Over the past two months, I've been on a publishing spree. First, with the novel Beholder's Eye and then with the novella Gabriel's Hope.
Last week I finished a short story--one to be submitted to the Writers of the Future contest eventually. Just need to edit it first.
I have two projects sitting in the wings (editing Shadowkill and writing the first draft of the sequel to Beholder's Eye) and . . . oh, let's be honest. I'm having a difficult time getting started. There is a lull in my writing.
Not quite sure where it comes from, but at least I recognize it's there.
Ever feel this way? How do you cope?
I guess I have to follow my own advice: just write. Do it. Today.
The world depends on it.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Don't be afraid to make changes
One of the beauties of self-publishing is that, if you don't like something, you can always change it. You don't needs meetings and permission from a publisher. You are the publisher.
Recently, I changed the covers on a few of my books. The first was a nonfiction wedding ebook I published in 2012. The new cover looks like this:
I also re-did Guest of Honor with this one:
But I need to be completely honest--I don't like this one the best. It's better than before, but I'll still be looking to change down the road a bit.
Try out various artists, to see which one resonates with you or not. Just don't be afraid to change something. That's what being a self-published author is all about.
Recently, I changed the covers on a few of my books. The first was a nonfiction wedding ebook I published in 2012. The new cover looks like this:
I also re-did Guest of Honor with this one:
But I need to be completely honest--I don't like this one the best. It's better than before, but I'll still be looking to change down the road a bit.
Try out various artists, to see which one resonates with you or not. Just don't be afraid to change something. That's what being a self-published author is all about.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Oct-2013 / Quit being disgusted with success
I hate to even show this video, because lately it has invoked some "disgusted" views from various people online. Here it is:
On my Friday "Happenings" posts, I typically give an update to my week, but I've been fired up by a number of the views on this video, I just had to get this off my chest. For those people out there who feel all income should be distributed evenly, stop reading right now and head on out to the Huffington Post (oh, wait! The Huffington Post is part of the 1% too! Didn't realize that, did you?).
I completely understand people viewing this video as a sort of "us vs. them" mentality when it comes to earning money. But instead of being disgusted by how much money the 1% earns, the question you should be asking yourself is this: how does one become part of the 1%?
Throughout my life, I've met with or heard about people who make a ton of money. And the first question that pops up in mind is: "What do they do?" Followed closely by: "How did they do it?" I've always been fascinated by these people.
Those sitting on the side that all income should be distibuted evenly seem to be, in my opinion, jealous of other people's success and, therefore, don't want to face the fact they've lived a life of mediocrity. What they may not realize is that the difference between the 1% and the 99% can be boiled down to hard work, sacrifice, and time. That's it. You may think luck has a huge part too, but I disagree. When you work hard, sacrificing, for a long time, opportunities pop up that look like luck, when in reality you were just ready for success to come knocking at your door.
Here are examples of the 1%:
The pro football player who, instead of wasting hours upon hours of his time watching TV and playing video games, goes out and throws the football over and over and over again.
Or the pro hockey player who wakes up at 5am, just to go to the arena and shot pucks for hours.
Or the writer who, instead of joining in on the gossip over lunch, keeps writing his first novel. And second. And third. And tenth. He also skips watching TV at night, and continues writing, improving his craft.
Or the painter who dreams of what she can paint next, and doesn't waste a single minute of her day in creating a masterpiece.
Or the businessman who, fueled by a dream, gathers up a few of his friends and builds the next "big thing" in their buddy's garage.
Or the singer who goes to every open mike night she can and sings, improving each and every night, never giving up.
Or the band who plays in the dirtiest bars, living on practically nothing, but dreams of hitting it big time.
These are the 1%. Or a part of them. Are there sleazebags out there, who would screw his own mother out of her pension check just to add to their immense stockpile of cash? Or the business person who wants nothing more than to gain more and more power, no matter what kind of laws are broken? Of course. There are generous, heartful people in the 1% as well as in the 99%. I know scumbags who live in poverty too.
Instead of being jealous of the 1%, find ways of improving your own life to become a part of the higher income bracket. Quit buying things on credit. Stop spending more than you make. You can have a house without a mortgage and a car without a loan and even be a student without the dreaded student loans. Do you really need that new iPhone or the $400 pair of headphones?
Stop listening to the poltiicians and media who are dividing this country up more and more.
