Something Old, Something New

Extract from the novel: Despite her protests, armed guards forced her downstairs before driving her to the Maison d’Arrêt, a formidable looking prison in the district of St. Michel. They led her to a cell where she remained for the rest of the day and night, locked up with nothing to eat or drink and no contact with the outside world. The following morning, they dragged her from the cell before returning her to the Préfecture where the interrogation continued with the young officer. Following every truthful response, a second interrogator beat her. She was vaguely aware of daylight when they transported her battered and bleeding to a transit camp on the outskirts of the town. Armed guards patrolled the facility, which contained a number of wooden huts surrounded by three metres high barbed wire fencing. Overcrowded with few facilities, Marie believed that she had arrived in hell. With tears streaming down her bruised face, she crouched by one of the huts. Everywhere she looked, wretched people with vacant expressions on their faces wandered aimlessly, searching for answers to the dreaded thoughts that permeated their minds. They must have been ordinary people like me, she thought. Will I become like these poor souls? Rumours in the town had spread about such places; the reality shocked her. The stench of sweat and urine hung in the air like a portent of decay and ultimately death. Even with no information, she quickly realised that she was destined for transportation, a fate that had befallen many others victims since the Nazis moved into the unoccupied zone in 1942. My arrest happened so quickly, no one will know what became of me, she thought. How could anyone possibly find me here? She prayed—this time for a miracle.

Something Old, Something New

Draft Video of latest novel: http://www.youtube.com/v/bLNjjHJup7E?version=3&autohide=1&showinfo=1&feature=share&autohide=1&attribution_tag=NyydMjv9zqYO7wLFOHqllg&autoplay=1

Eastenders Plunges the BBC into the Depths of Banality

Who has replaced Eastenders with the pathetic production that tarnishes our television screens? I used to be a fan. Now, I find it embarrassing to watch a programme that has reached new depths of TV mediocrity. The once popular soap has become a hybrid of third-rate fantasy and badly performed farce (pronounced in this case as ‘eff-in-arse).

To spare its blushes, BBC should condense the weekly episodes into a fifteen minute ‘how not to produce drama’ slot on any Saturday morning children’s ‘knockabout/slapstick’ show.

Thank goodness, ‘The Clangers’ are making a comeback.

Apart from amateurish scripts—who writes this drivel?—and wooden acting from brainwashed actors, the plots bear as much relevance to reality as the existence of human life on Uranus. The episodes have become so predictable, the characterisations so inconsistent, the situations so unreal that Den Watts and Arthur Fowler would be welcome resurrections to save the soap from its current death-bed.

To uphold its reputation, the BBC must dismiss the producers, hire a complete new cast and engage writers who live in the real world. The current players—their careers must be in freefall to appear in such trash— could find useful commission-based employment as washing machine salespersons in some place called Albert Square. It is easily recognisable by its 24/7 market and residents who spend most of their waking hours either in the bizarrely-run public house—is there no longer a licensed trade advisor to the programme?—or the ‘caff’ that guarantees you will always meet people you do not wish to meet.

If I lived in the east end of London, I would be upset and angry at the BBC’s distorted portrayal of the vibrant community that has developed there.   

Success as a Writer

How successful are you as a writer? How does one measure success? With the emergence of easily accessible processes to write, edit and self-publish, creating that ‘best-seller’ has become a global fad. Simultaneously, there is a plethora of advice on how to market oneself and that potential masterpiece—all good stuff, nothing new and mostly common sense.

Having taken on board and implemented these vital strategies, how many reach that ‘promised land’ where the author’s name alone guarantees instant sales of their next book? For many aspiring writers, it would be interesting to hear of not just about the success story, nor what steps the self-published author took to market themselves and their book, but to discover HOW this was achieved.

For example, the marketing gurus recommend writing a regular blog, a popular tool to gain exposure, but HOW does one create an international following (beyond one’s friends and family) in the first place?

Followers of various discussion groups constantly share their experiences and offer great advice to each other. Somehow, we also find time to write our novels. For those authors who consider themselves successful, HOW is that achieved and measured?     

La fête à Oradour-Saint-Genest

First there was a 'vide grenier', well-attended with a plethora of stalls, where the main topic was bargaining.

Then the 'boulistes' began arriving for the
'concours de boules'.

Later, it was time to retire to the bar before a meal in the open-air followed by dancing and topped off by a firework display across the lake.

...and the rain stayed away!

The highlight of the day was the Tractor Rally

Tour de France

 
Memories of Le Tour de France at Saint-Auban-Montrand July 2013

Summer at Last

Okay, it's 6 July and summer has finally arrived...better late than never.

There was a rush to bring out the garden furniture, prepare a tuna salad al fresco and relax on the sun loungers.

