R. Tran Books

It’s funny how things work in life sometimes. I’ve had lots of little twists and turns. Those unexpected quirks that make life so interesting and unique. I started writing twenty years ago and never intended for anyone to read my work much less publish. Sure, as a teenager I had grandiose dreams of a Hollywood producer discovering me and making a movie of my book. Heck, maybe I still do, but it was never my intention. I wrote because it made me feel better. It still does. Even now when I’m under stress, or sad, or even happy, I do my best work. Somehow it’s all reflected in what I write.

I never seem to plan what I write and I’ve come to learn I’m not some weird freak. I’m a pantster. I would literally be bored if I knew how my stories, novellas, and novels were going to end. I think that’s why I’ve had problems with my short story that’s due on 10/1 for a compilation novel. I know how I want to end it. Sometimes it’s ok to kill everyone off, but its uninspiring for me to kill everyone the same way. Sorry you’ll have to check out my blog later in October for more details on that one. I’ll get it done don’t worry.

It was one of those weird little quirks that inspired me to write For Their Sins. I was watching The Chronicles of Riddick one lazy Saturday, for probably the third time, when a single line caught my attention. One of the necromancers referred to humans as “breeders”. That was it. It stuck in my head and somehow mixed with vampires. I thought about it for weeks until I had enough to start writing the first few chapters. Once I started writing it was one of those novels that I was obsessed with. I had to keep writing until it was done. I was never satisfied with the ending though and it sat in a drawer for years.

Amazon announced a writing competition earlier this year and I knew For Their Sins would be perfect. A neighbor helped me type it because I had two months to get it typed and edited. My brother rushed to design the original cover without any direction from me.  I had to completely redo the end and had no clue how to do it. The answer came to me when my brother suggested I take out some of the darker elements that were originally in the novel. It changed the tone and I found my ending.

Half way through that grueling two month process I realized I wasn’t going to win that contest no matter how hard I worked. It was based on sales and customer reviews. The judges would never read your work with out a high ranking in each. I would have to spend a great deal in advertising or have a large fan base already. I had neither. I took advantage of another published novel though and sent it off for reviews. It won a gold from Literary Titan and I was ecstatic.

In the midst of accepting reviews for my blog, a publisher came to my attention that was accepting submissions for paranormal action. I sent in For Their Sins. Hoffman & Hoffman publishing is releasing the Kindle version tomorrow 9/28 and the paperback on October 9, 2017. Its still hard to believe how one little word led to a whole book and that book is now my first traditionally published novel.

It just goes to show, you never know where your inspiration will come from next or where life will take you. So, just enjoy the ride.

For Their Sins is a first person narrative following the life of a very unconventional 300 year old vampire. Alexandria Diego was Born in 1707 as a Venandi, a descendant of angels. Her people were charged by God to send the worst sinners to judgement. That included the soulless Mordere that are turned into vampires by more traditional means. Although Alexandria chose the path of the hunter she always longed for a quiet life. Destiny had other plans. One simple choice irrevocably changed Alexandria’s life and soon all of her people knew her name. When a war broke out between her people and the Mordere Alexandria suddenly became her people’s last hope of survival. Alexandria is lost and confused under the sudden weight. After agonizing over the problem she faces it head on. But when her true love is captured by the enemy nothing will stand in her way of getting him back. The only question is: is it too late?