The #TeaParty Supercharged; #Trump Defies Odds

The Tea Party started as a social media phenomenon in February, 2009 and reached the pinnacle of success in November, 2016 as an opportunistic Donald J. Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. Wow! Stop and think about the impact of online  networking.

Unhappiness within the Republican Party gave birth to the offshoot Tea Party movement. The staunch, ultra conservative members fought the progressive, moderate members of the party. Middle ground members that identified somewhat with principles of the left took to YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Almost overnight a large following shared posts that went viral.

The political elitists scoffed. The movement lost some luster after initial success. Minor impact in the 2012 and 2014 elections upset the GOP diehards as votes vanished from the party.

Enter Donald J. Trump in the first half of 2015. His introduction into the Republican primary was met with laughter. He took to social media and garnered support. Primary victory after primary victory gathered steam. The GOP old school had no choice. He became the Republican nominee for President.

The old timers rejected the idea of a non-politician as a serious candidate. Detractors were in abundance. Previous Republican Party supporters distanced themselves from his unorthodox comments and brash behavior. Democrats did not take him seriously.

But social media was in a frenzy. Immediate hard work on the ground after the nomination packed arenas. The movement's message resonated with a dying middle class who was unemployed and saw no hope for the future. That, coupled with a disastrous Obamacare healthcare program that strapped small businessmen from expanding as well as a daily influx of immigrants that tore into the fiber of American society helped the Trump Train roar across the country.

One by one rural Americans and voters who had become disenchanted flocked to support their candidate. The mainstream media, fueled by the dollars of the Democratic Party, pushed biased propaganda on a daily basis which favored the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton. The naive intellectual elitists turned a blind eye to the movement's message. As Trump backed auditoriums the Democrats could barely get voters to turn out for a church social. Pollsters hammered away predicting a blowout Democratic victory without informing the public that the surveys were heavily weighted with a Democratic Party influence.

Disbelief and surprise followed when the results of the November 8 election were posted. The out-to-lunch elitists, devoid of common sense and oblivious to the movement's message, reacted with shock as Donald J. Trump was elected President. The left wing intellectuals did not see it coming. Perhaps they weren't as bright as they thought.

What were they actually thinking in their pea-sized brains? Trump amassed a fortune and succeeded in a tough New York City real estate environment. The guy dreams big. The guy thinks big. The guy wins and wants the best of the best. How could he not be taken seriously? His heart beats for a new challenge. His current goal is to put America back to work. He wants his his thumbprint all over the rebuilding of America.

My advice? Get behind him and let him lead the way. Look what he has done for his family. He will look after the citizens of this country with the same passion. Today there is hope and opportunity in America.

He's going to rebuild the inner cities. He's going to put people back to work. His intentions are to make people feel good about themselves once again and recycle their earnings back into a thriving economy.

Today, my glass is half full. I'm proud to be and American! Our system -  the best in the history of mankind - works. It is time to stop the whining and protesting. Put an end to the social unrest. Cease the political correctness which has stifled our Federal government.

Our populace needs to unify under the leadership of Donald Trump and progress into the 21st Century. The next decade will provide opportunity as the infrastructure of the country is overhauled. It is time to jump aboard the Trump Train. The rebirth of the nation is awaiting your positive contribution. Once again there is hope and opportunity in America.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Pabby's Score - On Amazon Kindle #Bestseller Lists - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “P” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. (This is a re-post.)

Pabby’s Score had its moment to remember in October ’15. During a free promotional period thousands of downloads pushed it into the number 2 Overall position on Kindle. Consequently the book reached the number 1 ranking in Crime Fiction, Legal Thriller, and Teen.

This story is very complex in that there are several subplots that keep the reader guessing what will happen next. The creation of several memorable characters made this a fun book to write. That cast was led by Pabby and Shae, two orphaned teenagers with special needs.

