Changes to Chapter 1 (Shout out to test readers)

The last few days I've been Re-working Chapter 1 of my novel thanks to one of my test readers, Gabe Kelley (an old college roommate).  He gave me huge props for what he's read thus far, but found a few holes in the story that he thought I should fix/add more detail.  I also wanted to thank my other test reader for the influence they've had on my story.  I have the ability to come up with great stories, but many times leave out some details.  Thanks first of all, my wife Chelsie, Shalease Boarden, Amy Wilde, Courtney Lennberg, Clint Larsen, Jeff Morgan and all the rest of you. There has been many and I can't possibly name you all but I appreciate you more than you know.  Anyway, the new and improved Chapter 1 is written below.  I'd love to hear what you think and I'd love it even more if you'd follow my novel on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheEnraged2013

1.  NEARLY DEAD

            Rushing water filled her mouth, and splashed into her eyes as she pushed away - slithering out from beneath a monstrous, water-logged corpse.  As she stood up, her white tank top suctioned to her ribs exposing her cheetah-like features.  Normally her lithe, athletic physique earned her a second glance from men and jealous stares from women.  It was hard for many to believe that she was the mother of three. 

            Shay coughed water from her lungs and blinked the water from her eyes as she glanced at the throbbing wound on her shoulder.  The blood was flowing freely from the distinctly human bite mark which added a thick crimson streak to her already stained white tank top. 
The venom from the bite burned her skin like acid and the flesh immediately around the wound blackened.  She could feel the venoms assault as it began coursing through her blood stream like starved piranhas.

As bad as the wound was, she couldn’t allow herself to worry about it until she was out of immediate danger. She saw motion from the corner of her eye and turned to see a second beast shuffling through the ankle deep water toward her.  He looked putrid as blackened skin peeled from his once human face exposing raw, bloodied muscle and ghost white bone beneath.  Shay was exhausted and the temptation to dispatch this new threat with her pistol was nearly overwhelming.  But she knew that if she pulled the trigger, she’d be surrounded by hundreds of enraged, flesh-eating monsters again. 

Goosebumps rose on her exposed skin and her heart pounded as the vile man rushed toward her.  The saliva dripped from his rotting teeth as he opened his mouth open wide in anticipation.  Fueled by unimaginable rage and hunger, the creature wanted to eat her alive.  Shay flipped the pistol around so the barrel rested in her palm.  As the monster approached, she could only see darkness and death in his eyes––it was clear his soul had long since left his body.  Shay raised the pistol over her shoulder and swung across her body, meeting the beast’s final desperate lunge head on.  The impact shattered the teeth from his jaw and they flew through the air in a bloody eruption.  The creature went down hard, but managed to grab her shirt as he fell, pulling her into the stream on top of him.  Shay straddled his torso and without hesitation, placed her right hand on his throat, digging her nails in to keep her hand from slipping off of his slimy flesh and constraining him against the pebbled creek bed.  The decaying man grabbed at her as she repeatedly hit him in the head with the gun’s handle.  Blood spattered her face and arms as his skull caved in.  The decaying man stopped moving and she knew he would never bite again.

Covered in gore, Shay squared her shoulders and steeled herself for the next threat.  She raked the shimmering strands of half brown, half bleach blond hair from her face with chipped and grime crusted fingernails noting how long overdue she was for a trip to the salon.  She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time at the ridiculousness of the stray thought, but her emotions gave way to white hot anger as she contemplated the injustice of all she had lost in just a few short months.

Zombie Novels and Zombie Movies - What's different about my Zombie novel...

Shay Donovan - Hero of "The Enraged" a novel by Tyler Wilde

Zombie, zombies, zombies... It seems like it's starting to get played out, but I still love 'em!  Since I finished my novel (Ha ha like that ever happens) about a year ago I've been trying to read other zombie novels to see what else is out there and how my novel compares. To be honest I've been very encouraged, because the more I read the better I feel about my novel. It has a different feel too it completely! My test readers are raving about the novel saying "This will be a movie" and I just received my first offer to fund the entire production of my novel "The Enraged"!  I'm just getting submit my novel for a final edit, but still need to hear back from a few more test readers.
Thanks for all the support and your patience. This process has been long, but I've loved every second of it.  If all goes to plan, my novel will be on shelves later this year.

