Jonas Eriksson's Blog: Jonaswrites.com - official site of author and writer Jonas Eriksson, page 10

I Give Away Free Books – Hollywood Ass.

Today and tomorrow I’m giving away my 4-star novel Hollywood Ass. completely free of charge. All you need to do is to click this link and download the e-book. Even if you don’t have a Kindle you can still download the Kindle reading app for your Mac, PC, Android phone, iPhone or other device.

So make sure you don’t forget to download Hollywood Ass. a fast-paced romantic comedy about the world of celebrities and their assistants. I would of course be eternally grateful for any share! Hashtag #hollywoodass

More about the book below:

HOLLYWOOD ASS.

A romantic and humorous story about Hollywood, fame, friendship and love.

A Hollywood superstar suffers a mental collapse, her marriage is on the ropes, her career is at a standstill and the only one keeping it all together is her loyal assistant and friend, Darryl. Problem is, he’s kind of in love with her. Soon he finds himself drawn into a story that is much like the movies his employer stars in. But in real life the answers aren’t in the script…

Buy it today at Amazon or read a sample at Scribd. Print UK, Print US

Links for Hollywood Ass. kindle version: US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP, CA, BR

What people say about Hollywood Ass.



“Fascinating.”

“I enjoyed the book, it was funny, there was some drama and a little love story.”

“I found it nearly impossible to put down at night.”

“The pace was excellent and had a mixture of serious and funny moments.”

“Cute and funny story!”

Why People Stop Reading a Book

I think a lot about books and writing. I’ve always wanted to be a writer of some kind and now that I’ve self-published two novels, I’m desperately trying to get better at what I love to do. Besides getting reviews and feedback you think about what impact your books have on the reader. Do they understand the idea? Do they like the language? Which parts do they like and which do they don’t like? Are the characters clear and “real” enough? And of course: Did I lose them and if so, where?

The good folks at Goodreads asked themselves the same question and have now conducted a survey investigating that very question: What Makes You Put Down a Book? Below you find their stylish infographic…

I find it interesting that almost 20% think weak writing contributes because when you look at so many books out there – weak writing seems to be quite popular and doesn’t seem to have a major effect on the popularity of the book in question.

But the number one reason for people quitting a book isn’t surprising at all: “It’s because it’s slow/boring.”

People want to be entertained. That is a fact of life. And since reading is a “slow”, slightly laborious way of being entertained compared to watching a movie and playing video games, books already have an uphill climb before they can hook a person.

The number of published books every year is increasing at rocket speed now that everyone can write and publish a book, but I wonder if the number of people reading books do too. I guess there has always been this fear in the publishing industry that the number of people willing to invest time into reading a book keeps decreasing. What is the trend now? Does self-publishing and more books and the presence of e-readers like Kindles and Nooks counter that? How many people read on their mobiles? (37% according to a another Goodreads study, although it’s not super-scientific).

My feeling is that the possibility to read on mobile phones and the portability of e-readers should increase the interest in books and spread like wildfire. But of course, no matter how portable or easy to use the device is, the book still has to entertain and hopefully also raise a few thoughts. Otherwise you could just as well watch a movie, play video games or simply read another book.

Do you use digital devices for reading? And what kind of device? Please share your thoughts below! /J.

 

George Clooney – The Eternal Bachelor

On my impossibly long Twitter timeline, I found out the “jaw-dropping” news that George Clooney has split up with Stacy Keibler. The reason she broke up with him was that he didn’t want to settle down.

Should this have come as a big surprise to Keibler? After all, Clooney is known as the eternal bachelor. It doesn’t matter if he’s now 52 and Keibler is 33 – he’s not into the family lifestyle. Good to know for future women who take a healthy or apparently unhealthy interest in the former “Sexiest Man Alive”.

It seems like famous people are less prone to settle down. Why? You might ask. Well, it’s possible that the lifestyle is a little too good to pass up on. Because obviously things will change somewhat once children come into the picture. Or maybe there’s some kind of unresolved childhood trauma that makes them opt out of the “usual procedure”. I’m just guessing here, maybe you have other theories? Let me know.

