I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two.
I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.
Another Friday in the hopper. I’m looking forward to the weekend. There is college football on Saturday, and unfortunately, I don’t get the Pittsburgh Steelers games regularly. (Yes I’m too cheap to pay for an NFL package) There is plenty of Texas football on Sunday, but my problem is I don’t follow the teams. So a quiet Sunday it will be. For the views of the neighborhood feature this week I’m going on a Heritage Tour on Friday. I hope to get some lovely photos of some of the heritage of Lakeway. I have to hope also that I haven’t already photoed a lot of the stops.
My WIP is coming along. Last week I was at 74,500 words and this week I finished 82,000. This means two weeks from now the first draft will be in the can, so to speak. Shows to go ya that a steady pace can produce results.
I have seen a declining trend in the number of views for my posts. Although the quantity is respectable, it is still off from the early part of the year. This always concerns me because I like to continue to put out good content. I have been wondering about my formula posts and think maybe it might be time for a change. Since I value your readership, I would love to get your opinion. Maybe a poll on what to keep and what to let go. I’ll think about it and let you know.
Today’s JohnKu talks about change. I hope you have a great weekend.
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last time we were present when Larry and Andrew were forced into a black SUV by two thugs. Larry tried to find out where they were going and who they were going to see, but the thugs gave them no clue. I see they are pulling up to a rather substantial Chalet on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. I think we better go and see what is going on with this whole scene.
“Okay, you two. Get out.”
“Do I hear a please with that?”
“Again, detective, you are making me strongly resist putting a hole in your foot with all my might.”
“Yeah, but the boss wouldn’t like that would he?”
“You know the boss may just not give a shit what happens to you, and then you will be mine. You are racking up a lot of points, detective.”
“What is your name?”
“None of your business, now get out before I break your pinkie.”
“You’ve convinced me. No please necessary.”
“You two go with Lance here.”
“It was nice meeting you. Okay, Lance, we are all yours.”
“Follow me.”
“You know, Lance. You have a very nice voice.”
“Yeah, so what?”
“I mean maybe you could take that to Hollywood and do voice-overs.”
“Rocko told you to shut up so now I’m telling you. Shut up.”
“Yes, sir. Whatever you and… Er was that Rocko? …tell me to do.”
“Watch your step there, Mr. Smart Ass.”
“Yeah, that’s a big stairway. You okay Andrew?”
“Yes, I am. Oh, look a big door opening. This reminds me of a mystery movie.”
“Gentlemen. Please come in. My name is Terrence. I am Mr. Nobel’s personal assistant.”
“Mr. Nobel? You mean Jason Nobel the billionaire?”
“Why, yes. If you follow me into the reception area, I’ll tell Mr. Nobel you are here. Thank you, Lance, I have this.”
“Yeah, Thanks, Lance. It’s been wonderful.”
“Now Gentlemen, please make yourselves comfortable. Mr. Nobel will be with you in a minute. Can I get you some coffee or a drink perhaps.”
“No thank you, Terrence. We are good.”
“Very well. We’ll be right with you.”
“He’s gone but not a word, Andrew.”
“Yes, sir Larry.”
“You make me laugh, Andrew. Oops here comes someone.”
“Hello, Gentlemen. I hope Terrence is taking care of you.”
“Well, sir, he’s been fine. It’s those two goons that I have a problem with.”
“Goons?”
“Yes. Lance and Rocco. Are you aware they brought us here at gunpoint?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I told them to use whatever is necessary to get you here. I should have told them to be gentle.”
“Gentle?”
“Yes, it means without force.”
“Well, we are here. What can we do for you, sir.”
“I think it is more what I can do for you, Detective.”
“Yes, sir. In either case, why are we here?”
“I want to take a chance on keeping you two alive.”
“I would like to hear more about that, sir.”
“It seems you two have staggered into a very sticky situation. Your investigation into the Rafferty case has caused some very volatile people to become extremely upset. They have asked me to give you the opportunity to drop it.”
“What does ‘drop it’ mean exactly?”
“I’m surprised that a detective with your background needs to have a definition. You pack your bags, get on a plane, and go back to Boston where you belong.”
“How can these people get someone like you to carry their water?”
“Let’s just say I owe a couple of favors and these things do not go unpaid when the request comes through.”
“These must be compelling people.”
“And you should be grateful they are giving you a second chance.”
“Okay. What do we need to do?”
“You need to go with Lance and Rocco, get your things, and leave town.”
“You’re not afraid we’ll come after you once we get back to Boston?”
“What would be the charge?”
“Kidnapping.”
“Proof?”
“Those goons out there.”
“That would be a problem. You would never find them. Trust me. You will be safer in Boston. So do we have a deal?”
