Thursday – A Little Personal

June 11, 2015June 10, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 13 Comments

I shot the following photo on a bike ride Monday of this week. Typically I tell stories about the beach on Tuesday but I couldn’t resist taking a little detour here. In case you don’t recognize the object in the picture it is a life vest with the name Cubierta Skandinavian. Loosely translated the words mean Cover Skandiavian. I tried searching many boat name data bases, and this one doesn’t show up. I also searched drilling rigs off shore with no luck. So with nothing to go on I had to make up a story.

“So where you going?”

“I’m going for a swim.”

“You crazy? We are in the middle of the ocean.”

“Yeah I know. I thought I would tire this rope around my waist and let the ship tow me along. It will be like waterskiing.”

“This sounds dangerous. You know the water is thirty feet below right?”

“I used to be a high diver and went a lot higher than that distance.”

“You drunk?”

“No. Well, a little high why?”

“I wouldn’t do that without a life vest.”

“Great idea. Here is one. Look it has the name of the boat on it .”

“I still think you are nuts.”

“Okay, here I go.”

“See ya. Don’t forget to tie the knot.”

“The what?”

“The kn-. Aw, gee too late. Bon voyage.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

June 10, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

Wednesday story day again. Last week we left Bob worried about someone stealing his work. Charlotte asked him to trust her, but it became plain that Bob did not believe her since she was working for his mother. Let’s go back to see what Charlotte has to say about this latest revelation (Should have called this series The Guiding Light of Writing)

“Bob. I am shocked you would think because your mother hired me I would not have your best interests at heart.”

“I’m sure you have a heart, but I always follow the money.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whoever is paying the tab can order the kind of pizza.”

“Huh?”

“Okay, lousy metaphor. I mean that when you are taking money from a person you owe that person a certain amount of loyalty.”

“Bob this is absurd. Your mother has paid me to see you get published. What the hell is wrong with that?”

“I don’t see how taking my mother’s money doesn’t make you beholden to her.”

“I am not beholden to anyone. She pays me to do what is best for you.”

“She doesn’t ask you for special favors?”

“Like what?”

“Like just getting me published no matter what.”

“She did say that and I told her I wouldn’t do it.”

“Wouldn’t get me published?”

“No, you idiot. I said I wouldn’t do anything that would make you a laughingstock of the writing world. I’m beginning to think I’m not the right person to continue this project.”

“Wait why do you say that kind of thing?”

“Oh, my gosh Bob. You are the most frustrating person. You have done nothing but bust my chops since we started and I’m tired.”

“Gee Charlotte. I didn’t realize I was such a pain.”

“Look at yourself Bob. You come in with some handwritten piece of crap. Then you say you have some writing in your head which you don’t want to be stolen. You accuse me of being on the take with your mother. Argggg, Why go on.”

“Charlotte?”

“What.”

“You okay?”

“Who cares?”

“I do. I didn’t mean to be such a shit.”

“Ah, good word Bob. Might even be your middle name.”

“Can we start over?”

“Over? What do you mean.”

“Hi I’m Bob and I want to be a writer.”

“You kill me, Bob. Yes, Bob, my name is Charlotte, and I can teach you to be a writer.”

“Hi, Charlotte.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Three Day Quote Challenge

June 9, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 12 Comments

I was Tagged by Charles Yallowitz to participate in the Three Day Quote Challenge. This one is real easy and fun. Here are the rules:

1 Thank the person who nominated you. (Thank you Charles)
2 Post your quote.
3 Pass it on to three others.

Here’s the quote:

Now for my nominations

Sue Vincent Frank Angle and Susan Nicholls

Tuesday – Anythings Possible #RRBC Spotlight Author Dr. Tara Fairfield

June 9, 2015June 5, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 27 Comments

I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Tara Fairfield to Fiction Favorites. Among her many accomplishments, she has been chosen as the Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Author for this week. I am pleased to be one of her stops on the Spotlight Author Tour. You can click here to see and visit the rest of the stops. Tera, the site is yours.

Thanks, John.

Why Write Christian Fantasy?

When I started writing Christian fantasy, I didn’t realize I’d stepped into a mine field of controversy among Christians. Since then, I’ve read articles both supporting and condemning the genre. I decided to come out with my own position on the topic and defend my fellow authors. First and foremost I want to say that however you feel about this subject, what is most important is where you stand in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I love my Savior and know the gifts he has given me, including creative writing, are to be used to glorify Him and His truths.

The other disclaimer I am putting out there is I am only speaking about works in this article written by Christian authors seeking to stay consistent with the principles and message of the bible, which, in my humble opinion, is what defines a “Christian” fantasy author.

Which begs the question… what is Christian fantasy? I believe the only works that truly can be considered Christian fantasy are those which stay consistent with biblical values and teaching.

Storytelling is an age-old tradition in almost every culture and often used to illustrate morals and values in a meaningful way, to be passed on through generations. Everyone learns differently. For myself, if I watch a movie, then read the book; I pick up something different, learn something I missed before. Novels reach youth in a way listening to a sermon or teaching won’t.

