Monday, February 29, 2016

Book Excerpt - Chocolate Covered Cherries

            The space was perfect for Jessica to build her dreams. She was starting over and she just knew walking in to the building that this was going to be the spot she could call her own. It wasn’t a house or an apartment, it was a storefront. She was going to open her treats store and make something of herself. She just needed a name.
Jessica Wyland was new to Lynwood and had been looking for a place for a few weeks. She had found it and was thrilled. Partially because she was nearly positive that there weren’t many locations she hadn’t toured already. It was a small town and while she had never thought of herself as a small town girl she felt at home immediately upon arriving.
She walked around the two rooms lightly dragging her fingertips across the dusty surfaces. It wasn’t very large but it would be enough for her. She could picture the oven along one wall with a decorating table in front. She would put shelves and cabinets up along the back for all of her supplies, then on the side opposite the oven would be the refrigerator, blast chiller and maybe a few more storage pieces.
Wandering into the front she stood with her hands on her hips gazing at the covered display windows. She could see herself using the glass markers to draw fun designs during the holidays. She already pictured the tables of desserts beckoning in potential clients. She even saw the small area set up on the side next to the register for doing consultations.
“So what are we thinking?” Mary Loster, the real estate agent, asked patiently. When they first started looking she had been very enthusiastic at each new store but now she was just waiting to see if Jessica could be satisfied.
            “It is perfect Mary!” Jessica was finally happy.
            “Really?” Mary was taken aback. She had already checked a list of additional locations to take Jessica to later that afternoon. She couldn’t believe her ears. This place had been on the market for a few months and most others that had looked at it just felt it was slightly too cramped for their companies. Jessica on the other hand worked with smaller items so this was a good match for her.

            “Yes. It is absolutely what I have been looking for. I can picture where everything will go and I just know the location is going to be ideal!” Jessica was gushing. She didn’t care. For the first time since she had returned to the United States she felt like things were going the way she had planned.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Marketing Tip - Book Trailers

Visuals are extremely powerful for the sake of getting the attention of a target audience. No matter what it is you are selling the visuals are very often far more powerful that simply explaining why you feel your product is superior. There is a classic saying "Telling isn't selling". Basically it is more effective to show someone something and let them sell themselves on it than push all the benefits and try to convince them to want it.

This is why we as authors will do cover reveals and try to have covers for our books that capture the eye and pull the reader in with a strong sense of curiosity. We post teasers and make advertisements that are colorful and bold doing what we can to appeal to the visual sense of our fans. Part of advertising is finding new and interesting ways to reach your audience and with the development of sites like youtube has come the creation of yet another form of promotion, book trailers.

Think of the last time you watched a show on television. When the commercial breaks happened you most likely saw ads for grocery stores, perhaps the cable company of a new and improved product either emerging or reentering the marketplace. You probably also saw a few commercials for some movies or television shows on the network you were watching. Did they interest you? Were you intrigued enough to look at movie times of consider setting a reminder or your dvr to check out the new show? Book trailers can do exactly the same thing for you story.

This is one of the ideas I most want to incorporate especially when I get my website finished. I have only three books published currently but I am working on several more and like movies I would create two to three small clips to grab my readers for each of my books. Once you have the trailers made you can of course share them through social media and personal websites but with strategic partnerships you can help reach a far greater audience through their sharing and use of sites like Youtube which can with viral videos especially get millions of views within minutes. Using this technology wisely can boost your visibility and sales tremendously when combined with other parts of your advertising campaign.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Reading Challenge

I have posted a picture of the list of book categories for the reading challenge I am participating in this year already. I have talked about some of the books I have already completed and even shared a few that are waiting to be read. I am excited to be doing this challenge but I did not anticipate that with the rest of life it would become so challenging.

I noticed the challenge posted at the end of 2014 and decided to give it a try for last year. I came up with a list of books that would fit the different categories. I went to stalk the shelves of my closest library as well as a few bookstores to gather the books I needed. Once I had everything set I began reading the books and checking off the categories though after just ten books I stalled.

Part of the halt was the book I was reading, The Count of Monte Cristo. To this day I have not finished that book though because of that I am using it as my book I started but never finished. I am determined to make it through the challenge this year but when I stopped reading my fun books and tried to read a non-fiction book to learn something that would help me in building my business I struggled and have stopped temporarily.