I'll get off my soap box now. Go do something with your life. Not tomorrow. Today. The world depends on it.
Besides, there's plenty of room for so many more of us in the 1%. We just need to have a dream and work towards it.
To recap my week in writing, I finished writing a short story. It's roughly 5500 words, and it will be this quarter's submission to Writers Of The Future. Next on the plate is editing Shadowkill and writing the first draft of the sequel to Beholder's Eye.
On my Friday "Happenings" posts, I typically give an update to my week, but I've been fired up by a number of the views on this video, I just had to get this off my chest. For those people out there who feel all income should be distributed evenly, stop reading right now and head on out to the Huffington Post (oh, wait! The Huffington Post is part of the 1% too! Didn't realize that, did you?).
I completely understand people viewing this video as a sort of "us vs. them" mentality when it comes to earning money. But instead of being disgusted by how much money the 1% earns, the question you should be asking yourself is this: how does one become part of the 1%?
Throughout my life, I've met with or heard about people who make a ton of money. And the first question that pops up in mind is: "What do they do?" Followed closely by: "How did they do it?" I've always been fascinated by these people.
Those sitting on the side that all income should be distibuted evenly seem to be, in my opinion, jealous of other people's success and, therefore, don't want to face the fact they've lived a life of mediocrity. What they may not realize is that the difference between the 1% and the 99% can be boiled down to hard work, sacrifice, and time. That's it. You may think luck has a huge part too, but I disagree. When you work hard, sacrificing, for a long time, opportunities pop up that look like luck, when in reality you were just ready for success to come knocking at your door.
Here are examples of the 1%:
The pro football player who, instead of wasting hours upon hours of his time watching TV and playing video games, goes out and throws the football over and over and over again.
Or the pro hockey player who wakes up at 5am, just to go to the arena and shot pucks for hours.
Or the writer who, instead of joining in on the gossip over lunch, keeps writing his first novel. And second. And third. And tenth. He also skips watching TV at night, and continues writing, improving his craft.
Or the painter who dreams of what she can paint next, and doesn't waste a single minute of her day in creating a masterpiece.
Or the businessman who, fueled by a dream, gathers up a few of his friends and builds the next "big thing" in their buddy's garage.
Or the singer who goes to every open mike night she can and sings, improving each and every night, never giving up.
Or the band who plays in the dirtiest bars, living on practically nothing, but dreams of hitting it big time.
These are the 1%. Or a part of them. Are there sleazebags out there, who would screw his own mother out of her pension check just to add to their immense stockpile of cash? Or the business person who wants nothing more than to gain more and more power, no matter what kind of laws are broken? Of course. There are generous, heartful people in the 1% as well as in the 99%. I know scumbags who live in poverty too.
Instead of being jealous of the 1%, find ways of improving your own life to become a part of the higher income bracket. Quit buying things on credit. Stop spending more than you make. You can have a house without a mortgage and a car without a loan and even be a student without the dreaded student loans. Do you really need that new iPhone or the $400 pair of headphones?
Stop listening to the poltiicians and media who are dividing this country up more and more.
I'll get off my soap box now. Go do something with your life. Not tomorrow. Today. The world depends on it.
Besides, there's plenty of room for so many more of us in the 1%. We just need to have a dream and work towards it.
To recap my week in writing, I finished writing a short story. It's roughly 5500 words, and it will be this quarter's submission to Writers Of The Future. Next on the plate is editing Shadowkill and writing the first draft of the sequel to Beholder's Eye.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Sometimes attention is overrated
My Twitter strategy is simple: retweet. A lot. Sounds simple enough. At this point, I'm edging close to 1000 followers. I've made a lot of professional contacts through Twitter, some of whom have enormous platforms--like, we're talking, tens of thousands of followers.
(Oh, by the way, if you wish to follow me, my Twitter handle is @marksrpeterson)
On occasion, I get retweeted and a free little blurb is shot out to their group. At this point, I rub my hands together and keep refreshing the magic Amazon ranking for my books.
Guess what happened? Nothing. No bump in sales. Nothing. Have I mentioned I sold nothing on those attempts?
Now, I loved the attention and they've responded back in kind. Some people think they need just "that one break" and all of their money worries will be over. Be still my heart. It only happens after so much work is done ahead of time.
