There is no try.

cj Sez: I’ve been saying for a long time, way too long a time, that I’m trying to learn how to write an interesting mystery or I’m trying to learn how to write a YA story. In fact, I said it just the other day. Then I found this meme in my archives:

  It reminded me that I know better. And have done better. If I “really’ want to learn how to do something, I have to set an achievable goal and do what’s necessary to reach it.

  I once had a wild hair thought to challenge my staid existence and made a goal to go white-water rafting. When I was 50, I took six weeks of swimming lessons and then spent 5-1/2 days with 12 strangers on an Outward Bound white-water rafting trip on the undammed Yampa River flowing between Colorado and Utah. I had a great adventure (parts of which are incorporated into my second novel, DEATH ON THE YAMPA), made some interesting friends, and still don’t know how to swim.

  When I first wanted to learn how to write novels, I enrolled in a creative writing class at a local community college. I flew to San Francisco and spent three days immersed in Robert McKee’s STORY screenwriting workshop. I grabbed a bunch of how-to books. I read novels and read some more.

  Over time, I discovered I was drawn to the books of Robert B. Parker, Elmore Leonard, John Grisham, James Lee Burke, Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series. You know the kind, heavy on the action and adventure with a smattering of sex. When I relocated to Mobile, I took a continuing education class at the University of South Alabama, wrote seven paragraphs based on a prompt from the instructor, and, with a three- or four-line positive response written on the paper, decided I was ready to write.

  BEEP, BEEP: Writing in a vacuum doesn’t work. I thought my premise was wonderful, the words and structure perfect. I wrote crap. There was no brilliant beginning, middle, or end. There was only a quasi-beginning, a sagging middle, and an unsatisfying end. And I couldn’t even edit out all the punctuation errors because I would read right past them.

So, I joined writers’ organizations and a couple of critique groups in order to get the kind of varied writer/reader responses I would get should my novel be on a library shelf. I went to conferences, writer retreats, and workshops. My first short story was published in a literary anthology in 2008, my first suspense novel in 2013.

 

At first, my stories and novels were traditionally published but understanding that the publication world is a fickle place, I took an intensive class in self-publishing, got my rights back (from Simon & Schuster), amended my novels enough to warrant renaming them, and then self-published. And you know what? It felt good. I still submit my short stories for consideration in small-press anthologies.

  There is a song lyric that, paraphrased, tells me I can spend my days living a dream or spend my days trying not to die. I don’t see any hope or laughter in the latter. The Yoda meme reminds me that I must own my dream. I will either do or do not. 

  

  I will either learn how to write a mystery or set a new goal—hopefully an achievable one. 

  Today’s lesson: Set a goal. Put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and write it down. You might be surprised at how far seeing it in writing will take you.

  Okay, I’ll climb off the soap box, but think about it reader or author: What’s your goal? 

§§

  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe Labor Day celebration for you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:

  Summer is winding down, kids are back in school, and there is some available downtime. Having a book to read is the perfect relaxing entertainment for those moments. THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are available on Amazon or through your favorite e-Tailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  Nota bene: Angela Trigg, the RITA Award-winning author and owner of The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

And P.S.: Pop on over to my Amazon Central Author Page for links to anthologies in which I have a short story.

➜ Follow me on        

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

Reading 'n writing

cj Sez: You know how, after receiving rejection after rejection, we writers worry if our writing will be “good enough” to get published?

  Feelings of inadequacy can often overwhelm any confidence of competency and send us running for a big spoon and the nearest half-gallon of ice cream (chocolate for me) for comfort. But think about this: Bona fide professionals, those people we consider successful, do not, cannot rest on their laurels. Okay, that’s a cliché, but truly, professionals continually work to improve and perfect their skills.

  Every time Donald Maass, author of WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, leads a workshop on writing, I’d venture to guess he’s included something new since his last workshop. He’s a professional writer/lecturer/teacher who keeps polishing and improving his craft. Pro golfers take lessons; powerhouse baseball hitters have trainers as do Olympic runners and skaters. 

  The lesson is clear. The way for writers to improve their writing craft is to practice; i.e., they must read stories in all genres,* (but especially in their chosen genre), and network with fellow writers. And those tasks never cease.

  By accident or intentional research rabbit hole, I try to find some tidbit that I can incorporate into a work-in-progress or add to my growing list of helpful hints. Really, though, I love to learn something new most every day, Reader or writer, I wish you the same success.

