Feast or Famine Q & A

Dudes and dudettes, you sent me a lot of questions this time around.  I ended up sorting through what I had on Monday night for my top 5 and answering them last night so I could get them up today.  Real quick, there are a lot of spoilers coming, so if you haven't finished this book in the series, I would recommend coming back when you did.  Now on to your questions.


Q1 - Sabrina is one powerful and evil girl.  How do you see her playing out in the last book?


A1 - I don't want to give a lot away, but she maintains her hatred for her mother all the way through.  That hate, because of Roxanne's betrayal to Beelzebub defines her really.  The fun thing is when you see how she treats Jacoby, it'll go a long way in defining her character.


Q2 - This was by far your best writing effort to date.  As an author, what do you do to keep improving your writing?


A2 - With Death Among Us, I tried to do everything myself.  It was my first effort and I didn't want anyone to help me because I didn't want to lose the integrity of the story.  I learned that's not a good thing.  In Old War Stories, I had Jeff and Jeremy help me a lot plus I got a few Beta readers.  Getting Sarah, my English teacher turned editor friend on board was a big boon too.  Then with Feast or Famine, I took everything I learned from my first two attempts and really fine tuned them.  I'm sure there are still issues here and there, but I hope it reads smoothly.


Q3 - You dirty son of a gun, you brought Roxanne back into the fold.  Was that because of peer pressure or was that always the plan?


A3 - Roxanne is my favorite character bar none.  The journey she goes on from the start of the series to the finish is one that has a lot of bumps in it.  I wanted her character to be the one that experienced the most growth, yet also got the most emotional connection from readers.  I know her "death" in Old War Stories pissed a lot of people off, but that's good.  I did my job as a writer by creating a character people love.


Q4 - Will we see more Lucifer?  The scenes with Derrick dealing with him were awesome.


A4 - Minor spoiler here - his role in the story is just about finished.  He does come back in Divide and Conquest briefly, but it's not a huge role.  As you'll see, he's going to have a lot of other problems going on.


Q5 - I'm going to ask it but I don't expect an answer.  Oz and Jacoby, there going to be the focus moving forward right?


A5 - A lot of people wanted to know about the step brothers and their roles.  As you know, Oz is with Derrick and Roxanne while Jacoby grew up with Sabrina.  Their different upbringings will play a huge focus in their individual stories, but as the end of the day, Grimm's Reapers is about Derrick Grimm.  That said, what the future holds after this series, well that can be up for debate.


Thanks for everyone and their curiosity.  Divide and conquest is out now, so feel free to grab the last book in the series and see what the future is going to hold.


-Jack
jack.crosby25@gmail.com

Divide and Conquest Update

The finish line is so close that I can taste it.  My editor friend Sarah and I are working out as many bugs as we can find to deliver (hopefully) top notch entertainment to you the readers.  We've added some stuff, axed other parts, and updated grammar and all.  Now Sarah wants me to tell you that's she not a professional editor (in fact, she's a high school English teacher), but by God she's going to catch as many of my goof-ups as possible.


Over the weekend, I was bombarded with emails asking for a release date.  One guy was polite - 'C'mon Jack, give us the low down! We've been waiting a few months to see how this all ends!'  One wasn't so polite - 'Damnit, you're dragging your feet getting the last book done.'  I certainly appreciate the enthusiasm you guys have, so it's at this time I feel confident giving a release date.  Based on finishing up a few things, getting the book formatted and all, Divide and Conquest will be to the Amazon Bookstore on 2-16-16.  As always it'll be available for both purchase and Kindle Unlimited borrowing.


In the lead up, I'm going to release chapter 2 this week, probably Wednesday or Thursday, and I'll also be doing a few special Q and A sessions.  If you want to get in on that (one topic will be the Feast or Famine one and the other will be The Life of Derrick), send questions to jack.crosby25@gmail.com.


Well my other job calls, so that's it for now.  Tune back later this week for chapter 2 and send me those questions.


-Jack

Old War Stories Q & A (with an updated Divide and Conquest cover art)

So you guys really liked my question and answer segment on Death Among Us.  When I got home last night from a pretty awesome trip to Tampa, I noticed all the questions in my inbox.  So I'll postpone my blog taking in the local Tampa fun places to go so I can get to these.


First, MAJOR SPOILERS will be revealed in this post.  If you haven't read Old War Stories, I suggest coming back afterwards to join in the conversation.  Second, I've received a few Feast or Famine questions and I'll hit those up next week.  So with that out of the way, let the questions begin.


Q1 - The second story has a much more serious tone to it than the first.  Why did you go in that direction?


A1 - I wanted to give Derrick a little more depth to his character.  He's Death after all and yeah he's a goofy pervert, but he's also got a very serious job to do.  Sometimes that job is hard and isn't something to take lightly.  All and all, I was happy with a bit more character building, which will lead nicely into Feast or Famine.