Essentially an Internet dating site fuels the desire of an unfaithful lawyer. His young, adventurous online friend skillfully manipulates his libido. In the meantime Pabby and Shae along with their handlers happen upon Prairie Winds Golf Course. The purpose of their involvement is to orientate them into life after they leave the children's home and transition into society.

As the story unfolds the lawyer calls the shots for the trust that owns the children’s home. It is operated by the wife of a prominent judge who has made countless class actions decisions that have benefited the attorney. The close connections border on civil fraud. In the meantime the same lawyer has filed an injury settlement against the golf course proprietors.

Pabby’s infectious personality makes him a favorite among the regulars in the clubhouse. He and Shae are the show stoppers. But a sudden event changes the direction of the story. A secret law society holds the trump card in a cover-up that affects all of the characters. Readers have to stay on their toes to piece together the clues. I challenge anyone to figure out the end of the story.

Give Pabby’s Score a try. There’s virtually no golf in this tale. Instead readers have a great opportunity to meet all of the characters that I’ve placed in the clubhouse. You’ll have to stay alert to figure out the main plot and the ending.

The book is available in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and eBook downloads from Kindle are available. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the book for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Z For Zoysia Fairways In #Golf and #Fiction - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “Z” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Zoysia fairways - if you have ever golfed and hit off of that turf you know how nice they are. The setting for my books is fictitious Prairie Winds Golf Course which sits high atop the Mississippi river bluffs just east of St. Louis. That locale comes equipped with zoysia fairways.

Zoysia turf is “a dream come true” for greens keepers and golf course superintendents – especially those in the Midwest and South. It thrives in weather that allows for the temperature to stay in the 70s at night. From a weed control standpoint the root system is such that everything in its path in pushed out. This is really important to the maintenance staff because it cuts down on the use of chemicals and weed control applications.

The drawbacks to this sort of turf are that it requires a lot of water in the summer months and it will go dormant in colder weather. However if you want a type of grass that loves hot, humid weather then zoysia is the way to go. It needs a lot of sunlight, but will weaken in shady areas.

The playing surface is second to none. Golfers, especially amateur players, love the way the ball sits up. That makes it easier for them to hit the ball. Virtually every lie is pristine. A shot that finds a resting spot on this kind of grass will reward the golfer on the next shot.

Courses that use this sort of grass typically have a lower maintenance budget which makes it easier to produce a more attractive bottom line. There are several ways that zoysia can be installed. It can be sodded which is the most expensive. It can be stripped or plugged. This method allows for total coverage after a couple of growing seasons. Finally, it can be sprigged. Essentially the roots are sprinkled across existing turf. As long as the root makes contact with dirt and is watered the root will spread rapidly and produce an attractive final product in a short period of time. This is the most cost-effective means to install it.

Stop by and meet the guys in the clubhouse at Prairie Winds. They are no different than the guys in any local pro shop. A good place to start would be my 3-book bundles which are available on Kindle. James Ross – A YoungAdult Trilogy and James Ross – A Character-Based Collection can be read free by members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Your Money’s Worth on the Word Count - #Amwriting Novels - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “Y” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. I’m using “Your.”

You’re a reader and you want your money’s worth out of a book. What is the right length? The opinions vary. A lot depends on what types of books you like to read and what publishers advise.

Maybe the first place to start is with word count. There are all types of books. Here is a general guide to book length:

·         Short-short stories are under 2,500 words

·         Short stories are between 2,500 – 7,500 words

·         Novellettes range from 7,500 to 20,000 words

·         Novellas range from 20,000 to 50,000 words

·         Novels are typically over 70,000 words

I write fiction novels. If you’re a reader who likes to read you will get your money’s worth from my books.

Publishers, readers and writers all have opinions as to what is too long and what is too short. Typically publishers like to keep the length of novels somewhere between 90,000 to 120,000 words. The economics of printing and number of pages all play a part in that preferred length. Ideally publishers like to keep the page count between 280 – 320 pages. Before the eBook entered the picture a nice rule of thumb was approximately 250 words per page. This can vary depending on the font size.

