Guesting in Siân Glírdan’s Green Room #RRBC

~ John W. Howell ~ 12 Comments

Today I have the pleasure of being a guest of Siân Glírdan in her green room before taking off on a fabulous adventure. I have been given the opportunity of taking a trip to an exotic destination which is explained in the post. I also am allowed to take anything I wish to enhance my experience. So come over to Siân Glírdan’s place and see where I’m going and what I’m taking with me. Here is the link http://wp.me/p7wYAB-f4,

About Siân Glírdan

Siân Glírdan is the fusion persona of the elven roleplay character, Janowyn, High Bard of the River Kingdom and her ‘real world’ creator, author, Jan Hawke. Glírdan is the elven word for ‘songsmith’, and Sîan is a Welsh variant of Jan (in case you were wondering!).
When it became obvious to Jan that Jano had a far better handle than she could ever have on writing in the fantasy genres, Sîan was born, fully formed and raring to go. A Freebooter’s Fantasy Almanac, which is basically the manual on how Jano was brought into being and developed, is Sîan and Jano’s first official collaboration. They’re currently working hard on an epic future fantasy series, loosely based on the ancient Celtic world. The first volume should reach the shelves at the end of 2016.

Freebooters Fantasy
Click cover to visit Amazon

 

SiânGlírdan

Jan Hawke (Siân Glírdan) is also the author of Milele Safari

Jan Hawke
Click Cover to Visit Amazon

 

Saturday Stream of Consciousness – Prompt “Man”

~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

SOCS

 

It is Saturday Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This weeks prompt is “Man.” Linda Hill says we can use it by itself or as a word with “man” in it. Wow, this leads to all kinds of thoughts. I could address the issues of mankind, discuss man and woman, talk about the man in the moon. Knowing myself, I probably won’t do any of that stuff. If you would like to join in here is a link to Linda’s post. https://lindaghill.com/2017/03/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-mar-1817/

Man by John W. Howell ©2017

“What are you going to write about?”

“Man.”

“What?”

“Not what. I’m writing about man.”

“Oh, I thought you were calling me man.”

“No, the subject is man.”

“I see. So what are you going to write about?”

“Man.”

“Uh. I get that. What about man?”

“Well, I thought I would tell a story about a man.”

“What kind of story.”

“Um, maybe a story involving a man.”

“Hello is this mic on? I know it is about a man. What about the man?”

“Er. He is a man and—”

“Okay just stop there. I think you have no idea what you are going to write.”

“I resemble that. How did you know?”

“I think it would take an idiot not to know. You are stumbling around like a lost soul.”

“Hey. You just gave me a story idea.”

“I did? Tell me.”

“This guy meets up with the devil and is offered riches.”

“Oh please go on.”

“Here’s the good part. The devil want’s the man’s soul for the riches.”

“And when it comes time to collect the riches there is some hitch right?”

“You are clairvoyant. How did you know?”

“I watch reruns of the Twilight Zone which maybe ought to tell you something.”

“That you have no life.”

“Yeah right.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 63 Comments

 

TGIFAnother week has flown by. Well, at least it seems that way. I am sitting on the lower patio writing this post and I have to say the weather is perfect. Beautiful sky and temperature in the 70’s. The pups are having their sun bath and all is right with the world. I decided to post a picture of them relaxing instead of the usual Friday TGIF meme. Speaking of Friday this week’s JohnKu is all about enjoying the time we have been given. I hope you have a great weekend.

Enjoy by John W. Howell © 2017

Sunny day today,

Nary a cloud in the sky. . .

What is not to love.

Thursday – A Little Personal – Interview by Steve DeWinter

~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

I am pleased to have appeared on Steve DeWinter’s interview show titled Fiction Silicon Vally Spotlight. On this show, Steve features Indy authors. Here is the link to the show on YouTube.

teve de WinterA little bit about Steve.

You can visit him at his information site to see all his books.

Steve is a #1 Bestselling Amazon Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Author who has also co-authored two fantasy novels with Charles Dickens.

Yes! That Charles Dickens. books have hit #1 on the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list, #1 on the Amazon Steampunk Bestseller list, and my adult thrillers reached as high as lucky #13 on the Amazon Action & Adventure Bestseller list. I also have the distinction of having nine books in the top twenty of the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list all at the same time.

His books have hit #1 on the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list, #1 on the Amazon Steampunk Bestseller list, and my adult thrillers reached as high as lucky #13 on the Amazon Action & Adventure Bestseller list. He also has the distinction of having nine books in the top twenty of the Amazon Children’s Action & Adventure Sci-Fi Bestseller list all at the same time.

