John E. Carson's Blog: The Phoenix, page 5
April 24, 2014
Family
The importance of family to a writer, or friends and their support cannot be overstated. No amount of cockiness can replace the sincere encouragement of the people close to us. As with any endeavor having someone to cheer you on is as important a factor as any other component.
I have been blessed with the support of my wife and children as well as my siblings and also friends and relatives along the way. Sometimes gratitude does not get expressed as much as it should so I would like to take the opportunity now to thank again my son Brian Carson, not only for the concept and characters in Jack Porter and the Treasure of the Orbs, but for the many hours he invested over the years creating and maintaining my former website which has served me so well. And his wife, Shanna who always believed and encouraged me.
Also, my sister, Juliet Anderson who has displayed my writings all across the country, many times taking space from her art exhibits to do so.
Of course there are others, Chad Corrie and AMI, my first publishers, who also believed in me and sold many thousands of my books world wide, and the editors and readers who contributed many helpful suggestions.
Space and time compel me to say that any who are not mentioned are in my heart and just as appreciated. I consider you all family and friends.
I have been blessed with the support of my wife and children as well as my siblings and also friends and relatives along the way. Sometimes gratitude does not get expressed as much as it should so I would like to take the opportunity now to thank again my son Brian Carson, not only for the concept and characters in Jack Porter and the Treasure of the Orbs, but for the many hours he invested over the years creating and maintaining my former website which has served me so well. And his wife, Shanna who always believed and encouraged me.
Also, my sister, Juliet Anderson who has displayed my writings all across the country, many times taking space from her art exhibits to do so.
Of course there are others, Chad Corrie and AMI, my first publishers, who also believed in me and sold many thousands of my books world wide, and the editors and readers who contributed many helpful suggestions.
Space and time compel me to say that any who are not mentioned are in my heart and just as appreciated. I consider you all family and friends.
April 21, 2014
New Release
Writing is mostly a solo work but getting a book out is not something you do by yourself. My new release, Jack Porter and the Treasure of The Orbs, is no exception so the first thing I want to do is give credit where it is due.
First to my son, Brian Carson who suggested the story and wrote the forward page- or Prologue- and created the concept and characters, and my wife and co-author, Marlene Rose who for some reason always believed in me. Then my daughter, Christine Brown, without whom none of my books might have seen the light of day and is responsible for my novel, Jupiter's Children being published and currently available on Kindle and soon to be in print as well. Also for leading me to our current publisher with Jack Porter.
And of course all the readers who continue to encourage me in this sometimes crazy but always rewarding endeavor.
Check out my new release on Amazon; I am sure you will enjoy the story as well as the new format it is presented in and let the people who have supported me know their efforts have been worthwhile.
Thank you!
First to my son, Brian Carson who suggested the story and wrote the forward page- or Prologue- and created the concept and characters, and my wife and co-author, Marlene Rose who for some reason always believed in me. Then my daughter, Christine Brown, without whom none of my books might have seen the light of day and is responsible for my novel, Jupiter's Children being published and currently available on Kindle and soon to be in print as well. Also for leading me to our current publisher with Jack Porter.
And of course all the readers who continue to encourage me in this sometimes crazy but always rewarding endeavor.
Check out my new release on Amazon; I am sure you will enjoy the story as well as the new format it is presented in and let the people who have supported me know their efforts have been worthwhile.
Thank you!
April 13, 2014
The Final Word
Though I wrote
And published
I never found acclaim
Maybe it was fate
Or could it be my name?
Perhaps it was my timing
Could have been my style
Or possibly I have been fooling myself
All the while.
Now just curiosity
I stand before the Gate
Ready to ask St. Peter
If it's not too late...
He listened and he nodded
Said I'm sorry you feel forsaken-
So many came before you
And all the good lines have been taken.
John Evan Carson 2014
And published
I never found acclaim
Maybe it was fate
Or could it be my name?
