16, with returning guest, John Howell, and host, Sally Ember, Ed.D

January 19, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

I am so pleased to be invited back to Sally Ember’s show *CHANGES* and I hope you will tune in.

Join us as *CHANGES* conversations between authors host, author Sally Ember, Ed.D., talks again with +John Howell, mystery/thriller author. Episode 47 is LIVE Wed., 1/20/16, 10 – 11 AM Eastern USA time. And, you can watch it anytime on Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cfuijqdl8qs2s8ipv2lhr3fbrd0 or
YouTube https://goo.gl/M9GpBo

About Sally Ember

Sally Ember, Ed.D. has been passionate about writing since she was nine years old. She’s won prizes for her poetry, stories, songs, and plays. She began meditation in her teens. Now, Sally delights fans of paranormal and romance by blurring the lines between fact and fiction in a multiverse of multiple timelines with a unique blend of utopian speculative fiction and Buddhism.

Her sci-fi/ romance/ speculative fiction/ paranormal/ multiverse/ utopian books for New Adult/adult/YA audiences, “The Spanners Series,” are getting great reviews. The books are available in e-book or paperback editions Vol I, “This Changes Everything,” is now FREE everywhere since Vol II, “This Changes My Family and My Life Forever,” has been released April, 2014. Vol III, “This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change,“ released 12/8/15, and Vol IV in spring, 2016; Volumes V – X soon after that.

Born Jewish on the cusp of Leo and Virgo, Sally’s life has been infused with change. Currently, she meditates, writes, swims, reads and hosts her Google+ Hangout On Air (HOA) *CHANGES*, LIVE conversations with authors, almost every Wednesday, 10 – 11 AM EST USA, in Missouri.

Archived *CHANGES* shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPbfKicwk4dFdeVSAY1tfhtjaEY_clmfq
Learn more about and get yourself scheduled on as a guest: http://sallyember.com/changes-videocasts-by-sally-ember-ed-d/

Sally blogs regularly on wide-ranging topics and includes reviews, interviews, guest blog posts, and excerpts from her ebooks. Visit and comment, follow, “like,” and share! http://www.sallyember.com/blog

In her “other” professional life, Sally has worked as an educator and upper-level, nonprofit manager in colleges, universities and private nonprofits for over thirty-five years in New England (every state), New Mexico and the San Francisco Bay Area before returning to live in St. Louis, MO, in August, 2014. Sally has a BA in Elementary Education, a Master’s (M.Ed.) and a doctorate in education (Ed.D.).

If you would like to appear on her show go HERE for more information.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #60 by Keith Channing #JusJoJan

January 19, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 46 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2016/01/18/kreative-kue-60/ Here is the photo.

The Son of the Sun by John W. Howell © 21016

“Wow, this is cool. playing out in nature.”

“Yeah I really dig it.”

“What’s that tune you’re playing?”

“A little something I made up.”

“I like it. Let me try the keyboard.”

“Oh, that is the way. You play it well.”

“Do you have a name for this song?”

” I call it the son of the sun.”

“Man. That’s a weird name. Why that?”

“Every time I play to a certain point there comes a massive beam of light. One more note and I’m there. Watch. See that?”

“Whoa. That blinded me. This happen every time?”

“Yeah I can’t explain it.”

“I wonder if you could like harness it?”

“The beam of light?”

“Yeah. Maybe you could make some money with it.”

“Aw man. I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want to fool with mother nature.”

“Do you have any more songs?”

“Yup, a few. Here listen.”

“That one is cool. What’s its name?”

“I call it end of the Earth.”

Top Ten Thing Not to Say in the Doctor’s office #JusJoJan

January 18, 2016September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

The inspiration for this list is many many visits to doctor’s offices. I have six specialists all in charge of a different part of my body and one Primary Care Physician, who is watching the whole thing. I hope you enjoy the list.

Ten Things Not to Say in a Doctor’s office.

10 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say “What’s up doc?” If you do, at best you’ll get a look. At worst the doctor will decide a digital exam is a must do. (You just had one of these the last time your were here right?)

