RAIN

On Saturday, November 28th, my wife and I traveled to Providence, RI to attend a performance by Rain, a Beatles tribute band. Being a huge Beatles fan since they arrived on the scene in 1964, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Their instrumentation is about 99.9% accurate and their singing is 99% accurate. We went to a local restaurant just around the corner from the Providence Performing Arts Center named Tazza Caffe for a before show bite to eat and then did some sight seeing in the immediate vicinity. We walked across the bridge over the Providence River and visited the WWII Memorial alongside South Main Street. It's amazing that just 44 miles east of us is this cultural and historical center with so much to see and do. Click on the title of this post to go to Rain's website.

The Jim Buchanan Series Main Characters

I thought I'd provide a description of my recurring characters in the Jim Buchanan Series. The characters are listed in order by importance.

Series begins in 1995, in Thompson Falls, MT

MAIN CHARACTERS

James “Jim” (Little Hawk) Buchanan - 34, 6’4”, with a muscular build with shoulder-length brown hair, worn in a ponytail. Named after the 15th President of the United States, Jim’s father was Scottish and his mother was a full-blooded Crow Indian. Thompson Falls High School football, basketball & track star, University of Montana football star as a defensive tackle, and 1st round NFL pick who signed a 4-year contract to play defensive end for the Chicago Bears. After winning many awards, and suffering through an injury-filled third year in the NFL, Jim shocked the sports world by turning down the remainder of his pro career to be a US Air Force Military Policeman (dog handler). His friends in the USAF called him Hoss because of his size. He owns a deuce and half military surplus vehicle, was a Montana Highway Patrolman, and is the Sanders County Sheriff and an instrument-rated pilot. County Sheriff’s responsibilities are to run the county jail and patrol that area of the county not under the jurisdiction of various local police offices. Tragedy struck Jim’s life in my first novel, ‘Montana Harvest’ when Jim’s beloved wife, Kate disappears.

Linda Stevens – 28, 5’8”, short blond hair, athletic build. Linda is Thompson Falls Chief of Police and Kate’s best friend. Solid, rock steady person in town and Jim’s honest link to the police department. Everything is by the book with her. She admires Jim and those feelings grow into much more after Kate’s passing.

Angel – 2-year-old, female German Shorthaired Pointer. Obtained from a local rescue group (Montana Pointer Rescue) as a puppy and trained by Jim to be a police service dog and his faithful companion. Angel was working with Jim when Kate disappeared.

Rocco “Rocky” Salentino - 32, 6’0”, crew cut, black hair, stocky build, Asst. County Sheriff, Jim’s USAF Military Police buddy, Jim got Rocky a job in the Sheriff’s Dept in 1995 after Jim was elected to a six-year term. Rocky was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, a 2nd generation Italian-American. His family is from Avellino, Italy, near Naples. Rocky is a former Fulton/Rockaway, street-wise hoodlum. His friends back home call him Double O. He longs to be back in Brooklyn. Repeats, “oh man” when he’s in a stressful situation.

Henry Kelly - 64, 5’10”, short, white hair, medium build, Kate’s uncle, and Sanders County Coroner. Hank is a Vietnam Veteran and a former military physician. He spent 30 years in the NYC Coroner’s Office and decided to retire at age 62. Hank was a legend in NYC Police Precincts as an honest and thorough coroner and Rocky can verify that fact. Hank moved to Thompson Falls and accepted a position as Sanders County Coroner with the intention to fully retire at age 65 and live there based upon a vacation brochure he received in the mail from Kate and the fact that he wanted to help Jim find her. His wife is the twin sister of Kate’s mom. Lives on Woodland St in Thompson Falls.

Dan McCoy – 67, 6’4”, bald, a former five-term Sanders County Sheriff. Jim relies on Dan’s honesty to help him solve cases. McCoy was sheriff when Kate disappeared. McCoy moved to Whitefish, Montana after his retirement. Is dating a Flathead Indian, Esmeralda Hightower. Dan says all the officials in Thompson Falls can kiss his ass.

