David E. Gordon's Blog, page 5
September 28, 2014
Power2Indies Big Book Bash – You’re ALL Invited!
Originally posted on Jo Robinson:
The schedules are starting to go out for this year’s Power2Indies Big Book Bash event on Facebook beginning 17th October. I was a bit late last year (ahem) and only managed to book one slot, but if you get moving now you can book two one hour slots on the event, where you get to take over and chat about yourself and your work to all those attending. This event is open to ALL – bloggers – authors – illustrators – publishers, and of course – readers. It was great last year and I gave away piles of freebies and sold a couple of discounted books too. Also a huge amount of fun chatting away to strangers all about what I do – wonderful!
So EVERYONE is invited! Check out Fraser’s blog post Power2Indies Big Book Bash for more info, join the event Power2Indies Big Book Bash Facebook Event and…
View original 50 more words
Character interview with David Cutter
My friend and fellow author/blogger gave this interview to my character Robert Cutter in my debut suspense/thriller novel.
September 22, 2014
Meet the Author – David E Gordon
My friend MIka Jolie posted this interview to her blog, of our interview for my debut suspense/thriller novel. Give her a read – she is alos a good author.
Originally posted on mikajolie:
Author David E Gordon, stopped by today to discuss his new book Cutter and for a little Q&A session. Let’s give him a warm welcome.
How would you describe Cutter to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?
David E Gordon: This is easy since this is my first book. Self-made billionaire Robert Cutter made his money investing in struggling companies. Plagued by “accidents”, it becomes apparent someone is trying to kill him. The accidents and the resulting concussion make him question his life and bring his, not so perfect past, back into focus. Robert Cutter has everything a man could ask for – money, women, cars, houses, and power. But, with the latest attempts on his life, he starts to rethink his life and evoke change. Soon he begins to realize that what was important is no longer that significant. He thought he had everything…
View original 1,288 more words
September 19, 2014
Another Interesting Week
This has been an incredibly interesting week for me, including both good, bad and just plain strange. There were quite a few positive and empowering things for me this week that it made the sad things touch me even more. All of it combined has made me stop and make me appreciate everything in my life even more.
For most of you reading my blog you know that I have recently published my debut novel – Cutter. It is currently available on Amazon, Nook, and iBooks. And I have already sold about a dozen copies. I saw another author post on Facebook a question she got – how does an author sell their books? Her answer was “one at a time”. And that answer summed it up for me – it didn’t matter, if I sold a dozen or 100,000 (although that would be nice). I did something pretty darn amazing, and am darn proud of it.
I also got my first two reviews, the first one which said that it was an amazing five star read and how much she loved it. The second also said that it was a great book, and how much she loved it. Both reviews touched me incredibly and again, if no one else likes it I will still feel incredibly lucky. With the help of what have become some good friends I feel like I put together a good product. The easy part was writing the story – the hard part was the editing, the re-editing, and the cover. But they all made it easy.
As good as all of that was, my week started off badly. On Monday a person fell in front of the commuter train that I was on. I was so sad all day, and not just because it happened. I was sad for the woman, that she felt that alone and that desperate that she thought there was nothing else for her. All week I have been thinking about it – how could someone be that alone and that lost. And then I realized it as I looked around – because we are all too busy looking at our cell phones, headphones on drowning out those around us.
With this in mind I have been trying to be a little more aware of people around me. I know I can’t save the world, but surely a simple smile, hello, or hold the door for someone. People barely even notice each other as they race from the train to their office and back. I don’t know if it would help someone who felt totally alone, but it can’t hurt. Plus who knows – one smile could lead to two, or twenty, or twenty thousand.
Like I said, it was a very interesting week. Such an amazing week for me and also filled with a reminder that sometimes things become difficult when you lease expect it. A friend of mine found out that her husband is terminally sick. Completely out of the blue – playing 36 holes of golf one day, and sick the next. Sometimes, it’s not the other person who needs that smile. Sometimes, it is us. So the next time you pass a mirror stop and smile. You deserve it today!
September 17, 2014
Release Day for Cutter
As you may know I have written my first novel Cutter – a suspense/thriller. The official release day is Wednesday Sept. 17 and will be available on Amazon, Nook, and iBooks. This is an excerpt from the book.
