The League of Old Men -- Part 2

The Eight Sentences:

 The sidewalk leading up to the street was broken and uneven. Grass and tall weeds made homes of the cracks. Poison ivy grew up the side of an exterior wall, rooted somewhere between a window and the brick veneer wall.

But the interior was another story.

Image copyright 2007 FCEtier

The floors were worn but clean. It was clear that the kitchen and dining area had been used recently and frequently. A mahogany bar hosted a row of bar stools from another era. The back counter was stocked with bourbon and scotch.

The American flag stood proudly with an eagle decoration atop the wooden staff.

The Back Story:

Last week's snippet was my first dealing with the League of Old Men. Today, we visit their meeting hall.
This will be my last excerpt on this eclectic group who will make their debut in my third book, A Year Without Killing.

These guys will turn up again in my fourth book, Transfer the Dragon. They will be joined in this adventure by the talented and feisty members of the Presidents Club.

Open call for writers:

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The 

same link will take you to the work of dozens of talented 

writers.

 Check out their work, too.  Here's the Facebook link for the

 Sunday Snippett group.

Manhattan Skyline

The Eight Sentences:

The Manhattan skyline glowed like bullion thanks to the sun’s rays just before dusk. Claudia Barry appreciated the spectacle from her table in the Vu Lounge of the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City. She held her martini glass up so she could observe the Freedom Tower through her drink. She liked the distorted view. It gave her ideas for a watercolor painting she planned to complete while in the northeast.

She turned to a fresh sheet of paper in her leather portfolio and wrote with her antique fountain pen.

She moved the pen with a deliberate pace. The painter’s hand moved the premium writing instrument with an assassin’s precision.

Claudia's view of the Freedom Tower from Jersey City.
Image credit: Etier Photography/Royal Flamingo Works, LLC

The Back Story:

     Readers first met Claudia Barry in The Tourist Killer. As that book ended, she had decided to take a year off from work. The sequel, A Year Without Killing, tells what she did during that twelve month sabbatical. She did not leave her weapons at home.

What now?

 Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

 Check out their work, too.  Here's the Facebook link for the

 Sunday Snippett group.

Paying It Forward

Recently another author invited me to participate in a “blog tour” by posting an article in which I answer several questions. Here goes.

My writing time in addition to blog articles is focused on my third novel, A Year Without Killing. This will be volume three in the “Barry-Hixon Conspiracy” series. It is also the sequel to my first book, The Tourist Killer. Writing is not my full time occupation, so it make take a while. If it all works out, maybe AYWK will be available in time for Christmas shopping.

While some books neatly fit into a particular genre, I’m not a big fan of the genre-labeling game. My first book prompted this comment from reviewer, Blaine Coleman, “The Tourist Killer is a complex story that’s difficult to pigeonhole into a single category: is it a novel about crime, international intrigue, a psychological thriller, a look into the mind of a paid assassin, or, is it a romance?” You could say that my books are “crossover” in terms of genre and that’s what makes them different.

Dale Carnegie said to speak about something that you have: 1. earned the right to speak about (personal experience) or 2. done extensive research and can speak about with knowledge. Applying his advice to writing, I write about what I know. My wife says I talk too much and she’s probably correct. My editor prefers me to use dialog to drive the story so I put my experience to work. The combination has earned kudos from reviewers for the conversations in my books. From a review of The Presidents Club, “Also intriguing are the elderly men themselves, their histories, and their opinions. Although they are, at times, catty, insulting, and sly, they seem like people we'd want to know (Hey, Louie, bring me a beer.) Etier has captured real conversations as the characters' comments overlap, entertain, and yes zing each other.”

I write for the same reason many readers open a book -- escape.

The time spent with my characters is wonderful and meaningful.

If I can escape and become totally absorbed with my characters in the story, then, perhaps my readers can also.

When I write dialog, it helps to (as they say in the theater), "get into character."

When a few weeks pass without writing, and then I return to it, I'm always surprised at how much I missed being with my literary friends.

When I begin a project, I think about characters and make notes on them. An overall story arc helps and then I write the first and last chapters. At that point, I turn the characters loose and hang on for dear life. It is often surprising what the characters do.

It is never disappointing and that’s why I love writing.

