Michael Embry's Blog, page 4

Back in the Groove and Recent Reads

 I'm back to writing again on a daily basis. Since my last post, I've written more than 15,000 words on my next novel.

I guess you could say I got back in the groove. I've always said and advised others that the best way to write a novel (or nonfiction) is to do it on a daily basis. Some days are better than others, but after time you eventually reach a point where the words begin to flow.

That's where I am. While I don't produce 3,000-4,000 words a day like I did in my younger days, I do write more than 1,000 and that seems to increase by the day. I do get somewhat mentally tired but that's okay because it makes for a better nap. And when I go back to my work-in-progress, I pick right up where I left off. Even during the break, my overworked mind discovers more creative pathways to enhance and expand the story.

By the way, this manuscript is the sixth book in my John Ross Boomer Lit series. I'll disclose more about it in the coming weeks. 

However, there is one thing that I did to kickstart my writing. While having coffee with a writer/friend, he mentioned that he was using an outline to write a novel. He said it was the first time he had ever tried doing that. He's more of a panster, like I have been when writing most of my novels.

The discussion reminded me of using an outline on a novel in the past. It was a loose outline, but it gave me some direction on where I wanted to take the story. So I did the same on my current work. By the way, another good reason to have a writer/friend to talk about writing, books, etc.

Since then I've been writing each and every day. Some days I don't even look at the outline because the words are pouring out. On other days, I will give it a quick look to make sure that I'm still moving in the right direction.

As I have with other novels, I'm not concerned about editing. That will come after I complete the first draft. For me, there will likely be 10 or more rewrites before I feel comfortable enough to submit it to my editor. 

And now for a few recent reads:

Noted murder mystery novelist Chris Helvey writes about a guy going through several crises: midlife, moral, and even misconduct. The protagonist, Dave Wertz, the protagonist, leaves Lexington, Ky., and goes to his hometown of Frankfort, trying to find some answers to the questions in his life as he reexamines his stale and unfulfilled life. Helvey constructs a novel with a cast of interesting characters that will keep readers guessing if Wertz can find peace of mind.
Jack N. Lawson's novel is centered on a wild and wacky retirement village in North Carolina, where nothing is really as it seems with the staff and elderly residents. Some are political, some are horny, and most simply want to make the most of their declining years. Lawson has a variety of distinct characters that keep the story flowing from in this crazy comedy. It's a fun trip for readers who will probably view older folks in a different light. And seniors will probably note that old age is more than napping in a rocking chair.  

Until the next time . . .

Back to Writing and Some Recent Reads

 Last November I had an ill-fated experience with National Novel Writing Month, throwing up my hands and giving up after a week or so. I only wrote about 5,500 words that had little direction, almost reading like a stream of consciousness. 

I opened the file again this morning and began reading and revising. It wasn't as bad as I had first thought when I initially surrendered to my lack of willpower. What I discovered is that it's workable, especially since I have a vision for what I want it to develop into in the coming weeks. 

The manuscript will evolve into the sixth novel in the John Ross Boomer Lit series that began in 2015. For those unfamiliar with the series, it follows the life of John and his wife, Sally, after his retirement from a Kentucky newspaper. They've dealt with family issues, traveled to Europe, faced health concerns, and confronted various trials and tribulations in this coming-of-old-age series (focusing on baby boomers). 

During the two months of inactivity, all was not lost. I was able to reflect on what I had written, what I wrote in the five previous books, and to get a handle on John and Sally Ross's life moving forward. I want to keep the books fresh for readers who have followed John, Sally, Chloe, and Brody for nearly seven years.

Now that I am back in a groove, writing will be part of my daily regimen until I finish the first draft. When will that happen? I haven't a clue at this point.

While I wasn't writing, I was reading a lot. Here are a few of the books:

This cozy mystery has the right amount of twists and turns to keep the reader's interest from beginning to end. The story revolves around the death of a woman under mysterious circumstances that leads to another unexplained death. The novel, set in San Francisco, has a few devious characters as well as a touch of romance that slowly sizzles and nearly fizzles from the tension to add some spice to the plot. 
Vicki Easerly's devotions focus on her attitude about the good and bad, and everything in between, that has come into her life. She places her faith in God and accepts the outcomes, and strives to grow and learn from her experiences. Her honesty and openness should help others who are examining their lives and are looking for solutions on how to deal with setbacks and successes. 
I must admit that I balked at reading this novel when I was much younger. I finally picked it up, probably because of my concern about today's world that has seen the rise of authoritarianism. George Orwell penned this classic after World War II, imagining a totalitarian society of government misinformation, double-speak, and lies. While I found it to be plodding at times, it was still worth the effort to read what he feared about the future.

