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.

Friday the Last Workday of the Week – TGIF

May 9, 2014May 2, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

It is always nice to reach Friday after a full work week. What makes it particularly nice is the opportunity to look forward to the weekend with all of its freedoms. I guess we all know this so it seems silly writing about it. Yet to simply come to the end of the week without an acknowledgement of the significance downplays the kind of week we had and is now concluded. If the week was productive and rewarding the Friday celebration takes on an air of congratulations. If the week was challenging and tough the Friday celebration takes on the air of a nod to survival and the opportunity to try again next week. In any case, to pause for a moment and reflect on the week is a good habit which makes TGIF what it really is. It becomes a milestone marking the passage of our lives. So with this deep philosophy discussion comes the Haiku for the week. Also I like ABBA songs and Dancing Queen has the word Friday in it so here it is.

Mark by John W. Howell

Four seasons a year,

Enter, leave on measured time . . .

No mark left behind.

…a real treat… Author John W. Howell graces the Guest Blog slot today… #TBSU…

May 7, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

I am honored to be featured as a guest on Seumas Gallacher’s blog. Seumas is the Chairman Emeritus of The Blog Scratchers Union (TBSU) and an outstanding mystery author. He is most supportive of other writers and has a wonderful blog to visit and follow.

Seumas Gallacher

…among many superb friends who populate my virtual WURLD, Author John W. Powell is a shining light… he’s popping a terrific wee short story on here as a taster for yeez as to the man’s writing talent… enjoy, then have a look at his new novel, MY GRL…

JOHN W. POWELL

…some of yeez may know that John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites has published his first novel titled My GRL… what yeez may not know, John also dabbles a bit in short story writing… sez he, “It’s a way to take a break from writing a novel and relax…” seems to this ol ‘Jurassic this might be like a busman’s holiday, but whatever works… John has prepared a story for yeez and here it is… oh, and at the end he has put some words about where yeez can find his book…

Last Night by John W…

View original post 1,019 more words

Wednesday is Story Day

May 7, 2014May 2, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 10 Comments

Wednesday is the day for a small story. I was asked last week why I write these stories. My answer came quick. I write them for the pure pleasure of doing so. I like to take a break from my novel (#3) and just start a story to see where it goes. These are all written by the seat of my pants and are designed to start in one direction and hopefully finish in another. Also one small feature, they are 100% dialog. I find dialog to be a challenge and therefore fun in and of itself. So here is this week’s offering, I hope you enjoy it

The Dollar by John W. Howell

“What you got there?”

“It’s a dollar.”

“Where did you get a dollar?”

“I found it on the street.”

“Oh you did, did you?”

“Yes and I was just thinking on what I want to buy.”

“Whereabouts on the street?”

“Right over there. By the fire hydrant.”

“By the fire hydrant? Don’t you know that is city property.”

“Yeah so?”

“Well that dollar really belongs to the city.”

“It does?”

“Yes it does. You could get in a lot of trouble by not turning it in.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“I’m talking jail time or a fine for stealing.”

“A dollar?”

“Okay suit yourself. Just don’t get caught.”

“Wait. What should I do?”

“Give me the dollar and I’ll turn it in for you.”

“You’d do that for me Frank.”

“Sure we’re pals aren’t we?”

“Okay here. I’m going home now.”

“Okay see ya around. Heh heh.”

“Excuse me kid, but what cha got there?”

“Where officer?”

“In your hand. Looks like a dollar. You didn’t pick it up by the fire hydrant did you? You know that could be considered stealing.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do

May 5, 2014May 2, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 19 Comments

Here is the 44th installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Driving in Bad Weather Conditions

10. When driving in heavy rain, do not think it’s a good time to tap into your inner child and race your car through flooded areas of the road. If you do, at best you’ll just irritate the drivers around you who will be splashed in your wake. At worst, your car will stall at the next intersection where you find out that the “water” you were racing through is really the effluent from a broken sewer main.

9. When driving in heavy rain, do not forget to turn on your headlights so your car will be seen by other vehicles. If you do, at best you may just have a couple of near-misses as cars turn abruptly in front of you because they didn’t see your dark gray car approach the intersection through the gray sheet of rain. At worst, you may wind up wishing your car had been a neon pink color instead of dark gray after you get the bill for the fender-bender you caused.

8. When driving in heavy rain, do not think that you can safely drive the speed you drive in good weather. If you do, at best, the drag from the inches of standing water on the road will slow you down anyway. At worst, you might suddenly find yourself hydroplaning and, even more unfortunately, headed straight for the broken sewer main.