To date I’ve written a half dozen novels. As a reader I’ve always preferred short chapters. Why? To me the answer is simple. If I start to nod I will cheat ahead to see how much reading is necessary for the next chapter break. If the chapters are short I tend to keep going.

My formula has been 100 chapters per book. I shoot for an average chapter length of 1,000 words. With simple math that amounts to 100,000 words. Depending on the story most of my books run between 90,000 to 120,000 words. Readers get their money’s worth.

From a writing standpoint it is relatively easy to write 1,000 words a day. When things are clicking that means a novel can be written in 100 days. Of course writer’s block and life gets in the way but it gives you an idea of how long it takes to write a novel.

If you like to read character-based fiction you may want to meet the gang that resides at Prairie Winds Golf Course. My characters are recurring. They come from all corners of the earth and are eclectic and opinionated. You can rest assured that they have something that is taking place away from the golf course, but the clubhouse is a familiar gathering spot for them to share viewpoints.

Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read my stories for free as I am participating in the Kindle Select program. Single titles are available as well as two eBook bundles. You may want to try James Ross – A Character-Based Collection or James Ross – AYoung Adult Trilogy. You will get your money’s worth.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Xlibris is My Indie Author Publisher - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “X” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Let’s assume that you have something that you want to say. Your preferred method of conveying that message is through the written word. The next thing you know you have a book that you have written and you want to get it published.

Do you want an agent? Do you need a publisher? How do you go about getting it in print? Today there are a lot of options. Many simply go to Amazon’s Kindle Select program and create an eBook. Of course there are a host of other companies today that can convert and sell eBooks as well. What is the right decision to make?

I did a lot of research online. My first book was published before the eBook storm took over the market. The company that I chose to publish the hard cover and paperback editions was Xlibris. Now they are a division of Random House. The product was beautiful. Even though the book was self-published I could claim that I was a published author and the final product that I could put in the hands of readers was very impressive.

Since then I have created a website, formed a presence on Amazon Author Central, and have added several more books. Each one has been published in conjunction with Xlibris. The market doesn’t dictate hard cover and paperback too much anymore. Xlibris also converts my manuscripts to an eBook format. With that I go to Amazon and offer my titles in the Kindle Select program. With me it all starts with Xlibris. They offer very nice quality.

So, if you are an indie author who is looking for a self-publisher you may feel the need to contact Xlibris. They have been good to me and you can rest assured that the end product will be first class.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

W is for Writing Amazon Bestsellers - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “W” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

No surprises here. Many authors are probably going to choose writing as their “W” word. Sorry for not being more original. But, it is a good lead-in to having an Amazon Bestseller.

When my writing career started I had a story that I had developed into a screenplay. After a year and a half of work and over twenty drafts I asked my consultant what would help it sell. He told me matter-of-factly that the book would help it to sell.

I said I that I didn’t have a book. He advised me to write one. That was heartbreaking news because I wanted to get a movie produced. He shrugged his shoulders.

After I processed that idea I used the screenplay as my outline to write the book. Eighteen months later my first novel was published. That prompted another question which was posed to my editor and proofreader. I wanted to know what would help the book sell. They advised me that readers would help it, but a second and third book might help to get readers. Ouch!

So, I kept writing. By this time the characters were itching to tell another story. Now there are six novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. It wasn’t going to do me any good to have them published and converted to eBook format just to collect dust.

Book marketers were contacted. I balked at their fees. However, in the long run I decided to spend the money to advertise. The next thing I knew four of the titles reached various Amazon Bestseller lists. As an added bonus the movie scripts for Lifetime Loser and Opur’s Blade won numerous awards in Indie Film Festivals.

My stories are character-based, realistic fiction in multiple genres. Those categories include cozy mystery, sports, crime, thriller, drama, etc. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read my eBooks for free. Try one or two of them. I think that you’ll find that the characters are folks that you see in everyday life.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

V For Victorious in the Amazon Kindle Bestseller Battle - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “V” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

It is tough out there for a writer. Not only is writing a book difficult, but developing a presence that includes readers and sales is next to impossible. So if you’re an indie author that has had a bestseller you should be elated. You’ve been victorious in an uphill struggle to get noticed.

