moving over to the campfire, he pushed a way the ashes until he found a red coal. He blew on the coal and placed some small pieces of kindling on it. Soon he had a fire going, but he didn't know for how long. Already he could see the sergeant moving quickly down the line waking the men up. Oh, well, for now he was comfortable. He noticed the sergeant walking across the field headed straight for him.

"Patton, get yer men up and ready to go." Said the sergeant.

"My men? You must be mistaken sarge. I ain't got no men." Replied Jeb.

"Well, you do now. You are the only one left of your men who can read and write some. The corporal got kilt last night. Yankees caught him carrying a message for the General. So, you can consider yourself a corporal." The sergeant turned his head and sent a chocolate colored stream from his mouth. "Now, get 'em moving Patton!"

"Sarge, I don't want no men! I got enough to do to keep my own ass alive! Yelled Jeb.

"Patton, open yer mouth against this order once more and I will beat the -bleep- outta. You understand Patton? I am telling you boy, this ain't a question or choice! You are now the corporal. Now, get these -bleep- men moving, and I MEAN NOW!? With this last burst of anger, the sergeant turned and walked away, leaving Jeb cursing to himself.

"Well, now if-un that ain't the ding-dangest thing I ever heard of...Patton's a corporal." Wilkes said as he gave Patton a mock salute. "All accounted fer and ready to whop some Yankee ass Corporal Patton!"

"Wilkes, shut the hell up." moaned Patton, as he started gathering up his gear.

Within an hour the company was up and moving east, toward the rising sun. The weather had cleared and light breeze blew from the north. Birds were chirping and the men appeared to be a good mood. The road was still muddy from the last few days of rain, but thought Jeb, at least the sky was clearing. Maybe tonight he could sleep on dry ground.

They entered a small town, not much more than a village actually. Jeb could see the poverty the city owned. The buildings were clean, but all of them needed a coat of paint. The streets were a quagmire of mud and potholes of water. People, obviously frightened by the Yankees and the Rebels, were peering at Jeb and his men behind closed shutters and doors. A cute little girl of about nine years old waved at Jeb, but her mother quickly pulled her away from the window.

"Ok, Patton," yelled the sergeant, "We are spending the day here while our supplies play catch-up with us. Y?all find an empty building and lets get outta this here mud."

"-bleep-, the army wakes me up at five in the mornin? and walks my ass two miles to stop fer the day." complained Wikes.

"Wilkes, yer the damnedest thang I ever did see. Ain't ya never happy boy?" asked Moreland, obviously confused about Wilkes? behavior.

Jeb ignored the small chatter as he looked for a place for his men to spend the day. Across the street was what appeared to be an empty livery stable. If it was empty, the hay could make for some very warm sleeping. Jeb and his men needed a good night sleep so he walked to the door of the building. Feeling extremely self-conscious, Jeb knocked. Not hearing an answer, Jeb opened the squeaking door and looked inside. It was dark, even during middle of the day. The strong odor of horse droppings, green hay, and leather filled his nose. It was then he heard the click of a hammer on a pistol being pulled back.

"If-un you is wearing Yankee blue, you are a dead son of a -bleep-." Said a low female voice.

"Hold it lady. Me and my men are southerners. We are just looking fer a place to spend the night. We won't hurt ya none."

"Move over to the side of the room and light the lantern. The Lucifer's are on the table next to the lamp. I meant what I said. If you are wearing blue, you are a dead man."

Jeb moved to the table and picked up the lantern. As he lighted it he wondered what this woman with guts would look like. What he saw both surprised and sickened him.

"What?s the matter boy, ain't you never seen a raped woman before?" the lady asked.

New Book Draft

wrbenton @ BusyThumbs — Sun, 14 Nov 2004 12:24:02 +0000

I just finished the draft of Red Runs the Plains last week.

In Red Runs the Plains Jarel Wade, a young southwestern Missouri boy starts his day like all others, but soon his entire life is changed when a group of Blackfoot Indians on the war path kill his family. Rescued from certain death by two old mountain men, Jarel discovers a new but dangerous way of life. Jarel becomes a mountain man.

Read More at http://www.wrbenton.shyper.com