Justin Matott's Blog, page 5
March 2, 2012
February 27, 2012
Signs of SPRING!
It is cold, snowy and blowy outside. For the past week, this little ladybug has been hanging around the kitchen. She caught a ride on my sleeve for about an hour before I noticed her and returned her to the windowsill. Suddenly it occurred to me that she might be thirsty, so I gave her a droplet of water. She stayed next to it sipping for a long, long time.NOW, here is my question; WHY do I assume it is a SHE? Because it is a Ladybug!
BUT, there have to be HE Ladybugs too...
Anyway, just seeing this beautiful little creature is a reminder that spring is around the corner, and maybe even as important, we might have aphids!
February 25, 2012
THEAC.ORG
My son, Ethan and his 'brothers' Doug and Ryan Wekenman did some fantastic work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and now are in Belize working with a youth group from California on an orphanage. Please check out their website www.theac.org and please help spread the word of what these fine young men are doing to make this world a more loving and great place!
Facebookers, please join their Facebook group for updates and information https://www.facebook.com/groups/122104614558045/ 
February 22, 2012
My books are now available for your eReader...
http://www.mytabletbooks.com/Index.aspx?merid=44 <--- click to see my books on your eReader!
The car replaced the horse and buggy. People protested and said they weren't going to change with the times, but when was the last time you saw one of these going down the highway (with the exception of you in the Amish Country)?
We are still somewhat in that age when it comes to reading. Still my iPad is a novelty enough when I am at the gym that people say on a fairly frequent basis: "Oh, yeah, I know people use those, but I haven't seen one up close before."
Times, they are a changin'! Let's change with them...
THAT WAS THEN
THIS IS NOW
I like horses A LOT, but the horses under the hood of this baby, I like even more!
So, all this is to say, we need to change with the times. We need to read that book under a lamp when cozy at night with a steaming cup of tea and we need to read on our eReaders when sitting in an airport or other more "non cozy" environments with the back lighting, ability to switch between umpteen titles and allow for the fact that they are here to stay.
I went on a live aboard dive trip for eight days last spring and took three books, thinking that would certainly be enough with all the scuba diving we were doing. The problem is, I took the wrong three books. I wasn't in the mood for any of them when I got to the Bahamas. IF I had taken my iPad, I literally would have had hundreds of downloadable choices at my fingertips. As a result of my stubbornness I actually borrowed and reread a book.
What I hear from many people about ebooks is:
"I like to hold a book in my hands and the electronic version is never as good." or
"It is so nice to have a book on my Kindle/iPad/Nook, because with the technology it is so easy for my kids to read..." or
"I will NEVER read a book on 'one of those things'!" or
"This way, we can select from so many different books..." or...
I remember being one who said I didn't think I would want to read a book on "one of those things..." and then I started using my iPad at the gym. No longer was my book falling out of the book rack when lunging up the Stairmaster or being the "too thick and heavy to read when working out."
Today my first two books have launched onto ebooks and within a week two more will join them. On these first two books I am reading along with you (though you can turn me off easily) http://www.mytabletbooks.com/Index.aspx?merid=44
Please join me in welcoming my books to the wireless world we live in!
The car replaced the horse and buggy. People protested and said they weren't going to change with the times, but when was the last time you saw one of these going down the highway (with the exception of you in the Amish Country)?
We are still somewhat in that age when it comes to reading. Still my iPad is a novelty enough when I am at the gym that people say on a fairly frequent basis: "Oh, yeah, I know people use those, but I haven't seen one up close before."
Times, they are a changin'! Let's change with them...
THAT WAS THEN
THIS IS NOW
I like horses A LOT, but the horses under the hood of this baby, I like even more!
So, all this is to say, we need to change with the times. We need to read that book under a lamp when cozy at night with a steaming cup of tea and we need to read on our eReaders when sitting in an airport or other more "non cozy" environments with the back lighting, ability to switch between umpteen titles and allow for the fact that they are here to stay.
I went on a live aboard dive trip for eight days last spring and took three books, thinking that would certainly be enough with all the scuba diving we were doing. The problem is, I took the wrong three books. I wasn't in the mood for any of them when I got to the Bahamas. IF I had taken my iPad, I literally would have had hundreds of downloadable choices at my fingertips. As a result of my stubbornness I actually borrowed and reread a book.
What I hear from many people about ebooks is:
"I like to hold a book in my hands and the electronic version is never as good." or
"It is so nice to have a book on my Kindle/iPad/Nook, because with the technology it is so easy for my kids to read..." or
"I will NEVER read a book on 'one of those things'!" or
"This way, we can select from so many different books..." or...