Q2 - Vlad the Impaler was such a cool side story to throw in.  Is there any way you might write a book about that adventure?


A2 - I won't write a book about it, but I definitely might write a short story and post it somewhere for free.  That's a really good idea.  I think later this year I'm going to do that, maybe like a Halloween special?


Q3 - Sabrina the witch is bad ass.  Is it true you named her after a fan?


A3 - I sure did.  Sabrina won a contest I held last year and she was really pleased with the character I dreamed up.  If you liked her in Old War Stories, you'll love her going forward.


Q4 - Derrick's not supposed to dump Roxanne for Astrid!  Roxanne kicks so much ass!


A4 - Even though this technically isn't a question, a lot of people were a bit confused.  Again, this volume was about revealing Derrick's character and his lack of commitment comes into play.  For him, the grass is always greener elsewhere.  He saw Astrid and in her something new.  Trust me, this choice will come back to haunt him later.


Q5 - Going forward, will we get to know each Horseman a little better?


A5 - If you couldn't tell, the titles reveal which Horseman will be instrumental to the story.  Death obviously stole the show in round 1 and War was very important in round 2.


Q6 - HOW THE HELL COULD YOU KILL ROXANNE OFF YOU DUMB BASTARD?!?!


A6 - I got a variation of this one in quite a few emails.  Listen, for celestial beings, dying isn't as permanent as it is for humans.  Much like every comic book character not named Uncle Ben, these guys find a way to come back.  In Roxanne's case, Michael took pity of her soul and called in a favor.  What does that mean going forward?  Good question.  The Death Among Us universe works in mysterious ways and just about everybody is fair game...


I hope I got to your question in some way, shape, or form.  I'm so surprised by the passion you guys have for the story and that's so cool.  I appreciate all the questions, well wishes, and curiosity.  Keep them coming as we keep moving forward with the story.


Before I go, real quick, I updated the cover for book 4.  I'm much happier with it and I think you'll all like it too:



-Jack
You can email me at jack.crosby25@gmail.com

Q and A - Death Among Us

So recently Death Among Us has picked up a lot of steam, reaching into the Top 100 Dark Fiction category on Amazon.  I'm really happy that new readers are finding my book and for the most part, enjoying my writing antics.  Over the past two days, I've received quite a few emails about my stories, with most questions centering on things Derrick does in Death Among Us.  Well, I'll do my best to answer these and more.


Q - As a reviewer pointed out, why didn't Derrick know who Maggie was already if she was a world famous historian?  I mean, they're having sex and he doesn't realize who he's in bed with?


A - Stay with me for a second.  You go into a bar and see this gorgeous lady, a few years older than you and she's staring you down.  You get some drinks, you make small talk, and then boom, you're back at her place doing the deed.  At what point in time do you know or care what she does for a living?  That was Derrick's frame of mind at the time in Chapter 1.  This was a hot lady and he just wanted to have sex with her.


Q - Follow up to that, why didn't Derrick just get the info he needed off the internet?


A - He's Death, one of the old ones.  As I've tried to make clear, he's not exactly tech savvy, nor does he believe information he can't verify.  It is totally within his character to want to find the source of the information and make sure it's legit.


Q - Death is this all powerful being that's been around since the beginning of time.  Why does he constantly want to have sex?


A - In this universe, spirits take shape in different ways.  Death happened to come out as an early 20's guy and with it, all the impulses that they have.  Sure he has a job to do and he's rather good at it, but he's also acting within the nature of who he is.


Q - You're writing style is a bit scattered.  What's up with that?


A - I'm not a classically trained writer and I don't pretend to be.  I get that my style's not for everyone and it might come off as clunky.  What I do try to do is improve everyday and get a lot of opinions from those around me.  What I write entertains me and I hope it entertains you.


Q - I love the interaction between all the celestial beings in the book.  Will we get more of that, perhaps visits to Heaven or Hell?


A - I don't want to give everything away, but ask me that again once you finish the 3 books available.  I'm in the midst of writing book 4 and you never know what might happen.


I hope this helps you when it comes to making a decision to buy my books.  I don't write serious material and I can't see that ever changing.  What I do write is silly, ridiculous, and hopefully fun to read.


One last thing before I go - I'll try to keep the blog updated more often as we are getting closer to the release of book 4.  Writing has been going well and the story is really taking shape.  Plus, you have more questions?  Don't hesitate to ask.


-Jack
jack.crosby25@gmail.com

Chapter 2 (and a reader email)

Morning blogheads.  Before we get to chapter 2, I wanted to take a moment and answer another email I got last night.  I appreciate the honesty in it, so I wanted to share it and my answer with you guys.


