Great guest post by T.j.Therien Author of Scrolls of Sion on Rosie Amber
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.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday
Here is my contribution to the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt as described by Linda Hill: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-2514/
The prompt is to end with a question and extra credit for an exclamation point. Here goes:
“Holy cow! Did you see that car?”
“What car you talking about?”
“The one that just went by. The red one.”
“No, I guess I missed it. What was so special?”
“There were two people in the front seat and a couple of bears in the back.”
“Yeah right, a couple of bears.”
“I’m not kidding these two bears were sitting in the back and it looked like they had some kind of drink in their hand . . .er . . .paw.”
“How do you know it was a drink?”
“They had Big Gulp cups that’s how. Why the hell you concentrating on the drink? Don’t you want to know what the bears were wearing?”
Summer Spotlight: John W. Howell
A guest post on Jill Weatherholt’s Summer Spotlight series. Thank you Jill for having me it was so much fun.
TGIF Friday – JohnKu
Another week of hard labor has been put to bed (after the next eight or so hours) and it is time to celebrate. As you read this I am in the San Francisco area attending the Passages Book Store Mystery Writers conference. This year’s faculty is pretty impressive. There is John Lescroart, Anne Perry, Valerie Plame Isabel Allende to name a few. Of course, through the miracle of WP scheduling this Friday JohnKu (a term coined by Words4JP) is still being published as it should on Friday. This week’s JohnKu deals with the subject of learning (which I hope I will be doing).
To Learn by John W. Howell copyright 2014
Knowledge does not thrive,
Cultivating is required . . .
Otherwise, it dies.
Guest Author John W Howell
A guest post on Rosie Amber is always an honor. It was an extreme pleasure and I enjoyed answering the questions Rosie asked. Thanks Rosie
My GRL by John W. Howell
A wonderful review of My GRL by Rosie Amber. Rosie is very dedicated to present to the reader a good idea of what to expect in a book and she does such a fine job. She is also dedicated to living life as it should be lived. Thank you Rosie.
Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day
I was going to put a title on this piece that read Sexual Discussion NSFW, Pictures Included but chickened out. The title would have been a draw but then the content would not have lived up to the expectation. Y’all would boo and hiss and call me names and I just can’t have that. So why would I even think of a title like that? Good question and I’m glad you asked. It is simple really.I always wonder if the headline really works to draw in a reader. I suppose if I really was talking sexual stuff that was not safe for work and had a bunch of really steamy pictures I would get a few readers that I normally would not get and, therefore, the headline would work.
But let’s just say every day. Does my headline “Wednesday Story Day AKA Hump Day” cause someone (not you certainly cause you are right here reading) to actually read what is written? I wonder. I know if you read this blog because of the headline would you just note that in the comments section. This is not scientific, but what the heck. Can’t hurt. Yes, there is a story here and it is prompted by a sexual discussion. The picture part needs to be in your head and I will add that this story is SFW. It is titled Drug Store. I hope you like it.
Drug Store by John W. Howell ©2014
“Yes young man can I help you?”
“Yes sir. I have looked all through your store and am having trouble finding a Frisbee.”
“Oh son. That’s because we keep that kind of thing behind the counter.”
“You do. That’s funny cause you can walk right into a Wall Mart and get them.”
“Please. I really doubt that.”
“It’s true. Believe me.”
“Okay, I’ll take your word for it but in this store we keep all those items behind the counter. What brand are you interested in and are you eighteen?”
“Brand? I already told you. Frisbee. It’s used in the game.”
“Even at your age I did not consider the use of a Frisbee as a game.”
“They had Frisbee’s when you were young.”
“Well, they were not as colorful as they are today, but they got the job done.”
“Job done? I’m still talking about a game.”
“Young man you may think the act of procreation is a game, but I can assure you it is very serious. How old are you?”
“I’m seventeen why?”
“I’m not allowed to sell you a prophylactic unless you are eighteen. Of course, if you have your parent come in I can certainly help you.”
Love: Lost and Found by Pamela Beckford Book Tour
So happy to be part of the Love: Lost and Found Tour. Pamela is such a talented poet who can inspire all of us.