It took me a while. My gut told me to get paid for my efforts. For years I wanted compensation for the months and months of hard work. However, those dollars are hard to come by when readers and the general public has never heard of you. Who would know if you even existed?

The book marketing people urged me to participate in the Kindle Select program. One facet of that was an opportunity to give my eBook away for free on five days. Okay, I bowed to the suggestion. I needed readers and a free offering might serve as an introductory gesture.

It looks like I chose the right marketers to help me. Four titles were offered for free in 2015. The massive amount of Kindle downloads pushed all four of them to lofty heights on the Amazon Bestseller list. Not only did impressive Overall rankings occur, but numerous Number 1 rankings occurred in many sub-genres.

When all is said and done I can say that Opur’s Blade, Pabby’s Score, Lifetime Loser, and Shari’s Shot reached impressive levels on Amazon on various Bestseller lists. Because of that they are included in promotional emails that are generated by Amazon and Kindle to customers. Now the worldwide online bookseller helps me promote!

In my book that can be regarded as a major Victory with a capital V.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Unlimited as in Kindle - #Readers are FREE to Pick @KU - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “U” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. Let’s choose Unlimited.

Kindle Unlimited is the brainchild of Amazon. It’s been out about 2 years now and the opinions about it are as widespread as the colors in a rainbow. For $9.99 per month members can choose from a variety of eBooks that are available on Kindle. Essentially readers download the eBook onto their Kindle tablet or through the Kindle reading app for a reasonable reading time. The main selling feature is the freedom to choose from any number of genres, indie authors, and adventures.

Currently the number of eBooks that can be selected tops the 1,000,000 mark. That’s over a million eBooks that are available with a click! New topics. Different genres. Unique authors. An Indie paradise. What a great opportunity for an unknown author like myself.

Serious readers don’t need a book store. They simply need to peruse the selections that are available on Kindle, stay at home, and get delivery in seconds. Half the eBook can be read in the time it takes to travel to the mall and back.

For an author the program is advantageous. We don’t need to use paper or lose time and expense in shipping. We get paid by how many pages are read. Those royalties come out of the monthly fund that is accumulated from all of the members. The downfall is that many of the Kindle Unlimited authors are unknown and need to turn to social media to be “discovered.” Nobody said that building a reader base would be easy.

Personally, I love the program. All of my novels which are in a variety of genres are available with a few author restrictions – the main being that the titles can only be offered on Kindle. But, where else would I want to be? Amazon helps to promote me. As an unknown I’m appreciative of that.

I’ve developed fictitious Prairie Winds Golf Course and have a wide assortment of recurring characters. The cozy mysteries are in the realistic fiction genre. If you’re into trying new authors you can select from Lifetime Loser which is about fraud in a small golf business; Finish Line where two teens interact daily with a cancer victim; Tuey’s Course which is a satire about a minority businessman in a battle with City Hall; Opur’s Blade where a gifted prodigy progresses to the top of his profession; Pabby’s Score where two special needs teens get oriented into society but innocently get tangled into an internet dating ring and secret law society; or Shari’s Shot where a privileged bitch gets wrapped into a murder-for-hire scheme.

Aggressive readers may want to try the 3-book bundles which are only available through Kindle. They can be identified as: James Ross – A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross – A Character-Based Collection. I personally love the Kindle Unlimited opportunities.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Opur's Blade - Tops on Kindle #Bestseller Lists - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “O” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. (This is a re-post)

Opur’s Blade really took off this past summer. During a promotional period in July free downloads started early and continued at a mind numbing pace. Thousands upon thousands of readers received a complimentary copy. Number 1 rankings obviously followed in several sub-genres like Cozy Mystery, Sports Fiction, and Teen.

It was one of my favorite stories to write and I hated to give it away, but what has followed has been well worth it. The freebies introduced readers to my work and that has provided cross sales of many of my other titles.

