Shock and Amazement

My sneaky publisher, Champagne Book Group caught me napping! They went and put HOLLOW POINT on the market this morning, two weeks before it was due! Am I upset? Heck No! Now you have one more eBook available as a Christmas present. After all of this hype, I hope you enjoy the story. Merry Christmas!

 

http://www.champagnebooks.com/store

 



Shameless Seasonal Solicitation

Sometimes it's hard to blow one's own horn without feeling a tad awkward. Fortunately, I was not born with such a hinderance! It's almost Christmas and I have an easy way to help you out a bit, especially if you have a family full of readers who just might like contemporary Native American fiction and don't know it yet. It doesn't even take up any space under the tree!

I'm posting mostly the same information on all of my social media sites so I don't accidentally miss someone. I have three ebooks that are available for your reading enjoyment and none of them take more than two or three minutes to download onto your eReader; Song of the Unsung and Heart of the Unsung on Amazon/Kindle, Buffalo Hump from Champagne Book Group (www.champagnebooks.com/store).

The Amazon books are also available in paperback and if you don't mind waiting until after the Holiday Season, Hollow Point will be released on January 6th with Champagne Book Group.

Check out my website at www.garyeddings.weebly.com for even more information about my work if you get the opportunity.

I hope you and yours have a great Christmas this year. Don't forget the Reason for the Season!

Gary

Father To A Pretty Smart Cookie

I think Aleah, my youngest's, baby shower I went to yesterday was my second. I always thought this was a girl thing, but the men of the family seemed to have gotten sucked in, maybe in the hope of garnering more presents. That's my suspicious "Dad" mind at work.

So we're all sitting around this room with piles of presents accumulating on nearby tables and out comes my "Squirtly," all decked out in her baby shower costume.

This girl is no bigger than an underdeveloped tadpole, but her current status puts as much out in front of her as most of her mass is normally. I always worry she's going to fall forward onto her nose if she ever tries to stand up straight in her condition.

If she were with a tribe in the old days walking along a path, she would have done some serious damage to the flora and fauna dropping these two chicklets just off the beaten path, not to mention she'd probably scare every wild critter in the neighborhood with her howling. She's small but very loud.

What did her baby shower costume look like?

Pretty creative way to camoflauge Elloie and Kaelee, who should be here in the next 5-6 weeks!

Thanksgiving And A Road Trip

Friday was my side of the family's Thanksgiving celebration. A few were missing, but for those who were there, a good time was had by all with the usual traditional gorging and family truth stretching.

 Then on Monday 3 of my 4 offspring and Grandson Waylon trekked to the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim and bonded with the buffalo, bears, elk, wolves, cougars, lions and tigers and all manner of creatures. Waylon loved seeing his first buffulo and got slimed. One downside to driving the rig is you don't get to see what's going on in the back seat. All I heard was he and Ben giggling. It was a great two days of adventure!

Waylon even got a stuffed buffalo out of the deal from the gift shop. He was a happy camper!

Gary

Woo Hoo!

My first birthday present of the year is a brandy-spankin' new vacuum cleaner with a "pet attachment!" My last two vacuums bit the big one and did a great job of spreading the tornado wreckage around but not picking anything of significance up.

My only dilemma is figuring out whether to risk turning the machine on and going for the gusto, or taking the time to haul out the scoop shovel first to pick up the larger shrapnel. I think I just answered my own question. It'd be bad form to blow up the new vacuum seconds after switching it on.

I've got to find a boneyard for dead vacuum cleaners. I'm running out of closet space. Lily the Terrorist liked the last one so much that she tried to ride it every time I tried to use it. I'm sure that didn't help its abbreviated longevity.

Normally, I wouldn't be this enthused about cleaning the house, but since it converted itself to a barn, complete with an animal, I'm feeling a bit like finding some coveralls and mucking the stalls.

Well, onward and upward...EIEIOOOO!

Gary

The Next Big Holiday On Your Calendar

Hint: It's NOT Thanksgiving! November 24th is Gary's Birthday Holiday. Only a few shopping days remain to find me unique and awesome gifts to surround myself with as I cycle through my second 29th birthday (plus a year or two). Heck, even selling a few books could be put toward my party fund, so every little consideration is appreciated.

Not everyone gets to have their birthday near other major holidays. Every so often, mine even lands on Thanksgiving. How cool is that? There must be a good reason the universe has aligned itself this way. I'm a very fortunate recipient of the Creator's recognition in the construction of this holiday. I am humbled.

As a sidenote, I have also seen that there are many sales happening right now, so this is a good time for Gary's Birthday Holiday to come around again!

Gary

Veterans Day

To all who have served, thank you!

Gary

The New Manuscript

Remember when I reported that I could start writing "The Backbone Of The World" in earnest last month? I'm exactly one sentence along on the electronic highway since then.

I have taken many trails to gain one step. (If a famous Chief didn't say that, he should have).

I'm learning oodles about the topics I'm researching to make the novel believable and develop enough conflict to keep it suspenseful. This will not be your typical walk in the woods, so I am educating myself along the way. When I chose to write this story, I knew it would be more challenging than I have attempted before. That is my understatement of the year!

This old dog is having to learn new tricks and I swear that my puppy, Lily the Terrorist, is laughing at me every step of the way. I hate it when she can sneak up on me silently, bark, and then watch me peel myself from my office ceiling. She hasn't even read any of the literature on animal behavior or tracking!

If anything else, by the time this is all said and done, I should be able to make a tasty bowl of track soup. I'm having early doubts about my ability to actually find a living thing on purpose.

It is time to get back to the research. Sooner or later someone is going to have to try to find the fugitive in the woods. It may be me out there walking in circles by then!

Gary

The Great Sugar Buzz

Face it, you get all costumed up because you make the kids and pets look adorable in their expensive, uncomfortable get-ups and you can take a whole memory card full of poses that will embarrass them for the rest of their natural lives. The adults do so in order to get away with lewd and innebriated behavior at the various parties around town.

Ooooo...spooky! Where I'm from, in wasn't uncommon to have snow on Halloween, so not only did a kid have to wear the world's best costume, but also had to wear cold weather gear underneath. What good is a cape and a big red S when it's zipped under a big coat? As soon as you were out the door, the costume became unimportant. It was all about the stash of candy you were about to collect, therefore the entire idea of scaring anyone or anything was far from your mind. It had been all about pleasing the parents for the pictures before they went out after you got back.