Like it or not, our youth today are inundated with negative messages through books, television, movies, radio and peers. Our enemy has captured their attention and glutted the market with witchcraft, demons, vampires and the like. I say, take back the genre! How amazing would it be to see a story, built around biblical morals to become the next blockbuster.

I believe it is possible to weave stories that spark the imagination and also spread a message containing morals and values consistent with biblical teachings. Many of my favorite Christian fantasy books are allegories of Christs’ love. These stories bring me closer to Christ, provide an illustration of how He impacts lives. Now I am NOT saying fantasy stories should replace the study of the Bible or other non-fiction devotionals. I am just saying; this genre might be read by those who would not otherwise get the message or who are searching for entertainment consistent with their beliefs.

If your child is raised in a Christian home and you believe you can keep him or her from the world, great. But, aren’t we called to reach non-believers, to speak to those who are lost? What better way than through story? God can use any form of communication, and I know he is using novels to reach into the lives of lost teens and remind them there is a different way. There is only one savior, but he can use any method to speak to His children.

Lastly, I hope believers will not use this controversy to come against one another in conflict. We are to love each other, support each other, and ultimately put our trust and faith in Christ.

Author Bio:

Dr. Fairfield is a licensed psychologist with her doctorate from Northern Arizona University. With twenty-five years of professional experience and after raising three children, Tara finally realized her dream of writing a novel.

When Tara’s not writing, you’ll find her playing on the ocean in her kayak or just hanging out with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

MAKAI QUEEN

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Makai-Queen-Tara-Fairfield-ebook/dp/B00B7PM3HA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1432955068

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/makai-queen-tara-fairfield/1110606035?ean=9781937756703

MAKAI KING

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Makai-King-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00N7407W2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1432943117

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/makai-king-tara-fairfield/1120256263?ean=9781939989123

WHEN MY LION CALLS

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Lion-Calls-River-Truth-ebook/dp/B00T7SJN4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432954950&sr=8-1&keywords=When+My+Lion+calls

Find Tara online:
Twitter: @makaiqueen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fairfield/293728984155377

Website: http://tarafairfield.com/index.html

Ten Things Not to Do at Graduation Time

June 8, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

The inspiration for this list is the fact that it is graduation season. When you think of all the graduations that are being held in the US alone, you realize the potential exists that these ten things occur with similar results. I hope you enjoy the list and can manage to avoid them.

Ten Things Not to Do at Graduation Time

10 If you are a graduate, do not put something dumb on your mortar. If you do, at best even if your family sees you they will not want to admit you belong to them. At worst the picture taken of your message will go viral and will show up every time someone searches your name on Google including prospective employers.

9 If you are a parent of a graduate, do not blow any type of horn when your child receives their diploma. If you do, at best you will cause your kid to want to find another home. At worst, that big over trained guy in front of you is fighting a hangover and will help you stow your horn where you will not want it stored.

8 If you are a speaker at a graduation, do not tell the graduates that the world is looking to them for salvation. If you do, at best your cliché will remind everyone just how out of it you are. At worst, your words will be quoted in some satirical publications who will point out just how many times graduating classes heard the same words throughout the millennium.

7 If your graduate has decided to skip the ceremony, do not fight the decision. If you do, at best your child will make attending the ceremony sound like parental abuse. At worst the child will attend with something dumb written on the mortar to the tune of “my parents made me do this,” and you can expect the message broadcasted worldwide.

6 If your family is experiencing a graduation, do not think this is indicates your job as a parent is complete. If you do, at best you will be surprised by requests for help as like commences. At worst, you will need counseling to overcome the feeling of failure as your child s to move into your spare room.

5 If you are the graduation ceremony organiser, do not think everything will run smoothly because of your careful planning. If you do at best, you will be unprepared when something goes wrong, and there is a long period where no one can hear the speaker. At worst, you will not know what to do with a thousand Champaign corks bouncing off the facility and school officials even though you banned the presence of alcohol at the ceremony.

4 If you are holding a graduation party, do not leave your house even though you trust your loving child to be trustworthy and in control. If you do, at best a few more guests who were not expected will attend with little consequence. At worst, the state police will looking for you to help fund the fire department, EMS and SWAT team expenses that were incurred to break up the party and put out the fire destroying yours and two neighbor houses

3 If you have a graduate, do not over do the gift. If you do, at best your child will expect a similar prize for other accomplishments. At worst, someday it will need to be replaced and the words about the child being on their own when you gave the gift are forgotten.

2 If you are attending a graduation ceremony, do not treat the event as if it is a football game. If you do, at best you will get strange looks when you enter the stand with the team colors and jersey. At worst, you will get a lot of people wanting to buy the bratwurst you are grilling at your tailgate gathering.

1 If you have a graduate, do not keep telling them how amazed you are that they made it through school. If you do, at best they will think you did not have faith in their abilities. At worst, you will give the child a complex that will be manifest in the longing for a career in fast food service as a grill person.