Finally! It really happened. I’ve got the screenshots to prove it. Indie authors have their work cut out for them. It was encouraging to get the high ranking as well as the attention of Kindle, Amazon, and new readers.

What is the story about? A young teen from a modest family gets introduced to the game of golf during a summer break. His mother, Rayelene, imagines lofty heights for her son. She arranges golf lessons at the local course. The head pro notices golf talent immediately and takes Opur under his tutelage. But Opur's folks go through a messy divorce which clouds his future.

Years tick by and the young lad turns into a confident and successful golfer. His opportunity beckons after winning a qualifying tournament overseas. How does he return the favor? He asks his early mentor to be his caddie in the most prestigious golf tournament in the world. When the day arrives however, something else is mysteriously going on.

Back and forth action in a nationally televised match keeps the pages turning. What will happen and how will the story end? The reader is kept in suspense until the final pages. Give Opur's Blade a try. It has had tremendous reviews and even though it has more golf than any of my other titles it will afford a first time reader a chance to evaluate my writing style.

 

Opur's Blade is available in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and Kindle downloads of the eBook are available. Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited members can read it for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Tuey’s Course – A #CozyMystery and Satire #Fiction #AtoZChallenge

This is the "T" Day in the A to Z Challenge - 2016.

Tuey’s Course was a challenging and fun book to write. The idea came about after a good friend had read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for the third time. He mentioned that it was almost impossible to understand what Jim had to say because the dialogue was so skewed. He suggested that I create a character that would offer the same speech. So Tuey was created.

I literally laughed out loud as I wrote this book. It was such fun to write. Because the character’s journey was disjointed I decided to keep the events of the story foggy as well. Thus, it is a hard book to read for two reasons. One, it jumps in and out of various scenes and two, the dialect of Tuey is difficult to understand.

The story? Tuey is a hardworking, but simple man. His efforts to succeed are constantly throttled back by the politics of City Hall. This provides problems as those around him experience success. Lots of it. Since Tuey is on the bottom step of the food chain, life’s problems trickle down. He spins in circles that magnify the frustrations.

After landing a job at a local golf course primarily through a friendship that a regular golfer had with the proprietor, Tuey begins a work-related journey that spins in circles much like his life. Others make good while Tuey becomes frustrated. An easy task experiences delays. Problems surface. Personalities clash. Emotions boil over.

The final pages are a surprise. You’ll have to read Tuey’s Course to see why his fantasy is warped in time. Hard cover and paperback editions are available on Amazon. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the eBook for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Shari’s Shot – No. 1 Crime #Fiction #Bestseller on FREE Kindle #AtoZChallenge

Today is the "S" Day in the A to Z Challenge - 2016.

Shari’s Shot surprised me. As I was writing it I thought that it would end up being an entertaining book. After the proofing and editing process was completed we went to work on the cover graphics. Since I had written the book a firm image of the main character was planted in my head. In an online search the right look caught my eye. We applied some interesting touches. The final product looked great. We nailed the cover.

That’s when I decided it was time to finally spend some marketing dollars to promote. The manuscript was converted to an eBook. I registered it in the Kindle Select program. The marketing service I used strongly suggested that I give it away for free to entice readers. Since their fee was paid I figured that I had better pay heed to the advice. The first giveaway day was impressive. Downloads of the eBook soared past the 5,000 level by late morning. I finally had readers!

Then a funny thing happened.

The attention that the title received brought a host of other marketing people out of the shadows. My Twitter accounts were bombarded with offers from other services promising numbers that would be more impressive. Since I had a few more giveaway dates left I thought they I would give them a chance as well. One in particular blew me away. On their day eBook downloads of Shari’s Shot topped 20,000 by lunchtime.

That was impressive enough to put the title into the Top 50 Overall on Amazon’s FREE Kindle. In the sub-category of Crime Fiction those numbers pushed it to the Number 1 position. It happened so fast that I didn’t have a chance to take a screenshot of the success. I wouldn’t make that mistake on my other titles that were promoted.