By the time you got home, your costume looked like it had been accosted by every dog in the neighborhood, but your sack of goodies glittered like jewels on the kitchen table. Then the candy police who looked a lot like your parents sorted through all the stuff they didn't trust for you to consume. It was strangely coincidental that it was all the stuff they liked.

Then you dug in. You spent the rest of the night being unable to sleep and having your belly snarl at you with the wide variety of gut-bombs you inhaled for fear a sibling would steal your stash during the night.

No one felt very good the next day, so I'm thinking that is where the whole idea of ghosts and goblins really came from. After a day or two the candy magically disappeared and the parents post-party flu followed soon after. The ghoulies struck again!

What am I doing for Halloween this year? I'm sickin' Lily the Terrorist on them and whoever outruns her will get to keep their can of Dr. Pepper. I just hope they let it settle a bit before they trying opening it after all that running!

Gary

Be Careful Who You Wish A Happy Thanksgiving To

Sometimes I find it awfully difficult to be sensitive to the opions of those around me. For instance, it isn't a good idea to ask a Harley Davidson owner if his ride is a Honda or a Chevy man's truck is a Ford. If you're not up on the latest mechanical or political marvels in the setting you're in, it is probably best to remain silent.

A Native friend and I had a pleasant conversation about Thanksgiving after talking about Halloween for a bit. He had no problem with the holiday and his family celebrated it like just about everyone else did. He was probably in his fifties.

The next day, having no thought of offending anyone, I wished another Indigenous man the same greeting and listened to a five minute tirade about how the tribes had been murdered by the invading Whites and why the so-called celebration was sacreligious and the beginning of the end of a way of life in the Americas. The fellow was all of about twenty-five years old and obviously well-coached in this area of history by some blogger lurking behind a desk somewhere.

He must have read different accounts of the original story than I did, although I'm sure that some of the brutality was true here or there and not well reported. I kept wondering why the Indians would bring food to a dinner party and hang around these strange Europeans with weird clothes and teach them how to grow crops, hunt and fish if they were being murdered. They were too smart to let that happen.

There are plenty of stories about atrocities to different tribes over time. The Whites were often greedy and fearful and starving. A lot didn't make it past the first winter after landing.

It seems to me that there was initially a good-faith effort by tribes and settlers to get along together. The settlers needed the help of the tribes to survive until they learned to do it on their own. After that happened, then all bets were off and that is were the tragic Native stories really began in earnest and the colonists became scavengers migrating west.

I'm sure my hypothesis carries no weight, whatsoever. However, I'm way older than twenty-five and something in my Cherokee and Kickapoo blood yells baloney to some who try to poke a sleeping bear with a sharp stick and expect others to mindlessly do the same.

Don't even get me started on sports mascots!

Gary

I Wish You A Merry Browsing

Yes, I skipped a couple of holidays, but I don't think you'll mind when you read about this. The Pacific Northwest Writers Association will be releasing its 2013 catalogue of PNWA authors and their books on December 2nd! It will be a great way to find out who is writing in the Association and what they've published. You won't even have to wrap the gift! Just download it to your recipient's favorite E-reader format and don't forget to buy one for yourself, too.

I am submitting two books; "Song of the Unsung" and "Buffalo Hump." There will be many others from PNWA authors as well. It sure beats trapsing around stores at the last minute on Christmas Eve!

I hope you take the opportunity to take a peek. The reindeer'll appreciate anything you can do to lighten the load. Keep an eye out on pnwa@pnwa.org

P.S. You do know the difference between a reindeer and a caribou, right? Read "Song of the Unsung" and find out!

Gary

Clear The Deck!

Err...maybe that should be, "Clear the log jam!" I don't think canoes had decks -- just bottoms that hopefully didn't spring any leaks. At any rate, I do believe that I am finally set to actually write something.

Oh sure, there are still a couple of small housekeeping things to do as well, but they won't get in the way of my creative process. I can get serious about "The Backbone Of The World" while sitting on my butt bone in my chair instead of working with techies trying to fix my machines over the phone.

This new project has all sorts of possibilities, not the least of which will confound the readers' minds, if I do it right. A good mind-bender is healthy for the constitution once in awhile. Here goes!

Gary

A Faster, Easier, Simple DoHickey To Make Your Computer Experience Better

There was a reason I held off on trying to hook up the new modem Xfinity sent to me awhile back. I had to complete some projects before chancing a major glitch that would knock me out of service for a few days.

How do I know this? Because every time I've tried to "do it myself" with easy fixes in the past, I've ended up calling in the service guys who take time to get here and spend a lot more time setting stuff up than the directions said it would take me to do.

When I finally got to the point that I was ready to give it a go, I followed all of the instructions for this new modem that looks just like my Wifi router. I unplugged the old RCA modem and plugged in the new Xfinity modem. I had all of the account numbers and secret handshake codes for the Wifi and everything ready to go.

The PC said, "Oops, Our Bad, we can't make it work. Are you sure you have everything connected?" Double- Triple- Quadruple-checked...still no luck. I noticed the unplugged RCA modem light was still flashing. It had a battery. Check the new one...no battery came with it. Don't know if that is the problem, but still doesn't work.

Reattached the old modem and it works like a champ. The next frustration will be trying to get this figured out with customer service, which will be interesting, since the phones don't work when the old modem isn't plugged in!

I love to write. The rest kind of sucks right now!

Gary

Remember The Eyeglasses Incident?

THIS is Lily the culprit. The cushion she was sitting on in this shot was eaten shortly after this was taken. The leather couch behind her is shredded. I don't think I have any more throw pillows and her doggy bed has more stuffing on the floor than in her mattress.

The reason I bring this up is because I saw my optometrist today and told him my woes. He told me that it was common for young dogs to decimate eyeglasses, so don't worry. She'll get over it. It struck me that whenever that happens, he makes money having people purchase another pair. I'll bet he's rooting for the dog!

She's a year old now and she's found her preferred form of communication -- incessant loud barking to the point the neighbors are using words I've never heard them say before. A lot of them are words I've never heard me say before, either.

Don't let her fool you with her cuteness. She uses it to find ways to get in trouble and she's faster than I am. I'm all for adopting pets, but this one saw me coming a mile away. I figure, all told, that I've spent somewhere around $2,000 in property loss and anti-dog tactical gear and spray. She's my best friend...I have to go take my pills now.

