Well Joes and Janes,
I was a little behind schedule, but I think there is still a chance that I can get book two completed by month's end. I typed the last words of the epilogue this afternoon. Major "Bulletproof" Morris is quoted as saying:
"Things just got interesting."
This is true in more ways than one! I am now moving on to editing the 300 plus pages. The current novel is a bit lengthier than I originally imagined, being close to a 70K word count, and is broken up into 23 chapters. I'm thinking that something will change here and, I will end up with an even 24 chapters, but we will have to wait and see.
If I can edit two chapters a day between now and the end of January, that will give everyone a February release date on KindleWorlds. I am quite happy with the progression of the series and cannot wait to get it out to you ALL of you to read. The overall tone of this book is much darker and serious. I have done a lot of background research to present you with a more rugged and realistic account. Armed and Dangerous sets the stage and is a much more light-hearted read. Cobra's Cesspool tackles more serious societal problems and leaves room for further developments in Book three, currently untitled.
Thanks for reading,
Cheers!
Drakov
Friday, January 19, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
Cobra's Cesspool Book 2 Update
Ok Ladies and Joes.
I am getting down to the last three chapters in my upcoming G.I.Joe novel. I am a little behind schedule, but some things at work and my personal life have delayed me a bit. For those of you looking for an update here goes:
The story starts off roughly six months after "Armed and Dangerous" and is set in and around 2010 and now. Heroin addiction and opioid abuse is at an all time high, and the U.S. government has called upon the G.I.Joe team to lend some of their talent to create the Drug Elimination Force or DEF.
Zartan is currently under deep cover and his second in charge is leading the Dreadnok organization stationed in Sydney Australia. Bacro Industries is run by doctor Vincent D'Alleva, who is facing strict government regulations and is in danger of being shut down until a mysteriously well-dressed man makes him an offer he can't refuse.
Cobra is still in its infancy, but gaining power and operatives daily. CC is in the process of infiltrating a major group of dissenters in the middle East. Meanwhile, the Headhunter Organization is growing in leaps and bounds in the U.S. and abroad.
"Cobra's Cesspool" will continue many of the developing story arcs started in book 1 and follow the training and development of new operative Armed (PFC Kordos) and Dangerous (his partner an orphaned cheetah). Being an origins story, the reader will be treated to a lot of backstory and character development with cameos by the Headman, Hotwire, Heartwrencher, Zanzibar and several other currently untapped characters.
Stayed tuned for more.
Cheers!
Drakov
I am getting down to the last three chapters in my upcoming G.I.Joe novel. I am a little behind schedule, but some things at work and my personal life have delayed me a bit. For those of you looking for an update here goes:
The story starts off roughly six months after "Armed and Dangerous" and is set in and around 2010 and now. Heroin addiction and opioid abuse is at an all time high, and the U.S. government has called upon the G.I.Joe team to lend some of their talent to create the Drug Elimination Force or DEF.
Zartan is currently under deep cover and his second in charge is leading the Dreadnok organization stationed in Sydney Australia. Bacro Industries is run by doctor Vincent D'Alleva, who is facing strict government regulations and is in danger of being shut down until a mysteriously well-dressed man makes him an offer he can't refuse.
Cobra is still in its infancy, but gaining power and operatives daily. CC is in the process of infiltrating a major group of dissenters in the middle East. Meanwhile, the Headhunter Organization is growing in leaps and bounds in the U.S. and abroad.
"Cobra's Cesspool" will continue many of the developing story arcs started in book 1 and follow the training and development of new operative Armed (PFC Kordos) and Dangerous (his partner an orphaned cheetah). Being an origins story, the reader will be treated to a lot of backstory and character development with cameos by the Headman, Hotwire, Heartwrencher, Zanzibar and several other currently untapped characters.
Stayed tuned for more.
Cheers!
Drakov
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Voltron Legendary Defender Dreamworks Netflix
Hello All,
Needless to say, yesterday was not that great on the home front so, I have opted to give my wife time alone and simply send her a few messages letting her know that I am not giving up on "Us" and that "We" will work our way through this.