Each time you open a book...

How long would you last in a Zombie Apocalypse? Take the quiz.

Click on this link to see what you get... http://bit.ly/1ondYYJ

My results...
You'll survive 6 months.
You're solid but would survive better on a team (Who wouldn't). You're level headed and resourceful, so fill the gaps in your expertise with a pact of co-operation.

How will you do???

Writing a novel is Hard work - It's the little things that make the difference!

My novel, "THE ENRAGED" is complete, but it is currently in the hands of my final 4 test readers.  I spent about an hour on the phone with one of my test readers who happens to be a weapons and survival expert.  He suggested two little changes and I just shook my head.  Sometime I wonder how my book made it through more than a dozen other test readers and the 25-30 times I've read the novel and not caught such silly mistakes.
#1 He recommended I change the word clip to magazine when talking about guns.  He laughed and said that a clip is what a girl puts in her hair.  I said well a magazine is what she reads when she's waiting for her hair to dry.  He explained why magazine is the appropriate word and I made the change.
#2 In my story there are users of crossbows. I kept calling the bolts arrows.  I know this so I was surprised and disappointed in myself for missing this one.  I guess it's one of the HUGE advantages of test readers.
I've always believed that it's the little things that make the difference between anyone or anything being GREAT.  Who wants to be good when spending a little extra time and taking a few more steps can make it GREAT.  Cheers to all those who've helped me with my novel.  I appreciate you more than you know.

Author Tyler Wilde @ The Spartan Race (BEAST) Half Marathon in Utah June 28, 2014

Tyler Wilde swimming for his life at the Spartan Race (BEAST) Half Marathon 6-28-14

12+ miles later Tyler Wilde jumps the fire - Spartan Race (BEAST) Half Marathon 6-28-14

This last weekend I participated in the Reebok Spartan Race half marathon obstacle coarse. It was a real butt kicker.  For me I've always loved a good challenge and I believe participating in events like this help give understanding for a novel such as "The Enraged" where the few remaining survivors are tried and tested.  Never was my life in danger, but this event absolutely pushed me to my limits physically. Unfortunately my training for this event was interrupted by an small back injury which didn't allow me to train.  I was unable to jog for 3 weeks before the event.  The advantage of this for my novel is that most people won't be in tip top condition when the apocalypse happens.  There were several hill climbs that really kicked my butt and I had to stop and rest if not just for a minute.  It's real - at some point your body can't physically go any further and you have to catch your breath and let your heart rate come down.  By the time I crossed the finish line, I WAS DONE!  People were handing me water, banana's, energy bars and my medallion... but it felt like a dream because even my mind was tired.  When I crossed the finish line I thought, I'll never do this again.  Then a few hours later as my strength returned and as my pride grew for finishing such a trying event, I thought I'll be back next year for sure!  I want to thank the organizers of the Reebok Spartan Race for putting on such an amazing event... it was an experience of a life-time!

How to Kill a ZOMBIE

How to Kill a Zombie

I found this funny zombie image on the internet this morning and had to post it.  I don't know, maybe it's not funny... it's actually pretty gross.

Top 10 ways to kill a Zombie

1. Shoot the zombie in the head (Bullet, Arrow, Bolt)
2. Stab the zombie in the head (Knife, Sword, machete)
3. Spear the zombie in the head
4. Smash the zombie's head (Drop something heavy like a rock)
5. Bash the zombie's head (Baseball bat or other blunt objects)
6. Running over a zombie (Just make sure you've run over its head)
7. Chop at the zombie's head (Ax)
8. Stomp on the zombie's head (foot)
9. Burn it.  Just remember this is the slow way and it doesn't always work.
10. Blow the zombie to shreds

Did I miss anything?