I have the next couple of books ready to go but I really wanted to finish learning the information in order to be able to help promote my books better and when my next books come out I will be able to send them higher and higher on best seller lists. I want to be able to help my own stories reach further  and grow my reader base not to mention I want to find a way to better communicate and interact with my friends and fans.

I need to get better at finding a way to fit everything in because it is important as a writer to not only make time to write as well edit but to have time to practice things like queries and synopses, learn ways to grow and build myself and my brand but as a writer it is vital to make time to read and stay versed in what is happening in the market and to keep finding inspiration.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Submitting - Awards

For those like myself and many of my friends that choose either in part or completely to go the Indie / Self Publishing route there a several things you can do to help raise awareness about your book. I know this sounds like I am talking marketing and I normally do marketing tips on Fridays so don't worry this tip can fall under either category. Instead of focusing on the already much covered topic of submitting for agents and publishers I thought I would jump ahead to once you have already published.

If you are still focusing on the traditional publishing aspect, my hat is off to you. You are not alone, there are thousands of submissions each year, in some cases each month, to the traditional publishers and agents. f you one of the lucky ones to get in and hold your author copy in your hands then cherish it and accept my congratulations. For the rest of us I want to tell you about something I have recently decided to embark on, submitting for contests and awards.

Of course this idea comes with a great deal of prestige if your book is selected as the winner. There are a number of social media sites, blogs and websites your book will appear on not to mention as the winner you can elevate your own marketing and reach a wider audience. It is well known and understood that winning an award can also make your book stand out as desirable because it appears to have been checked out and approved by trusted professionals and not just your book loving aunt.

If you remember several weeks ago I wrote about the submitting bible Writer's Market. In there one can find lists of agents, publishers and a chapter on the almighty query letter. There is also an extensive list of magazines that accept submissions for freelance contributors. This can be a great way to make extra money and I will be writing more about it next week. If you keep reading through the very large reference volume you will also discover lists of contests and awards for nearly every genre of writing out there.

You can of course also search social media and enter literary contests and awards into Google or your other favorite search engine if you prefer. Once you do your research and make your list of awards or contests you feel would best be suited for your story you can begin the further reading to find the guidelines. Remember that like agents and publishers every contest and award is a little different and you cannot submit in a one size fits all fashion. Some awards to require an entrance fee and / or a copy of the book for consideration. I am still making my list and working hard to make sure I have all of the guidelines for my own submissions. In the future I will be posting as I submit and the steps I take to share my journey with anyone wishing to possibly join along.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Character Profile - Ashley DeMichael

Ashley is a new and developing character for me. She was conceived as a possibility after a conversation about bullying I had with a friend recently. While I am very much against bullying in the sense that using any sort of torture be it physical, mental, or emotional is wrong my personal stance and views on bullying tend to differ greatly from many others I know. I am aware of the controversial place I stand but I believe everyone should hold strong to their own principals.

Ashley is a bully. She victimizes other students in her high school to the point they go out of her way to avoid her. They report her and form collective groups out of fear of her and her followers. She is the leader of her small gang of enforcers and though people do occasionally trade money or items to avoid her wrath that isn't why she does it. She makes sure that everyone knowns she has the power to run the school. She is strong and she has the power.

Ashley is also a victim. Her father was an abusive drug addict that was in and out of her life repeatedly. He beat her mother, verbally attacked Ashley for years and when he showed any indications of going after her little sister Ashley stood up to him and he beat her as well. Her sister was too young to remember when their mother finally stood up for herself but Ashley remembers every second of it. It is imprinted on her soul.

Her mother vowed never to be a victim again and became obsessive about Ashley being able to defend herself. She programmed her daughter never to let anyone take control away from her. Being at home was like going to self defense boot camp on steroids. It leapt past personal protection into antagonistic behavior and drove Ashley to become a girl that not only takes no shit from other people but she will start a fight just to prove she will come out on top.

Ashley is not only strong but she is beautiful. Her looks make her popular and her attitude makes her feared. She loves the power but she is a terribly lonely girl because all she wants is the acceptance she never got from her family. She insists upon the respect she feels she deserves but deep down she knows her so called "friends" would run and hide in an instant if it wouldn't mean incurring her rage. She fights the battle between how to be the person she truly wants to be and continuing in a life as both a victim and a bully.

