Author: John W. Howell

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.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #116 By Keith Channing

March 28, 2017March 27, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

In Keith’s words, “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #116

“Hey, you screws let us outta here.”

“Yeah, we want to talk to our lawyer.”

“YOU TWO SHUT UP AND BACK AWAY FROM THAT GATE OR YOU”LL FIND YOUR BUTT ON A CHAIN.”

“Boy, he sure is a grump huh?”

“You have to wonder if he likes his job.”

“What’s to like. Walking around with that billy club is no life as I see it.”

“Think of having to watch the likes of us all day. Makes you almost feel sorry for him.”

“Sorry? Never. If I could get my paws on him, I’d show him a thing or two.”

“So what are we going to do?”

“Not sure right now. I would like to be able to talk to someone, but frankly, I don’t have anyone.”

“Wow. Me too. I used to have the nicest home.”

“Tell me.”

“We were happy, and then all of a sudden things changed.”

“What happened?”

“I heard them talking about moving and then the next thing I knew I was on the side of a country road. I thought we were going for a ride and they kicked me out.”

“Country road?”

“Yup. Then this wagon pulled up and caught me in a snare and put me with a bunch of homeless like me.”

“Did they charge you?”

“I don’t think so. If they did, I don’t remember. Those guys were pretty rough.”

“So how did you find yourself at Camp Fed.”

“Camp Fed?”

“Yeah, that’s what we call this place. It is minimum security.”

“I was in the general population when someone came in and said, “That one.”

“Ah, the same thing happened to me.”

“What did we do wrong?”

“I don’t think that’s the right question.”

“What is the right question?”

“What happens next is the next question.”

OKAY, YOU TWO. THERE’S A COUPLE FROM A FARM THAT WANT TO TAKE YOUR SORRY ASSES HOME. NOW BACK AWAY FROM THE GATE AND BEHAVE YOURSELF.

“OMG. I think this means we will be released.”

“Together. Did you hear the guy say ‘your sorry asses?”‘

“Oh man, this is great.”

“Just one thing.”

“Yeah what?”

“What makes us think these won’t put us out on a country road?”

“Cause I heard their name’s, Channing. That’s why. Come on let’s go.

Top Ten Things Not to Do Traveling by a Train

March 27, 2017March 26, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

California Zephyr

The inspiration for this list is the fact that my producer is on the Amtrack California Zephyr from Davis California to Omaha Nebraska. She will be enjoying the route through the High Sierras and will be spending two nights on the train. The idea was to go with girlfriends and take a historic route to their final destination of Omaha. There she will be watching the Longines FEI world cup horse jumping and dressage finals. I hope you enjoy the list.

Top Ten Things Not to Do Traveling by Train

10 If you are traveling by train, do not think you can sit just anywhere. If you do, at best you may be lucky and not take someone’s seat. At worst, you’ll get comfortable only to discover Tiny the WWF champ has a seat reservation where you are sitting. (Notice how quickly Tiny reacts when things don’t go his way, Bunky.)

9 If you are traveling by train, don’t forget to charge your phone before getting on. If you do forget, at best you will have to limit your calls. At worst, you will be without your phone when you need to send that text to your boss in answer to the question, “where the hell are you?”(Seems you forgot to tell the boss you were going on vacation huh, Ferd?)

8 If you are traveling by train, don’t forget a blanket or sweater. If you do, at best you’ll get chilled. At worst, trying to use your seatmate’s blanket might get you arrested for assault. (Maybe you should have asked before rolling over with it, Buford.)

7 If you are traveling by train, do not talk louder than those around you. If you do, at best you may get into an argument with someone bigger. At worst, you and your bags might be offloaded at the next stop which is a thousand miles from nowhere. (That mail hook was a bit of an insult huh, Pard?)

6 If you are traveling by train, do not walk around without your shoes. If you do, at best you may step on something that moves. At worst, you may need to re-evaluate how much you need those last pair of sock after the visit to the restroom. (This is not the beach, Buster. Shoes are required.)

