Nicholas Denmon's Blog, page 3

Guest Post: Author Ed Dasso of Past Aghast

Ed Dasso is the author of Past Aghast.  He has agreed to do a guest post for those of us at Cat Get Off My Keyboard.   I asked him to write a bit about the underlying Post Traumatic Stress Disorder theme prevalent in his novel.  As our warriors return home from engagements abroad, and there are sure to be more engagements to come, I felt like it was as good a topic as any when exploring current relevancy within a piece of literature.
His novel is excellent and you can purchase it by clicking the cover above.  
Ed says:

“You read about it in the headlines - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been blamed for a number of behavioral health issues for war veterans…” is not only the start of the synopsis of my novel, “Past Aghast”, but also describes how I developed the plot for my first major work of fiction.

As a physician I’ve had plenty of opportunity to see people afflicted with PTSD and see how it can significantly impact their lives. One day I received a call from a long-time friend, who had been deployed to Iraq twice. He told me that he’d just learned that a third deployment colleague of his had suffered from PTSD, returned to the States, and put a gun in his mouth as a way to escape the torment of PTSD.

I decided it was time to put pen to paper.

Even though I strove to make this an entertaining work of fiction, I’d also hoped that the main protagonist, being a veteran afflicted with PTSD, would somehow help to raise interest in veterans who suffer from PTSD. Sometimes these veterans suffer for the rest of their lives. In case you are interested, my blog contains links to articles about how PTSD increases the risk for depression and suicide for veterans. In creating the plot and characters, I used many actual experiences from my medical career and weaved them into the story. I wanted to create a story that combined the gritty characters like those in Vince Flynn books with the intriguing medical setting story lines found in Tess Gerritsen stories.

I also wanted to portray my female characters in a way that is consistent with my medical experience with many nurse colleagues, so you'll find the women characters in my books to be strong-willed but compassionate. My main character is intended to be someone who is believable; someone who is smart, compassionate...and yet has human flaws. I feel the main character should portray an example of the old adage, "there are no heroes, just ordinary people who perform heroic acts.” The book offers some "behind-the-scenes" views of the strange occurrences that can happen in the field of medicine, especially at large, metropolitan medical centers.

Fact is stranger than fiction far more often than most people would believe and many might be surprised at the number of events in my book that are based on an actual experience of mine. Lastly, this book is a work of fiction and, as in many works of fiction, I've taken a common issue and given it a different life. The character's responses to his affliction of PTSD are not necessarily reflective of current medical knowledge and scientific facts related to PTSD. I do hope, however, that the story may bring some attention to the struggle that many veterans face in dealing with PTSD.

Though I’ve published articles in national healthcare journals, written many "Ask the Doctor" columns and spoken frequently at national healthcare forums, fiction writing is reviving a lost love from earlier periods in my life where I enjoyed writing short fiction stories. In addition to a number of years as a practicing anesthesiologist and critical care specialist who spent many hours in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and intensive care units, I’ve also led teams in designing, creating and deploying population health programs to help people deal with depression related to their poor health.

I hope that you give Past Aghast a look and find embedded in the harsh realities of PTSD an entertaining novel that also makes you look at life with just a bit of a different tinted lens.

-Ed Dasso

Guest Blog Post: DCJ Wardle

Pubshelf has a new client named D.C.J. Wardle who wrote an interesting novel that is a humorous take on one man's ambition and the lengths he will go to to climb up the social ladder. I asked him to come by and share his thoughts on his novel "Trading Vincent Crow" as well as his process when it comes to writing. Before we jump into it, just a friendly reminder for all my Denmonites, on Friday is the cover reveal of Ashes to Ashes, the third novel in the Upstate NY Mafia Tale trilogy.

Now for the main attraction...



The blurb:

“Trading Vincent Crow” is the humorous journey of a young man, desperate to extract himself from the bottom of the heap as he tries to leapfrog his way up the ladder of success, continually trading his life for a new and better one. This means that he has to swap his entire life – the job, the pad, the threads, the girl, every three months to ensure that he is rapidly propelled forward to where he needs to be. His travels from obscurity toward his dream of being slightly less obscure force him to tackle new social challenges, to keep pushing himself upwards, and not to become comfortable with small gains. Of course, that all sounds like a water-tight plan, noble and worthwhile. In reality Vince ambles ill-equipped and with social ineptitude into new and unfamiliar situations where he becomes a bit-part actor in a variety of other peoples’ dramas and plans as they also play out their own selfish aspirations of personal betterment. 

