Building a brand name for Johnny Ray as a novelist is a step by step process that becomes more and more interesting as time progresses. However, the friends created along the way are making all of the difference in the world.
I think it is important to look at the process of writing from both a writer and a reader. There are thousands of books on how to write. And, they are very informative. However, you do not see many on the subject of reading tips. To fully enhance this experience, I have decided to dig into this much deeper and hopefully provide the little something extra that will help the reader enjoy the book he or she is reading. No, this is not going to be a course in reading, but think of it as more of a way of thinking, of understanding, of experiencing a world that the writer intended.
I think it is very true that the charcters in the book should tell the story, it is impossible to totally remove the writer and his personal opinions. A review of who the author is will help tremendously in reading the book. Now, if it is an author you know from before, you may already know much. But adding to your knowledge of who that person is could be invaluable in understanding the story. On a new book, reading about the author could prove to help understand why the story is told a particular way. So, I guess my first post in this series is to get to know the author and what makes him or her tick. The effort will be well rewarded.

Johnny Ray

Novelist Johnny Ray's notes on how to make writing interesting.

First and most important, the writer, in my humble opinion, must find life interesting, intriquing and completely unique in every day it is explored. There is so much to explore , to discover, to live. Yes, all people have a way of enjoying life, some more than others. But, for many life seen through the eyes of the writer adds to their life. It would be good to explore the whole world and see all of the beauty this world has to offer, but not a reality for everyone. That is why I think the writer has a special obligation to experience life and remember all of the details that make places come alive.

It would be great to hear how other writers record their thoughts on places they visit. leave me
a note on how you keep track of the places you visit. Or if you are a reader, let me know what it is about a place that you want to know about. What excites you so much that you want to visit it. How can a writer make a place appear real and vivid to you.

Novelist Johnny Ray's writing tip #1 on polishing the novel. Sometimes finding an error is easy when it stands out from the rest of the work. Other times it's hard when it is so well embedded in the work. A single shell on the beach is always given much attention, but when you see clusters of them every where, you tend to not even notice them. That is why I like using the control F key. There are many times that a writer loves a certain word or phrase. And unintentionally uses toooooo much. You know the words. Just click on one and add it to the control F box. It will amaze you. The secret is learning how to replace it. It takes work, but that is what writing is all about.
Let me know how you like to use the Control F key to polish your work.

Novelist Johnny Ray's vision of writing from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world proves that dreams can come true.

Caladesi Island near Clearwater Florida was recently picked by Dr. Beach as the most beautiful beach in America. The only way to reach it is by boat and having an experienced captain running the boat is fantastic, especially when he knows the history of the island. I will be working on an article about this island shortly and releasing all of the photos of I have taken.
As always, I want to know what others have in their backyard to inspire them, to excite them to write.
There really is a good story here that needs to be told. More on that later.

Novelist Johnny Ray's writer's block issues. Some days the story flows off the back of your mind easily and sometimes it clogs up the works. Like today, when I think I can get started again, I find myself wanting to do more and more research. Yes, I'm writing about a city (Moscow)I have only been to twice and then just passing through. However it is amazing how much information and photos that you can have access to over the internet. It is a curse and a godsend.

I have joined a writer's group and look forward to the meeting with them this Saturday. It's the Tampa chapter of the Romantic Writers of America. I think just the excitement of being around so many talented people will be great.

I think it would be great to hear how other writers work through their own writer's block.

Novelist Johnny Ray's thoughts on how to best self promote your name.
Being a best selling novelist is the dream of many, obtaining it is the reality of a few. The process of promoting yourself with nothing published is interesting. I've been working on it and this is from my web site at www.sirjohn.us. It will be interesting to see what others are doing to promote their name.

Johnny has a passion, a thirst, for life and adventure that he loves to share with his readers. As an avid traveler and professional businessman conducting business worldwide for years he has made many interesting contacts and received numerous awards for top production. He has owned and operated several real estate companies, several insurance companies and a stock brokerage company. His name is well known in the real estate world where he is listed in the who’s who of international real estate professionals. As the previous head of several corporations he is accustomed to appearing on radio and TV talk shows as well as speaking in front of various audiences. He actively maintains a data base of around twenty thousand people he has conducted business with. His self syndicated columns are sent out by way of a special data base he maintains that includes over one thousand newspaper editors.
He is a graduate of Auburn University with post graduate work at the Birmingham School of Law, The University of Alabama, The University of Tennessee, UCLA, New York University, Wil-Var Institute and The American College. He has received the following certifications: Certified International Property Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Managerial Accountant, Certified Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant.
When it comes time to play, he is very active in many sports including swimming tennis, biking, and skiing. He loves adventures that are new, interesting and challenging.
He lives in St Petersburg, Florida where he works full time as a writer. His intentions are to market his works aggressively, using the internet as well as public appearances. His background in advertising and public relations as well as his willingness to hire outside professionals will insure that his books will have the very best chance to become best sellers.
He belongs to the Florida Writer Association, the Romantic Writers of America, the Mystery Writers Association, and can be found attending various national writer conventions throughout the year as well as supporting several local writing groups in the St. Petersburg, Florida area.