5 If you are traveling by train, do not forget to take something to read. If you do, at best you’ll get tired of reading the safety messages in the coach. At worst, you’ll begin talking with someone who obviously was just released from a mental care facility. (Your hint should have been the focus on picking lint off your sweater that wasn’t there, Bud.)

4 If you are traveling by train, do not forget to bring snacks and water. If you do, at best the train provisions will be expensive. At worst, the last bottle of water and bag of chips will be auctioned off to the highest bidder after the twelve-hour delay at Donner Pass. (That name rings a bell doesn’t it, Tex?)

3 If you are traveling by train, do not leave your bag unattended in the overhead rack. If you do, at best you’ll be traveling with a group of nuns on the way to a retreat. At worst, whatever was in your bag will be for sale in the next car. (If you hurry you might be able to buy back your underwear, Putz.)

2 If you are traveling by train, do not walk around with a full drink. If you do, at best any spills will hit the aisle. At worst, the last lurch caused your cup to empty on the head of that enormous man in the seat you fell into. (That low growl you are hearing is not part of the train function, Guy. I would run.)

1 If you are traveling by train, do not forget where to get off. If you do, at best you can catch the next train back in twenty-four hours. At worst, the railroad detective will finally release you after several hours of investigation into the stowaway charge. (Why you decided to ride to the end of the line is anybody’s guess, Pal.)

Views of the Neighborhood

March 26, 2017March 26, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

This week I thought it would be fun to take photos of those things around town that tourists take tend to take photos of too. I know, sounds a little nuts but bear with me. I also have to explain that there were no tourists in town yesterday so I couldn’t hoodwink a few into having a picture taken with their head inside these items. I would have put me in the photos, but since my producer is out of town for a week, there was no one to snap the photo. Sad right?

The first photo is a group cutout in front of Winton’s candy store. It has nothing to do with the beach or candy but does provide a pretty accurate depiction of a Port A Saturday night.

Photos to take in Port A

This next one is in front of Wintons as well. Clearly, this is a Rattlesnake dressed as a cowperson shooting of guns while happy candy cane cactus stands by. Woo yeah.

Where to take photos in Port A

The next one is in front Stingrays Taphouse and Grill and is obviously a stingray dressed in a 40’s zoot suit playing a guitar. I would want this one on my holiday card

The next is an extra. We have a sand festival called SandFest, and this gold cart will be raffled off.

Now we are at The Gaff, and since there are pirates everywhere, it is no surprise that the cutouts are of pirates. Of course given some of the others and the fact that The Gaff is the Sandbelt racing capital of Texas one never knows.

For bad pirates, there is the stockade

Y’all have been here before but here is another shot of the Gaff sign. I didn’t stay for the races. There is only so much excitement an old guy can take in one day.

Here is an interesting tent. You can see this is a place that you can have photos converted to shirts, shoes and it appears by the photo blankets as well.

Here is another shot of the outside. I think I would love to have a poster that big. Maybe one of my books and it could fly from the porch.

Here is a shot inside the mysterious tent. The first thing you should notice there are no photographs allowed. (Oh sir, I didn’t see the sign or signs.) Notice also the parrots. They are live and were yelling “no photos,” as I was setting up the shot. The third thing to notice is the tourist (yes, there is one) dressed in the blue shirt with a depiction of cocktails on the back. In case you miss the subtlety the word “cocktails” is stitched above them

Here is the granddaddy of all photo ops. Imagine yourself inside the shark’s mouth. Don’t forget to look horrified so that folks back home will be fooled into thinking you are in the mouth of a shark.

I love this little sidewalk painting. This shows you where to put your feet to get the best shot of……

These two old fisherman. I did stand where I was told by the street painting and by gumbo I got the best shot.

Thanks, for joining me on this little walk around the neighborhood.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt March.

March 25, 2017March 24, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

SOCS

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again and this week’s prompt is “march.” Linda Hill says we can use the word any way we want. To quote Janis Joplin, “Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose.” If you would like to get involved, go to Linda’s place and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-mar-2517/

“Forward march.”