This situation and my not feeling well on Sunday has allowed me some time to binge watch the new series of Voltron on Netflix. Being a child of the 80s, I had a front row seat to the original series and greatly enjoyed it back as a wide-eyed ten year old. I later rewatched the entire original series on DVD as an adult in my early 30s. It was a little cheesier with some plotholes, but still enjoyable due mostly to the nostalgia.and the legendary characters of Prince Lotor and the witch Haggar.
Now, I am a bit older and have recently acquired Netflix. After some browsing, I remembered that Voltron had been rebooted. I reluctantly searched for it and began to watch the hour long introductory episode. Although some of the character voices have changed, the animation of the main characters is easily recognizable. Sven, has been replaced by Shiro (original character in the Japanese version) and is an older space explorer who was recently captured by Zarkon. He escapes and makes his way back to Earth where he is rescued by four young space academy cadets. These four are really wet behind the ears with little experience. This is a different take than the original series, but they at least gave us a little bit of a backstory here.
The team of four eventually discovers the Blue Lion on Earth which bonds to Lance ( movie-star want-a-be). He's a little annoying and a bit of a womanizer, but he grows on you. Keith is a rebel, but we are given little reason why, Hunk has severe motion sickness and likes to eat (go figure), and Pidge... well is still Pidge, the character that you were never really sure of his/her identity. There is chemistry between the group and it is oddly reminiscent of the original team despite the differences.
Eventually, the team ends up on a foreign planet due to the Blue lion's homing abilities and this leads to the discovery and reawakening of Princess Allura and Coran after a 10,000 year slumber in a cryogenic chamber. The Princess in this series, is much more mature and exudes confidence and leadership. Coran on the other hand is a bit of a buffoon and has an annoying voice. I prefer the more fatherly and stately Coran from the original series. Without giving away too much, they have to eventually find, awaken and bond with the other four hidden robot lions in order to bring back Voltron to defeat the now Emperor Zarkon and the Galra Empire (previously the Drule).
There are some great updates to the story, the members of the Voltron force are called Paladins (mythical good knights), they carry bayards instead of lasers that create a unique weapon for each bearer. The Castle of Lions is a spaceship that is not on Planet Arus. The space mice are used minimally, and Zarkon is a much darker villain with a past linked to Voltron and King Alfor. My problem with Zarkon is he really doesn't resemble the original closely, and "how is he still alive after 10,000 years?" Prince Lotor is true to character and appearance, although I am not a huge fan of his voice characterization, but at least he's not as emo as he was in the original series.
All in all, I am enjoying the series and have a season and a half left to view. i can already see how some things will play out in order to align more with the original and for that I am even more impressed. It has been a pleasant surprise and a outstanding update to the original without straying too far from its roots. A great mix of old and new, with some quirky humor, oddball characters, classic anime facial expressions, and some serious plot and character development.
Awesome job Dreamworks at remaking a classic!!! Now, how about a live action movie? Please??
Needless to say, yesterday was not that great on the home front so, I have opted to give my wife time alone and simply send her a few messages letting her know that I am not giving up on "Us" and that "We" will work our way through this.
This situation and my not feeling well on Sunday has allowed me some time to binge watch the new series of Voltron on Netflix. Being a child of the 80s, I had a front row seat to the original series and greatly enjoyed it back as a wide-eyed ten year old. I later rewatched the entire original series on DVD as an adult in my early 30s. It was a little cheesier with some plotholes, but still enjoyable due mostly to the nostalgia.and the legendary characters of Prince Lotor and the witch Haggar.
Now, I am a bit older and have recently acquired Netflix. After some browsing, I remembered that Voltron had been rebooted. I reluctantly searched for it and began to watch the hour long introductory episode. Although some of the character voices have changed, the animation of the main characters is easily recognizable. Sven, has been replaced by Shiro (original character in the Japanese version) and is an older space explorer who was recently captured by Zarkon. He escapes and makes his way back to Earth where he is rescued by four young space academy cadets. These four are really wet behind the ears with little experience. This is a different take than the original series, but they at least gave us a little bit of a backstory here.