What is Shari’s Shot about? The mid-life itch hits Shari, the wife of a self-made St. Louis real estate mogul. Her affair leads to divorce proceedings. However her lover isn’t keeping a secret very well. His live-in is suspicious of his infidelities and doesn’t want to let him go. To complicate the situation Shari’s husband, Tyler Cy, doesn’t want to let her go either.

Then a boyfriend that Shari had earlier in her marriage turns up dead from a gunshot wound in a carpool parking lot while waiting to join golfing buddies.

Two detectives go to work. Shari’s country club life is not altered even though the membership is cancelled. Her spoiled disposition allows her lifestyle to continue and Tyler’s Cy’s money derails the investigation. Then a break in the case changes the scenery. There’s no need to ruin the ending. 

Feel free to read the Amazon reviews. Right now there are over 50 with a 4.2 star rating. The story is entertaining and full of twists and turns. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can download the eBook for free. Give Shari’sShot a try!

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Realistic #Fiction – That’s What I #Amwriting - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “R” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. We’ll try realistic.

Every author has his or her comfort zone. Mine happens to be realistic fiction. I tip my hat to those that can write in the more exotic genres. My mind just doesn’t happen to operate that well when I have to write about a topic with which I am unfamiliar.

Maybe that’s because I’m a keen observer of real life. Daily living feeds me real characters on a regular basis. When my mind is operating in a setting that I can envision, placing the characters in situations that drive the story is relatively easy. I can see them in their regular gathering spot. I can hear their conversation. I can anticipate how they will react. And that’s my baby --- spreading that message to the reader.

Living in this day and age in time is an absolute blessing. We have so much going on in the world and with the media and the new forms of communication we get to read and experience all that life has to offer instantaneously. Fortunately I get to put a spin on those activities and add a little humor and irony and hypocrisy. By writing with a tongue-in-cheek style I can weave a tale that is a little off-center, but close enough to real life to make the reader question whether or not something like that could really happen.

With all of the “I-can’t-believe-its” that we witness on a daily basis my stories force readers to wonder if the story that they just read could actually occur or did at some point in time. Since my mind is capable of adding a twist or two a unique writing style developed. Perhaps that flair evolved from my days as a kid. I loved to read non-fiction. That led to an interest in journalism and a matter-of-fact writing style. Of course that carried on to my first book, Lifetime Loser, where I had to back fill a lot of the past in an attempt to explain the actions of the present.

At any rate, that’s the style of writing that you will get with me. The plots are structured so the reader believes that they actually could occur. The stories are rich with characters that are memorable and believable. The chapters are short and are strung together like pieces of a puzzle. I don’t tell you exactly what is going on. I force my readers to think and connect the dots. If that’s the type of material you like to read then give my writing style a try.

Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited customers can read my stories for free with a simple click. My participation in the Kindle Select program allows for their availability. A good place to start would be with the eBook bundles that I’ve put together. The pair is available on Kindle and titled - James Ross– A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross – A Character-Based Collection. Either one would be a good place to get acquainted with my cast of recurring characters. They certainly don’t cheat life and have something going on at all times.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Quirky Characters Have Put Me On the #BESTSELLER List - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “Q” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

There is no doubt about it. Creating quirky characters is my favorite part of writing. Obviously we authors have to have a plot to drive the story. However character creation and placing those personalities in a sequence of events is equally important in my opinion. It has put several of my titles on Amazon BESTSELLER lists.

A lot goes into character creation for me. Once I get the idea for a story I have to dream up a way to tell it. Once that comes to me I have to create fictitious characters that have memorable features. Giving them unique traits is where my mind goes on overdrive.