I am working with local schools, therapists and corrections officers as well as secondary research for this book and hope it will bring to light a new way of seeing bullies and how we deal with them.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Submission Tips - Synopsis

Many people confuse the synopsis for an agent with the blurb on the back of a book cover. Both have been referred to as a synopsis but for agents it refers to the brief overview of the story in its entirety. When you are sending a query letter and the agent doesn't want any part of the manuscript they still want to know what happens in the book. This involves the ending and for many writers that can be difficult.

When you pour your heart and soul into the story and send off a masterful letter showing how well you can captivate the agent it can seem counterproductive to give away how the story ends but the agent or publisher most times will want to know what happens, characters that change along the way and how it all wraps up including major twists in the plot before they invest time reading the entire book.

Even before you send off your letters a synopsis is a good tool you can use to evaluate the story and its strength. It can be difficult to objectively look at flaws or plot holes in your own work so having a friend or online critique partner could help you. After you write out the synopsis you, or whoever is looking over the document may notice that there are some questions that need answering or there may seem to be nothing to help set your story apart from the monotonous and endless string of pitches that agents receive everyday.

In order to jump to the top of the list your story must be intriguing, original and have something special that will grab the attention of agents, publishers and eventually readers. There is a tremendous amount of competition for this attention so you have to not only hook them but keep them for the long haul. Again the synopsis will demonstrate how your story will do just that.

Most often the synopsis is written with the focus on your main characters, who they are, what their motivations are and the central conflicts that arise throughout the storyline. You don't want to write a short story explaining what happens in your novel but you want to include enough information as well. It is a fine balance and takes practice to get it right. Basically if there is something or someone that directly contributes to the main conflict or the ending would be different without then it or they should be included.

Keep it basic and don't go into too much detail. It will just add length and will distract from the story you are sharing. You can keep the details for your book and once they synopsis gets their attention they can learn more about the setting, the personality of your characters and the meaning behind your story theme as they read the full manuscript. It will take a few drafts before you get used to writing a synopsis but it is a good idea to practice and haven ready for those agents or publishers that prefer to read one first.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Book Profile - Full Dark, No Stars

This is the first book I have picked out on my reading challenge list from one of my all time favorite authors Stephen King. Full Dark, No Stars is a collection of four shorter stories, if you consider one hundred plus pages and short story, with four in total. I love the stories though because I became aware while reading each one that I had read them before but I loved them so much I reread each one eagerly. It had been a long time since I had read any of them that I was thrilled to refresh each story.

1922 - This is the story of Wilfred and Arlette James. She is the pushy wife holding land her father left her over her husband's head to try and make him leave the farming life and move her to the city where she feels she deserves to be and the events that ensue following their battle over their way of life and their future.

Big Driver -  Tess is a small town mystery writer that accepts a last minute speaking engagement not far from her home. She has no idea that by accepting help with a shortcut she will experience the most longest and most horrifying night of her life. She questions if she will be able to survive and see her home again and even if she does how will she move forward with her life?

Fair Extension - This is the shortest of the four stories in the book and while it is well written it could have been lengthened in a few areas. This story follows Harry Streeter a man diagnosed with cancer and just trying to make it through his last months with some peace. He meets a man that offers to give him an extension of his life but only if he is willing to pass the misfortune onto another who in this case happens to be his best friend from childhood. He must also pay a fifteen percent annual fee from his salary. He doesn't believe in the deal though he makes it and heads home. He must then come to terms with the fact that he has either just amused himself for awhile but is still going to die or he has passes a horrible purse onto someone he has known all his life.

Good Marriage - The final story in Full Dark, No Stars is all about how well we know the person we are married to. What kind of person are they and what deep dark secrets could they be hiding? What would you do if you found out that the one you loved was a monster? Would you cover for them or turn them in? How would you live with yourself either way? This was my favorite story in the entire book because it made me ask these questions and more.