It was raining again. It was just a drizzle but the boy was still cold and damp. He shivered so violently that his entire body shook and he looked like he might collapse at any moment. Of course it didn’t help that he was wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and jeans. The boy was walking along the trash-strewn streets, his eyes darting all around, watching for what lurked in the long dark shadows. Between the heavy dark clouds and early dusk it made the shadows even darker and longer. As he passed in front of a dilapidated house he glanced over the simple wire fence, looking at the mostly boarded up windows. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a huge dog charged the fence barking and howling. The little boy was so startled that he almost jumped out of his sneakers. As he continued walking past the fence the dog followed him, barking madly, saliva spraying as his paws bounced off the fence, shaking it. Finding his inner strength, he smiled a crooked grin at the dog and kept walking. He walked a little faster as he passed the next lot that was empty, but slowed momentarily as he passed the now boarded up corner market. His grumbling stomach, an additional reminder of the nice man that had been there and how hungry he was again.
By the time he had reached the end of the block the rain was coming down in sheets so thick, he could barely see where he was walking. The sky was as dark as the inky black sea, and with the rain falling so heavily the boy was almost invisible. Suddenly everything was lit as bright as the day had been just a couple of hours ago by a sudden bolt of lightning. The brightness was followed immediately by a huge rolling clap of thunder startling the boy and making him duck as if the sky were falling around him. He looked skyward for a moment before quickly continuing on. The lightening continued to come, faster and brighter with each strike, the storm felt so close it was as if it was trying to chase him along his way. The thunder beating against the buildings made it sound even louder as it echoed all around him. The booming was so loud it seemed as if the sidewalk was vibrating under his small feet. By the time he reached his building he was so wet that he looked as if he had fallen into a deep lake. The roof of the building leaked everywhere making small waterfalls and the boy had to walk carefully between them as if he was trying to stay dry. Despite all the leaks in the roof and lake-size puddles, there was a small lean-to in one corner that managed to keep the boy’s meager belongings dry.
The boy stripped off his wet clothes and hung them on a line so that if the rain stopped they could drip dry. This also seemed like a good way to get them clean even if he didn’t have any soap. He slipped on a pair of dirty, oversized shorts, and laying back on his bed against the wall, opened the bag he had been carrying. He emptied the bag beside him on the bed – if you could call this lumpy old mattress a bed – and used the lightening outside to see what he had scrounged to eat. There were a couple of pieces of two day old bread, a mostly brown banana, and a few Oreo cookies. It wasn’t much, but with his grumbling stomach as proof, it would have to be enough. As he took a small bite of the bread a slow lonely tear slid silently down his dirty smudged cheek and blended with the rain that was still dripping from his hair.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MOQ19OE
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MOQ19OE?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
September 14, 2014
Food Shopping
I made a big intake this morning, but in my own defense it isn’t something I do a lot. I went grocery shopping. And to add to my mistake this morning I did it without the aid of coffee in my system. My wife and I are having chili later today so we needed a few last midnight things – which can happen when you decide this at 10pm the night before. Since I tend to get up early – yesterday it was 530am and it was Saturday – I offered to go, given a specific list so I could be in and out.
Of course, I woke up this morning at 915 and was out of the house by 930. The streets were not bad so I thought I might be in luck. And since the Eagles don’t play until tomorrow night, I hoped that it wouldn’t be too bad. I got a decent parking spot and headed straight in, grabbing a cart on my way. So far so good. What could go wrong. My spirits high I headed straight to the meat counter for the lunch meat and the wheels started to come off.
I was only 5th in line and they had several people behind the counter. The first woman stepped up to place her order, but had to question the price of everything she ordered. And everything was too expensive so she argued with the (poor) clerk for each item. Several times asking what was on sale, only to get the more expensive choice because “the sale item must not be any good”. Personally, I like Black Bear meats, but that is just me.
The next guy in line steps up to place his order and at first I felt bad for the guy. After all, I only had about a dozen things on my list. But, based on the two pages he was holding in his hand and the clear block printing he was doing his wife a favor. For some reason though he had no idea what meat he should order or how much. So every selection was a deliberation as lengthly as if he was buying a new house or car.
I was very proud of myself when I stepped up and quickly placed my order and stepped away just a couple of minutes later. Then to add to my pride and manly chest thumping, thinking I had clearly mastered this whole grocery shopping “thing”. I got everything else on the list quickly and efficiently, my last stop being in the bean aisle grabbing a can of black beans. I started to look for the chili mix and found that just as quickly. Piece of cake.
