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Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Playing With The Enemy Movie
Gary W. Moore is a humble man, calm and friendly, happy to discuss the life of his father. After all, the tale of his father is larger than life, and a story we can learn from - because it is a tale about second chances, but second chances in a direction that we don't always expect. Gary's father, Gene Moore, began his journey to the pages of Playing With The Enemy as a 15 year old baseball prodigy that was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940. The outbreak of World War II, however, demanded that the young phenom join the military. Gene Moore joined the United States Navy, and his tour began in North Africa where he played for the Navy baseball team to entertain the troops. The duty was not always easy, or away from danger, evidenced by the death of the center fielder when an explosion on the field took the young ballplayer's life. Later, as the war effort concentrated more on the theater in Europe, Gene Moore was sent on a secret mission to guard German POWs in Louisiana. These prisoners were very special, however, and their capture was a secret to the outside world for a tremendous reason. The submarine these German sailors were the crew of was the U-505 (now on display in Chicago, Illinois at the Museum of Science and Industry), inside which the United States procured the Enigma Machine and all of the code books that went with it, enabling us to stay on top of the changes in the code, and therefore assisting us in winning the war against Germany. During this time that Gene Moore guarded these prisoners, primarily out of his desire to play baseball (and perhaps a little boredom), Gene Moore and his fellow military baseball players taught the enemy soldiers how to play America's pastime. The story does not end there, however. Tragedy, and the storms of life that can crush dreams, and enable the birth of new ones, came to Gene Moore's life. It was then that he learned about second chances, and the importance of the unexpected things in life. This inspirational true story is being made into a film by Producer Gerald R. Molen via his WhiteLight Entertainment production company. Molen's and White Light Entertainment's credits include Schindler's List, Minority Report, Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Twister, Casper, Rain Man and The Flintstones. White Light Entertainment has to its credit 33 Academy Award nominations, 19 Academy Awards, including two for the best picture and a total box office collection of $4 billion from the 14 movies it has produced so far. The screenplay was written by WhiteLight director of development David Ranes and the author's son, Toby Moore, who's also set to portray his grandfather. The film is in production now and is slated to be released during the first quarter of 2009. I first met Gary W. Moore, the author of Playing With The Enemy, at a book signing in San Diego on October 1, 2006. A month later we got together in Pasadena, California after another book signing, and it was then that I realized I had made a wonderful friend. Since then, Gary W. Moore has appeared on my Political Pistachio Radio Show a number of times (April 7, 2007; June 16, 2007 with his publisher: Ted Savas; and January 26, 2008). And honestly, Playing With The Enemy is a great read, and a book that is not about World War II and Baseball as much as it is about the human spirit. As for the movie? Well, I hear there is going to be some great acting talents in the film, but the producer has not released the names, yet. However, when we know who those actors are that are in the film, you will find out about it on Political Pistachio, and of course at that time we will have Gary W. Moore return to Political Pistachio Radio to discuss the latest news regarding this blockbuster film. Also see Gary interviewed by CNN here, and the Fox affiliate in Milwaukee here.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Meeting a fellow blogger
Yesterday, Tuesday, my wife and I decided to travel to Tempe, Arizona (five hour drive from my home in Southern California) to see a Spring Training Angels game. The game was enjoyable, and we won. After the game we got together with a fellow blogger, his wife, and his adorable daughter. The pics can be found on his site.
This is the third blogger I have met. The list includes Cary Cartter, Gawfer, and Paul Young.
This is the third blogger I have met. The list includes Cary Cartter, Gawfer, and Paul Young.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Meeting Authors Galore
As I continue to build my market through blogs and my Blog Talk Radio Show (Political Pistachio Radio)
I am discovering relationships with authors (and a few other people I feel greatly humbled to know) that are inspiring me to move forward, and continue my journey to wherever the Lord wants me to be.
The first author I got to know, and one that inspired me to continue on with my goal of becoming a published writer, is J.A. Konrath. Joe is one of those people that I can relate to. An average guy with an above average ability to write. Like me, he endured a lot of rejections in the industry, until suddenly he landed a big deal. Konrath secured a six-digit deal for his Jack Daniels Detective series, and wrote about his journey along the way. It was the June, 2004 issue, page 32, "After the BIG SALE" by J.A. Konrath, that first caught my attention. The article outlines in a journal style the road to becoming published for Joe Konrath, and how a regular guy suddenly found himself joining the club of published writers. . . and with a six figure deal to boot. That journal about his excitement, and how it all happened for him, was inspiring, as was a later article in the September 2005 issue of Writer's Digest. The title of that article was "After the Book Comes Out," and the lessons I learned from the article inspired me, and made me remember that although the publishing game seems to be primarily about those with name recognition getting published, unknowns can still pull it off. I later had the opportunity to meat with Konrath, and Mario Acevedo, in San Diego at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore. . . and had dinner with them afterward. It was about six months after that meeting that I began to blog.
In July of 2006, while on a trip to the Oregon Coast I met another writer, and an up and coming publisher, by the name of Dan Bessie. Meeting him and his wonderful wife was the highlight of that trip, and the relationship continues to this day, although now Dan and his wife live in France. Well, if ever I visit France, I have a friend to visit too. Anyway, getting to know Dan added to what I had already learned from Konrath, "Don't stop trying, and enjoy the journey."
On October 2, 2006 I attended a booksigning in San Diego that changed my path as a writer drastically. I had found out about a book called "Playing With The Enemy" by Gary W. Moore while browsing through the internet - and, being the history and baseball enthusiast that I am, I just had to attend that book signing. Along with Gary at that booksigning was Jeff Edwards, author of "Torpedo." Well, as a Navy veteran, I thought to myself, "What a great opportunity to meet two fantastic writers, one with a book about my beloved Navy, and the other about World War II and baseball." The friendships with them both have been fantastic and inspiring. And out of those friendships also came my acceptance into the Military Writers Society of America (through which I met Jim Stewart, author of The Ghosts of Vietnam/Angel of Vietnam), and eventually the American Authors Association as well.
Shortly after that, I attended my first Writers Conference. The conference I attended was The La Jolla Writers Conference in San Diego, California. After the first day of the conference, and please don't think me horrible for saying this, I didn't feel like I was told anything that I didn't know. Little did I know, the next two days would knock that cocky little attitude right out of my thick skull. In short, I learned a lot.
In November of 2006 I completed reading Playing With The Enemy and at that time realized that Gary W. Moore's book was hands down the best book I had ever read. I had to meet him again and tell him so. Shortly afterward I drove to meet with Gary W. Moore in Pasadena, and the man touched me in more ways than just the inspiration of becoming a writer. As a Christian, he helped me realize that the writing isn't just about me, or my book, it is about God's plan for my life. Life is about chances, and second chances, and paths the Lord takes us that we don't even expect. From that day onward, a wonderful friendship has developed, and I feel blessed to know Gary W. Moore.
Shortly after that, on November 13th, 2006 I was a guest on a show called "My Point Radio." The hosts, Dave and Jenn, asked me about my work in progress, and about my blogging. Apparently, Jenn was (and is) a fan of my blog, Political Pistachio, and had mentioned me on a prior occasion on the show. Night Rider, better known now to me as Phil, took it upon himself to learn more about me, and ever since then a friendship with Dave, Jenn and Phil has ensued. That was my first introduction to Blog Talk Radio, and little did I know, it would be only a matter of time before I was a host myself.
In early December of 2006 I had another opportunity to meet an author at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego, California. This time I got to meet Howard V. Hendrix, a very intelligent mind, and a fantastic person to have the opportunity to speak to. Though I am not in constant touch with him, the meeting with him in that bookstore that night was definitely an experience that broadened my knowledge, and inspired me as a writer. The following day I went out to Imperial east of San Diego to meet with Jim Stewart at an event where the proceeds of the sales of his book went to the Wounded Warriors charity, an organization created to support the families of our wounded warriors.
On January 7th, 2007 my computer crashed, and many of my files were not backed up. The setback regarding my writing projects was severe, and the work on The Way Of Deception in regards to the latest rewrite was completely lost. The devastation affected my writing and my life. But, like any good writer, I got back on the horse and continued on with my writing, trying to recapture in my book what I had lost.
After toying with Wide Awakes Radio, and then their stream going down, on February 24, 2007 my Political Pistachio radio show premiered on Blog Talk Radio, and with it the opportunity to further market myself, and help market my fellow writers. In the beginning the show wasn't that great, but as time passed I grew, the show got better, and so did the guests.
But you know, I think I will talk about all of that on another post sometime.
Well, Gary W. Moore has been a guest three times, and numerous other writers have joined the show too. Bloggers and politicians so far have also graced my little show with their presence. But like I said, that will have to be on another post. This one is long enough already. God Bless, and we'll talk to you soon.
I am discovering relationships with authors (and a few other people I feel greatly humbled to know) that are inspiring me to move forward, and continue my journey to wherever the Lord wants me to be.
The first author I got to know, and one that inspired me to continue on with my goal of becoming a published writer, is J.A. Konrath. Joe is one of those people that I can relate to. An average guy with an above average ability to write. Like me, he endured a lot of rejections in the industry, until suddenly he landed a big deal. Konrath secured a six-digit deal for his Jack Daniels Detective series, and wrote about his journey along the way. It was the June, 2004 issue, page 32, "After the BIG SALE" by J.A. Konrath, that first caught my attention. The article outlines in a journal style the road to becoming published for Joe Konrath, and how a regular guy suddenly found himself joining the club of published writers. . . and with a six figure deal to boot. That journal about his excitement, and how it all happened for him, was inspiring, as was a later article in the September 2005 issue of Writer's Digest. The title of that article was "After the Book Comes Out," and the lessons I learned from the article inspired me, and made me remember that although the publishing game seems to be primarily about those with name recognition getting published, unknowns can still pull it off. I later had the opportunity to meat with Konrath, and Mario Acevedo, in San Diego at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore. . . and had dinner with them afterward. It was about six months after that meeting that I began to blog.
In July of 2006, while on a trip to the Oregon Coast I met another writer, and an up and coming publisher, by the name of Dan Bessie. Meeting him and his wonderful wife was the highlight of that trip, and the relationship continues to this day, although now Dan and his wife live in France. Well, if ever I visit France, I have a friend to visit too. Anyway, getting to know Dan added to what I had already learned from Konrath, "Don't stop trying, and enjoy the journey."
On October 2, 2006 I attended a booksigning in San Diego that changed my path as a writer drastically. I had found out about a book called "Playing With The Enemy" by Gary W. Moore while browsing through the internet - and, being the history and baseball enthusiast that I am, I just had to attend that book signing. Along with Gary at that booksigning was Jeff Edwards, author of "Torpedo." Well, as a Navy veteran, I thought to myself, "What a great opportunity to meet two fantastic writers, one with a book about my beloved Navy, and the other about World War II and baseball." The friendships with them both have been fantastic and inspiring. And out of those friendships also came my acceptance into the Military Writers Society of America (through which I met Jim Stewart, author of The Ghosts of Vietnam/Angel of Vietnam), and eventually the American Authors Association as well.
Shortly after that, I attended my first Writers Conference. The conference I attended was The La Jolla Writers Conference in San Diego, California. After the first day of the conference, and please don't think me horrible for saying this, I didn't feel like I was told anything that I didn't know. Little did I know, the next two days would knock that cocky little attitude right out of my thick skull. In short, I learned a lot.
In November of 2006 I completed reading Playing With The Enemy and at that time realized that Gary W. Moore's book was hands down the best book I had ever read. I had to meet him again and tell him so. Shortly afterward I drove to meet with Gary W. Moore in Pasadena, and the man touched me in more ways than just the inspiration of becoming a writer. As a Christian, he helped me realize that the writing isn't just about me, or my book, it is about God's plan for my life. Life is about chances, and second chances, and paths the Lord takes us that we don't even expect. From that day onward, a wonderful friendship has developed, and I feel blessed to know Gary W. Moore.
Shortly after that, on November 13th, 2006 I was a guest on a show called "My Point Radio." The hosts, Dave and Jenn, asked me about my work in progress, and about my blogging. Apparently, Jenn was (and is) a fan of my blog, Political Pistachio, and had mentioned me on a prior occasion on the show. Night Rider, better known now to me as Phil, took it upon himself to learn more about me, and ever since then a friendship with Dave, Jenn and Phil has ensued. That was my first introduction to Blog Talk Radio, and little did I know, it would be only a matter of time before I was a host myself.
In early December of 2006 I had another opportunity to meet an author at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego, California. This time I got to meet Howard V. Hendrix, a very intelligent mind, and a fantastic person to have the opportunity to speak to. Though I am not in constant touch with him, the meeting with him in that bookstore that night was definitely an experience that broadened my knowledge, and inspired me as a writer. The following day I went out to Imperial east of San Diego to meet with Jim Stewart at an event where the proceeds of the sales of his book went to the Wounded Warriors charity, an organization created to support the families of our wounded warriors.
On January 7th, 2007 my computer crashed, and many of my files were not backed up. The setback regarding my writing projects was severe, and the work on The Way Of Deception in regards to the latest rewrite was completely lost. The devastation affected my writing and my life. But, like any good writer, I got back on the horse and continued on with my writing, trying to recapture in my book what I had lost.
After toying with Wide Awakes Radio, and then their stream going down, on February 24, 2007 my Political Pistachio radio show premiered on Blog Talk Radio, and with it the opportunity to further market myself, and help market my fellow writers. In the beginning the show wasn't that great, but as time passed I grew, the show got better, and so did the guests.
But you know, I think I will talk about all of that on another post sometime.
Well, Gary W. Moore has been a guest three times, and numerous other writers have joined the show too. Bloggers and politicians so far have also graced my little show with their presence. But like I said, that will have to be on another post. This one is long enough already. God Bless, and we'll talk to you soon.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Growing Network
Okay, I've been really bad about posting news over on this page. The blogs and my book has been taking up my time. But, here's some extraordinary news: Andrea Shea King is a terrestrial radio host on WDBO AM 580 in Florida, and now I am a regular co-host on her Blog Talk Radio show!
Now if I could just get this dang book finished!