In my first book I needed to create the core characters. Since my setting is a golf clubhouse they had to add color and humor to the environment. It was fun to have them represent all walks of life and parts of the world for that matter. Fred is an opinionated blue-collar worker; Paul is an ex-military perfectionist. Paco, who came from Mexico, runs a landscaping business. Elia is the barber from Beirut. And so it goes. Captain Jer is a retired airline pilot and the witty drunk. Pork Chop never walked away from a meal. Trot is a vaudeville comedian. Doc is an elderly vet. YouWho is a transplanted businessman from Japan. They’re my regular characters and complement head pro, J Dub and the number one assistant, Julie.

In Lifetime Loser we met a manipulative, neurotic, paranoid scam artist. His associates include a sleazy lawyer, a fidgety accountant, and a slick title company executive. Top investigators include a black IRS agent and nerdy numbers technician. And the list continues. Over 130 characters in all were created for that book.

Tuey was an impoverished black man who wore a lime green skull cap in Tuey's Course. He stole the spotlight in my third book. The overgrown child was frustrated by the manipulative tactics of City Hall yet his low IQ prevented him from rectifying the situation. The Board of Aldermen consisted of a unique cast of characters, each bordering on fantasy.

Opur had a stuttering impediment in Opur’s Blade. Pabby and Shae were special needs kids in Pabby’s Score. Pamela Porter, their caretaker, had an obnoxious voice in that story. Shari was a greedy, spoiled, self-centered bitch in Shari’s Shot. However the secondary characters that only have brief moments shine as well. If they don’t have a physical limitation then their name may say a lot about what they stand for.

In order to make the characters memorable I try to give them characteristics that are either annoying or attention getting. Accents, bad habits, and physical restrictions are devices that I use.

    

At any rate I can go on and on about the characters that I see in my mind. A lot of that comes because I am a very astute observer of life. Many of them have nicknames or names that describe their standing in the world. We see my characters daily. Luckily I get an opportunity to describe them in my stories.

All of my books are available on Amazon in hard cover and paperback editions. Kindle eBook downloads are also available. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the eBooks for free. Perhaps the eBook bundles would be a good place to start. James Ross - A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross - A Character-Based Collection are in eFormat only and are packaged as 3-book bundles.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Pabby’s Score – A Kindle Overall #Bestseller #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “P” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Pabby’s Score had its moment to remember in October ’15. During a free promotional period thousands of downloads pushed it into the number 2 Overall position on Kindle. Consequently the book reached the number 1 ranking in Crime Fiction, Legal Thriller, and Teen.

This story is very complex in that there are several subplots that keep the reader guessing what will happen next. The creation of several memorable characters made this a fun book to write. That cast was led by Pabby and Shae, two orphaned teenagers with special needs.

Essentially an Internet dating site fuels the desire of an unfaithful lawyer. His young, adventurous online friend skillfully manipulates his libido. In the meantime Pabby and Shae along with their handlers happen upon Prairie Winds Golf Course. The purpose of their involvement is to orientate them into life after they leave the children's home and transition into society.

As the story unfolds the lawyer calls the shots for the trust that owns the children’s home. It is operated by the wife of a prominent judge who has made countless class actions decisions that have benefited the attorney. The close connections border on civil fraud. In the meantime the same lawyer has filed an injury settlement against the golf course proprietors.

Pabby’s infectious personality makes him a favorite among the regulars in the clubhouse. He and Shae are the show stoppers. But a sudden event changes the direction of the story. A secret law society holds the trump card in a cover-up that affects all of the characters. Readers have to stay on their toes to piece together the clues. I challenge anyone to figure out the end of the story.

Give Pabby’s Score a try. There’s virtually no golf in this tale. Instead readers have a great opportunity to meet all of the characters that I’ve placed in the clubhouse. You’ll have to stay alert to figure out the main plot and the ending.

The book is available in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and eBook downloads from Kindle are available. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the book for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Opur’s Blade – A Top Overall Kindle #Bestseller #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “O” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Opur’s Blade really took off this past summer. During a promotional period in July free downloads started early and continued at a mind numbing pace. Thousands upon thousands of readers received a complimentary copy. Number 1 rankings obviously followed in several sub-genres like Cozy Mystery, Sports Fiction, and Teen.

