January 22, 2012
January 20, 2012
January 15, 2012
There are Gargoyles among us...
Meet Roderick, the main character of my present writerly obsession.I am busy working on a book which I am targeting at the Middle Grade audience, but I hope will be full of enough "good stuff" that it will find an adult audience the way other "kid's books" have.
My book (presently in the manuscript stage) is full of fantasy, historical fiction, present day adventures, and incorporates unlikely subjects including; crime fighting, Guinness World Book Record type of activities, Parisian nights, Malibu days, underworld Basque conspiracies, extreme underwater swimming speed battles, a bumbling news reporter, La Costa Nostra and other crime elements, epic battles, surfing and surfers, Laguna Beach, California, exclusive yacht clubs and snooty people, a touch of romance, an ancient curse which must be broken, secret detectives, the search for Gargoylian Kryptonite, magic, a priest with an ancient text about Gargoylian lore, nocturnal carnivorous feasting, Grotesques and Chimeras who battle the Gargoyles for supremacy, California Coast Cruising (an extreme water sport few know about), some Red Hot Chili Peppers music, texting, social networking, video blogs and tons of mystery.
So much packed into one book and thus far this book has been tons of fun to write, but the hard work of editing, cutting, adding, refining, redesigning and restructuring is about to begin.
With all of the swirling elements it remains primarily about one subject; the Notre Dame Gargoyles, which have intrigued me for years, since seeing them on a trip to Paris, and I hope my book will intrigue readers as well.While researching this current book project and scouring the world for examples of these creatures (my book is about Gargoyle Superheroes) I discovered one protecting the baggage area at DIA! He is sitting inside a suitcase.
Now how cool is that?
Do you know anyone who would want to read about gargoyle adventures?
I need some "fantasy"readers to critique several chapters to see if this new genre for me will work for you.
If you are interested in reading a bit of it and chiming in, please email me at justin@justinmatott.com I am looking for critique, not compliments (though they are welcomed too). I am hoping those who enjoy this style of book will give constructive criticism which would help guide me to a better book in the end.
PROCESS:
Trying to "zero in" on what is important in story, incorporating the outline devised for it. The structure of character development (WHO), describing settings which details place and time (WHERE AND WHEN) for the characters to dwell in, while identifying and sticking with a main idea and/or author's purpose (WHY) and ultimately delivering active plot lines which will keep the pages turning. (WHAT HAPPENS). Once those goals are articulated within the pages of the manuscript, I must determine if my reader can SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL AND FEEL THE STORY I have designed for them.
January 14, 2012
January 9, 2012
Very interesting... to me anyway
So, I just found a diagnostic tool on blogspot that I didn't know existed. I have kind of marveled that my silly musings have garnered over 30,000 views, then it was even more interesting to me to see how many are in foreign countries, especially Russia and the UK!
PLEASE CHIME IN and comment where you are in the world when you read this. It will only take you a few seconds to do and I will really appreciate it! Thank you to all of you who stop by, I will try to be interesting in 2012!
PLEASE CHIME IN and comment where you are in the world when you read this. It will only take you a few seconds to do and I will really appreciate it! Thank you to all of you who stop by, I will try to be interesting in 2012!
January 8, 2012
My Books are now NATIONAL!
BOOKS ARE VERY MUCH A WORD OF MOUTH, RECOMMENDATION KIND OF THING... SO, I AM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT MY BOOK!
If you are reading this blog, chances are you are familiar with my books, my speaking engagements or me or perhaps you happened on my blog by accident. However you got here, I want to say THANK YOU for reading this far.
I want to ask a favor of you. It won't cost you anything but a bit of time, but I think it will benefit some kiddoes in your town. I have made it my mission to bring quality books to the world, with messages, entertainment, humor and hopefully an increased love for the written word. I cannot continue to expand my readership without your help. There are many changes happening in the book world right now, ebooks, economic threats to the independents as well as we lost a major chain last year. Books are a little on the endangered species list and that is a scary prospect.
Books and stories are "word of mouth" kind of things. Recommendations go a long way. I am asking you to go to your local bookstore and ask them to bring my books in.
I started my blog hoping it would provide some entertainment and because it allows me to express things in less than book length portions.
I have had a great time as an author over the past. After years of building my book fan base on a mostly western state/regional basis, I am taking the next step with a national distributor. The number of my books in a five state region that have been sold rivals many of the largest publishers and it is time for a coast to coast push and beyond.
PLEASE ask your local bookstore, toy store or other outlet for kid's books to order my books in NOW! I would greatly appreciate it!
If you are reading this blog, chances are you are familiar with my books, my speaking engagements or me or perhaps you happened on my blog by accident. However you got here, I want to say THANK YOU for reading this far.
