It’s the second day of the Something Wicked Tour with the Story Empire authors. Today I’m happy to host C. S. Boyack. Make sure to visit the Story Empire schedule for today so you can enjoy all the stops. Additionally, please re-blog these posts or share them on your social media accounts. Take it away, Craig!
I’m really enjoying the Something Wicked tour, and we’re all out at once right now. P.H is over at Harmony’s place today, so don’t miss that.
I’m promoting “Viral Blues” this week. This one is a paranormal story with dark humor. Seems like perfect Halloween reading to me.
It all started out as a sequel for “The Hat.” Then it dawned on me that many of my characters could occupy the same world. I’d been asked for subsequent tales for a lot of characters, so this percolated for a while, then I decided, why not?
The popular characters include:
- Lizzie St. Laurent & The Hat
- Clovis
- Jason Fogg
- Lisa Burton
- Gina Greybill and her assistant, Gupta
There were some logistics to work out, and a younger self might have given up. I have a human thug with no special powers at all. There is a woman who is infected by a parasite that allows her to see across the veil. I have a man who had a science fiction accident that allows him to turn into fog. One of them is a robot girl. Then there are Lizzie & The Hat who have a symbiotic relationship that allows them to fight monsters.
There are science fiction characters, regular humans, and supernatural characters. How the heck is this going to happen?
The idea wouldn’t let go, and time provided some resolutions. I figured out (eventually) that Marvel did the same thing. The Avengers have a witch, a science fiction accident, and a few normal humans. It doesn’t seem like a failed experiment to me, and sold a lot of movie tickets. I know they got my money.
Rather than waste too much time working out semantics, I just started writing. These characters all had origin stories elsewhere, so I couldn’t do that. By just stepping back into these characters, the story flowed.
Editing revealed the need for a bit of backstory, but surprisingly little. Most authors don’t realize how little backstory you actually need. Even in prior stories, Lisa simply booted up and had no backstory. Jason Fogg lost all of his memories in the accident, including what his real name is.
The mix of personalities was a pleasure to play with. Combine a street smart thug with a naive robot girl and it’s magic. Take the snarkiness of Lizzie & The hat, let them point that at the others, and it became a lot of fun.
I want to point out that while this really is a sequel for Lizzie & The Hat, it also provides a curtain call for some other popular characters. Even then, I designed it so there is no prerequisite reading required. You can pick up Viral Blues, even if you’ve never read one of my books before, and enjoy it without missing a beat.
If you think you might enjoy a paranormal story with a bit of dark humor for your Halloween reading, I’d be honored for you to check it out.
Someone knows about the hat. The creature from another dimension that helps Lizzie fight against the creatures of darkness.
They are summoned to a cryptic meeting with a secret society, where they meet other people with enhanced skills. It turns out someone, or something, has been tampering with the world’s vaccine supply. The goal doesn’t appear to be political or financial, but biblical pestilence.
Can this group of loners come together in time to make a difference when even the proper authorities are obstacles?
Check out Viral Blues, for your dose of paranormal adventure, with a strong sample of dark humor. And in recent superhero style, don’t miss the secret last chapter after the back material.
Connect with Craig Boyack:
Blog My Novels Twitter Goodreads Facebook Pinterest BookBub
Check out all of Craig’s books if you have a chance. Please leave your thoughts in the comments section and we’ll respond as soon as possible. As a reminder, here are remaining all the posts on the tour today:
- Craig is hosting Harmony, who is talking about what happens when your damaged ship lands on a lonely planet and the natives are not freindly.
- Harmony is hosting P.H., who is talking about The Bow of Hart Saga and conjuring a scary creature.
- Joan is hosting Staci, who is talking about the Gate of the Gods.
- Mae is hosting Joan, who is talking about Playing With Fire.
- Staci is hosting Mae, who is talking about Home Circles and Ouija Boards.
The Story Empire authors would appreciate it if you take a few moments to share these posts on social media or re-blog them on your site. Thanks for visiting today!
I have yet to read this incredible story from Craig Boyack, but looking forward to doing so!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hope it’s one you enjoy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
From what I have been hearing, I definitely will!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s good!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I loved the mix of characters in this story!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Joan.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Another interesting look inside “Viral Blues!” I love seeing how characters and stories come together. Thank you for hosting today, P.H.!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was kind of tricky pulling them all together, but I’m happy with the end result. Thanks, Jan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy to have Craig and his book gestures today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The exchanges between Clovis and Lisa, were some of my favorite in the book. Especially when she bought the dog a toy. And I never tire of the hat’s snarkiness.
This really is a great Halloween read and so much fun on top of it. Hope it pulls in lots of fans!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for the comment this morning, Mae. It’s a good set of characters and I enjoy the story.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for hosting me today, and glad you’re enjoying the story.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy to host you and Viral Blues today. All my pleasure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure to host you and Viral Blues today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They were fun together. I liked the line about, “put a ring on it.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Super story, Craig. Thanks, P.H. for hosting.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you again, John.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s made for a fun day on the site. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m about halfway through now and am enjoying it immensely. I love how you’ve brought all those characters together, Craig. Best of luck with the book 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m excited that you’re having a good time with it. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think having a large cast of characters could make for some fun dialogue 🙂
Looking forward to reading this one, Craig!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I admit to having a lot of fun with the dialog. Hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 3 people