Now if I could just get this dang book finished!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Governor James Gilmore was on my radio show!
Yesterday's Political Pistachio Radio was a successful episode. Governor James Gilmore, one of the more influential members of the Republican Party, took time from his busy schedule to be a part of the program. I spoke with him about his recent withdrawal from the Presidential Race, as well as his position on a number of issues, including the war on terror and the immigration issue. Listener participation was amazing. I had a number of callers submit questions to Mr. Gilmore, and I also fielded a number of questions submitted by Yahoo Messenger.
By the way, BlogTalk Radio also posted a blog entry on the broadcast. This is the second time Political Pistachio has been recognized by the host network.
The growth of the radio show has been tremendous, and that growth is due to the loyal listeners.
By the way, BlogTalk Radio also posted a blog entry on the broadcast. This is the second time Political Pistachio has been recognized by the host network.
The growth of the radio show has been tremendous, and that growth is due to the loyal listeners.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Torpedoes and the Oregon Coast
Jeff Edwards, author of Torpedo, will be my guest today on Political Pistachio Radio. Tune in to the broadcast live at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, or catch the archive later at Political Pistachio. Call in to the show to ask him questions (646) 652-2940, or Yahoo Instant Message me (ID: douglasvgibbs).
Then, after I finish the interview, it is off to the Oregon Coast for a little R&R. See pics from past trips to Oregon at Political Pistachio.
Then, after I finish the interview, it is off to the Oregon Coast for a little R&R. See pics from past trips to Oregon at Political Pistachio.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Playing With The Enemy on Political Pistachio Radio
The day before Father's Day Gary W. Moore was my guest on Political Pistachio Radio. And as expected, the show was wonderful. He is a class act, and a great guest. His book, Playing With The Enemy, is a wonderful story about how even though our dreams may not come into being, the journey of life is what is important. Blessings sometimes grow from unexpected branches.
Ted Savas, Gary's publisher, was also on the show, and relayed the fascinating story on how he reluctantly discovered Gary W. Moore.
Listen to the episode HERE
Ted Savas, Gary's publisher, was also on the show, and relayed the fascinating story on how he reluctantly discovered Gary W. Moore.
Listen to the episode HERE
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Tests for cancer are negative so far
The results of my son's CT Scan were negative. As far as we can tell, they removed all of the cancer. However, cancer is capable hiding in little nooks and crannies, so for the next five years Christopher will continue to undergo tests to make sure the cancer is truly gone. Thank you for the prayers.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Surgery to Remove the Cancer
Today, at noontime, my son Christopher is going under the knife to remove a testicular tumor. The very fear brought on by the word "cancer" has been taxing. It doesn't seem like very long ago that I was bouncing Chris on my knee. It's difficult when your child faces something this scary.
My mom will be with us at the hospital. Her support, and presence, is huge. My mother is a humble woman, and a big impact on our lives through her own prayer for us.
Prayer from bloggers, family and friends around the world has been tremendous.
My mom will be with us at the hospital. Her support, and presence, is huge. My mother is a humble woman, and a big impact on our lives through her own prayer for us.
Prayer from bloggers, family and friends around the world has been tremendous.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Cancer Sucks
Recently my son, Christopher, was diagnosed as having Testicular Cancer. Today we are taking him to the hospital to develop a treatment plan and get it all started.
The disease is frightening, and just the word "cancer" strikes fear in the average person. However, as we become educated about this, we are realizing that success against this disease is more common than failure.
I will keep you posted on how it is going.
God Bless, and thank you.
The disease is frightening, and just the word "cancer" strikes fear in the average person. However, as we become educated about this, we are realizing that success against this disease is more common than failure.
I will keep you posted on how it is going.
God Bless, and thank you.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The audience is growing!
Political Pistachio Radio is rapidly gaining in popularity, as is my Political Pistachio website. I have a list of guests coming up, and I have been contacted by CENTCOM to receive their newsletter so that I may be up to date on the war effort against terrorism.
Here's the programming schedule for my radio show coming up:
This coming Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, which is appropriately Armed Forces Day, we have a proud veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a founding member of Catholic Veterans Against Kennedy, Kerry, and McGovern. Paul Couturier will be our guest to discuss the ongoing war in Iraq - and be aware, he is far from being politically correct - and he is still active duty so though I urge callers to call in and ask him questions, we must be respectful of his position as a current active member of the military.
On Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, we will have Warren Lee Culpepper who is currently writing his book, "Alone and Unafraid: One Marine's Counterattack Inside the Walls of Public Education" on as an expert guest to discuss how our children are being indoctrinated in public schools, especially in light of this recent lawsuit in Chicago over a teacher showing Brokeback Mountain in a class of twelve year olds (not only because of the gay agenda attached to that film, but the R-rating). He is not only a fellow blogger at Culpepper: Marine Teaching Maniac, but is also a contributing columnist for The North Carolina Conservative, The HinzSight Report, The Publius' Forum, and Mich News dot com.
The Saturday after that, June 2, 2007 at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, we will have a very special guest: Cary Cartter of http://itisobvious.blogspot.com/ - or as some of you know it: I'm Thinking of the "O" Word (I meant Obvious, what were YOU thinking?). He will be on the show to discuss Election 2008, his write-in candidacy, and what is needed to return our nation to Conservative Values.
Saturday, June 9, 2007 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, myself and Mrs. Pistachio are currently negotiating with a potential guest with an extensive military background, extensive weapons knowledge, and the author of a Clancy-style book that is taking the nation by storm.
The day before Father's Day, June 16, 2007 at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, Gary Moore of "Playing With The Enemy" may join us (waiting for final affirmation). He was interviewed by Political Pistachio Radio on April 7, 2007 and that show has been the most listened to of all PPR episodes. He will be back to join Mrs. Pistachio and myself the day before Father's Day (which is almost exactly one year prior to the release of the Major Motion Picture release of the movie based on his book about World War II, Baseball, and a field of broken dreams). Maybe we'll be able to get him to tell us who the big star is that the movie landed for one of the starring roles! Oh, and his publisher has authorized me to have a book giveaway that day. Two PPR listeners will win a personally autographed copy of Playing With The Enemy during that episode. Details on how to get in on this contest will be provided at a later date.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
I had a Revelation
My book, The Way Of Deception, was completed a year ago, at which time I attempted to get it published, and after 163 rejections by literary agents I decided to rewrite and fix it. I received advice from one such literary agent that I bounced around points of view and needed to change that.
A year later I am almost complete, but something is still missing. It's too basic of a story.
Then a revelation struck me! Why not add a trippy suspenseful twist that is totally believable, but would freak people out? And I have just the antidote.
uh, uh, uh, don't ask, you'll have to wait until I finish the book (again) and then you can know the secrets of the phone call from the President of the United States to Jarrod.
A year later I am almost complete, but something is still missing. It's too basic of a story.
Then a revelation struck me! Why not add a trippy suspenseful twist that is totally believable, but would freak people out? And I have just the antidote.
uh, uh, uh, don't ask, you'll have to wait until I finish the book (again) and then you can know the secrets of the phone call from the President of the United States to Jarrod.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
I am a new member of American Author's Association
I have been invited to join American Author's Association, and have accepted. I believe that membership in this organization will further enhance my ability to become published once "The Way of Deception" is ready to be sent out to literary agents once again.
The nice thing is that the president of the organization is real easy to work with and has committed herself in assisting me in my journey.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The End of an Era
Been a while since I posted here. It's not that there hasn't been any news, just none that I felt was worthy of this page.
Now, something has come up.
Two years ago I was very healthy. Played basketball with my friends, golfed often, and participated in a five mile running race through mud and obstacles.
Now, I am a medical mess. My joints have stiffened, my muscles have lost their flexibility, I've had two hernias (one hole in the muscle tissue of my abdomen was 9cm X 14cm), a ring of tissue in my esophagus restricts my swallowing capacity, I have bowel discomfort, cysts, bulging discs, and a volcano in my stomach that erupts constantly. Now, it is getting to the point that it is becoming difficult to work, and type. But my writing is still moving full-speed ahead, despite the difficulty.
The good news is that my wife will be graduating from the university with a Bachelors Degree in two months, and her goal is to bring me home. Then, with my being able to write full-time, my goal will be to bring her home.
So far, it's been tough, but persistence is the name of the game.
Now, something has come up.
Two years ago I was very healthy. Played basketball with my friends, golfed often, and participated in a five mile running race through mud and obstacles.
Now, I am a medical mess. My joints have stiffened, my muscles have lost their flexibility, I've had two hernias (one hole in the muscle tissue of my abdomen was 9cm X 14cm), a ring of tissue in my esophagus restricts my swallowing capacity, I have bowel discomfort, cysts, bulging discs, and a volcano in my stomach that erupts constantly. Now, it is getting to the point that it is becoming difficult to work, and type. But my writing is still moving full-speed ahead, despite the difficulty.
The good news is that my wife will be graduating from the university with a Bachelors Degree in two months, and her goal is to bring me home. Then, with my being able to write full-time, my goal will be to bring her home.
So far, it's been tough, but persistence is the name of the game.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Gary W. Moore on Political Pistachio Radio
On Political Pistachio Radio I interviewed Gary W. Moore (author of Playing With The Enemy) on April 7, 2007. The show was a rousing success. Gary was a fantastic guest.
Two of my regular listeners called in with questions, and Gary responded to them with the same class he normally exudes.
He answered every question fully, and made the show entertaining.
I feel blessed that he agreed to do the show.
And he sort of turned the tables on me, complimenting me for my show, and my writing, and proclaimed that I was going to have a successful career in writing and/or radio broadcasting.
Perhaps.
Honestly, my wife makes the show great, and my writing has been suffering because of my heavy work load. However, she will graduate from the university in June, and her goal is to bring me home to write full time. I hope then I can really get the writing career going.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Between those moments in time
My past life is winding down, and what is on the horizon is revving up. Today I am going to follow-up my application to write as a part-time sports reporter with a local newspaper with an e-mail that includes samples of my writing. My radio show has improved greatly, and the next two episodes will include very special guests, Bushwack of American and Proud, and Gary W. Moore, author of Playing With The Enemy.
I am back to working on the novel I decided to re-write last summer when I have time as well, but honestly, my plate has been full, and I couldn't be happier. Now, as my wife approaches graduation from the university, the amount of time allotted to me for writing will increase.
Greatness is on the horizon, and I give God the credit, where credit is due.
I am back to working on the novel I decided to re-write last summer when I have time as well, but honestly, my plate has been full, and I couldn't be happier. Now, as my wife approaches graduation from the university, the amount of time allotted to me for writing will increase.
Greatness is on the horizon, and I give God the credit, where credit is due.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A Successful Episode!
The fourth installment of Political Pistachio Radio was a success, from a personal point of view. Numbers were a hair low, perhaps because of the less than interesting episodes before. A caller, Dan from the Bronx, helped my show along, but Mrs. Pistachio (my lovely wife) gave the show pizazz.
And now, I have secured Bushwack as a guest on March 31 to discuss his involvement with the Gathering of Eagles march on March 17th, and Gary W. Moore on April 7 to discuss his book "Playing With The Enemy".
And now, I have secured Bushwack as a guest on March 31 to discuss his involvement with the Gathering of Eagles march on March 17th, and Gary W. Moore on April 7 to discuss his book "Playing With The Enemy".
Monday, March 12, 2007
Work schedule has lightened up as opportunities arise
The rollercoaster ride of the construction industry has settled to steady, but not ridiculous hours, again. As my wife nears obtaining her bachelor's degree, and the hopes of bringing me home to write full time, opportunities are arising. The radio show has improved, but is still an experiment of sorts. The last show experienced some audio difficulties the first thirty minutes, but has improved over the previous shows, nonetheless. It had 36 live listeners, which is now the standing record for my shows. An opportunity arising is the possibility of writing for a local newspaper, which would be a great way to earn money as a writer, even if it is only a small amount. I'll keep you posted on how that turns out.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
When life gives you lemons, find an orange juice stand
My posting to this page is becoming more intermittant as life keeps grabbing me by the throat. My hours at work has increased, but the company has removed a policy that results in less pay because they no longer compensate us for long travel to far away job sites. I am gone from home an average of 14 hours per day because of my day-job, often more. As my daughter used to say, "Daddy, you go to work when it's night-night, and you come home when it's night-night."
"Yes, please, I'll take a little cheese with my whine."
I found time for my radio show. The second installment aired yesterday at blogtalk radio.
But through the struggles, the lowered amounts of sleep, and the frustration, I realize that it will all end eventually. Through it all I still pound away on my keyboard, when I can, working on my blogs, and the manuscript of my latest book. The dream remains alive, and a contract with a literary agent, and publishing company, is on the horizon.
All I have to do is believe, and act upon those beliefs.
Good things come to those who are patient, and put out the work to achieve their goals.
"Yes, please, I'll take a little cheese with my whine."
I found time for my radio show. The second installment aired yesterday at blogtalk radio.
But through the struggles, the lowered amounts of sleep, and the frustration, I realize that it will all end eventually. Through it all I still pound away on my keyboard, when I can, working on my blogs, and the manuscript of my latest book. The dream remains alive, and a contract with a literary agent, and publishing company, is on the horizon.
All I have to do is believe, and act upon those beliefs.
Good things come to those who are patient, and put out the work to achieve their goals.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The Upcoming Premiere of Political Pistachio Radio
This Saturday on the premiere of my internet radio show at BlogTalk Radio I will be discussing "Where the Liberal Left Misses the Whole Point," and the letter I had to write because the local school district believes that they are a better parent than myself and have more of a right to teach my child about "morality" than I do. Tune in at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern at www.blogtalkradio.com/politicalpistachio - or listen later by accessing the archive.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Opportunities
It's amazing how sometimes, when we least expect it, good things happen.
Reminds me of the saying, "The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways."
I got home early from work, but when I got home, though my wife wanted to leave immediately for a Valentine's Day dinner, I needed the time to shower and shave.
And after we parked our truck in the parking lot and approached our favorite Italian Food restaurant in Temecula, California, a woman with a video camera approached me, and asked me my opinion about some issues that have risen regarding the mall in Temecula.