But hey! Each man or woman to his or her own. If you don’t want kids and are not looking to build a family, it’s your choice. The world will be okay (since we’re pretty much overpopulated anyway).

So go George, may you find happiness wherever that may be.

I dealt with this celebrity “issue” in my latest novel Hollywood Ass. by the way. The main character is not keen on starting a family and that’s one reason her marriage is not working out…read more about Hollywood Ass.

/J.

Everyone’s Replaceable – Manager Types

I’ve worked with and met many managers who like to use the phrase “everyone’s replaceable” and having working as manager for a long time I’ve wondered how apt it is. Is everyone replaceable? And do we want them to know that? My experience tells me: “Yes, it’s true, everyone IS replaceable in a way.” and “No, it’s not good to throw a phrase like that around your employees, because it creates fear, uncertainty and the feeling that the company doesn’t care about them.”

There are so many different schools of managers. Here is a list of a few types that I’ve encountered (they could be women of course, I just went with Mr because it sounded better).

Mr. Best Friend

This guy jokes around a lot. He pats everyone on the back. He gives ecstatic feedback. He becomes more of a friend than a manager. In tough situations he can get a little soft, but if he’s really good he will be able to take the heat from upper management without unleashing all of it on his employees. If he’s bad, he will dodge all criticism himself and blame it on the ineptitude of his team.

Mr. I’m In Charge

You will never forget who’s the boss. He will make sure you feel the power balance clearly by giving orders, stopping you midway while you’re talking to dish out his opinion (the law), and gives you the manager’s stare when he suspects you don’t really know what you’re talking about. If he’s good he will shoulder blame and give out praise, if he’s bad he will steal praise and dodge blame to elevate himself even further.

Mr. I Couldn’t Care Less

You’re two hours late? Shit happens. You didn’t show up to a meeting? There will be others. This guy couldn’t really give a rat’s ass. He’s given up on the company and possible himself and just want to get on with it and go home. How he managed to get a role as a middle manager he can’t even remember. He thought it sounded pretty cool, but quickly realized it wasn’t.

Mr. Natural Born Leader

This guy loves being a leader. He craves the center of attention and likes to be the guy holding the answers. He can be slightly annoying with this optimism, but if he’s good he knows how to inspire his team. Will shoulder blame, will stand up for what he believes is true.

Mr. You’re Fired.

Loved the movie Up in the Air because the main characters’ job is firing people. Craves POWER, POWER, POWER and sees people as numbers not humans. Ruthless. This type can be successful high up on the management ladder, but that’s usually short-term and in certain types of organisations – not long-term.

What other management types are there? Please share below.

Cheers / J.

Positive Routines

It’s Monday and I don’t feel so good. The reason is that I was out drinking both Saturday and Sunday.

I didn’t drink a lot or stay out exceptionally late, still a zombie would be more alert.

I had a great time both evenings, so in a way it’s worth it, but I hate this feeling of not being sharp. The way you feel after you’ve slept well, got up early, gone to the gym, had a healthy breakfast and go to work feeling focused.

One of the corner stones to being productive and feeling good about yourself, is to maintain good routines.

Routines around eating properly, working out regularly, taking care of yourself, and making sure you have time for your loved ones.

A change from a negative to a positive routine can be a major change in life and lead to amazing things. Just by staying active, healthy and focused – you can embark on something truly great. And the opposite is true: if you get stuck in a downward spiral, it can really suck you down towards the bottom.

So create positive routines and stick with them. Allow yourself to break them only if you’re sure you’re going to be back in them the next day. Then I promise you you’ll feel much better about things.

I’m heading back to my positive routines tomorrow, that’s for sure.

That’s going to be a good day.

How Hard Is Your Hustle?

I want success. I bet you want success. It’s normal. At least for us in the Western frame of mind (not exactly sure what I mean by this).