Gary

Taking A Deep Breath

Other than the fact that my abode smells like a dog kennel, I'm filling my lungs to dive into a pre-submission edit of my manuscript, "The Sheep Eater." I'm slowly learning that editors like a writer to have his work honed when he submits it...go figure! It's only taken me four books to work this out in my wee noggin.

I had a revelation when I submitted my most recent edit on "Hollow Point" the other day. Gee, I'll bet the editor would like the same things on my next manuscript, too. And the wheels turned. I have a cheat sheet to help now as well.

Maybe I can get a head start on this one and give my editor less reason to want to physically harm himself. It slows things way down when he does that sort of thing. This time he tried death by a thousand cuts and only made it to one. I'm not even sure that counted because I think it was a paper cut and didn't qualify as self-destructive.

Maybe I should run outside before I take that deep breath. My eyes are watering now and I can't see the PC screen.

Gary

Patriots Day

September 11, 2001

NEVER FORGET

A Different Lesson

I kid you not, the puppy chewed up my eyeglasses. You know, the ones that cost about $400? It's a good thing I have an appointment with the optometrist in a couple of weeks, otherwise Lily might have improved vision coming from her patooty by morning!

She and I are developing an intense love/hate relationship. She may become a poster dog for being left outside before long. I can just hear PETA carrying on now about the poor abused doggie. It's a good thing I have a backup pair to get by with. I'd hate to miss the next stack she leaves on the floor!

Gary

The Lesson of the Wounded Blackbear

This is a true story: The names have been changed to maintain the anonimity associated with a big "Oops!"

About this time of year a few years ago during blackberry season, some friends spotted a blackbear near their home out by one of the area lakes. The lady of the house felt that her property and animals were being threatened, therefore she pulled out her large caliber revolver and plugged the bear, sending it scurrying into the brush.

She and her hubby wanted to confirm the kill, so like anyone concerned for their neighbors' welfare, they followed the blood trail, weapons still at ready, husband now packing a rifle as backup. The brush was reportedly thick.

With the stealth of Great White hunters, the couple snuck down the trail. Suddenly, the brush beside them came to life. The blackbear was a bit put off by being shot and started mauling the missus in its displeasure.

Hubby managed to complete the task of euthanizing the beast somehow without hitting the missus, too. Her ordeal ended with several lacerations and probably in need of a change of clothes.

This was somehow posted as a minor story in the local press, possibly because of their standing in the community, but more likely because the two felt a little sheepish about spreading it around that they went after a wounded bear in dense brush by themselves.

In my old haunts I was visited by two blackbears and they ignored me when I shut the back door and hid under my bed. I have blackberries all over my current place and to this day I keep one eye out for another eye that may be out on the other side of the bushes when I'm picking the berries. I'm more than willing to share...or give...to the local wildlife that wants them.

I've got the armament to do them in, but for blackberries? I'll wait until they want something more important, like me!

How Do You Make A Living In A Place With Nearly 70% Unemployment?

Rance's father had it all figured out. For years he brewed and sold moonshine from his homemade still in the woods behind their cabin. Business was good. It was so good that the still was retrofitted to a larger size several times to keep up with demand.

Of course, the sale of bootleg alcohol was forbidden on the Rez, but it didn't seem to stop the traffic to get it. A lot of government assistance checks were cashed and used to acquire the tonsil-scorching liquid in a jar, much to the chagrin of many a housewife.

Rance was a hard worker for his dad. In return, his father taught him everything he knew about the woods in between beatings and verbal assaults growing up. His old man was a mean drunk, even with money in his pocket.

One day that all changed and Rance was alone and became his own man. He was recruited for a man hunt into the woods by the government in spite of his own anti-social mannerisms. It would change his life and the days of tending the still for income were left far behind.

 

Gary

 

And It Begins: The Backbone of the World

This novel will center around the Blackfoot tribe of Montana (Niitsitapii) in the area known to them as "the backbone of the world" - The Continental Divide. This area is wild and prime grizzly habitat, particularly The Badger Two Medicine that is seldom set foot on by humans except those seeking a vision. The Badger Mountains cover an area of about 130,000 acres of jagged peaks and winding rivers and are sacred to the Blackfoot. The Thunder God resides there.

The main character has lived in the Divide's foothills all of his life, about 15 miles from Browning, the Reservation's biggest town. He's a loner and not inclined to be neighborly. More people know of him than know him personally. He's been in the tribal jail a few times for ending fights someone else usually started. He has backwoods skills that few other Blackfoot members possess. He is feared by the people, yet fiercely loyal to his tribe and system of beliefs.

The most unlikely of events is going to alter his reputation forever. The Thunder God may not be pleased.

Gary

Thank God For Editors

I just turned in my first revision on my new book, HOLLOW POINT, to my editor yesterday afternoon. It is amazing how many repetitive words and phrases I put in that story! I've found that trying to use appropriate synonyms is more of a challenge than I imagined. This could end up being work!

We'll see what my editor thinks. I'm relatively sure this ain't the end of it, but it should be a better story once the edges are filed smooth. Too bad I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed!

Hollow Point will be another e-book and is due to be released on January 6th, 2014 through Champagne Books. www.champagnebooks.com

Gary

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Hunting Ground

At a recent writers conference I attended, I noticed that a lady at my table asked for a vegetarian meal and got some sort of pasty-looking veggie pot pie while I ate chicken breasts and potatoes. That got my inquisitive little brain working.

How many Native American cultures embraced vegan cuisine in the old days? My guess is, "not too many." Sure, they gathered nuts, berries and roots, but their main source of protein was meat; whether it was deer, mountain sheep, grouse, turkey, antelope, fish, seal, whale or bison.

The whole idea was probably to have enough energy to chase the next meal down and feed the family. Carrots and wild rice didn't have enough umph to get the job done. Neither did corn.

So where did all of this "healthy" veggie stuff come from? Now we find out that wheat and sugar supposedly aren't good for a body. Whole milk is out. Vitamin and electrolyte water is in (wonder what the tribes did without Gatorade).

I think the ancients would have labeled these type of folks unkindly and quite possibly crazy in the head. It's impossible to get a good vegetable casserole in the dead of winter, after all.