Perhaps it was my timing
Could have been my style
Or possibly I have been fooling myself
All the while.
Now just curiosity
I stand before the Gate
Ready to ask St. Peter
If it's not too late...
He listened and he nodded
Said I'm sorry you feel forsaken-
So many came before you
And all the good lines have been taken.
John Evan Carson 2014
April 9, 2014
Frankenwriter
FRANKENWRITER
One light shone from the moonlit castle
High upon the hill
One lone person moved about
While even the mice were still.
The electric hum of the equipment
In his laboratory
The only sound that he heard
As he brought life to his story.
Nimble fingers on the keys
A master surgeon’s hands
Stitching up the words and phrases
And every thought that lands.
At last! A form, a body waiting
For him to flesh it out
Excitement coursing through his veins
As he paced about!
Of course! Of course!
Now he sees it
Coming together part by part
The brainchild of his life
Now just needs a heart!
So he goes to the wall
To throw the master switch
Test tubes and beakers bubbling
The night still black as pitch!
With a flash of inspiration
The castle now was bright
The story rose from the table
To see the sun’s first light!
The villagers say that he’s obsessed
That he should be much lighter…
But they don’t know him like I do-
I am the Frankenwriter!
John Evan Carson
One light shone from the moonlit castle
High upon the hill
One lone person moved about
While even the mice were still.
The electric hum of the equipment
In his laboratory
The only sound that he heard
As he brought life to his story.
Nimble fingers on the keys
A master surgeon’s hands
Stitching up the words and phrases
And every thought that lands.
At last! A form, a body waiting
For him to flesh it out
Excitement coursing through his veins
As he paced about!
Of course! Of course!
Now he sees it
Coming together part by part
The brainchild of his life
Now just needs a heart!
So he goes to the wall
To throw the master switch
Test tubes and beakers bubbling
The night still black as pitch!
With a flash of inspiration
The castle now was bright
The story rose from the table
To see the sun’s first light!
The villagers say that he’s obsessed
That he should be much lighter…
But they don’t know him like I do-
I am the Frankenwriter!
John Evan Carson
March 19, 2014
About Time
Well it's about time! After many attempts Goodreads has finally found one of my missing works and added it to my list. Jupiter's Children is my first E-book; my toes in the water of the flood of technology now engulfing every facet of our lives. Even our cars are not immune-I read today that there is an app for Kindle so you can read at stop lights!
Crazy as all that is, it's about time that I catch up with the world again if I ever hope to reach people with my writing.
You can find my other "missing" books on Amazon under John E Carson in Books. Or on Google.
I have one more book in the works and this one IS about time... look for more news to come on this blog. It has been awaiting publication for a long, long while and it's about time it came out.
And Mother Nature, if you are listening, it's about time for Spring too!
Crazy as all that is, it's about time that I catch up with the world again if I ever hope to reach people with my writing.
You can find my other "missing" books on Amazon under John E Carson in Books. Or on Google.
I have one more book in the works and this one IS about time... look for more news to come on this blog. It has been awaiting publication for a long, long while and it's about time it came out.
And Mother Nature, if you are listening, it's about time for Spring too!
March 11, 2014
Success!
What is success? A best seller for sure. A goal to strive for that often depends not as much on the work but as the fortune it finds itself in.
As an author I cannot (yet) or may never be able to claim a Best Seller; but I have known success.
I knew it with the first poem I wrote, the first story I penned - when the first creative thought entered the physical world on a sheet of narrow ruled, ragged-edged notebook paper now lost to the pages of time.
Ah yes, when an old Underwood Typewriter-(to be cliche) was "HIgh Tech" and pencils and pens were not yet obsolete...
But that success-the putting down on paper- was only one side of the coin. For what is a work of art if no one sees it? A book if no one reads it? A poem if no one heeds it?
