Laura Susan Johnson's Blog, page 9
October 15, 2013
5 more days to get Bright FREE!
Only 5 more days to get BRIGHT free on Smashwords with coupon code: AL42V !!!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
October 10, 2013
A whole lot of stuff about BRIGHT!!! :D
I love doing stuff like this! Here is a youtube playlist to help readers get a "look" at where BRIGHT takes place. I have lived there for 6 yrs now on and off and it is a unique place. Check out fun scenic driving/trucker videos, including a great one of Hwy 225 from Elko, Nevada north into Idaho. Most of that drive is described by Monty and Natalie. Also, there are a couple of short vids from the "Balcony" nightclub in Boise, which served as my muse for the "Cloverleaf".
Every town/location in "Bright" is based on a real place:
BANNOCK VALLEY is based on the tiny communities of Hammett, Indian Cove, Bruneau and Grand View, Idaho. Hammett is a population of less than 400 people. Some people call it Hammett Valley but on all the maps it's simply plain ol' Hammett. Near this small town, along hwy 78, is a historical site about the Bannock War, a conflict between the U.S. military and Native American tribes dwelling in Southwestern Idaho. I don't mention this war in my book, but it gave me the idea that "Bannock Valley" was a good fictional name for the home of Walter and Monty.
SNAKE RIVER is based on the larger town of Mountain Home, Idaho, population 11,000+ people. A town of this size is "big" by Idaho standards, as there is virtually nothing else between Boise and Twin Falls along hwy 84 that is much more than a small farm community of 500 people or less. There are about 150 miles between Boise and TF. So Mountain Home is the only available place for gas, food and lodging along an otherwise desolate stretch of high desert terrain. I named this larger town "Snake River" in spite of the fact that it is approx. 15 miles northwest of the river itself.
There is a brief mention of a town called THREE ISLANDS. This is based on the town of Glenn's Ferry, Idaho, which is on the Snake River. Each year in the summer, this small town hosts a re-enactment of the Three Island Crossing, a significant event in Idaho/Oregon emigrant history. The town's real name is after Gus Glenn, a pioneer who built a ferry with which to make the difficult river fording easier. Again, I do not mention the historical event in my book, but this is my way of explaining why I came up with the name THREE ISLANDS.
THE HORSE VALLEY WILDERNESS area is mused by the Wild Horse State Recreation area north of Elko, Nevada. I've driven through this area 4 times in my life, and it appears to be a very desolate place, as described in the book. Later, I learned that it is a very popular tourist area, with boating on Wildhorse Reservoir, skiing, fishing and other cool stuff. But I didn't know all of that. I don't mention the reservoir, but a river flows along with route 225, the very twisty and dangerous road that passes through the area. In real life, it's the Owyhee (Oh-Why-Hee) River. In my book, I renamed it BLUE CREEK. Also, the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, which is north of the Wildhorse Recreation Area, is renamed BLUE CREEK INDIAN RESERVATION.
The small, virtually unoccupied towns of Grasmere and Riddle, Idaho became ABSHERE and BIDDLE haha!
CLUB CLOVERLEAF is mused by The Balcony Club, one of a very few nightclubs from Boise to Twin Falls that is gay friendly.
Sadly, Idaho is part of the continental U.S. of A. that we liberals refer to as Dumbfuckistan...but when I paid my first visit to Idaho, I fell in love instantly with its terrain and scenery, its leisurely pace of life, and even some of its people. There are a lot of gay people here, as there are in any other place. I'm proud to be a resident of this beautiful state, and I know better times are coming for it.
Just a note to anyone who has purchased the book on Smashwords: There are a few minor errors in grammar/spelling. If anyone spots any errors in place names or timeline, don't hesitate to drop me a line so I can fix it :)
Bright will go thru similar publishing phases that I took Crush thru. It will be published first as the eBook on Smashwords to take it on a "test drive" with readers. If the nonlinear story structure proves too confusing or maddening, there will most likely be changes applied. If Bright goes thru significant alterations, I will tell everyone about it. Smashwords offers those who have bought it the option to always download the latest edition, free of charge.
My publishers in England are currently going thru Bright and will give me their input asap. Hopefully we will have the UK edition by the end of this year or early next. After that, I intend to publish the hardcover on Lulu.com (there will be no paperback from Lulu this time around) and the paperback on CreateSpace by the middle of next year.