[  *  Book coach Robin Henry’s essay on Jane Friedman’s blog explains more about how best to read to improve writing practice. Find out more here:    How to Read to Elevate Your Writing Practice | Jane Friedman  ]

 

§§

Tax Day is April 15, and I am breathlessly relieved that my taxes were eFiled—Friday, April 12. I was beginning to think I’d have to file for an extension, but hey, they got done…YAY! 

§§

  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:

  My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of Jane Bond romance (behind closed doors). The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  Little note: Angela Trigg, the RITA Award-winning author and owner of The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

➜ Follow me on . . .  

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Things to do coming soon

cj Sez: Let’s get to the Important News first: Local or near-local readers and writers, mark your calendars for Saturday, March 23. SAVE THE DATE, and come on down to the place to be . . .

  At this one-day conference held at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild, published authors will present panels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. The Haunted Book Shop will hold a pop-up sales store, and some of your favorite local authors will be in attendance to sign your purchase.

  

  Best of all, the amazing Mobile Literary Festival is FREE.

  For more information, click this link: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival 

§§

A reminder (From a dot com news article.*):

    Hey, all you local Mobile-area peeps and post-Mardi Gras revelers! There’s a way you can put all the shiny Mardi Gras beads you snagged at the parades to good use, and it’s a two-fer: You can give back to the community and get rewarded with a sweet treat at the same time. 

  On March 2 and March 3, bring 12 pounds of Mardi Gras beads (the article said "about a grocery bagful") to Augusta Evans School (6301 Biloxi Ave.) and get a Krispy Kreme coupon good for a dozen original glazed donuts. Augusta Evans students get the beads ready for resale, and the proceeds help support programs at the special needs school.

(* https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/02/15/augusta-evans-school-krispy-kreme-partner-beads-doughnuts-program/ )

 §§

  There are no absolutes in writing (my words), and I just found a bit of support for that comment in a recent post by author Randall Silvis on Jane Friedman’s blog. Read on: https://janefriedman.com/writing-rules-that-beg-to-be-broken/

§§

  Health follow-up: Son Jeff bested his Covid bug and is doing fine. I, however, did test positive for Covid . . . actually turned out to be one of my birthday presents . . . and I am now in quarantine. According to CDC guidelines, if all continues as it has (praying it does), I should be “free to move about” the world in a couple more days.

  You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:

  For your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

 

➜ Follow me on . . .  

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

Word Warriors

cj Sez:  Hey, all you word warriors: You still have more than half a month to reach your NaNoWriMo goal of 50,000 words. Keep up the good work…you got this!

  As for my story: After years (true) of pecking away at it every time I think of a different direction, I’m re-editing, again, a story that will probably end at about 70 words. Obviously, I am not a candidate for the NaNoWriMo challenge, but I’ve got my fingers crossed that all you writing warriors will carry through to the finish!

§§

Writerly info

  Stephen King has published 65 novels/novellas, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five nonfiction books, as well as more than 200 short stories. All told, he has sold more than 400 million books, and many of them have been adapted into feature films, miniseries, and television series. Even some comic books. How does he do it? He has strategies for creating a story that people love to read. One of those is to write the truth.

“Now comes the big question: What are you going to write about? And the equally big answer: Anything you damn well want. Anything at all... as long as you tell the truth... Write what you like, then imbue it with life and make it unique by blending in your own personal knowledge of life, friendship, relationships, sex, and work...What you know makes you unique in some other way. Be brave.”

§§

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. — Jack London

§§

   On Jane Friedman’s blog: “A Writer’s Guide to Fair Use and Permissions” . . .     https://www.janefriedman.com/sample-permission-letter/

§§

Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you.

cj

Now a note from my sponsors:

  My novels THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen of romance. (Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.) The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) by any author of your choice.

  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my books. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, shoot me an email. I have a small stash (with a discounted price plus shipping).

➜ Follow me on . . .  

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Do or do not...the story behind the stories

cj Sez: I’ve been saying for a long time . . . way too long a time . . . that I’m trying to learn how to write a mystery. In fact, sitting in front of my keyboard staring at my WIP, I said it just the other day. Then I saw this meme:

  It reminded me that it has always been my habit that if I want to learn how to do something and have set an achievable goal, I have done what’s necessary to reach it. In other words, if I really want to do something, I will do it.