I want to ask a favor of you. It won't cost you anything but a bit of time, but I think it will benefit some kiddoes in your town. I have made it my mission to bring quality books to the world, with messages, entertainment, humor and hopefully an increased love for the written word. I cannot continue to expand my readership without your help. There are many changes happening in the book world right now, ebooks, economic threats to the independents as well as we lost a major chain last year. Books are a little on the endangered species list and that is a scary prospect.
Books and stories are "word of mouth" kind of things. Recommendations go a long way. I am asking you to go to your local bookstore and ask them to bring my books in.
I started my blog hoping it would provide some entertainment and because it allows me to express things in less than book length portions.
I have had a great time as an author over the past. After years of building my book fan base on a mostly western state/regional basis, I am taking the next step with a national distributor. The number of my books in a five state region that have been sold rivals many of the largest publishers and it is time for a coast to coast push and beyond.
PLEASE ask your local bookstore, toy store or other outlet for kid's books to order my books in NOW! I would greatly appreciate it!
January 6, 2012
The AC Project is underway!
Be encouraged! The youth surrounding us are doing some pretty terrific things to change the world!
I spoke to Powell Middle Schoolers this morning about heroism, character and making a difference in the world. Several of them suggested I blog about my son's journey, because they were impressed with the idea of young men traveling the world to make a positive change, so here it is!
We talked about how you can make a positive change on the street corners of Denver (or any city, town or hamlet), by handing out sweaters, coats, gloves and food to the folks who are down on their luck. No reason to wait!
The morning at Powell Middle School was made possible by one student, LUCY, who is already a hero, a champion of others, a student of the NON MEism movement. A girl who puts her faith into action! A girl who already knows she wants to go to Africa to make a difference for orphaned children! I am very proud to know her and after meeting her parents realized the "apple didn't fall far from the tree". It was exciting to see how her desire to change the world infected the others to want to do something similar. WAY TO GO LUCY!
Ethan Matott, Doug and Ryan Wekenman left LAX this week and landed safely in Haiti where they will start this year long mission trip. There is a facebook page set up to follow them as well as their website: http://theac.org/ Matt Fons will join them in June when he is done at with his last semester in college and then the four of them will continue on the trip.
Take some time to read about what four guys who met at Colorado University in Boulder are doing to make this a better world. When they get back they will be showing their video journalism and setting up the foundation where other people can get involved and make a difference too. It is also exciting for me to think that Matt Fons, the WRITER, will be possibly bringing out a book about their travels.
Watch THE AC PROJECT in 90 SECONDS
http://vimeo.com/31881334
If you are on twitter, please follow their twitter feed for more information. https://twitter.com/?iid=am-114225476113257957525153798&nid=23+sender&uid=23076800&utm_content=profile#!/The_AC_Project
If you are on facebook, please LIKE their facebook page for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/122104614558045/
I spoke to Powell Middle Schoolers this morning about heroism, character and making a difference in the world. Several of them suggested I blog about my son's journey, because they were impressed with the idea of young men traveling the world to make a positive change, so here it is!
We talked about how you can make a positive change on the street corners of Denver (or any city, town or hamlet), by handing out sweaters, coats, gloves and food to the folks who are down on their luck. No reason to wait!
The morning at Powell Middle School was made possible by one student, LUCY, who is already a hero, a champion of others, a student of the NON MEism movement. A girl who puts her faith into action! A girl who already knows she wants to go to Africa to make a difference for orphaned children! I am very proud to know her and after meeting her parents realized the "apple didn't fall far from the tree". It was exciting to see how her desire to change the world infected the others to want to do something similar. WAY TO GO LUCY!
Ethan Matott, Doug and Ryan Wekenman left LAX this week and landed safely in Haiti where they will start this year long mission trip. There is a facebook page set up to follow them as well as their website: http://theac.org/ Matt Fons will join them in June when he is done at with his last semester in college and then the four of them will continue on the trip.
Take some time to read about what four guys who met at Colorado University in Boulder are doing to make this a better world. When they get back they will be showing their video journalism and setting up the foundation where other people can get involved and make a difference too. It is also exciting for me to think that Matt Fons, the WRITER, will be possibly bringing out a book about their travels.
Watch THE AC PROJECT in 90 SECONDS
http://vimeo.com/31881334
If you are on twitter, please follow their twitter feed for more information. https://twitter.com/?iid=am-114225476113257957525153798&nid=23+sender&uid=23076800&utm_content=profile#!/The_AC_Project
If you are on facebook, please LIKE their facebook page for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/122104614558045/
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