7. When driving in a snowstorm, do not think that you can save time by having the ice on your windshield defrost while you are driving. At best, everyone else will have stayed home and you’ll have the road to yourself and thereby avoid crashing into anyone. At worst, your insurance company won’t buy your story that the two small holes you scraped from your windshield should have been enough for you to avoid hitting the tractor-trailer when you passed into its lane.

6. When driving in a snowstorm, do not think your fellow commuters will find it amusing if you put a sleigh and reindeer antlers on the roof of your car and honk at everyone to let you through because you are Santa Claus. If you do, at best, the other motorists will let you through because they think you’re crazy and want to get as far away from you as possible. At worst, the other motorists will let you through straight to a highway patrol car waiting just for you.

5. When driving in a snowstorm, do not think your passengers will find it funny if you pretend to have snow blindness. At best, your passengers will help you to pull the car over so one of them will take over the driving (which was your intent anyway but you knew they wouldn’t do it if you just asked). At worst, your passengers will help you to pull the car over, but then leave you stranded on the shoulder because they knew you were faking.

4, When driving in a sudden hail storm, do not think it would be a good idea to suddenly pull over and collect the hail because you’ve never seen it before. If you do, at best, you’ll just have some motorists honk at you while you pack a few hail stones into your lunch bag. At worst, you’ll have a hard time convincing your boss that you’re late for work because when you stopped to collect hailstones, you got knock out cold by a big one and that is why you are acting drunk at noon.

3. When driving in a sudden hail storm, do not think it is a good time to pull out your golf club and trying some putting, no matter how obsessed with golf you are. At best, you’ll get the usual honks and rubbernecking from other motorists who are trying to figure out why you’re on the shoulder of the road swinging a golf club. At worst, see #4.

2. When driving during a heavy weather warning, do not think this is a good time to reenact a scene from your favorite Storm Chasers episode. At best, the storm cell never materializes and you simply waste a tank of gas looking for it. At worst, you wake up in another state but without ruby slippers.

1. When driving during a hurricane, … oh, please, just don’t!

Friday the Weekend Eve – Haiku

May 2, 2014April 28, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

Friday again means time for a little Haiku to help celebrate the fact that we made it all the way. (Okay so maybe there is eight more hours of today, but still tonight be the night. Weekend eve . . . woo hoo). Hopefully you will have a restful weekend and will be able to hit Monday (just seconds away) with vigor. Here is today’s Haiku or maybe a Haiban (not really sure)

It is spring today,

Rivers made of snow cascade . . .

Daffodils now live.

Author Interview with Guy Portman – Author of Necropolis and Charles Middleworth

May 1, 2014April 29, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

Click Cover to Visit Amazon

I am very happy today to have Guy Portman author of two great novels: Charles Middleworth and Necropolis visit Fiction Favorites.

Guy’s latest novel Necropolis, released on April 24^th is a humorous work of dark Fiction about a sociopath, who works in the Burials and Cemeteries department in his local council. This is the Blurb:

Dyson Devereux works in the Burials and Cemeteries department in his local council. Dyson is intelligent, incisive and informed. He is also a sociopath. Dyson’s contempt for the bureaucracy and banality of his workplace provides ample refuge for his mordant wit. But the prevalence of Essex Cherubs adorning the headstones of Newton New Cemetery is starting to get on his nerves.

When an opportunity presents itself will Dyson seize his chance and find freedom, or is his destiny to be a life of toil in Burials and Cemeteries?

Brutal, bleak and darkly comical, Necropolis is a savage indictment of the politically correct, health and safety obsessed world in which we live.

Guy is also the author of, Charles Middleworth, the critically acclaimed fictional story about an actuary, who has his existence turned upside down by sinister forces that he can neither understand nor control.

John: Guy currently resides in London, where he was born. He studied for a B.A. in Theology at Kings College London, a subject he chose out of interest rather than any religious persuasion. He also has an M.A. in Sport and Leisure Management. His working life has included being employed in academic research and the sports industry, where he spent several years at a Premier League Football club. He has traveled extensively, living and working in both Sydney and Tokyo. Besides writing and promoting his work, Guy enjoys reading a wide variety of books, reviews of which can be found in the review section of his blog which you can visit HERE. His other interests include sport and social media.

So without further hesitation I want to welcome you, Guy Portman to Fiction Favorites. Please pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable. First of all, thank you for agreeing to an author interview on my blog.

Guy: Thank you John. I have been looking forward to our interview. I must say a virtual trip to the US is preferable to the long flight on British Airways, and infinitely better to a flight on Delta Air. I am enjoying the view of the sea from your studio.

John: Yes the sea is very relaxing. Thank you for referring to my dining room as my studio. Can I get you anything to eat or drink? A Margarita perhaps?

Guy: I would love to sample one of your famous Margaritas.