Even hard-core vegetarians use protein supplements. What's the point? A wolf or grizzly would eat you without a second thought and we're higher on the food chain than they are, so chew on that as you munch your kale salad!

Someone's logic is haywire.

Gary

An Interesting Tidbit

I just read that film star Johnny Depp is considering purchasing the land that the battle of Wounded Knee occurred on in South Dakota and returning it as a gift to the Oglala Lakota Sioux. It is sacred ground to them and always has been.

A non-Native owns the land right now and reportedly wants to sell it for an obscene price because of its notoriety. That is sad.

Hats off to Mr. Depp if the report is true and he carries through with his intentions. Some Natives have criticized his portrayal as a Crow brave in his most recent film, but no one should criticize his heart for doing a noble thing.

Gary

No Disrespect Meant

Considering the events of the past few weeks, it would be extraordinarily easy to focus on those in a blog like this. I have free latitude to write just about anything that comes to mind, whether from a philosophical soapbox or subject matter having to do with my genre of writing. I'm not the conscience of my readers, though.

I will normally try to allow you to gather insights of news worthy significance elsewhere except when it strikes home directly to me. I will retain that right because, well, it's my blog!

We've lost wildland firefighters (my son is one in the USFS), we've lost airline passengers, a new Miss Washington chosen (my middle daughter was one in '06), we've had senseless murders, countries overthrown, etc. I'm sure you can see the balancing act necessary to keep to my subject and those of current events proportional.

I want to remain focussed on the purpose of my blogs -- telling the reader about the things transpiring in my world of writing and some of the personal notes that contribute to my sense of story telling. Therefore, if something considered "big" happens and I don't blog about it, it is not that I don't care. There are generally others who serve in that function. I'm just an author who tells stories.

Gary

Oh, and "The Sheep Eater" is coming along nicely. I'm 54,000 words into the story and things are about to get out of hand!

Hello World!

 

Once again, I want to thank Sallie Lundy-Frommer for guesting on the blog! She did a great job!

For the past couple of weeks I've been working on The Sheep Eater while she's had your attention. I didn't know that a body needed to have skills in order to use a word processor, but by gum, I found out differently!

Never ever never try to take a formatting shortcut if you're in the middle of a large document. You'll find yourself spending hours and hours of fixing your time saving efforts. I think I'm back up to speed now, sitting at over 52 thousand words. With any luck, I might get done with this manuscript before they put me in "the home."

My next major activity is going to be attending the Pacific Northwest Writers Association conference at the Hilton in SeaTac, WA July 25-28. I always get some great insights when I go to that thing. My dad will be with me, too. We usually have a great time together.

In mid-August I plan to head for Wyoming and Montana to do a bit more research about the Shoshone for this current manuscript. Again, my dad will be going. He just wants to do a road trip in his RV. This is as good an excuse as any! Besides, we might just get to drop in on that grandson of mine and spoil him for a day or two.

Speaking of such things, I recently discovered that my youngest is expecting twins in February. Sensory overload!

Before I sign off, I would like to wish our friends to the north a Happy Canada Day on the 1st of July (It doesn't hurt to butter up my Canadian publisher). Right now I think she's working from an inflatable raft tied to a tree near Calgary somewhere.

And if I don't get the chance to say so beforehand, I hope all of my American friends have a great 4th of July.

Gary

It Is My Distinct Honor To Introduce Sallie Lundy-Frommer As My Guest Today!

It’s a treat to guest on Gary Eddings Blog today.  I’m looking forward to sharing so, I guess I’ll start by telling you about myself, like where I was born and where I call home?

I was born on a farm in the rural South to a family of migrant farm workers. In fact, my family is huge.  Some might call it a clan.  I’m the youngest of 10 children.  Yup, I have six brothers and three sisters.  And yes, holidays are a zoo. Anyway, at an early age, my family moved to the urban Northeast. No more running in the cotton fields for me….:-)  I now live in the suburban Northeast with my husband and a large assortment of plants. I don’t have any children but as you can well imagine, I have tons of nieces and nephews.  As for my education, I was the first in my family to go to college.  I hold bachelors and masters degrees in Human Resource Management. 

What was your inspiration for Yesterday's Daughter?

Since the idea for Yesterday’s Daughter came to me in my dreams, there wasn’t any person or event that I can identify as inspiring me to write this book.  I just think that the years of reading paranormal romance novels and seeing movies with supernatural characters motivated me.

For those who are unfamiliar with your novel, Yesterday's Daughter, how would you introduce it?

It’s a story about searches, a search for identity, a search for the truth and a search for a life mate.  Grace is alone and lonely, an escapee from the foster care system and its abuses.  In the years since making her escape, Grace has made a life for herself that is little more than existence.  She can’t have any real friends.  No one can get close to her or they would notice her peculiarities.   She must keep her strange behavior secret to stay safe.  If anyone knew, she drank blood or was allergic to sunlight she’d end up locked up.  Grace doesn’t know how or why she is the way she is, she only knows her differences began in puberty.  And then there’s Malachi who has been searching for his life mate for decades even though she is believed to have gone into the Void.   Nevertheless, Malachi searches on, alone in his belief and determination to find the one woman born with whom he’s to share his near immortal existence. 

 Your storyline for The Harvesters & the Guardians is so unique, what research did you do to come up with the finished story?  Or, was it a fantastical idea?

Maybe I shouldn’t admit this but I didn’t do any research for the characters, neither the Harvesters nor the Guardians.  They are as they came to me in my dreams.

What are the Pro’s and Con’s to being an Indie Author?

As an Indie author, I’m the boss.  I’m in control of every decision, every word…:)  But I’m on my own in terms of marketing.  I don’t have the “machine” behind me that traditional publishers provide their writers for social networking, trade shows, appearances, everything.  It’s just me and it can be very overwhelming at times. 

 

 

What has been the most interesting comment (or review) about your book?

I once received a really bad review in which the reader complained that Yesterday’s Daughter was not erotica.  I laughed; Yesterday’s Daughter is definitely NOT erotica. In that same review, the reader said she felt the story was too much like those written by J. R. Ward (The Black Dagger Brotherhood.)  I laughed some more….:)  I’m a huge fan of J. R. Ward, but my little book isn’t even on the same plant as the BDB series. 

Who is your favorite Author?

