Change to My Last Update

A Change to the Last Update:

My story is still under contract; or rather, under a different contract.

I'm still getting my novel "Hell's Beginning" published. Thing is, due to a bit of incompatibility, I was inclined to cancel the previous contract with Azoth Khem. I will not go into specifics.

I am now contracted with Hellbound Books. As of  February 27, 2018, "Hell's Beginning" is in their slush pile. I am still awaiting the request for edits and once that's done, I expect it will be put in their queue to hit the digital shelves. I hope, anyway.

While I'm at it,  also want to say that I've submitted another couple of stories to some more anthologies. I'll make that announcement, probably on my website, if and when they are accepted/published.

I realize I've mentioned "Hell's Beginning" several times in various places, but have not given any kind of descriptions. So, here's the tag line:

A killer strikes in a small Utah town.

When he is killed, they think it's over; They couldn't be more wrong.

Now for the blurb:

When a stranger arrives in Charity Falls, Utah, he has one intent: get a drink and some rest before hitting the road again. An altercation with a lush brings back dark memories, and the woman's final taunt tips him over the edge. He abducts and drags her off to an abandoned farm.

There, he introduces her to pain and suffering on a journey into her darkest nightmares—and his bloodthirsty fantasy. However, the farm isn't as secluded as he hoped. He is forced to deal with several others who have wandered too close to their location.

When only two innocents remain, only a battle of survival will decide who will walk away.

But the killer strikes again and only one who has been close to the horrors will know what to do.

Someone must put an end to the reign of terror that has begun.

Maybe next time I'll post an excerpt for someones enjoyment. I have to issue a warning, though; this story contains scenes and language of an adult nature. Nudity, abduction, torture, murder, and, worst of all, multiple expletives.

(Okay, so maybe the bad language isn't worse than the other triggers. I just wanted to keep it lighthearted- though the story is anything but.)

So, in conclusion, I guess it hasn't been too poor a year thus far. I am getting a little more exposure than just having my writings on my website and blogs. I do need to get one or both of my big stories done so I can get them out to the world, too. It just takes time and a bit of discipline...

Until next time!

#WriteOn!

John T. M. Herres 

Growing Pains

We all started out as children. From the moment we were born, outside influences began shaping who we were to be, how we were to act and react.
     Though people come in so many sizes and shapes, beliefs and convictions, even prejudices, everyone starts out the same: defenseless, vulnerable and ignorant. The parents then start teaching, through words and actions, how they learned to live in the world.
     So diverse are the teachings most of us have endured that we have gone through several belief systems trying to figure out which one holds the key to understanding, the “meaning of life”, as it were. There are as many interpretations as there are people. No matter what religion, if any, a group of people belong to, though they may have a base agreement on their beliefs, there are always minor differences.
     As children, we cry when we experience pain, fear, indecision, or loneliness. How the adults react to those displays of emotion determines not only how the child will eventually display them, but also how that child will react to others who have been taught differently. The child who is told, “Stop acting like a baby!” will develop a much different attitude than the one who is told, “It’s OK to cry. Just let it all out.” As such, the child who is taught that only “babies” cry will persecute the ones who are told it is ok. In response to being derided by their peers, the child who does cry openly will eventually learn that society does not think it’s acceptable.
     The child who sees their mother being chastised or beaten will assume that is the way of the world. If the child is beaten and berated, the lesson will be to do the same to any who are weaker. The despondent child may be further damaged by being ignored or pushed aside, often leading to addictions or even attempts of suicide. The sexually abused will in turn abuse either another or themselves.
     So many people have made the comment that they would not raise their children the way they were brought up, yet too many of them seem to make either the same or worse mistakes. Along this same line, some even choose to disregard things they either felt or thought as children themselves and deny their children the right to experience certain things which would help them to be better adults.
     For example, look at corporal punishment regulations held in the school systems. Many years ago, it was standard practice for the wayward child to be sent to the principal’s office to receive a paddle to the derrière. In today’s society, such acts are considered child abuse. The problem with this, in my opinion, is that many of the children know this, and will intentionally flaunt the knowledge before those who should be in control. One can barely use spankings in the privacy of their own homes for discipline, and even then have to worry about authorities taking the children away. Without the concern of punishment for wrong doings, many youngsters will repetitively cause trouble, knowing the worst that will happen is a “time out”.
     There are solutions for many of the woes that plague society concerning the rearing of our children, but I feel none of the lawmakers in charge of those decisions will be open to researching them. I could offer my own thoughts on the subject, however, since I have no degrees or long term experience involving children, my opinions would be dismissed faster than I could make them. Therefore, until society realizes that the decline of things such as common courtesy, sympathy for fellows, even fear of consequences are directly related to the fact that people are no longer allowed to discipline their children, the future will continue to look as bleak as it does now.