D.C.J. Wardle:

The book is written to be fun and entertaining. Of course humour is a very personal thing, so to qualify that statement, it’s primarily written to be fun and entertaining to me. Hopefully readers will also be able share in the enjoyment that I had through the process of writing it. The journey toward self-improvement enables numerous disparate and quirky characters to emerge in to the pathway of Vince, some of whom are sympathetic, some selfish, some are villains, but all provide texture and colour to the world that Vince must negotiate if he is to make something better of his life. The style of writing is quite episodic, and with every change of job or situation the plot is able to spiral in a new direction and maintain pace and interest. The many sub-chapters provide a fantastic space in which to work tangential sub-plots and off-beat observations. It was particularly entertaining as a writer to use this device to deviate from the plot momentarily and provide a vignette for an incidental character. This opportunity seemed to fit well within the style of the book and provided a wealth of openings for comic scenarios.

In comparison to my earlier creative writings, Trading Vincent Crow is something of a departure in terms of style and content. Over the years I’ve developed more confidence in my writing which has enabled me to write not only what I think is entertaining but also put it out there for public scrutiny. I actually started to really enjoy the process of creative writing about fourteen years ago. It was during my first overseas posting, and as a development worker I was posted to a small village in Cameroon, a lone volunteer managing the construction of a water supply project. The village was remote. There was no TV, telephone, or electricity. We did, however, boast a village chief who was the most powerful of all the witches in the region, and the villagers lived in fear of his dark magic. There were ceremonial rituals involving the village elders, a number of unfortunate goats, dancing around the drums in the firelight, and various adventures to different parts of the country. Consequently, for the first time in my life, I had a lot to write about, and began to really enjoy sending letters home about my adventures. I then decided to write a short story about the pop band that I had played in at college. I wrote it on scraps of paper, and found myself cutting out paragraphs from different pages and sticking them at the sides of others with duct-tape. The resulting collage of scribbling needed instructions to negotiate. After discovering the pleasures of this creative process I went on to write longer stories about my adventures in Cameroon and the subsequent places I’ve worked. This led me to get more involved in writing fiction, which has included writing a couple of novels, and a series of children’s books about the environment. My writing about my travels seems to have waned a little in recent years. I think that after so many years of moving between countries for work I am a little less fascinated by the experience compared to my earlier career. However, I’m never quite sure where I will find myself next, and so the prospect for inspiration is never far away.

At the moment, a big challenge is finding the time to write. However, I found that having a full time job actually suited the development of Trading Vincent Crow. This is because having a limitation on my writing time forces me to spend more time thinking about an idea, enjoying it, and letting it evolve and develop long before anything is written down. During my busy week there will be times when plots or situations are brewing away intensely in my head but I have no opportunity to express them. When I do get the chance to put down the narrative, I have scenes that have been rattling around inside and comic lines that I have been rehearsed in my head for so long that I’m ready to feverishly get the whole thing out of my system. This has been great for Vince in achieving the concise style I was aspiring to. It often results in writing where the sub-chapters are not only contributing to the bigger story but also becoming mini-stories in themselves. In taking such a long time to write a book, I feel that it is not rushed or forced, and is richer in its ideas and content as a result. I have very purposely avoided too much descriptive narrative or in-depth development of emotional nuances so that the story bounds onwards like an enthusiastic spaniel, and hopefully it’s not too long before the next wry smile is induced. Usually I will try to sit down each weekend for several hours and expunge the build-up of thoughts that are cluttering my imagination in to my laptop. I have applied the same approach to the sequel to Trading Vincent Crow which I am currently in the process of finalising.


Me:

Thanks for stopping by!  Really appreciate the insight and I know several people who are already interested in snapping up your novel.  Come back soon!

Author Joe Conlan of Namelss Guest Post

I am pleased to have Joe Conlan who is the author of Nameless, the #1 Amazon Thriller novel in the UK, doing a quick guest post on my site.  Joe Conlan and I met through twitter and hit it off quite well instantly as we both enjoy exploring the darker side of human nature through our writing and have several things in common.



For example


We both write about serial killers.  Mine exist in the world of the mafia whereas Joe's hang out on hiking trails.We both have flawed detectives trying to get to the bottom of things.We are both in sunny Florida, though Joe is a bit north.We both currently hold #1 rankings on Amazon for our novels.
Italian hitmen count as serial killers right?

I asked Joe to come up with a quick bit about serial killers, but first let me introduce the man, the myth, the legend...

Here is the skinny on Joe Conlan

Joe Conlan was born in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. He has lived most of his life in Florida, the great majority in the Fort Lauderdale area. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida and practiced law as a trial attorney for 15 years. Three of those years were spent as a prosecutor in the Broward County State Attorney's Office.

He now lives in Jacksonville, Florida. He has two grown children. When he is not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with his family and two best friends who happen to be female Rhodesian Ridgebacks.