Until the next time . . .  

So Long 2021

At my age, I'm not one who wishes my life away, but I must admit that I'm glad  2021 is behind me.

It wasn't a particularly bad eight months of the year for me as a writer because I had two novels published — Make Room for Family on February 1 and Reunion of Familiar Strangers on September 1. I also had several successful book-signing events and the novels have had reasonably well online sales.

However, since September, I've been at a loss for words. And that's not good for a writer. It was my hope to get reenergized in November in the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, but I produced only 5,000 or so words the first few days before zoning out to an empty wasteland.

Even with this blog,  I only posted three times in the past four months, and this will be the fourth if it sees daylight before midnight. 

My goal is to get refocused and get back to writing beginning Jan. 1. During these semi-barren months, I have been thinking about the sixth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. I believe I have some ideas to proceed. Only time will tell. 

I confess that I get moody about things swirling around me, such as the seemingly never-ending COVID-19 virus that has affected lives in countless ways. I especially feel for those who have lost loved ones to the deadly disease which has claimed nearly 825,000 lives among the 54 million cases in the U.S. (globally, nearly 5.4 million deaths and almost 283 million cases) And sadly, more will die in the coming months. My unsolicited advice is to be vaccinated, if not for yourself, then for those who care about in your life. Their lives may depend on it. 

The political turmoil in the United States hasn't lifted my spirits. I worry that the damage done will take years to repair. I fear the future that my sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and others may face as our democracy appears to be on the brink of collapse.

 I hope America will experience a great awakening, a renewed spirit in creating "a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity" before it's too late. 

While I wasn't able to write a lot, I did read a lot. More than 30 books in the Goodreads reading challenge. I plan to do the same in 2022.

You've probably heard the aphorism that "writers write." That's what this writer will be doing in 2022. And a lot of other things in the new normalcy.

I wish you success, health, and happiness as we embark on a new year. 

Until the next time . . .

NaNoWriMo Fail

 I gave it a shot but I couldn't complete the National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo, challenge in November. 

I only wrote for about a week, knocking out only 5,000 or so words, before throwing up my hands and giving up. I kept thinking I would get back into it after a day or so, but those days turned into a week and the week into weeks. 

And then it was over.

I suppose the reason for not going full bore into the challenge, as I have done on previous occasions, is that I didn't have anything to write (or say). I'm a pantser, and when I write, I get into a groove and the words begin to flow like a river. This time I must have hit a dam or some other impediment that stopped me cold on the keyboard.

Looking back, perhaps I should have put more into planning. Maybe compose a synopsis of sorts to guide me along the way. I've done that in the past and it helps me work through dry spells. 

I've chatted with some other authors who said the pandemic has stifled their creativity. I'm not sure I have much of an excuse since I had two books, "Make Room for Family" and "Reunion of Familiar Strangers," published this year. If there is an excuse, I wrote one in 2020 and completed the first draft on the other in June. Most of my time after that was in editing and then promoting the books. 

I still have plans of writing the sixth novel in the "John Ross Boomer Lit Series" in 2022, and seeing it published later in the year. I've been self-brainstorming (is that a word?) and feel that I have some key ideas to build a story around. 

I know writers have periods where they sense a lack of motivation. Many simply need a virtual kick in the rear. That's what I need.

Until the next time . . .

Back to NaNoWriMo Challenge

 It's been two months since the release of my last novel, Reunion of Familiar Strangers, the fifth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series.

Now it's time to move on after spending time promoting the book, and frankly, taking a breather from writing. For those who follow this blog, you may have noticed this is my first post since Sept. 1.  

But while the creative writing was put on hold,  I've done some research in the interim as part of the preparation for my next novel in the series.

So tomorrow (Nov. 1), I'll take on the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge of writing a novel in 30 days. I've participated in four challenges since  2012, and each produced a published work.

The goal is to average 1,667 words a day for the entire month to reach 50,000 words. I've never written a 50k novel, so I continue until the first draft is completed. Sometimes that runs through December and into the first weeks of the new year. I usually end up with more than 75k words, and I add and subtract from that while going through several rewrites/revisions before the work is completed to my initial satisfaction.

What I like about the plunge is that it keeps me focused on writing each and every day. I've always been an early riser so that's what I'll turn my attention to every morning after I feed my dogs and get some coffee in my system to clear the cobwebs in my head.

Are any of you taking on the challenge?

Until the next time . . .