In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
This week marks the anniversary of the first hot air balloon launch in Versailles, France in 1783. Since this was the beginning of man’s desire to fly, you must go. Please take this list with you to avoid an incident with the French (challenging to do) or to create a time continuum disruption that could be catastrophic.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Hot Air Baloon Launch in 1783.
10 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not try to buy a ticket. If you do, at best you will be told no. At worst, the head guy will inform you this trip is for animals only. (Do not give in to the temptation to moo like a cow, Javier. The first animals on the trip were a sheep, a rooster, and a duck.)
9 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not ask Tiny the WWF champ for a selfie with you. If you do, at best Tiny will think you are kidding. At worst, Tiny who just left his anti-witchcraft support group will think you are trying to take his soul. (I’m not saying Tiny is superstitious, but I’m not sure that phone is going to survive a foot stomp and water bath, Jagger. Also, Tiny has the same thing in mind for you.)
8 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not attempt to communicate in French. If you do, at best, no one will acknowledge that you are understood. At worst, you will give yourself away with your obnoxious American accent. (Now you’ve done it, Jessie. These folks are going to want to know how you got here and why your damn revolution got started in the first place. Please don’t say, “Je ne sais pas.” You’ll just make it worse.
7 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not admire the Palace of Versailles in front of the mob. If you do, at best most will not hear you. At worst, you happen to make your comments to Robespierre and his friends. (If you will recall, Jorge the French Revolution began in 1789 just five years from now. These Robespierre heavies look like bad hombre’s. Let’s just hope you are back home in 1789.)
6 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not make jokes about where the French get all their hot air. If you do, at best you’ll get a couple of laughs. At worst, the guys in charge of heating the air will put you on wood chopping duty. (You have to admit it, Joaquin. Life was more comfortable before all the hot air jokes. That ten-pound ax sure gets its name honestly huh?)
5 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not order a waffle from the breakfast cafe. If you do, at best no one will know what you are saying. At worst, the cafe owner will be horrified and call the gendarmes. (You see, Jimmy when you ordered a gaufre (or waffle in French) your accent was so bad the owner though you had requested a gopher. Either way anything but bread and coffee is thought to be uncivilized.)
4 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not ask the balloon owner how much he paid for the balloon. If you do, at best, he will walk away. At worst, he will take you for an ugly American and tell you to mind your business. (Then the crowd will wonder who you are, Johnny and will start to figure out you are an alien. Time to hit the wayback machine.)
3 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not make comments about the snails being served for lunch. If you do, at best someone will take yours. At worst, those in attendance will wonder where you are from and how come you have no been raised right. (Couple that with your accent, Jonas and you might earn a ticket to the guillotine testing facility.)
2 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not do a lot of smiling at people. If you do, at best some will think you have gas, At worst, most of the French will assume you are an ax murderer. (Yeah, the French don’t smile much to strangers, Julien. You are making them uncomfortable a feeling they will want to reciprocate.)
1 If you are at the first balloon launch, do not comment on the inclement weather. If you do, at best you’ll get a whats new shrug. At worst, several folks you meet will ask you to do something about it. (This is a new one, Jim. I hope you are prepared to produce miracles.)
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is a bit unusual. Let’s let Linda Hill explain it. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “blue.” Talk about the first blue object you see when you sit down to write your post. Have fun!” Okay then. If you would like to have fun like this, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
“Love your collar, Twiggy.” “Thanks, Dad. You think Lucy wants to play?” “After the sun comes up, I’m sure.”
Another Friday is upon us. For whatever reason this week seemed to last a long time. I think maybe it’s because football began in earnest last weekend and I spent a lot of time looking at a few games. I can’t say any of the games had the outcomes that I wanted but, hey. As a fan, it was good to see the games back again.
I am still working on the first draft of my WIP. Last week I was at 68,000 words and this week I fell slightly short of the 1000 words a day at 74,500. (It was only 500 words short but short nonetheless.)
I had a lot of research to do and just got lost in it. I guess I could have gutted it out to make up the 500 words, but it seemed forced, so I didn’t do it.
This week’s JohnKu talks about missing goals. I hope you have a super weekend.
Usually, I would have an episode of my continuing story during this time, but this is not the day for a fictional story.
This is the day to remember an actual horror at the hands of those who hate America and the freedoms for which we stand. Today is the day to remember the innocent victims of this hate.
We should remember the citizens of the world who were terminated for merely being on American soil.
We should remember the American citizens who were going about their daily life, not knowing this would be their last.
We should remember the first responders who heroically attempted to save their fellow human beings, even knowing their lives were in danger.
We should remember the passengers innocently riding in what would become weapons of mass destruction and those who valiantly fought back against their kidnappers.
We should remember those who gave their lives in bringing those responsible for the 911 massacre to justice.
We should remember today what happened on September 11th, 2001, for all who have sacrificed their lives to preserve a free America in spite of those who wish to destroy us and the spirit of freedom.
Join me in remembering that day and those who perished.