The team of four eventually discovers the Blue Lion on Earth which bonds to Lance ( movie-star want-a-be). He's a little annoying and a bit of a womanizer, but he grows on you. Keith is a rebel, but we are given little reason why, Hunk has severe motion sickness and likes to eat (go figure), and Pidge... well is still Pidge, the character that you were never really sure of his/her identity. There is chemistry between the group and it is oddly reminiscent of the original team despite the differences.
Eventually, the team ends up on a foreign planet due to the Blue lion's homing abilities and this leads to the discovery and reawakening of Princess Allura and Coran after a 10,000 year slumber in a cryogenic chamber. The Princess in this series, is much more mature and exudes confidence and leadership. Coran on the other hand is a bit of a buffoon and has an annoying voice. I prefer the more fatherly and stately Coran from the original series. Without giving away too much, they have to eventually find, awaken and bond with the other four hidden robot lions in order to bring back Voltron to defeat the now Emperor Zarkon and the Galra Empire (previously the Drule).
There are some great updates to the story, the members of the Voltron force are called Paladins (mythical good knights), they carry bayards instead of lasers that create a unique weapon for each bearer. The Castle of Lions is a spaceship that is not on Planet Arus. The space mice are used minimally, and Zarkon is a much darker villain with a past linked to Voltron and King Alfor. My problem with Zarkon is he really doesn't resemble the original closely, and "how is he still alive after 10,000 years?" Prince Lotor is true to character and appearance, although I am not a huge fan of his voice characterization, but at least he's not as emo as he was in the original series.
All in all, I am enjoying the series and have a season and a half left to view. i can already see how some things will play out in order to align more with the original and for that I am even more impressed. It has been a pleasant surprise and a outstanding update to the original without straying too far from its roots. A great mix of old and new, with some quirky humor, oddball characters, classic anime facial expressions, and some serious plot and character development.
Awesome job Dreamworks at remaking a classic!!! Now, how about a live action movie? Please??
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Welcome 2018! The penguins have left!
Happy New Year Everyone!
I am happy to be back on the east coast once more, but do sorely miss the 80 degree weather of Hermosa Cove , St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. I came home to find 19 degree weather, a layer of snow on my car, and a rotted shower drain pipe at my rental property. Fun, fun, fun! but in reality-- "What can you do? It's life as usual."
What i do feel I can complain a little bit about is showing up to work this morning to find that the school building i work in is as cold inside as the weather outside. My classroom has been a balmy 44 degrees and NOT rising since 7:45 a.m. we have spent the better part of the day seeking warmer areas of the school building in which to simply babysit our students.
We are currently in the upper tier of the auditorium, AKA the balcony. It is fifth period and I have yet to have an actual class period of instruction much to my chagrin, but to the delight of my students who have been on Facetime and Instagram all day now. Such a waste.
Happy New Year everyone, here's hoping your first day back is better than mine.
I left a note on my classroom door that reads as follows: (see pic)
"It's cold in here and even the penguins left."
I am happy to be back on the east coast once more, but do sorely miss the 80 degree weather of Hermosa Cove , St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. I came home to find 19 degree weather, a layer of snow on my car, and a rotted shower drain pipe at my rental property. Fun, fun, fun! but in reality-- "What can you do? It's life as usual."
What i do feel I can complain a little bit about is showing up to work this morning to find that the school building i work in is as cold inside as the weather outside. My classroom has been a balmy 44 degrees and NOT rising since 7:45 a.m. we have spent the better part of the day seeking warmer areas of the school building in which to simply babysit our students.
We are currently in the upper tier of the auditorium, AKA the balcony. It is fifth period and I have yet to have an actual class period of instruction much to my chagrin, but to the delight of my students who have been on Facetime and Instagram all day now. Such a waste.
Happy New Year everyone, here's hoping your first day back is better than mine.
I left a note on my classroom door that reads as follows: (see pic)
"It's cold in here and even the penguins left."
Friday, December 22, 2017
Writing in Jamaica
Hello All!