Alma Twofavors – 18, 5’10”, waist-length black hair, slim build. Mary Whispers Twofavors niece and adopted daughter and Jim’s blood daughter.

Mary Whispers Twofavors – 38, 5’11”, waist-length black hair, athletic build, Jim’s half-sister, loves Jim as a true brother.

Willie Longfeather – 46, 6’0”, member of the Flathead Nation. Willie is an ex-con, convicted of manslaughter. He served 25 years in federal prison for killing a sexual predator that had raped and murdered his sister. Willie is Dan McCoy’s best friend.

Paul Weathers - 32, 6’0”, black, athletic build, originally from Detroit, shaved head, FBI agent assigned to Montana. Paul has a wife and two children back home in Idaho. WR in college (Stanford) and claimed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49’ers. Once played against Jim in a 1987 NFL preseason game.

Acaraho Eaglefeather – 19, 5’9”, long brown hair. Acaraho is a Crow youth who is dating Alma. Acaraho means Mountain in Crow.

Jai Li – 19, 5’5”, waist-length hair, slim, very attractive. In the United States on a working visa, she cleans houses for a living and lives over a bar in Thompson Falls. She’s infatuated with Jim as a father figure.

Martha Wilson - 56, 5’6”, short brown hair, medium build. Martha is the dispatcher for the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and the Thompson Falls Police Department.

Jacob Stronghorse – 35, 6’5”, long black hair in braided ponytail. Stocky build, Flathead Indian Tribal Police Chief, lives on the reservation. Jacob is Jim's friend and is a sometimes collaborator with him on cases.

Preacher Longhill – 43, 6’6”, shoulder length brown hair. Muscular build, Crow Indian Tribal Police Chief. Preacher was born into the same tribal clan as Jim. He is a self-ordained minister, which is how he received the name, ‘Preacher’.

Here it is again

Almost a whole month has gone by and I haven't posted. Excuses are as follows: work, Saturday dates with my wife, work, guitar classes, work, illness, work, oh, and did I mention work? Yes, work has been very demanding this month with 2010 budgets due, DPUC interrogatories, FERC account changes, and other monthly duties. Most often we try to do get too much done in too little time and then suffer the consequences. With me, the extended hours at work and working from home caused a bout of pleurisy which, thankfully is now under control. Must remember to relax, stagger projects and delay some commitments. I need to learn to set aside some down time . . . some quiet time. Even if I'm just sitting upstairs in the media room playing my guitar. It is so true that we must prioritize our health, both physical and mental. That said, I still have the 'Killing Zone' edit to complete. I plan to take vacation time over the holidays so that will be a welcome project awaiting me. I also missed Eileen Albrizio's latest 'Writing From Scratch' workshops due to my hectic schedule but hope to attend her next one. I'm inching closer toward retirement and I hope that when that day arrives, it will afford me the time to make writing a full-time career.

MULTI-PART BLOG - part 3

About 30 years ago, I developed an affinity for Scottish bagpipes. I especially love the song 'Scotland the Brave'. The movies 'Highlander', 'Braveheart', and 'Rob Roy' made an impression on me as well as the musical 'Brigadoon' all with Scottish themes and locations. I've always loved European castles and medieval times. Other movies like 'The Messenger', 'Timeline', and of course the fantasy novels of Tolkien are all rich in the flavor of that mystical time when danger lurked everywhere and people kept a sword nearby. In fact, I purchased two replica swords from the 'Highlander' film (a katana and a claymore) and a replica of William Wallace's claymore from the film 'Braveheart'. In the 90's I began a novel in which a common man is divinely transported back in time. In my novel, he relives his past life as a Templar Knight in the 14th century. There he stumbles upon a long lost religious artifact whose discovery changes the course of history. Doing research on the Templar Knights, I found that when the persecutions by the Church began, some members fled to Scotland. A History Channel show described how they were buried with their lower legs crossed in order to distinguish them from other monks and noble people. Well, it so happens that I have a habit of sleeping with my lower legs crossed. Now, I'm not infering that I was a Templar Knight who was banished to Scotland in a previous life, nor am I saying that I was a Mayan athlete in a previous life. But compare these life experiences of mine with my Jim Buchanan character who is both Native American and Scottish. He has the characteristics of the ancient Mayans who worshiped the Earth's life forces and the goodness and valor of the Templar Knights. Coincidence?

