Bart "J.B." Hopkins's Blog, page 30

Outhouse

Yesterday, my 12-year-old asked me a question.  She was serious when she asked, “Dad, when you were younger, did you use an outhouse?”

Wow.

I think this means that she sees me as old, right?

It’s true that some of my ancestors were farmers, living in rural areas, and didn’t experience advances in technology at the same rate as the urban population.  While somewhat recent, that was still a few generations ago.

Wikipedia tells me some distinguishing characteristics of the outhouse are the lack of a plumbing or septic system.  It’s separate from the primary dwelling to minimize smell, yet close for convenience.  I suppose a connection could loosely be tied to portable toilets … and thanks to military exercises, concerts, and fairs … I guess I could say I’ve used an outhouse.

Of course, that’s not what Rocky meant.  No.  She was implying that I’m from the horse-and-buggy era.  That I drew water from the well to wash my face in the mornings.

She pointed out some gray hairs of mine a week ago.

I’m not old; I’m solidly middle-aged.  Not medieval aged.  Okay … maybe to a tween, I am old.  Life is perspective, I suppose.

Hope you all have a fine day,

Clare Dunkle

Tonight my daughter’s teen book club had a special guest: author Clare Dunkle.

Dunkle has published several novels, all focused on the teen reader.  Always interested in hearing people speak about their craft (especially authors), I sat in on the event, an honorary teen for an hour.

During our time with Mrs. Dunkle, she talked about how she became an author, the importance of editors, and the publishing process.

On editors, she shared an apt analogy to describe how good editors may prompt the author to change something in a completely unexpected way.  She likened it to television cooking shows where the would-be chef is given an octopus and told, “Make a dessert!”  I liked that.

She also brought out an original manuscript with lots of red ink on it from her editor(s) … a very cool visual aid for this young group of potential authors.

Also discussed: some of her preferences as a reader.  She strays from her own genre (primarily folklore-based teen fantasy & sic-fi) and prefers classics, non-fiction, and other genres.

She encouraged the young readers to continue reading, urged them to pursue writing, and answered a variety of questions.

Recently, my daughter read Dunkle’s novel By These Ten Bones and said it was good.

Many thanks to Clare Dunkle for sharing some time and thoughts with us!  If you’d like to learn more about the author or her books, check out the web presence here: CLARE DUNKLE

Survivor Bromance

Yesterday, I walked my kids to school.  It’s something I don’t always get to do.  Work & duty call in the morning.

We laughed, and had a great time on our stroll.  I took some time to embarrass them, singing Ernie’s “Rubber Ducky,” loudly, when the urge struck me.  Despite their objections, I know they really enjoyed it.

One of our topics of conversation during the walk was something on television that night.

Here comes the guilty confession: I’m a Survivor fan.

Actually, my entire nuclear family is … we’re all fans.  Big time.  So, yeah, we were excited.

I missed the first episode that night; I was working.  But, I’m catching up on it now … thank you, CBS, for feeding the addiction.

Speaking of addiction, there is an ex-heroine addict this season.  No real point with that info … just spouting out a factoid.

Brad Culpepper is playing this season.  If you weren’t aware, he played on the Tampa Bay Bucs for a while.  That was back when I watched football more than I do now. Of course, he’s already made some mistakes … possibly put a target on his own back.  In the words of Caleb, Brad Culpepper was trying to schmooze him … create a bromance … have a dudes vs ladies alliance.  A few of the players weren’t too keen on that.  Brad seems unaware of their feelings.

And we have Rupert.  Oh, Rupert.  Need I say more?

Okay.  Done rambling about it … I need to continue watching … gorge on this entertainment feast.

Enjoy your day,

~Bart~

Sign Changes

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Ten years ago, if someone had given me a percentage when I asked them how far along in a book they were, it would have given me pause, and I would have wondered (briefly) why they answered that way.

Of course, with the advent of the Kindle, percentages are now standard fare.  All hail the Mighty Kindle …

But I’ve sidetracked already and never introduced the topic.  I’ll do that now before I sidetrack from the sidetrack.