Here is what Joe Conlan had to say on serial killers
"It was my honor to be asked to write a guest spot about serial killers by my good friend Nick Denmon. Rather than discuss the particular real-life monsters of the past and present, I thought I would write about what it is, exactly, that captivates us fans of stories involving those evil psychopaths. Speaking for myself, I can’t say that I’m absolutely sure. I am the type of person who wouldn’t harm a fly. I do love to hate them. But, is that enough to create a fascination? Some theorize that the media has glorified serial killers, almost making them idols. I can’t say that I idolize Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer. There probably are some sickos out there that do, but, I don’t think they represent the majority.

Others would say that our interest is heightened by the fact that they are not something we hear about on a daily basis. We don’t hear about the aegus platyodon leopoldi, an extremely rare insect, either. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t care less about them. In the end, perhaps it’s just that paradoxical and compelling attraction we have to stare at something that grosses us out to no end, but we can’t turn our eyes away."
The Book Blurb
Chilling and taut, NAMELESS, introduces a fresh and exciting twist on the deadly game of cat and mouse. FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel Falcone unwittingly steps onto course for a head-on collision with a frighteningly brilliant psychotic serial killer, whose harrowing childhood abuse and neglect left him devoid of humanity and salivating for revenge.
Ratings
Amazon: 4.8Goodreads: 4.6Barnes and Noble: 4.5
Where To Get It
Where To Find Joe Conlan
Website Twitter Facebook
TTFN Denmonites!
-ND

Porcelain Dolls Are Creepy

My mom keeps a collection of dolls in her house.  They are a bit creepy when you enter the doll room alone.  Something about their painted features makes me feel uncomfortable.

And I am not alone.

I wonder how many other people out there find them to be unsettling.

Consider my sample size...

My little brother hates them.  I once surrounded his bed with them and the result was a tearful child.

My buddy and I were talking about them and he agreed they are creepy.  He said his grandma has hundreds of them.  I told him their unblinking eyes bother me...

I thought about it...

And thought that if they blinked it would be worse. He agreed.

So three people spring to mind immediately.  If I thought about it a bit or asked around I bet I could find even more.

Here is a photo of the creepy porcelain doll that looks down at me every time I change my clothes or sleep in my mother's guest room.


Look at her...she is clearly plotting something.
TTFN Denmonites!
-ND

Life Moves Pretty Fast

In under two weeks I met two of my nieces for the first time.  The first was Milana Iris Denmon, courtesy of my brother who lives in Arizona.  He sent his lady to us on a fact finding mission and as an offering, she brought forth the first born child of their union.

We found her offering to the Denmon Elders to be acceptable.

She isn't picking her nose...just chewing a few fingers.
She is adorable and very mild mannered.  Her eyes are absorbing life and she refuses to blink until she gets as much in as possible.
I think she is practicing hypnosis...
And just when I thought they didn't make babies any smaller...
On July 3rd my older brother decided to convince his lady to catapult a child into the world as well.
And along came Danica Denmon... 
At about two hours old...quite content immediately. 
Since I have done Danica a disservice by showing off the little lady before she had her makeup on, here is another with her a bit more prepared for the Paparazzi ...
She looks like a Keebler Elf.  See below for reference.

That's it for now.  Hope you all have a great weekend!
TTFN Denmonites!
-ND

Memorial Day Weekend

I hope everyone had a nice weekend and took a few moments out of their day to thank someone they know who has served, or is serving, in the military.  It is important to remember that there is a cost associated with everything and fortunately, for many of us, there are those who are willing to pay that price for others.

Nothing is for free.




But in the American tradition, I hope you were able to take time to be with family and friends and enjoy some sun, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.

Maybe a few adult beverages as well?

I helped my brother break in his new patio and we had smoked meats, hamburgers, hot dogs, and my personal favorite Papa Bear drink - Bud Light Lime.

There was also a healthy dose of the sunshine, the beach, and my niece getting food all over her face.

Red, white, and blue cupcakes? She appreciates Memorial Day for sure.
Ashes to Ashes Update
I am running a bit behind as far as my scheduled release date for Ashes to Ashes but am diligently working towards wrapping the novel up.  The cover art is in, and once I make a few adjustments, we will reveal the cover here on my blog.  
So keep your eye out for that.
As always I appreciate you and your patience.  
Have a great week!
TTFN Denmonites! 
-ND

Books, Birthdays, and Bottles!

Let us bullet point the last few days...