Sunday, February 14, 2016

Focusing Through The Mental Clutter

Like most authors I know I have several ideas working all the time in my head. This is not a bad things necessarily. It just means that I will never win out of books to write, though they like to get in each other's way from time to time. I am experiencing that right now. I have a plan in place but I have characters from other stories screaming to get my attention as well as new ideas cropping up all the time doing their best to cut in line.

I am working very hard to finish Sharing Strength which is an emotional and important journey for me to take and I hope my readers enjoy the story once I complete it. Once I cross the finish line with Sharing Strength I have a romance called Chocolate Covered Cherries which is the first in a series that has been patiently biding its time in the wings. I am not a big fan of traditional romance stories so I think that is why the characters haven't been too pushy on that one.

Once I have completed the drafts of these two I need to do some major editing on five total books, Sharing Strength, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Breathe, Welcome to Syn and Voices In My Head. I am looking forward very much to the editing and revising aspect but the though of a few of these books has awaked characters from them that are involved in series and want the next book written instead. Lucasta Syntel and Amanda Perella are the worst ones for this.

Lucasta is the oldest daughter of Persyphone Syntel from the Welcome to Syn series and she is itching to have some fun with her newly discovered powers reeking havoc over the men that hurt her and her family. Amanda on the other hand is the daughter of Chelsea Perella from Voice In My Head and is the sequel in the two book series. Both are books on the roster for this year but now until I finish the current works in progress and the editing. I also have research to do for the Syn series, another book for this year, Mother Said No and two new projects inspired by the city of Pioche, NV.

I am thrilled to have so many characters talking and so much inspiration but right now I am even happier that I have a clear and written plan to follow so I can stay on track. I am determined to get everything finished this year no matter how much I have to fight the distractions in my head!

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Promoting Positive

Several months ago I made an impromptu stop while running errands and ended up meeting someone that would become a huge help to me in my writing career as well as a wonderful friend Ashley Ciliberti. She is not only a great friend and supporter, she is a devoted mother and one of the most positive people I know.

When I met her I had just finished the book launch for Survivor held at The Venetian Las Vegas. I had worked hard on that event for months and all of the things that had been pushed to the back burner in my head all came flooding forward at one time. I was driving with my mom to take care of a few things before the Vegas Valley Book Festival being held the next day. While driving I completely spaced as to where I was going and ended up clear on the other side of town.

I decided that since I was in the area I was going to stop and get a cupcake at one of my favorite bakeries. It was an impulse stop in every sense but I didn't care, I earned the treat and was craving the sugar. When I went inside there was a woman at the counter and another girl waiting. I took my place in line trying to pick out which delicious dessert I wanted. As usually happens I started talking with the other girl while we waited for the woman at the counter to finish her order.

She told me her boyfriend had called in an order for her to go pick up because she had been working so hard on a website she was going to be launching. I told her I was treating myself after the book launch event I had planned and completed. We got into detail and when she learned that I had written about being a domestic abuse survivor and her website was dedicated to helping people going through issues such as bullying, depression and domestic violence she handed me her card. We began emailing back and forth and I became a contributor for her site.

She launched just over a month ago and while I am probably biased being a contributor, I am beyond proud to call her my friend. Right now the website is limited but its growth and reach capabilities are uncharted. We met today to discuss an upcoming campaign her the site and while talking about finding sponsors she said something that stuck with me, anyone can advertise by promoting a dry cleaners at a Jimmy Johns but to sponsor an event for a site like hers is to be helping to promote something positive. Coming from my marketing background I saw immediately what she meant, it is corporate goodwill in the purest sense.

I will be helping to grow the site and its reach as well as her message because I believe that finding the good in a situation and helping to foster a society of kindness is a fair superior way to handle things then to simply punish those we feel are being antagonistic. Instead of bullying the bullies and banishing the labeled problem children of our culture we should instead do our best to understand the core causes of the negativity and turn it around to promote the positive.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Marketing Tips - Book In Progress

One fun way to create demand and help people get into what you are working on is to have them feel like they are a part of the process. Of course people can always leave reviews which is one way to feel like they are participating but another way is to add a book in progress section either on social media or your personal website.

If on a website you can have an actual link or tab that would take your readers and fans to a section that you can update every day or week showing how you are doing on whatever our current project or projects are. Whether you choose to do a graph to show how close you are getting to completion or update your word count, think Nanowrimo, there are a number of ways you can show how your progress is going.

