The Next Big Thing

Welcome to The Next Big Thing

My writer friend, Jeff Joseph, recently tagged me for a ‘chain’ blog entitled ‘The Next Big Thing’. The deal is: I answer a few questions about my current work-in-progress, then I invite other authors to do the same. A bit like a chain letter, except it is only focused on an author’s work-in-progress. Jeff Joseph was tagged previously by Kathy Logan. I’ve included details of their blogs so you can explore their answers to the same questions. The authors I’ve chosen have, along with Jeff and Kathy, been tagged below my answers. So here goes:

What is the working title of your next book?

The next book is tentatively titled, “There will be …..”.  It is a secret at this point.  It is the sequel to “The Wolf’s Moon.”  Like everything in writing, the title is subject to change.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I sat in a hotel restaurant having breakfast while waiting on my wife.  She was giving a two hour lecture at a conference.  I usually carry a pad of paper in order to kill time.  I started writing, not really thinking about a novel, maybe a short story.  By the time it was over, I completed “The Wolf’s Moon.”  The story actually wrote itself.

What genre does your book fall under?

I like to think it is a thriller/suspense novel.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Many times I have been asked this question.  Since there is little chance should “the Wolf’s Moon” be made into a movie that there will be a budget for who I’d want, I’ll throw some names out:

Lansdowne/Linden – Daniel Craig

Skruggs                      – Johnny Depp (my wife would like this choice)

Sheriff Benson         – Ed Harris

Amy Reel                  – The real Amy – yes, there is one!

Cindy Winters         – I’d leave that choice to casting.

The title song by Khym Carmichael – If Khym can’t make it – I guess Adele.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Love, loyalty, redemption – with one big beast killing people.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published.  If a literary agent wants to take the time to read my books and really expresses that he/she can find a publisher, and the publisher offers enough money – we can talk.  It’s a tough world and I would like to make enough money that I can keep my wife as a PAID Business Agent (really, I just love having her at home with me).

 How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft took less than a year.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don’t know if there are any books (that I have read) for a comparison.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

As I said, “The Wolf’s Moon” just happened but once it did, my inspiration was to finish the manuscript.

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

Believe it or not, the book is a love story as well as a thriller.  I was once asked in a radio interview if there was a lot of me in the book.  My answer was that, “probably more than I want to admit.”  My wife is so much more than just a wife.  She is the mother of my son and daughter.  Sandy is “Grandma” to five wonderful kids.  Above all she is my best friend and supporter.  I never want to feel as Lansdowne, about the loss of one true love…but I would.

Here are the blog links for Jeff Joseph and Kathy Logan

My blog link is Patrick Jones

The authors I’ve invited to join in the fun are:

Kate Thompson

Timothy Hurley

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them.  I hope you’ll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy.  On this stop on the blog hop, you’ll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to three other authors you can explore!

Thanks to fellow author Lucy Pireel for inviting me to participate in this event.  You can click the following link to learn more about Lucy and her work.  Website:  Lucy Pireel : http://lucypireel.wordpress.com

In this blog hop, I and my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in–progress (giving you a sneak peek).  We’ve also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write–the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

1.  What is the working title of your next book?

The next book is tentatively titled, “There will be …..”.  It is a secret at this point.  It is the sequel to “The Wolf’s Moon.”  Like everything in writing, the title is subject to change.

2.  Where did the idea come from for the book?

I sat in a hotel restaurant having breakfast while waiting on my wife.  She was giving a two hour lecture at a conference.  I usually carry a pad of paper in order to kill time.  I started writing, not really thinking about a novel, maybe a short story.  By the time it was over, I completed “The Wolf’s Moon.”  The story actually wrote itself.

3.  What genre does your book fall under?

I like to think it is a thriller/suspense novel.

4.  What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Many times I have been asked this question.  Since there is little chance should “The Wolf’s Moon” be made into a movie that there will be a budget for who I’d want, I’ll throw some names out:

Lansdowne/Linden – Daniel Craig

Skruggs                      – Johnny Depp (my wife would like this choice)

Sheriff Benson         – Ed Harris

Amy Reel                  – The real Amy – yes, there is one!

