In 2011, I began an experiment called Dr. Nekros.  I’d created the character a few years prior, but it wasn’t until that time that I fully committed to telling his story.  Amazon Direct Publishing arrived on the scene, and I realized it provided the perfect platform to execute a form of storytelling I’d never experienced firsthand – the serial.

I knew I wanted Dr. Nekros’ odyssey to span eighteen episodes, and I knew I wanted three major story arcs that ultimately told a much grander tale.  When I started, I pretty much had the first six episodes mapped out. Beyond that, I can’t claim to have fully understood where the story would ultimately end.

Writing a serial proved a thrilling experience, especially because I figured much of it out as I went.  I hoped to release an episode every two months, and, for the most part, I stuck to that schedule.  Oddly enough, when I about hit the half way mark of the series I came down with a terrible case of the stomach flu.  My entire family suffered from it.  This thing lasted for days, and none of us could hardly get out of bed.  Since I had so much downtime, I took advantage of it to finally map out the end of the series.  Looking back, I think I may have been a bit delirious because Dr. Nekros takes a fairly surreal turn near the end.

Those years spent writing Dr. Nekros proved to be the busiest of my life thus far.  Just a few months before the serial started, my wife and I moved into a new house we built, I returned to my full-time high school teaching career, I started and finished my Master’s degree, and we had our second child.  Throughout it all, Dr. Nekros’ adventures unfolded.  In many ways, the not-so-good doctor kept me sane.  I am the sort of person who always needs a creative outlet, and in the midst of so many obligations, he gave me the opportunity to do things my way.  Of course, that’s not entirely true.  The serial very much took on a life of it’s own, and I, at times, felt as though I was merely the tool for this story to arrive.

If you have not yet read the Dr. Nekros serial, I do hope you’ll share my passion and give it a try.  It is an epic work, and I believe it has qualities appealing to most readers.  I found the entire process incredibly satisfying, and I am thankful to have experienced such creative passion.

Simply click the image to visit the works on Amazon.