Pitch for "The Enraged" a Fiction Novel about an outbreak in the United States

Shay Donovan is an average American house wife from California.  She has never even killed a spider and detests violence in all forms.  Her husband’s best friend is a Navy Seal, but Shay has always refused to handle his firearms.  During a simple business trip to Los Angeles, Shay’s perfect world is thrown into chaos by a terrifying and unthinkable outbreak.  She must lean on strangers to help her escape from the city and into the mountains in a desperate attempt to find her family.  Her journey is filled with danger and heartbreak as hoards of infected humans, hunt down and devour the few remaining survivors.  Shay must find the courage to push forward as the dark cloud of death continues to consume those around her.  Even humans can’t be trusted in the harsh new world as Shay finds herself in a world of kill or be killed.  And, if she wants to survive, she must become a killer. 

Don't Open Zombies inside!

Hunt the dead!

No fear of The Walking Dead - Don't run from Zombies, Hunt them down!

Author Tyler Wilde of "The Enraged"

Author Tyler Wilde of "The Enraged on a Zombie hunt in Utah. We don't run from the Walking Dead, we hunt them down!

The Hardest part about a zombie apocalypse...

I couldn't agree more!

Exclusive FREE Look at Chapter one of the soon to be published Zombie Novel, "THE ENRAGED"

Thanks for reading. In my novel, the walking dead actually run. I felt like zombies that can run are much scarier than mindless zombies who lumber around.  The main character, Shay is your average everyday house wife who is flung into an insane zombie apocalyptic world where people are being slaughtered like lambs.  She's separated from her family and forced to toughen up or die.  Chapter one shows you the new/stronger version of our beautiful heroin in action there's only one problem, she'd been bitten...
In Chapter 2 you'll go back a few months where I introduce you to Shay's husband and her daughters before the outbreak.

Chapter 1 NEARLY DEAD
            Rushing water filled her mouth and splashed into her eyes as she pushed away, slithering out from under a monstrous corpse.  As she stood up, her white tank top suctioned to her ribs exposing her cheetah like features.  It was hard to imagine she was the mother of three young girls.  She still had the physique to make men look twice and women jealous.  A shimmering strand of half-brown, half-bleach-blond hair hung in front of her face as she coughed water from her lungs.  Shay knew that if she fired her pistol she’d be surrounded by hundreds of enraged, flesh-eating humans again.  She blinked the water from her eyes and glanced at the human teeth marks on her shoulder.  Blood trickled from the wound, staining her tank top crimson.  The venom from the bite burned her skin like acid and she felt the severe effects of the poison as it flowed through her blood stream like starved piranhas.

A second man, who was also infected, stood up in ankle-deep water.  He looked putrid as the skin peeling from his face and body exposed raw, bloodied muscle and bone.  Shay’s heart pounded as the vile man rushed toward her.  The saliva dripped from his rotting teeth as he opened his mouth wide and she knew he wanted to eat her alive.  Shay readjusted the pistol so she was holding the barrel and raised it over her shoulder.  As he approached, she could only see darkness and death in his eyes––it was clear his soul had long since left his body.  The man lunged and she bashed him in the mouth with the butt of the gun.   The impact shattered his teeth from his jaw and they flew through the air in a bloody eruption.  The man grabbed her shirt as he fell, pulling her into the stream.  She landed on top of him and placed her right hand on his throat, constraining him against the pebbled creek bed.  The decaying man grabbed at her as she repeatedly hit him in the head with the gun’s handle.  Blood spattered her face and arms as his skull caved in.  The decaying man stopped moving and she knew he would never bite again.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and comment.  Feel free to write them below or message me @ theenraged2013@gmail.com

The Walking Dead Marathon - July 4, 2014 on AMC

The Walking Dead - AMC

I have good news for all you Zombie / Walking Dead fans... AMC will be airing The Walking Dead marathon on July 4, 2014.  Be sure to check it out!

Before you say, "I DO" - Important advice before you agree to marry someone

This is the best advice I can give you if you think you've found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.  I got lucky and married a girl who can handle herself, but please remember... Before you marry someone, ask yourself, "Will they be a good killing partner during the zombie apocalypse?"
Zombies are inevitable.  The apocalypse will happen.  You're going to find yourself in a kill or be killed situation... make sure your life partner can handle themselves. Be prepared for the walking dead.

