I published my jungle adventure novella, Temple of the Monkey King, in March of 2025. However, it took a long time before it finally saw publication.
Recently, while cleaning out the basement, I found my early drafts. I began writing the story as a screenplay in 2006. As you can see from the pictures below, I was intensely working on my craft. I kept adding complications and attempted to push the story in new directions.
I completed the screenplay to my liking in 2008 or 2009 and then moved on to writing other projects. At the beginning of 2025, I decided to convert it into prose and publish it. The experience was enlightening. I had to switch the tense from present to past. I had to describe scenes where I had previously relied on visuals. I added internal thoughts and emotions.
The writing went fast, and I completed the first draft in four weeks. I was strict with myself not to change or add scenes. I wanted this to be a writing exercise, and I didn’t want the scope of the project to creep to the point where I would never finish it.
When I started writing the screenplay, I wanted to write a Syfy original movie. Why? I love the creature features from the 1950s. I also loved that the Syfy Channel had started making low-budget science fiction movies. I thought a jungle pilot and an archaeologist racing to survive after an eccentric geneticist awakens an ancient cryptid would be a perfect fit.
Obviously, I didn’t come anywhere close to getting a Syfy movie made. Temple of the Monkey King sat unused for many years. Now, it’s available for everyone as a quick read. I’m proud of it. You can find the novella on Amazon and learn how Sean Doogan fights his way through a jungle of death.
