Joanne Alain Cook's Blog, page 2

Ghost in the underground, Old Town Sac

The ghost hunters of Spectral Analysis go underground in Old Town Sacramento to find evidence of ghosts. This low level park provides the perfect entrance into that lost world. Over 100 years ago, the residents of Sac raised the streets due to periodic flooding and now half of OTS starts on the second floor.

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Spectral Analysis

The Ghosthunters of Spectral Analysis are ready to make their debut! The book is being downloaded and reviewed for POD print and ebook as we speak! This is book one of a three story trilogy but can be read as a stand alone. DO YOU BELIEVE in ghosts? The FMC doesn't...or does she.

Cover me Up!

covers, covers, covers. That's my hold-up with Spectral Analysis right now. What to do for covers. Everyone says "don't judge a book by its cover" and "it's what's on the inside that counts", but truly, it's what's on the cover that gets that initial attention. It's what's on the cover that catches the eye. So first impressions count and dressing up a little to go to the ball helps if you want to be asked to dance. But I don't have the money for Rodeo Drive, so it'll have to be simple, clean, smart...unless a fairy godmother drops in with a magic wand and presents me with a dazzling cover plan.

Muscovite mica

With perfect basal cleavage, this mica breaks into thin sheets, transparent and elastic. properties that hint at mystic abilities If reflection, refraction, and an ability to see through to the truth and deeper meanings in life. Muscovite allows a better view into your intuition.

In the bookstore

As a self-published book, this was no easy feat. the title needs to be printed from a wholesale distributor. It needs to be returnable. It needs to be updated in the B&N data base. It needs to be ”pitched” to the guy making it “OK” for store managers to order. Then….someone needs to beg the manager to order a book by an unknown author with a nonexistent publisher. So much work for 3-4 sales. But seeing it on the shelf! priceless!

Characters

The first item needed in any story is the flushed out characters. If I don’t know a character, how in the world can I know how they will act, feel, behave in any given situation. Even a side character needs a history-even if they just pop in to say one word to the MC.

Oh,Henry

Romance, murder, fist fights, fetching, and true love. What more could anyone want in a book. Did I mention the puppy?

Oh, Henry

Okay, this is a romance. But there are dark nights, mysterious deaths, and suspicious characters...and there are a few dogs.

Comets

With extremely eccentric orbits, comets are often once in a lifetime visitors to the inner solar system. I urged my girls out early in the morning to get a glimpse of this rare gem(Neowise) And we were lucky enough to to get this fine photo through the lens of our telescope. Rumor has it that we are in for a Christmas comet this year. Leonard will be flying toward the Sun and pass by Earth in December on its way to perihelion on Jan 3. Here’s hoping for a spectacular show.

Fast flying

Okay I’m not going to lie. My stomach was not cut out for the F-15...but I was not opposed to hanging out with F-15 pilots during my stay in the luxurious tent city outside Al’s Garage. The load master on my C130 crew begged me to get him on the F-15 flight schedule, and I did, but with a small catch. Those fast flying guys said I had to go first. I was subjected to negative Gs, positive Gs, the boa constricting of the G suit, blood rush up, blood rush down, grunting to breath, passing out and of course, losing my lunch.