Here is the youtube playlist for Idaho videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Every town/location in "Bright" is based on a real place:
BANNOCK VALLEY is based on the tiny communities of Hammett, Indian Cove, Bruneau and Grand View, Idaho. Hammett is a population of less than 400 people. Some people call it Hammett Valley but on all the maps it's simply plain ol' Hammett. Near this small town, along hwy 78, is a historical site about the Bannock War, a conflict between the U.S. military and Native American tribes dwelling in Southwestern Idaho. I don't mention this war in my book, but it gave me the idea that "Bannock Valley" was a good fictional name for the home of Walter and Monty.
SNAKE RIVER is based on the larger town of Mountain Home, Idaho, population 11,000+ people. A town of this size is "big" by Idaho standards, as there is virtually nothing else between Boise and Twin Falls along hwy 84 that is much more than a small farm community of 500 people or less. There are about 150 miles between Boise and TF. So Mountain Home is the only available place for gas, food and lodging along an otherwise desolate stretch of high desert terrain. I named this larger town "Snake River" in spite of the fact that it is approx. 15 miles northwest of the river itself.
There is a brief mention of a town called THREE ISLANDS. This is based on the town of Glenn's Ferry, Idaho, which is on the Snake River. Each year in the summer, this small town hosts a re-enactment of the Three Island Crossing, a significant event in Idaho/Oregon emigrant history. The town's real name is after Gus Glenn, a pioneer who built a ferry with which to make the difficult river fording easier. Again, I do not mention the historical event in my book, but this is my way of explaining why I came up with the name THREE ISLANDS.
THE HORSE VALLEY WILDERNESS area is mused by the Wild Horse State Recreation area north of Elko, Nevada. I've driven through this area 4 times in my life, and it appears to be a very desolate place, as described in the book. Later, I learned that it is a very popular tourist area, with boating on Wildhorse Reservoir, skiing, fishing and other cool stuff. But I didn't know all of that. I don't mention the reservoir, but a river flows along with route 225, the very twisty and dangerous road that passes through the area. In real life, it's the Owyhee (Oh-Why-Hee) River. In my book, I renamed it BLUE CREEK. Also, the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, which is north of the Wildhorse Recreation Area, is renamed BLUE CREEK INDIAN RESERVATION.
The small, virtually unoccupied towns of Grasmere and Riddle, Idaho became ABSHERE and BIDDLE haha!
CLUB CLOVERLEAF is mused by The Balcony Club, one of a very few nightclubs from Boise to Twin Falls that is gay friendly.
Sadly, Idaho is part of the continental U.S. of A. that we liberals refer to as Dumbfuckistan...but when I paid my first visit to Idaho, I fell in love instantly with its terrain and scenery, its leisurely pace of life, and even some of its people. There are a lot of gay people here, as there are in any other place. I'm proud to be a resident of this beautiful state, and I know better times are coming for it.
Just a note to anyone who has purchased the book on Smashwords: There are a few minor errors in grammar/spelling. If anyone spots any errors in place names or timeline, don't hesitate to drop me a line so I can fix it :)
Bright will go thru similar publishing phases that I took Crush thru. It will be published first as the eBook on Smashwords to take it on a "test drive" with readers. If the nonlinear story structure proves too confusing or maddening, there will most likely be changes applied. If Bright goes thru significant alterations, I will tell everyone about it. Smashwords offers those who have bought it the option to always download the latest edition, free of charge.
My publishers in England are currently going thru Bright and will give me their input asap. Hopefully we will have the UK edition by the end of this year or early next. After that, I intend to publish the hardcover on Lulu.com (there will be no paperback from Lulu this time around) and the paperback on CreateSpace by the middle of next year.
Here is the youtube playlist for Idaho videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Bright FREE on Smashwords!
Beginning Oct. 10th, my new book Bright will be FREE on Smashwords with coupon code AL42V !!! Expires Oct. 20th!!!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
October 4, 2013
Cover reveal for the Lulu hardcover of Bright
This is the latest cover art for the hardback of Bright. I've received 2 advanced copy reviews so far and included quotes from them on the back cover:
September 30, 2013
First Advanced copy review for Bright!!!
Received this review via email from my friend Patsy!!!
