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Post by charlie on May 23, 2015 22:14:12 GMT -5
Hi Paul,
It seems even we're only getting here once in a while. I'm not a strong facebook poster even though I visit there often. Usually it's just to check up on family life and photos. I especially enjoy the photos. I took the plunge and decided to self-publish Love and Miracles. If you want to take a look it is available on Amazon.
I like the premise of Bridgetown High. Can't say I have any advice for you. I do admire you for sticking with your goal to get it published.
Hope all is well with you and your family. We'll be decorating graves this weekend.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Jun 8, 2015 17:52:48 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. My wife and I have been gone for the past couple of weeks helping my son and his wife and twin boys move from Virginia to Minnesota. She has a 3-month internship with Land_O_Lakes in Minneapolis. In August they'll be moving back to Virginia so she can finish her MBA.
Congratulations on publishing your book LOVE AND MIRACLES. Good luck with sales.
I'm still working on trying to find an agent for BRIDGETOWN HIGH. After a lot of digging into publishing methods, I've decided against self publishing it. I have faith that it will someday sell, and may even be a best-seller (wish!).
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Post by charlie on Aug 25, 2015 18:05:49 GMT -5
Hi Paul, I believe we'll both be heading out for vacations (or time away from home, anyway) so I thought I'd see how things were going. I assume Bridgetown High is moving nicely along. Excited to see your book in print. I guess we're going to Corvallis, MT to visit my wife's brother and wife and then to Townsend, MT to see my aunt and uncle. After that we're undecided, but thinking of driving out to Mt. Rushmore.
I've been meaning to ask. Is GRETA similar to Bridgetown High as far as genre or is it something totally different. I tend to write in different genres so I was wondering. What else are you working on?
Please be safe in your upcoming travels.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Aug 26, 2015 17:54:41 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
Sounds like a nice vacation for you. We're going to Rhode Island to visit my wife's cousins and aunts and uncles, then to Virginia to visit our son and his wife, then on to North Carolina and South Carolina.
My book is going great!!! I got all the first round of edits done, mostly my editor wanted more commas than I was used to. Then I got the jacket cover art and blurb. Fantastic!!! Now, my son in Virginia wants to help me create a website for me and another one for my novel. I'm totally excited. His wife is a great marketer and has done some beautiful websites.
"GERTA!" is somewhat different than "Bridgetown High." I think it best fits in the middle grade novels. It's about a boy in grade school and as he moves on to high school. So I guess you could call it a different genre, but not all that different. It's written in first person about a boy who learns to love the unlovable.
It's a fun book. I just wish I could get to it. Too much involved with the preparation of BTH and marketing it, and the marketing efforts haven't really even started yet.
I hope I will have time to catch my breath as the marketing progresses.
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Post by paulwest on Aug 26, 2015 17:56:32 GMT -5
What do you think?
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Post by charlie on Sept 14, 2015 17:22:03 GMT -5
We're back from our vacation. Went to Hamilton, MT to visit my wife's brother and his wife then on to Helena (area) to visit my aunt and uncle. After that we went to the black hills of SD. We stopped at a museum in Deadwood, went to Bear country, to see Mt. Rushmore and finally to Crazy Horse memorial. They are currently working to the monument but have a huge enclosed area paying tribute to the early natives of that area. Could have done more but didn't have the time or money. Coming home we drove through Cody, WY and also through Yellowstone. It was a fun trip.
Looking forward to seeing Bridgetown High in print. This is an exciting time. I hope it does well for you. No matter what you can say you've accomplished something you set out to do. Hope all is well with you and your family. Keep in touch.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Oct 8, 2015 17:00:12 GMT -5
Thanks Charlie,
You were gone on vacation about the same time we were. We first flew back to Rhode Island to visit some of my wife's aunts, uncle, and cousins. We had a great time there. Then, we few down to Charlottesville, VA to visit our son and wife and twin boys. It was great spending time with them, almost a whole week. Then we took a quick stay at Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, then Charleston, SC. to see the historic sites down there. It was fun. Took us two weeks, but it was all too short.
Bridgetown Hi is now on sale in both 'book or paperback. Inasmuch as you sent me your book, which I enjoyed, if you want an e'book for your Kindle device or as a pdf version you can read on your computer or Nook I'll send you one. Let me know. I probably have your email address, but I'll need it to send you by e'copy.
Yes, it's a great accomplishment and has kept me very busy in my spare time (which is limited). I now need to figure out how best to market it. My publisher is doing a lot of it, but they expect me to do some of it.
Glad to you had a good time in Montana. Talk to you later, Paul
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Post by charlie on Oct 19, 2015 18:43:55 GMT -5
That is a wonderful offer, Paul. I will buy the paperback as soon as I can afford to. Always seems like bills and living costs take up the majority of our money. You can probably relate. I wonder sometimes if my desire to write anymore is slipping away. I'll wake up some morning thinking I'm gonna do some writing and before I know it the day is gone and I've done nothing. I want to think it is just being lazy and I'll snap out of it. I guess we'll see.