  I once had a wild hair thought and decided I wanted to go white water rafting. When I was 50, I took six weeks of swimming lessons and then
spent 5-1/2 days sleeping on the ground with 12 strangers on an Outward Bound rafting trip on the Yampa River between Colorado and Utah. I had a great adventure, made some interesting friends, and still don’t know how to swim. (That adventure is part and parcel of my novel “Choosing Carter” which I revised/re-edited/self-published as DEATH ON THE YAMPA.)

  When I first wanted to learn how to write, I enrolled in a creative writing class at a local community college. I flew to San Francisco and spent three days immersed in Robert McKee’s Story screenwriting workshop. I grabbed a bunch of how-to books. I read mystery novels and read some more of all genres.

  Over time, I discovered I was drawn to the books of Robert B. Parker, Elmore Leonard, John Grisham, James Lee Burke, Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series. You know the kind, heavy on the action and adventure with a smattering of sex. When I relocated from Detroit to Mobile, I took a continuing education class at the University of South Alabama (“Storming the Walls of the Publishing Industry”), wrote seven paragraphs based on a prompt from the instructor, and, with a positive response written on the paper, decided I was ready to write. (Those seven paragraphs eventually became “Deadly Star”, which I revised/re-edited/self-published as THE DAWGSTAR.)

  Writing in vacuum doesn’t work. I thought my premise was wonderful, the words and structure perfect. I wrote crap. There was no brilliant beginning, middle, or end. There was only a quasi-beginning, a sagging middle, and an unsatisfying end. And I couldn’t even edit out all the punctuation errors because I would read right past them.

  So, I joined a writers’ group and a critique group – a couple of critique groups, in fact, in order to get the kind of varied writer/reader responses I would get should my novel be on a library shelf. I went to conferences and writer retreats and workshops. My first short story was published in an anthology 2008, my first novel in 2013.

  At first, my stories and novels were traditionally published, but understanding that the publication world is a fickle place, I took an intensive class in self-publishing and bought tons of back-up/how-to reference materials. And you know what? It feels very good to know that I prepared myself for the option because I requested my rights back from Simon and Schuster then re-edited and renamed the novels and self-published them in 2021. I continue to submit my short stories to publishers.

  The point I’m trying to make is that, whatever it is you want to do, you have to make your “want to” a real goal in order to succeed. To be achievable, perhaps the goal is a first step. For me, that means reassessing my want-to. I must own the task. I will either do or do not.

  Reader or writer, today’s lesson: Set a goal and write it down. You might be surprised at how far you can go.

§§

  Readers: This fourth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild PIECES anthology series is a perfect complement to the first of the upcoming holidays. .  . 18 pieces of work by 17 authors.

   “Once in a Blue Moon” is a paranormal short story that was my first effort in that genre.

  The book is readily available in paperback or ebook—Kindle is $1.99.

§§

  Writers: National Novel Writing Month is on the horizon. Get more info here: https://nanowrimo.org/  

§§

  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you.

cj

Now a note from my sponsors:

  THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.)

  The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has some signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a small stash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) by any author of your choice.

➜ Follow me on . . .  

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Once More With Feeling

cj Sez:  I decided I should once again reorganize and clean-up the backup files for my blog the other day, and it turned into a time-consuming exercise, like sorting through storage boxes in the attic. That meant I “had” to re-read every post to determine if it should be archived longer or deleted. 

  I re-discovered the following 2016 post about our dynamic English language that I think is worthwhile repeating one more time.

  …. A friend sent me this quote from journalist Sol Sanders: 

“Perhaps the glory of the English language is that it so expressive. Its remarkable heterogeneous origins have given it an almost limitless vocabulary. And American English, particularly, has used that tool with an enormous flexibility to make it the international means of communication. One is able with a minimum of linguistic dexterity to capture every meaning, or almost every nuance.”

  Mr. Sanders’s comments were part of an introduction to his essay on what today’s journalism and media do with the English language. The gist of his blog was that journalism and media people overcomplicate their sentences with words that muddy their meanings—changing nouns into verbs and, perhaps, calling a shovel a “hand-held, earth-moving tool.” (True. I’ve seen these kinds of descriptions in engineering technical specifications papers also.)

  Yes, as a writer, I use nouns as verbs. Yes, I deliberately obfuscate and happily add the disclaimer that it’s for the sake of telling the story. I am drawn to the syntax, symbolism, and syncopation of a well-crafted sentence that is the hallmark of successful poets and mystery/thriller/suspense novelists. It’s using that “minimum of linguistic dexterity to capture every meaning, or almost every nuance” that appeals to me, and, I think, to readers of those genres. 

