I found this first part while cleaning off a thumb drive. It is from 2014.

Hi all,
 
After a year my muse has come back and I am starting out on that road of publication again.
Yes, it’s been a year since I have written anything, but that doesn’t mean that the well is dry.
I have been plotting in my mind different stories and revisions of two novels. Oh, so much so that I find it hard to get to sleep as the muse was getting closer to returning every day, and she has landed back in my life.
She hit with a vengeance, and the trouble now is to do it all at once, plus hold down a full day of teaching.
She has me re-writing two novels and starting a new one at the same time and IT FEELS GREAT!
She came back with plans for a whole new approach to my writing, a new genre other than the thrillers that I write.
It has been so long that I didn’t think she would ever return, even though I was plotting I couldn’t sit down and type or write. The muddy thoughts were getting to thick and then early Sunday morning before the sun rose over the east wall she landed right in my lap and said, “Let’s go. Get off your ass and write this shit down.”
So, as I sit here telling you about this and listen to Jim Croce sing away, she is hitting me with more plots and telling me to get the hell off of here.
 

2017 wasn’t much different, except most of the writing this year has been editing.

As those you who read this know, I am an Amateur Radio Operator.  Recently, I have been enjoying the new digital mode called FT8. Out of the last 120 contacts I have made on the radio, all but 2 were with this new mode. The other two were Morse Code and Single Side-band (or voice).

I just completed an Award called Triple Play. This is where you use voice, Morse Code and digital to work all 50 States. You must work the 50 States on each of these modes, giving you a total of 150 contacts. This is not an easy task as only 1,964 Amateur Operators have completed it.

But, I must try to concentrate more on the writing than the radio and playing on the Internet.

Several thousand-people read this Blog when I post a new one. It would be nice if you left a message down in the Comments Section telling us what is going on in your life.

I, and those people, really would like to know how you are doing.

See you later,
 John

Ah Facebook, what a font of interesting developments. Case in point: I ran across this post written by an aspiring author (identifying information has been removed):

Very much feel like giving up today. Up to now, I’ve written 1 x 115kword novel about two blokes on a road trip, 1 x 25kword romance/erotica, 2 short erotica and 2 short erotica reader magnets, I also have a 2 chapter free sample available of the longer novel. I’ve spent all my savings (15k sterling) sold my beloved classic motorcycle and now am putting my home up for sale. I have 4500 email subscribers and good open and click rates (40-50% open, 15-25%click) but since January this year when I decided to give it my all, I’ve made less than £100. I’ve used professional editors and had my covers designed properly to give a branding theme. nothing seems to work for me. I have 2 days left now to decide whether or not to risk going into debt for [A VERY POPULAR WRITING] course, any ideas/help/advice would be greatly appreciated !! and they may stop the tears!!

(Beth again):

OK. We have a bit to untangle here.

1. It’s great that this person is putting feet under his dream. KUDOS for writing. However…

2. The author has four books (apparently) in Amazon. You should note that they’re in two different categories. If I were coaching them, I’d get him to pick one genre and then build a strong author platform. It’s way easier to promote one genre than two.

3. I’d tell him to write works of varying length, various price points, and engage in copious guerrilla (low cost and no cost) marketing tactics to build organic traffic to his website. He can go on Podcasts. He can write articles (with fat bylines). He can participate in forums. He needs organic traffic to his website where visitors can sign up for his email list if they desire to do so.

4. Once he grows his list with fantastic subscribers, he needs to offer valuable information, entertainment, insights, and keep in touch with his audience.

5. After that, he could start growing his Amazon readership slow, attracting purchasers in his genre so Amazon’s magic algorithms can work their magic.

6. Under no circumstances, would I advise he go into debt. It’s one thing to plow your profits back into your business, it’s another to throw good money after bad and dig yourself deeper into a business strategy that clearly isn’t working.

7. I’d get off Facebook (or get in better groups) where I’ve often found it’s a “blind leading the blind” situation or (worse yet) a “guru” who offers advice for copious amount of cash, then somehow finds a reason to blame you when his/her techniques fail and/or their techniques no longer work because they’ve already milked them for all they’re worth. (Uff, that was a mouthful, eh?)

8. I’d tell him to write his next book. Invest time in building an authorship right, don’t fork out tons of dough trying to replicate someone else’s success, but (and this is super important) enjoy the ride!

Writing is a great profession. However, it’s got a few pit falls. Luckily there are many solid, seasoned writers more than willing to share their experiences for way less than the big bucks many gurus charge.

Finally, I’d suggest he freelance like a farmer. It’s the only way I’ve found to provide a consistent wage in this topsy turvy profession.

(Don’t know what “freelance like a farmer” means? I’ll talk about that next time.)

This article is courtesy of Filbert Publishing. Make your writing sparkle, write killer queries, get published. Subscribe to Writing Etc., the free e-mag for freelancers and receive the e-book “Power Queries.” http://filbertpublishing.com

While waiting for Honda to change the oil and do a computer evaluation of our CRV, I decided to change the tense in an old work that preceded the novel that I am finishing.

I guess my vacation from writing is coming to an end since it is no longer summer. I miss going outside and working in the yard or for a walk around the big outlet mall in Michigan City. What I hate most is winter and cold weather.

Here is what I am working on to re-write into third person.