Alone (double cinquain)
Alone
So incomplete
Gazing at the moonlight
Wondering just when you’ll be here
Nearby
With me
To start our lives
Never to leave again
Becoming whole and not just half
As one
Pamela has written a second collection of love poems. Poetry is an expression from deep within the soul. It can be therapeutic and healing. It can bring out all the best or the worst in life. Her poetry comes from the heart, not the head. It is an outpouring of emotion and she exposes it to the reader in the pages. Love: Lost and Found contains over 90 poems representing over a dozen different forms of poetry. The poems span the angst and despair of love lost to the exhilaration and ecstasy of a deep abiding love.
Love: Lost and Found has already received a five-star review that says
“Pamela Beckford writes with her heart as much as her mind. She makes me feel things when I read her work that usually stay buried beneath the surface. Her way of expressing emotions that usually aren’t captured for later evaluation is amazing.
I also enjoy that she uses a lot of different styles and forms of poetry in her collections, making the book varied and interesting. Some are shorter and some longer, but all of them carefully constructed. Her ability to say so much in so few words is an indication of her talent as a writer.
If you are looking for an excellent poetry book, look no further.”
Pamela’s other books have also garnered some great reviews and both are available on Kindle or paperback as well.
Season of Love (tanka)
First there is summer,
Followed by fall, winter, spring
But lest we forget
The season of love appears
Bringing hope for all lost soulsCan’t wait to read this collection
Book Review Challenge Post from Teri
Very insightful and nice review of My GRL by Teri Polen. Thank you Teri.
Top Ten Things Not to Do While Trying to Attract Other Authors to do a Top Ten List
Here is the 55th installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do. I decided to publish this list in case anyone wants to do a Top Ten you will at least know some thought has been put in how to behave. Of course, the person who needs to behave is ME. If you would like to guest post a list of your own, contact me at johnhowell.wave@gmail.com
Top Ten Things Not to Do While Trying to Lure Attract Other Authors to do a Top Ten List
10. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not make them believe they will become rich and famous. If you do, at best they will overlook the one “like” and still speak to you. At worst, they could find a way to troll your blog for the rest of your life.
9. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not try to write a top ten list for them. If you do, at best you will probably include information which makes no sense. At worst, you might unintentionally include embarrassing information which the author had no idea you knew and which will put you on the author’s hate list for all time.
8. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not lead them to believe it is easy. If you do, at best you may never get the author to guest blog again. At worst, you may find some unpleasant e-mails from your previous colleague requesting you to place your list where the sun doesn’t shine.
7. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not think you won’t need a post for that day. If you do, at best you will be scrambling to put together something at the last minute. At worst, you will publish an incoherent post that is so off the mark you’ll want to enroll in a witness protection program and will be willing to commit a crime to do so.
6. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not force the subject. If you do at best you may end up with a top ten list of nothing. At worst you will no doubt antagonize your readers with the crap produced and will have made an enemy for life of the author.
5. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not insist on running your own media. If you do, at best your media will have absolutely no tie in to the list. At worst you will have the pleasure of enjoying your media selection alone which is a state that may turn out to be permanent.
4. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not set up a set of pre-publish rules that may be impossible to follow. If you do, at best you may find yourself listless on Monday. At worst, you may cause what has been a lovely relationship with the author to degenerate into twelve paces at dawn and you don’t know how to fire a flintlock pistol.
3. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not promise food or money for participation. If you do, at best you will need to figure out a way to select the best lists. At worst, you may be put in a position of turning down beautiful lists due to the fact that you have run out of money and food turning those you don’t accept into lifelong Voo Doo practitioners.
2. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not offer to guest post on their blog in return. If you do, at best you might get a nibble or two. At worst, you will be listening to the crickets for a long time since none of those offered really want you to guest post.
1. If you are trying to attract other authors for a top ten-guest appearance, do not plead, beg, cry, or kick your feet. If you do, at best your fellow bloggers will find a way to unfollow you. At worst, you will broadcast your desperation which in the jungle as well as in the blogosphere can lead to being pounced upon by hungry lions..