There have I known success as well-for though I may not have a Best Seller-I have an audience; and though my books and blog may not be widely read, if I have brightened someone's day, entertained their mind, helped them think a problem through or left them with something they could use then I have done what I set out to do.
And that, my friends is true success.
As an author I cannot (yet) or may never be able to claim a Best Seller; but I have known success.
I knew it with the first poem I wrote, the first story I penned - when the first creative thought entered the physical world on a sheet of narrow ruled, ragged-edged notebook paper now lost to the pages of time.
Ah yes, when an old Underwood Typewriter-(to be cliche) was "HIgh Tech" and pencils and pens were not yet obsolete...
But that success-the putting down on paper- was only one side of the coin. For what is a work of art if no one sees it? A book if no one reads it? A poem if no one heeds it?
There have I known success as well-for though I may not have a Best Seller-I have an audience; and though my books and blog may not be widely read, if I have brightened someone's day, entertained their mind, helped them think a problem through or left them with something they could use then I have done what I set out to do.
And that, my friends is true success.
February 10, 2014
Say It Again, Sam
Each generation achieves veneration
By the characters put on the stage...
The times will be mirrored
By those loved and feared
Whose acts bring laughter or rage.
We hoist up the sails
In breezes and gales
As we navigate the ocean of life...
Then sit on the docks
In gray beards and locks
Telling tales of laughter and strife.
The ones who before us
Have raised up a chorus
Now sing to the dust on the shelves...
They fade in the sun
Of those on the run
Who in turn will laugh at themselves.
And this work is destined
Like each one before
To knock on the door of time...
So in consideration
Allow this summation-
The story told once more
In rhyme.
John Evan Carson
By the characters put on the stage...
The times will be mirrored
By those loved and feared
Whose acts bring laughter or rage.
We hoist up the sails
In breezes and gales
As we navigate the ocean of life...
Then sit on the docks
In gray beards and locks
Telling tales of laughter and strife.
The ones who before us
Have raised up a chorus
Now sing to the dust on the shelves...
They fade in the sun
Of those on the run
Who in turn will laugh at themselves.
And this work is destined
Like each one before
To knock on the door of time...
So in consideration
Allow this summation-
The story told once more
In rhyme.
John Evan Carson
January 7, 2014
Slippin' and Sliding
The new year started out with a blast of arctic air that even made the South feel like Minnesota. But even this cold shoulder has not dampened the spirits of the people in this country who still feel optimistic about the coming months and the warm weather to follow.
Somehow the despair, apathy and anger of the past twelve months seems to have melted away and though the fighting still rages in Washington, the fire is dwindling, leaving patches of ice in its wake and the combatants slippin' and sliding as they bang through the halls of Congress.
Combined with the Arctic air, the goings on in our nation's capitol make it an ideal time to curl up with a good book and a cup of warm cocoa.
Now that sounds like a good way to start the new year!
Somehow the despair, apathy and anger of the past twelve months seems to have melted away and though the fighting still rages in Washington, the fire is dwindling, leaving patches of ice in its wake and the combatants slippin' and sliding as they bang through the halls of Congress.
Combined with the Arctic air, the goings on in our nation's capitol make it an ideal time to curl up with a good book and a cup of warm cocoa.
Now that sounds like a good way to start the new year!
December 3, 2013
The Wordshop
A week before Christmas I still needed a gift
Something special designed to uplift
Custom tailored like something to wear
A personal treasure meant to share.
In my search I’d been to the Malls
Been to the art shows, seen all the stalls
Gone downtown in the traffic and lights
Viewed decorations and all of the sights.
Still nothing quite fit and I stood on the street
Stamping the snow from my frozen feet
I guess I’ll give up; I’ve tried every place
Times growing short and there’s snow on my face.
Spirit sagging I shrugged and turned
Ready to quit though my heart still yearned
And that’s when I saw the old wooden door
Funny I hadn’t seen it before!