I turned back to my cart – I had left it three feet behind me – and there was a woman taking stuff out and putting the items into her cart. She laughed and apologized saying she had put a few of her things in my cart. I smiled and said “that’s ok it’s not my cart.” And then it hit me – my cart was gone. Someone had taken my cart. I am sure you are thinking, what’s the big deal they probably had similar items. Not even close!! Not only was the cart left behind tow-thirds full, it had a huge bag in the child seat are where mine had been empty.
I shook my head as the woman behind me said “go to customer service and they will announce it, it happens all the time”. Somehow that didn’t make me feel much better. So I wandered up and down the half dozen aisles right by me in case the person didn’t get far or was coming back. Then I went to customer service, where in fact it does happen all the time so they announced it. Then shaking my head even more I went to get a second cart so that I could start shopping all over again.
Two items in I found my cart. It had been left in the middle of the dairy aisle, with a package of butter added to my items. Now I was really confused. First, they took the wrong cart. Then they added butter to my cart. And then realizing it was not their cart they LEFT the butter behind along with everything else in my cart. I was flabbergasted – and yes, I have been waiting to use that word. Shaking my head I quickly paid and got out of dodge.
I am sure there are people who will read this and laugh saying they do the shopping all the time and see the same things. I sure hope not, but I am sure that you do. Will I go food shopping again? Sure why not? If I can write and publish a novel, then I can master food shopping! For all of you who shop regularly I feel for you, honestly. For those of you who are doing your spouse a favor – don’t forget to take an itemized list and a lot of patience.
September 13, 2014
Count Down To Cutter
As you may know I have written my first novel Cutter – a suspense/thriller. The official release day is this Wednesday and will be available on Amazon, Nook, and iBooks. This is an excerpt from the book.
It was raining again. It was just a drizzle but the boy was still cold and damp. He shivered so violently that his entire body shook and he looked like he might collapse at any moment. Of course it didn’t help that he was wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and jeans. The boy was walking along the trash-strewn streets, his eyes darting all around, watching for what lurked in the long dark shadows. Between the heavy dark clouds and early dusk it made the shadows even darker and longer. As he passed in front of a dilapidated house he glanced over the simple wire fence, looking at the mostly boarded up windows. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a huge dog charged the fence barking and howling. The little boy was so startled that he almost jumped out of his sneakers. As he continued walking past the fence the dog followed him, barking madly, saliva spraying as his paws bounced off the fence, shaking it. Finding his inner strength, he smiled a crooked grin at the dog and kept walking. He walked a little faster as he passed the next lot that was empty, but slowed momentarily as he passed the now boarded up corner market. His grumbling stomach, an additional reminder of the nice man that had been there and how hungry he was again.
By the time he had reached the end of the block the rain was coming down in sheets so thick, he could barely see where he was walking. The sky was as dark as the inky black sea, and with the rain falling so heavily the boy was almost invisible. Suddenly everything was lit as bright as the day had been just a couple of hours ago by a sudden bolt of lightning. The brightness was followed immediately by a huge rolling clap of thunder startling the boy and making him duck as if the sky were falling around him. He looked skyward for a moment before quickly continuing on. The lightening continued to come, faster and brighter with each strike, the storm felt so close it was as if it was trying to chase him along his way. The thunder beating against the buildings made it sound even louder as it echoed all around him. The booming was so loud it seemed as if the sidewalk was vibrating under his small feet. By the time he reached his building he was so wet that he looked as if he had fallen into a deep lake. The roof of the building leaked everywhere making small waterfalls and the boy had to walk carefully between them as if he was trying to stay dry. Despite all the leaks in the roof and lake-size puddles, there was a small lean-to in one corner that managed to keep the boy’s meager belongings dry.
