An Awesome Night of Writing!

Wow! Last night was an awesome night for writing!

I really didn't get started until about 9:00 p.m. but once I did the Muse was kind. I wrote for about 2 hours, then came back for about an additional 1/2 hour later. All told, I wrote almost...(insert drum roll here)...7 pages!

Okay, okay...it wasn't half a book but I was working on two scenes that are critical to laying out a major clue and then taking advantage of the clue. It was more important to capture those two points correctly than to have an unworkable mess later.

Soooo...tonight I'll do some online advertising before sitting down to write. I don't anticipate being as prolific as last night, but one can never tell.

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On another note, my Kickstarter project has done anything BUT kick start crowd funding for new book covers and advertising. Less than 48 hours to go and thus far the amount raised equates to...(ah, never mind the drum roll)...$0.00. Yep! That's right...NADA!

But that's alright. I will not be down about this. There are other options out there and one of them will work. (The power of Positive Thinking!) I'll spend some time this week doing some research on some of the other options!

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Don't forget that my current e-books are available through Amazon.com (for Kindles), Smashwords.com (for other e-reader formats), at Barnes&Noble (bn.com), and Apple's iBooks Store (for iPad or iPhone). 

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The weather is starting to shift (in many locations) toward Springtime, so be cautious out there!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

March Roars in Like a Lion!

Greetings Everybody!

Welcome to March, a wonderful month with many great portents. Let's start with birthdays. Today is my little sister's birthday and for the next 22 days, thanks to impeccable timing by our parents, Linda and I shall be the same age! Happy Birthday, Linda Sue!

The 22nd of March will bring us the 84th birthday of that great Captain of the Starship Enterprise, William Shatner. And the 26th would have been the 84th birthday of his Science Office, Mr. Spock, known and loved as Leonard Nimoy, who sadly left us just days ago. 

Wedged in between the birthdays of those two acting greats is the 55th birthday of your lowly blogger...me! Wow! Where have the years gone? 

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In other news, work is proceeding well on The Arizona State Guard: Target Terror! I've just about wrapped up a major battle at a major Phoenix airport. Time to finish that this evening and spend a little time writing about the bad guys, setting out some more clues as to the drama that will follow. This should wrap the first draft of Chapter 5 and we're at page 53 already! I need to pick up the pace to stay on track to complete my first draft, do my edits, then get it ready for release by the end of June.

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Sales of the existing books have been slow in February. I hope March is better! Will be doing my advertising tomorrow evening and hope the word goes out far and wide!

Once again I'm asking you to reach out to your family, your friends, your acquaintances, your second cousins twice removed, and your arch enemy (in other words, everyone you know!)!

My e-books are fun and exciting and make excellent gifts for the readers in your family or circle of friends.

Chaos on Terra-Prime ($2.99)
Foothold on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
Crisis on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
The Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border ($3.99)

Each e-novel is available at the following online stores:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
- Barnes&Noble (bn.com)
- Apple iBooks Store (via iPad or iPhone)

Smashwords.com offers each of the e-novels in a variety of formats!

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On a side note, movement on the Kickstarter Project has been slow as well. How slow you ask? 

Dead slow, no movement, no go. (Cue the heavy *sigh*)

Well, if it doesn't generate sufficient activity to be fully funded with the current approach, I'll just have to try another. I won't give up on it!

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Another round of Winter Weather has come and gone through much of the U.S. Based on the many storm related videos involving multi-vehicle pile-ups, I believe the number one danger on the road is drivers who won't slow down enough for the road conditions. As ol' Chief Master Sergeant "Hurricane" Hugh Pike would say, "MERCY!"

Folks, let's be careful out there! We all have someone or someones who love and depend on us. If the weather's really bad and you don't really need to be out and about, stay home. 

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

My Kickstarter Project is Active!

Well folks, my Kickstarter project is active here! I know many of you would love to help make this project a success!

My goal is to raise $3,000.00 dollars to accomplish the following:

1) To have new covers drawn for the Terra-Bravo Saga e-novels.

2) To purchase online and print advertising for all of my e-novels.

I want to hire my son, Sean, to give the covers a more professional and stylish appearance. He's an outstanding artist who already has two e-novel covers to his credit (Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border is one of them!). He's already coming up with some really snazzy ideas!

Once Sean starts the new covers, I'll go back through each of the e-novels and do some minor tweaking to correct some typos, add internal advertising to my other projects, add a glossary to each e-novel, and add author bios and photos. 

Then I plan to purchase advertising with those online businesses that advertise e-novels and find advertising space in print magazines, as well. (Any ideas for such places are welcome!)

