This was a typical week regarding no holidays, yet Friday seemed to come pretty quick. I guess it must be my age. I am happy to report that four Beta-readers of The Contract by Gwen Plano and me have already sent their input. (Not due until mid-February) These folks are very dedicated to the task. We have received some excellent feedback. The beautiful part is they report enjoying the story which I think is the whole point in writing.
I have started my sixth book. It is a story featuring Ned Tranes from the John Cannon series. Ned is the chief of police for the city of Port Aransas. He is ex FBI and has been involved in some special operations for the government. I only announce it here so that I won’t get to somehow waffle. I am doing my 1000 words a day on it and expect the first draft will be done by May 1st. That will be just in time to turn to the launch of The Contract. (If all works well and the creek don’t rise)
This leads me to today’s JohnKu which talks about finishing projects. (Which we all see as a challenge from time to time). Hope you have a great weekend.
Finish by John W. Howell © 2018
Starting many things,
Is the easiest of tasks. . .
Finish. Ah, the rub.
Fiction Favorites 
Your JohnKu is spot on, John! Love the meme! Happy Friday to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill. Have a great Friday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How true, John. All the best for your latest books. I love the piggies up top. They look so happy. 😀 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzanne.
LikeLike
Love starting the morning with snorting piggies. I’m ever so grateful to Beta readers; their insights and recommendations are invaluable. And, I can’t wait to hear more about Ned Tranes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ned is a favorite character who was underdeveloped in the John Cannon series. He will get his full due for sure. Thanks, Gwen. Hope you day goes well.
LikeLike
The JohnKu is perfect for me. I draft blog post ideas as a doc, then come back to them in time. I recently looked at the list thinking, I need to get back to them. Then the oops question – Why did I start a post about 27? … I had no clue … but it came to me the next day!
Snow coming our way today. Raining now … transitioning to the white stuff sometime after lunch. Good luck with #6!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Frank. Snow is fun for a half a day. Then good bye. Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great JohnKu. And, even greater news of your book!! Please, please keep us posted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do. Thanks, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish you smooth sailing in both your new book and the launch in May!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with the new book. Awesome that Ned gets his own book. Enjoy your weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Charles. Enjoy as well.
LikeLike
The Johnku is so true! I’m excited to hear about the new book. I agree that “saying it out loud” is a good way to make us keep going. I know you can do it, John!
TGIF for sure! I’m trying harder than ever to escape… Have a fabulous Friday. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good job on the escape. Happy Friday, Teagan. Hugs
LikeLike
Ain’t that the truth! Nice one, John 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jan 😀
LikeLike
I’m liking the idea of Ned’s story. Happy Friday, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Teri. happy Friday.
LikeLike
Wonderful achievements, John! Cheers to you and Gwen for receiving such a positive response. It’s no surprise, but lovely to hear just the same.
Love your John Ku. So true. Happy Friday and happy writing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Natalie. Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A book with Ned as the lead would be cool. Looking forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is up to his eyebrows right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good for him.
LikeLike
You got a lot of irons in the fire, John. Congrats, and I was wondering when we’d see a book with Ned. Looking forward to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Coming up, Mae. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One thousand words a day? John, I’m amazed … and pea-green. I don’t know where you find the time! Probably says more about my organizational skills, right?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. Before all else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
THAT must be the key … “before all else.” How life intervenes, if we let it.
LikeLike
All the best with the new book, John. I was thinking of spinning off a book about Charley Higgins, Billy’s “shadow rider” cousin who doesn’t always follow the law.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that is a great idea, Ron. BTW I have a lot tof trouble commenting on your blog. Sometimes my comment just disappears. Don’t know why.
LikeLike
That’s strange. I did see your comment on today’s post.
LikeLike
Congrats on the start of a new book. I like the idea of a story about Ned:) Your Johnku was very true easy to start hard to finish– or at least what I run into. Happy Friday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
THAT IS ME IN A NUTSHELL. THANKS, DL Sorry about the caps but the lock was on and I’m too rushed to do it again. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem…been there:)
LikeLike
“The beautiful part is they report enjoying the story which I think is the whole point in writing.” All’s wasted if the enjoyment isn’t there. Happy Friday, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Happy Friday to you, Phillip.
LikeLike
How exciting to be starting a new book. I look forward to reading more about Ned. He was one of my favorite characters. Happy Friday, John!
LikeLike
Congrats on finding some good beta readers, John!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Good news from John Howell… a collaboration with Gwen Plano is will underway and expected mid-February and his own 6th book is also going well.. plus you get a Johnku… #recommended
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the share, Sally. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
See you after 7pm. John…xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
7:00 am, Sally
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my better put some orange juice with mine with a coffee chaser…xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi John! I’m excited about both, ‘The Contract’ with Gwen Plano and your sixth book featuring Ned Tranes who is a very likable character from your John Cannon series. I enjoyed him in ‘Our Justice’. Your Johnku hit the nail right on the head for me. Ha, ha. I similar goals this year, so let’s hope I can be as discipline as you. 😉 xx Wishing you all the best, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
1000 a day above all else. *sound of whip snapping
LikeLike
Ha, ha! Where did you buy your whip? I need one. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bull Durham whip shop. 😀
LikeLike
Enjoy your weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You as well.
LikeLike
How do you stay so active social-media-wise and still get 1000 wpd? My energy lags after hours on S/M… But, then, you have Bailey and Lucy to keep you trim!
Looking forward to your ‘Ned Tranes’ thriller! (Don’t forget to tell Vashti where to get her whip!!!) ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. I told her the Bull Durham whip shop. :-D. I spend about an hour on Social Media and an hour and a half on e-mail. 1000 words takes me about 1.5 hours. So if you subtract all this from 24 there are still 20 hours for everything else including my blog. (and two walks a day with Lucy and Bailey)
LikeLike
WOW! Not only a man with energy but swift of pen and pleasures! I wanta be like you when I grow up! 🙂 ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny. I want to be you in the next life.
LikeLike
It WAS a FAST TRACK! Well, maybe not so fast! You’re a good man, John Howell! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha hah a. Fast for me as well.
LikeLike
What Billy said, John. Congrats on your teaming up with Gwen. Two great writer–one book–it’s gotta be awesome!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We hope so. Working hard on it.
LikeLike
[…] https://johnwhowell.com/2018/01/12/friday-john-ku-aka-tgif-23/ “Starting many things,” John has a new book coming out soon with Gwen Plano, I was honored to be a beta reader for them. Keep an eye out for it! I’ll review upon release. […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Traci
LikeLike
Great news on your books, John, and I know you’ll keep us posted re: the publication in May. Love the meme, and even though I’m late, it also fits for a Monday, which normally causes tears, but hey, laughter gets us through tough times. 🙂 Perfect words for projects, too. Oh, how I can relate. I’m an expert at starting and not finishing. However, I have several projects pending, and it is my goal to reach the finish line for all. We shall see. Hope you had a marvelous Monday! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and to you as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment #2: I read Billy’s question about how you do it all, social media and write. I had the same thoughts after reading your daily 1000 word routine. Got a good laugh at your reply. You are an inspiration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw. Thank you, Lauren.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very wise he is too!
Best of luck with the 6th book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person