My novel made into a Hollywood production - Movie

Since most of my test readers think my novel will be made into a movie I've thought a lot about which actors could play the rolls of my characters.  I'm going to have a little fun with this and tell you who I see staring in my movie.  For my main Character, Shay Donovan I have three actresses in mind... Evangeline Lilly, Jennifer Garner, or Jessica Biel.  I'm leaning heavy toward one of them, but I won't tell you which one it is because I want you to have an unbiased look.
Remember Shay Donovan's characteristics.  She is...
- 29 years old
- Your average every day house wife and a mother of three young children
- Athletically built and beautiful beyond description
- Finally, Shay is physically, mentally, morally and spiritually strong

After several near death experiences, Shay begins to toughen up and fight back.  So, my actress needs to be able to pull of housewife and warrior!

"THE ENRAGED" staring ______________________ as Shay Kimball Donovan.

Evangeline Lilly - a.k.a. Kate from "Lost"

Evangeline Lilly - a.k.a. Kate from "Lost"
The Canadian actress was born in 1979 and is a fine choice, no doubt. Evangeline Lilly has proven her diversity going from a star in ABC's "LOST" to a Covergirl. It's important to note that she is a mom, she played soccer, she's Christian, she has been nominate and won many prestigious awards for her acting, and to top it all off, she's an author, just like me.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner born in 1972 may be pushing the age limits to play 29 year old Shay Donovan, but she has played in several rolls that make me believe she could go from innocent housewife to soldier.  She to is a mom which I feel is important in this roll and she has 3 children just like Shay. She was in ballet through most of her younger years and comes from a church going family.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel is the youngest actress of my 3 choices, born in 1982.  Biel played soccer and was in gymnastics growing up. She even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (No small task). Her acting diversity and athleticism land her firmly in my top 3. My only issue is that she doesn't have any children... yet! This wouldn't eliminate her from winning the roll, but rumor is Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are expecting a baby.  If that's true, she'd be a perfect fit to play Shay Donovan.

Who do you think is best qualified and why?

Novelist Humor

A little novelist humor for you on an aloha Friday!

Friday the 13th Full Moon! Won't happen again until 2014

Here's a fun fact for all you superstitious freaks... The full moon will reach will reach it's fullest point at 12:11 a.m. tonight (June 13th, 2014)  This is a rare occurrence that won't happen again for a whopping 35 years - Aug 13th 2049. The last time we had a full moon on a Friday the 13th was in October of 2000. 

I don't know about y'all, but I'm going Zombie hunting tonight. If you're friends with the Walking Dead - ie "Warm Bodies" tell your little living dead friends to stay out of Utah or they're going down.  If I see any werewolves, I'll take them out too.  Unless one of them is Jacob Black.  I'm kind of partial to that one lol.

Book cover for "The Enraged" Written by Tyler Wilde

This is the Book Cover we have selected thus far for "The Enraged" the zombie novel written by Tyler Wilde.  Though, we are considering going with something a little Darker due to the fact that the novel is about zombies - The Walking Dead.  We spent so much time beating up this beautiful model and photographing her for this, that we'd really hate to do it to her all over again, but the book cover's got to be perfect... Right!?  By the way, this is a picture of the novel's hero - Shay Donovan.

The only thing that stands between you and your dream is...

I love this quote by Joel Brown.  I keep it on the desk top of my computer so I can read it often.  I'm always doing something to further my novel along.  This morning my job is to write my Bio for publishers and book agents... you know why am I great?  Why will my book sell?  What makes me different?  I thought about this quote and that's why you're reading it today.  I have a great story about a young woman who is separated from her family during a zombie apocalypse.  It's a different spin than I've ever seen on zombies and an intriguing story, but because I haven't won any awards or studied zombies my entire life, I have an uphill battle ahead.  I'm not worried, I just know that I'm going to have to work harder than many before me.

What does my Novel compare to?

People keep asking me, what does my novel compare to? It's a lot like "The Walking Dead", but in many ways, it's not at all like "The Walking Dead".  I think "THE ENRAGED" is similar to "The Walking Dead" only the zombies are faster and the characters or hero's are more like you, or people you know.

PROLOGUE for "THE ENRAGED" My Zombie Apocalypse Novel

I thought today would be a good day to share the prologue of my Novel "The Enraged" with you all. 

