Jason Anspach's Blog, page 3

A Man needs a truck.

I know this every time I lean against my shovel, surveying two cubic yards of dirt I have no further use of. A man needs a truck.

When I walk through the lumber department and gaze and the fragrant, aromatic pine and cedar boards, perfect for that lingering project. I think of my car and shake my head.

A man needs a truck.

A friend needs help moving and…well, in those cases having a car makes for a nice excuse.

With every downward strike of my pickax at the rotted out stump in the front yard, I think longingly of heavy-duty chain and enough horsepower to simply pull the decaying tree from the earth.

A man needs a truck.

Driving cautiously through an abandoned forest road, the bear I just killed using only my two hands strapped to the roof of two-door sedan, I think, “A man needs a truck.”

As I clear away rubble, knowing that only so much will fit into my trunk before I bottom out, I know that a man needs a truck.

When The gunner of the Ma-deuce welded to the hood of my car keeps slipping off of the rear spoiler at high speeds.

When I floor the accelerator in the hope that speed carries me across the river of lost souls.

When, in the bad lands, I’m surrounded by feral Drusics and the only way out is through them.

A man needs a truck.

The post A Man Needs a Truck appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

After a fierce battle, the chance to eliminate government healthcare has arrived…

 

Conservatives:

 

GOP:

The post Conservatives & Obamacare: Explained appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

I got a very kind message last night that I’m going to share with you.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time I’ve gotten feedback like this (it’s the fifth, but who’s counting?).  And, believe it or not, I am not a New York Times Bestseller. But I’d like to be.

At any rate, these sorts of messages are a good reminder that I’m on the right track. Let me explain what I mean. One of the earliest lessons impressed on me as I began writing was quality-quality-quality. “Your name is going on the cover of that book,” I was told. “Don’t let it become sullied by pushing out an inferior work.”

There’s a passage in 1 Corinthians. 10:31:  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Though I fail at it often, that’s the driving force behind all my work. From parenting to writing to mowing the lawn. Do it for the glory of God, or, do it in a way that glorifies Him. That is, of course, an impossibly high standard. Not one I can achieve on my own. But, if I’m ever going to become what people (and I) wish for me to become, I can’t think of any other way to get there.

Or rather, I wouldn’t  want to get there any other way.

 

Maybe you want to read the book that elicited such a positive response?
“Anspach’s book reads fast, is filled with suspense, action, and romance, and feels as comfortable and upbeat as a popular Bryan Adams summer song. The Returns are in, this book is a winner.” – Timothy Gray

Sam Rockwell is a fledgling private investigator specializing in Returns, or, recently deceased ghosts with unfinished business. After his no-nonsense father is murdered and comes back, Sam takes the case hoping for a big break and a chance to win the heart of his Girl Friday.

 

Get Free Ebook Buy Print Book Get SIGNED Book

The post You should be on the Bestseller List! appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

I came across an interesting article. An NYU study did shot for shot, action for action, inflection for inflection remakes of the 2016 Presidential Debates. Only Trump is played by a woman and Hillary by a man.

The thought going into it was that audiences who viewed the debate would find Lady Trump’s presentation…well, deplorable. That they would strongly favor the new Mr. Clinton. But that’s not what happened.

 

Based on the conversations after the performances, it sounded like audience members had their beliefs rattled in a similar way. What were some themes that emerged from their responses?

We heard a lot of “now I understand how this happened”—meaning how Trump won the election. People got upset. There was a guy two rows in front of me who was literally holding his head in his hands, and the person with him was rubbing his back.

The simplicity of Trump’s message became easier for people to hear when it was coming from a woman—that was a theme. One person said, “I’m just so struck by how precise Trump’s technique is.” Another—a musical theater composer, actually—said that Trump created “hummable lyrics,” while Clinton talked a lot, and everything she was was true and factual, but there was no “hook” to it. Another theme was about not liking either candidate—you know, “I wouldn’t vote for either one.”

Someone said that Jonathan Gordon [the male Hillary Clinton] was “really punchable” because of all the smiling. And a lot of people were just very surprised by the way it upended their expectations about what they thought they would feel or experience. There was someone who described Brenda King [the female Donald Trump] as his Jewish aunt who would take care of him, even though he might not like his aunt. Someone else described her as the middle school principal who you don’t like, but you know is doing good things for you.

Read the entire study here.

 

You might be tired of politics. Here's something bound to take your mind off of it...and it's FREE!
“It is really rare to read a book you can’t find any flaws in. The writing is superb, about the strongest you could ask for. The story is creative and innovative. A beautiful marriage of Dick Tracy and your favorite comedy!”