It turned out that she is a writer for one of the local newspapers, and is doing a story about the mall. After she received my full name (I'm figuring I am going to be mentioned in the newspaper), I had a convesation with her about writing, of which I began by saying, "I wish I wrote for the paper."
I have always hoped to try my hand at journalism, but always reasoned that without a bachelor's degree, I would not have a chance. Besides, with the need to work to take care of my family, I haven't had the time. This woman from the paper said she doesn't have a degree. She began as a free lancer, and now has asked me to e-mail her with my questions.
My wife, on verge of gaining her own degree, has the goal of bringing me home so that I have the time to write full-time. That should happen in the next few months.
Is this an opportunity for me to take advantage of?
Yes, if it is in the Lord's will.
Reminds me of the saying, "The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways."
I got home early from work, but when I got home, though my wife wanted to leave immediately for a Valentine's Day dinner, I needed the time to shower and shave.
And after we parked our truck in the parking lot and approached our favorite Italian Food restaurant in Temecula, California, a woman with a video camera approached me, and asked me my opinion about some issues that have risen regarding the mall in Temecula.
It turned out that she is a writer for one of the local newspapers, and is doing a story about the mall. After she received my full name (I'm figuring I am going to be mentioned in the newspaper), I had a convesation with her about writing, of which I began by saying, "I wish I wrote for the paper."
I have always hoped to try my hand at journalism, but always reasoned that without a bachelor's degree, I would not have a chance. Besides, with the need to work to take care of my family, I haven't had the time. This woman from the paper said she doesn't have a degree. She began as a free lancer, and now has asked me to e-mail her with my questions.
My wife, on verge of gaining her own degree, has the goal of bringing me home so that I have the time to write full-time. That should happen in the next few months.
Is this an opportunity for me to take advantage of?
Yes, if it is in the Lord's will.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
The Journey So Far
A commenter on my Defender of the Blahs blog recently asked about the time line on the rejections I have received regarding my manuscripts. She indicated that she has a few short stories published, and that she is currently working on a novel. I appreciate that she recognized my upbeat tone and perseverance.
My attitude, aside from the mantras listed at the top of my blog, is "Never say die!"
I have been writing all my life. When I was younger I used to write a weekly magazine and then sell it to my sister for a penny. Since she was younger than I, and had no money, I gave her the penny, so that she could give it back to me. I began writing novels when I was seventeen, but never gathered enough guts to send a manuscript in to a publisher until July 13, 1993. I had written a Christian allegory, inspired to write it after reading Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, and sent off a query letter (2 pages which is a no-no, but I didn't know that back then), along with a synopsis that was far from being a synopsis. It was more like an outline. Anyhow, can you guess how that ended up? Of course, it was rejected. Took them a few weeks, so I thought that was a good thing. To be honest, acceptance letters usually come back quickly. One rejection and I was devastated. No thick skin for me back then. Then in the mid-nineties I decided to hit the short story market, and crashed and burned for four years. Finally, I sent the best of my short stories off to an editor for a paid look at its credibility - and it came back with the most red marks I had ever seen in my life. Devastation number two. I cried, in fact. And, I quit trying to publish for a few years. I returned to the old days, writing poetry, short stories, and novels just for the fun of it.
For those of you reading this to find out about my rejections on my novels, and the turnaround timetable, realize this - I take a while to get to the point. Perhaps that is a normal attribute for being a writer, or perhaps I am just eclectic that way, but regardless, you have two choices. Keep reading, or flash forward to the end to read the whole point of this.
Anyhow, back to my childish devastation of not being able to handle a little criticism, my last short story attempt at publication in the nineties was June 8, 1999. My next attempt at publication was for a book I wrote called A Light in the Shadow, a nice piece of writing if you ask me. I did a lot of homework, and learned that I did it all wrong a decade before with my Christian allegory when it came to submitting the manuscript. You are supposed to get an agent, first. So I sent seven queries with about a one week turnaround for the rejections, and one of the agents accepted me on March 29, 2005 (after two months of back and forth correspondence via snail mail). For a year I walked on cloud nine, until I learned another valuable lesson. . . there are many agents out there that aren't agents. They are either scam artists, or think they're agents but the rest of the industry doesn't agree. I had landed one of the latter.
Another writer friend of mine turned me on to Predators and Editors and Writer Beware. These are web-sites that can help you research the validity of an agent. During the time with that bad agent I also tried to get three short stories published, but to no avail. Then I met J.A. Konrath. I discovered this writer in an article in my newly subscribed to Writer's Digest Magazine. My acquaintance with him taught me to be a writer I need to surround myself in all things about writing. It is a business, so treat it that way. I created my original website (through my now fleeting ISP) and went to as many book signings as possible to pick the brains of writers that made it. I joined a writer's forum at Absolute Write, and began writing like crazy.
2006 became a very busy year. Three complete novels, and query letters out the ying-yang. The learning process kicked into high gear, and then in March I created this blog. Now, armed with all this knowledge, I know exactly what not to do, and I have formed a rather large readership with my numerous blogs. It is fun and all, but the prize of publication has continue to allude me. And now, I have realized that everything I write isn't gold, and it has enabled me to write my novels with more care (and lengthy proof-reading sessions). Oh, yeah, and about that time line on the rejections? Over one hundred have gone out on A Light in the Shadow since its originally foray, Somatic has a couple dozen, and 87 queries were sent out for The Way of Deception when it was still entitled The Leonardo Conspiracy. The Way of Deception is currently being re-modeled and overhauled, and man has it gotten good. I am pretty excited about it, and hope to have the final draft completed by my birthday in April, at which time the queries will go out again. So far, with all those queries the responses range from a week, to a few weeks, to a few months, to never. I keep a running log, and do a lot of research regarding who is best suited to take a look at my writing. I don't send my thrillers to sci-fi agents or romance specialists. I am sure they appreciate that. The rule is, there is no rules, but there is certain standards. Keep the query letter to one page. If you can describe the book in a paragraph or less, you are on the right track. Have reasons that will make the publisher feel that they can make some money on the book, like credentials. I have joined The Military Writers Society of America, and have attended bookfests and writers conferences to show that I am serious about this business to the agents. And don't send out that novel until it is the best it can be.
And thanks to Mary for finding my blog, and commenting. It has given the blog new life, and me a reason to realize that despite the rejections, I am no quitter.
Keep writing, persevere, and get published.
My attitude, aside from the mantras listed at the top of my blog, is "Never say die!"
I have been writing all my life. When I was younger I used to write a weekly magazine and then sell it to my sister for a penny. Since she was younger than I, and had no money, I gave her the penny, so that she could give it back to me. I began writing novels when I was seventeen, but never gathered enough guts to send a manuscript in to a publisher until July 13, 1993. I had written a Christian allegory, inspired to write it after reading Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, and sent off a query letter (2 pages which is a no-no, but I didn't know that back then), along with a synopsis that was far from being a synopsis. It was more like an outline. Anyhow, can you guess how that ended up? Of course, it was rejected. Took them a few weeks, so I thought that was a good thing. To be honest, acceptance letters usually come back quickly. One rejection and I was devastated. No thick skin for me back then. Then in the mid-nineties I decided to hit the short story market, and crashed and burned for four years. Finally, I sent the best of my short stories off to an editor for a paid look at its credibility - and it came back with the most red marks I had ever seen in my life. Devastation number two. I cried, in fact. And, I quit trying to publish for a few years. I returned to the old days, writing poetry, short stories, and novels just for the fun of it.
For those of you reading this to find out about my rejections on my novels, and the turnaround timetable, realize this - I take a while to get to the point. Perhaps that is a normal attribute for being a writer, or perhaps I am just eclectic that way, but regardless, you have two choices. Keep reading, or flash forward to the end to read the whole point of this.
Anyhow, back to my childish devastation of not being able to handle a little criticism, my last short story attempt at publication in the nineties was June 8, 1999. My next attempt at publication was for a book I wrote called A Light in the Shadow, a nice piece of writing if you ask me. I did a lot of homework, and learned that I did it all wrong a decade before with my Christian allegory when it came to submitting the manuscript. You are supposed to get an agent, first. So I sent seven queries with about a one week turnaround for the rejections, and one of the agents accepted me on March 29, 2005 (after two months of back and forth correspondence via snail mail). For a year I walked on cloud nine, until I learned another valuable lesson. . . there are many agents out there that aren't agents. They are either scam artists, or think they're agents but the rest of the industry doesn't agree. I had landed one of the latter.
Another writer friend of mine turned me on to Predators and Editors and Writer Beware. These are web-sites that can help you research the validity of an agent. During the time with that bad agent I also tried to get three short stories published, but to no avail. Then I met J.A. Konrath. I discovered this writer in an article in my newly subscribed to Writer's Digest Magazine. My acquaintance with him taught me to be a writer I need to surround myself in all things about writing. It is a business, so treat it that way. I created my original website (through my now fleeting ISP) and went to as many book signings as possible to pick the brains of writers that made it. I joined a writer's forum at Absolute Write, and began writing like crazy.
2006 became a very busy year. Three complete novels, and query letters out the ying-yang. The learning process kicked into high gear, and then in March I created this blog. Now, armed with all this knowledge, I know exactly what not to do, and I have formed a rather large readership with my numerous blogs. It is fun and all, but the prize of publication has continue to allude me. And now, I have realized that everything I write isn't gold, and it has enabled me to write my novels with more care (and lengthy proof-reading sessions). Oh, yeah, and about that time line on the rejections? Over one hundred have gone out on A Light in the Shadow since its originally foray, Somatic has a couple dozen, and 87 queries were sent out for The Way of Deception when it was still entitled The Leonardo Conspiracy. The Way of Deception is currently being re-modeled and overhauled, and man has it gotten good. I am pretty excited about it, and hope to have the final draft completed by my birthday in April, at which time the queries will go out again. So far, with all those queries the responses range from a week, to a few weeks, to a few months, to never. I keep a running log, and do a lot of research regarding who is best suited to take a look at my writing. I don't send my thrillers to sci-fi agents or romance specialists. I am sure they appreciate that. The rule is, there is no rules, but there is certain standards. Keep the query letter to one page. If you can describe the book in a paragraph or less, you are on the right track. Have reasons that will make the publisher feel that they can make some money on the book, like credentials. I have joined The Military Writers Society of America, and have attended bookfests and writers conferences to show that I am serious about this business to the agents. And don't send out that novel until it is the best it can be.
And thanks to Mary for finding my blog, and commenting. It has given the blog new life, and me a reason to realize that despite the rejections, I am no quitter.
Keep writing, persevere, and get published.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Internet Radio
After my computer crashed, I was crushed by the fact that I lost a lot of my work regarding The Way of Deception. My blogs have been doing fairly well, with A Right Angle in a Left Turn World sometimes jockeying for position as my most popular. Political Pistachio remains my most popular, with Right Angle and the two Carried By Christ blogs right behind them. I have since bought another domain name, this one is www.politicalpistachio.com for easier remembering (blogspot is dropped from the URL), and I have since opened up a MySpace blog, and another blogspot blog.
The new blogspot blog is the main reason for this post. I was contacted by Kender, the owner and operator of Wide Awakes Radio, and asked if I would host a show. Of course, I agreed. Now, I am focusing a lot of energy on this show, which will premiere in the next couple weeks on Saturdays from 5-7 pm, as I also work on the marketing in regards to the show. The new blog is Political Pistachio Radio.
I am back to working on the book as well.
The new blogspot blog is the main reason for this post. I was contacted by Kender, the owner and operator of Wide Awakes Radio, and asked if I would host a show. Of course, I agreed. Now, I am focusing a lot of energy on this show, which will premiere in the next couple weeks on Saturdays from 5-7 pm, as I also work on the marketing in regards to the show. The new blog is Political Pistachio Radio.
I am back to working on the book as well.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Crash of Reality
I am nearly recovered from the surgery I had on December 29, 2006. I still hurt, but I am not in total pain anymore. In fact, this morning I pulled my socks on all by myself without help.
More painful than the surgery is the fact that Sunday my computer crashed. I am currently typing on my old computer. Luckily, it's not a complete junker.
I failed to follow my own advice and make sure everything was backed up, and I lost drafts 8 and 9 of The Way of Deception, which luckily I printed. It's just a matter of typing it back into the computer.
Political Pistachio (Non-Fiction Book) was not as lucky. Everything was lost, none of it was backed up, and none of it was printed. All of it is gone.
Perhaps that is a signal that I need to only concentrate on The Way of Deception.
More painful than the surgery is the fact that Sunday my computer crashed. I am currently typing on my old computer. Luckily, it's not a complete junker.
I failed to follow my own advice and make sure everything was backed up, and I lost drafts 8 and 9 of The Way of Deception, which luckily I printed. It's just a matter of typing it back into the computer.
Political Pistachio (Non-Fiction Book) was not as lucky. Everything was lost, none of it was backed up, and none of it was printed. All of it is gone.
Perhaps that is a signal that I need to only concentrate on The Way of Deception.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
While I was down
December 29th I had surgery to contain two pesky hernias in my stomach. One of them was pushing on my belly button, the other presented itself as an unsightly bulge directly above my umbilical area. I've been bed-ridden, for the most part, ever since.
The first 48 hours was horrid. I've been moving around a little more with each day passing. I've been doing a large share of reading and writing, but mostly, I've been watching the television.
What all this time with the boob-tube has done has reminded me as to why I don't watch the TV.
The Way of Deception has grown, as has the non-fiction Political Pistachio. What I have learned most, however, as I have ventured back into my office is that my desk has gotten quite disorganized. What I need now is another file cabinet.
Nothing like a little down time, however, to really get you writing.
Okay, enough for this post. Time to get back to my books.
The first 48 hours was horrid. I've been moving around a little more with each day passing. I've been doing a large share of reading and writing, but mostly, I've been watching the television.
What all this time with the boob-tube has done has reminded me as to why I don't watch the TV.
The Way of Deception has grown, as has the non-fiction Political Pistachio. What I have learned most, however, as I have ventured back into my office is that my desk has gotten quite disorganized. What I need now is another file cabinet.