9 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “I’m not a doctor but play one on TV.” If you do, at best, you’ll get a chuckle. At worst, you will be asked for a diagnosis on yourself. (Who knows if you are right or not)

8 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “Do I get some painkillers?” If you do, at best, the doctor will make sure there are no refills. At worst, you will have to pass scrutiny to ensure you’re not a pill head. (You thought it was an innocent remark right Bucky?)

7 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “Why am I still waiting? My time is valuable.” If you do, at best, you will feel better but will still wait longer. At worst, the minimum wage receptionist will accidentally slip your name down the list until you are first tomorrow. (Looking at your watch sixty times an hour won’t help either)

6 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “I can get this medicine on the internet at half the price.” If you do, at best you will be ignored and will still get the prescription. At worst, you will be invited to buy your drugs on-line and to consult a doctor online as well. (Well. That didn’t work out the way you planned did it, Homer?)

5 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “I have filled out these forms ten times already.” If you do, at best you will get a kindly smile and a request to fill out the form. At worst, you will be branded a trouble maker, and the clerk will make sure you will need to complete the form until your last day on Earth. (Would have been easier to fill out the form one more time and hope for the best.)

4 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “How soon will the doctor be in to see me?” If you do, at best, the answer will be the same as you’ve heard while waiting on the phone for customer service.”The doctor is busy with other patients and will be here shortly.” At worst, the nurse will inform the doctor you are in a rush, and he’ll be in and out of your exam room in twenty seconds. (I hope he is right about the need for a barium enema. Aren’t you?)

3 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say,” Please file that insurance paperwork for me.” If you do, at best, the reimbursement will be delayed. At worst, the clerk will quit next Wednesday and toss all the incomplete paperwork in the wastebasket. (Well it was only a $125.00 after all)

2 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say,”This is not how Doctor Smith handled me.” If you do, at best you’ll be informed that Dr. Smith is no longer your doctor and “we” know best. At worst, you will be kindly asked to join Dr. Smith who is currently working with Doctor’s Without Borders in the jungle somewhere.(Dr. Smith wasn’t all that good after all right?)

1 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say,”I just can’t lose weight no matter what I do.” If you do, at best you will be given an extensive list of things you can eat and asked to fill out a diary for the next month. At worst, the doctor will give you some medicine that makes everything you eat taste like cod liver oil. (Now we both know no such drug exists so tell me why it works)

This post is part of the Just Jot it January happening. Go here to find out what it is about.

http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

10 Statements – John W. Howell

January 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

Another honor today is to be part of Karen Oberlaender’s 10 Statements. This is a regular feature of Karen’s and I am honored to participate. Thank you, Karen for presenting my 10 Statements

My train of thoughts on...

Photo by Tim Burdick

John’s main interests are reading and writing. He turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business. John writes fictional short stories and novels as well as a daily blog. His first novel, My GRL is available on Amazon and wherever e-books are sold. His second, His Revenge is just being launched and is available on Amazon and KDP Select.

John lives on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of South Texas with his wife and spoiled rescue pets.

Find me…

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/HowellWave
Authors db – http://www.authorsdb.com/authors-directory/6604-john-w-howell
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-w-howell/48/b59/462/
Google + – https://plus.google.com/+JohnHowellAuthor/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/johnwhowell/
Shelfari – http://www.shelfari.com/johnwhowell
Amazon Author’s page – https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell
Martin Sisters Publishing – Http://www.martinsisterspublishing.com

My personal motto:

“This life is the only shot you have so don’t mess it up.”

10 statements

A typical work day begins with… a quick review…

View original post 976 more words

Lisa the robot interviews John W. Howell

January 13, 2016January 13, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 4 Comments

I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by Lisa Burton, special assistant to C.S. Boyack Author of Will O’ The Wisp, The Experimental Notebook, Cock of the South, Panama, Wild Concept and Arson. Visit his site and check out the wonderful book there.

Entertaining Stories

“Hey, Lisa. I need you to do something for me.”

“Sure thing, what’s up.”

“I’m really busy today, and I need you to interview an author for me.”