MULTI-PART BLOG - part 2

In 1985 my dad passed away. I had some difficulty dealing with his passing and about five years later a friend suggested that I contact a woman who is a practicing medium. I attended a session and handed her my father's wallet. She touched it, went into a trance and knew of my father's illness and explained to me that he only wanted me to be happy and would be waiting for me someday. What also interested me was her reading of my life force. She said that I had lived a previous life as a Mayan athlete and that I would be moving north to a safe place. Well, about twelve years later, we moved from Cheshire, Connecticut to rural northeastern Connecticut where things are much safer and less hectic. I spoke to a Native American friend and related the medium's comments to her. She said that would explain my caring for all living things and of Mother Earth herself. Delving deeper, I learned of the Mayans' reverence for caves as sacred places. Having been in Caves in New York, West Virginia, and Bermuda, this explains my attraction to caves and the sense of peace that surrounds me when I am in a cave. I also found myself attracted to forests (especially rainforests), mountains, streams, cacao beans, quinoa, and chia seeds. All prevalent in either the Mayan or other Central and South American cultures. When I visited the Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven, CT as a young boy, I was attracted to their many artifacts from Mesoamerica. Throughout my young adult life I have purchased books, flutes, jewelery and other items related to these cultures. Can all these be indicators of a past life as a member of the Mayan civilization? Perhaps someday I will have proof. To be continued . . .

MULTI-PART BLOG - part 1

I'm sure that everyone has certain places, things, habits, senses, etc. that they feel drawn to. I'm also certain that everyone wonders why they like some things but not others. Such as those who like lakes but not the ocean or why they like black & white movies but not contemporary movies in 3D and Surround Sound. Well, here are some of the most important things that I like and feel myself drawn to: mountains, forests, caves, the Middle Ages, the Latin Mass, the Mayan culture (especially the city of Copan), athletic competition, respect for all living things, astronomy, and biology. Chew on that and I'll bring in part 2 in a few days.

BACK TO WORK

I had a very busy month so far. I was on vacation and stained the back deck and front porch and had a few other errands to run. On the writing front, I attended another CAPA meeting in which they discussed CAPA's annual book sale at the BIG E, attended my first meeting of a new writers group at Barnes & Noble in Glastonbury, and received a request for a 30-50 page manuscript of 'The Killing Zone' from one of the publishers that I queried. Finally, I attended the first class of a beginner's guitar course at MCC. Although I received my first guitar 35 years ago, I'm still a beginner. That said, I can't play any popular songs, although I did know how to play 'Dust In the Wind'. I do know some chords and do play my own songs. Writing . . . Music . . . Writing . . . Music. Hmmm, I'll take writing.

Submissions

I've been very busy over the past few weeks and will also be occupied over the coming weeks as well. I've mailed approximately a dozen targeted query letters. So far I have received one rejection letter. I've discovered a new publisher that I will submit to by the end of this week and then will dive into my list of agents and publishers to see to whom else I can submit to. I've given myself a deadline. If I do not acquire an agent or publisher who is interested in my work by the end of 2009, then in 2010 I will self-publish 'The Killing Zone'.

WRITING FROM SCRATCH

Today I attended Eileen Albrizio's creative writing workshop in Middletown, not too far from the Wesleyan University Campus. We performed two exercises. The first was to review the Triolet form of poetry writing which originated in France. Containing eight lines of which five are repeated, it goes like this:

In the strangled synapses of my tangled mind,
dreams, illusions, past hopes buried beyond end.
Her love came to me and found a place to bind,
in the strangled synapses of my tangled mind.
She left without a word and tasked me to find,
the love I lost, and feelings to mend,
in the strangled synapses of my tangled mind,
dreams, illusions, past hopes buried beyond end.

