R. Gaston's Blog

On the way.

Thanks to the many readers who entered my giveaway of The War Within. I am sorry I can't award each of you with a copy, but my pockets are not that deep.
The winners should be receiving their books within a week. They have ben mailed.

For those that won a copy, I hope you enjoy the story.
For those who entered, but did not win, I hope you will go to Amazon and pick up a digital or paperback copy.

To all of you, thank you for your interest.

Bob

Slow poke

An old song out of the 1930's describes my pace at getting my novel, The War Within off the ground. The lyrics, as I remember them, are Lazy bones sittin' in the sun, how you gonna get your days work done."
In Texas we don't intentionally sit in the sun with 100 degree temperature days on end. But I will confess to establishing a daily routine that could be called lazy. The morning paper and coffee, then an hour or so searching for a distraction on the computer and it's time to take the dog out...and so my morning goes.
Ain't retirement, without deadlines, hell?
I am fast approaching two deadlines...two art exhibits. I need fresh paintings for both. A painting of a buffalo stampede away from a wild grass fire is about 3/4 done and has been that way for weeks...and then I hope the spirit moves me with some sort of inspiration. In the meantime I am finishing the revision of my mystery novel, The Victim. It is the story of a single mom who lost her memory and a rebellious son. I will post a portion of it next time.

Bob

Mixed emotions...

A friend suggested my novel, The War Within,about post traumatic stress among victim of our Civil and Indian wars was a good vehicle for collecting donations for current PTSD victims.
As a veteran of the Marines and Air Force I agree.
Book sales are down, and I haven't gotten a promotion off the ground but the suggestion is too good to dismiss. I will donate 50% of the royalties from my paper back book sold on Amazon.
To be candid I am using Amazon to keep track of the sales. I have a record of current sales so any sales after this date will be part of the donation.
As a former Marine I am drawn to the activities by the Corp...but the Wounded Warrior group seems to be doing outstanding work. If you have any suggestions please pass them along.

Two bits worth II

I published my first attempt at blogging with the title Two Bits Worth....an expression that goes back to colonial days meaning something of little value. Much of what I read in blogs is like that so my addition should not be judged to harshly...just dismissed as the rambling of a senior passing into his dotage. Another expression handed down from my parents works...you get what you pay for.
I entered into this blogging effort in hopes of calling attention to a novel I recently published...but I guess that is why most of us blog. So far I have not mastered the simple task of creating a website so my bog comes to rest solidly in the dotage characterization.
While I am waiting for success I am revising a manuscript about a television anchorwoman without a memory of who she is. Who the father of her teenage son is and why he is turning into a delinquent.
A few more day of work and I will start posting it chapter by chapter.. if any interest is shown.

Two bits worth

Blogging is something I told myself I would never do. Yet, here I am.
Since this is my first attempt I will appreciate any suggestions.
The War Within started with the title 'No Time for Tears." That didn't feel just right so I changed it to Firehair, but that made the book sound like a western and I felt it was more a story of action, adventure, and woman in jeopardy. A friend suggested The War Within. That had a ring to it because it was about post traumatic stress following the Civil War.
It turns out a number of other authors liked the title. I had painted the cover and so I was stuck with The War Within....