“Wait a minute. Personal assistant, robot girl, spokesmodel. That’s my entire job description. Where does it say conduct interviews?”

“Well – You’d be assisting me, so it’s part of the assistant job.”

“Fine. Who is it?”

“You remember John W. Howell don’t you.”

“He was at the block party, back in September.”

“Yeah, he’s a great guy.”

“He wore a lampshade and kept asking me to turn him on.”

“I think you’re reading too much into it. Ask him about his new book. People love you, all you have to do is talk and make notes.”

“Fine.”

ooooo00ooooo

I took the formerly haunted biplane to Port Aransas, Texas. I touched up my hair and makeup at the airport, and changed into my…

View original post 1,482 more words

The Men’s Really Hard Hat Awards

January 12, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

Had to reblog this award from Hugh and tell him thanks.

The Phoenix Project Tour with #RRBC Author D.M.Cain

January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

I am very pleased to welcome D.M. Cain to Fiction Favorites. She is on her The Phoenix Project tour with 4Wills Publishing. You can go HERE to see other stops on the tour. I present D.M. Cain

Why I’m proud of my 1-star review

To an author, a negative review can be soul-destroying. You have poured your heart into hours and hours of writing and editing something that, at times, feels like your baby – you treasure it and love it, and want to hold it high and shout your pride from the highest mountain. So when a reader dismisses it as ‘rubbish’ or slates your use of language, it can be hard to take.

Recently my debut novel ‘The Phoenix Project’ got its first 1* review:

Did I sulk and cry and decide to never write another word? No, I smiled and heaved a sigh of relief.

This little solitary star does not mean I am a useless writer. It means I didn’t appeal to that reader. But more than that, it means I’m being taken seriously as a proper author. This isn’t a requested review, it hasn’t been paid for, it isn’t a friend or family member doing me a favour – this is a 100% honest member of the public who took the time to read my book. So it wasn’t for them – that’s fine. There has never been a book in the history of literature that hasn’t been disliked by somebody. I want reviewers to be honest and I appreciate it when they give me points to work on. I know that I am already a significantly better writer than I was this time last year – because of the reviews and advice I have received. I have taken comments on board and altered my style in just this last twelve months. It also means that, at this moment, I am a far worse author than I will be in one or two years’ time. So, I need this feedback from readers to help me to get to that level more quickly.

The Phoenix Project is not an easy read, I know that. When I set out to write such a bleak and emotional story, I wanted to affect my readers. I wanted them to have a strong reaction to my work – even if that reaction is negative. A 1* review is as powerful a response as a 5* review and, in my opinion, is better than a dispassionate 3* review.

I also believe that 1* reviews tell potential readers as much as 5* reviews do. When I’m looking for a new book to read, I often take a glance at a few five-star reviews, but then I head straight to the 1* column. Why? Because the things people hated about a book will tell me what I need to know.

Take these two reviews of Suzanne Collins’ ‘The Hunger Games’:

5* review – The hunger games series are some of the best books I’ve read for a long time, couldn’t put them down!!

1* review – Should have been called ‘The Boring Games…’ It was juvenile and seemed to be gladiator meets big brother.

Here, the five-star review tells potential readers nothing – just that the particular reader liked it. However, the one star review actually tells a lot about the book – it tells us people fight to the death while they are watched on TV screens (a bit like The Phoenix Project!) Based on these two reviews, I would still buy this book as the 1* review told me what I needed to know.

That’s the way I am viewing my own 1* review. Take a look again:

This review tells my potential readers 2 things:

1) It is a dark and heavy-going book with emotional and disturbing material (Thanks, reviewer – that’s exactly what I was going for and want my readers to know before they pick this book up)

2) That the storyline didn’t make much sense to him (Which is fine – I appreciate that this is a dystopian sci-fi and this genre always takes a stretch of the imagination. Maybe he isn’t used to reading dystopian novels. But I bet there will be people who read his review and decide to pick the book up for this very reason – to see if the plot will make sense to them.)

To me, getting 1* reviews isn’t always comfortable, but it can tell us a lot about our book and ourselves as a writer. So, fellow authors, when you get negative feedback, hold your head up high and take whatever positives you can from it.

