NEWSFLASH – Story Reading Ape Publishes Book…

July 3, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

The most supportive blogger on the planet has published a book written by his mum. Here is how you can get it.

MMVV eBook PNG SMALL

“But…but…but…THAT”S not YOUR name as the Author!” I hear you declare indignantly…

That’s TRUE – I’M not the AUTHOR, my Mother is, but unfortunately she is not alive to publish it herself, (she died in 2000), so I’ve published it in her name.

Today would have been Mum’s 90th birthday if she’d still been alive, so my sister and I felt that this book would be a nice way to celebrate Mum’s life and memory.

What’s it about?

As stated in the book description:

We all have dreams, loves and hopes; but what if you are a girl growing up in 20th century Northern Ireland before, during and after the ‘Troubles’?
From the poetic thoughts of our Mother, we get a sense of what it was like, ranging from humour, sadness, wistful thinking and sometimes just downright nonsensical, these are the words of one such girl.

Each poem tells a story.

My sister…

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Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 83 by Keith Krates –

June 28, 2016June 27, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

I love prompts and 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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’s the photo

Kreative Kue

“Where is everybody going?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, but since I’m in this crowd, I’d like to know our destination.”

“You didn’t see that lion back there?”

“Lion? Hell no I didn’t see a lion.”

“Well, that’s nothing. There is an elephant as well.”

“No kidding. They get away from the zoo?”

“I guess. We are all running for our lives.”

“This whole pack is running away from one lousy lion?”

“You want to be the one to stop him?”

“Well, no. I just think if someone would take charge then we could all turn on him and dare him to attack us.”

“Good plan in theory. Why don’t you ask for volunteers.”

“Ha ha ha very amusing.”

“By the way what kind of shoes are you wearing.”

“Nikes, why?”

“Oh, I just wondered. I think mine are faster.”

“So you think you’ll be able to outrun the lion?”

“See that’s just it. I’m not worried about outrunning the lion.”

“What are you worried about then?”

“I figure I don’t have to outrun the lion I just have to outrun you.”

“Yeah, very funny.”

Top Ten Things Not to Do If You’re an Islander

June 27, 2016June 26, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

Islander

The inspiration for this list is the way in which non-islanders view those who live on an island. Since I have done both, I suppose I’m qualified to give advice to Islanders about how to keep non-islanders from viewing them as weird. Well, islanders are weird but at least maybe, with this list, they could appear less so.

Top Ten Things Not to Do if You are an Islander

10 If you are an Islander, do, not tell everyone “It’s five o’clock somewhere” when you are taking a drink. If you do, at best they will think you need to justify your drinking habit. At worst, you’ll get a full-scale intervention. (That Pina Colada for breakfast sure cut the fog didn’t it, though?)

9 If you are an Islander, do not use the word “chill” ever. If you do, at best your uptight non-islander friends will take offense. At worst, you might trigger a psychotic event with someone who has reached the end of the advice road. (Wow, where did that fist come from?)

8 If you are an Islander, do not criticize the frozen shrimp served in the non- islander’s appetizer. If you do, your host will no doubt wish you had stayed home. At worst, you will get some advice on where you can store your fresh shrimp boat and all. (Hint, it’s a place where the sunshine is at a minimum)

7 If you are an Islander, do not attend events in flip-flops. If you do, at best most will think you rude. At worst, you may be asked to find a more sanitary mode of footwear. (The wedding invitation said nothing about footwear did it, Clyde?)

6 If you are an Islander, do not think all furniture can withstand suntan oil staining. If you do, at best those you visit will have a permanent remembrance of your visit on their floral print furniture. At worst, you might be presented with the cleaning tab for that spot left behind. (Why so mad? You didn’t mean it. Right Clod?)

5 If you are an Islander, do not drive on the non-island freeway. If you do, at best you’ll be assaulted by honking horns. At worst, you may find yourself, tired, confused, and arrested for going thirty-five miles an hour in a sixty-five zone. (Thirty-five seems fast enough for a human to travel, huh Ferd?)

4 If you are an Islander, do not refer to everyone and everything as “off island.” If you do, at best you need to remember you are “off island” as well. At worst, someone may accuse you of using derogatory terms and take offense. (Guess who the big guy crossing the room with clenched fists is coming to talk to?)