John: Here you are, I hope you enjoy. Well, now that we are comfortable, I have some questions that I’m sure readers would want to know about you and your books. The first is on the subject of your latest book Necropolis. What was the inspiration for such a tale about a worker in a Burials and Cemeteries department?

Guy: I had an overwhelming desire to write a satire/black comedy. Necropolis provided me the opportunity to do both. The fact Dyson is based in the public sector allowed me to satirise (Guy is English after all ) bureaucracy, political correctness and the interference of central government in local government affairs. The fact Necropolis is based in a Burials and Cemeteries department provided a perfect setting for a black comedy.

John: I would say that sounds like the perfect setting for a black comedy. In contrast, Charles Middleworth is a bit of what could be considered light humor. What caused you to try a little darker side in Necropolis?

Guy: I believe that I have a caustic wit, and that writing Necropolis would provide me ample refuge for it. In addition to this I have read a great deal of black comedy and Transgressive Fiction in recent years, which has no doubt influenced my writing.

John: How much of the character, Dyson Devereux in Necropolis is Guy Portman or the other way around?

Guy: Dyson Devereux is a sociopath. I am not. However there are some similarities between Dyson and I. Like Dyson, I am charming and good-looking. You’re not posting a photograph of me with this post are you John?

John: No guy I’m not posting a photograph.

Guy: You’re not – phew. What Dyson and I definitely share is a dry sense of humour and a degree of cynicism.

John: Thinking now of your two books: Charles Middleworth and Necropolis was one easier to write than the other. If not do you have a favorite between the two?

Guy: Charles Middleworth was much more difficult to write, as it was my first book.

John: I can certainly understand the first seems to be the roughest. About your writing process, could you give us an idea of what your average day looks like as it relates to writing?

Guy: It varies from day-to-day. When I started writing Necropolis, I only wrote for about an hour a day – five days a week, but my writing efforts soon escalated to four or five hours a day, as I was so enthusiastic to get the story down on paper, or rather on Microsoft Word.

John: Which is harder for you to write, the beginning, middle or conclusion?

Guy: A good question. Um let me think. The middle. I believe this is because it is difficult to judge how long it should be. The beginning is clear, as is the end, but it is easy to procrastinate and/or elaborate too much in the middle. For me this is the part of the initial draft that needs scaling down the most when I do my first edit.

John: I think elaboration is the curse of authors, so I can understand your choice. This is a question that all authors need to answer since other authors are always interested in the style of others. Are you a plotter (very planned approach to writing) or a pantser? (seat of pants)

Guy: I started off as something of a pantser, but have evolved into a plotter. Of course I want spontaneity in my writing, but as Necropolis is very plot based a pantser approach was never going to work for me.

John: I have been reading about your reviews namely Crime Fiction Lover (Britain’s largest and most prestigious crime Fiction review site) has awarded Necropolis 5 out of 5 stars. For our readers: Click here to read the review (warning: contains some spoilers). Do any others come to mind?

Guy: Necropolis has only been out a very short time, but the positive reviews are coming in fast. Another that springs to mind is this one on Mallory Heart Reviews.

John: So I don’t totally exhaust you I think this will be the last question. Do you have plans for the next book and if so will it be more like Charles Middleworth or more like Necropolis?

Guy: My third book will contain dry, sardonic humour, just like Charles Middleworth and Necropolis. It will be more in keeping with Necropolis, in that it will be a work of dark, disturbing Fiction, but it will not be a satirical black comedy.

John: I’m sure all of us stateside will look forward to the third. In the meantime, all should pick up and read Necropolis and Charles Middleworth if not already done. Thank you guy it was a real pleasure to chat today. Please come back again. Oh, and next time could you bring me some Lemon Curd. I can’t seem to get any here in the colonies

Guy: I can’t seem to get Margaritas like these back in the Mother Country. Perhaps we could form a business partnership. It has to be more profitable than this writing business. Hopefully it won’t end up like the Boston Tea Party. One more Margarita for the road?

John: Here you go Guy. I think almost any venture is more profitable than this writing business. Also the first Boston Tea Party was a once in a life time thing and we rebels got that out of our system. So everyone knows; Necropolis is now available from all regional Amazons in paperback and Kindle. Amazon.co.uk –Paperback: £6.99 Kindle: £2.22 Amazon.com – Paperback: $10.52 Kindle: $3.73 and of Course Charles Middleworth is available on Amazon. Click HERE to take a look.

Hump Day Dump Day – Story Time

April 30, 2014April 28, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

This week’s Wednesday story is not about an egg, but is about a poor guy getting dumped. It happens to the best of us and in this case the dumpor waited quite a while to let the dumpee know his status. To make matters worse there is another character involved as well. (gee that is a surprise) Here is the story and I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. Count with me. How many days until Friday?