  Readers want to try to decipher the code, find the clues, and solve the crime. As a genre writer, I like confusing the issue. That said, I do have a few personal dislikes of changing nouns into verbs. One is the word “impactful”—a noun turned into a verb turned into an adjective by adding “ful” on the end. What the Sam Hill does that mean?

 

  The truth is that English is a living language. It’s constantly evolving as we create new words and new definitions to compliment new technology. Therein lies a conundrum:  The generations cease to understand each other at an almost exponential pace.

  Coda:  IMHO, (that's 'text speak') the gloriously expressive English language is what makes the craft of writing so fascinating.

  I’m still working on my craft. How are you doing with yours?

§§

  I absolutely love that Calvin cartoon. 

  That's it for this week's post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I'll try to do the same. 

  Raising prayers for a happy and safe summer…with lots of time for reading!

cj

 

Great vacation reads!

  My books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore.

Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  (If she happens to be out, drop me a note--I also have a small stash.) Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) by any author of your choice.

➜ Follow me on . . . 

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

Celebrating Father's Day and Juneteenth

 cj Sez: First, I want to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, adoptive fathers, and father-figures. I hope this day is the start of a healthy and happy year. 

§§

Juneteenth

   "Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. 

  On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Juneteenth 2023 occurs on Monday, June 19. Early celebrations date to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas."  (Source: https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth )

   "Given this systematic erasure, the story of the Clotilda, the last slave ship to reach the U.S., occupies a profoundly unique place in the history of the transatlantic slave trade.

  There were roughly 110 African children, teenagers, and young adults on board the Clotilda when it arrived in Alabama in 1860, just one year before the Civil War. Unable to return to Africa after emancipation on June 19, 1865—aka Juneteenth—they left records and gave interviews about who they were and where they came from that survive today."  (Source: https://www.history.com/news/slaves-clotilda-ship-built-africatown) 

   Cudjoe Kazoola Lewis, born Oluale Kossola, and also known as Cudjo Lewis, was the third to last adult survivor of the Atlantic slave trade between Africa and the United States. He was one of the captives brought to the United States on board the last slave ship Clotilda in 1860. 

§§

 

  That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe summer…with lots of time for reading!

cj

 

My books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore.

Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be out, I also have a small stash. Just drop me a note.

   P.S. For my local readers, the Mobile Public Library will soon have THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA ready for check-out. 

➜ Follow me on . . .  

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

May 29, 2023, a Day of Remembrance

cj Sez:  Because I believe this info needs repeating . . . 

All sacrificed some; some sacrificed all.

   Many people confuse Veterans Day and Memorial Day and think of the two days as being interchangeably one and the same, but there is a difference between them. Do you know what it is?

   Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military—in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all who served—not only those who died—have sacrificed.

   Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring those who died in the service of their country, particularly the military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In England, it’s known as Remembrance Day.

   It wasn't always called Memorial Day…it was once known as Decoration Day. Then the name changed again and became Poppy Day. When I was little, we bought and wore little red, paper poppy flowers as a remembrance. I believe the flowers were made by disabled Vets back then. Whatever the name, it's a day to remember and honor all those heroic men and women who have died in service of the United States of America.

  Born of the Civil War, Memorial Day began as a holiday honoring Union soldiers. The date of the first Decoration Day, the 30th of May, 1868, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular Civil War battle. 

  Inspired by the rondeau poem “In Flanders Fields” (penned by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae while still at a World War I battlefront), Moina Michael, a University of Georgia professor, came up with this simple idea: Sell poppy flowers to raise money on behalf of soldiers killed and injured in World War I--the red of the petals representing the blood of heroes shed on those fields of war. Michael was the first to wear one, and she sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.

   In my original Lyrical Pens post a few years ago, Janie Delchamps Zetsch of Dauphin Island, AL, a veteran and member of AL Post 250, shared insights on how to honor our fallen heroes. Janie told me then that what follows here had been a Facebook repost and gave me permission to use the words. Please take a minute to read it all the way through. It says everything.

“Just a reminder of what we celebrate next weekend. I am but one of millions of proud veterans, however it is not about us. It is to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice during battle, and to honor those that served and have now gone onto their eternal rest. The following, pointed, reminders are provided for your use, knowledge and perhaps to teach a child what we celebrate and honor on Memorial Day. 