    "Good evening Mr. Taylor.  How is everything tonight?" said our friend.
    "Everything will be better when we get this over with. Did you bring what I want?" Taylor asked.
    "Yes, I have your money.  That's always what you Americans want to know," said our friend, "You know Mr. Taylor, there are more important things than money.  If you Americans would realize this, then we would not have to worry about your country."
    "That's according to you, but to me the money is only an added advantage," Taylor said, "I have my own reasons for what I'm doing and this is a one-time deal.  I want to make enough money to give my wife the things she wants.  Uncle Sam doesn't pay enough for all the work and long hours we put in doing the same thing every night.  I don't know about your country, but in America stuff is expensive.  I also want to pay them back for how they have treated me and lied to me about having a great way of life in the Air Force."
    "If the material is good then I can make you a rich man," said our friend, "Now can we get down to business?"
    "Steve, the briefcase is moving," Mike said.
    "Okay let's go, Jerry remember, you stay put here in the room."
    We walked down the hall and as we got to Taylor's door, I called Jim on the radio and told him two minutes until show time.
    It was two-ten in the morning and it had finally arrived.  The time, Taylor's last free minute on earth.  I kicked the door in just as Taylor was handing his friend the classified documents.  My .45 caliber was pointing right at Taylor's head and Mike had his friend covered.  While at the same time, Jim came crashing in through the window.  They never knew what hit them.
    I told Mike, "I couldn't have timed that better if I tried."
    "Hell, you did have it timed," Mike said.
    "What the hell!" cried Taylor.
    "You’re under arrest, both of you.  Hands on top of your head.  Taylor, I'll take those documents. 
    
    Until Next Time

John

Please leave a comment down below.

Don't forget to visit me website at www.johnpoindexter.com

Here is a listing of my eBooks that are only 99 cents each.

She Rises at Dawn, Dreamer's Paradise, Hollywood Dream, and All in the Family Cruise
You can find them at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/ma8gd83
They are also on Nook and Kobo.

Smashwords carries them in all formats and even in PDF files.
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JohnPoindexter

You don't need a special reader machine.  You can download the Kindle app or Nook app from their websites to use on your computer, tablet, or laptop and cellphone.

It seems that Fall is finally here. The trees are changing and creating a wonderful display of colors.

I am hoping for a good long Indian Summer. I hate cold weather. Friends and family in the South keep telling me move down here. It is not just that easy to pack up and go. Wish it was.

My sabbatical from writing will come to an end when the Winter season starts and I can't go out and do work in the yard or on the house. Right now, it is hard, as we have these little black bugs that bite the hell out of you. They are smaller than nates, and they get all over you.

Not writing does not mean I have not been reading on the subject and picking up tips.

K.M. Weiland's latest writing-craft book, the Creating Character Arcs Workbook is now out and will help you immensely in your writing. I highly recommend, as it has helped me like it has others.

You should also check out her other books, to include the book Creating Character Arcs that came out before the workbook. You can find her work here on Amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/ycjsu3pq

Katie not only writes books on writing, but has a wonderful selection of novels.
The historical/dieselpunk adventure Storming, the portal fantasy Dreamlander, the medieval epic Behold the Dawn, and the western A Man Called Outlaw.

Check out her blog helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com   You may find some free eBooks on her site.

The biggest thing you can do for an author is leave a review of the book that you read. This helps them get notice by other readers.  I would really like to have more reviews for the books that I have sold, hint hint... Would really appreciate any I can get.

Now it is your turn to leave a comment down below. It will ask for your email, but I do not sell them. I only use them if I need to write you a private note in response to a question.

So, feel free to comment. I usually answer on the comments page.

Tell us what you are up to and your plans for winter. It is always nice to read what others are doing in their lives.

Until Next Time

John

Don't forget to visit me website at www.johnpoindexter.com

Here is a listing of my eBooks that are only 99 cents each.

She Rises at Dawn, Dreamer's Paradise, Hollywood Dream, and All in the Family Cruise
You can find them at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/ma8gd83
They are also on Nook and Kobo.

Smashwords carries them in all formats and even in PDF files.
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JohnPoindexter

You don't need a special reader machine.  You can download the Kindle app or Nook app from their websites to use on your computer, tablet, or laptop and cellphone.

My wife decided she wants to go camping and we need to look for a RV. Okay, do you realize how many are out there?  And the prices of them?

There are close to a hundred different models of RVs. Class A, B, C Motor Home or a travel trailer.

Most Class C (Class A are close to and mostly over $100,000) are around $70,000 plus. Looking at the prices and figuring out that if we bought one, we would be 85 by the time it is paid off.

Then we decided to go the travel trailer route. Again, there are hundreds of them too. The prices do go up to $100,000 or more, but there are also some for a lot less.

But when we find one, it is the one that cost more than the budget we want to spend. This means more shopping.

You can see one here: http://tinyurl.com/ybp43tof

So, now we have this standoff.  She likes one model and I like another one.

This all means we are still shopping around for the one that will please us both. If it takes to spring, then it does.

Hopefully, it won't be one that take us until we are in our 80's to pay off. At least I don't have to worry about buying something to pull it.  I already did last week.
 
Now what is going on in your life?  Click on the word Comments down below and leave one so we all know what you are doing.

Don't forget to visit me website at www.johnpoindexter.com

See you next time,
John

Here is a listing of my eBooks that are only 99 cents each.

She Rises at Dawn, Dreamer's Paradise, Hollywood Dream, and All in the Family Cruise
You can find them at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/ma8gd83
They are also on Nook and Kobo.

Smashwords carries them in all formats and even in PDF files.
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JohnPoindexter

You don't need a special reader machine.  You can download the Kindle app or Nook app from their websites to use on your computer, tablet, or laptop and cellphone.