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Work on the new Arizona State Guard e-novel is going great. I wrote several pages this past week, 4 pages yesterday, and think I'll probably get a few more done today! I've introduced some new characters and am really generating some suspense and action. 

I've got to set myself a publication date, giving myself some deadlines to get it ready. Oh, let's say... May 15, 2015 to wrap up the first draft and June 30, 2015 for publication. Oh, darn! Now, I've done it! Nothing to it, but to do it!

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Once again I'm asking you to reach out to your family, your friends, your acquaintances, your veterinarian, and your arch enemy (in other words, everyone you know!)!

My e-books are fun and exciting and make excellent gifts for the readers in your family or circle of friends.

Chaos on Terra-Prime ($2.99)
Foothold on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
Crisis on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
The Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border ($3.99)

Each e-novel is available at the following online stores:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
- Barnes&Noble (bn.com)
- Apple iBooks Store (via iPad or iPhone)

Smashwords.com offers each of the e-novels in a variety of formats!

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Once again, it's snowing here in North Central Oklahoma and elsewhere across the U.S. Be careful out there, folks!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Very Cool!!!

Even though I've been battling a cold this weekend, I sat down and finished Chapter 3 of The Arizona State Guard: Target Terror! I love writing action scenes...creating the danger, dropping the characters into the mix, and seeing what they do to survive and come out on top!

I introduced a character who will become a major thorn in the side of ASGuard Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Aurelius Roman. This character was created for the original incarnation of the the ASGuard...Roman's Legion. Marcus Roman and Agent Phillip Caldwell with constantly get on each other's nerves when their agencies work together to protect the NEW United States. Each time they are brought together will be one more step to an ultimate fight between the two characters! When and how this fight will occur, I don't know yet. Another book, someday down the road.

I've also spent some time writing what the villains of Target Terror are doing behind the scenes. I think I'm putting together a pretty good cast for this e-novel. 

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On the work front, photography/videography on Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting 6th is moving along nicely. Had a great shoot at Tulsa International Airport with Tulsa FD's Station 51 personnel. Knocked out another skill sheet and shot all but one photo for the chapters. I hope to be able to do another shoot in Ponca City this week for two more skill sheets.

Should be able to finalize Chapters 8 to 10 of Essentials 7th and turn them over to the project manager for the committee to comment upon. Next, I'll rough out Chapters 11 through 17!

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Okay, folks! Once again I'm asking you to reach out to your family, your friends, your acquaintances, your veterinarian, and your arch enemy (in other words, everyone you know!)!

My e-books are fun and exciting and make excellent gifts for the readers in your family or circle of friends.

Chaos on Terra-Prime ($2.99)
Foothold on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
Crisis on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
The Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border ($3.99)

Each e-novel is available at the following online stores:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
- Barnes&Noble (bn.com)
- Apple iBooks Store (via iPad or iPhone)

Smashwords.com offers each of the e-novels in a variety of formats!

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Alrighty then...

Here's hoping I kick this cold before it kicks me! And let's remember to be safe out there!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

This and That...Again!

The writing of Book 2 of the Arizona State Guard is coming along nicley. I've started Chapter 2 and hope to finish it this week. Introduced some new characters (always a slow process because I'm not familiar enough with who they are to write them quickly). Added some depth to some of the older characters. Now, I'm working on setting the stage for the action in this one! Addressing events across the continent then focusing in on Arizona!

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Sales have slowed a bit. Need to do more advertising, more often! So...

I'd like to remind everyone that books (to include e-books) make excellent gifts for the readers in your family or circle of friends.

I recommend my four e-novels as potential gifts:

Chaos on Terra-Prime ($2.99)
Foothold on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
Crisis on Terra-Bravo ($2.99)
The Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border ($3.99)

Each e-novel is available at the following online stores:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
- Barnes&Noble (bn.com)
- Apple iBooks Store (via iPad or iPhone)

Smashwords.com offers each of the e-novels in a variety of formats!

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Should receive a check from Amazon this week! Not much but enough to set up an account for my writing projects. Then I'll kick off the Kickstarter project. 

I've begun a list of tweaks for the earlier e-novels that will be included with the 2nd editions: new covers, fixing typos, glossaries of terms, advertising of existing e-novels, etc... A little work on those e-novels to make them better!

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Looks like Winter is going to dump some more snow across parts of the U.S. of A. To my family and friends in those areas, I ask you to take it slow and stay safe! 

Remember, everybody, let's be safe out there!
Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Mr. Stine Said There'd Be Stories Like This...