“You’re kidding right. You gonna go there?”

“Why what’s wrong.”

“You’re doing a prompt right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“The word is forward or march. Which one?”

“March.”

“Come on man. You can do better than, ‘forward march.'”

“Well I’m in a little bit of a hurry, and that was the best I could do.”

“You know haste makes waste. Take a moment and think about the word. You can tie it into something splendid if you try.”

“What do you care anyway?”

“This is my space, and usually there is something worth reading on these Saturday prompts.”

“Maybe it’s time you had a stinker.”

“Not on my watch. Now think.”

“Okay. Hmm, March Hare.”

“Now you are starting. Keep going.”

“March madness.”

“Yesssss.”

“Sousa March, March of the Sugarplum Fairies.”

“Good, good.”

“The month of March.”

“Hot damn.”

“March from Aida.”

“Sweet.”

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.”

“Right—uh wait a minute. Aren’t you supposed to make a story using the word March?”

“Well, yes. I just don’t know which to tell.”

“Why don’t you just start somewhere and let it flow.”

“Good idea. Ahem, let’s see how this sounds. Forward March.”

“Sounds great. Print it.”

Indie Author Friday -John W. Howell #IndieAuthors #thriller #suspense

March 24, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 8 Comments

As you know, Teri Polen is a fantastic author and reviewer. I am honored to be featured on her Blog today. You will enjoy a visit.

Books and Such

It’s Friday!!! And I’m so happy to have my friend, John W. Howell, here for Indie Author Friday. His blog keeps me entertained daily with writerly things, views of his neighborhood, and weekly stories, and his thriller/suspense series with unlikely hero John J. Cannon is not only compelling, it can kick up the heart rate a few notches. I have to mention his penguin wearing the sombrero question has one of the best answers I’ve seen yet.

The John Cannon Trilogy begins in Port Aransas where San Francisco lawyer John J. Cannon decided to go after taking a live of absence form his firm. He bought a boat he named My GRL with the idea of giving the charter boat business a try. He was unaware that a group of terrorists already targeted his boat to be used on a mission to destroy a symbol of America. He woke up…

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Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 24, 2017March 23, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 39 Comments

TGIF

Another Friday and only about one workday to the weekend. It looks like we are going to make it. (maybe I shouldn’t say that too loud). This has been a busy week. More editing work on the next book and a beta read has pretty much occupied my week. Hard to put my finger on anything definitive that I could rack up as an accomplishment. I guess continuing to make progress is an accomplishment. I guess we should all feel that as long as we are moving forward, we are making a dent in our to do list. Today’s JohnKu talks about accomplishment.

Goals set. We are told,

Each day we should finish one . . .

Well, how about a smile?

Thursday – A Little Personal – #RRBC Spotlight Honors Interview with Lynn Miclea

March 23, 2017March 22, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Today I am interviewing Lynn Miclea author of the book “Ruthie: A Family’s Struggle with ALS.” This book is a memoir written by Lynn in the hopes of helping other caregivers cope with the awesome responsibility and stress of caring for loved ones. The show is live beginning at 11:00 Central Time and here is a direct link. If you miss the live show, an archived version will be available at this link after the show is over.

Here is the blurb for Lynn’s book.

A powerful and compassionate memoir about an intelligent and beautiful woman’s experience with ALS. Dramatic and heart-wrenching, the story takes the reader through various symptoms, multiple diagnoses, and progression of the disease, as the author’s mother loses her strength, independence, and ability to speak and eat. The story includes volatile family interactions as one person who is in denial attempts to block the woman from getting the help she desperately needs. This is a personal view of this difficult illness, and the story brings you right into their lives and hearts. This book is ultimately inspirational, as it offers many insights and practical suggestions for helping someone with a terminal disease. This would greatly benefit anyone dealing with any type of progressive illness.

About Lynn

Lynn

Lynn has become a successful author with ten books published. Two of her books are powerful memoirs, and eight are uplifting children’s fiction adventure books about kindness and helping others.