3 If you are an Islander, do not show up for a meeting or interview wearing shorts. If you do, at best no one will take you seriously. At worst some will think you are avoiding the dress convention and assume you are a rebellious individual. (You must know how “rebellious” and “individual” traits play in organized commerce. Ah well, unemployment checks are better than nothing)

2 If you are an Islander, do not ignore the sign, “No shoes, no shirt, no service.” If you do, at best you won’t get a table. At worst, you will need to find another way to eat since that sign seems to be everywhere. (Hot dogs over an open fire are tasty Rube)

1 If you are an Islander, do not fail to shower before you leave the island. If you do, at best you won’t see the wild looks of those you pass. At worst, you will spend some lonely days until you get back. (We know you just forgot and besides a dip in the Gulf takes care of everything.)

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 24, 2016June 23, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

TGIF

Friday is here once again and with it the promise to lay those burdens down for a bit of rest. This week was marked with a whole bunch of nothing. All I managed to accomplish was seven blog posts and staying ahead of the e-mail and Twitter feeds. I did not pen (er type) a word on any WIP nor did I edit a single line. This has to be the first time in over four years that I have not added a thing to a piece of work.

I have been involved in another project doing organized commerce kind of work so I know I have an excuse. I feel like I have ignored one of my kids or something. I have been waiting around for the editor to return Our Justice so I can begin formatting it for publication, so I think I have given myself an excuse for avoiding my other projects. I gotta stop that behavior now. *Slap* “Thanks, I needed that.”

Today’s JohnKu talks about excuses. I hope you enjoy it.

Tough project ahead,

Hard to begin the first step. . .

Need excuses fast.

Thursday – A little Personal

June 23, 2016June 21, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

Commas

Hi. My name is John, and it has been over four weeks since I last eliminated a comma from my writing.

This statement may sound like something I would say at a comma avoidance anonymous meeting. I don’t mean to keep eliminating commas, and I think it just might be a disease or something.

I tell ya, I try to not avoid commas. I work hard at not avoiding the use of commas and then before I know it I avoid one comma, and I’m right back to where I started. It escalates into a nightmare of avoiding comma’s until I’m in a position where I don’t remember how to use a comma at all.

When I get to this point, I know its time to go back into comma rehab. There are some excellent facilities around the country where you can find peace while you overcome your comma avoidance addiction. The best part is that the institutions tend to keep you away from the critical evaluations of those who notice missing commas.

Of course, within yourself, one has the capability to decide if the comma avoidance addition is going to control one’s life or one is going to control it.

So, I will keep trying to stay ahead of the addiction and keep the comma avoidance prayer in my mind. God help me control the commas I can control, forget those I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #82 by Keith Channing

June 21, 2016June 20, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 30 Comments

Another photographic prompt by Keith Channing. Let me tell you what is going on in his own 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 – for reasons I have yet to fathom, pingbacks don’t seem to be working.

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’s the photo.

Kreative Kue # 82

“Hey look at that Pradeep.”

“We must go over there. I think that guy has some animals tied to that motorcycle.”

“You are right. if there is anything I can’t stand is seeing an animal chained up.”

“Yeah, I want to chain up anyone who does that to an animal.”

“Do you see any water dish over there?”

“No. I think you’re right. I don’t see water, and the sun is so hot. What’s the matter with that guy?”

“He’s not even there. Let’s get a bowl of water.”

“Good idea and maybe some food.”

“By the looks of those two, we could be the food. I think the water will be enough.”

“We will need a stick to push the bowl close to them.”

“Excellent idea, Pradeep. I see a tree limb over there. We’ll use that to push the dish.”

“There’s water spout and a bowl. We are now in business.”

“Be careful with that water. We need to keep it in the bowl.”

“Hey! What are you two doing?”

“We could ask you the same Mr. Animal abuser.”

“Animal abuser? What are you talking about?”

“You’ve got this lion and tiger chained to that bike.”

“Yeah so?”

“Don’t you think it is cruel to treat them this way? No water as well.”

“Are you dopes for real? These are stuffed animals. I chained them so no one would take off with them.”

“Stuffed? Oh my goodness.Pradeep it looks like we made a mistake.”