Some of my favorite authors are Jean Auel, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, Christine Feehan, Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, Jeaniene Frost, Dee Henderson, Larry McMurthry, Nalini Singh, George Shuman and Jhumpa Lahiri.

Some readers complain that there are an awful lot of vampire novels out there these days. I'm sure you knew that already, so what made you decide to enter the crowded genre in which you are working.

There was no conscious decision to write a vampire novel.  Now my subconscious, that’s a whole other story.   Is there a shrink in the house?   Honestly, sometimes I wish Sapphira and Malachi’s story were different because so many people think that if you write a vampire story, you’re just trying to be another Stephenie Meyer. 

But, I had to write the story the way the characters revealed it to me in my dreams and while I listened to their conversations.  When writing Yesterday’s Daughter, I felt like a secretary to Malachi and Sapphira, writing their story as they told it.  I didn’t write a vampire story to jump on the fang train.  I wrote a vampire love story because it was inside me.

What three words would you use to describe Yesterday's Daughter?

Suspenseful, Engaging, and Romantic

How did you think up of the concept for the book?

I guess the only way to describe it is to say, the book just came to me.  It started in my dreams and progressed to the point where I was hearing conversations between characters when awake.  The dreams and conversations came in snippets and brief glances.  I’m one of those people fortunate enough or not so fortunate, depending on how you look at it, who remembers their dreams.  After waking, I’d think about the glimpses Malachi and Sapphira had shown me, mulling them over and over.  When the characters began to encroach on my waking hours to the point where they couldn’t be ignored.  I began to write, to give them a voice.  In short, the concept of Yesterday’s Daughter was a seed deeply planted in and grown from my dreams.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this book?

That’s easy to answer.  I enjoyed the suspense, trying to figure out what would happen next.  I know it sounds hokey, but I was on a roller coaster ride like any other reader.  I didn’t know what would happen next, until the characters revealed it to me. 

Which character reminds you most of yourself? And why?

I’d have to say that Voreece is the character that best reminds me of myself because he’s not a feature character.  He’s part of the supporting cast, but he plays an important role in Malachi’s life and is steadfast and loyal.  That pretty much describes me.  I know if you were to ask friends and family about me, they’d say that I’m a dependable and committed friend, sister and daughter.  And I have no desire to be the focus of the spotlight.  I’d rather flourish in the shadows.

What is something readers would be surprised to learn about Yesterday's Daughter?

I think it will surprise readers to discover the reasons for the actions of the lead betrayer.  His reasons are both contemporary and ancient.

 

Buy Links:

Createspace.

https://www.createspace.com/3565845

Amazon paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Yesterdays-Daughter-Sallie-Lundy-Frommer/dp/1460925238/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369052420&sr=8-1&keywords=Yesterday%27s+Daughter

Kindle

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TOJD4G

Barnes and Noble link:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yesterdays-daughter-sallie-lundy-frommer/1105680374?ean=9781460925232&itm=1&usri=yesterday%27s+daughter

Smashwords link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93318

BooksaMillion

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Yesterdays-Daughter/Sallie-Lundy-Frommer/9781460925232?id=5473235705339

 

Contact Links:

Sallie’s Blog:           http://yesterdaydaugher.blogspot.com/

Sallie’s  Website:  https://sites.google.com/site/yesterdaysdaughter/

Sallie’s facebook fanpage:

https://www.facebook.com/YesterdaysDaughter

Sallie’s Personal facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/sallie.lundyfrommer

Google+ link:

https://plus.google.com/101269512869199989117/posts?hl=en

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/Slfrommer

Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/slfrommer/

GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6680591

 

Shelfari:

www.shelfari.com/Sallieride

Youtube Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIx8MTSQNyw

 

 

Don't Forget!

Sallie Lundy-Frommer will be my special guest tomorrow, June 22nd, to talk about her latest book. Please stop by!

Gary

Reminder

This coming Saturday, the 22nd of June, Sallie Lundy-Frommer will be my guest here, blogging up a storm about what work she is involved with in the literary field. Don't miss it!

(I'm just praying I can get it posted without screwing it up!!!)

Gary

Happy Flag Day!

 

Fly Old Glory Proud!

Hot Diggity!

I am pleased to announce that Champagne Book Group has offered me a contract for my novel, "Hollow Point," set in Suquamish, Washington on the Port Madison Reservation. Its projected release date is January 6th, 2014 as an e-book and is the second of my novels to be published by Champagne.

I'll send out reminders from time to time!

Gary

Meth Is Killing Kids On The Port Madison Reservation

There's one Tribal Officer that can do something about it, but he has no idea how until he meets an unlikely gathering of allies that show him. Keep an eye out for Hollow Point coming out in the not-to-distant future. It will rip your heart from your chest on the trail to finding answers.

Gary

There's Trouble on the S bar S

It seems that rustlers aren't the only issue to be dealt with on the ranch. These grays aren't exactly friendly. They're hungry and will knock down anything or anyone that looks edible, especially if they're hunting in a pack.

There isn't any love lost between them and Sourdough, the rancher. They're preying on his livelihood. Eli Walker, his Shoshone ranch hand, is conflicted. These animals are highly regarded in his culture even though both men had close calls with the wolves.

However, if life was easy, they wouldn't work a ranch. I'll keep you posted as I meander through this work in progress!

Gary

Memorial Day

As we enter this Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S.A., remember those who fought and died to allow us the privilege to enjoy the activities we do and share in the blessings bestowed upon us as a free nation.

Freedom came at a high cost. Don't let it slip away by becoming complacent. This year I would like to thank our Indigenous heroes for their sacrifices in service to the land. They have played a significant role in making us who we are inspite of some of the cards they were dealt over the years. I honor them.

Fly Old Glory at half staff from dawn until midday to honor the fallen and then full staff from then until sunset to honor past and present veterans and active duty members. This is the only time this etiquette is employed in this manner.

Gary

Approved by Lily

I have a new 8 month old puppy that I adopted from the Humane Society Wednesday running around here. She's a Terrier/Border Collie/Lab mix and higher energy than I'm accustomed to with Rollie Dawg.

I have already noticed that she has an impeccable taste in literature. I had a few draft pages of a chapter of Heart Of The Unsung on my desk that she found to be agreeable to her digestive tract. She enthusiastically shredded the pages and was proud of herself for her new-found literary hobby.