When not writing, he curates other author’s work to find the best in children’s literature every month for Book-Rover’s monthly Book Box service which you can find at book-rover.com along with other great things on the horizon

Steve's book

Guest author: John W. Howell – Head to head with John J. Cannon

~ John W. Howell ~ 4 Comments

Today I have the pleasure of a guest spot on Sue Vincent’s blog. Visit and take a look around. Sue also welcomes other writers to guest post as well. Thank you again, Sue

Sue Vincent's avatarSue Vincent's Daily Echo

Image: Pixabay

Interview with John W. Howell by John J. Cannon…

About John J. Cannon:

John J. Cannon finished his undergraduate work at Stanford University and earned a law degree from Harvard. John became a litigation attorney who has been practicing for over ten years. A vacation lead him to discover the desire to try his hand at becoming a charter boat captain. He bought a boat he named My GRL and enrolled in a course to secure his papers. John was awarded the highest civilian award for service to the United States for his work in preventing an attack on America.  He is married and has one child and now lives on Mustang island where he operates the Our Justice charter company.

Thank you, Sue.  I don’t often take time out to do interviews but the charter season must take some seasonal time off so it is wonderful to…

View original post 1,533 more words

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we had further revelations that The Sheriff (Seth) and Alice never got a divorce. We didn’t find out why, and according to Seth, it is just one of those things. So far the widow is still missing, and Lucas hasn’t made much headway on the house. I think we should get back there and see if there are any other things we can find out about this weird community.
“Hey you, boy.”
“Yes, ma’am. I see you are back from the beauty shop.”
“Yeah, a bunch of nonsense. Say, I thought you would have been half way done by now.”
“Well, ma’am I’ve had a lot of interruptions is all.”
“Okay but I’m paying you by the job and not by the hour so if you want to fritter away your time that’s your business. Come down here for a moment.”
“Yes, ma’am what is it?”
“I wanted to warn you about that Alice Weston woman.”
“What about her Mrs. Murphy?”
“She’s a she-wolf in lamb’s clothing. I might add that clothing comes off too quickly in my mind.”
“W-what?”
“I just saw the sheriff in town, and he said she was around here while I was gone. That true?”
“W-well, yes ma’am. She was here.”
“She didn’t bother you did she?”
“No, ma’am. She was very nice.”
“That’s what I’m worried about, boy. A nice young man like you better take care.”
“Take care?”
“Yes. Take care that women doesn’t sweet talk you into anything you’ll regret.”
“I think I can take care of myself, ma’am.”
“Mind my words, Lucas. That woman is trouble and if you’re not careful you’ll get burned.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll be careful. Now I’d better get back to work.”
“I was just fixen’ to make some lunch. Why don’t you come inside and wash up.”
“You yourself said I was frittering”
“Aw pay me no mind. I’m an old curmudgeon and get a little on my high horse sometimes. I would love to have some company for lunch. You look like you could use a good meal.”
“Yes, ma’am. I would be pleased. I’ll go put on a shirt.”
“Oh, no need. You are fine the way you are. Just come in. You can wash up in the spare bathroom.”

 

John W. Howell

~ John W. Howell ~ 12 Comments

I have the pleasure of being on Susan Toy’s blog today. As you know Susan is the go-to person for recommendations. She also has a wonderful goal of helping Indie Authors. So, visit her blog and be prepared to be amazed by all that she has to offer. Thank you, Susan.

islandeditions's avatarReading Recommendations

john-howell-headshotJohn W. Howell

What is your latest release and what genre is it? I am re-releasing my first book My GRL due to my desire not to re-new my publisher’s contract. It is Thriller Fiction

Quick description: The first book in the John J. Cannon Trilogy where John J. Cannon, successful San Francisco lawyer, takes a leave of absence from the firm and buys a boat he names My GRL. He is unaware that his newly-purchased boat had already been targeted by a terrorist group. John’s first inkling of a problem is when he wakes up in the hospital where he learns he was found unconscious next to the dead body of the attractive young woman who sold him the boat in the first place. John now stands between the terrorists and the success of their mission.

my-grl-frontBrief biography:
John began his writing as a full-time occupation after an…

View original post 172 more words

Tuesday – Anything Possible Kreative Kue #114 with Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

Keith explains.

“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 #114

The Agent by John W. Howell © 2017

“Are you sure Tom Brokaw got his start this way?”

“Of course he did, Amad baby. Trust me. Pay your dues and fame will be yours.”

“I’m not sure what hiring you as an agent did for me.”

“Aw, you know how to hurt a person. You don’t mean that at all.”

“I haven’t had a paying job since I signed with you.”

“Let’s not go into this right now. The camera man is setting up the shot. Hey you guys where is the sound tech?”

“You can’t order these people around. I work for them not the other way around.”

“Believe me, Ahmed baby. In this town agents are kings. We make the whole thing work. I can yell at whoever I want. Do you know your lines?”

“Of course I do. It is not hard.”

“Okay run them with me.”

“Do we have to right now? Everyone’s listening.”

“Yes, we do.”

“Okay here goes. Ahem, don’t forget folks, Manhattan Island used to be a deserted as this strip of land. Now is the time to invest for your future. Call 888-777-6666. Operators are standing by.”