I’m 60% of the way through this new book, Sign Changes, and really enjoying it.  Here’s the cover:

Hey, wait a second, you might be thinking, that’s his name on the cover …

Close, but not exactly.  It’s my Dad … he’s a writer, too.  You can check out his website here: Bart Hopkins Jr.

As for the book, it’s probably best classified as a hybrid of Science Fiction and Historical Fiction.  It has elements of both.  Not only is it a great story, but it explores some fundamental changes that humanity has undergone.  Symbols.  Signs.  Thought.

Here’s the blurb from Amazon:

“Sign Changes is a novel about ideas and the ways they have changed us. It is about the way you came to understand the very words you are reading now. About the origins of symbol use.

Kpol and his tribe struggle to survive an ice age 100,000 years ago and adapt to new ways.

In 16th century England, a young boy leaves the

countryside to learn to read and print books.

In the near-present computer age, a man and woman prepare for the bombs they fear will fall.

And in the distant future, a new form of life comes

into existence.

What connects them all?”

Sounds pretty cool, right?  You can click on the book to check it out on Amazon … Prime members can borrow for free.

Have an awesome day,

—-Bart—-

Bart’s Ramstein Bazaar Top Ten

The Ramstein Bazaar was an amazing experience; I hope I can participate again next year.

These are the TOP 10 things that I observed, that amused me, or otherwise tickled my fancy from the Bazaar this year.

10) People with hats like this buy books.  Yep, it’s no joke.  I don’t think these Hunter Caps are very common … though I did see them frequently in Ireland last year.  Of the 7-10 people I saw sporting one of these, almost all stopped to talk books, and half of them purchased one.  (Thanks!)

9) Reisenthel bags must be made of cocaine … they sell like crazy.  I’m thinking about asking the Reisenthel vendor if we can package up my books with them next year … Can you say New York Times Bestseller?

8) Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow.  I mentioned it already, but I saw a T-shirt with that emblazoned across the front, and I’ve laughed about it ever since.

7) Two or three people said something like, “Umm, I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are …” when they’d come over to check out my books.  Frankly, this baffles me … Stephen King, Lee Child, Shakespeare, Bart Hopkins … how could they not know me?  Seriously though, I understand, I’m an Indie author trying to build a following grass-roots style.  I don’t expect people to know my name … yet.

6) A lady said that I was very easy on the eyes … oh, yeah, I still got it!

5) I learned a wonderful new phrase.  One of the German vendors nearby had a customer who’d been drinking.  The vendor told me he could really smell the red wine emanating from the lady, that she reeked.  He said: “Sie riecht wie ein WeinFass,” … which literally means, “She smells like a wine barrel.”  I like that.  Feel free to use it, as appropriate.

4) Some people come to the Bazaar for the food booths:  beer can chicken, authentic tacos, Dunkin’ Donuts, pork steak sandwiches, etc.  Some people come for the goods.  Some people come to socialize.  I think most probably come for a combination of all three.

3) There were a few times I saw kids have a little tantrum.  I remember those days.  When my oldest daughter was 2 or 3,  she sometimes dropped to the floor in the most awkward (and public) places, laid on her back, and pushed herself around while crying.  We called it mopping the floor.  Parents: it’s okay.  We’ve all been there.

2) Cheese, wine, and Belgian beer.  No real point here.  Just yummy.

1) The ROSC is the most awesome group of people ever … hard working, always smiling, and friendly.  Did I mention that they are all volunteers?  It’s incredible that there are people so ready to give of themselves like that.  I’m at a loss for words: my hat is off to you.

Good night,

Bart

Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow

Whew, I’m beat!

The Ramstein Welfare Bazaar is really something–I hear it’s the largest event of its kind in Germany.  And, the AMAZING ladies who run the event, The ROSC, really work hard to make it a success.

My jaw is aching from smiling and talking to hundreds of people through the day, but it was awesome … a truly cool experience.