But how hard should your hustle be to reach your goals? And when I write “hustle” I mean your self-promotion and sharpening of elbows. Are you shy or are you one of those people who go: boom, boom, smack, whatever?

I struggle with this sometimes; tweeting about my own books like they were the holy grails of fiction. They’re not. They’re entertaining – otherwise I wouldn’t write them, but how much can I keep shouting it at the top of my social media lungs for people to check them out? And without me looking like a self-absorbed douche?

But since my goal is to write full-time, not only at lunch-time – I need to push, push, push and hustle, hustle, hustle. I can’t sit back and watch life go by like some kitchen window cat. I need to put myself out there without “putting myself out there”.

It’s tough. I try hard. Maybe sometimes I try too hard, but I don’t know any other way. And the Swedish jantelag comes tapping me on my shoulder at times asking me what on earth I think I’m doing thinking anything I do is better than anybody else’s.

And I want to say: because I work hard and try hard and want, want, want. But I also want to say: you’re right, I’ll keep my mouth shut.

It’s a constant struggle.

How hard can your hustle be? Please share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Cheers /J.

Writing Music

No, I’m not writing music anymore. I tried to for a few years. Didn’t really amount to anything.

But, like I wrote in my post Creativity Your Holy Grail yesterday, I do use music as inspiration and background to my writing. I listen to a little bit of everything all the time, depending on the mood, but not all music works as “writing music”.

Right now I’m working on my next novel 6 Strings, which is about a classical guitarist who ventures far out of his comfort zone to chase his dream of reaching guitar nirvana. The obvious choice for a storyline like that is classical guitar music.

Luckily, I’ve found a few talented guitarists who create the kind of feel I like to have in the book. The first clips coming your way is the Assad brothers amazing take on tango king Astor Piazzolla and the talented young guitarist Gabriel Bianco who really “nails” composer Agustin Barrios beautiful La Cathédrale Listen to their songs below:

Creativity Your Holy Grail – Sources of Inspiration

You rarely feel as good as when you’re being creative. You’ve got the flow, you’re in the moment, your eyes are wide open, taking things in, twisting and turning them until they make sense. New sense. Different sense.

It seems like you can’t force creativity, you’ve got to let it come to you. But you can open the door for it.

So how do you get yourself into the creative mindset? What I do is no matter how uninspired I get, I take at least one hour of my busy schedule and sit down by my computer and start typing. That time is usually my work lunch. Typing while eating.

I know it might not the best to sit in front of your computer all day, but I need to get that hour every day. Otherwise there will be no books and Jonas would be one unhappy boy.

Doing that extra hour of work for myself every day is my way of opening the door to creativity. Sometimes I’m having a rough day and words go slow. Other times I’m on a roll and in a flow. That’s the process. Routine. Hard work. To always be ready to be inspired.

Then there are different sources of inspiration too. Right now, Jay-Z’s new album Magna Carta Holy Grail is providing me with plenty of drive. It’s in my opinion a great record, deeper and more introspective than I think Jay-Z ever was before. He questions pretty much everything and has a new take on life, probably stemming a lot from MCHG being the first record as a father. Watching the clips on http://www.magnacartaholygrail.com/ gives me great energy to create something substantial myself.

But we all have are different sources of inspiration. For me, music is important. What I listen to when I write usually sets the tone for the book.

My current project 6 Strings is more Gabriel Bianco than Jay-Z though.

From where do you fuel your creativity? Please comment!

/J.

“Packs a dark punch right in the depths of your heart.”

The picture is from Ronda, Spain. The setting in my upcoming novel/novella with the working name “6 Strings.” It’s a dark and mysterious thriller love story inspired by the excellent books of Carlos Ruis Zafón.

More about the upcoming 6 Strings:

Inspired by the old blues legend of Crossroads in the style of Carlos Luis Zafón, the mysterious thriller love story 6 strings packs a dark punch right in the depths of your heart. Recently divorced, Peter, takes the difficult decision to leave his safe Sweden with the goal of fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional classical guitarist. He travels to Spain to study with the best and ends up in the Andalucian city of Ronda where he meets a mystical man in black who promises him to help him reach mastery. Little does he know what he needs to give up to achieve it…

Stay updated with news of 6 Strings and my other writing projects by following me on Twitter or Facebook.