Because sometimes attention is overrated. Oh, and these large Twitter accounts I mentioned. If you looked at their history, they tweet something every 1-3 minutes. All the time. It's no wonder I got lost in a sea of tweets.
And so I keep plugging away . . .
One final note: my very first ebook 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget just had a book cover makeover. Here it is:
(Oh, by the way, if you wish to follow me, my Twitter handle is @marksrpeterson)
On occasion, I get retweeted and a free little blurb is shot out to their group. At this point, I rub my hands together and keep refreshing the magic Amazon ranking for my books.
Guess what happened? Nothing. No bump in sales. Nothing. Have I mentioned I sold nothing on those attempts?
Now, I loved the attention and they've responded back in kind. Some people think they need just "that one break" and all of their money worries will be over. Be still my heart. It only happens after so much work is done ahead of time.
Because sometimes attention is overrated. Oh, and these large Twitter accounts I mentioned. If you looked at their history, they tweet something every 1-3 minutes. All the time. It's no wonder I got lost in a sea of tweets.
And so I keep plugging away . . .
One final note: my very first ebook 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget just had a book cover makeover. Here it is:
Much better than what I had before. This one was professionally done. Here is the Amazon Kindle site link to the ebook.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Have a story template for new stories
I use Microsoft Word for all of my stories--as do many people. But one thing that upset me every time I opened up a new file, I would have to go through all of the settings and fix them.
I had to change the font to Time Roman 12.
I had to change the line spacing from single to double-space.
It also started out in italics, and had to remove that.
Also, since I've published in the Amazon Kindle store and Smashwords (not currently on the latter), I had to format the identations so instead of using the tab key to create paragraphs, they would be automatically created once I hit return after the end of each paragraph.
Now, there is probably a way to make sure all new documents start out the way I want it. I haven't figured it out, if there is. In the meantime, I have a story template saved, which I use to start every new story.
You may want to consider using one, if you find yourself always changing new documents to format to your settings.
I had to change the font to Time Roman 12.
I had to change the line spacing from single to double-space.
It also started out in italics, and had to remove that.
Also, since I've published in the Amazon Kindle store and Smashwords (not currently on the latter), I had to format the identations so instead of using the tab key to create paragraphs, they would be automatically created once I hit return after the end of each paragraph.
Now, there is probably a way to make sure all new documents start out the way I want it. I haven't figured it out, if there is. In the meantime, I have a story template saved, which I use to start every new story.
You may want to consider using one, if you find yourself always changing new documents to format to your settings.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 18-Oct-2013 / New stuff and a quick trip to boot
I've written 2200+ words on a new short story so far--this is as of Tuesday morning. But wait, why not more?
Tuesday afternoon, I took my wife down to the Mayo Clinic in Rochster, MN, for another eye appointment with her cornea specialist. She has to do again next week for further check-ups as her other eye is starting to erode. We were back in our home work late Wednesday evening.
Aside from the short story, I am preparing for the second novel in the Central Division thriller series. This one is titled Straight Razor. I will keep you posted on how well that one's turning out. I will post daily updates on my Twitter page - @marksrpeterson.
Also, I will begin editing my alternative history military novel Shadowkill. Nope, no grass is growing under my feet.
Tuesday afternoon, I took my wife down to the Mayo Clinic in Rochster, MN, for another eye appointment with her cornea specialist. She has to do again next week for further check-ups as her other eye is starting to erode. We were back in our home work late Wednesday evening.
Aside from the short story, I am preparing for the second novel in the Central Division thriller series. This one is titled Straight Razor. I will keep you posted on how well that one's turning out. I will post daily updates on my Twitter page - @marksrpeterson.
Also, I will begin editing my alternative history military novel Shadowkill. Nope, no grass is growing under my feet.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
What's the rush?
The mentality of several self-published (indie) authors is that they want to rush their work out into the world. It seems that we've all become impatient with the waiting process.
This isn't just with indie authors, but that's one argument the "traditionalists" quote as their mantra, that all indie authors publish is crap and the publishing gatekeepers are there for a reason.
I disagree.
However, I do have to ask those indie authors: what's the rush? My latest project, a novella titled Gabriel's Hope, is finished and now up on the Amazon Kindle site. One part I was waiting on was the cover. I will not mention where I got the cover from, but when I placed the order, I was quoted 3 days to completion. Well, I placed the order on the 5th of October and the 8th came and went, with no cover. Okay, I looked at their queue and yes, not only is this artist a top seller they also bumped the quoted completion date for new orders at 4 days.