Apparently, according to the meteo, the high pressure is here for at least another week. I see long lazy days ahead with the occasional dip in the pool to stay cool.

I love France once more!

Risk on Kindle & In Store

Finally, my latest novel, 'Risk' is now available on Kindle in addition to its original paperback version. It also has the benefit of the 'Look Inside' feature, which I often use when purchasing books. 

Reviews can sometimes be misleading, whereas the 'Look Inside' allows the reader to sample an extract before deciding to buy. It is similar to a wine tasting without the same 'side effects'! The paperback novel is now on sale at one of France's main supermarkets, Intermarché in Bonnat, in the Creuse.  

How Readers can help Writers

Hints for for readers (advice from Penny Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc.)

Review the book: Readers are some of the best resources for reviews. Like a book? Please review it. Even if you don’t like it review it, too. Most authors welcome feedback if it’s constructive. Always be positive.

Video reviews: If you’re ready to take this a step further, why not offer a video review? Amazon lets you do this and I know, as an author, I would be thrilled if someone reviewed my book on video! If you do this, send the video clip via Dropbox or YouSendit and keep the clip to under a minute. Hold up the book and smile!

Photo sharing: This is a fun, visual way to share your love for a book. Even better, snap a picture where you’re reading it. Authors love this so much!  

Local bookstores: Though it may seem like every author who is published gets a shot at bookstore shelf space, the truth is that most don’t. If you’ve found a book you love and had to buy it on Amazon because your local store didn’t carry it, tell them. Bookstore managers have told me if they get multiple requests for a book they will consider stocking it.

Buy the book for a friend:  This is pretty basic. If you love the book you just read, buy a copy for a friend. When you gift it, remind the person to review it.

Social Media: Sharing has become part of our lives. We share good  and bad news but when was the last time you shared what you are reading? Here’s where that great picture you just took of you reading a book can come in handy. 

Salon du Livre

Mike Welham, author of 'Crime Pays' outside
The Glass Key bookshop in Montmorillon
looking serious but ready to sign copies of
his latest novel, 'Death of a Scientist'.

Mike and I held a joint signing event during the weekend of the 'Salon du Livre' book fair in the picturesque environment of the Cité de l'Ecrit.

Next weekend, we are together again at an event in Bonnat, Creuse where will will be signing our latest novels 'Risk' and 'Death of a Scientist' at the Intermarché supermarket.

A Fine Line between 'Hook' and 'Dénouement'.

What is the difference between a 'hook' and a 'dénouement' when writing fiction?
At a recent book-signing event, a conversation with a fellow writer focussed on how to hold the reader's attention (eg at the end of a chapter) by whetting the reader's appetite.
I have read some novels that create such a desire to discover what happens next that they are difficult to put down; others have the opposite effect, a desire to quickly finish the chapter, to resume at a later stage.
My friend and I discussed several chapter endings from two of my previous novels:

'Ignorant of the future consequences of his actions, the young Grenadier Weber dutifully followed the doctor.'

'His wish was about to be fulfilled in disastrous circumstances.'

'However, a most unexpected source would reward their persistence.'

'...fast moving events elsewhere in the region were about to change their lives.'  

'They were living a dream with no guarantees that it would become reality.'

'He worried needlessly; Alice would provide a solution to his dilemma.'

'There would be resolution but not in the manner that he expected.'

How would the reader react to the above chapter endings?  I am interested to know if other authors have the same dilemma about engaging the reader without divulging too much information.  

 

Medallion of Evil

Medallion of Evil:

Working title of next novel.
Not sure yet about the front cover.
Framework for story in place.
Staying with the WWII theme.
This time with more German POV.
Written about 4,000 words so far.
Some more research needed.
Working to complete by end of year.
Hoping to publish before Xmas.
Short extract below.

Chapter 1

Monique stared at the accumulation of junk—memories of past generations. Why do families hoard such stuff? The aged ochre shell of a low wattage light bulb dangled from a frayed cord like an over-ripe pear. Drapes of dust-laden cobwebs shimmered in this paltry light source, casting grotesque shadows across the attic. The cramped roof space contained a clutter of cardboard cartons, wooden crates and stored luggage that tottered precariously upwards towards oak beams encrusted with years of grime. Finding her grandmother’s old battered trunk had seemed an impossible task but within minutes, she spotted the tarnished brass handles protruding from the mass of lumber as though begging discovery.