I remember being one who said I didn't think I would want to read a book on "one of those things..." and then I started using my iPad at the gym. No longer was my book falling out of the book rack when lunging up the Stairmaster or being the "too thick and heavy to read when working out."Today my first two books have launched onto ebooks and within a week two more will join them. On these first two books I am reading along with you (though you can turn me off easily) http://www.mytabletbooks.com/Index.aspx?merid=44
Please join me in welcoming my books to the wireless world we live in!
January 22, 2012
January 20, 2012
BOOKSTORE/TOY STORE/ GIFT SHOP HELP PLEASE
THEN NOW This was posted today at the "fan" page on Facebook for me and my books, thought it was worth asking here too... https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290?ref=ts "We need YOUR help! Justin Matott's books were just picked up by a very large Distribution group and the sales people are about to hit the streets hard. But what really needs to happen is local bookstores need to become aware of Matott's books, SO, that is where YOU come in. Would you please the next time you are in your local bookstore, be it a chain or a local ask them to bring in some of his books? You won't be obligated to purchase them and once they are the shelves they should show the book store owners that they will have some perennial sellers on their hands. If you'd like more information, please email me at andy@justinmatott.com. Thank you in advance and also, please SHARE this on your wall if you would..."
January 15, 2012
This format or the old?
I am considering totally revamping the way my blog looks. What do you think? I can revert to the old style or stay with this one. Please chime in. Thank you, JM
There are Gargoyles among us...
Meet Roderick, the main character of my present writerly obsession.I am busy working on a book which I am targeting at the Middle Grade audience, but I hope will be full of enough "good stuff" that it will find an adult audience the way other "kid's books" have.
My book (presently in the manuscript stage) is full of fantasy, historical fiction, present day adventures, and incorporates unlikely subjects including; crime fighting, Guinness World Book Record type of activities, Parisian nights, Malibu days, underworld Basque conspiracies, extreme underwater swimming speed battles, a bumbling news reporter, La Costa Nostra and other crime elements, epic battles, surfing and surfers, Laguna Beach, California, exclusive yacht clubs and snooty people, a touch of romance, an ancient curse which must be broken, secret detectives, the search for Gargoylian Kryptonite, magic, a priest with an ancient text about Gargoylian lore, nocturnal carnivorous feasting, Grotesques and Chimeras who battle the Gargoyles for supremacy, California Coast Cruising (an extreme water sport few know about), some Red Hot Chili Peppers music, texting, social networking, video blogs and tons of mystery.
So much packed into one book and thus far this book has been tons of fun to write, but the hard work of editing, cutting, adding, refining, redesigning and restructuring is about to begin.
With all of the swirling elements it remains primarily about one subject; the Notre Dame Gargoyles, which have intrigued me for years, since seeing them on a trip to Paris, and I hope my book will intrigue readers as well.While researching this current book project and scouring the world for examples of these creatures (my book is about Gargoyle Superheroes) I discovered one protecting the baggage area at DIA! He is sitting inside a suitcase.
Now how cool is that?
Do you know anyone who would want to read about gargoyle adventures?
I need some "fantasy"readers to critique several chapters to see if this new genre for me will work for you.
If you are interested in reading a bit of it and chiming in, please email me at justin@justinmatott.com I am looking for critique, not compliments (though they are welcomed too). I am hoping those who enjoy this style of book will give constructive criticism which would help guide me to a better book in the end.
PROCESS:
Trying to "zero in" on what is important in story, incorporating the outline devised for it. The structure of character development (WHO), describing settings which details place and time (WHERE AND WHEN) for the characters to dwell in, while identifying and sticking with a main idea and/or author's purpose (WHY) and ultimately delivering active plot lines which will keep the pages turning. (WHAT HAPPENS). Once those goals are articulated within the pages of the manuscript, I must determine if my reader can SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL AND FEEL THE STORY I have designed for them.
January 14, 2012
From my book When I Was A Boy... I Dreamed: 
January 9, 2012
Very interesting... to me anyway
So, I just found a diagnostic tool on blogspot that I didn't know existed. I have kind of marveled that my silly musings have garnered over 30,000 views, then it was even more interesting to me to see how many are in foreign countries, especially Russia and the UK!
PLEASE CHIME IN and comment where you are in the world when you read this. It will only take you a few seconds to do and I will really appreciate it! Thank you to all of you who stop by, I will try to be interesting in 2012!