Nothing like a little down time, however, to really get you writing.
Okay, enough for this post. Time to get back to my books.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Real Life Imitating Fiction
The day after Christmas my employer sent me out of town, three days before my date for surgery to take care of a couple pesky hernias. The pair of jokers assigned to me for a crew promised to make the trip eventful.
A couple hours into the day I received a phone call to have my blood drawn for the upcoming surgery. "No problem," I was informed. "There is a blood drawing clinic right around the corner."
One of my bosses, on the jobsite to help lay-out the house, sent me on my way as I promised that it would be quick and easy. After all, the clinic was right around the corner.
The clinic was in fact right around the corner, but quit drawing blood for the diagnostics corporation I needed three months ago.
"No problem," they declared. "There is a facility that draws blood for your needs a few minutes away."
Half an hour later, or maybe a little more, a time period which consisted of a call to my wife to look up directions to the clinic on the internet, I drove by the facility three times before recognizing the run-down building to be what I needed. The whino on the lawn covered up the address with his shopping cart.
I waited the elevator ride up to the second floor, curious what the rotting smell was, and entered the suite I needed, only to have my blood drawn by a fidgety student.
"Do you mind if a student draws your blood?" asked a nearby nurse.
"Of course not," I replied. "She has to learn sometime."
Apparently, her education up that point had been minimal.
She stuck me, moved the needed around a few times searching for blood, and then dug it in deeper as she applied the tube to it. I cringed, but held my composure.
A little blood dribbled into the tube, and then stopped.
"I think it fell out," she suddenly said.
Fell out? How does a needle fall out of a vein?
The nurse steps up, but before she can rescue me, the student suddenly pushes the needle into my arm up to the plastic hilt.
My right leg rose up as if to goose step, pointing my toes toward the exit. My face contorted, scrunching in pain. I, however, being the nice guy that I am, forced a grin.
"Sorry," said the student, stomping her foot once as if ready to pout like a petulent child.
Still grinning, I said, "It's okay. As far as students go, you did fine."
I lied.
Finally, with the blood drawn, I grabbed my book and my sanity and rushed out of there, hoping to never step into that facility again.
Then, at the end of the day, after breathing dust and fumes while operating my digging machine, one of my co-workers declares, "I know the perfect place to stay."
This co-worker of mine is known to be a teller of tall tales, and a liar among the best of liars. He is difficult to trust, but gullible ol' me softly replied in my best sheep-headed-for-a-cliff way, "Okay."
After an hour of driving in ovals around the town, visiting colorfully graffitied neighborhoods, he finally declared in partial defeat, "I don't understand. There used to be plenty of hotels along this road."
"Perhaps they brought in big trucks and moved them all someplace else," I said sarcastically.
Without missing a beat, he replied, "Maybe."
The other co-worker sat in the back in silence, chuckling on occassion.
Finally, we found a hotel, and settled for the night after a dinner at a known-to-be-busy location that included an hour wait, a stroll through numerous shops of interest, and me boxing up some of my meal for the next day's lunch.
After a fitful night of listening to the loudest chorus of snoring that I have ever encountered, I finally fell asleep just after midnight, only to be awakened by pouring rain a couple hours later.
As we drove the wet streets later in the morning, two things became apparent to me. One, the job was surely going to be too wet to continue, and two, I had left my left-overs for lunch back in the hotel and we had already checked out and was down the road.
Turned out I was wrong about the wet jobsite. The ground acted like a sponge and soaked up all of the water.
We dug, finished, got on the road, and I drove the big-rig back for a little over three hours in post-holiday traffic.
And the thanks for my hard work? No jobs running for the next day. We all got the day off whether we wanted it or not.
Fine, I needed the time to see my pre-operation nurse anyhow. Remember, Friday I go under the knife.
And Friday is now today. Three and a half hours before launch, to be exact. I'm nervous about the surgery, and a big baby when it comes to doctors and other medical personnel. Student blood-drawers haven't exactly help me to conquer that fear.
It could be worse, however. I figure I could still be lost somewhere up north, driving around in circles searching for a hotel that was probably moved by a convoy of large trucks.
A couple hours into the day I received a phone call to have my blood drawn for the upcoming surgery. "No problem," I was informed. "There is a blood drawing clinic right around the corner."
One of my bosses, on the jobsite to help lay-out the house, sent me on my way as I promised that it would be quick and easy. After all, the clinic was right around the corner.
The clinic was in fact right around the corner, but quit drawing blood for the diagnostics corporation I needed three months ago.
"No problem," they declared. "There is a facility that draws blood for your needs a few minutes away."
Half an hour later, or maybe a little more, a time period which consisted of a call to my wife to look up directions to the clinic on the internet, I drove by the facility three times before recognizing the run-down building to be what I needed. The whino on the lawn covered up the address with his shopping cart.
I waited the elevator ride up to the second floor, curious what the rotting smell was, and entered the suite I needed, only to have my blood drawn by a fidgety student.
"Do you mind if a student draws your blood?" asked a nearby nurse.
"Of course not," I replied. "She has to learn sometime."
Apparently, her education up that point had been minimal.
She stuck me, moved the needed around a few times searching for blood, and then dug it in deeper as she applied the tube to it. I cringed, but held my composure.
A little blood dribbled into the tube, and then stopped.
"I think it fell out," she suddenly said.
Fell out? How does a needle fall out of a vein?
The nurse steps up, but before she can rescue me, the student suddenly pushes the needle into my arm up to the plastic hilt.
My right leg rose up as if to goose step, pointing my toes toward the exit. My face contorted, scrunching in pain. I, however, being the nice guy that I am, forced a grin.
"Sorry," said the student, stomping her foot once as if ready to pout like a petulent child.
Still grinning, I said, "It's okay. As far as students go, you did fine."
I lied.
Finally, with the blood drawn, I grabbed my book and my sanity and rushed out of there, hoping to never step into that facility again.
Then, at the end of the day, after breathing dust and fumes while operating my digging machine, one of my co-workers declares, "I know the perfect place to stay."
This co-worker of mine is known to be a teller of tall tales, and a liar among the best of liars. He is difficult to trust, but gullible ol' me softly replied in my best sheep-headed-for-a-cliff way, "Okay."
After an hour of driving in ovals around the town, visiting colorfully graffitied neighborhoods, he finally declared in partial defeat, "I don't understand. There used to be plenty of hotels along this road."
"Perhaps they brought in big trucks and moved them all someplace else," I said sarcastically.
Without missing a beat, he replied, "Maybe."
The other co-worker sat in the back in silence, chuckling on occassion.
Finally, we found a hotel, and settled for the night after a dinner at a known-to-be-busy location that included an hour wait, a stroll through numerous shops of interest, and me boxing up some of my meal for the next day's lunch.
After a fitful night of listening to the loudest chorus of snoring that I have ever encountered, I finally fell asleep just after midnight, only to be awakened by pouring rain a couple hours later.
As we drove the wet streets later in the morning, two things became apparent to me. One, the job was surely going to be too wet to continue, and two, I had left my left-overs for lunch back in the hotel and we had already checked out and was down the road.
Turned out I was wrong about the wet jobsite. The ground acted like a sponge and soaked up all of the water.
We dug, finished, got on the road, and I drove the big-rig back for a little over three hours in post-holiday traffic.
And the thanks for my hard work? No jobs running for the next day. We all got the day off whether we wanted it or not.
Fine, I needed the time to see my pre-operation nurse anyhow. Remember, Friday I go under the knife.
And Friday is now today. Three and a half hours before launch, to be exact. I'm nervous about the surgery, and a big baby when it comes to doctors and other medical personnel. Student blood-drawers haven't exactly help me to conquer that fear.
It could be worse, however. I figure I could still be lost somewhere up north, driving around in circles searching for a hotel that was probably moved by a convoy of large trucks.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Official launch of my non-fiction effort - Political Pistachio
Details of the evolution of this effort will be relayed at Political Pistachio (Non-Fic).
The book will be a collection of the posts from my two political blogs, accompanied by commentary to assist the reader along in the journey.
The book will be a collection of the posts from my two political blogs, accompanied by commentary to assist the reader along in the journey.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Meeting with Jim Stewart at "Christmas in a Small Town"
Jim Stewart, author of The Ghosts of Vietnam, conducted an author book signing today at "Christmas in a Small Town" in Imperial, California. The proceeds from each sale of his book went to Wounded Warriors, supporting families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.
I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with him again, and thanked him again for his kind comments on My Point Radio on November 13, 2006. The event was enjoyable, and met with relative success regarding sales of the book.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Meeting Howard V. Hendrix
Tonight I drove down to San Diego to meet Howard V. Hendrix at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. I purchased, and had autographed, his books Spears of God and Empty Cities of the Full Moon. Honestly, the main reason I went was to pick his brain as a writer.
Howard is an articulate speaker, and pleasant gentleman. He commented that he liked (and agreed with) my saying that I have on my business card (A professional is an amateur who didn't quit) and was interested in checking out my Political Pistachio blog.
In the end, he gave me the same advice as all writers have given me. Remain persistent. Never give up.
He also said, "To be a good writer there are really only two things you need to do. Read a lot, and write a lot."
Thank you, Howard. I am looking forward to reading your books, and I will definitely let you know what I thought, and also let you know when I get published. (gotta get that blurb, you know)
Howard is an articulate speaker, and pleasant gentleman. He commented that he liked (and agreed with) my saying that I have on my business card (A professional is an amateur who didn't quit) and was interested in checking out my Political Pistachio blog.
In the end, he gave me the same advice as all writers have given me. Remain persistent. Never give up.
He also said, "To be a good writer there are really only two things you need to do. Read a lot, and write a lot."
Thank you, Howard. I am looking forward to reading your books, and I will definitely let you know what I thought, and also let you know when I get published. (gotta get that blurb, you know)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
From my blog: Defender of the Blahs
Mysterious Ways
Black Friday, a term I am not really that fond of, that refers to the shopping day after Thanksgiving, was truly a blessing this year.
In years past, twice to be honest, I have gone out with my wife to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. After hours upon hours of running, squeezing, yelling, and fighting, both times at the end of the ordeal I told my wife, "Never again."Last year I actually got into a tug of war over a Care Bear with a woman at one of the stores as she yelled at me, "I saw it first!"
I simply responded, "I pulled it off the shelves first!"In fact, I had already taken a few steps away from the shelf when the woman put her mitts upon the toy in my hands and began tugging.
So, yesterday morning, as I lay in bed with chapters of my book dancing in my head, my wife says at five in the morning, "I need to go shopping. I have a few things to get, and I was hoping you would go with me."
"Oh,no, not this time," I replied in terror.
"No, no," she said. "This year I am not going to Wal-Mart. This time it is just Target. I promise, it won't be as bad."
Hesitantly, I agreed.After shopping amidst a mild crowd, while waiting in line to pay for the items (which is where the real shoving and pushing seemed to be), I struck up a conversation with a gentleman a little older than myself, and with a woman in line behind him. The dialogue primarily revolved around how things have changed (I tell my kids the only consistently in life is that everything changes - holy cow, sounds like a David Bowie song). We told stories about when color television was a new thing, and about life without the modern conveniences of today.
I recounted a conversation I once had with my daughter, when I once told her that when I was a kid we didn't have microwave ovens. Well, she about gasped. "How, then, did you heat up your food?" was her innocent reply.
The story received a chuckle, and then we paid for our items and departed.
As my wife and I walked out of the store, it occurred to me that I should have given the gentleman one of my business cards which has the URL of my main site on it because it seemed to me he was the type that was a reader. My wife agreed, took the bags, and I returned to the store only to locate the man standing near the exit examining his receipts. I approached him, indicated I enjoyed the conversation, and offered my card.
The ensuing conversation revealed that he used to work for NBC, and something about his son's business being connected, I think. Anyway, I gave him my card and then he asked that question everyone asks. "What do you write?"
You know, after hearing that question as many times as I have, you would think that I would have a consistent response for it. Usually it's, "Uh, books."
This time it was a little better. I said, "I write political thrillers."
"Oh, how so?"
Hmmm. "Kind of a cross between conspiracy thrillers and international thrillers. A host of an internet radio show compared my writing to David Baldacci's."
The radio show sparked more conversation, and then eventually we parted ways, and the gentleman seemed sincere when he said that he would visit my site.
The fact that he has television connections made me feel fortunate about bumping into him.As we drove away from the packed parking lot, I asked my wife if she wanted any breakfast.She agreed.
But I desired something new. Something different. Then I realized that we have lived in Murrieta since 1989, and there is a small cafe in Temecula that has been there the whole time that we have never visited. So off to Penfolds we went.
While there, I thought it interesting that another couple that arrived just a little after we did, declined a booth for a table. My wife and I always prefer a booth, and actually we will wait extra time if we have to for one.
Then I heard the gentleman tell the waitress that it was because he wanted to keep an eye on his truck. Instinctively, I looked out the window and parked with its nose up to the window was a fire-engine-red antique truck.
Being the talker that I am, I said, "I don't blame you, it's a nice truck."
The couple chuckled, and then explained that the truck they wanted to watch, the one that belonged to them, was beyond the red truck, across the way. It was a normal, everyday truck, with their luggage packed in the bed.
The woman laughed, and the gentleman began to talk, explaining that they were on their way to Mexico on vacation.
As the conversation between our tables bounced back and forth, it turns out that the man at the other table was a lot like me. He about jumped up when I said that I am a writer that works construction until the day I make enough money as a writer.
He is a construction worker as well, writing at night, leaving his wife alone as his hands dance on the keyboard.
We exchanged information, and vowed to stay in touch.
As we left the cafe, my wife said to me, "And to think you didn't want to come with me this morning."
"Yeah," I said.
She added, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."
"Yes," I agreed, "He does."
Black Friday, a term I am not really that fond of, that refers to the shopping day after Thanksgiving, was truly a blessing this year.
In years past, twice to be honest, I have gone out with my wife to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. After hours upon hours of running, squeezing, yelling, and fighting, both times at the end of the ordeal I told my wife, "Never again."Last year I actually got into a tug of war over a Care Bear with a woman at one of the stores as she yelled at me, "I saw it first!"