Cindy Winters         – I’d leave that choice to casting.

The title song by Khym Carmichael – If Khym can’t make it – I guess Adele.

5.  What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Love, loyalty, redemption – with one big beast killing people.

6.  Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published.  If a literary agent wants to take the time to read my books and really expresses that he/she can find a publisher, and the publisher offers enough money – we can talk.  It’s a tough world and I would like to make enough money that I can keep my wife as a PAID Business Agent (really, I just love having her at home with me).

 7.  How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft took less than a year.

8.  What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don’t know if there are any books (that I have read) for a comparison.

9.  Who or what inspired you to write this book?

As I said, “The Wolf’s Moon” just happened but once it did, my inspiration was to finish the manuscript.

10.  What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

Believe it or not, the book is a love story as well as a thriller.  I was once asked in a radio interview if there was a lot of me in the book.  My answer was that, “probably more than I want to admit.”  My wife is so much more than just a wife.  She is the mother of my son and daughter.  Sandy is “Grandma” to five wonderful kids.  Above all she is my best friend and supporter.  I never want to feel as Lansdowne, about the loss of one true love…but I would.

Here is the blog link for Lucy Pireel : http://lucypireel.wordpress.com

My blog link is Patrick Jones at http://www.thelindenchronicles.com

Below you will find authors who will be joining me by blogging, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPs and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

Hunter S. Jones at http://www.thehuntersjones.blogspot.com

Robbie Taylor at http://www.robbietaylor.tumblr.com

“The Wolf’s Moon” BEST SELLER by Patrick Jones FEATURED on Indie House Books

Fantastic Article by Indie House Books…Thank you!

The Wolf’s Moon by Patrick Jones, Book 1 of The Linden Chronicles

    It has been one year ago today that my novel, “The Wolf’s Moon”, was launched. After a year, one might expect the memory of that day to have faded – at least a little. It has not. Everything from my first cup of coffee that morning to the cup of black tea before retiring, are still vivid in … Continue reading →

“THE WOLF’S MOON” BEST SELLER is FREE FREE FREE Valentine’s DAY!!

The Wolf's Moon by Patrick Jones

CLICK HERE TO LOVE ME TENDER!!!! IT’s FREE

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREEHowling Wolf Clipart

My New “Engagement Area of Learning” the Past Two Months

By Sandra L. Jones, wife of The Author of “The Wolf’s Moon,” Patrick Jones

Anthony Wessel

Interview with Anthony Wessel by Gale Martin

I start my writing career with this article dedicated to Anthony Wessel, CEO of Digital Book Today.

He believed in me, in us.  Sometimes in life, you meet people that are cornerstones in your pathways through the maze they call life.  My husband wrote a book.  Great!  How could I possibly have ever known what this self-publishing platform had in store for us, as my whole career has been in the medical field!

Anthony Wessel featured “The Wolf’s Moon” by Patrick Jones on his website.  The book had received just enough reviews and a rating of 4.2 to qualify for the interview questions.  We were so excited!  It was the very first “Featured Article” that we had!!  We had an incredible response on our free Kindle days thanks to the popularity of Digital Book TodayJumping Man Jumping up and down, we concluded that the process was now complete – WRONG!  Therein begins the book cover saga.

Anthony humored me during the entire process (bless his heart!) in my excited state by taking the time to listen.  He emailed me once and said, “By the way, I hesitate to mention this but…you may want to think about the book cover because it needs some work.”  Here we thought we had the best thing since buttered popcorn!  What could possibly be wrong with this work of art??  Little did we know that this journey through Book Cover Design 101 would take a year to get to this point!!  The first impression of the reader was The Author’s key objective in bringing “The Wolf’s Moon” to life.  Anthony Wessel suggested that I should write an article on the steps that we went through in this process in order to contribute our learning experiences to others within the writing community.