I hope and trust that we are all having a wonderful and blessed holiday season thus far. With the timer steadily ticking down to both Christmas and the new year, I thought I would take this opportunity to wish you and your families a joyous, safe, healthy and happy countdown to the holidays!
We all have so much to be thankful for, that we often take for granted. The roof over our heads, the refrigerator and cabinets full of food, the automobile that we drive, and the income we are receiving, wherever it may be coming from. Many of us at times focus more on what we don't have, and forget everything that we do have. I myself, like many, have much more than many families worldwide. Much more than my parents had at my age, and much, much more than my grandparents and their parents.
My biggest blessing truly comes in the form of family, friends and pets. If we have these, we are truly rich in spirit and soul. I do not know where I would be today without the love, support and encouragement that I have received and continue to get from the important people in my life.
As the title states, I will actually be taking a vacation with my wonderful wife shortly after Christmas. We will be spending some much needed rest and relaxation on the tropical island of Jamaica. One of the best things about going on vacation is I will have extra time to do what I love doing which is writing. With no other real obligations, other than deciding when to wake up and what to eat during the day, I will have plenty of extra time to let my creative juices flow.
I am currently 262 pages into "Cobra's Cesspool," which is roughly four chapters from completion. The sun and fun will allow me to devote extra hours to writing and editing and keep me on track to releasing book two by the mid to end of January 2018.
Thank you to my readers and supporters, and I hope to see many of you in Chattanooga, TN for JoeCon 2018.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Your Friend,
Drakov
I hope and trust that we are all having a wonderful and blessed holiday season thus far. With the timer steadily ticking down to both Christmas and the new year, I thought I would take this opportunity to wish you and your families a joyous, safe, healthy and happy countdown to the holidays!
We all have so much to be thankful for, that we often take for granted. The roof over our heads, the refrigerator and cabinets full of food, the automobile that we drive, and the income we are receiving, wherever it may be coming from. Many of us at times focus more on what we don't have, and forget everything that we do have. I myself, like many, have much more than many families worldwide. Much more than my parents had at my age, and much, much more than my grandparents and their parents.
My biggest blessing truly comes in the form of family, friends and pets. If we have these, we are truly rich in spirit and soul. I do not know where I would be today without the love, support and encouragement that I have received and continue to get from the important people in my life.
As the title states, I will actually be taking a vacation with my wonderful wife shortly after Christmas. We will be spending some much needed rest and relaxation on the tropical island of Jamaica. One of the best things about going on vacation is I will have extra time to do what I love doing which is writing. With no other real obligations, other than deciding when to wake up and what to eat during the day, I will have plenty of extra time to let my creative juices flow.
I am currently 262 pages into "Cobra's Cesspool," which is roughly four chapters from completion. The sun and fun will allow me to devote extra hours to writing and editing and keep me on track to releasing book two by the mid to end of January 2018.
Thank you to my readers and supporters, and I hope to see many of you in Chattanooga, TN for JoeCon 2018.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Your Friend,
Drakov
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Annual Christmas Viewing List
Although I try to be as creative as possible with my spare time, I feel I would not be the writer I am today if it were not for some of my television viewing habits over the years. As I have made note of in a previous blog entry, 80s cartoons played an enormous role in the development of my imagination and in helping to fuel my inner child.
The holidays have always been an inspirational time for me as well in terms of classic viewing content. Every December, my wife and I have a ritual in terms of what we watch; my wife more-so than I in terms of days and number of viewings. I thought I would take this time to list some of the movies and animated specials that I simply must watch each holiday season. So, here goes. Feel free to comment on or add to this compilation. Enjoy! as these are in no particular order.
1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
2. Disney's A Christmas Carol 2009
3. Elf
4. A Nightmare Before Christmas
5. The Christmas Toy
6. A Muppet's Family Christmas
7. Nestor the Long-eared Donkey
8. Krampus
9. Gremlins
10. Christmas with the Kranks
11. A Glo-Friends Christmas
12. Mickey's Christmas Carol
13. Disney's Prep and Landing
14. The Santa Clause
15. The Christmas Raccoons
16. He-man and She-ra's Holiday special
17. Cobra Klaws are Coming to Town
18. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
19. The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause
20. Little Rascal's Christmas Special
21. The Polar Express
22. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
Let me know your thoughts.