I simply responded, "I pulled it off the shelves first!"In fact, I had already taken a few steps away from the shelf when the woman put her mitts upon the toy in my hands and began tugging.
So, yesterday morning, as I lay in bed with chapters of my book dancing in my head, my wife says at five in the morning, "I need to go shopping. I have a few things to get, and I was hoping you would go with me."
"Oh,no, not this time," I replied in terror.
"No, no," she said. "This year I am not going to Wal-Mart. This time it is just Target. I promise, it won't be as bad."
Hesitantly, I agreed.After shopping amidst a mild crowd, while waiting in line to pay for the items (which is where the real shoving and pushing seemed to be), I struck up a conversation with a gentleman a little older than myself, and with a woman in line behind him. The dialogue primarily revolved around how things have changed (I tell my kids the only consistently in life is that everything changes - holy cow, sounds like a David Bowie song). We told stories about when color television was a new thing, and about life without the modern conveniences of today.
I recounted a conversation I once had with my daughter, when I once told her that when I was a kid we didn't have microwave ovens. Well, she about gasped. "How, then, did you heat up your food?" was her innocent reply.
The story received a chuckle, and then we paid for our items and departed.
As my wife and I walked out of the store, it occurred to me that I should have given the gentleman one of my business cards which has the URL of my main site on it because it seemed to me he was the type that was a reader. My wife agreed, took the bags, and I returned to the store only to locate the man standing near the exit examining his receipts. I approached him, indicated I enjoyed the conversation, and offered my card.
The ensuing conversation revealed that he used to work for NBC, and something about his son's business being connected, I think. Anyway, I gave him my card and then he asked that question everyone asks. "What do you write?"
You know, after hearing that question as many times as I have, you would think that I would have a consistent response for it. Usually it's, "Uh, books."
This time it was a little better. I said, "I write political thrillers."
"Oh, how so?"
Hmmm. "Kind of a cross between conspiracy thrillers and international thrillers. A host of an internet radio show compared my writing to David Baldacci's."
The radio show sparked more conversation, and then eventually we parted ways, and the gentleman seemed sincere when he said that he would visit my site.
The fact that he has television connections made me feel fortunate about bumping into him.As we drove away from the packed parking lot, I asked my wife if she wanted any breakfast.She agreed.
But I desired something new. Something different. Then I realized that we have lived in Murrieta since 1989, and there is a small cafe in Temecula that has been there the whole time that we have never visited. So off to Penfolds we went.
While there, I thought it interesting that another couple that arrived just a little after we did, declined a booth for a table. My wife and I always prefer a booth, and actually we will wait extra time if we have to for one.
Then I heard the gentleman tell the waitress that it was because he wanted to keep an eye on his truck. Instinctively, I looked out the window and parked with its nose up to the window was a fire-engine-red antique truck.
Being the talker that I am, I said, "I don't blame you, it's a nice truck."
The couple chuckled, and then explained that the truck they wanted to watch, the one that belonged to them, was beyond the red truck, across the way. It was a normal, everyday truck, with their luggage packed in the bed.
The woman laughed, and the gentleman began to talk, explaining that they were on their way to Mexico on vacation.
As the conversation between our tables bounced back and forth, it turns out that the man at the other table was a lot like me. He about jumped up when I said that I am a writer that works construction until the day I make enough money as a writer.
He is a construction worker as well, writing at night, leaving his wife alone as his hands dance on the keyboard.
We exchanged information, and vowed to stay in touch.
As we left the cafe, my wife said to me, "And to think you didn't want to come with me this morning."
"Yeah," I said.
She added, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."
"Yes," I agreed, "He does."
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
And yet another Blog from my active mind
As I was leaving comments on Kevin McCullough's blog, I realized that my name had no link to it. It didn't take long to realize that for that to happen, I needed a blog with Townhall. Hoping to bring my political rantings of Political Pistachio to a whole new audience, I created Right Angle in a Left Turn World. The Buzz is growing!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
I've been added as a writer to another site, and received a screenwriting offer
Today I wrote my first post for My Point Right. It is called The Party of Reagan. As a, I don't know, I guess you could call it a "staff writer", I am trying to put out my best, but I wonder if I should have put that post on Political Pistachio as well.
I considered stating at the end of the post contributed by Douglas V. Gibbs, site owner of Political Pistachio, but I didn't want it to seem like I was trying to advertise my blog. Besides, if my name is clicked, Dave has the URL of my main site linked.
Earlier in the weekend I received an interesting e-mail from a visitor to my blogs. She indicated that she liked my sites, thought that I was a good writer, and that she appreciated my Christian Faith. Then she went on to say that she was involved in a Christian movie that will target the general audience, and she wanted to give my name (with a writing sample) to the producer.
Is this real? I don't want to be gullible, but then again, you never know.
I pointed her to the first chapter of The Way of Deception. She said that she was going to be gone for a week, but when she got back she'd take a look at it and then decide whether or not to forward my name to the producer.
Stay tuned.
I considered stating at the end of the post contributed by Douglas V. Gibbs, site owner of Political Pistachio, but I didn't want it to seem like I was trying to advertise my blog. Besides, if my name is clicked, Dave has the URL of my main site linked.
Earlier in the weekend I received an interesting e-mail from a visitor to my blogs. She indicated that she liked my sites, thought that I was a good writer, and that she appreciated my Christian Faith. Then she went on to say that she was involved in a Christian movie that will target the general audience, and she wanted to give my name (with a writing sample) to the producer.
Is this real? I don't want to be gullible, but then again, you never know.
I pointed her to the first chapter of The Way of Deception. She said that she was going to be gone for a week, but when she got back she'd take a look at it and then decide whether or not to forward my name to the producer.
Stay tuned.
Monday, November 13, 2006
My Point Radio
Tonight I was asked to be a special guest on the internet radio show, My Point Radio. The show is hosted by Dave and Jenn from the blogger world, and they took special interest in my book, The Way of Deception. The show lasted an hour, and seemed to fly faster. I enjoyed it, and would love to do it again some time.
Jim Stewart, author of The Ghosts of Vietnam, called in and gave me a number of tips about self-publishing. He, and the hosts, said often that they felt that I am a talented author. Honestly, and perhaps I am just being too modest, I am flattered by their remarks.
Interestingly, Dave compared me to another writer, David Baldacci. I know only a little bit about Baldacci's work, but I am familiar with him, so I pulled up his site and read an excerpt from his latest book. I was amazed at how much his style is similar to mine. My wife made the comment that it seemed like she was reading my work.
How cool is that.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the show. Thank you, Dave and Jenn.
Jim Stewart, author of The Ghosts of Vietnam, called in and gave me a number of tips about self-publishing. He, and the hosts, said often that they felt that I am a talented author. Honestly, and perhaps I am just being too modest, I am flattered by their remarks.
Interestingly, Dave compared me to another writer, David Baldacci. I know only a little bit about Baldacci's work, but I am familiar with him, so I pulled up his site and read an excerpt from his latest book. I was amazed at how much his style is similar to mine. My wife made the comment that it seemed like she was reading my work.
How cool is that.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the show. Thank you, Dave and Jenn.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
An evening with Gary W. Moore
Every once in a while in life, we experience encounters with people that touch our lives in ways it is difficult to explain, and impossible to understand in the sense of the big picture.
Gary W. Moore has touched my life, both spiritually as a Christian, and as a writer.
I drove to Pasadena to meet with him at a book signing last Friday night. This is the second meeting I have had with him. The first was in San Diego a few weeks ago.
His book, Playing with the Enemy, is one of those books that is impossible to forget once you read it. An emotional experience, to be honest. A non-fiction book that reads like a novel.And after talking to him (and of course I talked a lot), he bought me a soda, and he and his wife sat and chatted with me and my wife for a little more time, even though they were pressed a little for time. Then, in the parking garage, he prayed with me.
This is what being a writer is all about. It is amazing, really. Writers tend to be the most giving people I know. But Gary has given more than his time and energy. He has given me, and all of his readers, his heart.Thank you, Gary. I enjoyed the time with you, and it has energized me as a writer.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Becoming known on the web, meeting more writers, nurturing the relationships with the writers I know. . .
On October 30th on My Point Radio my political blogsite, Political Pistachio, was mentioned by one of the hosts of the show. Jenn, when referring to an article I wrote, said, "Have you ever been to Political Pistachio's blog?"
David, the other host, said, "Yes, I know which blog you're talking about."
Jenn then said, "He wrote a piece today which is very relevant to what we are talking about. . .go to www.politicalpistachio.blogspot.com This guy, Douglas Gibbs, he wrote a piece today about persons, Naziism, and what's going on in this country, and it is really well done. I highly suggest everyone take a look at it. A lot of time you see a lot of tripe out there in a lot of the blogs, but this was really a well done piece, and really, everyone should read it and comment, from what you think. I mean, it was really well done. Thank you, I had to get that in."
Thanks, Jenn. I plan to call in to the show on November 8th.
The hits on that site doubled everyday last week as a result of that comment on My Point Radio.
One of the new visitors to my site carried a web site for Joel Rosenberg, four time New York Times bestseller. He e-mailed me as well. I don't know for sure if this person really is Joel, or an avid fan that uses Mister Rosenberg's sites as links to his own blogger identity. Regardless, the e-mail complimented my writing greatly.
Since my last post I have been in contact with a number of writers, but the latest was Gary W. Moore, author of Playing with the Enemy. He noticed on my Defender of the Blahs blogsite that I had completed reading his book, and thanked me for the kind comments on the site. I plan to also post reviews on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble regarding his book.
David, the other host, said, "Yes, I know which blog you're talking about."
Jenn then said, "He wrote a piece today which is very relevant to what we are talking about. . .go to www.politicalpistachio.blogspot.com This guy, Douglas Gibbs, he wrote a piece today about persons, Naziism, and what's going on in this country, and it is really well done. I highly suggest everyone take a look at it. A lot of time you see a lot of tripe out there in a lot of the blogs, but this was really a well done piece, and really, everyone should read it and comment, from what you think. I mean, it was really well done. Thank you, I had to get that in."
Thanks, Jenn. I plan to call in to the show on November 8th.
The hits on that site doubled everyday last week as a result of that comment on My Point Radio.
One of the new visitors to my site carried a web site for Joel Rosenberg, four time New York Times bestseller. He e-mailed me as well. I don't know for sure if this person really is Joel, or an avid fan that uses Mister Rosenberg's sites as links to his own blogger identity. Regardless, the e-mail complimented my writing greatly.
Since my last post I have been in contact with a number of writers, but the latest was Gary W. Moore, author of Playing with the Enemy. He noticed on my Defender of the Blahs blogsite that I had completed reading his book, and thanked me for the kind comments on the site. I plan to also post reviews on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble regarding his book.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
The La Jolla Writers Conference
After the first day of the conference, and please don't think me horrible for saying this, I didn't feel like I was told anything that I didn't know. Little did I know, the next two days would knock that cocky little attitude right out of my thick skull.
It sort of felt like the time I told a friend about having an autographed picture of a particular favorite football player, and he said, "Yeah, that guy is great. I have an autographed jersey of his."
I have been writing all my life and thought that I had it all figured out. Then here comes along this conference to humble me. It's like I have been playing chess with children all my life, patting myself on the back over my numerous meaningless victories, and then was suddenly put into a match with Bobby Fisher, and he beat me in four moves.
Ah, but that's how you become a better chess player. You play against the better players, and this conference was full of them.
At one particular critique the first chapter of my Political Pistachio was shredded up quicker than classified papers at The Pentagon. They tore me a new asterisk, or two. Then I tried my pitch out in a marketing class, and was left speechless (which is pretty hard to accomplish with my rapidly flapping lips, sometimes).
I needed vindication.
So in the final class of the third day I pulled out my last work, The Way of Deception, and even manipulated it a little to make sure it was perfect. Granted, it wasn't pounced on as bad as Political Pistachio, but it received the jabs that it deserved.
What's the moral to this story?
I nearly decided that the moral was that I need a good butt kicking. But that isn't it at all. And the moral could easily be something like that you are never as good as you think, and every writer can use a little skin-thickening every once in a while. But the true moral to this story is that writing is like no other business I know. It is cut-throat in the sense that few get through the guarded door to publication, and that it is a difficult process, though not impossible. But, writers are not cut-throat to each other directly. Writers are the most giving people you will ever meet when dealing with other writers. The critiques are not designed to put a writer in his or her place. The advice is not designed to expose inexperience. All of it is for one reason and one reason only. To make you a better writer.
After 34 years of writing, I am growing up and becoming a writer. 300 rejections or so has toughened my hide. The La Jolla Writers Conference polished it so that I may shine.
Thank you, my fellow writers; and for those of you reading this that have never been to a conference, go to one, and network like crazy.
It sort of felt like the time I told a friend about having an autographed picture of a particular favorite football player, and he said, "Yeah, that guy is great. I have an autographed jersey of his."
I have been writing all my life and thought that I had it all figured out. Then here comes along this conference to humble me. It's like I have been playing chess with children all my life, patting myself on the back over my numerous meaningless victories, and then was suddenly put into a match with Bobby Fisher, and he beat me in four moves.
Ah, but that's how you become a better chess player. You play against the better players, and this conference was full of them.
At one particular critique the first chapter of my Political Pistachio was shredded up quicker than classified papers at The Pentagon. They tore me a new asterisk, or two. Then I tried my pitch out in a marketing class, and was left speechless (which is pretty hard to accomplish with my rapidly flapping lips, sometimes).
I needed vindication.
So in the final class of the third day I pulled out my last work, The Way of Deception, and even manipulated it a little to make sure it was perfect. Granted, it wasn't pounced on as bad as Political Pistachio, but it received the jabs that it deserved.
What's the moral to this story?
I nearly decided that the moral was that I need a good butt kicking. But that isn't it at all. And the moral could easily be something like that you are never as good as you think, and every writer can use a little skin-thickening every once in a while. But the true moral to this story is that writing is like no other business I know. It is cut-throat in the sense that few get through the guarded door to publication, and that it is a difficult process, though not impossible. But, writers are not cut-throat to each other directly. Writers are the most giving people you will ever meet when dealing with other writers. The critiques are not designed to put a writer in his or her place. The advice is not designed to expose inexperience. All of it is for one reason and one reason only. To make you a better writer.
