Signs of SPRING!

It is cold, snowy and blowy outside.  

For the past week, this little ladybug has been hanging around the kitchen.  She caught a ride on my sleeve for about an hour before I noticed her and returned her to the windowsill.  

Suddenly it occurred to me that she might be thirsty, so I gave her a droplet of water.  She stayed next to it sipping for a long, long time.

  NOW, here is my question; WHY do I assume it is a SHE?  Because it is a Ladybug!  

BUT, there have to be HE Ladybugs too... 

Anyway, just seeing this beautiful little creature is a reminder that spring is around the corner, and maybe even as important, we might have aphids!

THEAC.ORG

My son, Ethan and his 'brothers' Doug and Ryan Wekenman did some fantastic work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and now are in Belize working with a youth group from California on an orphanage.  Please check out their website www.theac.org and please help spread the word of what these fine young men are doing to make this world a more loving and great place!

Facebookers, please join their Facebook group for updates and information https://www.facebook.com/groups/122104614558045/

My books are now available for your eReader...

http://www.justinmatott.com/JUSTIN_MATOTT_AUTHOR/books.html --- click to see my books on your eReader!

The car replaced the horse and buggy.  People protested and said they weren't going to change with the times, but when was the last time you saw one of these going down the highway (with the exception of you in the Amish Country)?

We are still somewhat in that age when it comes to reading.  Still my iPad is a novelty enough when I am at the gym that people say on a fairly frequent basis: "Oh, yeah, I know people use those, but I haven't seen one up close before."

Times, they are a changin'! Let's change with them...

THAT WAS THEN

THIS IS NOW

I like horses A LOT, but the horses under the hood of this baby, I like even more!

So, all this is to say, we need to change with the times.  We need to read that book under a lamp when cozy at night with a steaming cup of tea and we need to read on our eReaders when sitting in an airport or other more "non cozy" environments with the back lighting, ability to switch between umpteen titles and allow for the fact that they are here to stay.

I went on a live aboard dive trip for eight days last spring and took three books, thinking that would certainly be enough with all the scuba diving we were doing.  The problem is, I took the wrong three books.  I wasn't in the mood for any of them when I got to the Bahamas.  IF I had taken my iPad, I literally would have had hundreds of downloadable choices at my fingertips.  As a result of my  stubbornness I actually borrowed and reread a book.

What I hear from many people about ebooks is:

"I like to hold a book in my hands and the electronic version is never as good." 

or

"It is so nice to have a book on my Kindle/iPad/Nook, because with the technology it is so easy for my kids to read..."  

or

"I will NEVER read a book on 'one of those things'!"  

or

"This way, we can select from so many different books..." or...  

I remember being one who said I didn't think I would want to read a book on "one of those things..." and then I started using my iPad at the gym.  No longer was my book falling out of the book rack when lunging up the Stairmaster or being the "too thick and heavy to read when working out."

Today my first two books have launched onto ebooks and within a week two more will join them.  On these first two books I am reading along with you (though you can turn me off easily)  http://www.mytabletbooks.com/Index.aspx?merid=44

Please join me in welcoming my books to the wireless world we live in!

GARGOYLES ARE COMING...

AT 1:51 in this video you will meet my main character. 

BOOKSTORE/TOY STORE/ GIFT SHOP HELP PLEASE

This was posted today at the "fan" page on Facebook for me and my books, thought it was worth asking here too... 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290?ref=ts

"We need YOUR help! Justin Matott's books were just picked up by a very large Distribution group and the sales people are about to hit the streets hard. But what really needs to happen is local bookstores need to become aware of Matott's books, SO, that is where YOU come in. Would you please the next time you are in your local bookstore, be it a chain or a local ask them to bring in some of his books? You won't be obligated to purchase them and once they are the shelves they should show the book store owners that they will have some perennial sellers on their hands. If you'd like more information, please email me at andy@justinmatott.com. Thank you in advance and also, please SHARE this on your wall if you would..."

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.

GO BRONCOS!

From my book When I Was A Boy... I Dreamed:
I dreamed I was a football star,
and touchdowns were my goal.
I played with all my heart and might!
The Champion of the Superbowl.
(please note the colors are blue and orange!
GO BRONCOS!!!

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!

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!

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/