At least three of my writer friends will receive an e-mail from me soon with an invitation to answer the same questions and invite three of their fellow authors.

The Gold Trap

The Eight Sentences:

     In the darkness of her bedroom, Miriam Gold felt a hand over her mouth and then heard a whisper in her ear, “Crawl into the bathroom and call 9-1-1.”

     It was a pre-arranged course of action she and Ron had planned years ago and had never had to use it — until now.

A digital clock showed 2:30 A.M. and the house was pitch black dark — you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Ron had always felt darker was safer. 

     Ron rolled back away from Miriam as she began to slip out of the bed onto the floor. While he still lay on his back, he reached down and felt his .45 caliber pistol in its holster attached to the side of the bed, a bullet already chambered.      It felt as comfortable in his hand now as it had for over thirty years. His thumb found the safety with ease and flicked it down — he was ready to shoot. 

Ron Gold's .45

The Back Story:

     Ron Gold is a member of The Presidents Club. In this scene, he and his wife,Miriam respond to the unwelcomed visit of an intruder.

     Ron is retired from the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of a special forces group (similar to the Navy's SEALS).

     From the book: "The Golds had celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary two years before, when Ron was eighty. They were both in good health despite their genes — remarkable for their age. They both had high blood pressure and Ron had battled diabetes for years. With the exception of Ron’s obsession with television documentaries, they enjoyed good mental health as well." 

What now?

     Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

 Check out their work, too.  Here's the Facebook link for the

 Sunday Snippett group.

Meet Abe Region

The Eight Sentences:

“One of the assistant managers had hired me. I guess it must have been about the second day on the job, I was in the men’s room with a mop and other clean up products. I’d finished the urinals, toilets, and sinks and I was about to mop the floor. Someone came in behind me and it was someone I didn’t know. His name tag told me he was the store manager. The first words out of his mouth was, ‘You’re going to be in management one day.’

“I said, ‘How do you know?’

'Nobody wants to clean the restrooms except a member of management -- I sure cleaned my share of them!’ and we laughed together.'"

Behind the scenes:

     Each Friday, my publisher, Venture Galleries, posts one of my blogs. 

     Twice a month, they feature one of my blogs as a part of their "Author's Collection."  Sunday, Jan. 19, I begin a series of blogs about the members of The Presidents Club.

     This week, we begin with the first member mentioned in either of my books, Abe Region.  He made his debut in The Tourist Killer and it was a comment by him, that sparked the idea for The Presidents Club.

What now?

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Meet the "Presidents"

The Eight Sentences:

We got 3 of the 4.

“After being around these guys for a few hours, it’s easy to see how Thibaut — or anyone — could fall under their spell.”

“Charming?” Rosemary asked.

“Irresistible!”

“Tell me more, I think I like them already,” as she clasped her wine glass with both hands. She focused on his eyes but also watched every move on his face as he spoke. 

“Only one of them works now, Abe, the first one the boss met, and the others are all retired. Of course, the bartender works. Anyway, there are two doctors, two teachers, a preacher, a former Lowe’s manager, and one ex-military.”

The Back Story:

      Dinner at Rosemary's apartment with Gerald Pointe. He's the head of security for billionaire investor, Julian Thibaut. In this conversation, he begins to tell her about the men he's met in the Louisville Tavern — the men who make up The Presidents Club.

      Today's blog begins a series of blogs, each of which will focus on one of the members of the group. Next week, Abraham Leroy Region, aka: Abe.

News

     The Presidents Club went live on NOOK earlier this week.

Please help me with some exposure by sharing this link in the social media.

What now?

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link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

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For whom did you last vote?

+

The Eight Sentences

They could hear the dominoes being shuffled again,so Abe spun around on his bar stool to face the gamesmen and asked, “How many of y’all vote?”

His answer was four blank stares. 

After a pause, York spoke up, “You mean in elections?”

Louie said to Abe, “Guess you got your answer, huh? What about you, do you vote?”

“Sometimes, the last time I voted was when Samuel L.Jackson and I voted for the brother, gimmie another beer.”

Louie volunteered, “The last time I voted was for Miss Rheingold.”

The Back Story

     The members of the Presidents Club and their bartender discuss the relative interest of the general population in voting. Some people don't even bother anymore. Do you vote?

Louie the bartender did. He voted for Miss Rheingold in the beer company's annual competition. 