Wednesday came and went.
Thursday came . . . and I got a notification that the cover was complete. Keep in mind, all this time, I was still editing so the wait didn't bother me. As of Saturday morning, on the 12th of October, I finished editing and was pleased that I was just barely over the 17,500 novella mark.
But no cover.
Wait! Didn't I get an e-mail saying it was done. Yes, I did. But when I checked the site, the artist forgot to upload it. So, I sent an e-mail back and was quoted a 48 hour turnaround before I get the cover back.
So I waited. Then, it was done.
I'd say it was worth the wait.
This isn't just with indie authors, but that's one argument the "traditionalists" quote as their mantra, that all indie authors publish is crap and the publishing gatekeepers are there for a reason.
I disagree.
However, I do have to ask those indie authors: what's the rush? My latest project, a novella titled Gabriel's Hope, is finished and now up on the Amazon Kindle site. One part I was waiting on was the cover. I will not mention where I got the cover from, but when I placed the order, I was quoted 3 days to completion. Well, I placed the order on the 5th of October and the 8th came and went, with no cover. Okay, I looked at their queue and yes, not only is this artist a top seller they also bumped the quoted completion date for new orders at 4 days.
Wednesday came and went.
Thursday came . . . and I got a notification that the cover was complete. Keep in mind, all this time, I was still editing so the wait didn't bother me. As of Saturday morning, on the 12th of October, I finished editing and was pleased that I was just barely over the 17,500 novella mark.
But no cover.
Wait! Didn't I get an e-mail saying it was done. Yes, I did. But when I checked the site, the artist forgot to upload it. So, I sent an e-mail back and was quoted a 48 hour turnaround before I get the cover back.
So I waited. Then, it was done.
I'd say it was worth the wait.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Donations requested for upcoming Diabetes Walk
"LET THEM EAT CAKE!"
On Saturday, October 19th, there is a Diabetes Walk sponsored through the American Diabetes Association in Grand Forks, ND.
What I'm asking for are donations: click here for donations.
Donations are used to help fund research to prevent and cure diabetes as well as educate those battling this disease.
My sister-in-law Bobbi is the team leader this year, and the team name is: Let Them Eat Cake.
Thank you for anything you'd be able to do.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Gabriel's Hope - available now on the Kindle
My novella Gabriel's Hope is now up on the Amazon Kindle site.
About a year ago, I sat in church and a wave of emotion overcame me. My wife, Melissa, has been battling the effects of her leukemia treatment for two and a half years, and for whatever reason I imagined (quite morbid, I know) the funeral, if one was to come about soon.
Then, a thought occurred to me: what if someone, on their deathbed, prayed to God? Not all that unusual, but instead of a prayer, it was an apology. What if the person apologized to God for leading such an unimportant life.
Gabriel's Hope is the result. Originally titled, "Sorry, Lord, I didn't do enough" and then to "Obituary of a loser", the story is about such a guy who falls asleep and meets someone like an angel. Her name is Gabriel. Gabriel brings Larry Wahl, the main character, on a journey throughout his life, showing him seven people he helped out in a small way. And those small ways led to big differences in those people's lives.
This is quite an offshoot from what I normally write. But it's a story that I needed to tell. It has a dramatic ending I wasn't quite prepared for, but it turned out to be right on.
Please check out my novella Gabriel's Hope.
About a year ago, I sat in church and a wave of emotion overcame me. My wife, Melissa, has been battling the effects of her leukemia treatment for two and a half years, and for whatever reason I imagined (quite morbid, I know) the funeral, if one was to come about soon.
Then, a thought occurred to me: what if someone, on their deathbed, prayed to God? Not all that unusual, but instead of a prayer, it was an apology. What if the person apologized to God for leading such an unimportant life.
Gabriel's Hope is the result. Originally titled, "Sorry, Lord, I didn't do enough" and then to "Obituary of a loser", the story is about such a guy who falls asleep and meets someone like an angel. Her name is Gabriel. Gabriel brings Larry Wahl, the main character, on a journey throughout his life, showing him seven people he helped out in a small way. And those small ways led to big differences in those people's lives.