She gave a big "paws up" when I collected the ribbons of 20 pound paper strewn across the office and endeavored to devour more before I closed the book on her. If she knew how, she would no doubt give me several stars for the novel because I feed her and she would like that to continue, I'm sure.

Readership comes from many walks of life. I'll take any I can get!

Gary

Guest Blogger Today!

I am guest blogging about BUFFALO HUMP for Sallie Lundy Frommer today (May 18th). Come visit at http://yesterdaydaughter.blogspot.com and learn a little more about one of the main characters, Pete Cooper.

Sallie is scheduled to return the favor on June 22nd and I look forward to having her as a guest.

Gary

Viking Fest in Poulsbo, WA

I'm repeating myself, but in case you didn't read it on my wordpress blog, I'll be walking around the Viking Fest celebration tomorrow, May 18th, giving away four (4) BUFFALO HUMP e-reader download cards to people who ask if I have a card. I'll be wearing something with a bear on it.

If you're in the area, track me down. I also hope you have a great time in Little Norway. Try some lutefisk (I dare you); make friends with a Viking; buy stuff. I hope to see you there!

Gary

Lessons Learned From A Cutting Pony

I was in high school and my friend, Copper Chadwick, invited me to his uncle's ranch on the Salmon River. We were going to head for the Joseph Plains the next day where his cattle had been ranging all summer, round them up, vaccinate them and bring them down to the ranch for the winter.

Visions of "Bonanza" wandered through my gullible head right up until we unloaded the horses from the trucks after arriving that chilly morning. Dick, Copper's uncle, said, "You're gonna be riding this one today." I should have known by the way the critter looked at me that it was going to turn into a long morning.

The advice I received was to hang on and keep my knees tight to the horse. He told me her name, but I came up with a lot more names before the day was done. He told me she was the best cutting pony of the string and she'd do all of the work.

Firstly, I had no idea what a "cuttin' pony" was or did. Secondly, she didn't respond well to a terrified, screaming rider; and thirdly, she was very good at finding every possible low-lying tree limb in the forest to evict said rider.

In between fits of playing "Dump the Rider," she'd find stray cows and move them back into the slow-moving herd, using her body to lunge and block the wayward beef from escape. That meant she spent a lot of time moving both front hooves back and forth simultaneously.

Her hooves went left; I went right, picked myself up off of the ground, and we repeated often. Needless to say, we brought up the rear. I was bloody and the horse was not. All it could do was whinnie its mirth to all of the other equines, while Uncle Dick just said, "Good job Gary. Let's give these cows their shots and go home."

What did I learn? A horse is not just a horse if they call it a cuttin' pony. Oh yeah, and be sure to hold onto the saddle horn for dear life! You aren't the one doing the driving, anyhow!

Gary

Plugging Along On The Sheep Eater

Currently up to about 39,000 words on my newest work in progress, The Sheep Eater. The main character is a young, college-educated, Shoshone man, Eli "Strong Bow" Walker who works as a ranch hand near Yellowstone National Park on the Montana side.

For a guy and his boss that like to keep to themselves, they sure haven't been very successful lately. Every time they turn around, someone, something or the weather makes their lives more complicated. It's enough to make quiet men irritable.

Sometimes being a Shoshone isn't as romantic as many of the old white man-version stories would have a person believe. Paybacks are ugly and if you're going to spit into the wind, you're likely to get some on you, especially if you're an Indian from the Rez.

Stay tuned!

Gary

Looking Out The Window

Inspiration to write comes from the strangest places, sometimes. I found myself looking out over the backyard that ol' Rollie Dawg used to watch over like the Lion King. He'd keep an eye out for his jousting buddies, the rabbits, that taunted him frequently. He never did catch one.

A couple of days ago, Rollie came back to mind as I watched one of the rabbits chowing down on some dandelions. Something caught my eye emerging from under the deck. It was a baby bunny from a new generation who was tentatively exploring its surroundings.

Its momma emerged and sprawled out under a bush looking tired. I could hear her telepathically saying, "You go play now, Junior. Mom needs a nap."

Life goes on and I think Rollie would've approved of the addition to the neighborhood -- a new friend to play chase with. Life does go on. Now the writing should, too. I've got rabbits to support!

Gary

I Can't Help Myself! The Kindle Version Will Be Out Before MAY 1st!

It could be out even sooner, so check at Amazon.com from time to time for the e-book format! This hurry up and wait thing is driving me crazy, but I'm excited.

The paperback version will be available somewhere around the end of the first week in May unless the process is faster than expected, as this one was. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

"Pssst...There's A New Book Due Out In May!"

I was trying to keep this under wraps, but it's getting harder with all the busy bodies running around the place this spring.

She just told my Oregon farmer friend Don about it and he said she planned to duck back into her burrow until all the excitement's over. I think she was badgering him. She's not a big fan of the North Slope.

Since she can't keep her furry trap shut, here's the news: It looks like Heart of the Unsung will be released around the first week of May. It is the sequel to Song of the Unsung that came out last year. It will be available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.

Consider yourselves badgered!

Gary

Rejoicing In The Streets Of Boston Came At A High Cost

It is good that the Boston terrorists were killed or captured before they could cause more harm to others during their lifetimes. They were prepared to do it. I don't believe it was by chance that resources were placed where they needed to be to stop them.

Meantime, there are many grieving families affected by the bomb blasts and ensuing murder of the MIT police officer. There is no dancing in the streets for them. Nothing will bring back a sense of normal or the sanctity of lives lost. Reverence is in order.

I hope we find a way to honor our fallen and injured loved ones that will reflect their sacrifices and celebrate their contributions to our communities. God bless the fallen and provide comfort where it is needed.

Gary

Today I'm A Bostonian

My thoughts and prayers are with those who were killed and injured and their families in the bombings in Boston. May they somehow find comfort in knowing the Country stands with them and may the bomber(s) find a special place to suffer in Hell.

Rollie's Gone Home

Last night I had to let my fury sidekick Rollie Dawg go to the pack in the Great Beyond. I could write volumes about the pup, but that'll have to come another day. My heart has a massive hole in it but he's not suffering anymore. He will always be a part of me and for that I'm grateful.

Gary

Sometimes Writing Takes A Back Seat

When does a writer not care about writing? When the pup he raised is hanging onto his life by a thread. Ol' Rollie Dawg is known for being stubborn at times and this is one of those times it may be the thing keeping him alive. He's got some type of blood disease that cropped up a few days ago and is at the vet's endeavoring to endure.

