Tragedy at Oklahoma State University Homecoming Parade

Nothing about writing tonight, no ads, and no humor.

Yesterday morning, a senseless tragedy occurred in Stillwater, Oklahoma when a 25-year old woman drove her car into a crowd of people who were watching the end of the OSU Homecoming Parade. There were many first responders in the parade and they leaped into action to begin helping those who had been struck. 

Sadly, 4 people are (at this time) dead and 44 more were injured. As I write this, several remain in critical condition. Among the dead was a 2-year old boy. His mother is one of the victims who is in critical condition. Numerous medi-evac helicopters were flown in to airlift the severely injured to nearby hospitals.

The woman driving the vehicle was taken into custody immediately by police under the suspicion of driving under the influence. She has already lawyered up and they are claiming she suffers from untreated diabetes or some altered mental state that no one was previously aware of. 

I was driving toward the location of the incident shortly after it occurred, not aware of what had happened. Traffic was backed up terribly so I rerouted to a different store. There I ran into a friend who told me what had happened.

A quick check of my family and friends showed that they were all safe! Sadly, dozens of others I've never met, but shall pray for nonetheless, were harmed. It's sad, tragic, and was totally unnecessary. In time, we'll find out what caused the driver to do what she did. In that time, we may see more of her victims pass (God forbid). In that time, the survivors and their families will endure the pain and hardships posed by the event. 

God Bless and watch over those who were harmed (the victims and their families and friends) on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Please, Father, help our city heal from this tragedy.

I'm too angry and sad to say anymore.

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

When a Coma is NOT a Comma...

Gotcha!

I've come to notice that my most innocuous blog headlines have generated far more "views" far faster than some of my more active headlines! So I wanted to try a little experiment to see how the headline above grabs ya. The blog headlined "A Quiet Weekend...Before I Spend the Week Doing More Editing" garnered 30 views and a +3 share faster than any other blog post I've made.

So let's see how this headlined grabs ya!

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Now that I've got your attention, things are coming along well with Death Haunts the Stars. I'm at the halfway point with the first edits. Taking a little longer than usual but it's a different genre and I want to get it right! I'm really enjoying the interaction between the characters. I'm looking forward to this week and next as I conduct more edits on the e-novel and bring it closer to completion

Spoke with Sean this weekend about the cover and have no doubt he'll do a wonderful job of it. I can't wait to see it and share it with all of you!

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I also plan to spend some time each night this week doing some online advertising for the existing e-books. You, my family and friends, have been instrumental in getting the word out to folks about my e-books and I'd like to ask you once again to get the word out!

It's time to run another series of ads for my e-books and drum up some more sales.

Previously, I encouraged you to 'run out and tell your best friend, your arch enemy, your postal carrier, and your friendly comic shoppe-guy' all about my e-books (the Terra-Bravo Saga, the Arizona State Guard, and Honing Your Instructional Skills)!

You all did such a terrific job, let's add to that list, shall we?!?!

So go out and tell your banker, your waiter or waitress, your bartender (or barmaid), your favorite aunt/uncle twice-removed, and of course, your hairdresser all about my e-books!! Share the attached ad with any and all who will listen. (Tie them up, if you must!) 

A million thanks to each of you!!!

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Well, it's time to put my eyeballs back on Death Haunts the Stars and get some editing done. 

Please take some time to enjoy the start of our changing seasons and have a great week!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

The Edits Are Coming Along Nicely!

Yep! You read that correctly...the edits ARE coming along nicely! The work on Death Haunts the Stars is moving along quite well. As soon as I finish this weekend's advertising blitz (and take Julie to work), it's back to wending my way through the draft of the new e-novel.

I've discovered I really like the main characters of Death Haunts the Stars and am hoping that this e-novel sells well enough for me to write a sequel one day that will feature Captain James Rivers; his wife, Dr. Charlotte Hanson Rivers; and his Chief of Security, Commander Mac Bradley. I have some ideas for them (and some of the other characters) for such a sequel.

I'm going to enroll Death Haunts the Stars in Amazon's new Kindle Scout Program. As I understand the program, it's much like a Kickstarter: 
a) I submit my work.
b) They set up a website.
c) I tell all my family and friends to check out my e-novel's page.
d) Family and friends (and others, too!) indicate they like the story (Yes, please!)
e) And, if enough folks like it, then I get a contract for Amazon/Kindle to e-publish and advertise it!

If they don't:
a) Amazon/Kindle return my work to me.
b) I self e-publish it on Kindle with me doing the advertising.

So, when it's ready, I'm going to be asking you all for your help!

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This weeks advertising:

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Have a great week, everybody! Remember...let's be safe out there!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

A Quiet Weekend...Before I Spend the Week Doing More Editing!!!

Yes, I took a weekend off from writing and editing. So not a lot to say.

Just going to use the time and space (a little sci-fi humor there) to do a little advertising for my current e-books:

The Terra-Bravo Saga:

And the Arizona State Guard series:

And Honing Your Instructional Skills:

Available at Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, b&n.com, and other online e-book stores!

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Oh! I got a new, better bicycle. A Huffy and I have to say, it's a nice ride! Been riding Boomer Lake every day and making it in better time each day.

Stay safe everyone! Have a great week!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015