After 34 years of writing, I am growing up and becoming a writer. 300 rejections or so has toughened my hide. The La Jolla Writers Conference polished it so that I may shine.
Thank you, my fellow writers; and for those of you reading this that have never been to a conference, go to one, and network like crazy.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Day One at the La Jolla Writers Conference
What an interesting day. I handed out some cards, spoke with a published author, and spoke shortly with an agent at the tail end of one of the classes. The agent represents an agency I queried two years ago for A Light in the Shadow. Of course, I was rejected at the time. I quit sending queries to this agency because they are based out of California and after the bad agent I had in 2005 which was also based out of California, I had decided to stay away from California based agencies, but . . .
Day two starts early, and I must get up even earlier because it's over an hour and a half to get there.
Day two starts early, and I must get up even earlier because it's over an hour and a half to get there.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
The MWSA bookfest
Yesterday I spent the majority of my day at a bookfest sponsored and held by the Military Writers Society of America. The event was extraordinary. I don't mean that in the sense that it was an amazing spectacle of lights and wonder. It wasn't. The bookfest was simple. A roomful of authors, the public was welcome but I don't think many people appeared, seated at tables with their love affairs bound within printed pages sat and networked, and laughed, and cried, and got to know each other. Speakers were present. Marketing, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing habits, how to network, and a long list of other various topics were addressed. Writers spoke about their books, told their history, embraced the room.It was a day well spent.
One speaker made a statement that set me back. He is a writer's consultant, and to be honest, and this is probably foolish on my part, but I don't recall his name. Anyhow, his shocking statement was, "The query is dead."
The query has been my friend (or enemy depending upon how you look at it) for many years. Granted, it hasn't worked yet, but then again, J. A. Konrath was discovered through the query after hundreds and hundreds of rejections, and look at him now. But, listening to this gentleman, I did realize that he was correct to a point. The business of becoming a published author is more difficult than it has ever been before. The big five houses don't want to take a chance on unproven talent, and the readers don't read like they used to. Readership is down, publications are down, and the number of creative writers is up. What's a writer to do?I don't believe the query is dead. It is, however, limping and hobbling. Some success stories still rise from the ashes of the query method. Fewer now than before, but they are still there. Self-publishing puts out a few success stories as well. Just look at Christopher Paolini and his book Eragon. He self-published, marketed the heck out of it, got lucky, landed a traditional house, and now has a major motion picture coming out this holiday season based on that novel.
Two key factors in every success story, however, is this. First, they market the heck out of it; and second, they got lucky.
Perhaps I need to hit the small press first. Perhaps I'll catch an agent and hook on to a larger house. Maybe I need to self-publish. Regardless of how I get there, I need to be lucky, and market the heck out of it. That's all fine and dandy, but how am I going to get there?
Todd Uebele, a fellow writer, said to me that for him the key was networking. Networking. Wow, why didn't I think of that? Thankfully, I have this habit of going to book signings. I search them out. I talk to the writers, getting to know them. You may ask, "What good it that? Writers don't get you published. Publishers and agents do." True. But knowing writers gets your name in the loop, and you just never know what will pop up for you.I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I served proudly. No, I did not see any wartime. I suppose you can call me a peacetime veteran, or at least that's how Veteran's Affairs categorizes me. Still, as one marine so graciously told me once in a comment on my Political Pistachio site, it doesn't matter what was going on at that time. The fact is, I was in the military willing and ready to serve my country if needed. At the last book signing I went to, where I went to meet Gary W. Moore who is the author of Playing with the Enemy, and Jeff Edwards, who is the author of Torpedo, an unexpected opportunity arose. Jeff's wife is vice president of the Military Writers Society of America. They took to me, liked me, and asked me to join. I was flattered, and recognized it for what it was: A huge opportunity to network.
And now, at this bookfest yesterday, I have one writer who volunteered to read my manuscript and give me some editing tips regarding it, a publisher who claimed that she does not publish the type of book I write but pointed me in a direction toward a publisher that does (recommendations are huge, by the way), and a number of writers that gave me their cards and said to me, "If you have any questions, or need any help, let me know.
"Wow! And this is just a little book fest! I am going to a conference next weekend!
However, this is huge. I am now treating my writing like it is a business, I am creating a database of friends and associates, and I am receiving help and advice from published writers.
The query isn't dead, my friend. A little CPR from networking, however, will get you in.
I told my wife that now, after years of darkness, I can feel my dreams within reach.
I know that the odds are against me, all writers know that, but the dream is what keeps them writing. Failure is only the prelude to success for those that keep pushing, keep writing, and keep networking. I want to be like Stephen King and his wife Tabitha, standing in their living room in each others arms, crying after that first phone call that told them that Carrie was going to be published, and with a good sized advance.
My wife disagrees. She wants us to be like us, standing in our living room, arms around each other, crying, because that first book finally made it.
See you on the other side, my friends.
One speaker made a statement that set me back. He is a writer's consultant, and to be honest, and this is probably foolish on my part, but I don't recall his name. Anyhow, his shocking statement was, "The query is dead."
The query has been my friend (or enemy depending upon how you look at it) for many years. Granted, it hasn't worked yet, but then again, J. A. Konrath was discovered through the query after hundreds and hundreds of rejections, and look at him now. But, listening to this gentleman, I did realize that he was correct to a point. The business of becoming a published author is more difficult than it has ever been before. The big five houses don't want to take a chance on unproven talent, and the readers don't read like they used to. Readership is down, publications are down, and the number of creative writers is up. What's a writer to do?I don't believe the query is dead. It is, however, limping and hobbling. Some success stories still rise from the ashes of the query method. Fewer now than before, but they are still there. Self-publishing puts out a few success stories as well. Just look at Christopher Paolini and his book Eragon. He self-published, marketed the heck out of it, got lucky, landed a traditional house, and now has a major motion picture coming out this holiday season based on that novel.
Two key factors in every success story, however, is this. First, they market the heck out of it; and second, they got lucky.
Perhaps I need to hit the small press first. Perhaps I'll catch an agent and hook on to a larger house. Maybe I need to self-publish. Regardless of how I get there, I need to be lucky, and market the heck out of it. That's all fine and dandy, but how am I going to get there?
Todd Uebele, a fellow writer, said to me that for him the key was networking. Networking. Wow, why didn't I think of that? Thankfully, I have this habit of going to book signings. I search them out. I talk to the writers, getting to know them. You may ask, "What good it that? Writers don't get you published. Publishers and agents do." True. But knowing writers gets your name in the loop, and you just never know what will pop up for you.I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I served proudly. No, I did not see any wartime. I suppose you can call me a peacetime veteran, or at least that's how Veteran's Affairs categorizes me. Still, as one marine so graciously told me once in a comment on my Political Pistachio site, it doesn't matter what was going on at that time. The fact is, I was in the military willing and ready to serve my country if needed. At the last book signing I went to, where I went to meet Gary W. Moore who is the author of Playing with the Enemy, and Jeff Edwards, who is the author of Torpedo, an unexpected opportunity arose. Jeff's wife is vice president of the Military Writers Society of America. They took to me, liked me, and asked me to join. I was flattered, and recognized it for what it was: A huge opportunity to network.
And now, at this bookfest yesterday, I have one writer who volunteered to read my manuscript and give me some editing tips regarding it, a publisher who claimed that she does not publish the type of book I write but pointed me in a direction toward a publisher that does (recommendations are huge, by the way), and a number of writers that gave me their cards and said to me, "If you have any questions, or need any help, let me know.
"Wow! And this is just a little book fest! I am going to a conference next weekend!
However, this is huge. I am now treating my writing like it is a business, I am creating a database of friends and associates, and I am receiving help and advice from published writers.
The query isn't dead, my friend. A little CPR from networking, however, will get you in.
I told my wife that now, after years of darkness, I can feel my dreams within reach.
I know that the odds are against me, all writers know that, but the dream is what keeps them writing. Failure is only the prelude to success for those that keep pushing, keep writing, and keep networking. I want to be like Stephen King and his wife Tabitha, standing in their living room in each others arms, crying after that first phone call that told them that Carrie was going to be published, and with a good sized advance.
My wife disagrees. She wants us to be like us, standing in our living room, arms around each other, crying, because that first book finally made it.
See you on the other side, my friends.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Military Writers Society of America
The Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) is an association of more than five-hundred writers all of whom share the common bond of military service. I have just been granted membership into the organization. The membership is extremely valuable to me not only in the opportunity for networking with other writers, publishers, and marketing people, but also as a way of showing the industry that I am serious about my craft. Serious enough to join such an esteemed organization. I am excited about this membership, and how advantageous this is to my drive for publication. The first function I plan to attend is on October 14, 2006: "Salute to the Military" Book Fest. Visit their site by clicking the title above, and since they expect no membership dues, donations are important. Feel free to donate by paypal on the site. For those of you from MWSA visiting my site, thank you.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Networking is a good thing
On October 1, 2006 I met an individual at the final Angels Baseball game of the season that has a friend in the publishing business. Tonight I received an e-mail from him indicating that he forwarded my information to her in New York. Cool. It may or may not pan out into something, but as another writer friend has told me, it's all about networking.
Then, tonight, I had the opportunity to meet with two writers in San Diego. I purchased their books, and can't wait to start reading them.
The first book I bought at the booksigning is "Playing with the Enemy" by Gary W. Moore, also soon to be a Major Motion Picture. The second book is "Torpedo" by Jeff Edwards, STGC(SW), USN (Ret.). For those of you that like to read, especially where the military is involved, these books are for you.
Then, tonight, I had the opportunity to meet with two writers in San Diego. I purchased their books, and can't wait to start reading them.
The first book I bought at the booksigning is "Playing with the Enemy" by Gary W. Moore, also soon to be a Major Motion Picture. The second book is "Torpedo" by Jeff Edwards, STGC(SW), USN (Ret.). For those of you that like to read, especially where the military is involved, these books are for you.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Now that my surgery complications have uncomplicated themselves
Political Pistachio (the book) has done a couple of unexpected things. First, chapter one is one of the most brilliant pieces of writing I've ever produced; and second, due to the brilliance of the first chapter, the rest of the book suffers. I am nearly finished with the second draft, and I am re-writing like crazy, trying to get the subsequent chapters to capture the magic of the first. Being home because of a recent surgery set me back at first, but now that I am moving about, I am actively writing - - unfortunately, my day job is now catching up to me, and this coming Monday it will be time to go back to work.
Still, even when I am exhausted from work, I keep writing.
Still, even when I am exhausted from work, I keep writing.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Surgery, and the approach of 9/11
Tomorrow I go under the knife, which will interrupt my writing for a week - - or will it? My best writing is accomplished when I allow my mind to wander and relax, so while I recuperate from my surgery, I will be able to accomplish my best writing while flat on my back. I'll be keeping a pad and pen handy, of course.
As the five year anniversary of September 11, 2001's attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United 93 approaches, I have joined a group that will pay tribute to the 2,996 victims of 9/11. My tribute for the victim assigned to me will be posted on my Political Pistachio website on that date.
As Political Pistachio (the book) progresses, so does my query letter. When the book is finally ready for eyes to see, the query should be sound enough that responses should not be so far and in between. This is the most unique work I have ever written, and I have a lot of faith in it. The tag line is: "Treason is only a matter of perspective."
As the five year anniversary of September 11, 2001's attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United 93 approaches, I have joined a group that will pay tribute to the 2,996 victims of 9/11. My tribute for the victim assigned to me will be posted on my Political Pistachio website on that date.
As Political Pistachio (the book) progresses, so does my query letter. When the book is finally ready for eyes to see, the query should be sound enough that responses should not be so far and in between. This is the most unique work I have ever written, and I have a lot of faith in it. The tag line is: "Treason is only a matter of perspective."
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Political Pistachio has reached its second draft
My work in progress, Political Pistachio (the book), has made it to its second draft - - with a whole new chapter one.
The manuscript sat in the mothballs for a couple weeks before it finally took another breath.
Now, I am a writing fool. My goal is to have the manuscript completed (tenth draft?) by the Writer's Conference in late October.
The manuscript sat in the mothballs for a couple weeks before it finally took another breath.
Now, I am a writing fool. My goal is to have the manuscript completed (tenth draft?) by the Writer's Conference in late October.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Konrath, Bessie, Pistachio, and another rejection.
Today on J.A. Konrath's Blog I noticed that he wrote a post indicating that he will not make it out to California on his Rusty Nail tour, as expected.
I received an E-Mail from Dan Bessie and his wife, in response to one I sent to see how they were doing and that we enjoyed reading their books. His letter was encouraging, and urged me not to focus on my rejections, but to keep writing, and keep sending my queries.
One of my blogs, Political Pistachio, had 47 hits on Saturday and another twenty early this morning. It's a great marketing tool, and I enjoy writing in it. That'll be a lot of people (meaning the people that visit my blog) that will be willing to buy my book when it comes out.
And I received, yesterday, rejection number 73 for the year. Thanks, Dan, for the advice. It is words like that from people I respect that keep me going. . .well, that, and my own saying which is a play on something I read by Konrath: A professional is an amateur who didn't give up.
I received an E-Mail from Dan Bessie and his wife, in response to one I sent to see how they were doing and that we enjoyed reading their books. His letter was encouraging, and urged me not to focus on my rejections, but to keep writing, and keep sending my queries.
One of my blogs, Political Pistachio, had 47 hits on Saturday and another twenty early this morning. It's a great marketing tool, and I enjoy writing in it. That'll be a lot of people (meaning the people that visit my blog) that will be willing to buy my book when it comes out.
