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Pre-Order

A horror story

By Ernie HowardPublished 7 years ago 3 min read
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The Pool Series. Available on Amazon. 

It felt like a no-brainer. I would write a story about where I grew up. A creepy little town in Southern Nevada, Boulder City. It will be easy! I'll write about the creepy little hotel in the center of town., and the weird front desk clerk that worked there for years. I'll write about, how when I was a kid I'd see tourists come in with cars loaded down with luggage, and how the people in the cars looked just as tired as the cars they drove. It will be a cinch. I would put it up for Pre-Order on Amazon!

The first book, The Pool wrote itself. I pumped it out of my head quicker than water through a hose. The words flew out. I got the cover done, and editing, and put it out for all to see in Amazonland. And it did well. So naturally I got cocky. I decided the next book in the series, The Summertime Stairs would be just as easy, so before I was even done writing the first chapter I put it up for Pre Order on Amazon. Not even the day after the words dried up in my brain. The were there bright and blinking one second, and the next they were dried up, and brittle. Falling off of my story tree in my mind, and on to the cold hard ground of my skull.

So what did I do? I did what any writer would do in that situation. I panicked, and procrastinated like a pro. I walked around my house for weeks contemplating my doom. I would never be able to publish on Amazon again, I thought to myself. I know that's a bit over the top, but your mind will tell you crazy things when your stressed out. When a writer sits down in front of a computer screen, and can only squeeze out a couple of sentence, it can feel like doomsday.

So... What happened? Well eventually the deadline was a month away. I sat down, and I had a talk with my muse. When I say talk with my muse, I basically mean my subconscious. I told my muse that I would sit at my computer until it helped me produce something. We had a little talk you could say. It was as if the thunder clouds that had been hovering over my head, finally let go of their payload. Showering me with words I never knew existed.

After my editor took care of her end of the bargain, I made my Pre-Order with a day to spare.

What's my point? My point is doing a pre-order when I wasn't ready was like unlocking a new skill set I didn't know was in me. Stress can be a great motivator, and teacher. Most things in life you will never be ready for, so you kind of have to just jump in with both feet. As you can see by the photo above, I'm jumping in once more. I just put the last book in my Pool Series up for a pre-order. It will release in June.

Ernie Howard

Ernie Howard was born on January 29,1977 during a Minnesota blizzard. His two story telling parents almost didn't make it to the hospital in their beat up blue Cadillac.

Ernie is the author of The Pool, The Summertime Stairs, A World Without, and Walter. He has appeared in The Tales of the Canyons of the Damned anthology three times with his stories, Float, On Holiday with an S.O.B., and Cosmic Jury Duty.

All of these books are available on Kindle.

Ernie lives with his wife and 3 boys in Henderson, NV, where he dreams up new stories, and tries to live every day to the fullest.

Sign up for Ernie's newsletter here.

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About the Creator

Ernie Howard

I was born on January 29,1977 during a Minnesota blizzard. My two story telling parents almost didn't make it to the hospital in their beat up blue Cadillac.

I live with his wife and 3 boys in Henderson, NV. Where I dream up new tales.

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