Saturday, December 25, 2010

Absolved status.



Well, once again Vanderboegh never fails to disappoint. While my Christmas present to y'all is not exactly a lump of coal, it is perhaps like getting an IOU instead of the thousand rounds of 7.62 NATO you wanted Santa to put in your stocking. Big stocking, I know.

What I had intended to do was give you a prequel chapter about Charlie Quintard's early years back in Winston County after the loss of his job and wife, some insights from his childhood, culminating in the terrible confrontation with the meth cookers that started him on the warrior path. You'll still get that, but trying to make it right (it had been written some time ago but left on the editing floor, so I thought it was an easy gimme) bogged me down and I ran out of time. It also got in the way of the Absolved final edit.

Having disappointed y'all often enough in the past, I make no more promises about Absolved. However, all plot devices have been re-artificed and as many factual errors as possible have been corrected so the final fisk for punctuation and minor errata begins tomorrow. The time away from the blog recharging batteries helped that process. I hope when you read the final product you will forgive the wait. When you see the prequel chapter posted here, you will know I have sent the final off to the publisher.

Have a blessed Christmas.

Mike
III

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Disappointed who? What other author allows his readers to preview chapters, comment and be part of the process?

I think I can say that we appreciate everything you have done and continue to do.

Cory

Anonymous said...

Have a blessed Christmas yourself!

s4r

Anonymous said...

Man why does everyone allways pick on Winston Co. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all and God Bless America! Alex of Arley, oh and War Eagle!

Anonymous said...

Merry CHRISTmas to you & yours, Mike.


III

Anonymous said...

No apologies necessary, Mike. Have a Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

No apologies necessary, Mike. Have a Merry Christmas.

Scamp1776 said...

Merry Christmas

Rider said...

Now how did you know I needed 1 more piece of coal to round it out to an even dozen? The Lord works in mysterious ways, Now doesn't He.

Capt45 said...

Writing is a tough game. You never want to let go til things are perfect, which they never are.

Put me on the waiting list for 'Absolved', and have a wonderful Christmas and a bright, blessed New Year!

AJ
III

atexan said...

Can't wait for your book. Merry Christmas Dutchman!

eddymatthews said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours also! Looking forward to the book.

MamaLiberty said...

Don't know about anyone else, but I can handle delayed gratification pretty well. LOL (Helps if the coffee and chocolate hold out...)

Take your time and do what you need to do. Far better that to be really proud of what you produce. And I know you will be.

We'll be right here whenever you are ready. :)

Uncle Kenny said...

Pre-orders? I'd buy a few right now, if I knew how.

Anonymous said...

Mike,

Take all the time you want - we can wait. Merry Christmas, and God bless.

drjim said...

Merry Christmas, Mike!
Jim
UMSC
III0.

rustynail said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours Mike. Hope the New Year is prosperous and (maybe) tranquil.

Whenever Absolved is out, it'll be worth the wait.

rustynail
III/OK

Western Freeman said...

We'll wait. It'll be done when it's done, and it'll be worth the wait. We've seen enough to know that. Don't worry about it.

Have a politically incorrect Merry Christmas!

Brock Townsend said...

Merry Christmas to you and here's
A Wonderful New Christmas Song/Video!
http://tinyurl.com/2co2bw4

Pericles said...

+1 on pre orders

neal said...

Yeehaw. Almost peeing my pants in anticipation...

Anonymous said...

Mike -

Have a Blessed and Marry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. Great health and safety to you and your Family too.

Looking forward to Absolved!!

You and your Family continue in our Prayers.
God Bless -

Old Soldier III

Reg T said...

No apologies necessary, Mike. I imagine finishing a book might be something like giving away your daughter. Reluctant to part with her, even though you know it will bring joy to all involved.

Like the bridegroom said, we promise to be gentle :-)

Dennis308 said...

Merry Christmas to All, And God Bless.
and if I have to wait fer the book then I guess I'll just wait. Just letus know when it is Published. I don't read a lot but looking forward to this one.

Dennis
III
Texas

Anonymous said...

Happy Christmas as they say across the pond, and a very happy and very prosperous new year!

We regard you very well sir.

III mmore than them said...

Well Mike, certain things take rate higher priorities than others. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Look after your relationship with the LORD. All good things flow from Him.

Take care of your family, and by extension, yourself.

Follow the calling on your life as it pertains to the above.

We're patient. No worries here, mate.

Mark Matis said...

For neal:
Please save that for your next TSA screening...
}:-]

Legal Alien said...

A belated Merry Xmas to you and your family Mike

Can I pre-order an e-book copy for my newly acquired Kindle reader?

Crustyrusty said...

What Cory said up there. If I were a writer, I'd probably be just as nitpicky.

Hope you and yours had a merry Christmas.

Crusty
III

WV: persess

What demons do in Eastern Kentucky

Anonymous said...

Just to let you know that Shaeffer Cox, assembly leader chosen by the members was arrested by 15 feds at his home in Alaska with no charges . Alaska has had an assembly for some years now with 35,000-40,000 members and he was forwarned with about 50 armed men facing off the feds and Cox told them to stand down and is now in jail. That was a big mistake as the feds would have done nothing for fear of publicity. I know Cox and he is a very decent and honorable man but the feds are scared to death of him and any assembly. Will we be next ? We could very well be on their next hit list but you will hear of it and that I can guarantee !! There is another arrest today, Tim Turner another non-charge ! Stay tuned because this assmbly is teaching others by way of our website. Alaska has to make a stink "NOW" !

Rhodes said...

Take you time do it right and then stop Mike. The hardest thing is knowing when to stop before the process of correction becomes destructive. I dont envy you and await the fruits of you labor.
Oh and...
ROLL TIDE ROLL!
.

Backwoods Engineer said...

Mike, I have very much enjoyed reading the chapters you have posted so far, having read several of them multiple times. I'm excited about the prequel chapter. Being of Cherokee lineage and also a techie, I have a keen interest in Charlie Quintard. Hope you had a blessed Christmas.

--BW

EJR914 said...

Whoo hoo! We're getting closer!

No apologies, Mike!

Happy D said...

I like coal a lot. It burns, I can make stuff from it, its mere existence makes Libs cry.
And I know it will be worth the wait