The second exercise consisted of coming up with a one-sentence beginning of a short story. I came up with this:

Dr. Stuart Bridges held a file titled 'Alexander the Great - Property of the U.S. Strategic Initiative' while he peered through the window at the young boy directing the war games on the grounds of the National Cloning Institute.

CAPA-U

Last Saturday, May 9th I attended CAPA-U at Hartford Steam Boiler. I was very nervous. For those of you who know me, I usually stay within my comfort zone and when I leave it, I'm usually with my wife and I lean on her for support. However, I did go to CAPA-U by myself. I drove around State Street and Columbus Blvd a few times because I could not locate the parking garage. I did find it and when I reached where the conference was held, I saw another member named Bruce. He has been so kind to me as a new member and probably more kind than he realizes. Anyway, Gina Barreca gave the keynote address which was humorous in Gina's own irreverent style. I first attended a mystery writers workshop hosted by Nikko and Jim McGoldrick. I found them to be very down to earth, easy to speak with, and extremely knowledgeable about their craft. Then I had my meeting with New York agent Jennifer DeChiara. She was very helpful and took my query letter and the first fifty pages of 'The Killing Zone'. She promised to read it and will get back to me. Then I attended a fantasy writer's workshop with MJ Allaire. I still have the first few chapters of a medieval novel that I've always wanted to finish. Maybe someday under a pen name, of course. Finally, I attended a memoir workshop with Howard Layton. Let me make this perfectly clear, I do not intend to write my memoir . . . at least not until I've sold my first million copies of my novels. I attended the memoir workshop because what I read of Mr. Layton seemed so fascinating. He is 90 and is currently working on the final book of his trilogy memoir. He was an RAF pilot in WW2, an actor on the British stage after the war, was presented to Queen Mary, and played Robert Taylor's double opposite Elizabeth Taylor in the movie, 'The Conspirator' which I have to purchase as well as his memoirs. Need I say more? Mr. Layton is truly an inspiration to us all. He has lived life well.

Getting Ready for CAPA-U

With my final edit of 'The Killing Zone' completed and my query letter in hand, I've been compiling the individual chapters together to see what length my novel is. It's approximately 118,500 words in length and either 213 pages on full 8.5x11 inch paper or 344 pages if set in a 6x9 inch format for local publishing.

Here is a summary of my novel:

Released from an Oklahoma prison, Videl Tanas joins up with members of his former motorcycle gang. Seeking revenge against his ex-girlfriend who testified against him, Videl murders her and then stalks and kills the arresting police officer and his wife. On the run and traveling to Montana to initiate a guns-for-cash deal with a corrupt local deputy, the gang encounters a Native American boy named Acaraho and his three friends. Videl’s gang viciously assaults Acaraho and his companions, murdering one of them. After the gang quickly departs the crime scene, the authorities arrive and arrest a semiconscious Acaraho, charging him with murder. Sheriff Jim Buchanan becomes involved in the case upon hearing of the charges against a member of his own tribe. With Jim closing in on the murderers, the gang kidnaps Jim’s daughter, Alma, using her as a hostage. Faced with the risk of losing his only child, Jim’s fury is unleashed. He enlists Willie Longfeather, an ex-con friend, to help him track the gang on horseback. With Willie’s assistance, Jim pursues the gang on tribal land until they faceoff in a climactic confrontation in the untamed backwoods of western Montana.

As Rocky would say, la fine!

I've finished my final edit of 'The Killing Zone'. After 117,600 words on 228 pages, I've put to bed what was the most enjoyable and I believe, my best work yet. Next up will be CAPA-U and my 10-minute pitch to an agent. If that's unsuccessful, I'll be sending out query letters before the end of May. My next project will be a final edit of 'Mystery at Little Bitterroot'.