Here's some ground rules:
1. Don't wish me a Happy Memorial Day. There is nothing happy about brave men and women dying.
2. It's not a holiday. It's a remembrance.
3. If you want to know the true meaning, visit Arlington or your local VA, not Disneyland.
4. Don't tell me how great any one political power is. Tell me about Chesty Puller, George Patton, John Basilone, Dakota Meyer, Kyle Carpenter, Mitchell Paige, Ira Hayes, Chris Kyle and any other heroes too numerous to name. Attend a Bell Ceremony and shed some tears.
5. Don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about. I have carried the burden all too many times for my warriors who now stand their post for God.
6. Say a prayer... and then another.
7. Remember the Fallen for all the Good they did while they were here.
8. Reach out and let a Vet know you're there, we're losing too many in “peace”. God Bless those who fought and died and served this nation for our freedom.”

   cj Sez:  I owe an awesome debt, one which can never be repaid, to the thousands upon thousands of heroic men and women who died so that my family and I live in freedom. I pray God’s blessings and comfort rain down on the grieving families and friends they left behind.

   That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

  My ebooks are available on Amazon or through your favorite bookstore.

   The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my paperback books in stock and ships everywhere. To order contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you the book(s) of your choice.

➜ Follow me on . . .  

➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

You-all guys know . . .

cj Sez: . . .  that authors often include bits and pieces of personal experiences in their stories, don't you? I’ve included at least a small part of my life experiences in all of my stories. A couple of my favorite adventures are written into DEATH ON THE YAMPA. 
 

BUY YAMPA NOW

   You may have read about this before because I’ve told it many times, but let me tell you again a little backstory about my first-person research for DEATH ON THE YAMPA.

   Way back when I was a younger, more adventurous woman, and in the throes of a mid-life crisis, I spent five-and-a-half days on an Outward Bound, white-water rafting trip down the Yampa River.
 
   At 250-miles long, the Yampa—a lazy float trip struggling through low water in the summer months—surges to life when Spring melts the mountain snows and roaring water rushes boaters through awesome, sandstone canyons in Dinosaur National Monument.

  There were four huge, silver rafts in our Outward Bound convoy, each carried eight to ten people, and a flotilla of kayakers ran the biggest rapids ahead of the rafts and waited in the eddies downstream, ready to pick up anyone who had the misfortune to fall overboard.
 
  I traveled alone on this Springtime snowmelt trip, didn’t know anyone who was going to be there, had never rafted before, and what was even wilder, I didn’t know how to swim. (Still don’t.) Our rafts entered the Yampa River in Colorado and ended the adventure five days and seventy-five miles later in Utah.
 
  The Yampa trip turned out to be part one of my research.
 
  The following year, I volunteered to do a Jeep Jamboree off-road adventure on the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and write about it for my company’s newspaper. The Jeep Jamboree grades the Rubicon Trail as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 in difficulty for off-road enthusiasts.
 
  I joined two professional writers in a Jeep Wrangler that, like many of the Wranglers on the trail, had its doors and hard top removed and a skid plate welded to the undercarriage to protect the engine when driving over boulders.

  I was the only novice driver/writer in that Jeep, and I sat, mouth agape, when the driver ahead of us miscalculated and rolled his Jeep off the two-track, boulder-strewn trail. We waited until Jamboree trail guides rolled him upright and sent him on his way again. 

  We drove onto the Rubicon Trail from Georgetown, California, and drove off the trail above Lake Tahoe, the city that straddles the border between California and Nevada. After one night of bathing in an icy mountain stream and sleeping on a deflated air mattress in a pup tent atop a granite boulder, I was extremely happy to spend the next night soaking in a hot tub and sleeping on a slightly lumpy mattress in a hotel.
 
  Both of those trips became the inspirations for the settings in DEATH ON THE YAMPA as well as my personal essay, “Don’t Ride the Clutch,” published in CUP OF COMFORT FOR DIVORCED WOMEN. (The anthology is free on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this post.)
  

 
BUY CUP OF COMFORT NOW

  To read more about the exquisite mountain settings I experienced, eBook copies (on sale for $2.99) are available on Amazon. Autographed paperback copies are available from The Haunted Bookshop (link provided below). 

  (If you’ll take the time to write a brief Amazon review, let me know. I’d love to send you a neat surprise gift as a please and thank you. Bribery anyone?)
 
  That’s it for this week’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.
 
cj

  My books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore.

Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in her own right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you the book(s) of your choice, mine or any other author.
 
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