News

     The Presidents Club went live on Amazon earlier this week.

Official release date is Tuesday, Nov. 19. If you've enjoyed my snippets, I hope you'll help me with some exposure by sharing this link in the social media.

What now?

 Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

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 Sunday Snippett group.

They're here, they're there -- they're everywhere!

The Eight Sentences

She replied, “Name a few of the organizations you would consider if you believed in conspiracies.”

Without hesitation, Hixon said, “The Council on Foreign Relations, the CIA, the Bilderbergers, Trilateral Commission, should I continue?”

“Yes,” she said, “please do.”

“The Freemasons, Skull and Bones, the Knights Templar, Illuminati, Opus Dei, Knights of Columbus, the Schutzstaffel, Rosicrucians, Scientology, the KKK, the Costa Nostra, Al Qaeda, and the UMYF.”

“Did you ever read Ayn Rand’s book, Atlas Shrugged?” 

Hixon raised his eyebrows and shrugged, “No, but I read The Fountainhead, why?”

“She had a fictitious organization in the book called, ‘Friends of Global Progress.’ They claimed to have interests in psychology, folk music, and co-operative farming, and after decades of being known simply as ‘The Council,’ Thibaut’s group stole that name from Rand -- obviously they had more pernicious interests.”

The Set Up

  In this scene from The Presidents Club, Thibaut's secretary, Rosemary Woods, is talking to John Hixon about the organization to which her boss had been named Chairman. The image below comes from Wikipedia and depicts the wide variety of members in the Council on Foreign Relations (one of Hixon's examples).

What next?

Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

 Check out their work, too. 

     Here's the Facebook link for the

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What do Republicans look like?

=====================================

The Eight Sentences:

Ridge continued, “Of course it’s a depression -- caused by the Republicans -- they're ruining the country. If I see one in a crosswalk, I’ll run him over.”

Franklin York, still on the lookout for opportunities to stir up trouble asked, “How do you recognize them, George? What do Republicans look like?”

Ridge sneered in silent reply. 

York asked, “What does that look mean?”

Fishinghawk, ever the linguist, answered, “He’s flipping you off with his eyes.”

Reverend Tommy Pritchett smiled and asked, “Yeah, George. Do Republicans look anything like Methodists?”

The Setup

The members of  The Presidents Club enjoy teasing each other. They can dish it out ruthlessly and they can take it, too. 

They're a nice fit for each other and constantly on guard for a slip of the tongue they can exploit. 

They often surprise me with their smart ass remarks and clever rejoinders. 

What next?

Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

 Check out their work, too. 

     Here's the Facebook link for the Sunday

 Snippett group. 

Hokies and Aggies

The eight sentences:

“Well, that, and anything the Aggie band plays.”

“The Strategic Air Command March?” she asked.

Gregg’s face broke into a smile and his eyebrows raised without conscious effort on his part, “You’re a fan? Thought you were a loyal Irish girl.”   

“I’m a fan of great marching bands. I live in South Bend now, and wear this cap for PR, but I’m a Virginia Tech girl -- I marched in their band when I was in school.”

“Just what is a ‘Hokie?’”

“Tell me what an ‘Aggie’ is, and I’ll tell you what a ‘Hokie’ is.”

“Why don’t we have this conversation over dinner and drinks?”

The set up:

      The speakers are Jerry Gregg, one of the late Julian Thibaut's security men. He's a Texas Aggie.

      He's conversing with Erin O'Hara, the pilot of a King Air of which he is the only passenger. She is wearing a Notre Dame baseball cap. 

      Just before this snippett, she had asked him about his music preferences.

Lagnaippe (something extra you didn't expect):

If you enjoy watching precision marching, here's a treat. The nationally famous "Fightin' Texas Aggie Band." The entire show is fantastic, but if you want to skip ahead to hear the Strategic Air Command march, move the cursor to the 4:53 mark.

What next?

     Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same 

link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

 Check out their work, too. 

     Here's the Facebook link for the Sunday

 Snippett group. 

Friends of Global Progress

The eight sentences:

Image credit: northernbellediaries.com

“The Council is more like a Medusa than it is a single snake. You cannot stop us by simply killing one or even two.”