Storefront windows from bygone days
Cars and trains and books in trays
Horses and eagles and pewter knights
Magazines and ships and blinking lights.
Portable typewriters and Underwoods
Teddy bears and Geishas carved in wood
Not one for sale the sign proclaimed
Property of The Wordshop a card explained.
Drawn inside as the snowflakes fell
I turned the knob and tinkled the bell
Stomping my feet on the old wood floor
Here was a shop I’d never seen before!
Each wall was filled with cans and jars
Here one with A’s there one with R’s
Dashes and Dots and Exclamations!
Words and Phrases and Permutations.
Seasons and Reasons and Musical Notes
Plain Words and Fancy and Sugar Coats
Made To Order and Over Blown
Any Flavor and All Your Own.
Smiling in wonder I looked at them all
Framed and matted and hung on the wall
Poems and Stories already wrapped
Ideas and Plots recently mapped.
Jokes and Cards, some under glass
Words of Praise and This Too Will Pass.
I went to the counter to ring the old bell
Out came a man I seemed to know well.
His stomach was round as were his glasses
His smile was warm and spoke to the masses
I tried to explain and asked him my question
He stroked his chin and made a suggestion
What you need is a well-turned phrase
I’ll make one in back on my special lathe!
As he left I returned to the shelves
And caught a glimpse of his helpers and elves.
My wife and children, he said with a grin
As he gave me the gift coming back in
No charge, he said, I made this for you
I really hope that this one will do!
I found myself back out on the street
A touch of magic my shopping complete
Now I pass this present to you-
A Merry Christmas in red, green and blue!
John Evan Carson
2003
Something special designed to uplift
Custom tailored like something to wear
A personal treasure meant to share.
In my search I’d been to the Malls
Been to the art shows, seen all the stalls
Gone downtown in the traffic and lights
Viewed decorations and all of the sights.
Still nothing quite fit and I stood on the street
Stamping the snow from my frozen feet
I guess I’ll give up; I’ve tried every place
Times growing short and there’s snow on my face.
Spirit sagging I shrugged and turned
Ready to quit though my heart still yearned
And that’s when I saw the old wooden door
Funny I hadn’t seen it before!
Storefront windows from bygone days
Cars and trains and books in trays
Horses and eagles and pewter knights
Magazines and ships and blinking lights.
Portable typewriters and Underwoods
Teddy bears and Geishas carved in wood
Not one for sale the sign proclaimed
Property of The Wordshop a card explained.
Drawn inside as the snowflakes fell
I turned the knob and tinkled the bell
Stomping my feet on the old wood floor
Here was a shop I’d never seen before!
Each wall was filled with cans and jars
Here one with A’s there one with R’s
Dashes and Dots and Exclamations!
Words and Phrases and Permutations.
Seasons and Reasons and Musical Notes
Plain Words and Fancy and Sugar Coats
Made To Order and Over Blown
Any Flavor and All Your Own.
Smiling in wonder I looked at them all
Framed and matted and hung on the wall
Poems and Stories already wrapped
Ideas and Plots recently mapped.
Jokes and Cards, some under glass
Words of Praise and This Too Will Pass.
I went to the counter to ring the old bell
Out came a man I seemed to know well.
His stomach was round as were his glasses
His smile was warm and spoke to the masses
I tried to explain and asked him my question
He stroked his chin and made a suggestion
What you need is a well-turned phrase
I’ll make one in back on my special lathe!
As he left I returned to the shelves
And caught a glimpse of his helpers and elves.
My wife and children, he said with a grin
As he gave me the gift coming back in
No charge, he said, I made this for you
I really hope that this one will do!
I found myself back out on the street
A touch of magic my shopping complete
Now I pass this present to you-
A Merry Christmas in red, green and blue!
John Evan Carson
2003
The Phoenix
Now the author of eight published novels and many published poems I am proud to write for The American Legion in the monthly newsletter of the largest Post in Alabama where I live with my wife and co-
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