"Laura Susan Johnson has created another unforgettable story of love and courage in the face of adversity. Do not expect a clone to "Crush". Bright is a different story, with 2 different lovers, but just as intricate, intimate and suspenseful as its predecessor. Instead of the kind of maliciousness that boldly shouts and curses our heroes, as in Crush, evil hides behind a benign facade, and as the author so appropriately describes, "an artificial enlightenment." Bright is a story of two achingly lovely men, inside and out, and their struggle to understand the love that binds them together so fiercely. They wage familiar family wars with one another about alcoholism, drug use, letting family members molest and manipulate them, and of course, the dangerous lure of life on the "greener" side of the fence. Bright is also beautifully frustrating because it's hard to hate any of the characters in this book...Johnson actually improves on her ability to make every character, even the ones who seem the most loathsome, someone you can identify with. It seems everything is stacked against the possibilities for happiness for Walter & Monty. Walter is sick with what could be a terminal illness. Monty is still struggling to survive alcoholism, repressed pain inflicted by his parents, and suicidal feelings that appear out of nowhere. When they unexpectedly develop a wonderful friendship with a girl named Natalie, the threesome's attempts to have children are met with even more heartache. In a nutshell, Bright is a wrenching story. I wanted to stop. Sometimes I had to for a while to compose my emotions. But in the end, I was glad to finish it. It was a huge reward, even though I had to go back to the store for a new supply of tissues!"
"Laura Susan Johnson has created another unforgettable story of love and courage in the face of adversity. Do not expect a clone to "Crush". Bright is a different story, with 2 different lovers, but just as intricate, intimate and suspenseful as its predecessor. Instead of the kind of maliciousness that boldly shouts and curses our heroes, as in Crush, evil hides behind a benign facade, and as the author so appropriately describes, "an artificial enlightenment." Bright is a story of two achingly lovely men, inside and out, and their struggle to understand the love that binds them together so fiercely. They wage familiar family wars with one another about alcoholism, drug use, letting family members molest and manipulate them, and of course, the dangerous lure of life on the "greener" side of the fence. Bright is also beautifully frustrating because it's hard to hate any of the characters in this book...Johnson actually improves on her ability to make every character, even the ones who seem the most loathsome, someone you can identify with. It seems everything is stacked against the possibilities for happiness for Walter & Monty. Walter is sick with what could be a terminal illness. Monty is still struggling to survive alcoholism, repressed pain inflicted by his parents, and suicidal feelings that appear out of nowhere. When they unexpectedly develop a wonderful friendship with a girl named Natalie, the threesome's attempts to have children are met with even more heartache. In a nutshell, Bright is a wrenching story. I wanted to stop. Sometimes I had to for a while to compose my emotions. But in the end, I was glad to finish it. It was a huge reward, even though I had to go back to the store for a new supply of tissues!"
September 6, 2013
My Self-Review of "Crush"
I am celebrating Crush hitting the 100 review mark by reviewing Crush myself. Many people disagree with an author reviewing their own work, and it was after much consideration that I decided to do my own review. It may not even be a review, frankly, but rather a commentary. But I decided to do this:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Love to you all,
Laura :)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Love to you all,
Laura :)
September 4, 2013
New YouTube Channel for PeachHam-Beach Publishing!
Just wanted to let everyone know that I finally decided to separate my youtube videos into channels based on what my videos are about. I make/collect videos about veganism, asexuality, having fun with color, and of course my books CRUSH and BRIGHT.
So here is one of my new YouTube Channels, PeachHam-Beach Publishing:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAIj...
You will find all manner of videos pertaining to my books...muse videos, dream soundtracks, the FAQ series and more.
Enjoy!!!
Note: Sorry I'm not blogging a lot lately. Had a severe panic attack about a week ago and have taken some time off from a lot of stuff. But I am going to be wrapping up editing BRIGHT very soon. I am so happy and blessed to have so many friends and fans here on GR and lots of other places. Love you all!!!
So here is one of my new YouTube Channels, PeachHam-Beach Publishing:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAIj...
You will find all manner of videos pertaining to my books...muse videos, dream soundtracks, the FAQ series and more.
Enjoy!!!
Note: Sorry I'm not blogging a lot lately. Had a severe panic attack about a week ago and have taken some time off from a lot of stuff. But I am going to be wrapping up editing BRIGHT very soon. I am so happy and blessed to have so many friends and fans here on GR and lots of other places. Love you all!!!
August 9, 2013
2 New FAQ YouTube Videos About "Crush"!!!
Hi everyone! I finally made the YouTube video I was talking about, addressing the questions I've gotten about the use of condoms by Jamie and Tammy after their marriage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX-KT...