My niece had her birthday! I can't believe she is five.  As she gets older I smile to watch her become more and more of a "person".  Her personality is distinct already.  What is better, is she seems to enjoy Uncle Nick and that makes me very happy. She had a Hello Kitty cake :)
I got to see some of my extended family that I love and miss very much.  It was a treat to get to see them while they were here. 
I had a birthday of my own as well, which actually is today.  But we celebrated it at the beach, in style, over the weekend.  Tonight I will be going to a fancy dinner too!  Yeah, we played volleyball Top Gun style. He was Goose.
Two of my good friends gave me the same gift.  It got awkward.  Jack meet bigger Jack. No need to feel inadequate. 
Picked out a logo, business cards, and made reservations at the London Book Fair for our company. Our sales rep is lining up clients faster than we can get them on board, and business is not only trending upward, it is really fun as well.  

I managed to get a bit of writing done as well.  I am excited to get the third novel out to you lovely people that ask me about it every week.  It makes an author feel excellent to be "anticipated."
TTFN Denmonites!
-ND

Good News All Around

My business partners and I recently re-tooled and opened up a marketing side of our business.  We had done social media blitz campaigns in the past and it worked well for us as well as the clients that we took on.

Recently, through some one on one conversations with author friends of ours, we have succeeded in signing up quite a few monthly clients (monthly so it is affordable) and with great success.

In order to expand our reach we brought on a Director of Sales and he has really embraced his role thus far. 
The whole endeavor is exciting because we have seen the results of a well disciplined social media campaign and it feels good to help our fellow writers get their voices to a larger, targeted, audience.
This also helps us round out the services we offer authors and we are pretty much a full service company at this point with our previous coverage in editing, formatting, e-distribution, and now full scale social media marketing.
It frees up writers to actually write versus spending all of their time on Twitter and Facebook seeking out an audience for their work.
Speaking of writing and things related....
I have re-signed my cover artist Jesse Horst to do the third cover in the Upstate New York Mafia Tale series.  He did the first two covers and his work on For Nothing was voted one of the Top 5 Best Book Covers of 2011.  I consider this a coup and am pretty sure if we weren't pals I wouldn't be able to afford him.  
His work is that good.
I can't wait to see what he comes up with for Ashes to Ashes.  Watch this spot for a preview in the next few days. 
To hold you over, here is a sweet picture Jesse took of the old Bethlehem Steel administration building.  The factory had a prominent role in Buffalo Soldiers and this picture provides at least some insight into Jesse's talent.
Looks like it could be the cover of a Horror Novel, no?
TTFN Denmonites!
-ND

Been A While Dear Friends

Once again, it is that part of the year where most of my writing time is spent catching up to self-imposed deadlines to get my novel out.  Not to mention I have been a bit ill and very tired. So please accept my apologies for the delay between blog posts.  Things will only get worse over the next couple of weeks as I expect big changes in "life" and also as the next season of Game of Thrones is coming out.

Thank you G.R.R. Martin, you old man, you.

Amazing author.  Seriously, read Game of Thrones.
Speaking of old people, of course this week is the season finale of The Walking Dead.  So the competition for my scarce minutes is fierce! 
Drew Barrymore has seen better days
Next post, I will be offering a bit of a tease from Ashes to Ashes, so stay tuned, stay vigilant!
I leave you now with this funny video that reminds me of people I know at the gym.  



TTFN Denmonites!
-ND

Friday Comes Again

Sorry for the long gap in posts but things have been really busy lately.  I have been making some decent progress on Ashes to Ashes and doing a couple small interviews on how I got started as a writer and the way that goals change over time.

As they come out I will be sure to post a link here for those of you that have trouble sleeping.

When I haven't been writing I have been working on the businesses and we recently bought out four domain names in order to ensure our name and brand.  It is always exciting to reach a decision on something like a name because it makes things more "real".  I really think the name of our domain is pretty solid and something Cross Atlantic can build around as we move forward.

I was trying to calculate how much time I spend writing emails for work, the other day.  A couple days back I wrote 138 emails for work related crap.  I have some days where I might respond to 20 so there should be some sort of average I can work out and get a decent picture of how much time I waste responding to email.

That wouldn't even consider the emails I ignore, delete, rifle through with a quick read...

How much time do I spend doing strange crap that really doesn't have anything to do with "living"?

Interesting tidbit:

I recently read via research conducted by lastminute.com that women spend 2.5 years "getting ready" and men take 6 months "getting ready".

Using the toilet:

Women spend about 6 months in there and men about 3 years.  I would say it is a waste of time, all that, but I see the results of the ladies (worth the wait) and I do some of my best thinking "in there".

Perhaps if I answered all my frivolous email while "in there" I could really cut down on life wasted.  Probably not though, it would just end up in replies to my reply and all that would occur is the loss of good thinking time.

Anyway, I hope you all have a nice weekend planned.  My plans to be where I wanted to be and hanging out with who I thought I was hanging out with fell through (unfortunately) so my weekend is wide open.

Time to write...and think...but where to do it?



TTFN Denmonites!

-ND