I'm on Twitter

I set up a Twitter account. If you have a Twitter account see if you can 'Twitt' me.

Creative Writing Workshop

I will be attending Eileen Albrizio's creative writing workshop next month. Ms. Albrizio worked for National Public Radio as a broadcast host and journalist.

CHAPTER 26 AND COUNTING

I've completed a final edit up to chapter 26 on 'The Killing Zone' and only have 10 more chapters to edit. I'm targeting next Sunday (April 26th) as my completion date. This will then give me a couple of weeks to prepare for CAPA-U where I will have an opportunity for a 10-minute meeting with an agent during which I can pitch my novel. Once that is over, then it's on to a final edit for 'Mystery at Little Bitterroot'. If all goes well, I'm hoping to dust off 'Montana Harvest' and complete the last third of that novel by year-end. 2009 could be a very productive and rewarding year.

CAPA April Meeting

Today, I attended CAPA's monthly meeting in Avon, CT. Agent Gina Panettieri, President of Talcott Notch Literary Agency was invited to speak about writing and submitting winning query letters. She provided handouts and I learned some things that I hadn't known. The CAPA organizers also mentioned the upcoming CAPA-U on May 9th.

Time to Blog

The start of my post is going to sound a little bit like the lyrics from a Sam Cooke song but here I go anyway:

Well, it's Saturday night and I spent a good day editing 'The Killing Zone'. One thing that I've discovered about editing is that nothing you write needs to end up being discarded. What were the remnants of a modified storyline becomes the plot of a future novel. A scene in my novel involving a deputy who rescues a girl from an outlaw biker gang, just didn't seem to fit. Now it will become the central theme for a future novel. The same deputy discovers a mysterious girl who doesn't remember who she is or where she came from. With a different scene, a few word changes, and new dialogue, a rough section that went nowhere becomes the hook for a future spinetingler.

CAPA 15th Anniversary Celebration

Last night my wife and I (we've become busy folks lately) attended Connecticut Author's & Publishers 15th Anniversary meeting in Avon, Connecticut. With food, drink, and music on the menu it was an enjoyable three hours. I meet quite a few members and relished the opportunity to spend some time with people who share the same writing interests as I do. I'm looking forward to CAPA's April meeting which has agent Gina Panettieri as its featured speaker.

KATE BUCHANAN

Katelyn Nelson and James Buchanan became high school sweethearts when they were each seventeen. Upon graduation, they left for the University of Montana, Jim on a football scholarship and Kate to study music. Five years later, Jim proposed to Kate and they married three years after that. Kate's and Jim's souls were spiritually bonded but their lives were emotionally separate. Kate became an accomplished guitarist playing before local and regional audiences while Jim had difficulty determining who he really was. A mixed-blood native of Scottish and Crow Indian descent, Jim played in the NFL for three years, then spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, and then began a career in law enforcement. Although Jim was uncertain about his career aspirations, he didn’t have any second thoughts about Kate. She was the love of his life. Tall and athletic with long brown hair, Kate could have passed for a model. She recorded a country western CD (see song list below) that was acclaimed by those in the professional music business and was on the cusp of national notoriety when, in 1995 she vanished. My novel ‘Montana Harvest’ (expected completion date of December, 2009) details the circumstances, events, and the official investigation into the disappearance of Katelyn Nelson Buchanan.