Also made another video attempting to answer the questions I've gotten about how the same scenes repeat sometimes in "Crush".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znj7Y...
I am 3 chapters away from finishing my first edit of "Bright". I can't wait to share it with all of you! Thank you for your support, which means thank you for reading and reviewing/rating "Crush," even if you ended up not liking it or not being able to finish :) I appreciate all of you!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX-KT...
Also made another video attempting to answer the questions I've gotten about how the same scenes repeat sometimes in "Crush".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znj7Y...
I am 3 chapters away from finishing my first edit of "Bright". I can't wait to share it with all of you! Thank you for your support, which means thank you for reading and reviewing/rating "Crush," even if you ended up not liking it or not being able to finish :) I appreciate all of you!!!
July 25, 2013
Beaten Track Publishing
Just a quick note to let everyone know that there are lots of great reads from wonderful independent authors to discover through this hard-working, up and coming independent publishing company! Check out this great collection of youtube book trailers, promos and interviews!
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...
July 19, 2013
The "Crush" Timeline
I am debating with myself on whether or not to make all of my stories/novels parts of a large series. The "Crush" saga would begin with the short story or novella (I haven't decided exactly how long the story will have to be) "An Ace In Spades." AAIS is the story of the beloved character Lloyd Christopher Tafford, who, in "Crush" adopts Jamie after rescuing the boy from the hellish conditions he was living in. "Ace" will take place in the 1970s in Kansas. Having graduated from a local community college in Fort Smith, Arkanasas with a degree in marketing, Lloyd find himself too shy to enjoy being such a "people person." He tells his parents that it has been a dream of his to help people, to fight crime and protect citizens from criminals. He goes to the Police Academy in Wichita, Kansas. In his classes, he meets Derek Rollins, who is as adventurous as Lloyd is shy. Derek is also gay, and only tells Lloyd his secret. Their friendship grows as they complete their classes and graduate as best friends. Almost from the beginning, Lloyd has tried to explain to Derek that he has never felt any kind of attraction to women or to men. Still, their fondness for each other makes them inseparable, and gradually, they begin a romantic relationship. This is Lloyd's love story, and it will end on a heartbreaking note. He will lose one love and gain another :)
I am planning also to write a story of the origins of Dawna Pearce, the woman who will become Jamie's abusive mother. The story will begin with twin girls, Catherine and Caroline Millhaus, whose parents are killed while they are very young. The girls are separated in the foster care system. One girl goes to live with a loving family. The other ends up miles from her birthplace, in the hands of a woman of evil. A crime will be committed by one sister, and mistaken identity will lead to the other sister's arrest and persecution. This may end up being a full length novel. The working title is "Mirror".
The story of "Bright" begins in January 2008, and is non-linear. "Crush" begins in the late 70s, early 80s and is quite linear in structure. It's hard to say where to place each of these 2 in the timeline first, but I will just put Crush first.
"Burdens" the story of two women who meet at an Easter church service and fall in love, takes place in a time during the middle of Crush.
"Cold Foot" takes place in a time before the end of Crush and before the beginning of Bright. Tammy Mattheis is so moved by a story he reads in the paper about a young woman who murders an older woman that he is compelled to travel to Alaska to stand in support of the younger woman's motives for the killing. As well as with Crush, this story has a direct connection to "Mirror" and "Our House".
"Our House" is the story of one of the twin girls from "Mirror" being abducted by a stranger and brutally murdered. This woman, Amelia Blankenship, was once named Catherine Millhaus. Amelia is married to Brendan Blankenship and has one son, Carly Blankenship, who is a very high functioning autistic.
"Old Cars" will be about Brendan Blankenship losing his battle with brain cancer about 4 years after the murder of his wife Amelia (Catherine). Jamie Pearce will receive a phone call from Brendan requesting him to adopt Carly. Jamie and Carly are first cousins. When Jamie comes to New Jersey to meet Brendan and Carly, he sits with Carly and tells him the story of how old cars that are broken down and tired can be made to run like new.