“She’s taken out three that we know of, and if she gets LaFrance and Hussein, that would be five. How many heads y’all got?”
“If she takes out those two, and if Kleinstein is either dead, in hiding, or for some other reason, incommunicado, we’re screwed. The internal factions would -- if they haven’t already -- begin to act autonomously. The result would be chaos. Miss Braun may have unwittingly played into their hands and broken up the organization -- stay tuned, Mr. Hixon, but don’t expect to hear about it on the nightly news.”

The setup:

   First speaker is Klaus Gershenfield, a member of the internatinoal conspiratorial organization, "Friends of Global Progress."

   John Hixon asks a question, and then Gershenfield's reply closes the snippett.

     

What next:

     Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers. Check out their work, too. 
     Here's the Facebook link for the Sunday Snippett group. 

The return of Star Braun

The eight sentences:

In an alley two blocks away from Vito and Nick’s, Star Braun tossed her iPhone onto the front seat of her metallic black Maserati Gran Turismo S.

The black ski mask slipped off over her head with ease.

She tossed it onto the passenger side seat.

Seconds later the black catsuit joined the mask.

She looked around once more to be sure she was still alone, then stepped with confidence into the black halter-top evening gown and red stiletto heels.

How often do you see a Maserati and a naked woman in an alley in Chicago, she asked herself. The question elicited a smile.

She watched herself in the rear view mirror as she fastened the Mikimoto pearl choker around her neck.

The back story:

Readers first met Star Braun in The Tourist Killer.

Her boss and lover was a victim of professional assassin, Claudia Barry.

Star's back.

She's mad.

She's killing people.

Will she be the spoiler? The trump card? or the wild card?

Notes on the image:

The eight sentences above come from a scene written several weeks ago.

It's surprising how difficult it was to find an image of a blonde model with blue eyes in a black halter evening gown with red stiletto heels.  

The model in the chosen image isn't blonde, but it's the closest I could find to my mental image of Star. Use your imagination.

Image credit: Alizeebridal.com

What next?

      Looking for more viewers, readers, and contacts?

Join us here at Weekend Writing Warriors. The same link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers. Check out their work, too. 
     Here's the Facebook link for the Sunday Snippett group. 

Flying High with Helicopters

The eighth anniversary of hurricane Katrina is fast approaching.

My wife and I have many memories and stories about how the weather changed our lives. In several ways, Katrina was as significant for me as the JFK assassination. Kennedy’s death didn’t cause me to move away from my home state.

Katrina did.

One of the nightmarish memories of the storm involves events that occurred in the aftermath.

The levee system in New Orleans failed. In addition to storm refugees and evacuees, now flood victims were arriving in Baton Rouge. Not too far from our home.  The basketball arena on campus at LSU became a huge triage facility.  

The “whop-whop” sound of helicopters constantly arriving at Tiger Stadium was a daily reminder of the tragedy that changed thousands of lives. Our house was close enough to the flight path that we could easily hear the airborne deliveries.

More than once, I looked toward where the sound seemed to be coming from, only to discover they were behind me.

It reminded me of the opening scene from the movie M*A*S*H.

Fast forward to the 1:06 mark.

My near obsession with helicopters recently joined forces with my 19th childhood (who needs only two?) and I started building plastic models again.  Hadn’t tried that in over forty years.

Last summer, I got back into flying radio controlled aircraft. I’d flown airplanes while in college and this time it’s, you guessed it, helicopters. I spent as much time repairing them after crashes as I did with them in the air. So I purchased several pieces of equipment to help.  The lighted magnifying glass and the “extra hands” with alligator clips proved handy for both hobbies.

Here are a few photos of my first model in 40 years, a Bell H-13H. Once I get the decals on, it will be a “M*A*S*H” replica. I can hear the music now.

“Through early morning fog I see

visions of the things to be

the pains that are withheld for me

I realize and I can see...

that suicide is painless”

If you have the right tools, any job is easy!

Just getting started: frame and skids.

Motor on the frame.

 Frame with cockpit interior. I was impressed with the detail.

Notice you can see the foot pedals.

 Almost done. Just needs decals.

Next up, a B-24 Liberator. It played a significant role in every theatre of World War II and I'll be writing a blog soon on a book about it. The book is The Wild Blue - The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany by Stephen E. Ambrose. Watch for it soon.