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

June 7, 2015June 6, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

We had a glorious week. The sun was out every day, and the water was as clear as a swimming pool. The winds were relatively calm, and so the daytime temperature of 85 degrees seemed even hotter. The water temperature is also 85 degrees, so it is like taking a bath in the Gulf. If you look very carefully you can see purple morning glories to the near right. I tried to get a little closer so they would show up. That car came into view just as I took the picture. Yes, driving on the beach is allowed (darn it). Way off in the distance you can see a boat hauling a barge. The little dot is the boat and the dash behind it is the barge.

last week’s scene wasn’t too much different although the winds made the wave action a little stronger.

Steam of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Information”

June 6, 2015June 5, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions — SOC Badge by Doobster at Mindful Digressions

Stream of Consciousness Saturday brings another opportunity to go crazy be creative with a prompt from the High Priestess of Promptness Linda Hill. Today’s prompt is “Information.” If you would like to join in go to Linda’s site and learn more. http://lindaghill.com/2015/06/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-615/ Here is my interpretation.

“See that signpost up ahead?”

“Yeah what does it say?”

“I thought you said you could see it.”

“I can see it I just can’t read the words. They’re too small.”

“There is only one word.”

“Okay, what’s the word.”

“Really? You can’t see that one word. It’s huge.”

“No, I can’t see it. For the last time what does it say?”

“It starts with IN and ends in N.”

“Lots of help you are. How about injection?”

“Ha ha ha. No. I’ll give you another hint the third letter is an F The next to the last is an O.”

“This is ridiculous. We are getting closer, and I won’t have to play your stupid game in a few minutes.”

“So take a guess.”

“Okay INF and then ON. How about Infuriation?”

“Not even sure that’s a word but no. The next letter is an O and the third to last is an I.”

“Humm INFO and ION. Oh, I get it. Information.”

“Yay. You got it. Now let’s go in there and you can ask for directions since we have no idea where the hell we are and we have been wandering around for the last three hours.”

“Directions?”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

June 5, 2015June 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

One more eight-hour day until the weekend. I think we can all do eight hours. I have been complaining about the weather for so long I do have to acknowledge when MN (Mother Nature) does a spectacular job. This week was glorious. Our temperature have been in the Highs in the upper eighties and plenty of sunshine. Made it very hard not to grab a chair and umbrella (and boat drink) and run out on responsibilities. I did stick to the right path and did not weaken. It was sure tempting though. This week JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) is about temptation. I hope you like it.

Keep production moving,

The correct path to success. . .

Till lured to more fun.

Thursday – A little Personal Request for Readers of the Sequel to My GRL

June 4, 2015June 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Not the real cover since there is no cover at this point.

As some of you know I have been busy writing full-time for the past three years. I have completed what I refer to as the John Cannon Trilogy. Right now, the only one that has been published is the first titled My GRL. The second His Revenge is with the publisher, and the third Our Justice is sitting on my computer waiting for the second to be published. The point of this explanation is I have no idea when my second book is on the schedule for release. I have continually queried the publisher and have received several dates all of which have effectively passed. My contractual arrangement has actually locked me into the three books so unless the publisher has no desire to publish the books I will have to wait. I have asked the question about desire but still have not received the answer. If I do get a response telling me the publisher is not interested I will probably self-publish.

What I would like to do while I’m waiting is have those who have an interest read the second book. I have to warn everyone the only edit done so far is mine. You can believe I’m not the best editor on the block. I’m looking for those who would enjoy reading the book and to provide any suggestions regarding plot holes or other obvious problems. Also, any Beta reader type comments would be appreciated. I think the number that will be right is five. I will answer each e-mail and thank you in advance for your help. You need not have read the first to read this one.

Here is a blurb:

America loves John Cannon its newest hero, and the President wants to present him with a medal for heroism. Terrorist concerns take a back seat to the ceremony. While en route to Washington, it becomes clear John is going to be an unwilling accomplice in the achievement of a terrorist plan to destroy America’s economy.

If you have interest I would ask three things:

1 Send an email to johnhowell (dot) wave (at) gmail (dot) com

2 You will need to tell me the format you want. (mobi, pdf, word).

3 Once I receive the e-mail I will confirm and lay out a couple of questions that I would have for you to answer.

Thank you in advance.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

June 3, 2015June 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

Wednesday story day already and we are knee-deep in the story of Charlotte and Bob. Last week Charlotte got a taste of Bob’s story telling ability when she asked for a little more to be added to the first chapter. Bob gave some detail off the top of his head and she was amazed. He told her he had a lot more he could share. When she asked to see it he told her it was still in his head. We got a sense Charlotte was ready to go over the edge. Rejoining them now.

“Why is your story still in your head Bob?”

“To be honest Charlotte I didn’t want to lose it or have anyone steal it.”

“Who’s going to steal it?”

“Oh come on. There are so many TV shows that would love to get their hands on my story.”

“Okay, Bob if that’s what you believe why write down the rest of the chapters?”

“ The rest is useless without the beginning.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Go ahead read the first line of the second chapter.”

“Why don’t you read it to me? It’s yours after all.”

“Yeah, good. It won’t make a bit of sense without the first chapter.”

“Try it.”

“Okay. Ahem. Here goes. There doesn’t seem to be any reason I’m sitting in this funeral home listening to my family discussing how to bury me.”