As I've mentioned previously, I once met one of my favorite authors, G. Harry Stine. During our conversation, Mr. Stine talked about stories that sometimes reach a point where they end up on the shelf...set aside for one reason or another. These reasons can include:
- Being unable to make the story work.
- Having trouble with the characters.
- Another, more exciting, idea has come along.
- Life interfering with work.

My murder mystery in space story is on the shelf. Set aside for the time being...in this case, because another, more exciting idea keeps distracting me. 

I haven't given up on the murder mystery. Not at all! It's just going to spend some time on the shelf while I work on this other idea.

What's that, you ask? Oh, the other idea. OK, OK...I'll let you in on it.

The whole time I've been working on the murder mystery, the story line for the sequel to the Arizona State Guard has been brewing in the back of my mind. (Damned multi-track mind! Seldom gives me a moment's rest.) As that story line has come together, it has taken up more and more of my creative processes. Sooooo...

I've begun outlining The Arizona State Guard: Target Terror (Book 2 of the ASGuard). Today, I expect to finish my chapter outline and start writing the first chapter! 

I haven't felt this enthused about a writing project in quite a while! 

Jimmy, sorry the murder mystery is going to have to wait. I promise I will finish it...someday.

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Keep telling your family and friends about my e-novels! It's certainly helping! 

Crisis on Terra-Prime, Foothold on Terra-Bravo, and Crisis on Terra-Bravo sell for $2.99 each. Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border sells for $3.99. All of my e-novels are available at:

Amazon.com

Smashwords.com

b&n.com

Apple iBooks Store (from iPads or iPhones)

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That's enough for today. Time for to wrap up my advertising work and get some work started on a new e-novel!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2014

Welcome to 2015!

Greetings everybody and welcome to 2015!

Wow!  I remember when I was a kidling and thought 2015 was so far away. And now it's here. 

Here's hoping each and everyone of you had a safe and happy Christmas and New Years! Our branch of the Fortney Family certainly did! Julie and I enjoyed having all of the children and grandchildren in town and in house!

The past twelve days have flown by and tomorrow I return to work. This vacation has certainly helped recharge the old creative batteries to prepare me for the days, weeks, and months ahead.

My goals for this year? Well, my Top Ten goals would be to:

1) Eat better.
2) Exercise more.
3) Lose weight.
4) Finish Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting 6th edition
5) Finish writing all chapters of Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th edition.
6) Begin photography/videography on Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th edition.
7) Finish and e-publish the murder in space e-novel.
8) Help Kyle write and e-publish the next sequel to the Terra-Bravo Saga.
9) Write and e-publish a sequel to the Arizona State Guard.
10) Get the Kickstarter project off the ground!

A lot to do over the next 361 days. But all of it is doable. 

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Let's also kick off 2015 by spreading the word about my current e-novels from the Terra-Bravo Saga and the Arizona State Guard. These e-novels would make excellent gifts for your family and friends who enjoy science fiction, adventure, action, and some political intrigue.

The Terra-Bravo Saga tells the story of a world that could be the twin of our own world. 

Chaos on Terra-Prime: Ravaged by civil war and global crisis, American military personnel fight to return to America and secure freedom for themselves and their families.

Foothold on Terra-Bravo: The world of Terra-Prime descends into global war and a number of brave Americans set out to tame a newly discovered world in another reality.

Crisis on Terra-Bravo: The colonists of Terra-Bravo must battle a hostile world and sleeper agents in their midst, bent on sabotaging all that they have built.

Each e-book of the Terra-Bravo Saga is available through the following e-book stores for only $2.99 apiece:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
- Barnes&Noble (bn.com)
- Apple iBooks Store (via iPad or iPhone)
- Diesel eBook Store (diesel-ebooks.com)
- Versent Books (versentbooks.com)

Tell all your friends who love science fiction/military/adventure stories about the Terra-Bravo Saga!

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Book One of The Arizona State Guard e-series is now available at Amazon.com for Kindles and in a variety of formats at Smashwords.com for $3.99.

Torn from today's headlines:
- Growing divisiveness in the United States
- Federal policies destroying the American Dream
- U.S. military stretched to the limit
- Illegals flooding our unsecured borders
- Drug cartels terrorizing the southern border states
- Danger of pandemic within the United States
- The growing threat of Radical Islamists around the globe

War weary Major Marcus A. Roman returns home to Arizona, ready to move on with his life. The former Special Forces operative finds his home state besieged on many levels. When the Federal Government fails to protect its citizens along the border with Mexico, Arizona's governor and legislature take steps to protect the citizens of the Grand Canyon State. Marcus and his family are drawn into the crossfire when he and his father are recruited to help form the state's new first-line of defense...the Arizona State Guard!

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That's all for today! May you have a safe week and I'll blog again soon!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2014