“It’s Friday, Little One.”
“Yes, and time for a ruckus.”
Another Friday is here, and I hope it means you will get some time off. For many Friday is the day off in celebration of the Fourth of July tomorrow. That will mean a long three day weekend. Of course, we who are still locked up have no idea what a three day weekend feels like.
Texas is slowly going backward in a rush to open. Bars that have 51% of their revenue have been shuttered. Also, all the parks in our county have been closed. The authorities are trying to keep people from gathering over the holiday. Most firework shows have been canceled for the same reason.
I saw with interest that the beaches at my old home have been closed to vehicular traffic, including golf carts. The hours have been cut as well, so there is no camping. It means if you want to go to the beach this year you have to walk in with all your stuff. I think a lot of folks will take a rain check on that.
I have started to format my WIP and will get the cover design work done. It does not appear that there is agent interest, which is fine. Once done, I will self publish.
Today’s JohnKu discusses the idea of being self-sufficient. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.
Self by John W. Howell © 2020
When you need others,
To accomplish your life goals. . .
Have a backup plan.
Fiction Favorites 
Sorry about the lack of agent take-up, John. I’m looking forward to seeing your book published. Good luck with that process, and if you want to come and visit ‘my place’ to showcase your newest story, you’re always welcome.
Stay safe and have a good weekend 🙂
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Thank you so much, Harmony. I do plan a launch tour so I’ll certainly take you up on the kind offer. Looks like a September launch. The cover artist schedule is the long pole in the tent. 😁
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All the best on your latest masterpiece, John. I look forward to reading it. Hope you have a Happy Fourth. 🙂
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Thank you, Gwen. I hope you have a Happy Fourth as well. 😊
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It seems we have to make plans ahead for everything, John. All the best for your WIP. 🙂 —- Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😊
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Wishing you a happy, ‘insular’ 4th, John, and best of luck with the WIP.
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Thank you, Lori. The govenor just issurd a face mask required in public order. Make sense. Happy Fourth to you. 😀
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I loved your JohnKu, John. I hope you have a great 4th of July!
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Thank you, Jill. I hope you have a great Fourth as well. 🤗
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Good advice for all things, John.
I hope you all have a great weekend. Ruckus with Twiggy.
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A ruckus with Twiggy is a given. Happy Fourth, Dan.
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That poem is so true. Keep remembering group assignments in school. Always had the one person who never listened and did whatever they wanted.
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Yup. Or the one who just rode the group and never contributed anything. Thanks, Charles
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Exactly.
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Agents don’t know everything, that’s why self-publishing was invented. So full steam ahead, my friend!!
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I love your logic, GP. Thanks for the support. 😁
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Best of luck with your WIP and Happy 4th!
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Thank you, Joan. Happy Fourth to you as well.
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I’m glad to hear that your WIP is coming along nicely toward readiness for publication. Your JohnKu is very apt.
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Thank you, Liz. Happy Fourth to you.
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Can’t wait to see/hear about your next book, John. Self-sufficiency in writing and publishing is the new NOW, I think. In wonderful ways. By the way, did you read John Grisham’s Camino Island? I just finished, and enjoyed it (more than most of his books). Focuses on publishers/authors/old books with a mystery. Fun read, but Grisham (by way of his characters in the book) is quite dismissive of Indie books/publishing. Disappointing to read that point of view (but not surprising, I suppose).
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John has been an outspoken critic of Indie publishing for years. Of course, he is on the inside of the elete corps and a millionaire so his position is one I understand. I attended (virtually) a Q&A with him two weeks ago and walked away with the impression that he is quite impressed with his accomplishments. I am glad you enjoyed the book. I haven’t read it nor anything of his since 2012. I have been concentrating on Indie authors instead. Thanks, Pamela and I hope you have a Happy Fourth. 😀
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I love your ‘take’ on John G here. Yes, unfortunately success can bring arrogance to those who were once “one of us.” But not us, John. I feel we, and our other Indie-published friends – are quite successful in all we’ve accomplished, from writing our stories, hiring our own editors, using beta readers, publishing our work independently, promoting our work ourselves, learning to use social media. Oh my. We are AWESOME! 🙂
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You are an inspiration, Pamela. Not to mention learning to format paper and e-books. That is what I’m working on for my 6th book. Have a great 4th.
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GOOD luck! Have you used Joel Friedlander’s templates? Quite a help…https://www.bookdesigntemplates.com/
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No. I have a book on how to.