Publication Day of New Novel and Some Recent Reads

The fifth book in my John Ross Boomer Lit series, Reunion of  Familiar Strangers, hits the online bookstores today.
The e-version of the novel has been available on preorder from Amazon since Aug. 27. It should now be in both e-book and print if everything goes as planned from Wings ePress. And with the book being printed and distributed by Lightning Source, a division of Ingram, it is available to bookstores, libraries, and other places that sell and purchase books.
  In this novel, John and Sally attend his 50th high school class reunion. It's an event that has been mentioned in the four previous books. He doesn't want to go but reluctantly agrees to because his daughter Chloe has paid all expenses as a gift to him.
John runs across an array of old classmates, creating a sense of mixed emotions in him. Some he wishes he had stayed in contact through the years, several he remembers by name only, and a few he didn't care to ever see again. I hope it's an enjoyable read, one that brings back many good memories and possibly a few bad remembrances as you recall your reunions.
And now a couple recent reads:
Noel Prince seeks answers to an array of problems in this coming-of-age novel, the second book in Chris Boucher's "Pivot" series for young adults. The story centers on his later father's actions while serving in Afghanistan and how it affects the family. Noel's tenacity drops him in the middle of an event that proves enlightening in his search for the truth. Basketball plays a role in this story about family.

Three 66-year-old men get together for a mini-reunion on Cape Code. They are longtime friends but have traveled different paths through the years. The one thing they have in common is a woman who disappeared from their lives. Richard Russo provides adequate backstory in this novel about how lives intersect over the course of time. Russo is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Empire Falls. 

Until the next time . . .

Mackinac Island: A Trip Back in Time

 My wife and I fulfilled a "bucket list" trip earlier this month when we traveled to idyllic Mackinac Island to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. 

Overlooking the bayThe 4.35 square mile island is located on Lake Huron,  between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. The islet is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Mackinac Island State Park covers about 80 percent of the area.

While the island has been a popular destination since the late 19th century, the 1980 movie "Somewhere In Time," starring Jane Seymour, Christopher Reeve, and Christopher Plummer,  brought more exposure to the picturesque locale. A popular event is the Somewhere in Time Weekend (Oct. 29-31), held annually at the hotel.

Grand Hotel After arriving at Mackinaw City (lower peninsula) or St. Ignace (upper peninsula), visitors board ferries to the island that takes about 25 minutes to reach one of three docks. One of the views, as you approach the island, is the majestic Grand Hotel, a 19th-century Victorian-style structure that overlooks the bay. 

Hotels, restaurants, fudge shops, historic buildings, parks, and churches, and souvenir stores line  Main Street, from one end to the other. Something you won't see is motorized vehicles since they are prohibited on the island (the exception is carts on the Grand Hotel golf course but that's because the grounds are private property.)

Bicyclists rule the streetsIf there's something you have to watch out for, it's bicycles so look both ways before crossing the street.  You'll see hordes of bicyclists traversing the numerous paths and roads on the island. A lot of folks bring their bikes on the ferry to tour the island. Visitors can also rent bikes.

"Road apples"There are horse-drawn carriages and buggies that take visitors to most places (we took a leisurely tour on a carriage). And the island being so small, you can walk to many places or hike the marked paths in the forested parts. But be careful where you step because horses leave their mark in various places (a carriage driver referred to the clumps as "road apples.") 

Fort MackinacBesides the Grand Hotel (where we splurged on lunch but didn't stay), other points of interest include Fort Mackinac, St. Ann's cemetery, Arch Rock, and several museums. We especially enjoyed touring the fort and hearing about its history from the costumed guides. The restaurants were a bit pricey, but the food was very good. My wife liked the whitefish at Mary's Bistro Draught House.

You'll discover that fudge is a popular product, so much so that Mackinac Island is regarded as "America's Fudge Capital," with an annual festival dedicated to the sugary concoction (Aug. 27-29 this year). 

While sitting on the porch of the Lake View Hotel, we talked to a couple from Troy, Ohio, frequent visitors to the island. The man said little has changed since his parents took him there in the 1950s. I bet if you could go back in time to the '50s, perhaps his parents would say it hasn't changed much since the turn of the century.

That's a big part of the charm of Mackinac Island, an escape that harkens back to a simpler time and place.

Until the next time . . . 

Cover and Title Reveal of New Novel

 We're a month away from the publication of my next novel, the fifth in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. 

And today, I'm announcing the title and revealing the cover. Drum roll, please:

The cover was designed by graphic artist Trisha Fitzgerald-Jung, who has produced many covers for Wings ePress in the past few years.  She designed the last two  books in the series, "New Horizons" and "Make Room for Family."