"The Winners" is a story that takes place in Idaho. The summer of 2017 is pretty hot and muggy. Idaho is not used to this kind of weather. In the corner of the garage where Walter Yarbro and Reardon Montgomery live is a little community of misunderstood denizens, several black widow spiders of various ages and sizes. They only come out at night, but sometimes the big tall creatures, called "people" shine flashlights on them and then try to kill them. "They're afraid of us!" says Twila, the main narrator. "Is it because we're black? Is it because we bite when we are squeezed or pinched? We're only defending ourselves! How can they blame us? Honestly, we mean no harm. If they don't bug us (pardon the pun) we won't bug them!" But there is one "big person" who treats them nicely. Her name is Jennafer. The story of Twila and her friends and family is a modern fable about the state of today's world, and how we want to "kill" those we are afraid of and those we do not understand.
"The House On Glass Beach" would be the final story in the "Crush" timeline. The number of cats and dogs is becoming overwhelming at the Lloyd C. Tafford Sanctuary, so Tammy makes a call to Idaho, asking Natalie, Monty and Walter if they would consider moving to California to help with the shelter. After several years of living in a town that refuses to accept them, Natalie and her family return to California, and rediscover the paradise of living by the sea.
So the series would be:
An Ace In Spades
Mirror
Crush
Bright
Burdens
Our House
Cold Foot
Old Cars
The Winners
The House On Glass Beach
They are all connected. There may be more stories to add.
I am planning also to write a story of the origins of Dawna Pearce, the woman who will become Jamie's abusive mother. The story will begin with twin girls, Catherine and Caroline Millhaus, whose parents are killed while they are very young. The girls are separated in the foster care system. One girl goes to live with a loving family. The other ends up miles from her birthplace, in the hands of a woman of evil. A crime will be committed by one sister, and mistaken identity will lead to the other sister's arrest and persecution. This may end up being a full length novel. The working title is "Mirror".
The story of "Bright" begins in January 2008, and is non-linear. "Crush" begins in the late 70s, early 80s and is quite linear in structure. It's hard to say where to place each of these 2 in the timeline first, but I will just put Crush first.
"Burdens" the story of two women who meet at an Easter church service and fall in love, takes place in a time during the middle of Crush.
"Cold Foot" takes place in a time before the end of Crush and before the beginning of Bright. Tammy Mattheis is so moved by a story he reads in the paper about a young woman who murders an older woman that he is compelled to travel to Alaska to stand in support of the younger woman's motives for the killing. As well as with Crush, this story has a direct connection to "Mirror" and "Our House".
"Our House" is the story of one of the twin girls from "Mirror" being abducted by a stranger and brutally murdered. This woman, Amelia Blankenship, was once named Catherine Millhaus. Amelia is married to Brendan Blankenship and has one son, Carly Blankenship, who is a very high functioning autistic.
"Old Cars" will be about Brendan Blankenship losing his battle with brain cancer about 4 years after the murder of his wife Amelia (Catherine). Jamie Pearce will receive a phone call from Brendan requesting him to adopt Carly. Jamie and Carly are first cousins. When Jamie comes to New Jersey to meet Brendan and Carly, he sits with Carly and tells him the story of how old cars that are broken down and tired can be made to run like new.
"The Winners" is a story that takes place in Idaho. The summer of 2017 is pretty hot and muggy. Idaho is not used to this kind of weather. In the corner of the garage where Walter Yarbro and Reardon Montgomery live is a little community of misunderstood denizens, several black widow spiders of various ages and sizes. They only come out at night, but sometimes the big tall creatures, called "people" shine flashlights on them and then try to kill them. "They're afraid of us!" says Twila, the main narrator. "Is it because we're black? Is it because we bite when we are squeezed or pinched? We're only defending ourselves! How can they blame us? Honestly, we mean no harm. If they don't bug us (pardon the pun) we won't bug them!" But there is one "big person" who treats them nicely. Her name is Jennafer. The story of Twila and her friends and family is a modern fable about the state of today's world, and how we want to "kill" those we are afraid of and those we do not understand.
"The House On Glass Beach" would be the final story in the "Crush" timeline. The number of cats and dogs is becoming overwhelming at the Lloyd C. Tafford Sanctuary, so Tammy makes a call to Idaho, asking Natalie, Monty and Walter if they would consider moving to California to help with the shelter. After several years of living in a town that refuses to accept them, Natalie and her family return to California, and rediscover the paradise of living by the sea.
So the series would be:
An Ace In Spades
Mirror
Crush
Bright
Burdens
Our House
Cold Foot
Old Cars
The Winners
The House On Glass Beach
They are all connected. There may be more stories to add.