And I received, yesterday, rejection number 73 for the year. Thanks, Dan, for the advice. It is words like that from people I respect that keep me going. . .well, that, and my own saying which is a play on something I read by Konrath: A professional is an amateur who didn't give up.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Up to 72 rejections for the year
Yet another Literary Agent passed up the opportunity of accepting representaion of me and my work: The Way of Deception. Fine by me. Nonetheless, I am learning, and my query letter has changed again. My next wave will attempt to personalize the letter more, and use respresented works by each agency as a tool of comparison. Looks like I am only going to send out a dozen. Perhaps less. We'll see.
By the way, my blog, Political Pistachio has become stronger, receiving 22 hits yesterday and another dozen since last night.
The book, Political Pistachio, is coming along nicely. The first draft is nearly complete. I am hoping to have it completely ready to roll by the time I go to the La Jolla Writer's Conference in October.
J. A. Konrath, Author of Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, and his latest novel: Rusty Nail, will be in California August 13-20, 2006. His 2006 Rusty Nail tour is what he calls a drive-by signings tour - meaning he shows up, greets people, signs a few books, and then heads on his way. He plans to hit 500 bookstores nationwide on this tour.
To any poster from Absolute Write, thanks for showing up and checking out my site. I appreciate it. Pardon me when as a poster I stir the pot, but that's one of my trademarks. My books plan to stir the pot more than my posts. It's just a matter of time before America experiences my flavor of writing. A professional is an amateur who didn't quit.
By the way, my blog, Political Pistachio has become stronger, receiving 22 hits yesterday and another dozen since last night.
The book, Political Pistachio, is coming along nicely. The first draft is nearly complete. I am hoping to have it completely ready to roll by the time I go to the La Jolla Writer's Conference in October.
J. A. Konrath, Author of Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, and his latest novel: Rusty Nail, will be in California August 13-20, 2006. His 2006 Rusty Nail tour is what he calls a drive-by signings tour - meaning he shows up, greets people, signs a few books, and then heads on his way. He plans to hit 500 bookstores nationwide on this tour.
To any poster from Absolute Write, thanks for showing up and checking out my site. I appreciate it. Pardon me when as a poster I stir the pot, but that's one of my trademarks. My books plan to stir the pot more than my posts. It's just a matter of time before America experiences my flavor of writing. A professional is an amateur who didn't quit.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Another rejection, and a few more chapters
My rejection count for the year is now up to 71.
Stephen King stated that if you get to 6,000 perhaps it is time to chase a new endeavor. I disagree. I will never give up. I've been dreaming of publication since I was 6 years old writing stories about Snoopy and the Red Baron. I've been dreaming of publication since I wrote a magazine for my sister and friends called "Fun & Games" when I was in Middle School. I've been dreaming of publication since the completion of my first book manuscript in High School. I've been dreaming of publication since my poem was printed in an anthology in 1993. I've been dreaming of publication since my strong push into the shortstory market in 1997, 1998, and 1999. I've been dreaming of publication since my first real push for publication of a book in 2005. Why would I allow a bunch of rejections to convince me of anything other than that I need to keep on trying?
Political Pistachio, the book, is up to 11 chapters now (first draft).
More queries are about to be sent out regarding "The Way of Deception" since the news has swayed to mimic my story - - especially in regards to an Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Stephen King stated that if you get to 6,000 perhaps it is time to chase a new endeavor. I disagree. I will never give up. I've been dreaming of publication since I was 6 years old writing stories about Snoopy and the Red Baron. I've been dreaming of publication since I wrote a magazine for my sister and friends called "Fun & Games" when I was in Middle School. I've been dreaming of publication since the completion of my first book manuscript in High School. I've been dreaming of publication since my poem was printed in an anthology in 1993. I've been dreaming of publication since my strong push into the shortstory market in 1997, 1998, and 1999. I've been dreaming of publication since my first real push for publication of a book in 2005. Why would I allow a bunch of rejections to convince me of anything other than that I need to keep on trying?
Political Pistachio, the book, is up to 11 chapters now (first draft).
More queries are about to be sent out regarding "The Way of Deception" since the news has swayed to mimic my story - - especially in regards to an Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
And the rejections from literary agents keep rolling in - but wait, what about the small press publishers?
Two more rejections came in by mail, and one more by e-mail. That makes 70 rejections out of my goal of 100 for the year.
And as I was thinking about these rejections the other night I got to thinking about my brush with the small press last year. I submitted short stories to a number of small press magazines with negative results, and though I have lists of small press book publishers, I never have thought about submitting to them. Why? Many new writers get their start that way.
So I browsed.
And I came across a publisher that only accepts political satire.
I write a political blog called Political Pistachio (HERE is the link if you care to check it out) and the name of the blog is satirical in its own right. Could I write a book like that?
I have had an idea for a while about a group of people not happy with whatever's going on deciding to overthrow the government through electoral means just for the kicks of it. Could I turn that into a novel - and add a dash of satire to it to boot? Absolutely. Chapter One was born last night. The name? Political Pistachio, of course. Remember, like pistachios, politics are nuts, but not technically.
And as I was thinking about these rejections the other night I got to thinking about my brush with the small press last year. I submitted short stories to a number of small press magazines with negative results, and though I have lists of small press book publishers, I never have thought about submitting to them. Why? Many new writers get their start that way.
So I browsed.
And I came across a publisher that only accepts political satire.
I write a political blog called Political Pistachio (HERE is the link if you care to check it out) and the name of the blog is satirical in its own right. Could I write a book like that?
I have had an idea for a while about a group of people not happy with whatever's going on deciding to overthrow the government through electoral means just for the kicks of it. Could I turn that into a novel - and add a dash of satire to it to boot? Absolutely. Chapter One was born last night. The name? Political Pistachio, of course. Remember, like pistachios, politics are nuts, but not technically.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
News since my trip to the Oregon Coast
While in Oregon on July 2, 2006 I attended a book-signing of Dan Bessie and his wife, Jeanne Johnson. They were very kind, and extremely knowledgeable of the business. I bought both his and her books, and of course they signed our copies. My wife read, and enjoyed Jeanne's book in two days. The books are:
REELING THROUGH HOLLYWOOD -How I Spent 40 Fabulous Years in Film and Never Made a Nickel by Dan Bessie
Starlings in the Park by Jeanne Johnson
Dan Bessie is also the author of Rare Birds: An American Family -- Published by Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, ©2001.
He has created a fledgling publishing company, and I feel confident that if none of the big boys pick up my books, his company may consider them. The URL for his publishing house is:
http://www.bluelupinpress.com
Dan Bessie, Jeanne Johnson, myself, and my wife in Gold Beach, Oregon
Upon returning to my home in Southern California I checked my mail and discovered that I had received 7 rejections.
That brings the total to 66 for the year.
J.A. Konrath will be in the area next month on his 500 bookstore Rusty Nail Tour. For those new to knowing me as a writer, Konrath is a writer that I look up to -- he's just a regular guy that hit it big, and man does he know how to market. His website is at http://www.jakonrath.com
REELING THROUGH HOLLYWOOD -How I Spent 40 Fabulous Years in Film and Never Made a Nickel by Dan Bessie
Starlings in the Park by Jeanne Johnson
Dan Bessie is also the author of Rare Birds: An American Family -- Published by Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, ©2001.
He has created a fledgling publishing company, and I feel confident that if none of the big boys pick up my books, his company may consider them. The URL for his publishing house is:
http://www.bluelupinpress.com
Dan Bessie, Jeanne Johnson, myself, and my wife in Gold Beach, Oregon
Upon returning to my home in Southern California I checked my mail and discovered that I had received 7 rejections.
That brings the total to 66 for the year.
J.A. Konrath will be in the area next month on his 500 bookstore Rusty Nail Tour. For those new to knowing me as a writer, Konrath is a writer that I look up to -- he's just a regular guy that hit it big, and man does he know how to market. His website is at http://www.jakonrath.com
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
News fit to post. . .
June 24, 2006: As THE WAY OF DECEPTION receives three more rejections (58 in all so far), I am beginning to work heavily on SOMATIC , which has evolved from an okay horror book to a conspiracy thriller with a knife's edge of mystery. Salem Wiccar is a great mystery, who's running from his past. Brooke Kittrick is a conspiracy theorist with an extremely popular blog that she uses to spread her ideas. Salem is a conspiracy theory she never expected to exist - and learning the truth can be deadly. June 19, 2006: Two more rejections. That makes two more that won't represent me out of the way - - so that I can find the literary agent that will.June 17, 2006: #53 rejection rec'd today. Rollin'-Rollin'-Rollin'-keep those doggies rollin' - - - June 16, 2006: Rejection number correction: after recount, the number is 52 for the year. 51 just came in via e-mail. #52 by snailmail. Past half way to my 100 rejection goal! No word on the agent that asked for the first few chapters (I sent him four). I created a fourth blog inspired by my beloved Angels Baseball Team. It's called: Angels of Anaheim. - - Political Pistachio has gone through yet another facelift, but ooh is that blog lookin' good, and I am getting a lot of comments and hits - - seems like my political blog is becoming the rage of the blogging community - - and it'll be a great place to advertise my book once it gets published!June 13, 2006: During the weekend (two days ago) I sent out a handful of e-mail queries regarding The Way of Deception and one of them came back requesting sample chapters. Haroo, harrah, sending out a partial has my blood pumpin', and this guy is a real reputable agent. I am stoked. But, hey, that doesn't mean I'm accepted. It just means that he wants to see my writing. I'm ready. Represent me, I'll make ya a lot of money.June 12, 2006: Rejection number 48 for the year has come in. . . today a stack of query letters are going to be mailed out. Man, am I a glutton for punishment or what?June 10, 2006: Today my wife, Virginia, and I registered for the La Jolla Writers Conference coming up October 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Islandia on Mission Bay in San Diego, California. We're pretty excited, and it'll give Virginia a peek into my world of writing. This is my first conference, and I will have to have my pitch perfect - - just in case I bump into an agent that could represent me. Also, my political blog, Political Pistachio is becoming quite the presence on the web, as is my baseball site. In fact, my baseball site is getting more hits than this site! So, on the mainpage I am pushing the links to douglasvgibbs.com and my blogs. Hopefully it'll make an impact, that is if there are enough fantasy baseball enthusiasts that are also interested in fledgling writers. We will see. June 8, 2006: After a week of silence, two rejections came in today. The total (I checked it) is now 47 for the year so far.May 30, 2006: Two more rejections received today for THE WAY OF DECEPTION , one by snail-mail, and one by E-mail. My wife and I are going through the manuscript and making it better. . . and then when it's to our liking, we will send out more letters, better this time, and hopefully good enough to peak the interest of an agent. Also, the blogs are getting better and better. My political blog, Political Pistachio has attracted the attention of other bloggers, and also I've added a really good graphic depicting 9-11. On my writer's blog, Defender of the Blahs , I've moved away from trying to give so much advice (hard to give advice when my publishing record is not quite stellar just yet) and with my last post I talked a little more about my writing history in the sense of as an enjoyment, and also about J.A. Konrath's influence on my drive to become published. My Christian Blog, Carried by Christ , is looking good, and my posts are feeling right - - the second to last post was the same as one on the political blog - referencing a short note by a pastor at my church - and my baseball game site, World League Baseball seems to be getting more hits than my www.douglasvgibbs.com site is! What's up with that?May 27, 2006: Three more rejections received.May 25, 2006: 5 more rejections received (4 by mail, 1 by e-mail)! Two of them stated that they no longer are accepting clients, the other three were your regular, run-of-the-mill rejection form letters giving the nicety that they are just not the right agent for my book, and that they wish me the best of luck in finding an agent. Remember, these old letters still reflect the old name of the book. Letters specifically targeting agents for the new title, THE WAY OF DECEPTION should be going out early next week. Oh, by the way, a new co-worker in my company claims that he's an avid reader and wants to read my manuscript. I'll be getting a copy to him as soon as possible. I always appreciate it when someone wants to read my work. Interestingly, I didn't used to like it, but I guess I it appreciate now because I am more confident with my writing. Um, I think these five rejections drives my count to 33 for the year. That puts me a third of the way to my goal of 100. Wow, I have become a master of the art of being rejected. Now, it's time to become a professional at the art of being published. Time will tell. A professional is an amateur who didn't quit. May 20, 2006: I viewed criticisms I asked for regarding my latest query letter, and in response to the advice I have decided to change the name of my latest novel from THE LEONARDO CONSPIRACY to THE WAY OF DECEPTION . This is designed as an attempt to divorce my novel from the gimmick of being like Da Vinci Code. I am going to sell my novel on its merit. It's nothing like Dan Brown's book, anyway. I still challenge a few principles addressed by Brown's novel, but I also allow my book to create its own ideas of conspiracy. May 17, 2006: Received a rejection by e-mail for The Leonardo Conspiracy today. Drives my rejection total for the year up to 28. Will I hit 100 rejections first? Or will I find a yes? Stay tuned. The plot thickens. May 13, 2006: Today I bought a new copier to help me with my workload - - and it's a laser copier/printer. Nice machine. Also, I created a new baseball website based on my SportsIllustrated Superstar Baseball Game. The website address is www.leaguelineup.com/worldleaguebaseball and has a pop-up that describes my book, The Leonardo Conspiracy. I also spent some money and bought a domain name that is easier to remember, and though it's a one page site (but I like it. The picture reminds me of the beaches near my house in Oregon). The site address for it is: www.douglasvgibbs.com . Easy to remember, isn't it? Eventually my website will move to that page, and it'll be even better, but for now, it is simple and quaint. May 9, 2006: Began mailing out the query letters to agents for Leonardo Conspiracy May 7, 2006: I have begun sending out queries regarding LEONARDO CONSPIRACY today and one of the e-mail queries have already responded and rejected me. Wow. I also have a new blog. I noticed that on my writer's blog, Defender of the Blahs , was getting a bit on the political side, so to keep it a writer's blog, I have created a blog that I can put my political opinions on called Political Pistachio , which should prove to be a lot of fun, and give me yet another avenue of self-promotion that will eventually help me with my marketing strategies once I am published. May 1, 2006: I woke up this morning with SOMATIC on my mind, and I wound up writing three pages of notes on the way to work. The book was completed in 2003, and four drafts have already been completed, but something just didn't seem right. It is as if the book was not what I had originally envisioned it to be. The point of it is for the past to be haunting the main character, but it winds up being one event catching up to him. I decided I must change that. Not only is all of his past catching up to him, but also I plan to tell his story through the eyes of another character, and to allow her own life challenges to play into the story, and I plan