I actually did some 'thinking' about writing yesterday evening, for the first time in quite a while. Mostly I was thinking about the cover to Harmland, and deciding I needed to add a subtitle to make sure folks knew it was short stories rather than a novel. Also, in the first version I posted, a couple of folks thought the "eyes" down in the left hand corner were headlights, so I wondered about adding another pair of eyes, or two, to dispel that possibility. I also enlarged the font size of my name and the title, and moved the title in a bit, which several people suggested. Anyway, I've copied the new mock-up below. It's still not completed, of course, but let me know if you see problems. I'm not really happy with the subtitle of "stories," but haven't come up with anything else yet.
Keeping both of you in our thoughts and prayers these days.
ReplyDeleteYes, prayers for both you and Lana.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could use the word tales instead of stories?
James, thanks, man.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I thought about "noir tales, but the book is divided into two parts, more noir stories and more horror stories.
Charles, my prayers are with Lana and you. You'll beat this thing sooner than you know.
ReplyDeleteI liked the upgraded cover, both the word "stories" with the "s" in lower case and two pairs of eyes instead of one. Definitely suggestive of "harm" in Harmland.
We're thinking about you two, Charles. We were in yesterday for Judy's infusion of Rituxan, which the doctor hopes will arrest things. It takes quite a while (5 hours) for this one. We go for the next three Thursdays. Side-effects are supposedly minimal. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteYou two continue in my prayers. Hang tough and hang in there.
ReplyDeleteAs for the subtitle, how about something along the lines of "Dark Tales"? That would encompass both noir and horror.
Thanks for the update. My thoughts always circling back to you both...
ReplyDeleteI really like the look and feel of your cover. The eye goes first to the title (and the word stories is a good add, though saying "stories of what" would clarify and intrigue more). But the bottom is to me a more logical place for your name. The eye would then drop from the title to your name. Also, your name would pop more against the darkest background.
ReplyDeleteI like the "headlights" at the bottom as headlights. The mystery of them in that isolated setting cries out "read me, read me." And two pair of them still look like headlights to me.
My best wishes are with you and Lana. A good start is good
ReplyDeleteAbout the cover... something that's horro and noir... "Harmland: Tales of sour and soul"? (nah, sounds cheesy)
"Hardboiler Horror" maybe is better, but i'm no good with titles, to be honest.
All the best for you and Lana at this time.
ReplyDeleteHow about something along the lines of
"Tales of Horror and Noir"
Prayers and wll-wishes for you and Lana. And thinking about writing is what gets the snowball rolling. :)
ReplyDeletelana will be fine... first days are roughest, like you say...
ReplyDeleteHARMLAND
encounters
perhaps?
Prashant, Glad you like the cover. This is closer to what I want.
ReplyDeleteBill, Lana got several different drugs, two cancer drugs. Good luck to Judy as well. And you.
Keith, That sounds good. I like Dark Tales. maybe darktales
Ron, appreciated, my friend. Maybe I'm not gonna get away from the headlights.
Deka, I know I need something with the title. Something small probably.
David J., definitely a possiblity.
Tom, I've been thinking about S & P, this evening.
Laughingwolf, I like "Encounters." Good idea to think outside the box, maybe
I saw them as headlights too.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestion from me would result in unwelcome kitsch. So I'll keep my mouth shut.
Good news that Lana hasn't had a really, really, really tough time yet, just a really, really tough time. My dad was nearly killed by his first bout with chemo. She sounds as though she's responding much more positively. I'm still lighting a candle and hoping for the best.
Charles, you and Lana are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAbout the cover ... what if you bumped down "stories" a few more point sizes and maybe added the number of stories before the word "stories?" As is, it kind of looks to me like the complete title is "Harmland stories," but some tweaks might change that. Just some suggestions.
The hard part has begun for Lana & You...I have great hope this temporary thing is just that, she is a scrapper so don't let your fears get in her way buddy. Now comes the time when your really may have to drop away from blogopia for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThe cover still looks like two pair of headlights on a road, why not move one set of the eyes into the tree on the right side high up in the branches?
How about this for a subtitle "Charles' Shorts" hahahahahahaha
I can only imagine how tough it is to think about writing in the midst of a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteTales instead of stories, as mentioned, is good.
The lights still look like headlights, only now there's two cars instead of one. I'm not sure what the alternative would be other than making them more like cat's eyes, yellowish with a dark pupil center.
X-Dell, she's feeling pretty miserable today but I hope she feels better as the day progresses.
ReplyDeleteTy, I'm experimenting with a colon and changing the sub head. I may try moving the sub head.
Mark, I had to put the eyes where the background was black because of the process of cutting and pasting. Otherwise it would look like a patch of black with eyes in it in a tree. I'll fiddle around with it.
Bernard, the weird thing is that the lights are actually eye shine from a coon in our backyard.
Hang in there with the chemo.
ReplyDeleteAs to the book cover, I wonder if there is a way to tie in those eyes to the subtitle?
That is really a nice looking cover, Charles.
ReplyDeleteSending Lana tons of love!
Friendly Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } (°>
Glad you can be there with her and the chemo. That's a long time to sit with chemicals flowing into your body. You both are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and Lana, Charles.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the new improved cover.
Travis Cody, that's a good idea and one I hadn't thought of. I'll work on that.
ReplyDeleteCloudia, thankee. Lana's pic, my words
Sage, in the modern world, she was even able to get online a bit, which was nice.
David Cranmer, thanks, man.
Nice cover the way it is. Good luck to both of you with the chemos.
ReplyDeleteOscar, appreciate it, man.
ReplyDeleteThinking about you both.
ReplyDeleteHangin' in there with you and Lana, Charles. Keep the faith, guys! And, yeah, I grok the new cover too.
ReplyDeletePatti, thanks!
ReplyDeleteRichard, We appreciate it.
cool cover! hope the chemo goes well with very few side effects.
ReplyDeleteHi Charles, I add my prayers for you and Lana to all the others. My opinion on the cover is I like it a lot. I'd vote for just the big pair of headlights alone, without the smaller pair above. But that's just my druthers.
ReplyDelete