She remembered the first time she had encountered grandma’s souvenirs and personal belongings. One month after the old woman’s death, mother considered that the family had allowed sufficient time for respectful mourning. Armed with an assortment of cleaning materials, Monique had accompanied her mother and elder sister, Elodie to ‘spring-clean’ the property by the lake prior to moving in. Though they had spent many happy hours as youngsters at the house, on this occasion the atmosphere was goose-pimplingly scary, contrasting starkly with summertime visits picking strawberries in the extensive gardens. Now, with grandma’s death—apparently, grandpa had died during the Second World War when still a young man—the emptiness conveyed a palpable sadness. Bare oak floors resonated to their footsteps like never before; windows no longer sparkled in the sunshine. Yet it had seemed that, no matter how much effort they employed in dusting and polishing, a musty ‘old person’ smell lingered, especially in the rooms upstairs. After two more days tidying and separating the items they wished to sacrifice to the real world by retaining, destroying, selling or donating to charitable organisations, the property stood ready for its new occupants. In later years, the girls compared the general clear out to a sorting room at the local Red Cross offices before they restored decades of family memorabilia to the attic.

On the day that Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, the Arnaud family—mother Bernadette, father Edouard and their two daughters— became the new residents of grandma’s house. The imposing three-storey property stood overlooking the lake at Cieux, a small town northwest of Limoges in south central France. A fresh start to a bright future awaited them with the past consigned to the obscurity of cobwebs and spiders in the musty loft space.

Once again, that odour of decay wafted over Monique as she pulled the trunk from its storage where it had rested since that unforgettable housekeeping exercise twelve years previously. Delighted with such a rapid detection of her prize—the attic still gave her the creeps—with some relief, she descended to the warmth and comfort of the living room. She dumped the rescued heirloom at her sister’s feet.

“This is it,” she gasped, still breathless from the ordeal of clambering down from the attic with the weighty baggage. “I’m certain that it will contain what we need.”

Elodie was quiet and extremely shy, in stark contrast to her lively sister; she eyed it with little enthusiasm. The trunk looked shabby and emitted a nasty smell; it reminded her of their deceased grandmother.

Copyright © 2013 by James R. Vance

RISK NEW NOVEL by JAMES R VANCE

NEW VIDEO to launch RISK

I have added an updated video to You Tube to
complement the launch and book-signings of my
latest novel, RISK.

http://youtu.be/CalggFzvPpo







What else can one do on a wet June afternoon in
France, waiting for the imminent thunderstorm, but
write a poem?.....What! Poetry and I?....Never!
But hold on.....what is this?

Ode to an Author & His Work

There was a man from Limousin,

whom some considered a ‘flash-in-the-pan’.

He started writing mystery crime

but changed by going back in time

to writing novels on World War Two

about the evil that some men do

to innocent victims, children too.

Sadly, all the tales are mostly true

but who cares, apart from me and you?

He passed his time in Haute Vienne,

picking up stories as and when

from geriatrics who survived to tell

their stories of the living hell

that they endured beneath the weight

of Pétain’s guilt and Hitler’s might.

We won the war but lost the peace;

the Germans’ grip will never cease.

Write the books and tell the world,

yet no one seems to be appalled.

Life moves on and memories fade

of lives and homes that they once gave

to win the freedom we now cherish,

with no regard for those who perished.

I hope the stories you will retain

therefore, their sacrifice was not in vain.

Copyright ©James R. Vance

2013

Book Signing

Saturday & Sunday at Salon du Livre in Montmorillon. 

Joint signing with Mike Welham at the Glass Key

bookshop from 10h.00. 

James (shop proprietor) will be serving wine

to selected visitors. 

Make a date!

Retired But Never Forgotten

So much debate about Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement,
especially now the Mourinho 'bandwagon' has returned
to Chelsea.
There were several more retirements this year; maybe,
without mentioning all their names, it's time for many of
our footballing heroes to move on.
However, one name above all others will be spoken
about for years to come.
Not many people will remember let alone have seen the
great Eddie Colman who sadly died in the Munich air
disaster in 1958. I am fortunate to have watched him
playing for Manchester United. As a young footballer,
I was in awe of him. He was the greatest mid-fielder
(half-back in those days) alongside the magnificent Duncan Edwards. What an incredible partnership. Colman was simply the best....until Paul Scholes appeared on the footie scene. A genius. Thanks for the wonderful memories.        

Medallion of Evil

A busy period.


I have book-signings organised at Bonnat in the Creuse and Le Dorat in Haute Vienne after having conducted already two signings locally at Magnac Laval and at Thiat. There is also an opportunity to hold one at the Salon de Livres book fair in Montmorillon.

Currently, I am also working on my next historical fiction novel, Medallion of Evil, another tale based on the Nazi occupation of France during the Second World War. This time, however, the plot focusses on the German involvement rather than that of the Résistance or the agents sent over by SOE.    