to use their different experiences to link them. LEONARDO CONSPIRACY is complete, and even though I am rereading it just in case I missed something, I needed to work on something else, so I am pulling SOMATIC out of the mothballs. I also plan to go over A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW again as well, hoping that with a little fix and polish here and there, it may make another run for publication as well. My wife is now reading about the conspiracy as well as my beta-readers, now, and though she has a few hang-ups on diction, she really likes the book. April 28, 2006: LEONARDO CONSPIRACY is finished! The beta-readers have their copies (except one, who's waiting for a hard copy), and letters to agents are going out within a week or two. I will keep you posted.April 17, 2006: Rec'd another rejection today = brings the grand total for 2006, so far, to 25.April 8, 2006: I am becoming fed up with A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW and have decided to retire her for the time being. I have received 24 rejections out of the 28 queries I sent. It's not that I don't believe in the novel, it's just that LEONARDO CONSPIRACY is a superior effort, and more in tune with what is selling at this time in the industry. I feel that I need to finish its final proof-read (polish) and get it out there while Da Vinci Code is still hot (since my book is designed to challenge the ideas put forth in the Da Vinci Code, using Christian evidence to combat Dan Brown's poorly researched project). My blog, http://douglasvgibbs.blogspot.com , has become a fun project, and I have discovered that my writer acquaintance (can you call someone a friend when you've only had dinner with him once?) JA Konrath ( www.jakonrath.com ) has a blog through the same provider - a link to Konrath's blog - and it is quite informative for the new writer (as is his website). I expect to get together again with him this July (when he's on his book tour), and this time I'll remember to get a picture with him. He's been inspirational, and I plan to use the majority of his techniques when it comes to marketing. Konrath's third book, Rusty Nail, is coming out in June. I'm looking forward to it. Anyhow, hopefully I'll have an agent for LEONARDO CONSPIRACY by then and he'll be able to give me the blurbs for it he's indicated he'll give me. Ciao for now. March 24, 2006: Began one more proof-read/polish of my work in progress. I don't know, it just seemed like it wasn't completely right. Also, I signed a petition to try to keep the atheists from kicking God completely off the radio and television. See my blog for the details on the story, and how you can help.March 16, 2006: Completed proof-read of CONSPIRACY this morning. Now I have to make the changes and corrections in the computer and print out a new copy of the manuscript. By the way, I forgot to tell you, on March 2nd I started a new blog. Check it out at: http://douglasvgibbs.blogspot.com March 10, 2006: More rejections have been received. The grand total is up to 20. As for my other book, I am halfway through the final proof-read and polishing session. More to come soon.March 4, 2006: Two more rejection letters have come in for A Light in the Shadow, bringing the grand total up to fourteen. I have finished a query letter for CONSPIRACY that I believe will knock the agent's socks off. The final draft is finally coming together. I hope to be ready to send out the queries in a couple weeks. Depends on how fast my beta-readers read the manuscript, gives me feedback, and I make any necessary corrections. It's not over yet.February 27, 2006: More rejections have come in from my latest flurry of query letters to agents for A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW bringing the grand total of rejections in 2006 to 12.February 22, 2006: Two more rejections for my book received today. The count is now four rejections out of 21 letters. A new list has been made of about 25 agents, and they will go out once all of these are responded to, unless of course that one of these responses is not a rejection.February 20, 2006: Two rejections from the 21 letters I sent out for A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW received today.February 14, 2006: Rejection #5 out of the seven E-mail queries sent received today.February 13, 2006: 21 Query Letters and related material if requested by Submission Guidelines mailed today to 21 different agents, all but one of them in the New York area, all of which are members of the AAR.February 9, 2006: I got to looking at my queries, and realized that the genre I call out is confusing, and the novel's description is not concise and tightened up enough, so I reworked it all and I am re-doing all of the letters. I'm dating them for February 13, 2006 because that's when I think I will get them out in the mail to the agents. I think there's a dozen or two or three agents on my list, or something like that. I was hoping for a minimum of 40, but it's hard to find that many quality agents that I think fits my genre. Research, research, research.February 8, 2006: I received four rejections today in response to the seven queries I sent regarding my book, A Light in the Shadow . The rejections are fine. First, it means that 3 out of the seven queries are still deciding. Longer is better. Besides, on the forum I am a member of, Absolute Write , I took the Rejection Pledge. I pledged to try to get 100 rejections this year. You can't get published if you don't submit. February 8, 2006: My book that had an agent for a short time last year, A Light in the Shadow , is on the move again. I sent out seven queries by E-Mail today, and plan to send out a mess of letters.February 7, 2006: Lights and Shadows of Mormonism by my Great Grandfather has become a topic for me, and today I sent a query by e-mail about re-publishing the book with an introduction written by me.January 29, 2006: Completed 5th draft of CONSPIRACY , and there is still a lot of work to be done on it. Reworking my outline in preparation for the sixth draft, I plan to add 7 chapters, and increase my time spent on six characters. Also, the ending has slightly adjusted.December 30, 2005: Completed the fourth draft of CONSPIRACY. Looks like I still have a few loose ends to bring together. December 13, 2005: Lined up a beta reader for CONSPIRACY once it is completed.November 12, 2005: Completed third draft of CONSPIRACY . Ordered postcards with story summary printed on them. Maybe this will help gain my next agent. Queries should be sent out in the next week or two.October 17, 2005: Letter received from agent with a list of the publishers my work was submitted to. They indicate: "...we are all very disappointed. You do have an excellent work and we understand the tremedous amount of time and effort that you put into producing A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW. Unfortunately, as you know, this is an extremely competitive industry. We had hoped that your work would have created an interest...if any publisher should contact us indicating a desire to see a work such as yours, we will send it immediately." What? No back-up plan?September 30, 2005: Agent responds to e-mail, indicating nothing positive to date. No mention of contract lapse.September 29, 2005: My contract with the agent expires today, and they have not gotten my book published. Now I have the unenviable task of either firing them, or taking another chance with them for another 6 months. Also, it's frustrating, but that's the nature of the business. J.A. Konrath fired his first agent, and then had to write 9 manuscripts with his current agent before his work got sold. Goes back to what I always say, "A professional is an amateur who didn't quit," and I am not about to quit, yet. Besides, I have two other projects going right now, and one of them should be ready before the first of the year. We'll see. July 13, 2005: Additional material sent to agent today.May 17, 2005: My bio was placed on my agent's website today.May 9, 2005: Mailed manuscript and other requested items edited and re-formatted to my agent today. If all is as they want it, the next step is looking for publishers. Yee Haw.May 7, 2005: The Literary Agency asked if I could send them a picture of myself, write a more detailed bio, and write a short description of my novel so that they can put it all on their website. Cool.April 21, 2005: Letter dated 4-18-05 I received instructions from my angent regarding copyediting and formatting requirements for A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW. Now the work really begins.April 11, 2005: In a letter dated April 7, 2005 the literary agency in San Diego indicated that they received my signed contract, returned my copy with their signature, and that now my manuscript, description, and synopsis will be reviewed for any possible necessary revisions that would apply to copyediting or formatting. They explained that the process should take about two weeks (or less).March 31, 2005: Oh happy day! Remember that Literary Agency in San Diego that wanted to see the manuscript? Today I received a letter from them dated 3-29-2005 regarding A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW stating that after reviewing my work they feel that I have done an excellent job and would like to go forward with representation. I have an agent. Now it's just a matter of getting published.March 14, 2005: received rejection for CONVICTIONS from a small market magazine in Canada, today.March 12, 2005: In a letter dtd 3-8-2005, the Literary Agency in San Diego advised me that they received my complete manuscript, thanked me for the opportunity to review A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW, and that they would contact me upon completion of their review, which generally takes about 3-4 weeks.March 6, 2005: Shortstory: LADDER LESSON rejection received.March 5, 2005: I mailed the complete manuscript of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW today to the Literary Agency in San Diego, California. I was nervous putting that baby in the mail.March 2, 2005: Remember that agency in San Diego that wanted to see the first 50 pages of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW? Today they responded, and they want to see the entire manuscript! I dropped it off to be copied today, should be ready by tomorrow, and then I will get it in the mail Friday or Saturday. Granted, it's not an acceptance, per se, but this is the farthest into the process I've ever gotten. I'm crossing my fingers and praying for the best.March 1, 2005: Wrote and submitted "Ladder Lesson" (Flash Fiction/Shortstory) to a magazine. Awaiting response.February 28, 2005: "Coma out of it" rejected. I plan to pursue other magazines.February 28, 2005: Submitted "Convictions" to a small press magazine.February 27, 2005: Re-wrote "Big Mac Attack" and renamed it "Coma out of it," as a creative non-fiction submission to a small market press magazine. The story touches upon my return to the world of the living as I come out of a coma back in 1985 - of course my welcome back was a seizure disorder that haunted me until 1993.February 19, 2005: The agency that contacted me by e-mail and requested more information by mail sent me a rejection. I received it today. Out of seven queries that leaves 5 rejected, 1 non-response, and the one in San Diego whose interest I tweaked in reception of the first 50 pages of my manuscript and deliberating at this moment over whether or not to represent me.February 17, 2005: I've been wanting to look over the manuscript (A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW), because in my mind I keep finding things in the book I want to tweak. If I do, though, I will wind up re-writing it all again...I must contain myself and leave it alone and wait and see what the agents think - However, since I am in such a mood to write, I am pulling SOMATIC out of the moth balls and working on it. Watch for the first chapter (remember, I have already written a full manuscript, but it's a first draft, so I need to do some work first) coming soon to this web site!February 15, 2005: Actually put packet in the mail for A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW to San Diego...hopefully I tweak their interest a little more!February 14, 2005: COMPLETED FINAL EDIT, again. Realizing not to trust the word count of my computer, I used the standard industry method or averaging it out to 250 per page. Taking the 250, times the number of pages (330) I came up with 82,500 words, which is a perfect number for a new writer. Now, all I have to do is re-write the synopsis and that sucker is in the mail.February 13, 2005: Edited 5 Chapters of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW.February 13, 2005: Ordered Writer's Market and Agent's Market books from Writer's Digest -- after rejoining the book club. I have a dozen books from the last time I joined, over half of which I have read.February 12, 2005: Edited 13 Chapters of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW.February 11, 2005: Because of rain, I am able to stay home and write. Worked on re-organizing my synopsis today, as well as reading and clipping and re-figuring my manuscript, A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW.February 10, 2005: I mailed the letter requested by the e-mail response. It was kind of nice to be able to start the letter: Thank you for your interest in my work. In response to your request...February 9, 2005: One of the e-mail queries I sent out responded today, thanking me for my interest and indicating that their process involves query letters by mail with author bio., and a brief summary of the work. Well, it's not a rejection.February 8, 2005: My fifth response out of seven queries was received today. The agency in La Jolla (with offices in New York and London as well) thanked me for my interest in their agency, apologized for the "form response," and indicated that they felt they could not successfully market my work.February 7, 2005: I realized that a simple overhaul is not enough - when it comes to editing A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW - during the edit of my manuscript I located needless words and phrases, so I infused that editing practice (meaning removing needless things) into my editing process.February 2, 2005: Response from an agent in the positive. After reading my query they have requested a basic package that most agencies want up front. Genre, a more detailed description of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW, a 2-5 page synopsis, Number or words and pages, and the first 50 pages of my manuscript. It's definitely a lot better than a rejection letter, but that doesn't mean that I am for sure in...but it's a step in the right direction.February 1, 2005: ordered my business cards, should get them in 2 to 3 weeks.January 29, 2005: After not even as much as tossing a glance at my manuscript for a month, today I decided it's in need for a 13th draft. Major overhaul. I plan to change the chapters around so that the first chapter begins with Sara, rather than Damon, since the primary target audience is female. Also, I realized I have way too many "to be" verbs, and "tell what happened" too much, rather than capturing the poetic magic of true storytelling. Hopefully it won't take too long to do, since query letters are out indicating that the manuscript is complete. Added note, the manuscript is currently 110,800 words, which is a little long for a new writer, and most agents and publishers prefer a shorter work by newcomers. The first re-write of Chapter one (of the first two paragraphs, anyway) eliminated 8 lines of print, and is much more eloquent than the prior draft. Knocking this book down to 80,000 words of so should not be too difficult. I also decided to eliminate a character and a couple of chapters, realizing that the situations involved really did nothing to assist the story in its progression. Check out the A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW chapter's pages for the re-writes as they come available. Ciao for now. At least until the next news item pops up.January 29, 2005: Received my third rejection letter for my book (A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW). They thanked me, but felt my project was not a good match for their agency. Good, moving along towards that "yes" wherever it may be.January 27, 2005: Created and launched www.geocities.com/douglasvgibbs, as well as the new e-mail address designed only for correspondence with my fans . . . all 3 of them!January 24, 2005: Received my second rejection letter for A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW. This one didn't even have the decency to write me a letter, they handwrote their response on my original letter. That's okay, cuts down costs, probably. 2 down, hundreds to go until that magical "yes" vote. Okay, now, are all three of you devoted fans paying attention?January 24, 2005: Launch of Characters Page in A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW section on my website.January 24, 2005: Creation of News Page on my website.January 22, 2005: Launch of "Douglas V. Gibbs, Novelist" website.January 20, 2005: First Rejection Letter received. The first of many for A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW. Good, let's get the "no's" out of the way so that I can find a "yes." Oh, and this is the first rejection.January 17, 2005: Two query letters mailed to literary agencies.January 16, 2005: Three e-mail queries sent to literary agents.January 16, 2005: First proof-read of 12th draft of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW completed. The proof-read increased the total words of the manuscript from 102,244 words to 110,702 words. My next proof-read will fine-tune this baby, and hopefully bring the word count back down a little, but you never know.January 5, 2005: second query letter mailed.January 3, 2005: First Query Letter to an agent mailed out.January 2, 2005: 12th draft of A LIGHT IN THE SHADOW completed.