Take a read and let me know what you think.  Thanks!

PROLOGUE

            Shay Kimball Donovan was twenty-nine years old when her world changed forever.  The year was 2026, and the United States was trying to pull out of what seemed like a never-ending recession.  The President had succeeded in his agenda for bigger government which severely divided the people and handicapped the nation.  Nearly half of the US population was on welfare assistance as unemployment levels were at historical highs.  Taxes skyrocketed to astronomical levels to support the ever-growing group of entitlement-minded people and the US dollar dwindled in value.  The United States was so far in debt that the government was on the brink of collapse.  The country was so divided politically that individuals had to choose sides between being Republican or Democratic, there was no middle ground.  People had forgotten the value of a true Republic government.  Many were so upset with the long standing regime that they were preparing to take up arms. 

            To compound the problems, the President was winning his personal war against the Second Amendment.  His plan to destroy firearms and ammunition through gun buyback programs was a tremendous success.  Many Americans eagerly traded their firearms and freedom for $100 gift cards.  For those who still owned firearms, the gun laws had become so stringent that you had to keep guns hidden away unless you were hunting.  Having so few weapons in the hands of citizens and limited ammunition created the perfect scenario for total disaster.  A sudden leprosy pandemic was cause for major concern, but the leprosy wasn't what should have been feared... 

About me...

Me surfing in Hawaii 2012

When I got up this morning, I thought, I've been putting the cart before the horse.  The first post should have been about me.  You know, who is Ty Wilde and why should you care?  

First of all, I was born in St. George, Utah but raised mostly in Arizona, spending 5+ years on the Navajo Reservation as a small child before moving to Phoenix for five more years.  My family moved to Billings, Montana during the summer of my freshman year in high school. I went to college in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah & Hawaii where I learned to SURF & Fireknife dance.  Hawaii is my favorite place on earth and I still love to surf and play in the ocean.  I'm married to an incredible woman and have the most beautiful children a man could ever ask for.  Writing is my true love, I'm currently in the final stages of my first novel, "The Enraged".  It's an Apocalyptic - Zombie Novel.  I'll tell you more about this later.  I'm also a top performing new home sales specialist spending the last nine years working for different home builders.  I'm also co-founder of the hippie run.  It's a Glow in the Dark 5k fun run.  It's always a good time and we get to donate loads of money to charities.  I'm currently training for the Spartan Beast half marathon obstacle course run.  I'm 40 years old and I've never done a half marathon and I'm hoping I don't kill myself.  My life couldn't be better or busier and I wouldn't change a thing!  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

If you're prepared for zombies, you're prepared for anything!

What to do?

I woke up early this morning 4:45 and couldn't go back to sleep... I guess I shouldn't have gone to bed at 12:45 last night.  Before I go any further, I should preface that I get up before 6:00 am every day and many times I'm up at 5:00 so 4:45 really isn't that big of deal.  Anyway, idea's about my novel "The Enraged" and how to get my name out there were flowing through my mind and I knew I had to get up and get to work.  Since I have completed my novel, I am now reading the book, "The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published" by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry.  I'm only about 25% through the book but they definitely know what they are talking about. I have found the book to be informative and worth the money, I'd recommend it to anyone who is working on a novel.  My thought when I got up this morning is that maybe I should write a bunch of short stories about different characters in my novel... you know, "The Untold Stories of The Enraged".  Who knows what I'll really do, I guess I'll get back to reading, sorry for the boring post!

Norman Reedus aka Daryl Dixon of The Walking Dead gets ZOMBIE pranked

I saw this video a few months back and had to post it.  This awesome guy, Nick Santonastasso gets made up to look like a zombie and gives The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus aka Daryl Dixon quite a scare.  Fellow Walking Dead star Andrew Lincoln aka Rick Grimes is in on the prank... this is a must watch.  Thanks for the good laugh Nick Santonastasso!

"The Enraged" - Premise for my Zombie Apocalypse Novel

Shay Donovan - "The Enraged"

Premise:

“I've never even killed a spider.  I abhor violence in any form and had never fired a gun, but then I found myself surrounded by death.  My world… my life became kill or be killed and I became a killer!”




