John Achor – Five-Six Deadly Mix

This week, I’m welcoming author, John Achor to my blog.

The first of John Achor’s three careers spanned twenty years as a U.S. Air Force pilot. He accumulated over 4,000 hours flying planes from Piper Cubs to the military equivalent of the Boeing 707. After the military, he entered the real estate industry. He joined a national real estate franchise as a management consultant working at the regional and national levels. Those positions led him to Phoenix, Arizona, and an affiliation with a major Savings & Loan institution.

In John’s words, “When the Savings and Loan industry melted away like a lump of sugar in hot coffee, I knew it was time to develop a third career.” He became a freelance computer instructor, user-developer, consultant, writer and Community College instructor.

In mid-1999, John moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where he lived in the piney woods with his wife Pat and their two cats, Lexus and Betsy Ross. As you may know from his latest book or web site; these two cats are no longer with them. Big hole in their lives, but both are waiting for us by The Rainbow Bridge. Their latest move was a recent relocation to the Omaha, Nebraska area where John is busy meeting and greeting new writers, readers and writing groups.

TO OUTLINE OR NOT TO OUTLINE, THAT IS THE QUESTION ,,,

(WITH APOLOGIZES TO THE BARD)

The title of this posting suggests there are two schools for thought regarding the use of  outlines for writing ― in my case long fiction mysteries and thrillers. This is another writing subject where the experts disagree. I’ve found many who belong to one camp or the other and suggest they are correct ― meaning the rest of the world is therefore wrong. Back in the day when I was doing consulting work, we defined an expert as anyone with a briefcase who was fifty miles from home.

When speaking to authors, I am willing to share the techniques I use, and some I do not use. I put them forward and always suggest each person select the ones which work for them. I have a big enough ego to think I’m right, and I’ve had enough experience to know what works for me.

So, what’s the answer to the question the title proffers. The answer, for me, is Yes and Yes. The first novel I wrote was a thriller. It popped from my head fully formed ― much as Athena leapt from the head of Zeus, wearing full armor. Always thought that must have been super painful.

My first story came to me with mental details from A to Z ― a beginning, a middle and an end. I began to write (not in one sitting) and didn’t stop until I penned: The End. In those days many agents and publishers wasn’t to see the outline. I could oblige since, after the fact, I went back and created an outline of the story.

The second novel came to me as the germ of an idea. I had a feint idea of a start, but beyond that, it was blank white paper ― a clean uncluttered monitor screen. I began the outline and roughed out the full book chapter by chapter. Having an outline does not mean there is no room for change. Seldom does the full story come out on the computer screen directly from the outline. Yes, I made changes, however the outline was a major contributor to my efforts.

I once read an article stating there was no such thing as writer’s block. I pondered his premise and came to agree with him. This author said what most of us call writer’s block is simply a point where we don’t know where the story should go from the last words we’ve written … I found that was true for me, and used outlining to continue the story line. I usually find that creating an outline for the next few scenes or chapters breaks the log jam.

Again, these work for me. Skip the outline when everything is a go; use that approach when it will assist and speed up the writing flow. As you can see, I’ve used and skipped outlines as needed, and I suggest every author decide what works for them ― and keep the pencil moving (a phrase Natalie Goldberg introduced in “Writing Down the Bones).

Good muse …

Five-Six Deadly Mix

Casey Fremont has a knack for solving mysteries…

She also has a habit of ending up in danger…and this time both may get her killed!

In FIVE-SIX, DEADLY MIX, Casey Fremont lands in the middle of a combined local police/FBI investigation into fraud and theft at a local hospital. Also, Two women have suspiciously fallen to their deaths before Casey reports for work in her undercover role.
Once again, Casey brings her roommates, Effie Tremayne and Aaron Kincaid, along to lend a hand.

As usual, the rest of Casey’s life is in turmoil as well. Love interests shift and change, someone close to Casey falls ill, and she receives a visit from an uncle she’s not seen in years. This all forces Casey to make decisions that affect her while she edges ever closer to the truth of the hospital case, once more putting that life in deadly peril!
FIVE-SIX, DEADLY MIX is the third Casey Fremont Mystery from Author John Achor! Intrigue and Real life drama collide for Casey once again in this exciting volume of deduction and death! From Pro Se Productions.

Amazon buy link for Five-Six, Deadly Mix:

https://www.amazon.com/Five-Six-Deadly-Mix-Fremont-Mystery/dp/1542612063/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485987610&sr=8-1&keywords=John+Achor

Amazon buy link for Three-Four, Kill Some More:

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Four-Kill-Some-More-Fremont/dp/151514805X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478131870&sr=8-1&keywords=three+for+kill+some+more

Website URL: www.johnachor.com

Blog URL: www.johnachor.wordpress.com

Facebook URL: www.facebook.com/jachor1

Twitter: www.twitter.com/caseyfremont

John and I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave a comment.