Me? I've been gut shot. I thought I'd lost him yesterday, but he made it through the night and is a little perkier today, which doesn't necessarily mean things are better, but hope is hope.

If there ever comes a time when he is back beside my chair as I write, I shall take every opportunity to let him know he's my bud and keep a few extra treats on hand. It's awfully quiet around here.

Pow Wows Are Happening All Over The Country

There is some simple Pow Wow etiquette to learn that is contained in many Native American websites, but this would be a great way to find out more about the culture of the Indigenous people around the country!This is only one example of the beautiful regalia worn in dance.

This is on my bucket list!

Gary

Interested In Becoming An Author?

I'll give you the quick and dirty version and then it's up to you!

#1. Write something - a short story; an idea for a book (a chapter/chapters); a poem; JUST WRITE IT. You've probably had an idea or two percolating in your brain for a while now, anyhow. Start there. Always write in 12 font, New Times Roman, double-spaced. Use your tab key for paragraph indentation.

#2. Find a local writers' group to join and learn the basics as you get your work critiqued by the group. Bring copies for the group. This part will take time, but you'll appreciate it in the long run. These are usually free and they're way different than book clubs.

#3. Find training events to attend, i.e., conferences, seminars, workshops. Joining a writers' association, such as the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, helps you find them. Expect to put out some cash for this part.

#4. Leave your ego in a safe and secure location. You won't be needing it for a bit. Prepare to get chewed up and spit out. Rejection's just part of the reality of writing.

#5. Your first published work will usually take 145,615 times longer to see on the market than you originally anticipated. Then you can take your ego out for a short walk before putting it back and beginning the next manuscript.

I don't want to get into the marketing aspect for fear you'll fry a circuit. That will come soon enough.

Is it worth it? Not if you're looking to earn your fortune or want to quit your day job before you retire (unless your one in a million number comes up). Otherwise, yep, it's worth it. Good Luck!

BUFFALO HUMP was two and a half years in the making before it was published in December of 2012. I was my third manuscript.

Gary

Happy Easter

Now where did Gary hide that egg?

Smells Are Underrated

Soapbox time: When I watch a TV show or movie, the one glaring thing missing is the smell associated with a scene. I've had enough life experiences to equate certain smells to certain events. I was a firefighter and filled my snoot with all sorts of things I'd prefer to forget, but were essential in recognition of the circumstances.

Some examples come to mind: The first is an injury auto accident and the broken glass and blood smell it emits. The second is the unique, pungent smell of a house fire. Thirdly, the smell of propane leaking under pressure.

Of course, barnyard smells, dead body smells, wet dog smells, and all the rest in a person's life experience drift into memories they have. Reading stories without smells described are almost sterile. It helps add depth to a scene. It can be pleasant or gruesome or some combination in between, but it helps to complete the setting.

Would a viewer or reader be less inclined to be enthralled with a story where the smell of blood, feces and burnt gunpowder is aptly described? At least it might make the scene more memorable, but it might be too realistic. I've smelled awful perfumes like that, too, and the mere mention of cheap perfume causes me to fight off a gag reflex.

There is a balance. That's what good writers do, in my way of thinking. The reader deserves the blanks to be filled in.

Gary

A Message From Jack Orion From Buffalo Hump

"This retired Irish Firefighter wishes one and all a Happy St. Paddie's Day and that you find your pot of gold where you least expect it, sort of like I did with Pete and my 83 ounce gold nugget up here in the Buffalo Hump country. Go fetch a bottle of fine Irish spirits and we'll have ourselves a jig with the jug!"

Jack...Erin go Bragh!

Note: Never trust an Irishman with a jug. He'll drink it all.

Gary

Lookee Here!

Both Song of the Unsung and Buffalo Hump are now listed on www.Goodreads.com. That's an easy place to review them once they've been read. I plan to add Heart of the Unsung when it is released as well!

All of the books are or will be available as e-books. Song of the Unsung is also available in paperback, as will Heart of the Unsung, both from Amazon.com. Buffalo Hump is available from www.champagnebooks.com.

Deep Breath: Phew!

Hollow Point, a story about the Suquamish, is currently being reviewed by editors.

The Sheep Eater, a story about the Mountain Shoshone is being written and sits at 30,000 words, shooting for 80+.

Then there are the other ideas for stories...I think my brain might need a retread before too many more start oozing out like sap in the Spring!

Gary

The Ice Flow Is Buzzing

Rumor has it that HEART OF THE UNSUNG is coming out soon on Amazon and Kindle. Walruses will be fighting tusk and fin to get a copy of this sequel, so you two-legged mammals better get your mukluks on and be ready!

BUFFALO HUMP IS STILL GAINING STEAM

http://www.champagnebooks.com

Available in e-book format and compatible with most e-readers!

More Native American-themed books coming real soon.

What A Review Means To An Author

Some folks read about "good reviews" when they see a book or a movie advertised and maybe think, "so what?" They may think that it is only there to boost an author's ego or sell more books.

Honestly, it does both of those things, but there is a larger purpose than creating the need for a bigger hat. Here's why it is important to you as a reader:

When you rate a book you've read on Amazon, Goodreads, or a publisher's website, you've told other readers whether the material is worth their time to read. They do the same for you. Would you rather read a four or five star-rated book, or a one star?

Usually, the higher ratings give you an indication whether you'd buy it, true. Perhaps just as importantly, that rating tells the author how well the material is being received in the readers' world and whether or not to adjust their styles, genre, storylines, etc. That gives you, the reader, a better selection to choose from eventually.

When you ask, "Where are all the good books?" you should be seeing stars and they will guide you to them. I hope you will consider rating each book you read.

Gary

The Rabbits and Squirrels are Confused!

I've had a few of these small, furry critters running around in my back yard all winter. I've been noticing of late that I'm either seeing double or triple, or the small, fuzzy population is expanding rapidly. No babies -- just grown ups playing ring around the scotch broom and raiding the bird feeder, much to the chagrin of those it was meant for. Don't they know it's not spring yet?

Who knew that a squirrel could stretch out at full body length from a 4x4 post and reach to a feeder without falling? Who knew that the rabbits liked bird seed as much as the squirrels and birds? They just wait on the ground for seeds to spill over. Who knew that birds can be very protective of their food source and aren't afraid to gang up and buzz a human enmasse?

