Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “What.”

January 16, 2016January 15, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

Linda Hill has come up with the prompt “what.” Also, she will give extra credit and a freshly baked cookie (I made that part up) if the story starts with the word “what” and ends with a word beginning with “w.” If you would like to know more and possibly join this fun here is the link:

http://lindaghill.com/2016/01/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-jan-1616/

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Yes, you did. I heard you.”

“Okay, if you heard me what did I say.”

“I didn’t hear you exactly. I just heard something like talking.”

“We are having one of our spells are we?”

“Knock it off. I heard you say something.”

“I’m telling you I haven’t opened my mouth for a half hour.”

“Where’d that sandwich go then?”

“I mean to talk, you idiot.”

“I must be reading your mind. That’s the only explanation.”

“Well, that is great. What am I thinking now.”

“You want another sandwich.”

“See you aren’t reading my mind at all. That’s not what I was thinking.”

“So what were you thinking?”

“Admit you can’t read my mind and I’ll tell you.”

“You were thinking that you wish I would go away.”

“Wow. That was exactly what I was thinking. Do it again.”

“Do what?”

“Tell me what I’m thinking right now.”

“You’re wondering if you can get on TV with me and make money on my ability to read minds.”

“No, I was still thinking I wish you would go away.”

“Wonderful.”

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF #JusJoJan

January 15, 2016January 15, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 37 Comments

Well, Friday arrived with the news that three Power Ball tickets have been sold. Unfortunately, none of them were in my area. Not that I care about others winning but it is sure knowledge that I finished out of the money. Of course, I could have just looked at the numbers to understand I will not be loaded with money. It just seems easier to have the information that the winning tickets were sold somewhere else. Also, by not looking at the numbers the idea that there could sill be a million bucks for five matching numbers. I could use a million. It’s not a billion but certainly more than I will earn writing. Which brings us to this week’s JohnKu that talks about being disappointed. I think all of us want to avoid disappointment for as long as we can. I guess I better put on my big boy pants and look at the numbers and face the fact that a million isn’t going to be mine either. Also, maybe next time I should not buy a quick pick. Who’s to say the Powerball machine knows how to avoid quick picks. I’m just saying.

There’s a fevered pitch,

Before every big event. . .

Suckered every time.

Thursday – A Little Personal – #RRBC Spotlight Author Tour with J.A.Stinger

January 14, 2016January 9, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 12 Comments

Welcome to J.A Stinger. I will be interviewing this amazing author today on Rave Waves Radio “Bring on the Spotlight” at 11:00 AM CST Here is the link to listen. Now to the tour and more about the author.

Make me feel it

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than an intensely powerful, emotional scene in a novel. I love writing a chapter that has left me drained at the end, and left me with a profound feeling so strong that I can only hope that it gives my readers the same.

Now, here’s my caveat… I’ve used it sparingly. I don’t want to take my readers on such an emotional roller-coaster that they can’t wait to get off. But, I don’t want to do it just for the shock value either. I want my readers to be there with my characters to feel the joy, sorrow, pain, and loss. I don’t want them to be so far away that they feel like spectators at the zoo, and not too close that they feel like they are looking over the shoulders with a magnifying glass.

I do put the warning label on the back cover of my books that lets everyone know that the novel ends in a cliffhanger, but I let readers off the hook right away in the first paragraph of the next novel. I had a co-worker send me a text message to let me know she was at an airport and wanted to know when the next book would be out because she needed to know what happened. She was so connected to the characters that she didn’t want to wait. Thankfully, the next book isn’t too far away.

J.A. Stinger is the co-author of

Generations Beyond

A military sci-fi with a romantic flair

J.A. started writing seriously after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and craved a creative outlet. She is a wife, mother, and Army veteran. J.A. writes with her husband, P.W.

Get Your Copy of Generations Beyond At:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Kobo

***

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @Jenniferstinger

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

Website: https://jastinger.wordpress.com

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day #JusJoJan

January 13, 2016January 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

Wednesday Story Day again and last time we left Mrs. Worthe asking Ben about the gun he pulled out of his backpack. He told her not to move a muscle as he pulled it out and we need to return to see what Ben has in mind.
“I’m a little tired of taking orders from you and this gun is going to show you I’m serious.”
“Oh, so you’re going to shoot me if what?”
“I think I will kill you if you keep ordering Alexis and me around.”
“Alexis honey. Tell Ben to quit being a fool.”
“I agree with Ben Mother. You have just become so focused on what is good for your and haven’t given our feelings a thought.”
“Give me a break Alexis. We just went through that whole deal about your inheritance. You think this kid will be able to provide for you.”
“Well. No, I think Ben will have a problem providing me with the things I want. But let’s look at it this way. He is a darn sight better than you when it comes to potential.”
“Darling you are now hurting my feelings. Haven’t I always given you the best life has to offer.”
“I will admit you have done a good job of giving me a lot. I just need to go to the next level, and I think a few million ought to do it. Ben has the ability to build and arm the bombs, and all we need from you is the C4. You’ve been playing games with us, and now I think the time has cone to put up or shut up.”
“Well, I’m not surprised at your cheek. You are my daughter after all. Okay, you tow win. I’ll get you the C4, and you can go ahead and blow yourselves up if you want.”
“Thank you, mother. I knew you would come around. Ben, you can put the gun away.”
“I don’t know Alexis. I don’t trust her. I think I’ll keep it handy just in case she tries the double cross.”
“Ben thinks he’s in a gangster film dear.”
“Shut up Mrs.Worthe. Or I might get an itchy finger.”
“My god Alexis. Don’t you see what an idiot he is.”
“Ben you need to put that gun away.”
“Sure Alexis. Whoops. The damn thing went off.”
“Oh, Ben. What have you done?”

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/

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/

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf #JusJoJan

January 10, 2016January 11, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

As you can see the weather is a little more sane. This shot shows a couple of things. 1. The sun is out and has left a little glare in the camera lens. 2. The walkover is gone and in addition, the left-hand side of the dune has been carved out to make room for the walkway. You can see the tracks of the front loader. That stake in the middle marks the middle of the new walkway. The next photo was taken a couple of days ago showing the walkway gone.

This was before the front loader work on the dune. You can see what a front loader does to a vinyl walkover, though.

Now you have an idea of the work done by the frontloader. Way on the left is the original walkover site.

Last week’s photo.

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

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Mission Impossible #JusJoJan

January 9, 2016January 8, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

This week’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is to think of a title of a movie that first comes to mind and then write using the title in the post. My first thought was Mission Impossible, which was a movie rented last Saturday so I will use it. If you would like to join in here is the link to Linda Hills site. http://lindaghill.com/2016/01/08/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-jan-916/

“Where did you get that neat jacket?”

“I won it at the race track.”

“The racetrack? I didn’t know you could win jackets there. I thought you bet on horses and earned money.”

“You do, but they had this special promotion.”

“What kind of promotion?”

“They had these little cards where you wrote out what Mission Impossible means to you.”

“And they thought yours was the best?”

“Well, I got the jacket didn’t I?”

“So what did you write?”

“I just said Mission Impossible was going to work the day after spending the previous day at the track and convincing your boss that you were doing market research and having him buy it.”

“Market research? What kind of research could you be doing?”

“You know I work as an accountant right?”

“Yeah so?”

“Well, I told my boss I was hanging out at the payout windows and asking the winners if they had an accountant?”

“Did any answer you?”

“No, but the boss didn’t know that.”

“So the jacket was the first prize?”

“No. First prize was a new car.”

“And the jacket?”

“I found it on a seat that was empty.”

“OMG! you stole it?”

“Naw. Disputed ownership.”

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.