'Jack,


I really didn't care for Old War Stories that much, I'm sorry to say.  Death Among Us was funny, witty, and a great read.  The sequel was a bit of a let down I guess, but I still have faith in you.  Can you give me some insight into your next book?  Will we see more of Derrick doing his thing and not trying to be so serious this time?


All the best,


Caleb'


Caleb, no need to apologize for not liking the book.  Everyone's got their taste and if it didn't read well to you, then that's on me, the author.  Believe it or not, Old War Stories was always meant to be a bit more serious, just because of the way I wanted to set events up for Feast or Famine.  Maybe I got a bit too carried away trying to turn it into a serious book and strayed from Derrick's personality.


I hope in Feast or Famine that I recaptured that magic.  This is the book that sets up the last story in this series arc, so I wanted to put my best foot forward.  Are there serious moments?  Yes, of course, but hopefully it plays better with the overall theme of Derrick and his hijinks.


Well enough yacking - here's chapter 2 as promised (and I hope your faith in me in rewarded Caleb):

Chapter 2 - The Lost Brother

We were headed into the little town that wasn’t too far from our beach bungalow.  According to Khloros, Veronica would be here in the morning, so we had no reason to stick around and wait.  The night was a beautiful one for a ride down the dunes.  The village lights broke up the darkness that spread across the sand.

Just outside of town, Astrid and I dismounted and tied Khloros up to a wooden post.  Not that he needed it, but it would look odd for a horse just standing there of its own free will.  “We won’t be long buddy.”

“Take your time.  The night is peaceful and I am quite enjoying it.”

I gave him a pat on his head and we set off from the sand on to the stone path.  It wasn’t the biggest place on Earth, but the people here were really relaxed and laid back.  They lived off the ocean and whatever small amounts of farming they could do.  Our first stop would be to the market to grab some food and some cervezas.

My girl knew exactly what I was thinking.  “Not that I did before, but now I really can’t have any alcohol.”

“Really?”

“You’ve never dealt with a pregnant woman before, have you?”

That was a big fat no.  What do they say about old dogs?  “Does this mean I can’t have any either?”

We entered the market and she began inspecting the latest catch.  “It would be nice for us to be united in everything.”

“Ahh hell that means you want me to be sober.”

She handed me a large fish with its head still attached.  “No, it just means I want you to start thinking as a father and not a millennia old teenager.”

I hated this part of shopping, this shit really stank.  “But you love me because I’m a millennia old teenager.”

She put down whatever weird fruit it was she usually got.  “No, I love you because you have a good heart and generally mean well.  Don’t you think you’ll be getting this same lecture tomorrow?”

“Ahh old Veronica won’t interfere in our business, at least I hope not.”

Giving me that ‘this is hopeless’ look, we kept going.  Once we got enough for a few days, we went up to the front and paid the lady.  Astrid took well to understand the Mexican money system and quickly became the bank for me.  Petty stuff like coins and paper dollars mean little, I just know I have a lot of it.

As we exited, we ran into a familiar face.  “Derrick, Astrid, it’s good to see the two of you again.”

“It’s good to see you too Renee.”  The likable American lady moved down here a few weeks after we did.  She was middle aged and still looked amazing.  Her dark eyes for some reason hinted at knowing her, but I could never place it.  No, I was quite sure we’d never met before.  “And now it’s three of us.”

She squealed as soon as Astrid dropped that bomb.  “You’re going to have a baby?”

“Yeah and it’s a miracle it hasn’t happened sooner.  This one can’t stay out of my pants!”

My face turned red.  “Astrid!  Don’t fucking say that!”

“And don’t curse in front of people, it’s not polite!”

Renee, as always, found us highly amusing.  “Listen, I curse with the best of ‘em and when I was your two’s age, I was fucking my way up and down the east coast.”

For some reason her words were dripping with honesty.  I almost slipped and said depending on where; I might’ve been one of your sack mates.  That would’ve made sense, as seeing as I couldn’t get rid of that feeling we’d met somewhere before.  “Aren’t you the honest one?”

“I have nothing to be ashamed of.  I enjoy sex and used it to my advantage.  These days, it just doesn’t have the same appeal.”

Astrid punched me in the arm.  “Don’t make her talk about her past.  You’re certainly one who has no room to talk.”

That ladies and gentlemen is how you shut me up.  I stood there holding the groceries for another five to six minutes while the two of them talked about baby related topics.  Astrid eventually got annoyed with my foot tapping and the ‘huh’ sounds I started making.  “Sorry Renee, I better get him back to the house before he goes all petulant brat on me.”

“I understand, men like him are a bit on the high maintenance side.”  She gave me a sly wink and bid us good night.

“Oh Derrick, what am I going to do with you?  We’re going to have a child, yet it appears I already have one to deal with.”

I helped her up on Khloros, who wanted to join in on this conversation.  “What did he do this time?”