Lynn’s contact information:

Twitter Handle: @hunnipuff
Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/lynnmiclea.author/ and
https://www.facebook.com/Ruthie-A-Familys-Struggle-with-ALS-1599236806972900/
Website address: https://www.lynnmiclea.com
Amazon author page – https://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Miclea/e/B00SIA8AW4
e-mail – lynnmiclea@aol.com

Book Review – My GRL by John Howell

March 22, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

Don Massenzio usually reviews books that have an extremely wide audience. I am therefore very honored that he would post such a lovely review of My GRL. Don is also a master of the mystery story and has a number of books in print. Check out his blog and his books as well.

Don Massenzio

Goodread Synopsis:

John J. Cannon, a successful San Francisco lawyer, takes a leave of absence from the firm and buys a boat he names My GRL. John is unaware his boat has been targeted by a terrorist group to be used to destroy a symbol of America’s greatness. John’s first inkling of trouble is when he wakes up in the hospital and learns he was found unconscious next to the body of the young woman who sold him the boat in the first place. John now is the only one standing between the terrorists and the success of their mission.

My Review:

Just from the synopsis, I was hooked on the story line. The book did not disappoint. It starts out with a senseless murder and then pulls in elements of a classic thriller. We have bad guys pretending to be good guys, a relentless law man and a reluctant…

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Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

March 22, 2017March 21, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

Hump Day

Well, it is Wednesday Story Day time again. Last week we had to witness the return of the Widow Murphy and find out she pretty much has some strong opinions about Alice. I think we got the opinion that the widow had designs of Lucas herself and was pretty much bad mouthing the competition. The widow offered Lucas some lunch and it looked like he was going to take her up on the offer. Oh and let’s not forget she asked Lucas to come in without his shirt. Oh, my. We need to go back to Antion Illinois to see what is up with all of that.
“Well, son I have Chicken salad for lunch. Go wash up and it will be ready when you get back.”
Yes, ma’am. Where is the bathroom?”
“Right down that hall to the right.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“You can call me Harriet.”
“Yes, Miss Harriet.”
“That boy sure is well-mannered.”
“I’m back.”
“Goodness, you gave me a start. I was thinking what a well-mannered boy you are.”
“Thank you, ma— er Miss Harriet. My mom taught me respect.”
“I can see that. I can also see you have your shirt on.”
“Yes, Miss Harriet. My mom would never allow me to come to the table unless I was wearing a shirt.”
“Oh, she is some woman. Have a seat. Would you like some sweet ice tea?“
“Sounds good. This salad looks delicious.”
“I know young men would rather have beef, but I think you’ll find it tasty. There is plenty so if you want more just ask.”
“Thank you, Miss Harriet. It is very tasty. I may take you up on that offer.”
“Tell me, Lucas. You mentioned your mom. Is she from around here?”
“No. She lived in Wisconsin.”
“You say lived. She’s not there anymore?”
“N-no. She uh…”
“Oh dear. I think this old woman should mind her business. You don’t have to answer.”
“That’s okay. I just miss her, and it is hard to say that she has passed.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss. Has it been long?”
“She and dad were killed last year.’
“Killed? Oh, my. I am sorry.”
“They were murdered in their sleep.”
“How awful, my dear boy. Do they know who did it?”
“The police are really stupid. They think they know but haven’t done anything about it.”
“Oh my gosh. And now you live here in Antion. All by yourself?”
“Yes. I want to finish school, and it’s the only way. I couldn’t stay in Wisconsin. I work here in the summer and then go to the University in Champaign-Urbana. I’ve got an apartment there.”
“How do you manage?”
“My parents left me enough Miss Harriet.”
“I’ll stop asking questions now. I can see you are upset.”
“No. You are very kind. I’m not upset. I would like some more chicken salad if you don’t mind.”
Of c-course, Lucas. I’ll get it.”
“More tea too, please.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #115 by Keith Channing

March 21, 2017March 20, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

Here are Keith’s words to explain what is going on. “Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo

Kreative Kue #115