As the title suggests, John and Sally Ross attend his 50th high school reunion, an event mentioned in the first novel, "Old Ways and New Days," in 2015. He's not keen about going but reluctantly decides to make the trip because his daughter, Chloe, has picked up the tab for everything. It turns out to be a memorable blast from the past as he encounters old friends and "familiar strangers."

This is my 11th novel and should be available on pre-order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble soon. If you're interested in a postcard announcing the book, send your address to michael.embry@gmail.com. I have a limited supply so get in touch with me soon (put "Postcard" in the subject line).

Until the next time . . .

Spreading the Word About Blurbs

Are blurbs more effective in brick-and-mortar stores where prospective readers could pick up the book off a shelf and read the blurbs on the back cover or on one of the inside front pages? Or are they stronger on websites with catchy phrases to lure in potential readers?  

In other words, do they help readers find out what the book is about and generate sales? 

There are basically two types of blurbs. One is generated by the author or publishing house and generally found on the back cover.  Other blurbs are solicited by authors or publishing houses for use in an author's book. But there are exceptions. 

Gelett Burgess, an American humorist, author, and artist, coined the word in 1907, defining it as "a flamboyant advertisement; an inspired testimonial." He used it in the promotion of his book, "Are You a Bromide?" 

All of my novels have blurbs, written by me. Several include additional blurbs from others who read the advanced reader copy, and I've written blurbs on books for authors. I've read blurbs on digital and traditional books. And I've ignored some blurbs because they are basically sales pitches and generally over the top in praise. Not that there's anything wrong with that but most of us know the primary reasons they're used—to attract attention and increase sales.

When I write blurbs or ask for them, I prefer those that capture the essence of the novel in two or three sentences. If the blurbist (is that a word?) can do that, then there's no reason for any hyperbole. Believe me, it's difficult to do that in a few sentences.

But what do others say about blurbs?

The blogger Charvi maintains in a post that blurbs "can seriously make or break your book." She believes they give readers some knowledge about the book's genre; provide readers with an idea of what they're reading; and give a hint as to the writing style (of course, that depends on the author's blurb). 

A post on Busybird says the blurb "defines what the book is about in 200 words" and that it creates mystery but "mystery can't give the story away." In other words, arouse the reader's interest to read the book. 

Besides writing a good book worthy of readers, it takes a strong blurb and eye-catching cover art as well as word-of-mouth recommendations to gain a degree of attention in a packed and growing marketplace that had more than 750,000 books published in 2020.

I suppose I should add one more element to a book's success: luck. 

Until the next time . . .    

 

Spreading the Blurb About Books

Are blurbs more effective in brick-and-mortar stores where prospective readers could pick up the book off a shelf and read the blurbs on the back cover or on one of the inside front pages? Or are they stronger on websites with catchy phrases to lure in potential readers?  

In other words, do they help readers find out what the book is about and generate sales? 

There are basically two types of blurbs. One is generated by the author or publishing house and generally found on the back cover.  Other blurbs are solicited by authors or publishing houses for use in an author's book. But there are exceptions. 

Gelett Burgess, an American humorist, author, and artist, coined the word in 1907, defining it as "a flamboyant advertisement; an inspired testimonial." He used it in the promotion of his book, "Are You a Bromide?" 

All of my novels have blurbs, written by me. Several include additional blurbs from others who read the advanced reader copy, and I've written blurbs on books for authors. I've read blurbs on digital and traditional books. And I've ignored some blurbs because they are basically sales pitches and generally over the top in praise. Not that there's anything wrong with that but most of us know the primary reasons they're used—to attract attention and increase sales.

When I write blurbs or ask for them, I prefer those that capture the essence of the novel in two or three sentences. If the blurbist (is that a word?) can do that, then there's no reason for any hyperbole. Believe me, it's difficult to do that in a few sentences.

But what do others say about blurbs?

The blogger Charvi maintains in a post that blurbs "can seriously make or break your book." She believes they give readers some knowledge about the book's genre; provide readers with an idea of what they're reading; and give a hint as to the writing style (of course, that depends on the author's blurb). 

A post on Busybird says the blurb "defines what the book is about in 200 words" and that it creates mystery but "mystery can't give the story away." In other words, arouse the reader's interest to read the book. 

Besides writing a good book worthy of readers, it takes a strong blurb and eye-catching cover art as well as word-of-mouth recommendations to gain a degree of attention in a packed and growing marketplace that had more than 750,000 books published in 2020.

I suppose I should add one more element to a book's success: luck. 

Until the next time . . .