Writing up a storm

So, I’ve cleaned up Melvin. Got him a girlfriend. And John Victor’s been buried alive.  Now, I’ve gotta dig him up and connect him to the REAL bad guys. In the meantime, am still working out the details of the drawing that’ll include prizes from the “real” John Victor, including a pair of gold pieces, perfect for a set of earrings!  Hey, that’s it! Gotta go and connect those dots.  Seen my books? If not, go to my website:  www.annrichduncan.com.  And don’t fail to scroll down on the home page so you can view the You-tube video, entitled, “Seed Baby”. !!!!!.

 

gold nugget contest

It’s coming soon.  The “real” John Victor sent two gold nuggets–and more–to be given away to readers.  It’ll start with a few stories about Scottie’s adventure in Alaska with our intrepid hero.  Like his visits to Tok, Chicken, and John’s gold mine.  Just view the photos of the beautiful Alaskan countryside and read the stories, then send a comment.  One entry per comment.  Multiple comments allowed.  There will be one winning entry per story.  (watch for the announcements of the winners — if your name was drawn, send us your address and we’ll ship the prize to you!)  Nuggets!  Coins!  Gems!  All found by John!  Who is John?  He’s the inspiration for the heroes in my books, including:  The SEED, Travel With Johnny Vic, Johnny Vic’s Nautical Adventures, and Johnny Vic’s Plymouth Adventures.  Find them at www.annrichduncan.com.   Check back to see when the contest will begin.

John’s Adventure continues . . . scene submission #3

Part of the story (sequel to The SEED) evolves around a contest called “The Gem Express” where our treasure hunting hero is a “celebrity contestant”.  John and his friends ride the Gem Express, a train, that carries contestants from town to town in Arizona in search of hidden gems.  In this scene . . . .

John jogged toward Big Chief Boulder with Chad and the girls following close behind. This is almost too easy, he thought. I wonder why none of the other contestants figured this out? Even as his radar for trouble warned him to watch his surroundings, his lust for the hunt led him forward at full throttle. The boulder was in sight. He could almost feel the cool, hard surface of the first Gem Express gem stone in his hand. But yet . . . .

Never one to ignore his instincts for long, John slowed his pace and gestured to his friends. “You guys notice anything peculiar?”  “Umh, no, hun. Whatsamatter?”  “There’s nobody here, Betty. I don’t mean to pour cold water on your puzzle prognostication skills and all, but those clues were pretty easy if you think back on it. So why are we the only ones who figured it out?”

“Perhaps we have more experience?”  They all shrugged and picked up their pace.  All five of them. They stepped forward slowly, but purposefully. Five sets of eyes stared at Big Chief Boulder; five pairs of lips pouted in concentration; ten feet shuffled from side to side as John and his friends studied the boulder that once was the favorite meeting spot for Cochise, the famous chief.

From a nearby bush, Avery congratulated himself on his ability to altar the clue sheet that fell into John Victor’s hands.

That’s it for now. I did some research on Cochise and the tribes in his region. Some of the info is in the book, along with info about the desert, endangered species, and other “things Arizona”.  Let me know what you think with the comment box below and go to www.annrichduncan.com to see my books, including “The SEED” (the one this work-in-progress follows).

More Adventure with John Victor!

Here’s a scene that’s a work in progress for the sequel to “The SEED”  . . .

Breebee Queen stepped further onto the sidewalk and turned questioning eyes toward the van that pulled up dangerously close. “John,” she muttered, “look at these clowns.” Her eyes opened wider when she saw the troubled look on his face, but before either of them had a chance to react, they were grabbed from behind and thrown into the back of the van.

Avery and Thomas scrambled in behind their two victims as Jack shoved the peddle to the floor. They zoomed up the street without a soul within sight to see the snatch. John’s head throbbed. He had been slammed into the side panel. It was all he could do to keep himself from falling over as the van careened back and forth as it sped away. Breebee rubbed her ankle and demanded, “What do you want? Why are you doing this?”

“Never you mind,” Thomas growled. “You just stay low and do what we say.”

“That’s a good girl, Breebee,” Averycrooned. A shiver of pleasure sped its way up his spine when he uttered her stage name. “Don’t be afraid, now. I ain’t gonna hurt you an’ I won’t let them either,” he whispered. “No way, little lady. I got good stuff planned for you.”

If you like the above scene, you’d like “The SEED”.  Check it out at www.annrichduncan.com!

The Kiss Man

Been watching the news. Been listening to presidential candidates. Doesn’t take much thought to realize that Johnny Vic and John Victor (at www.annrichduncan.com)  would vote for Herman Cain. Why? Well, he’s got a strategy like our founding fathers:  keep it simple, stupid. Hence KISS. Yahoo! Someone who wants to throw out the cumbersome, unfair, downright dumb current tax codes!  And, someone who actually wants to solve problems one-at-a-time with REAL SOLUTIONS.  Not all this same-ol’  same-ol’  “Oh, it’s too complicated” crap. I’ve worked for organizations and been on committees where the so-called leaders would use that excuse to keep information away from people, and keep control to themselves, by claiming it’s “too complicated”.  Our founding fathers kept things simple. That’s why (and how) they created the greatest nation on earth.  And now, Herman Cain says it’s time to take it back.  One step at a time.  Yep.  Keep it simple, stupid, should be on bumper stickers across the nation.  What do you think?

Connections

Got a letter from Mary Higgins Clark a few years ago after I let her know how much I enjoyed the fact that she had been recognized by First Lady Laura Bush. MHC commisserated with me–one author to another–about the fact that, “the closer we get to the end of our novel, the farther from the end we feel we are.”  I’ve exchanged a few emails recently with Earlene Fowler, the author of the famous Benni Harper mystery series, and received her commisserations as well.  Keeps me going, but, good grief. I’ve been chugging along with John Victor’s second adventure and am starting to feel that disconnect.  Guess I need a few hugs and comments! Hint . . . . !www.annrichduncan.com.  Oh! Don’t forget to scroll down (on the website)and view our You Tube video.  Entitled “Seed Baby,” it’s a hoot.

Me with Michelle Malkin. (what a namedropper!)

Myths and Monsters

Gripping Suspense

Jeepers. I think John Victor should fight social security in a future novel. I’ve been looking at the numbers, and quite frankly, those federal watchdogs who “care” so much about the people they serve are guarding the wrong people. Or so it seems. Take a two income family from the mid 90’s (where each parent earned just under $26,000).  Their returns from social security? $450,000.  Their return if they INVESTED in a program similar to what has been given to federal civil service employees? $975,000.  And poor, young black men receive even less. MUCH LESS. Don’t believe me? Instead of watching American Idol, Judge Judy or football . . . look up the fed’s Thrift Savings Plan, or benefits from social security.  YOU KNOW WHAT?  I believe this because at one point in time, I was studying to sell savings plans thru Ben Franklin. If I had been able to save–within one of their plans–the same amount of money I had been forced to put into Social Security, I could have retired VERY COMFORTABLY in my late 40’s.  Huh? Too bad I’m in my–well, let’s just say later years–and my expected social security income is on the sub-standard side, like, maybe I should develop a taste for cat food.  Go, John Victor, go!   Hey! The title of that one should be:  The GREED.