“The usual, break up any attempts to actually make friends, be annoying, et cetera.”

Khloros gave us his weird horse laugh.  “You eventually get used to it.  Mind you, it took me close to one thousand years to get to the point where I was not bothered.”

“Laugh it up you two chuckleheads.  Without me, neither of you would be alive, so a little more respect should be given.”

And they did, all the way home.  I grabbed the groceries and stormed into the house, pretending to be mad, but I couldn’t be.  Both of those loveable goofs brought much needed entertainment and love to my life.  As I was stocking up the fridge, Astrid stuck her head in.  “You might want to come on outside.”

I scratched my head.  “Why, is there something good waiting for me?”

“It depends on what you mean by good.  And no it’s not my naked body.”

“Well shit, than I doubt this will be good.”  I put the last of the fruit in and closed the door.  Just for precaution sake, I grabbed Leviathan and put it in my shorts pocket.  Call me untrusting, but when dealing with anything unpredictable, I’d rather have a weapon.

I opened the front door and walked out.  Astrid was standing on the porch and just below her was the last person in the whole wide world I expected to see.  “Famine…”

The rider was shorter than me and he was covered head to toe in black robes.  A midnight black stallion was standing over beside Khloros.  He dropped his head, revealing a very young face.  He could very easily pass for my little brother.  His voice rumbled, not matching his body at all.  “Death, it took me some time to find you.”

“Part of not wanting to be found means going to incredible lengths to not be found.”

He gave me a slight smirk.  “I do not mean that as a slight.  Conquest said I would have to search all the back corners of this world to find you.  He was not incorrect.”

Sighing, I sat down on one of our Adirondack chairs and motioned for him to do the same.  As my made his way up, Astrid mumbled about him dragging sand on to her freshly swept porch.  His robes were too big and he wasn’t really graceful on the shifting soil.

Looking at my brother sitting beside me, “So you’re not out here just to visit.  You’ve never once come to see me since I left Eden you prick.”

“This world is not meant for our kind.  I do not enjoy being here.”

Was he right?  Maybe, but that still didn’t make him any less of an asshole for not coming to see me.  “So what do I owe this midnight doorstop?  Got some vacuum cleaners to sell me?”

The joke went right over his head.  “I come bearing tidings of ill omens.  Our time to go to Tartarus and deal with Abaddon is growing near.”

Obviously these guys had been in contact with that nut-job Dante.  “Don’t tell me you guys are still messing with him?  I’ve seen Abaddon and his Wild Hunt up close and it ain’t pretty.”

“Which means we will need you to lead the expedition into Tartarus, as you have experienced the hells there personally.”

This is what happens when you slay a few dire wolves, including their king; people want more out of you.  “I hope you got an army the size of Texas to take in there with us.  Abaddon will eat us all for breakfast and not break a sweat.”

Astrid had obviously heard enough of this.  “I won’t have you throw your life away by confronting that monster!”

Famine addressed her politely.  “We have no choice in this matter.  The Horsemen are servants of the Almighty and with that goes certain responsibilities.  Abaddon has been allowed to grow too much.  Even the mighty Lucifer is afraid of him.”

When you scare the Devil himself, you’re one bad ass.  “Exactly my point!  If we are to do this, we need a plan and not just the four of us go willy-nilly into Tartarus and get our asses kicked.”

“Tomorrow Dante will be joining me here along with our other brothers.  This is still in the planning phase, but we needed to know that you would uphold your position.”

I gave Astrid a very sad look.  “This is one thing I can’t say no to.  I’m a Horseman and when I’m called to duty, I have to answer the summons.”

“I know you do.  Damnit, why do you have to be such a good man?”

Famine looked at her a little more closely.  “It seems I am to be an uncle, is that not correct?”

I rolled my eyes at him.  “Yeah you are.  And if we survive this, I just might let my kid come see you every once in a while.”

He actually gave us a God’s honest smile.  “My lady Astrid, I swear on my life that none shall take your child’s father from you.”

Her eyes were like ice.  “I’m going to hold you to that.”

reader interaction

Hi people, I'm back. Terrible confession, my laptop blew up. But jack, aren't you an IT guy?  No comments from the gallery. Anyway, I bought myself a new one and also a tablet because everyone needs one.

So how's everyone enjoying Old War Stories? I hope it's as good a sequel as you were hoping. I know I had fun writing it. Speaking of, I'm already planning out the third book. I won't start writing it anytime soon, but I am starting the outline process.

With that in mind, is there anything you guys want to see our stuff I should cut out? I have an idea of where Derrick is headed next, but I always appreciate reader input. Also if you comment down below, if it's a spoiler, mark it that way so others can avoid it if they haven't read OWS yet.

I'll be back next week with another crazy idea I'd like to share. Until then, I look forward to hearing from everyone.

-Jack
Jack.crosby25@gmail.com