When You Talk To My Heart (Kate’s CD)

1) Tennessee Waltz (ballad)
2) Take This Train (country rock)
3) Silos In September (bluegrass)
4) When You Talk To My Heart (ballad)
5) Great Northern Lights (country rock)
6) Holes In My Pockets (bluegrass)
7) Mountains To Remember (ballad)
8) Any ‘ol Cave Will Do (country rock)
9) Stardust Trails (ballad)
10) He’s My Man (country rock)
11) Another Clip off the Chain (bluegrass)
12) Montana Skies (ballad)
13) Thirteen Eggs and a Pound of Bacon (country rock)

(all songs written by Katelyn Buchanan except Tennesse Waltz written by Redd Stewart & Pee Wee King, and When You Talk To My Heart written by Renee LaChapelle)

NATIVE AMERICAN GIs

http://naihc.net/NAIHC/files/ccLibraryFiles/FILENAME/000000000454/Native%20Veterans%20Returning%20from%20Iraq%20Ask.doc

Use the above web address or click on the heading of this post to go to a MS Word article which explains what returning Native American GIs are facing today. With a new administration in Washington perhaps attitudes will change for the better. It cannot get much worse.

The Rimrocks

Like a monument to the vast prairie, the sandstone cliffs just outside Billings, Montana are integral to my new novel, 'The Killing Zone'. A portion of the Rimrocks, called Sacrifice Cliff, was where fearless Crow youth rode their blindfolded ponies off the precipice with the hope that their offering would cure their tribe of a deadly Smallpox epidemic. On that plateau in my novel, under a summer’s night sky, Indian lore, hopes and dreams and criminal intent draw a group of companions into an unlikely encounter with a homicidal ex-convict and his gang of cohorts. With no witnesses except perhaps the spirits of the 19th century Crow horsemen, it’s a race for Sheriff Jim Buchanan to find and bring to justice the runaway murderers before they make their escape to Canada.

Connecticut Authors & Publishers

Last week, I joined Connecticut Authors & Publishers (CAPA) and received two warm and gracious welcomes from the organization's leadership. This week, I found the February issue of CAPA's newsletter, 'The Authority' in my mailbox. I brought it into my house and immediately read the 8-page mailing from cover to cover. Topics included developing a mindset and environment in which to write, website links intended to assist authors with their writing and to help them publish their work. There was also a calendar of upcoming CAPA events and a recap of January's monthly meeting in Avon, CT. Next month's meeting will be CAPA's 15th Anniversary Party. With a membership in excess of 160, I'm looking forward to meeting an energized group of people with whom I share a
common interest.

Rocco Salentino

One of the supporting characters in the Jim Buchanan Novels is Rocco Salentino or 'Rocky' as everyone calls him. Rocky is a 1st generation Italian-American. His parents immigrated to Brooklyn, New York from a town called Avellino which is near Naples. Arriving in the 1950's with just the shirts on their backs, Rocky's parents moved in with relatives and took whatever jobs they could find. Shortly thereafter, Rocky was born. Rocky's dad borrowed some money and opened a restaurant. Success came easy for the hard-working Salentino's and Rocky grew up making meatballs and kneading pizza dough. Now in his 30's, a six-footer with crew-cut, black hair and a muscular build, Rocky is the Assistant County Sheriff of Sanders County. Rocky is Jim's old Air Force buddy and although they are best of friends, Rocky longs to be back home in Brooklyn where he used to sing street-corner ballads with the rest of his friends. If you ever met Rocky and he liked you, he might bond with you and call you Paesano but watch out. If you came across with not too much on the ball, he might refer to you as a googootz, a stounad, or a cabbadost.

Titles of upcoming novels

A few titles of upcoming novels in the Jim Buchanan series are:

The Disappearance of Joshua Nelson
The Great Lakes Mystery
Cries from the Flathead Valley
The Vanishing Tribe
The Legacy of Dan McCoy
Justice for Little Hawk
Mission Mountain Mystery

CAPA-U

I'm attending CAPA-U in Hartford this year. CAPA (Connnecticut Authors & Publishers Association) is hosting its 6th annual writing conference (link attached) on Saturday, May 9th. I'm hoping to meet some interesting people and acquire some fascinating insight into the writing and publishing business. I will complete a final edit on my most recent novel by next month and then work on finishing my 3rd novel by year's end. I've already begun my 4th novel, titled 'Secrets of the Cabinet Mountains'.

http://www.aboutcapa.com/