Follow the Novel on facebook at 
www.facebook.com/TheEnraged2013

CDC - Zombie Preparedness

I came across this the other day and thought I should pass it on.  One of my personal hobbies is emergency preparedness.  I want to make sure that when the Stuff Hits the Fan that I have the right supplies.  Who wouldn't?  Anyway, go to www.emergency.cdc.gov to check it out and see if you have the right items to survive an out break.

What's happening in Zombie Land?

I just heard the rumor that Glen Rhee (Steven Yeun) from "The Walking Dead" is going to die.  I hope there's no truth to this because Glen Rhee truly one of the few Good Guys from the show.  Alanna Masterson tweeted"when someone great is gone." during filming which seemed to validate the rumor.  Either way, someone major from "The Walking Dead" is gone.  Let's just ray it's not Glen Rhee... at least we know it's not Daryl Dixon.  That would really suck and then no one would watch the show any more.

In the world of "The Enraged" - (My Zombie World)
I completed the novel about six months ago. I went through the book with an editor and removed a bunch of unnecessary wording to help the story move faster. I also added a new chapter about JT Donovan (Shay's husband) and his buddy Porter.  It's short but necessary to the flow of the novel. At this stage I'm ready to look for a book agent, but not quite sure what to do. I'm still strongly considering self publishing, but I understand that's a much longer road.  It's hard, when you know you have a GREAT Story, to give up so much of your profits to a publisher, But it's the fastest route and will most likely lead to a movie deal much quicker which is my ultimate goal.  Thanks for reading.

Zombies Zombies Zombies!!!

Seems like you can't go a day with out hearing something about zombies.  Zombies are taking over the world, at least on print and on screen.  Seems like everyone is writing about zombies or trying to make a movie/TV show about them.  So, if you love to read about zombies like me, how do you choose a book or a movie?  I know I've recently read a few bummers and I was even let down by Brad Pitt's zombie movie World War Z.  I'm not saying the movie sucked, it didn't.  It just didn't do it for me.  The book was much better.
I love zombies! As a matter of fact I love zombies more than they love to eat humans.  And, I've thought a lot about why so many zombie movies/books are missing the mark.  I think the reason is simple.  The movies/books are more about zombies than people.  That's why The Walking Dead is so big.  There are compelling stories about HUMANS, not zombies, their relationships and how they are surviving!  Relationships are formed and change.  The Walking Dead makes you feel like... this is how it would really be if zombies came.
I am a big fan of The Walking Dead, but to me it's still missing a key ingredient.  The hero's in many cases make the wrong choices.  I understand that hero's aren't perfect and they shouldn't be, but when it comes to the big decisions, like another human's life they shouldn't miss the mark.  For instance, in The Walking Dead, when Rick Grimes drives past the hitch hiker who is clearly all alone with out picking him up.  It didn't sit well with me.  When they drove back and the hitchhiker had obviously been killed by zombies Rick stopped for his back pack.  In my eye's Rick Grimes missed a huge opportunity to be a HERO, you know a GOOD GUY with a good heart who wants to help people.  The writers can do what ever they want and The Walking Dead is a HUGE success so maybe I should shut up... or maybe I should write my own story... oh, I DID!
I've been working on my own novel for over 3 years now, actually since before I even heard of The Walking Dead. It's hard to believe how much work goes into these things, but I believe I have a compelling story and it's different from anything else zombie related that I've read or watched and my test readers have LOVED my novel so far.  My book is called "THE ENRAGED" and I am less than a year from publishing.  My story is about a 29 year old woman, Shay Donovan, who is a mother of 3 little girls.  Shay is separated from her family during an outbreak.  The story bounces back an forth between Shay and her husband, JT, who is with the 3 girls.  My story is filled with moments that will scare you, make you laugh and make you cry.  The question is, will Shay find her family before it's too late?  I don't want to spoil the book in any way, but I wouldn't bet on it.  There are other things the separate my novel, "The Enraged" from other zombie literature and I'll tell you more about it in future posts.
http://www.theenraged.com/For updates or zombie post, follow my novel on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/TheEnraged2013