The Wolf Moon by Patrick Jones

BTW…It’s FREE for Valentines Day Feb 13-14

Key considerations we used were as follows:

  1.  Listen to any feedback that is given to you during the self-publishing process.  Someone once told me that feedback is a “gift.”  That is important.  No one has to take the time, so if they do…pay attention.
  2. Follow through with the task you have been given, learn and read everything that you can on the topic.  There are a multitude of resources from experts in the field, like Anthony Wessel.
  3. If you are not happy with the result…that is OK.  This self-publishing platform is a continuous learning project.  The more you study, the more it makes sense.
  4. Doris-Maria Heilman with 111Publishing told me something very true.  “It is a marthon, not a sprint”.
  5. Chad Savage, CEO of Sinister Fonts emailed me after I thanked him for the free fonts and said  that the only payment he wanted was for me to believe…with all my heart.  I thought that was really special.

Simple thoughts, one would think.  Except sometimes you need someone to bring it to your attention. You are too close to it. The good news is that the solution is usually simple!  When I used to troubleshoot instrument performance, I learned to always start at the beginning.  More often than not, the solution was simple, like plugging it in!  Someone else once told me that you have to do something 10 times before your brain puts it to memory (I think it takes me 20!).  But it works.

SUPER BOWL SURPRISE – OOHRAH!

FILOYUP, I am a STAR in “The Wolf’s Moon” BEST SELLER by Patrick Jones.

AND IT’s FREE ALL DAY SATURDAY!

HURRY!  GET YOUR COPY NOW BY CLICKING ON MY NOSE! 

MAYBE THEY WILL MAKE A MOVIE OUT OF IT???  <Hint..Hint>

SUPER BOWL SURPRISE – The Wolf’s Moon by Patrick Jones is FREE!

THE WOLF’S MOON BEST SELLER BY PATRICK JONES IS FREE FREE FREE Friday 2/1/2013 AND Saturday 2/2/2013.  VISIT the BLOG at http://www.thelindenchronicles.com and Click on the book!  BE PREPARED TO BE ….SCARED!!

Thank you everyone for your interest!!  Have a SUPER SUPER BOWL WEEKEND!  My Favorite Holiday!

FULL WOLF MOON RISING

The Wolf Moon by Patrick Jones

Please Click Here for a Link to the Interview

Today, Indies Unlimited featured “The Wolf’s Moon” by Patrick Jones as a Book Brief.  Isn’t it interesting that they chose this weekend to feature the book!  That coincidence may never happen twice!

Thanks to Indies Unlimited for their devotion to writers everywhere!

Ink Blot Test

The Wolf's Moon by Patrick Jones

BUY NOW

Let’s Do an Ink Blot Test for those of us who are HAPPY it is the brand new HOWL FOR FRIDAY event!!  It just seems an appropriate activity for the day!  I think it looks like two wolves dancing in the moonlight.

What do you think?

The Wolf Moon Cycle

Copyright (C) 2012 Sandra Jones, All rights reserved

Copyright (C) 2012 Sandra Jones, All rights reserved

The picture above was taken by my wife, Sandy, last year on the Wolf Moon.  This year in 2013, the Wolf Moon occurs on January 26, 2013.  Cycles of the moon have been named many moons ago by various cultures throughout the world.  Rob Mahan has a great synopsis of the different cycles of the moon and has graciously granted permission to include his blog for the information.  I am also attaching the link to The Farmers Almanac, so that you can see the various dates of each cycle of the moon as well as the name.

It is simply amazing that our ancestors charted so much about the celestial skies.  One needs to step back from the hurried pace of today’s technology and think about how this wonder was documented throughout the ages in such an accurate fashion, with just the use of the human eye.  Sometimes going back to basics and understanding the fascinating history of the moon and how it has been studied throughout time offers a bit of tranquility to the human spirit.

The title of the book, “The Wolf’s Moon” evolved because the book started in January and I finished it in January.  My wife took a picture of the Wolf Moon in January.  Kind of a coincidence, isn’t it?  If you look even deeper into the picture, can you see the wolves dancing in the moonlight?