“Hey Frank I just swung by the post office and they gave me this letter for you.”

“Well thanks. That was nice of them to let you do the delivery especially since you have only been on the island for a couple of days.”

“Well the post mistress said you’ve been on the beach all day and I told her I was coming to see you.”

“Boy in a small beach town there are no secrets.”

“You can say that again. Hope it is good news. The letter I mean.”

“Yeah Bob I wish I could say the same thing.”

“Is it bad news?”

“My wife dumped me.”

“What? I didn’t know you were married.”

“No one was supposed to know. I guess it won’t hurt now to tell the story.”

“What story?”

“She and I were broke so we hatched this plan to take out some insurance and then for me to disappear. We would wait for the statute to run out and declare me legally dead. Well the seven-year statute ran out last week and she now has two million bucks.”

“Wow. Can’t you do something?”

“Naw. If I say anything I could go to prison for fraud.”

“Why’d she dump you?”

“According to the letter she was tired of being alone and fell for some guy named Bob. Hey he has the same name as you.”

“Funny huh Frank.”

“Aw c’omon don’t tell me you are the same Bob.”

“No Frank I am not the same Bob. My name is Bob Peters and I am with the FBI and I have a few more questions for you.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do

April 28, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Here is the 43rd installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.

Top Ten Things Not To Do When Attending a Parent-teacher Conference

When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not assume your child is never at fault. If you do, at best, you might be disappointed. At worst, you may find yourself explaining certain behaviors that could only be learned at home.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not try to explain away your child’s behavior with some made-up medical excuse. If you do, at best, you might be questioned about your own veracity. At worst, you might be explaining to child welfare the fact a medical exam found no medical reason for the behaviors.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not try to deny providing unusual help on the term project. If you do, at best, you will look like someone who has problems with the truth. At worst, you could be accused of being a severely overprotective parent with recommendations for counseling.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not try to ingratiate the teacher with abnormal compliments. If you do, at best, you will look like you have something to hide. At worst, the teacher will think you are shallow and assign the same trait to your child.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not assume the teacher will be impressed with your professional or work title and your forceful personality. If you do, at best, you may be in for a rude awakening. At worst, the teacher will think you are a bully and report you to the principal.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not do all the talking. If you do, at best you may miss some important information. At worst, the teacher will think you care more about yourself than your child and end the conference early with none of the issues resolved.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not bring along friends or relatives as support. If you do, at best, the teacher will feel outnumbered and end the conference early. At worst, the teacher will bring in a number of witnesses and pretty soon the conference will take on the appearance of a trial with you as the defendant.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not bring gifts. If you do, at best, the teacher will feel uncomfortable in giving you an honest evaluation of your child’s performance. At worst, the teacher will need to call the principal to witness turning down what they consider to be a bribe.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not call the teacher by the first name. If you do, at best, the teacher will believe you are rude. At worst, the teacher will get the feeling you are unnecessarily challenging the professional relationship which will not play well for the rest of the semester for your child.
When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not wear your most casual clothes. If you do, at best, the teacher will believe you are not serious about the conference. At worst, you may be unknowingly violating the school dress code and be asked to leave the building.

Friday Again so Soon – Ha Ha

April 25, 2014April 22, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

We finally made it to Friday. I have to say this was one hell of a week. I am working on my third novel and have set a goal to write 1000 words a day. This week I fell short. Not because I didn’t want to write , but I was busied out with projects needing done and pets needing help. It wasn’t as bad as I thought not achieving my goal, so I now need to whip myself into a frenzy and get back on the horse. It reminds me of the old question when faced with something which you believe has dire consequences. “What is the worst that could happen?” Once you face that question dealing with the issue is more manageable. So when I was pulling my hair out about missing daily numbers, I asked myself, “What is the worst that could happen?” I figured the worst would be a week’s delay in finishing my book. Since I don’t skydive, if I finish my book a week later than planned, it is no big deal. I don’t think the world will even notice. Okay I feel better. Now to the Margarita. Oh I almost forgot the Haiku. Here it is:

Worrying too hard,

About phantom dire results . . .

Breathe in deeply peace.

Necropolis Launch

April 24, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 5 Comments

Guy writes with humor and skill and his keen wit comes through each story. This one looks very promising

Guy Portman's Blog

I am pleased to announce that Necropolis is now available from all regional Amazons in paperback and Kindle. Necropolis is a humorous work of dark fiction about a sociopath, who works for the Burials and Cemeteries department in his local council.

Crime Fiction Lover (Britain’s largest and most prestigious crime Fiction review site) has awarded Necropolis 5 out of 5 stars. Click here to read the review (warning: contains some spoilers).

If you haven’t seen it already this is the blurb for Necropolis:

When an opportunity presents itself will…

View original post 160 more words