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Wednesday, February 27, 2013
BUFFALO HUMP IS STILL GAINING STEAM
Friday, February 22, 2013
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
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
Sunday, February 17, 2013
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
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
Thursday, February 7, 2013
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
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
Saturday, February 2, 2013
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
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
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