RISK: BOOK LAUNCH

The Poster for Thiat

           

Book launch of RISK on Friday 17^th May

at the bar in Thiat, Haute Vienne, France.

Another signing event is scheduled at

Vera Laine Boutique in Le Dorat later

In June.

The June event will be a joint signing

With another Haute Vienne author,

Mike Welham to launch his new novel

Death of a Scientist.

           






                                                                                                                     

RISK

Now available in paperback from
Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and
Amazon.fr. Soon be be released in
Kindle format.








http://www.amazon.com/Risk-James-R-Vance/dp/1849611947/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366969438&sr=1-1&keywords=risk+by+James+R+Vance

European Goldfinch

Today, in Haute Vienne, my daughter spotted a European Goldfinch on her window sill. Is this a sign that spring has finally arrived in the Limousin region of France or was it merely escaping the colder weather elsewhere in Europe? Whatever reason, its twittering is a pleasant addition to a rather dull day after the recent hot spell.

More info:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Goldfinch

Can Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature influence a reader to purchase a book?

When browsing the internet for books, reviews have seduced me occasionally, resulting in disastrous purchases. I concluded that personal recommendations (despite differing tastes) are more reliable. During the past twelve months, I have often used the 'Look Inside' feature when contemplating the purchase of a book that outwardly appeals. I consider this facility to be the 'internet alternative' to browsing in a bookshop or the local library.

What can one learn from a few pages? I imagine that readers apply various criteria to what tempts them to buy or not to buy a specific book, whether it be the genre, the cover, author's reputation, back cover blurb / synopsis or some reviewer's critique in a Sunday supplement. On Amazon, much of this criteria is available with, in some cases, the additional opportunity to take a peek inside. Maybe a personal checklist to 'score' the extract would be useful, thereby ensuring that the book meets one's requirements.

If potential purchasers of books via the internet regularly use this feature as an important guide, surely authors should realise the potential of this 'shop window' for their work. However, I am still amazed at how the opening chapters of some books that I have viewed lack quality, accuracy and the magic of page-turning compulsion.

In the case of my latest novel, the final draft and edit suggested it to be ready for publication. I downloaded the PDF version to my Kindle, giving me the opportunity to read the complete novel as a reader as opposed to the distraction of absorbing the material through the clinical eyes of the writer. Though I was satisfied with the manuscript, something disturbed me about the introductory chapters. Unwittingly, I had taken the 'Look Inside' approach to my own book.

There is still no guarantee that it will generate mega sales, but at least the process enabled me to make last-minute adjustments to improve the final version. Now, it is for the readers to decide.

James R. Vance April 2013
 

RISK: The Video

Video showing an illustrated storyline
of new novel, Risk goes live on YouTube:





       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuHaX5iwkXo&feature=youtu.be

RISK: The Story in Pictures

The Pundit's View

In his press conference earlier this week, José Mourinho stated that ‘the world’ would be watching the football match between Manchester United and Real Madrid. I, along with other millions of spectators and viewers, witnessed an enthralling encounter, a tactical ‘edge-of-the-seat’ masterpiece with no predictable conclusion until a Turkish referee made a decision that ruined José’s ‘global spectacle’—fortunately, in his team’s favour.

One of the guests on ITV’s panel of pundits was Roy Keane, the often ‘infamous destroyer’ of the beautiful game, whose career as a player and captain of Manchester United earned him many cards and sending-off decisions. It was remarkable, therefore, to hear him supporting the referee’s decision to send off Nani for raising his foot above shoulder height, endangering (in Keane’s words) any one of the remaining twenty-one players on the pitch. The fact that no player was in a tackle with him at that moment when he attempted to control the ball (Arbeloa arrived like an express train seconds later), was irrelevant according to him.

If this is the current interpretation of dangerous play (according to Mr. Keane), the spectacular overhead kick has just been banished from football (Rooney v Manchester City springs to mind) and we will have lost another skill from the beautiful game. If we accept Keane’s argument, the raising of the foot to perform that specific feat would automatically result in a red card and a sending-off—irrespective of whether another player was in close proximity.

I have watched football since long before Roy Keane was born. Players like McKay of Spurs, Scoular of Newcastle, Smith of Liverpool, Stiles of Manchester United, Hunter of Leeds, Harris of Chelsea—the list in endless if one adds the foreign tough tacklers who have graced the game—would not survive in today’s sanitised version of football as it heads almost inevitably towards a non-contact sport. If a player is to be now red-carded for a dangerous manoeuvre when no opponent is challenging, we may as well give up and invent a new ‘global game’.

I suggest that ITV and other sports channels put Mr. Keane on permanent ‘gardening leave’ where he can contemplate the more innocuous vagaries of nature. 

Passing Time with Past Times