Novel "THE ENRAGED" in the final stages!

More than 4 years have passed since I started working on my Novel "The Enraged".  I've always loved to write but this has been quite the project. Forcing myself to wake up at 5:00 am everyday, even on weekends and holidays so I have a few hours of quiet time to write.  Working and reworking, reading and rereading, researching, a dozen or so test readers, two different editors and still reworking!  I've read several books on writing and dozens of articles on perfecting my craft.  After all of this... a am actually nearing the finish line.  For the first time, I feel like my book is pretty much ready to introduce to the public.  Yeah, I need to sweep some cobwebs out of the corners and yeah, I need a final edit, but for the most part the story is done.  Now the decision of finding a book agent and a publisher or self-publishing.  What to do?  So many decisions for a first time writer who is most likely standing on a gold mine.  Either way, I'm eager and ready.

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!