News – updates on books, events, appearances, etc.

  • Update on Curse of a Dark God

    I just turned in a 35 page chapter outline of Curse of a Dark God to my editor. This is the third iteration of the outline since December. Hopefully, at last, we have a story we can all agree on. Keep your fingers crossed.

    Of course, since this back and forth has been a process of write like mad then wait a few weeks then write like mad and wait again, I’ve been working on another project during the waits. It’s a straight-up thriller.

    Leon is ex-Special Forces (or an Army Ranger, but I’m leaning SF). He left the service when a colonel decided it was his job to make Leon’s life hell. He did security and a number of other things. Tried to be a plumber, but fell into bad company and then crime. And then was send to the big house and learned about a whole new theater of war. During his stay, he saw the light. Changed. He shaped up, and despite the swastika tatoos on his feet, flew straight when he got out. He had his odd jobs, but figured it was easiest to avoid all the questions and fuss that arise when you tell a prospective employer that you’re a felon. So he got himself a laundromat. Then another. Then he invested in a car wash. There’s good money in cleaning. And with the proceeds he bought himself a little ranch.

    Leon’s a big man. Knows a lot about guns (although he can’t possess one), security, and crime. He lives in Rock Springs, Wyoming. On occassion, the sheriff is known to ask for his services. On more frequent occassions, the sheriff’s wife keeps trying to set him up with an unending line of women. But he doesn’t know if he’s ready for women. He doesn’t know if he’s ready for his nephew that his sister wants him to reform.

    Then two old buddies from prison show up one night. They’ve got a girl with them. They need a place to stay. But it’s clear the girl isn’t there of her own accord. He figures they’re either holding her for ransom or blackmail. He’s not sure which. He knows these boys are connected to some bad men. Then his nephew breaks her free. The excons get in their car and chase after her. Leon gets in his car and chases after them. And soon he finds himself in the middle of something bigger than he could imagine.

    Or something like that. I should have the chapter outline ready to go as soon as I finish Curse. I can’t wait to write it.

  • Final parts of Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem interview

    Carrie Hinkel-Gill at Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem has been interviewing me. It’s been thought-provoking and fun. Here are the last two installments. Check it out: 

    http://mlmfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/02/featured-author-john-d-brown-part-3.html

    http://mlmfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/02/featured-author-john-d-brown-part-4.html

  • Apologies to commenters

    Back at the beginning of February my site was targeted for a spam attack. So I turned on Askimet which helps deal with that. Being new to Askimet and some of the wordpress setting changes I made, I didn’t know that a number of comments were being put into a pending queue. So a number of you posted comments and never saw them appear or received a reply. For example, a couple of people took issue with my review of Basic Economics because I said Obama has made a statement in good Marxist fashion. I didn’t refuse to post your comments because you disagreed. I just didn’t see them. Another person asked about LTUE, etc. I’ve approved the comments and replied. Hopefully, you’ll get a more timely response in the future. 🙂

  • See You at LTUE on Friday

    My schedule has changed. You can see the updates below. As I said before, LTUE is one of the best writing conferences around. There are going to be quite a few authors there sharing tips on craft and the business of writing. BTW, it’s NOT going to be held in the Wilkinson Center as it has been in the past, but in the Conference Center on the NORTH side of campus. See map below. Find the full schedule here.

    Romance vs. Story with Romantic Elements: Injecting romance into saving the world

    • Panel 
    • John Brown (Moderator),  Ami Chopine, Stacy Whitman, Lynn Kurland
    • FRIDAY: 12 pm – 1 pm

    Plotstorming from Character: In some cases the plot of a book drives the characters. However, characters that instead drive the plot can make for a more compelling story. In this hour, we focus on how to grow your plot from your main characters.

    • Presentation
    • Paul Genesse (I want to hear what Paul has to say; I think this will be interesting)
    • FRIDAY: 3 PM – 4 PM

    How to Get and Develop Killer Story Ideas

    • Workshop 
    • John Brown & Larry Correia (oh, yeah–it’s the dynamic duo)
    • FRIDAY: 6 PM – 7 PM

    Lessons on Story from THE HUNGER GAMES (and let me tell you, there are a lot of good lessons)

    • Presentation
    • John Brown
    • FRIDAY: 7 PM – 8 PM

    Click the map to see details