Even ol' Rollie Dawg has pretty much resigned himself to half-hearted chases, knowing that there's no way that he can catch any of these speedsters.  Sometimes his old nemesis, the rabbits, still taunt him and stay several feet ahead of him when he does get up the gumption to chase one.

Spring will no doubt bring much mirth among the creatures. The old will tell stories to their young and teach them all of the tricks to stay ahead of the dog and oblige the two-legged giant to take many pictures.

It'll be a quick way to fill up a memory card!

Gary

A Command Decision: Heart of the Unsung

The second manuscript that I wrote way back in the beginning is a sequel to Song of the Unsung. Originally, I tentatively called it Arctic America, but I never really liked that title much.

As I was re-editing the manuscript, I mulled over a plethora of possibilities that would catch the heart of the characters and the story. Wait...heart? Lightbulb!!!

I have elected to title the Song of the Unsung sequel as Heart of the Unsung. It is a fitting continuation to this apocalyptic thriller, now pitting civilian and military factions as well as environmental obstacles against each other in the quest for survival, loyalty and national identity. It is still led by an Inupiat Eskimo Umialik (Chief), Charlie Rock and his Prudoe Bay sidekick Cliff Bell, both from the first book in the series.

This book will be coming out on Amazon and Kindle in the next few weeks, probably early March, God willing and I don't get attacked by a cranky walrus. I'll put the word out as soon as it is ready to hit the market. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Gary

When You Need A Lift

I was feeling a little flat lately and needed something to get energized again. What better place to do it than among critters who like people who feed them? So I took a jaunt up to Sequim, WA to the Olympic Game Farm where hands-on means exactly that, except maybe to the Kodiaks, timber wolves and tigers. I hadn't been up there in awhile.

Armed with a couple of loaves of wheat bread and the truck's sideview mirrors pulled in, I ventured down the roads and was immediately accosted by the llamas, yaks and zebras, none of whom have ever brushed their teeth. Peacocks were everywhere, as usual, just starting to feather in for the warmer weather.

Then it was to the bears. All but one were napping. The loan actor was waving and trying to be cute in order to get the bread that you had to throw at him over an electric wire, which he respected immensely. It is said that bears have poor eyesight. If that's the case, how come he can catch a slice of bread in his mouth at twenty feet? Maybe he had his contact lenses in that day.

Next it was off to see the wolves, cougars, tigers, bobcat, racoons and fox. They are all in enclosures that don't allow you to feed them, but if they were to get out, they would have no problem feeding on you. One of the bigger cougs was pacing back and forth sounding more like a puddy cat than a big ferocious predator. I've heard them when they scream and that certainly wasn't it!

Finally, it was out into the area where the buffalo, elk and fallow deer roamed. Sure enough, here came the buffalo. The ticket lady warned me about them. They were just coming out of rut and might be a little fiesty. I was ready. I just kept the truck moving and received only moderate slobber-fication. Their tongues are long, sticky and purple and they don't mind wrapping them around your hand as well has the bread. You don't realize how big the bulls are until you see that they stand taller than your side window and give you "the look."

The fallow deer were dainty eaters, but they had a definite chain of command. The bucks ate first. Period. Everyone else got what was left over.

Then came the elk. Beautiful animals. They've got snouts softer than a baby's butt. The bulls haven't started growing their racks yet, which is a good thing, otherwise the truck would've been skewered. I can honestly say that I had a full elk head and the better part of two noses wedged in my window treasure hunting for bread. I've never had a bull elk lay his head across my substantial belly before and let me pet it, although I know it had ulterior motives -- the bread. It was peaceful in an odd sort of way. If I would've stepped out of the truck, I would've been crushed by the size of those guys and girls. A couple of them were already kicking at each other getting in line.

I talked to the lady in the gift shop afterward and she was giggling. "We thought we were going to have to come out and rescue you."

All I was thinking was that my inspiration was back and this had been one of the better ideas I'd had in a long time! It's no wonder that the indigenous people held these animals in high regard. They're magic!

Gary

A Lot Happens In A Week

It seems like I just wrote about the very nice review I received on Song of the Unsung. Wouldn't you know it, I received another one the past few days as well. It seems that some folks don't know where to leave comments on the books, so here are the easiest two: Amazon.com and Goodreads.com. I would appreciate the input. It helps me to be a better writer if readers tell me how I'm doing. Thanks in advance!

I have also started a new website at www.garyeddings.wordpress.com and a twitter account at twitter@EddingsGary.com. Of course, you can still find me at my Gary Eddings, Author page on Facebook, too.

Gee, maybe THAT's where the week went. I've been bouncing around to all of those like a yoyo. I suppose I should start doing some actual writing before I forget how. I still have three other projects in the hopper.

On a personal note, my Grandson Waylon will be celebrating his first birthday in the next couple of weeks, so I may be sneaking away for a bit. Grandpa's got to go birthday shopping. It's a good thing I have a pickup truck!

Have a great week!
Gary

5 Star Review

I just received my first 5-star review for Song of the Unsung on Goodreads! This is the story about post-apocalyptic survival and life on the North Slope of Alaska, and how the Inupiat Eskimos strive to keep their ground "American," along with other survivors who live and work there.

It's available through Amazon as a paperback and Kindle.

I feel a blanket toss coming on!

Gary

Who Was The Idiot That Thought Winter Was A Slow Time?

Here it is, the second week of January and the computer keys haven't stopped clicking yet. So many things to write about. So much research to be done. So many plans for where to go when the weather improves to learn more about the people I'm writing about.

Do I take a car, plane, train or bus? Do I stay in motels or campgrounds? Do I rob banks to pay for it all? The alternatives are endless.

Buffalo Hump has been out for a month now and available in all of the major e-reader formats. Those I know who have read it seem to like it and that's a nice feeling!

I even received a very nice e-mail from a reader of my first book, Song of the Unsung, who wanted me to write more on the same subject because he enjoyed it so much that he told all of his coworkers about it.

Slowly, but surely, the word is getting out there. Now that we're past all of the major New Years Resolutions, here's a more doable one: get a copy of Buffalo Hump and read it. It won't change your body mass index, but it'll be a nice alternative to painful situps!

Enjoy escaping into the wilds of Central Idaho!