Direct TV appearance!

House of Angels

Hey there . . . our trip to North Carolina was great.  We actually got to go after gem stones where “the real” John Victor goes for them.  It’s at Doc’s Rocks in Boone, NC.  Wow! Got several amethysts the size of large grapes and plums! Also netted some garnets and other gems.  So, we were interviewed by Joan Able, host of Healing Miracles, on Direct TV.  Don did two half-hour interviews, and I did one.  So, the three shows are scheduled to be aired on three consecutive Thursdays:  May 16, 23, and 30, on Direct TV at 12 Midnight.  The Healing Miracles shows are also broadcast on the internet, on Wednesdays at 8 pm and Thursdays at 7 am (EST).  To find the schedules for the internet (I’m not sure whether it’s the Wednesday before or after the TV broadcast) at:  www.TKMI.org.

I was thrilled when she decided to start with a focus on my Johnny Vic books!  After all, it’s a miracle that I was able to write and publish them — hahaha.  And, of course, I’ve written them as testiments to the legacy of our founding fathers and America’s Christian heritage.  Not familiar with Johnny Vic?  Check out my website at:  www.annrichduncan.com.

And, of course, the whole reason we were invited to the show?  It was to focus on the House of Angels, our outdoor sanctuary for prayer and healing.  You can see pictures of this beautiful place if you go to my website and hit the “about Don” button.

Oh!!!!  I shouldn’t forget my novel! The SEED, featuring a grown up John Victor.

ISBN 0-7414-3072-X

Going National

Have been invited to tape a series of shows (as the guest) for a DirectTV program in North Carolina!  Taping is on April 20.  They’ve got 40-million viewers!  More on this as the details come in!  Check out my books at:  www.annrichduncan.com.

Going digital

Haven’t been here for a long time.  Lots of stuff going on.  But, we’re making progress with the conversion of my Johnny Vic’s BIG DIG trivia game!  Am thinking about calling it, “Dig it . . . with Johnny Vic”.  I think “dig it” is catchy.  My husband says it’s old fashioned.  Oh well.  In the meantime, the Castleton State College gamecrafters club is going full speed ahead with turning it into a digital game.  Might be ready by May!   Not familiar with Johnny Vic?  Check out the books at my website at http://www.annrichduncan.com.

 

A “bam” moment: Characters lead the way

Sometimes, when you’re writing . . . especially when it’s a novel . . . you need to stop and listen.  To whom? Your characters! I was stuck the other night.  Couldn’t figure what to do for the next scene, (I’m on page 127), when I stopped to think about one of the characters.   Who would he talk to?  Who did he care about?  What would he be thinking about?  And bam, it was crystal clear.  It really isn’t that hard.  If you’re having trouble with one of your characters, just stop and try to figure out who they resemble in your real life.  Then imagine a day in that person’s life.  Where would they go?  Who are their friends?  What kind of trouble would they get into — or help someone else out of?  If you do that . . . you’ll have a “bam” moment too!   Wondering about my characters?  Go to http://www.annrichduncan.com.  You’ll find The SEED, my novel of suspense, and the first three Johnny Vic historical adventures.

Savannah or Cheyanne?

Was watching an old episode of NCIS the other night — one of my favorites, where Special Agent Timothy McGee (a novelist on the side)  is being razzed by his co-workers for basing his characters on them.  It’s what writers do.  Especially novelists. We transform our experiences, and the people we know, into workable scenes.  It’s so tempting right now because  I work with a Savannah and a Cheyanne.  I mean really! What great names!  Two beautiful young girls who would make great characters at that!  I don’t know Cheyanne’s boy friend, but Savannah’s guy–also at our workplace–is great. One of the characters I’ve been working on is so much like him already, it’s scary.  Actually, everybody I work with is a character. It’s like having almost two dozen new little brothers.  And there are four Chris’s there, too.  Maybe I should put them all in John Victor’s second adventure.  Chris could throttle Chrissy while Christy and Chris race to save the day.  Not familiar with John Victor?  He’s a treasure hunter based on my brother (John Victor) from Alaska.   His first adventure, entitled  ”The SEED”  was nominated by a college professor to be on a required reading list for incoming freshmen, (yes, really!)  and it was a top-ten finalist in a national contest (as a work in progress long before it was published).  Check it out at http://www.annrichduncan.com.

The Rhyme’s the Thing . . .

Scatter, route, dispel, disband.     (my brain is fried)

The word I need is not at hand.     (it doesn’t come up, tho I’ve tried and tried)

It’s not convene, call in, recall.      (I can’t remember the word at all)

The word is gone, like leaves in the Fall.   (I’ll keep trying, but my effort’s amiss)

It comes from Latin.  Something like  ”dis” . . .    (a bummer to try and fail like this)

Without it I can’t say what I want to say.    (Hmmm.  Perhaps I should stop. And shop. Or play?)

So, instead of my pen, I’ll pick up my purse.  And I’ll shop, instead of struggling with verse.

Aha!  I remember!   (the rhyme’s the thing)

The word’s “disperse!”   (now if I could just remember why  I needed . . . . . . . . . it.)

Now you see why I write suspense and adventure stories!   I’m looking at the letter’s and notes I’ve received, from Mary Higgins Clark, First Lady Laura Bush, and Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Powers.  So what if I stink at poetry . . . we all have our strengths and weaknesses!   annrichduncan.com

 

 

 

Writing Like VanGogh Painted?

So the other day I was looking at a VanGogh.  Well, not the real thing . . . some of his most famous works were in a how-to book about painting.  I’ve never really been a fan, until I was told I should study the master’s brush strokes.  And pit them against the subject matter. Huh? Well, after a lot of coaxing and coaching, I began to realize his paintings are like the human condition.  The subjects? Usually quaint, harmless, peaceful things.  The brush strokes? Almost violent—like so many people who seem easy going on the outside, but are quivering with so much on the inside, be it anger, love, excitement, or disappointment.  Makes you want to look really close.  But, when I look at my work — the writing I mean — I seem to have it in the opposite.  Take John Victor’s adventures.  Based on murder, greed and devious plots; but, as my hero muddles through the puzzles, you see humor, love, and faith . . . and even some enlightening facts (after all, I love to research the flora, fauna and history of the sites).  Mostly typical (but fun) suspense stuff, though.  Anyhow, I’m puzzling right now about my nephew Scotty’s trip to Alaska to visit the “real” John Victor.  Beautiful scenery.  Exciting gold hunting.  Fun stuff.  But Alaska? It’s quivering with extremes . . . and danger.  Hmmm.  I wonder what I can do to Scotty’s tales?  Not familiar with John Victor?  Check him out at my website:  www.annrichduncan.com.  Check out Johnny Vic while you’re at it! And stay tuned for Scotty’s Alaskan Adventures!