It was one of my favorite stories to write and I hated to give it away, but what has followed has been well worth it. The freebies introduced readers to my work and that has provided cross sales of many of my other titles.

Finally! It really happened. I’ve got the screenshots to prove it. Indie authors have their work cut out for them. It was encouraging to get the high ranking as well as the attention of Kindle, Amazon, and new readers.

What is the story about? A young teen from a modest family gets introduced to the game of golf during a summer break. His mother, Rayelene, imagines lofty heights for her son. She arranges golf lessons at the local course. The head pro notices golf talent immediately and takes Opur under his tutelage. But Opur's folks go through a messy divorce which clouds his future.

Years tick by and the young lad turns into a confident and successful golfer. His opportunity beckons after winning a qualifying tournament overseas. How does he return the favor? He asks his early mentor to be his caddie in the most prestigious golf tournament in the world. When the day arrives however, something else is mysteriously going on.

Back and forth action in a nationally televised match keeps the pages turning. What will happen and how will the story end? The reader is kept in suspense until the final pages. Give Opur's Blade a try. It has had tremendous reviews and even though it has more golf than any of my other titles it will afford a first time reader a chance to evaluate my writing style. 

Opur's Blade is available in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and Kindle downloads of the eBook are available. Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited members can read it for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Number 1 - How to Get a FREE Kindle BESTSELLER #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “N” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.  Let’s use Number 1 to tie into the letter N.

I was hopeful that someday that lofty status might happen, but as my novel count reached six I seriously doubted that I would ever be able to make that claim. The competition is fierce. The volumes of books that are published daily are hard to fathom. Breaking out of obscurity is next to impossible.

How do you get noticed with so many writers on the scene?

The answer is: Marketing and Money.

There are a bunch of marketing people that want to help an author. These gurus charge a handsome amount. Basically their advice is to convert the written word to an eFormatted edition and sell it – or should I say, give it away - on Kindle. However, that is only half of it. After authors make their eBook available on Kindle they really need to participate in the Kindle Select program.

Two options are available. The Countdown Deals program allows for an escalating price. The second choice allows for five free days during a sign up period. Pick out 5 days and get organized. That takes care of a marketing choice.

The next step is where the money comes in. There are a number of services that charge fees to get the eBook downloaded on Kindle. They are tapped into eBook reader sites and promotional lists. Typically the more you spend the higher the download count. I did four of my books in a single year. Needless to say I learned a lot and found out which services worked the best.

On the day of your free promotion just wake up and watch the numbers soar. An author can follow the progress on Kindle as the reports are posted hourly. It is fun to see your cover methodically climb to the top as the eBook downloads accumulate.

Of course social media plays a big part too. Twitter posts, Facebook groups, Goodreads announcements, email campaigns to readers, an Amazon Author page, and website alerts help. The cover postings in the various genres on Amazon and Kindle are equally as important. Publicity feeds on itself.

When all is said and done I can say that I am now a Number 1 Best Selling Author on Amazon Kindle. Here are some of the results that can be verified through screenshots that were taken: 

                                     

        

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Overall

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Cozy Mystery

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Sports Fiction

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Teen Fiction

   

                                           

•  Pabby’s Score –No. 2 Overall
•  Pabby’s Score –No. 1 Crime Fiction
•  Pabby’s Score –No. 1 Legal Thriller
•  Pabby’s Score –No. 1 Teen

                        

    ·     Lifetime Loser – No. 6 Overall

    ·     Lifetime Loser – No. 1 Golf

    ·     Lifetime Loser - No. 2 Crime Fiction

    ·     Lifetime Loser – No. 3 Teen

Shari’s Shot was my first promotion and did not fare quite as well only because I did not have my marketing strategies perfected. It got into the Top 50 Overall and into the Top 5 in Crime Fiction. Had I figured things out a little earlier I’m confident that this book would have reached higher download levels.

What was gained? A lot of new readers and sales that continue to this day. Feel free to get in touch with me. I’ll steer you in the right direction.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.