This is quite an offshoot from what I normally write. But it's a story that I needed to tell. It has a dramatic ending I wasn't quite prepared for, but it turned out to be right on.
Please check out my novella Gabriel's Hope.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 11-Oct-2013 / Hope is nearly complete
I was hoping by now to be able to share the cover for my upcoming novella, Gabriel's Hope. But alas, it is not quite complete. Within a day though, it should be.
At the time of this posting, I should be nearly finished with editing. There are only a few minor additions I want to make to it, then I can upload it onto Amazon KDP.
I can't wait, because I have a lot of projects waiting in the wings. It will include editing my alternative military history novel Shadowkill and starting the first draft of the Beholder's Eye sequel.
Oh, and I have a few shorter works I plan on writing as well.
No grass growing under these feet.
At the time of this posting, I should be nearly finished with editing. There are only a few minor additions I want to make to it, then I can upload it onto Amazon KDP.
I can't wait, because I have a lot of projects waiting in the wings. It will include editing my alternative military history novel Shadowkill and starting the first draft of the Beholder's Eye sequel.
Oh, and I have a few shorter works I plan on writing as well.
No grass growing under these feet.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Why I went free
Last weekend, on October 5th and 6th, I decided to place one of my ebooks up for free.
At first, I wasn't going to do this, but I wanted to experiment with something: have a shorter work for free, while at the same time promoting a larger work that one had to pay for.
My novella Guest of Honor I placed for free, while at the same time hinged it on the fact I had a thriller Beholder's Eye out there for $2.99. I knew I'd probably sell a boatload of the free product, but at the same time I wanted to see if it would have any residual effect on the paid work.
By Sunday afternoon, I had sold close to 100 free ebooks, while I sold around a dozen of my $2.99 thriller. Not bad. Especially from someone just starting out. Certainly, I'm not going to vacation in Hawaii anytime soon, but I might be able to afford a few extra Happy Meals.
Will I do it again down the road?
You betcha.
Stay tuned.
At first, I wasn't going to do this, but I wanted to experiment with something: have a shorter work for free, while at the same time promoting a larger work that one had to pay for.
My novella Guest of Honor I placed for free, while at the same time hinged it on the fact I had a thriller Beholder's Eye out there for $2.99. I knew I'd probably sell a boatload of the free product, but at the same time I wanted to see if it would have any residual effect on the paid work.
By Sunday afternoon, I had sold close to 100 free ebooks, while I sold around a dozen of my $2.99 thriller. Not bad. Especially from someone just starting out. Certainly, I'm not going to vacation in Hawaii anytime soon, but I might be able to afford a few extra Happy Meals.
Will I do it again down the road?
You betcha.
Stay tuned.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Planning Q4
As we all roll out of Q3 and into Q4, let's take a look at those 2013 goals. How are we doing?
It's funny how, in the span of this year, I've revised a few of my goals based on what story ideas struck me and what I want to accomplish.
I've placed a bit of importance on the creation on new stories vs. revising some of my "really old" stories. Because of it, I hope to have two full-length novels out for indie publication by Q1 2014. I still have one more story to publish this year--Gabriel's Hope, an inspirational novella--and then it's to work on some larger projects.
Also, I have a few short stories I'm going to submit to traditional markets, for I want to be a more hybrid author.
(A hybrid author, if you don't know, is one who self-publishes as well as publishes through traditional means)
How are your goals for this year coming along?
It's funny how, in the span of this year, I've revised a few of my goals based on what story ideas struck me and what I want to accomplish.
I've placed a bit of importance on the creation on new stories vs. revising some of my "really old" stories. Because of it, I hope to have two full-length novels out for indie publication by Q1 2014. I still have one more story to publish this year--Gabriel's Hope, an inspirational novella--and then it's to work on some larger projects.
Also, I have a few short stories I'm going to submit to traditional markets, for I want to be a more hybrid author.
(A hybrid author, if you don't know, is one who self-publishes as well as publishes through traditional means)
How are your goals for this year coming along?
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Last Day to pick up Guest Of Honor FREE! Psst! And get a thriller for $2.99!
Last day only! My ebook Guest Of Honor is free this weekend. Normally a whopping $.99, it is now FREE.
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
Saturday, October 5, 2013
FREE this weekend! Guest of Honor ebook! Plus $2.99 thriller!