It sounds like your book is drawing some interest and sales. That's great. You should see if Seagull Books will put it on their shelf. It may sound strange but I honestly never thought or concerned myself to much with writing to make a lot of money. That's not to say I'd be disappointed should it happen. So far it hasn't and I'm not upset by it. I knew when I self published that success would most likely be limited.
Other things are much more important to me, like my wife and I's 32nd anniversary coming up on Oct. 22. I might also mention my grandson (5) ran out in front of a car (SUV) and got hit. He has road rash on his backside, contusions on his head and a broken elbow. But otherwise he is healthy and we're very grateful. It could have been much worse.
Take care. I'll be in touch.
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Post by paulwest on Nov 3, 2015 17:21:09 GMT -5
Oh, so sorry about your grandson. I'm glad he will be OK. Yes, like you said, it could have been much worse.
I have no idea how well my book is selling. I can't find where on Amazon, Good Reads, or my publisher where it gives that kind of information. Frustrating! But I need to do more marketing. I'm not expecting to get rich off my writing, but it would be nice to earn a little extra spending money.
Inasmuch as you sent your book to me, I can send mine to you if you want a Kindle or pdf e'book.
Let me know and give me your email address and I'll send it to you.
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Post by charlie on Nov 23, 2015 13:50:31 GMT -5
Our grandson, Calan, is doing well. I wrote about 1000 words on Origin of Storms a week or so ago. It's something. I do have a vision for this story. Just need to regain my commitment. How are things going for you? Are you working on your next big novel? Hope Bridgetown High does well? Sorry for not keeping in touch better. Life keeps me busy. Getting ready for the holidays, although I'll confess my wife does most of the 'getting ready'. Hope all your family is in good health. Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Nov 30, 2015 19:53:57 GMT -5
1000 words is a good start. Frankly, since my book got contracted I haven't had a free minute to write. As for how Bridgetown High is doing, I have no idea. I can't find a place on the Amazon site that gives that kind of information.
Glad to hear your grandson is doing well.
Just got back late last night from California. Had a wonderful time with my daughter and her family. The California beaches are beautiful.
Keep up the writing. It's worth it even if you never get published. I think of it at therapy for my stresses.
Paul
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Post by charlie on Dec 16, 2015 16:56:15 GMT -5
This most likely will my last post for 2015. My wife and I are going to Arizona to visit family (my brothers) for Christmas. I was surprised to see 7 copies of Love and Miracles and 1 copy of Destination Zion were purchased in late November. Not earth shattering, but I was excited. I believe Bridgetown High is doing much better and I'm excited for that as well.
I wanted to let you know, Paul, and of course anyone else who may be eavesdropping that I posted two new Christmas stories at the Kindle store. Leaving Everything Behind and Grandpa's Last Christmas are available for $1.29 each.
Paul, I wanted to wish you and your wife a very Merry Christmas. May our Lord and Savior bless you with all the righteous desires of your heart.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Dec 16, 2015 18:19:13 GMT -5
Thank you Charlie. I wish you the best and happiest Merry Christmas ever. I'll have to go over to the Kindle site and check out your latest books.
Here's something funny. I still do not have a copy of my novel, he he he he. About 3 weeks ago when a sister in our Ward brought one to church to show me. That was the first time I ever saw one, lolol.
I'll look forward to talking to you when you get back.
Paul
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Post by charlie on Jan 13, 2016 12:22:06 GMT -5
2016 did not start well for my wife and I. My father-in-law, 87, fell Dec. 31 and broke his hip (left side). He had replacement surgery, but recovery has been slow. Our trip to Arizona went well. Enjoyed spending the holiday with my 2 youngest brothers and their families. I haven't resumed writing in 2016, but my plan is to make significant progress on 2 MS's currently started. I'm thinking I'll restart my western, Dark Tornado. Origin of Storms is about 6 chapters along. Both still have a long way to go.
Hope 2016 has started well for you, Paul.
I'm still ward clerk. I try to get the temple a couple times a month. Usually going to Logan, about 90 miles away, until IF is renovated and rededicated.
Looking forward to continuing our posts and our friendship through 2016 and beyond.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Jan 14, 2016 17:43:10 GMT -5
Hi Charlie:
So sorry to hear about your father-in-law's broken hip. At his age, recovering can be slow going.
With the Jordan River Temple closing in 5 weeks, I've been exploring other options to serve. But all the missionary opportunities (family search, etc,) require too many hours per week. I'm not sure my wife and I can do that. We'll have to keep looking.
I'm glad your trip went well. In the meanwhile, I've missed talking (writing) to you. I'm glad you've decided to resume writing. My book is doing OK. I don't think it will ever make the best-seller list, but I keep getting notes and comments that people are buying it. I won't know for sure until the royalties are paid out the end of March. I just hope it has sold enough for me to purchase a few copies for myself and marketing purposes.
I have to make you laugh. How long has it been since it went live? Over 3 months. I still don't have a copy. My brother in California did buy 6 copies and distributed them among our siblings and our mother.
Good luck with your writing.
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