Cheers!
Drakov
The holidays have always been an inspirational time for me as well in terms of classic viewing content. Every December, my wife and I have a ritual in terms of what we watch; my wife more-so than I in terms of days and number of viewings. I thought I would take this time to list some of the movies and animated specials that I simply must watch each holiday season. So, here goes. Feel free to comment on or add to this compilation. Enjoy! as these are in no particular order.
1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
2. Disney's A Christmas Carol 2009
3. Elf
4. A Nightmare Before Christmas
5. The Christmas Toy
6. A Muppet's Family Christmas
7. Nestor the Long-eared Donkey
8. Krampus
9. Gremlins
10. Christmas with the Kranks
11. A Glo-Friends Christmas
12. Mickey's Christmas Carol
13. Disney's Prep and Landing
14. The Santa Clause
15. The Christmas Raccoons
16. He-man and She-ra's Holiday special
17. Cobra Klaws are Coming to Town
18. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
19. The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause
20. Little Rascal's Christmas Special
21. The Polar Express
22. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
Let me know your thoughts.
Cheers!
Drakov
Sunday, December 17, 2017
As promised an Excerpt from, "The End of Realms."
PROLOGUE
The ground trembled as powerful shock waves of energy coursed through it. The surrounding air was suddenly filled with a most horrid, decaying stench and fog. Nearby trees and shrubbery wilted under the onslaught, while the inhabiting creatures scurried off to find the safety of their underground abodes. Amidst the dank and filthy cloud, two enormous glowing blues eyes could be seen, yet oddly enough, no bodily form could be discerned. A deafening roar erupted from the dismal fog, and then… nothing.
Mamatar Rognar was sitting in his antiquated study, amongst a pile of books and dusty ancient scrolls. The aging dwarf had an uneasy feeling developing from deep within his gut. The countryside had been peaceful and serene for most of his two hundred and fifty-three years of life, but now something was dreadfully wrong.
“Beware! Beware!” A disturbing and shrieking cry emerged from the corner of the room. Fla’ziel the raven, one of his most-beloved and ancient friends, grew tense and full of dread while sitting upon his window perch.
The medium-sized, black, bird had seen so many winters that his feathers were now edged with silver. Mamatar attempted to calm his avian friend, but he knew this warning signified the beginning of a whole new world of turmoil, both for him and the denizens of this realm and others, some which he had heard mentioned only in whispers. He could only hope that the signs and talismans he was viewing were still in their early stages, yet somehow, he knew, deep down in his heart, that this was untrue.
Suddenly he felt a mental intrusion, a familiar voice he had not heard in quite some time. He peered out of his enchanted window to find the source of the telepathic message. His eyes fell upon the lone screech owl perched calmly in the high boughs of the great oak tree that had anchored itself outside his home some hundred plus years ago. The normally nocturnal owl immediately met his gaze with extreme intensity. In fact, it seemed as if his stare could see right into his inner being. It was then that the message shifted from merely calling his name to sharing a pertinent message.
“I will begin to make preparations and do all that is necessary. Be prepared Mamatar Rognar! Our days may all be numbered. For soon, we may need to prepare ourselves for entry into the Halls of the Gods.”
The Owl King, Sawertez, imparted images of fierce fires, gruesome wars, and those of his own beaten and bloodied body lying broken on the once lush green countryside. Other visions included abandoned and orphaned children crying and clinging to the lifeless forms of their parents, only to be bludgeoned themselves by the whole-hearted blow of a spiked overhead club. The disturbing images caused him to wince. Mamatar closed his eyes and shook his head to free himself from the vivid, disturbing barrage of telepathically-imparted visions.
His previous suspicions were now confirmed; Mamatar knew what he had to do. He would begin to make the necessary preparations while casting his own well-knowing glance at his trusted, feathered visitor. In response, he sent his own telepathic message.
I too will make myself ready for this challenge. I too will prepare and await their arrival.
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