Don’t miss my Author Party Event (http://4wills-dmcain.chatovod.com/) on Friday, January 15th at 1:00 pm CST!!

GIVEAWAYS: (2) book bundles – (1) paperback of THE PHOENIX PROJECT along with (1) paperback of her children’s book, SOREN!

To be eligible to win one of these sets, merely leave a comment on any stop along the tour, including this one and you could be one of our two lucky winners!!!

Biography

D.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author working for US publisher Booktrope. She has released three novels: The Phoenix Project – a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future, Soren – a middle-grade fantasy, and A Chronicle of Chaos – the first in a dark fantasy series. She is currently working on the next novel in the series, ‘The Shield of Soren’, and a novella to accompany it.

D.M. Cain is also a member of the International Thriller Writers and is one of the creators and administrators of the online author group #Awethors. Her short story ‘The End’ was published in Awethology Dark – an anthology by the #Awethors.

Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK, with her husband and young son, and spends her time reading, writing and reviewing books, playing RPGs and listening to symphonic metal.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMCainauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMCain84

Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/XevZH

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dmcain84/

Website: www.dmcain84.com

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DMCain/posts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7888430.D_M_Cain

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzt_E8st1pyfkoTiA4E5jNg

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/D.M.-Cain/e/B00LTTX3PA/

The Phoenix Project:

Nook:

http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/the-phoenix-project-by-dm-cain/2940157645656

Amazon:

US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195A6AYK
UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0195A6AYK

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-phoenix-project-dm-cain/1123117161

iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/book/id1066900946

“This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #59 by Keith Channing #JusJoJan

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2016/01/11/kreative-kue-59 Here is the picture.

“Hey, dad.”

“What son.”

“How long are we going to hang out in this parking lot?”

“Till we finish our lunch son.”

“You know we must be out of our skulls eating lunch in a parking lot.”

“Why so son?”

“We could have gone to a park or even home for heaven sake.”

“Now you know we can’t go to a park.”

“I still don’t understand why not.”

“You are twenty-one years old, and you look three. Do you remember when you told that lady to keep her effing hands off your cheeks.”

“She was pinching me. What else could I do?”

“Secondly, we can’t go home until I figure out how to tell your mother I traded her car for this thing.”

“Yeah why did you do that?”

“The guy made it sound so great with the savings on gas and everything I couldn’t resist.”

“I think Mom is not going to understand the fact that you gave up her Escalade for this pregnant roller skate.”

“But the guy gave me cash money in addition.”

“Well, I would say it’s your story, and you’ll have to sell it.”

“You could at least give me some encouragement.”

“I could, but I think you’re doomed. My doobie went out. Do you have the lighter up there?”

“Yeah hold on I’m firing mine up first.”

This post is part of the Just Jot January. If you would like to join in the fun, go to this link and come on in. http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF #JusJoJan

January 8, 2016January 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 37 Comments

Another week has come and gone, and there are now only 51 weeks left in 2016. Why I decided to look at 2016 this way is not clear. It might be an attempt to slow things down by looking uphill instead of downhill. I think that might be an honorable way of trying to put the skids on the speed with which time passes.

This week has been a challenge. The Chinese stock market has given the world the jitters, and so most of us sit and watch equity vanish. The idea of getting into a panic is one that doesn’t appeal to me. I guess I will have to ride it out and bet on the fact that when the market declines at some point in time, it does rebound. Well, in any case, it is too late. All the smart money already took off. Today’s JohnKu talks about remaining calm during stressful times.

The sea boils with change.

The sun hides and holds its warmth. . .

All this will pass soon.

This post is part of the Just Jot it January. If you want to join in here is the link http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

Thursday – Little Personal #JusJoJan

January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

I was in the backyard watching the dogs and under cloudy skies saw a couple of sights that made me smile. We can always count on seeing a brown heron or pelican on the beach. A Great Blue Heron is something not often seen. So imagine my surprise when this guy wandered into the scene.

He stayed around a while and seemed content with doing his robust fishing in a fresher water supply. Then a group of his white feathered friends swooped down and started working the grass.