The boy stripped off his wet clothes and hung them on a line so that if the rain stopped they could drip dry. This also seemed like a good way to get them clean even if he didn’t have any soap. He slipped on a pair of dirty, oversized shorts, and laying back on his bed against the wall, opened the bag he had been carrying. He emptied the bag beside him on the bed – if you could call this lumpy old mattress a bed – and used the lightening outside to see what he had scrounged to eat. There were a couple of pieces of two day old bread, a mostly brown banana, and a few Oreo cookies. It wasn’t much, but with his grumbling stomach as proof, it would have to be enough. As he took a small bite of the bread a slow lonely tear slid silently down his dirty smudged cheek and blended with the rain that was still dripping from his hair.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MOQ19OE
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MOQ19OE?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
September 1, 2014
Disney Vacation
I had perfect intentions of writing this blog for each day that we were here. But, as you can see that didn’t quite happen. I would love to tell you that we have been busy running around with a couple of little kids enjoying everything there is to love about Disney. But that would be a lie.
In fact, it is just the 3 of us kids here and the youngest is 15 – about to be 16. But that doesn’t stop us from enjoying everything. The past two days have been incredibly fun, and also a little stressful. Riding rides, eating good food, meeting Anna and Elsa, and walking miles and miles.
The stressful part was my wife losing her purse on the Buzz Lightyear. The good news is that we got it back – the next morning. Fully intact including a brand new set of tire tracks across both the front and the back of the bag. We were pretty stressed at the ride when they couldn’t find it. But, a fantastic guest relations person named Sylvia was able to put our minds a little more at ease.
Day 3 included two of the kids – my wife and son – riding Splash mountain before we all went to Big Thunder. Afterwards, my son attempted to beat me at Buzz Lightyear’s ride – which he was able to finally do. It was almost 2am by the time we got back to the room, but you have to relax at some point.
Our last day at Disney was a “Frozen”, which unfortunately did not include the actual weather. We bought a Frozen package which got us preferred seating/standing at the morning parade, snacks – including much needed ice cream, preferred seating at a sing-a-long, and a Frozen themed dessert party. Even the fireworks were Frozen themed – which still didn’t help with the heat at 930pm.
Mixed in we managed to have some good meals – breakfast at Whispering Canyon was not just entertaining, but also good. But, the “big” meal was at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside of the castle. We got to have photos taken with Cinderella before dinner, and the got to see and take pictures with Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Jasmine. Oh yes – and the food was good too.
For me, the best part was the entire trip. But, if I had to pick one part it was getting the chance to spend quality time with my son while he laughed about my screaming through Tower of Terror and Rockin Rollercoaster. Disney is certainly not for everyone, but they certainly do know how to take care of their guests and make all of the kids happy – even those that are over 50.
August 30, 2014
Disney Vacation – Day One
Before I start, I should “warn” you. I like Disney, in fact you could probably say I love Disney. We are members of the Disney Vacation Club, which is like a timeshare but – at least in my opinion – much better. Aside from the flexibility, it is also Disney. And no matter what negative comments you can make, Disney just does it better.
As my 15 – ok almost 16 – year old son put it the other day. If someone were going to build an Atlantis (hotel underwater) it would be Disney. And they would do it well. Disney, just has a customer service ethic that goes above and beyond. I won’t say they are perfect, no one is. But, they do their best to try to be.
Yesterday we spent the day at Epcot going on Soarin which is a really fun ride, and Disney is shutting down because it is time for a renew. But, it is still fun. We also did Test Track which is a little on the jerky side, and may not be the best for a soon new driver. But then again, we don’t have roads like these at home – or anywhere.
In the afternoon and early evening it rained – actually a good thunderstorm rolled through – so we opted for an afternoon nap. I think that parents sometimes forget about this concept. They get up at the crack of dawn with little kids, or even big kids, and expect them to be on the go all day. And then they wonder why they (the kids) get cranky?
In the evening we opted for a simple dinner at the Polynesian and then decided to go to Magic Kingdom. What started as “oh, we will just walk through the shops” turned into going on Buzz Lightyear (love it) twice, Space Mountain, and then Pirates of the Caribbean. We laughed – because my son says I cheated in the Buzz ride just to beat him. And we had a really good time.
On to day two now… I am up a little early (as usual) so I got myself coffee and a danish. Sitting by the fireplace – one of many – here at the Wilderness Lodge villas. It is relatively quiet and even fairly peaceful. It’s a good way to start a day at Disney.
Oh and by the way – a good way to END the day is at the Polynesian with a Lupa Lupa. It is dark rum, pineapple juice, and topped off with Bacardi 151. Oh and it is served in a full pineapple.
Originally posted on 