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I’m finishing my second cup of coffee, watching a young possum at my bird feeder, and steeling myself for another day at work. It’s not precisely fun in this heat, but it does result in cold cash, so there’s that. Enjoy the holiday. At least the dogs of the world won’t have to cope with so much fireworks anxiety!
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On the fireworks, you and I share the same thought, Linda. I cannot imagine reworking a deck in this heat. I can almost imagine the topcoat drying too fast. (I have an image of the brush sticking to the deck. But you might use spray. I’m not up on the latest) I hope you have a Happy Fourth. 😊
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That’s why I varnish early and late — plenty of days, I head back to do my varnishing after 6 pm. It works!
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Good idea. Do morning. Have a siesta. Do evening. 😁
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Looking forward to the new book, John – have a safe and happy 4th!
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Thank you, Teri. I hope your Fourth is Happy as well. I’m enjoying Subject A36. 😀
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Have a happy fourth John. A good time to put another dent in the fifth. And good luck with your WIP.
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Thank you, John. Happy Fourth to you.
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Your “time for a ruckus” comment made me laugh out loud. 🙂 Yes, Texas is going backward and starting today, mandatory masks, which should have been done from the get-go. Oh well. Government! Ugh! For us authors who have successfully self-published, it’s comforting to know it’s always an option for getting our stories out. If this is the story I beta-read, it needs to be published and you will enjoy success with it! Happy 4th of July to you and yours, John!
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This is the story you beta read. September launch. Thanks, Jan
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Sorry you didn’t snag an agent this time around, John. At least now there are other options for getting our work out there. One nice thing about this lockdown — dogs won’t have to be terrorized about Scary Boom-Boom Day!
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I love the idea of no fireworks, Debbie. These guys hate them.
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Good luck on that manuscript, John.
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Thank you, Greg. it’s my sixth so I think I have it. 😊
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Your grass is doing well, John. Your predictions about the Covid situation turned out to be correct then.
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Yes my predictions were right, sadly. The greass is really taking off. We are gald to see that. Thanks, Guy.
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Happy 4th of July, John!
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Happy 4th to you, Denise.
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Your motto is very good, John. I always try to circumvent being reliant on other people. I know that Texas is bad with the virus again. My cousin and his family also live in Texas. Have a safe and quite celebration, John.
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Thank you, Robbie. We plan to be safe and quiet.
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Love the John Ku today, John. Spot on! Wishing you a happy Independence Day, and a laid back weekend! 🙂 Stay safe!
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Thank you, Marcia. Stay safe as well.
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We are stop and go in PA. It’s depressing as all get out.
Keep on trucking Boss, you da best. 🙂
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We are stop and go as well. Got a ton of cases.
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Yep, it keeps spiking. Damn.
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And a must wear mask order
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Our orders are all over the place, that’s the problem.
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I like your Johnku, John. A necessity these days and for a while, it seems. Have a safe weekend, and avoid the crowds. Happy Fourth.
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I don’t go anywhere so I’ll be safe. Thank you, Diana.
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We, up here, have our issues, but then we feel better by looking south of the border, sorry to say. It is disheartening to watch. I hope something changes soon (and not just in November….)
I, for one, know your book is wonderful so… I’ll be spreading the word when you are ready!
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Thank you, Dale. There will be time in September. 😁
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Or October…
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Hi John, being self-reliant is very important, especially now. You have it figured out. I like your Johnku. Hope you are doing okay down there in Texas. Pennsylvania is open, and we are in a good county, but everything changes quickly. Take care.
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We are doing fine but the rest of the state seems to be in trouble. My wife is from Pittsburgh.
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It’s still scary to me. I’m back to work at the library but we are not open to the public yet. A lot of situations are out of our individual control. But we are doing our part.
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At least you are among your book friends 😁
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Over here we’re jumping into the next level of lockdown relaxation today as pubs restaurants and hairdressers open for the first time for 103 days. The press are calling it independence day. Me, I’m going for a walk…
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Yeah we opened all of that and then the curtain came crashing down.
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You did anticipate it might..
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I think the authorities thought people would stick to masks and social distance. Not so. When the bars opened it was like “Pandemic over come sit on my face.”
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Ha! Love that way of putting it!!
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😊
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Happy belated Independence Day, John. I hope you stay safe, the numbers we see coming from sopme places down there are staggering. All the best with you new book!
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Yes and we are hearing how controlled your numbers are at this time. Stay safe as well.
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We will try, thanks.
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Great JohnKu, more like a life lesson. Let’s hope people keep their common sense so we can conquer this virus.
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I have little faith.
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If I were in Texas, I would too.
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Everyone has their own idea of what “safe” looks like.
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Yes, they do.
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😊
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