“Speak for yourself. I still think it’s cruel. I’m going to set them free.”

“Fifty bucks each and they are all yours. Otherwise don’t make me call the police.”

“Might be a good idea. Call ’em.”

“Uh, Pradeep. We need to go.”

His Revenge (John J. Cannon Series, #2) by John W. Howell

June 18, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 11 Comments

I was out all day and then came back and read this wonderful review by Karen Oberlaender. Karen is a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team and if you haven’t visited her blog you are missing great posts.

My train of thoughts on...

His Revenge front final The author sent me a copy (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Plot
(by Goodreads)

The second John J Cannon Thriller moves from a barrier Island off the coast of Texas to Washington DC, then to Northern California, and finally to Ecuador. John is on the receiving end of…

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Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 17, 2016June 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

Chill out its Friday

Well, we have had another busy week. The rain finally stopped falling, and we have a good old Texas High sitting over the state. That means high humidity and temperatures in the 100’s for a heat index. Near the Gulf, the temperature is about ten degrees cooler, yet the index is still uncomfortable due to the humidity which is usually not as high.

I spent the week pretty much promoting the sale of His Revenge. I spent a little money on advertising the promotion and can honestly say it did not pay off. I learned a lesson so I won’t be repeating it again with the organization I picked. Of course, the problem with the KDP promotions you only get one shot every quarter and if you blow the awareness program, it is a definite miss not recoverable soon. Also, I was all over Twitter and can honestly say that effort doesn’t track to sales. At least I can’t quantify sales as a result of Twitter activities.

Today’s JohnKu talks about trial and error as the most naive learning model

Try this and then that,

There must be a solution. . .

If you keep trying.

Last Day for 0.99 His Revenge Sale #RRBC #ASMSG

June 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 15 Comments

His Revenge

In recognition of being chosen for the Book of the Month honor at Rave Reviews Book Club, I am running a sale in the US and the UK. June 9th (Thursday) through June 13 (Monday) His Revenge Kindle edition will be on sale for $0.99 in the US and £0.99 in the UK. Here are the short links should you want to grab a copy at this low price (1/3 the price of a Latte and much more fun)

US http://goo.gl/1NuXIK

UK http://goo.gl/GIsEnV

Blurb

America loves John Cannon, its newest hero, and the President wants to present him with the highest civilian medal for bravery for saving the Annapolis midshipman from a terrorist plot to destroy them. While in Washington for the award ceremony, John unwillingly becomes an accomplice in another plan by the same group to attack the credibility of the US President and the stability of the worldwide oil market. There is no way out as John either becomes a traitor to America or causes thousands of innocent people to die if he refuses.
The second John J Cannon Thriller moves from a barrier Island off the coast of Texas to Washington DC, then to Northern California, and finally to Ecuador. John is on the receiving end of an offer he cannot refuse. His avowed enemy Matt Jacobs now wants John to help him shake the reputation of the US in the world political arena. If John refuses, Matt plans to murder innocent Americans including John’s latest relationship. John’s only way out is to pretend to go along with the plan and hope for a miracle.

Sunday – Views of the Neighborhood

June 12, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

I thought I would start out the Neighborhood Views with a shot of a waterspout that popped up yesterday. These are very rare, so I’m glad I caught it. It is the little tail to the right of the cloud.

The next photo shows one of the two ways to get on and off our island. It is a car ferry run by the state. The other way is a bridge that is fifteen miles North.

Pictured are two ferries. The service has eight that run twenty-four hours a day. The dock in the foreground is for fishing and connects to Robert’s Point Park.

The next photo shows more of Robert’s Point

The photo above shows the marina which is part of Roberts Point.

Here is a boat leaving the channel that goes to the Gulf and is arriving at the breakwater of the marina. The marina is on the right of this photo and Gulf to the left.

Another picture of the marina showing our local shrimp boat The Pollyanna. (The white boat in the center) In season, you can go to the boat when it docks and buy shrimp caught only hours before.

You can also see a red-roofed building to the right which is the scene of many social events including concerts in the park. The little structure in the foreground is a picnic table with people having a picnic.

One last view of more of the park with places for family gatherings

The ferries are running to the right of the photo and the fishing dock is in the lower right (but out of the photo)