“I found it nearly impossible to put down at night.”

I got a really nice review for my romantic comedy novel Hollywood Ass. In fact it was so good I share it with you below in full. Cheers /Jonas.

“Description taken from Amazon:

A Hollywood superstar suffers a mental collapse, her marriage is falling apart, her career is on the ropes and the only one keeping it all together is her loyal assistant and friend, Darryl. Problem is, he’s kind of in love with her. Soon he finds himself drawn into a story that is much like the movies his employer stars in. But in real life the answers aren’t in the script…

My thoughts:

This book really surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly, but I found it nearly impossible to put down at night. I felt like I was right there in the moment with Darryl and B.

Quote from the book (taken from http://jonaswrites.com/hollywoodass/)

How could I let myself get attracted to my employer? It was the cardinal sin in the assistant’s Bible. I knew the answer of course, the fine line between friendship and work had slowly been erased and it had become too easy to slip over to the other, more personal, side. I realized I had to fix this, that I had to detach myself and float back across the line again, take a large marker and make the line as bold as possible, so as never to be crossed again!

Screw the marker, I had to pull some black and yellow police tape across that damn line.

That quote in particular had me laughing out loud. Darryl is relatively serious in his life and yet has a sense of humor that flows with his personality seamlessly.

Quote from the book (taken from http://jonaswrites.com/hollywoodass/)

A man was touching me. Luckily we weren’t in a bar, but in a Gucci store and the man was a white-haired, old-school tailor with a pen behind his ear and measuring tape in his hands. I was getting an outfit custom-made,

express charge and B was paying for it.

When we were out on the street, B slapped me gently on the ass and said, “Now let’s buy some champagne.” Sexual harassment in the work place? You bet. Weird thing was, I didn’t mind it.

You can’t help but be drawn in to Darryl and anticipate what will happen next. I included the next excerpt to just give you a great glimpse into the relationship between Darryl and B.

Excerpt from the book (taken from http://jonaswrites.com/hollywoodass/)

After our run, B wanted a Pinkberry, a non-alcohol indulgence I had no problem with.

She donned her oversized shades and I parked the Ranger Rover something like 50 meters from the frozen yoghurt place on a sun-streaked Santa Monica Boulevard. Before heading out, I looked around for paparazzi. To my relief, there were none to be seen, but they were prone to pop-up anywhere at anytime like some evil “jackass-in-a-box”. I was just about to walk out when, from the bottom of her cracked confidence, B unleashed: “You’d fuck me wouldn’t you? If I was single?”

Now what this had to do with frozen yoghurt, I’ll never know.

“Yes, I’d pop your Pinkberry if that’s what you’re talking about. Anyone would, you’re smoking hot.”

“Thanks, Darryl. Don’t you ever quit on me, okay?”

“I promise,” I said out of necessity, but it was a promise I knew would be hard to keep.

When I was back in the car, B dug into her Pinkberry like she had been on a month long Survivor-diet. I have always appreciated women with healthy appetites and I gladly watched her shovel it in.

B of course noticed my big eyes, “What are you looking at? You’re staring at me like I’m miss Piggy!”

To which I smiled and said, “I just like to see a woman eat.”

“Is that a black man’s thing or what? I thought men wanted women who doesn’t eat, doesn’t talk, fart flowers and who never let anything out of the anus, just into it.” B took one more spoon, rolled down the window, threw out the cup and said, “Let’s go home, okay?”

“Yeah, let’s go before they arrest us for littering.” I replied drily, turned the key and drove off.

The further you get into the book the harder it is to determine what you think should happen for a happily ever after, but I LOVED the ending of this book. I truly had a hard time putting it down and loved the view that we get from Darryl. It felt so real I wanted to meet these people and give them a hug!

I gave this 5 stars on Amazon and I hope others will give it a chance!

I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.”