I've Got Your PG-13 Deadpool Right Here!

I got to see Deadpool last night. How shall I say this? It is awful and amazing. No matter your tastes or preferences you will find something in the movie to deeply offend you. If you're like me, that uncomfortable feeling of being offended will melt quickly into bouts of gut-wrenching laughter.

Disclaimer: This movie should not be viewed by anyone under the age of 31 without a papal edict and probably a fistfull of indulgences. 

Because of the R-rating for the movie there were several fans that petitioned the studio to release a PG-13 cut of the film. But for Deadpool, the R-rated bits are almost completely inextricable from the rest of the movie so that Ryan Reynolds said the only thing remaining would be a trailer.

While I haven't read any of the solo Deadpool books, I have always liked the character when he shows up (my favorite so far was in Hulk vs, you should check it out if you have the chance). And, after seeing Deadpool, I realized how much he was an influence for the main character in my novel Like Mind. 

I have often said that Like Mind is a PG-13 book and, after having seen what Deadpool did with a full R, I'm happy to keep my work in the PG-13 realm.

In Like MindI you get all of the snark, pop-culture references, 4th-wall breaking, action, explosions, guns, fighting, car chases, nicknames, romance, and unnecessary exposition of a Deadpool movie without the horribly offensive nature of Deadpool himself.

So if you can't bring yourself to see Deadpool because it is so very, very R-rated, then get a dose of the same type of humor in a PG-13 package.

Or, if you were like me and already watched Deadpool and you need a half-way-house for your soul to come back from the utter darkness, then pick up Like Mind as a brain-palette cleanser so you can once again speak acceptably in mixed company (by which I mean speaking to other human beings).

What did you think of Deadpool?

Would you have preferred a PG-13 version?

Like Mind 2: The Serial

If you're like one of the 25 other people who enjoyed my first novel, Like Mind. Then you probably won't be annoyed while reading the sequel, Like Mind 2 (clever title, I know).

I've been posting the chapters of the sequel to my Patreon page, and I'm all the way up to the second chapter (so it's not too late to get all caught up).

If you're curious about what's going on with all of this you can read the interview below.*

Why did you decide to release this story as a serial?

Great question.

Thanks! I thought it was. You're very kind to--

Aren't I supposed to be the one responding here?

Oh, yeah. Sorry.

No problem. Where was I?

Releasing Like Mind 2 as a serial...

Right. I decided to release this story as a serial for a couple reasons. First is that I needed the next project for my Patreon audience. I'm nearly done with the series of short stories inspired by logical fallacies (the collection will be coming out later this year). Second, Like Mind reads a lot like a serial already. It has short, punchy chapters that often end in cliffhangers -- not unlike the traditional serials of old.

You mean like Dickens' David Copperfield? 

Um... sort of. I was more thinking about the later serials, but if you were on the edge of your seat in suspense reading Dickens then I guess it applies.

So... what's with the title?

It's not quite done yet (neither is the cover). So in the meantime I'm just using Like Mind 2 and the doctored cover from the first book as placeholders until I get the new title figured out.

So what's happening with Corey and Anka in the sequel? 

Well, it takes place about a year after the events of the first book. Corey has been working (begrudgingly) for the NSA at a location in Seattle, but Anka was transferred to Helena, Montana.

But weren't they hooking up at the end of the first book?

Yes they were. At the opening of the second book they're trying to figure out how to be in a long-distance relationship while they both work for the NSA.

Sounds complicated.

Any more complicated than any relationship?

Well, the NSA thing adds a level of complexity that most people don't have to deal with. I think that Corey and Anka probably face a much more difficult road, relationally, because they met and fell in love under distress. Research indicates that relationship that start that way tend to--

Hey, aren't you supposed to be asking me the questions?

Sorry.

It's alright.

Thanks.

Sure thing.

Is there anything you'd like to add?

Just a shameless (okay I have a little bit of shame, but I'm going to do it anyway) plug for my Patreon page. This thing has really transformed the way that I'm able to create since it provides a consistent income from my work instead of me having to deal with all the ups and downs of selling books the old way.

My patrons are awesome, thoughtful, generous people who help me to keep getting better at writing and telling compelling stories. Because of their high-level awesomeness I'm going to give them the first crack at reading Like Mind 2.

What do you mean by that?

Well, I'm going to put up the first five chapters of the story for everyone to read, but after that only patrons will be able to see the rest until the whole story is out and published.

How much does it cost to pledge?

Patrons can pledge as little as a dollar per chapter (I release one a week, usually on Thursdays).

Thanks for your time. 

Thanks for interviewing me. I had a lot of fun.

*I am playing the parts of both the interviewer and the interviewee. Plus other parts as they come to mind. 

My Reading at Comic Con

I was honored to get a chance to read from my novel, Like Mind, at Comic Con in Portland. Here's what I chose to read.

 

It's just $0.99!

For a limited time (until 10/9) you can get my latest novel for just $0.99.

In case you were wondering, yes I am out of my mind, I appreciate your concern.

Reviewers are saying:

"Fast paced."

"Plenty of action and humor along the way."

"It's fun to read."

"If you take the Matrix and mix it with James Bond and travel to Portland, Oregon, you get Like Mind."
"If you like an action packed book, with great characters and humor, this book is for you."

And for you naysayers out there:

"I thought I wouldn't like it . . . I was pleasantly surprised."