If you’re one of the folks I talked to, swinging by to check out my blog … please make yourself cozy, hang out, and click for a while.

Many thanks to the ROSC for making room for me and to anyone that stopped by for a chat about my books.

I’d write more, but I’m smoked, tired, exhausted, and falling asleep.  I’ve got another 10 hours of awesomeness coming up tomorrow.  Come on down and check it out!

~Bart

PS – The title of this post has nothing to do with anything.  I saw it on a T-Shirt someone was wearing today; I’ve chuckled periodically all day since then.

Ramstein Bazaar

If you’re looking for something to do this week, come on out to the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar between Thursday and Sunday.

140 vendors from around Europe will be there, peddling a HUGE assortment of goodies, and there is something for everyone.  They expect about 20,000 visitors for 2013.  In 2012 they gave almost $290,000 to KMC programs from the proceeds of this event…did I mention how HUGE it is?

You can check out the official site here: RAMSTEIN BAZAAR

During your visit, swing by the Ways and Means area…I’ll have a pile of books there…Fluke, Texas Jack, and our Paranormal Anthology.  Did you know that autographed books make great Christmas gifts?  True story.

Hope to see you there,

–BART–

Get Your Stalk On

Coming October 28th…

Krys-And-Matt

It’s Labor Day…2013…and I’m in a hotel in Dallas; it’s a day I will never forget.

In about 3 hours I’ll be watching my baby sister get married.

I guess you could say she isn’t a baby any more, even though I’ll always think of her that way.

Images of her giggling as a toddler still invade my mind.

She was always a good sport about those things that brothers do. As a 4-year-old, when I wanted to practice wrestling moves, she sacrificed herself, laughing, enduring body slams on the bed and sleeper holds that never really worked.

And, boy, Krys has always been smart, smarter than me; she  kept a good attitude when we were young and I gave her some friendly, brotherly teasing about her academic prowess.  Behind the teasing, however, I was always so proud of her.

My sister is also friendly and kind.  She’s got a great group of friends that love and support one another.  Yesterday I enjoyed the easy manner in which they let me into their fold, allowing me to share some of this moment with them all.  The world has never known a cooler group of friends.

I didn’t realize it until yesterday, but I’m probably going to cry when she walks down that aisle.  I’m a big baby that way; I’m also very much okay with that.

A couple of days ago I laughed when my sister messaged me that she was going to have to learn a new signature.  I never thought about that, one of those small (sort of) things that ladies go through when they get married.  New names, new signatures.  But, I bet she’s already practiced a little bit.

She’s found the one in Matt.  It’s obvious and they’re great together.

May blessings rain down upon my baby sister and her very-very-soon-to-be husband, always, and forever.  I love you guys…congratulations & all the best!!

- Your Bro

Konrath’s Whiskey Sour

J.A. Konrath’s Whiskey Sour

4.0 / 5.0 Stars from this guy…

It’s a good book–it isn’t quite to the level of Robert Parker’s Spenser, but he uses that same formula that Parker perfected, though slightly different, and has done it pretty well.

Looking forward, as the first book in the series, I’m betting he improved on the next seven novels as he had time to more fully expand and develop the characters.

Lt Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels is a good, but quirky cop with an interesting sense of humor. She’s got a reliable sidekick, Herb, who enjoys eating and making his own jokes. Herb and Jack exchange their banter throughout the novel as they track down the bad guy(s). In some ways, it’s cliche…the characters, the type of humor…but at the same time, that cliche quality instantly lets the reader connect and it creates a certain charm that is often found in these cop crime/thriller books. In my opinion, Spenser is the greatest at this, but Konrath holds his own and deserves credit.

Whiskey Sour is a decent read. A little better and I would have gone with 5 stars, but I it’s good enough so that I’ve already started another Konrath book, Origin, and I’m enjoying it.

If you’re a fan of crime/thrillers like this, you’ll probably enjoy it.  Pacing is good, a nice level of suspense is kept throughout, and the characters are decent.