Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

March 23, 2018March 23, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 60 Comments

Friday is here and a good thing too. I am heading to Galveston to participate in the Galveston Book Fair. The fair is from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM tomorrow. I am driving, and it is a 41/2 hour trip by car, so I need to go up the night before. I have been anticipating this festival in that I have decided to take a local approach to helping spread the word on my books. I plan on two others for this year, and then I will make a decision if I need to continue or go in a different direction.

Like you, marketing my books has been one of the hardest things about being an Indie author. Intellectually I know they won’t sell themselves so outreach tactics are necessary. I still haven’t found the magic bullet for success but will keep trying.

Today’s JohnKu talks about finding the formula for success. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

We all want success,

Although the way may be hard . . .

Quitting’s no option.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

March 21, 2018March 20, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

An Award if you qualify.

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were surprised by Trish’s reaction to the information that Lucas gave her about Frank Plano. She seemed upset that Frank wanted to talk to her and very interested in what Lucas said about her introduction to Jason McDonnell, the lawyer. Goodness, this is getting a little complex, isn’t it? Well, I see Frank is headed over to the lawyer’s office so I think we should follow along. Uh oh, he is already in there, so we need to hurry.

“Have a seat Frank. You need any water or anything?”
“No boss. I’m good.”
“So how is the investigation going?”
“Pretty good. I think I’ve pretty much established that Lucas is an innocent man.”
“Oh, that’s good news. Want to share the details?”
“Well, I have just a few things to wrap up. Dot the I’s and cross the T’s so to speak.”
“I see. But you are sure Lucas is innocent?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Do you have an idea who did do it then?”
“Um, I do, but it will take a little time to build the case.”
“Anyone, we know?”
“Now boss you must be patient. I don’t want any unreasonable expectations to be raised.”
“You know you can confide in me.”
“Oh, I know that it’s just I hate to reach a conclusion until I’m sure.”
“How long until you are sure?”
“I have to ask a couple of questions of Trish Severide and then maybe one or two of Harriet Murphy.”
“My God. Do you think Harriet has anything to do with this? She hired us for heaven’s sake.”
“As I said I need to check out a couple of facts.”
“Trish Severide. You think she could do it?”
“I’m not sure. What do you think?”
“I’m sure I don’t know. I only met her once.”
“Where was that?”
“At the hospital. She was visiting Lucas, and he introduced her.”
“Yeah, well that wouldn’t give you enough exposure to know if she was capable.”
“She seemed a little unstable though.”
“Yes, she has had a rocky past. She have a boyfriend?”
“Now, how in the hell would I know that?”
“I just thought you might have some information. I know how good you are in getting to the truth.”
“Thanks. In this case, I have no idea.”
“Okay then. I’m going to go and see if I can interview her myself.”
“Thanks for the update, Frank.”
“Anytime, Boss. Bye now.”

Top Ten Things Not To Do Thinking Spring is Right Around the Corner

March 19, 2018March 18, 2018 ~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

The inspiration for this list came from reading all the posts where folks have anticipated the first day of spring (tomorrow) only to be faced with tons of Ice, snow, and sleet. Knowing spring is here only makes the reversal in weather more demoralizing.

10 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not clean out the garage. If you do, at best you’ll need heavy winter clothes. At worst you’ll get everything out on the driveway just as a nor’easter hits. (Maybe after the thaw you’ll be able to find that snow shovel, Dann.)

9 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not hire Tiny the WWF champ to prune your shrubs. If you do, at best he won’t show. At worst, he just graduated from landscaping school where the last course was labelled “start over.” (Amazing what a yard looks like with nubs for shrubs huh, Danyal? So there’s that set of tongs you dropped in the roses two years ago.)

8 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not go to Lowes and buy flats of annuals. If you do, at best they aren’t in stock yet. At worst, you can’t plant in twelve inches of snow so your living room floor is covered with the flats. (At least the cat is happy, Darby.)

7 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not go to the baseball season opener. If you do, at best you’ll have a seat under the overhang. At worst, you’ll sit for five innings thinking you are on an iceberg and then the game will be called on account of the blizzard. (It would have been fine except the pitcher could not see the catcher for the snow. Hows that frostbite treatment going, Dareau? Pretty embarrassing spot huh?)

6 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not hide Easter eggs. If you do, at best it will only rain. At worst, you might be able to wait out the storm and have the hunt in May. (I would not eat any of those eggs, Dariel.)

5 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not go golfing. If you do, at best there will be no lightning. At worst, you and your foresome have been listed as missing and possible victims of an avalanche. (Never thought to bring snow shoes did you, Darrence?)

4 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not invite everyone over for a spring cook out. If you do, at best your oven will put out a passable barbecue-like brisket. At worst, you will lose your grill and yourself in a snow drift and it will take eight of your guests forming a human chain just to rescue you. (What do you mean, “save the grill first,” Darroch?)

3 If you think spring is right around the corner, do not fly your new kite. If you do, at best the wind will be below 10 MPH. At worst, you will launch your kite just as the gale force winds and snow come roaring out of the North. (Hang on tightly, Darwin. This ride will be over pretty soon. Hopefully you will land where there is human habitation since I hear the bears are famished right now.)

2 If you think spring is just around the corner, do not paint that gazebo just yet. If you do, at best you’ll have water proof paint. At worst, just as you finish, the twelve inches of snow that falls will have a distinct tint like your gazabo used to have. (I hear you, Davi. They just don’t make paint like they used to.)

1 If you think spring is just around the corner, do not put out the patio furniture. If you do, at best those cushions will float. At worst, the whole set will disappear under a foot of snow and then be carried off by the spring thaw floods. (Makes you wonder about the greenhouse gas effect doesn’t it, Davion?)