Writing

Free Fiction Monday: Linear Shift, Part 1

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Linear Shift, Part 1 was my first published book. After meeting Hugh Howey in 2013, I was inspired to write a serialized novel. This is the first part of the four-part novel. This story stands alone but is the introduction to the complete novel. Here’s the book description: A distraught widower on his last leg. An unexpected mission back in time. When Peter Cooper has a bizarre encounter with a desperate Army general, he’s suddenly catapulted to the year 1942—World War II is in full swing. Peter … Read more

Free Fiction Monday: Alone

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Alone is a short story I wrote nearly 15 years ago. Although this story isn’t packed full of action, I feel that many people can relate to in some way. It was first submitted to be included in Something to Take on the Trip – A Charity Anthology (no longer in print). It was accepted and published in March of 2014. Here’s a quick synopsis: A sleepless night forces Rob McArthur to question what is causing him to lose sleep, life, and whether he’s alone … Read more

Free Fiction Monday: The Hunted Assassin-Excerpt

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the hunted assassin; paul b kohler; science fiction; sci-fi; thriller; spi-fi; jason bourne; hunted assassin; near-future; outer space; space station; taloo station; space battle; cartel; drug cartel; human trafficing; kidnap; kidnapping; assassin; special ops; black ops; space ship; moon landing; moon base; luna city;

I wrote The Hunted Assassin a few years ago and submitted to the now defunct Kindle Scout. Although it was well received, it was not selected in the end. With the rejection letter in hand, I had the manuscript edited, and about a month later I published it on my own. Since its publication, I’ve worked up outlines for two sequels for Jaxon Rasner, with many more possible in his near-future world. Here’s the book description: His name is an alias. His pretense is a disguise.  … Read more

Free Fiction Monday: Rememorations

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The Immortality Chronicles (September 2015) was a collection of short stories centered around a common theme: Immortality. There were 12 total stories in the volume, with varying views on the topic. What you are about to read was my contribution to the volume. The Anthology won the award for The Best Anthology Of The Year as voted in the 2016 Preditors and Editors Readers Poll. Rememorations was also nominated for Best American Science Fiction. Here’s a quick synopsis: Is living forever all that it’s cracked … Read more

Free Fiction Monday: Hunter/Hunted

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In honor of what some (ok, no one really) would call a “national holiday”, I’m going to share my romantic suspense short story with you during the week of Valentine’s Day. I wrote Hunter / Hunted in just a day back in February of 2015, inspired by the then approaching Valentine’s Day. Although it’s not a terribly long story, it was fun to write and has been a favorite of my readers for some time. When I’ve shared it in my newsletter, or when people read it … Read more

Work In Progress: Jacked

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paul b kohler, paul kohler, jacked, short story, near future, amnesia, mind control, brain implant, sci-fi, science fiction, bestselling author, best selling, faraday cage, herion, rape, drug addict, black ops, special forces, top secret, covert operative, under cover

The life of a writer is full of distractions. If it’s not the day job, it’s the home life. It seems that any time I have a chunk of time blocked out for writing, something inevitably comes up and eats away at my writing production. Most recently, I’ve been trying to juggle a little too much. In addition to my day job in architecture, I’ve been focussing on my blog here, redefining my reader’s group, as well as ramping up my social media presence. All … Read more

Free Fiction Monday: Afterlife

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Short Story; corpse; death; afterlife, paul b kohler, paul kohler,

If you’ve read The Borrowed Souls, here’s a nice little “prequel” that I wrote a few years back as a character study for the novel. If you’ve not read it yet, (Come again? What are you waiting for?) then this short piece will not spoil anything in the novel. It was simply a tool for me to expand my knowledge of Wilson and Hauser, and how their unique dynamic could propel the story. It is a short scene early in Wilson’s career as a Soul … Read more

Story Process: Initial Story Concept

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story process, initial story concept, writing, novelist, author, paul b kohler, story design

story:noun, plural sto·ries.a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale. What’s in a story? In its very basic form, there is conflict, action, and resolution. From there, an author can take a story in many different directions depending on their own approach. And there are as many different approaches as there are authors. Personally, I use a five-part structure that incorporates these five things, in no particular order: character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme. Things like point of view and symbolism fill in the rest but can be switched out depending on how the … Read more

Story Fuel: Planet Nine

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planet nine, planet 9, solar system, space, science fiction

As a fan of all thing’s science, I regularly peruse the Popular Science website, among other notable scientific based platforms. I’ll skim the headlines and if something jumps out at me, I’ll read it. Otherwise, I continue my path of knowledge seeking adventure. It’s High Adventure, let me tell you! Monday afternoon was no different. I came across this grabby headline—Planet Nine might not actually be a planet—and knew I had to read it.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to? First thoughts … WTF? Do … Read more

Happy New Year!

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Hey, everyone. Do you know who I am? It’s me, Paul. I know it’s been a while. Been busy and all. But I’m here to turn a new leaf! Actually, I’ve been quite busy. Life. It happens. Anyway, since my last post all those years ago (it really does feel like it’s been years) I’ve finished my zombie trilogy. Unfortunately, I’ve not done much more than that on the novel front. I’ve tapped out a handful of short stories for various anthologies, but no long … Read more