Social media may be slightly more difficult because there is no current app to add that I have found for Facebook or anywhere else that can show progress of this type. For social media having a set day of the week or time of day to update your followers would be the easiest way to keep everyone up to date. I am working on implementing the social media side of this since I do not currently have a website though I am hoping by the end of the year to have that part as well.

It is possible of course to use this idea to update on multiple projects and even after the writing process if you are submitting or self publishing you can continue to post updates. Adding excerpts from the stories at different milestones can also help to keep the readers engaged and then give you a chance to interact with your readers by getting feedback or taking questions and having the chance to talk with them about what you are working on.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Male vs Female Writing

I read an article earlier today that discussed the difference in writing styles between men and women especially when it comes to love and marriage. The article talked about how characters from authors and playwrights such as Shakespearean characters were very set and whether they loved or hated one another they remained true to the set traits they began with. However characters from authors like Bronte and Austen were adaptable, changing with the tides as things were learned.

There was also notes on the way male authors will describe a female character through physical traits such as a slender figure or bright blue eyes yet a women is more likely to focus on a man standing with purpose or his intelligent speech patterns. Men prefer to paint pictures of physique while women more often will discuss intangible traits.

It has been joked among my friends that while I am female by biology I have a strong tomboy side that makes me more one of the boys. I tend to enjoy sports to a level only my male counterparts around me can appreciate. I am not one for stereotypical female activities like shopping for new shoes or watching romantic comedies, though on the movie side I do enjoy almost all genres. But after reading this article I realized I have a more masculine tendency there as well.

Most of my characters are set and stay the same from beginning to end. Conversations are not usually about moving the story along so much as demonstrating interaction and I use internal dialogue to give the reader a sense of what a character is like instead of showing it through actions and verbiage. I am intrigued by idea of showing more this way but it will definitely take some work to overcome my personal style.

As I prepare to finish drafting Sharing Strength and then get into editing four full books I am sure that this information will be weighing on my mind. I would love to be able to blend both styles and as I work hard to complete my current projects and it is a perspective I will have standing by as I work on my future books as well.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Excerpt From Breathe

His snap movements were making her very uncomfortable and she excused herself to make copies of his ID and the check while he filled out the forms. She wished she needed more copies of something from anywhere else in the bank just to give her more time before going back to this odd young man but alas not the case. She cautiously came back to find he was standing back behind the chair engaged in something on his phone.
“Is everything ok?” She stayed standing as long as he did making sure not to put herself at any disadvantage. When he didn’t respond she repeated, “I said is everything alright?”
“Yeah yeah, it’s all good,” he exclaimed. “I filled it all out, just telling my friend I am almost done here. We are almost done right?”
“You filled all of it out already?” She wasn’t gone that long and while it was only a couple forms it was still awfully quick to have gotten it all done.
“Uh huh,” he mumbled. “You need the cash now?” He looked up again.
“Let me take a look and get it all in the computer for you and then we can do the deposit.” She grabbed the papers and practically ran for the manager’s office. There was a computer at the front desk  and bank policy was to have the customer there when everything was input but she decided today was a good day for an override on that policy. This was not the way she had planned to get through the day.

She dropped into the large leather chair and entered the guy’s information as fast as her fingers would allow. She looked back out at the lobby floor and noticed he had moved over and seemed to be flirting with Naomi. She was smiling weakly but had scooted back from her counter. Clearly she had the same feeling about the unusual young man.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Book Profile - Catacomb

The third and final installment of the Asylum series by Madeleine Roux. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. In fact I was given the first two as Christmas gifts but within a week of the new year I was already hunting through the closest Barnes & Nobel to find this third book. Finishing Catacomb I was able to check off the trilogy for my reading challenge but also solidify that Madeleine Roux is one of my new favorite authors.

This last book finds the three friends Dan, Abby and Jordan on a road trip the last summer before college. They are helping Jordan move down to live with his uncle in New Orleans. Even before they arrive however they find that they are being followed, or at least are quite sure about it. They begin to experience strange occurrences including Dan having visions once more. He is even convinced that he has seen his father.