“Excellent. I liked the way you punched up the word ‘now.’ You are a natural Ahmed baby. You’re going to be great.”

“How much is this gig worth?”

“You get a cut of every lot that’s sold.”

“What? I’m on commission?”

“Don’t call it a commission. I prefer to call it a royalty.”

“Who negotiated that arrangement with you?”

“The land owner.”

“Sounds like he knows how to negotiate.”

“He takes after me.”

“You are related?”

“He’s my son Amir.”

“Amir, my brother?”

“Hush Ahmed. Everyone’s looking.”

“Aw, mom.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to do in The Back of a Police Car

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

Spring Break

 

Spring break inspires many things. There are enough police interventions during this time to be an inspiration for some stories. I picked a small segment of time and provide advice to those who find themselves behind the grid so to speak.

Top Ten Things Not to do in The Back of a Police Car

By John W. Howell © 2017

10 In the back of a police car, do not start a campfire thinking you need to stay warm. If you do, at best the foam extinguisher may make your face break out. At worst, your dad will not answer your call, and the judge is remanding you over for psychological evaluation. (Looks like the cost of the car and long-term care will be on you, Pumpkin)

9 In the back of a police car, do not remove your clothes. If you do, at best you will be asked to put them back on. At worst, in addition to all the charges so far you have added indecent exposure. (Let’s see how this plays in the hometown paper, Bunky)

8 In the back of a police car, do not sing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. If you do, at best you will be on key with no consequences. At worst, your performance will be videotaped and go viral showing up at every job interview background check for the next ten years. (Wonder why it’s so hard to find work, Buford?)

7 In the back of a police car, do not try to kick your way out. If you do, at best you may sprain an ankle. At worst, the resisting arrest charge will require arm and leg restraints for every court appearance. (Nothing makes one look guilty quite as much as chains huh, Tex?)

6 In the back of a police car, do not try hysterical crying as a method of possible release.  If you do, at best you may be locked up for your own protection. At worst, you may find yourself strapped to a gurney under observation at the local hospital. (This was not an intended result was it, Bucky?)

5 In the back of a police car, do not think you are in a public restroom. If you do, at best you find no place to wash up. At worst, you will notice the name tag on the officer now holding you around the neck which reads, “Tiny.” (You didn’t know this was Tiny’s (WWF champ) favorite car did you, Slug? Now it might be a little too late.)

4 In the back of a police car, do not whine about the tight handcuffs. If you do, at best you will be ignored. At worse, your cuffs will be traded out for a full straight jacket. (Makes the cuffs seem like a luxury right, Pard?)

3 In the back of a police car do not try to tell the officers how mush of a mistake they are making in arresting you. If you do, at best they will continue to ignore you. At worst, instead of a short ride and warning, they may personally drive you to the county jail and book you in. (Nothing like making it tougher on yourself huh, Slick?)

2 In the back of a police car do not wave and smile at everyone you pass. If you do, at best no one knows who you are. At worst, unbeknownst to you, some your parent’s friends witnessed your procession. (Those scholarship funds just aren’t going to cover all your college expenses now that you are cut off are they, Buster?)

1 In the back of a police car, pray you don’t get sick. If you do at best maybe the prayer will be answered. At worst, your prayer has been ignored, and you are now faced with two angry police officers and a very messy backseat. (Tomorrow morning ought to be a beaut huh, Roscoe?)

Views of the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Since this is spring break time, I had hopes of catching some excellent photos of American youth out of control. You know the ones where no one can focus their eyes, duckfaces, tongues out, red Solo cups, cigarettes, no shirts, and no shoes.

For a little nostalgia here is a shot from last year. (yes, there is a guy in the photo )

Spring Break

Since I take the photos for this feature on Saturday, I’m sad that at press time because of record-breaking rain, the posted photos show a different scene. (Don’t get me wrong. I’m not sad there is no mayhem, I’m sad we have nothing to laugh over)

So, let’s take a look at some friends of mine. I have to warn you these guys are not wearing any clothes.

Spring break

Yup this is a flock of Pelicans flying over a dark and stormy beach. This is a look to the North, and you can see some blue barrels on the beach. These are designed to keep the thousands of college kids from parking by the dune and blocking the road. They are put up for spring break then taken down. Usually, there are hundreds of vehicles going back and forth. The next photo shows a vehicle in the area.

Spring break

You have to admit it is a pretty dismal sight. I can’t imagine sleeping in that soggy tent.

This next shot shows an alternative to the soaked tent.

Spring break

Not sure this is any less dismal.

This last shot is of the beach chair set up by the resort down the road. I think they are ready for what will be no-shows.

Spring break

In case you wonder, we are most happy when the weather does not co-operate. We have become used to the peace and quiet of no spring break, and when it is upon us, all we can do is hunker down. This year it appears we have had a break of our own. Besides, the lawn needed a drink.

The weather is supposed to clear by Monday (darn it) so I’m sure there is plenty of noise, trash, and drunk time left in the week. I’ll be hanging out inside.