For 2 days only! My ebook Guest Of Honor is free this weekend. Normally a whopping $.99, it is now FREE.
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
Friday, October 4, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 04-Oct-2013 / Hope
I started writing this blog post late Wednesday night, for my wife and I had just returned from a recent trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. With the raging debate over debt ceilings and affordable healthcare and government shutdowns, I just shook my head and concentrated on our own little world.
To make a long story short, my wife has been having eye problems and in the middle of this summer she had a cornea transplant. Her eyes started healing until close to a month ago when the doctor discovered some residual problems. She was scheduled for an appointment Tuesday morning. After the initial exam, my wife Melissa asked if her eyes were getting better.
"No," the doctor said.
Not what we wanted to hear. However, we already knew it to be true.
That night, she had an emergency cornea transplant--her second one in a little over 2 months. Because of it, we had to spend an extra day at the Mayo. I didn't mind. I'll do anything for the love of my life, the reason I write.
Gabriel's Hope is getting closer to publication. I'm in the middle of the final edits, then I have to finalize the cover art.
To make a long story short, my wife has been having eye problems and in the middle of this summer she had a cornea transplant. Her eyes started healing until close to a month ago when the doctor discovered some residual problems. She was scheduled for an appointment Tuesday morning. After the initial exam, my wife Melissa asked if her eyes were getting better.
"No," the doctor said.
Not what we wanted to hear. However, we already knew it to be true.
That night, she had an emergency cornea transplant--her second one in a little over 2 months. Because of it, we had to spend an extra day at the Mayo. I didn't mind. I'll do anything for the love of my life, the reason I write.
Gabriel's Hope is getting closer to publication. I'm in the middle of the final edits, then I have to finalize the cover art.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Is there a statute of limitations on spoilers?
**Warning, this post does NOT contain any spoilers**
Spoilers, in layman's terms, are the revealed conclusions to works of art, such as books or movies. It's hard to read a review that doesn't say, "Warning, this review contains spoilers." And in today's social media climate, it's hard not to tweet or post about the shocking ending to Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, or Breaking Bad with everyone.
But do spoilers have a statute of limitations? I mean, if one hasn't by now read the conclusion to A Christmas Carol or seen all six Star Wars movies, are they to blame? Should they be subject to every criticism of the book or movie? Should they sit through every rant about the characters just because the movie or book came out "so long ago!"
I think not.
New fans are coming to our works all the time. New fans that get to experience the truth behind Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker or what happens to Ned Stark in Game of Thrones should be free to do so in their own time.
They should be free to experience the anticipation we all felt when we watched these movies or read those books. I didn't read Lord of the Rings until the Peter Jackson movies came out--it was when Fellowship first came to video that I watched it and then had to read the books. I'm glad the movies weren't exactly like the books, but I still got to read the rest of it before Towers and Return came to the theaters.
At work, some of my co-workers are watching Breaking Bad for the first time. I am currently in season five--waiting patiently for the rest to come out on Netflix. It's fun to listen to them talk about the episodes that I watched a month ago.
And I'm careful not to read anything on how it actually ends.
Spoilers, in layman's terms, are the revealed conclusions to works of art, such as books or movies. It's hard to read a review that doesn't say, "Warning, this review contains spoilers." And in today's social media climate, it's hard not to tweet or post about the shocking ending to Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, or Breaking Bad with everyone.
But do spoilers have a statute of limitations? I mean, if one hasn't by now read the conclusion to A Christmas Carol or seen all six Star Wars movies, are they to blame? Should they be subject to every criticism of the book or movie? Should they sit through every rant about the characters just because the movie or book came out "so long ago!"
I think not.
New fans are coming to our works all the time. New fans that get to experience the truth behind Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker or what happens to Ned Stark in Game of Thrones should be free to do so in their own time.
They should be free to experience the anticipation we all felt when we watched these movies or read those books. I didn't read Lord of the Rings until the Peter Jackson movies came out--it was when Fellowship first came to video that I watched it and then had to read the books. I'm glad the movies weren't exactly like the books, but I still got to read the rest of it before Towers and Return came to the theaters.
At work, some of my co-workers are watching Breaking Bad for the first time. I am currently in season five--waiting patiently for the rest to come out on Netflix. It's fun to listen to them talk about the episodes that I watched a month ago.
And I'm careful not to read anything on how it actually ends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)