Once they reach the city things only get more intense. They meet a man that runs an antique store with his girlfriend and knew a friend they had made at New Hampshire College, Micah. Believing they have found an ally Dan begins a dangerous new adventure even over the protests of Abby and Jordan. It doesn't take long for him to discover that the past refuses to stay dead sometimes and he has more links to a town he has never been to than he could have ever imagined.

From Amazon  -The heart-stopping third book in the New York Times bestselling Asylum series follows three teens as they take a senior year road trip to one of America's most haunted cities, uncovering dangerous secrets from their past along the way. With all the thrills, chills, and eerie found photographs that led Publishers Weekly to call Asylum "a strong YA debut," Catacomb is perfect for fans for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
Sometimes the past is better off buried.
Senior year is finally over. After all they've been through, Dan, Abby, and Jordan are excited to take one last road trip together, and they're just not going to think about what will happen when the summer ends. But on their way to visit Jordan's uncle in New Orleans, the three friends notice that they're being followed . . . and photographed. Then Dan starts receiving messages from someone he didn't expect to hear from again—someone who died last Halloween.
When the trio arrives in New Orleans and the strange occurrences only escalate, Dan is forced to accept that everything that has happened to him in the past year may not be a coincidence, but fate—a fate that ties Dan to a group called the Bone Artists, who have a sinister fascination with notorious killers of the past.
Now Dan's only hope is that he will make it out of his senior trip alive.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Submission Tips - The Wednesday Post

It is very rare to find anywhere that you can submit your work unsolicited. As I have touched on numerous times the best and most consistent way to find an agent or get a contract from a publisher starts with a query letter. After that if they like what you sent them they will request more and ultimately may offer to represent or publish you.

There is an exception to this rule from time to time however and the current one I have found is from publisher HarperCollins, it is called the Wednesday Post. Here you have the ability to submit unsolicited work in hopes of gaining interest and a publishing contract. The submission still has guidelines of course and must be followed in order to move forward in the process but all entries meeting these requirements will be considered.

The guidelines state that an author must submit the first fifty pages or three chapters of their manuscript through the website. They do not want anything mailed or emailed to them. Along with the fifty pages they want a short synopsis and brief author biography. It is similar to the query in that regard but you can submit knowing that it will receive attention and if they are interested they will respond within four weeks.

Submitting can be terrifying and it is vital to make sure that your work is up to par when you prepare to do this. Just because they are accepting unsolicited work does not mean they want anything sloppy or unprofessional. There is a list of the genres they are currently looking for on the website as well as what they do not want. Make sure to read over the list before sending your work off to be considered. It is one more avenue open to lesser known authors to get our names out to a larger audience.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Excerpt from Sharing Strength

She looked past them making direct eye contact. There were no words spoken aloud but the communication was clear. He was her hero. She knew how he felt and she returned his affection. They would deal with the verbal part later. He smiled weakly at her. He needed to give her time with her family though the feeling passing between them made it impossible for him to move. “I am so sorry it took us so long to get here sweetheart.”

Georgia leaned down to kiss Jasmine’s forehead in the same spot he had done hours ago. Hours. He had been there longer than he had intended. To emphasize the point a nurse brushed in past him to give Jasmine some medication through her IV and quietly told her parents that visiting hours were over but they could have a few minutes with her and could come back in the morning. Kyle looked at his phone for the time. It was after eleven and he noticed he had a few missed text messages from Brian. He wondered where Kyle was and was being passive aggressive in his messages. Kyle wondered why he hadn’t noticed his phone vibrating but assumed it because he had been caught up with the current situation.

He cleared his throat finding his voice again. “I should get going. Brian has been waiting for awhile and I am sure I will get my head chewed off for not coming over earlier to help him with his car.”


“Thank you for helping me and don’t worry I will be ok. I appreciate you waiting with me. Brian will be ok I promise.” Jasmine did her best to smile reassuringly. It was a difficult task between the tubes and monitors hooked up to her body and the sedation drugs running through her system but he knew she was doing her best. His stomach rumbled reminding him to grab some food on the way to Brian’s. He looked back over his shoulder once more at Jasmine. She was fading fast but for the first time she looked content. Nothing could be more important than being there to see that. He felt his own body lighten from worry as he headed out the door and toward Brian’s house ready to deal with whatever he had in store for him.