Sam Rockwell is a fledgling private investigator specializing in Returns, or, recently deceased ghosts with unfinished business. After his no-nonsense father is murdered and comes back, Sam takes the case hoping for a big break and a chance to win the heart of his Girl Friday.

 

Get Free Ebook Buy Print Book Get SIGNED Book

The post What if Trump were a woman and Hillary a man? appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

The internet can be a pretty negative place, so I figured, why not post about some stuff I like?

The day is young, but here’s what I like so far this morning…

[BASEBALL] The Mariners are playing well enough so far this spring that hope springs…
[STAR WARS] The 40th Anniversary Early Bird Special Action Figures tempt me to break a standing rule: Don’t buy toys for yourself. I will hold firm.
[RPG] New Episode of Old School D&D is up. I play the helpless farmer Ontash. The rest of the team (Nick Cole, Christopher Boore, Chris Pourteau, Jon Frater, & John L. Monk) rob me blind.
[DEALS] My friend Rhett Bruno’s Publisher put his book Titanborn on sale. Rare!

What’s good with your morning so far?

The post What I like so far this morning: March 6th, 2017 appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

It’s a busy day, but if you’ve stopped by I wanted you to have something other than original content.

So here it is. The Chicolini Incident. You can get my friend Rob Kroese’s prequel to the hilarious Starship Grifters for free right now.

 

 

The post Free Book: The Chicolini Incident by Robert Kroese appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

It’s World Book Day!

Well, It’s World Book Day in the UK & Ireland. The rest of the World has World Book Day in April. Which…doesn’t really make sense for an event called World Book Day.

Maybe, “Part of the World Book Day” or “World Book Day Observed” would be more accurate? Less punchy, though. Hard to market. Doesn’t have that “zip.” No panache.

But, hey. If there’s one thing I like as an American, it’s instant gratification. So I’m just going to jump on the UK’s bandwagon and talk about World Book Day today.

Now, you might expect an author to shamelessly plug their own books on World Book Day. But not me. No, sir. Instead, I’m want to share some books that

1. Come to mind right now while I write this.

and…

2. I like because…reasons.

So here they are! Let me know in the comments if you liked these books too, or what books you’d like to share on “Part of the World Book Day.”

In the “I’m going to write something like this one day section…”

The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn. I’ve read these books at least six times each. I remember hauling the hardcover around with me to the beach, packing it in a suitcase and reading it in Germany, sitting in the dentist’s chair and reading it while waiting. It completely captured my imagination and taught me that a great story (like Star Wars) can beget more great stories.

 

 

In the “Favorite book of last year category…”

Fight the Rooster by Nick Cole. It was satire and movies and Hollywood and crazy. I think you either get this book or you don’t. This one detailed a life that I once desperately wanted to live and I enjoyed every minute of it.

 

In the “First Book I was forced to read that I loved category…”

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I remember being so skeptical of the paperback my Mom bought for me at Walden Books. The cover was purple with an inset painting of a bird flying away from a tree trunk. In the hollow of the tree was a watch and a ball of yarn. It looked like the stupidest book in the world. But…it impacted my young mind profoundly. I won’t read the sequel because I need this story and the characters to always stay exactly where I left them on the final page.

The Second book like that was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. 1oth Grade, maybe? Time has rubbed away the memory, but certainly it was a required read in High School.

In the “Changed the way I think category…”

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I like almost everything Lewis ever wrote, but this wonderfully written, compelling work forever changed how I think about life, death, and God.

In the “Not a book, a life experience category…”

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy + The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With all sincerity and seriousness, I’ve been to Middle Earth. I’ve seen the Shire. I’ve experienced Mirkwood and the War of the Ring. Tolkien’s ability to create a world that is absolutely experienced is something I still marvel at. It seems as real as the distant memory of any trip I’ve ever taken, and I speak of old Bilbo the same way I speak of any other longtime friend, distanced from my life by time.

In the “Book you should pre-order category…”

Brother Dust: The Resurgence by Aaron Hall &  Steve Beaulieu. I’m preparing a blurb for this one. It’s good.

 

In the “Changed the way I live my life category…”

The Forgotten God by Francis Chan.  This is another book I read over and again. Each one is like a boost of jet fuel that reminds me that my life should be inexplicable except for the Holy Spirit.

 

 

So how about you? What books do you want to tell the world about on World Book Day?

The post Your World Book Day Favorites appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

 

1990 summed up here in just one photograph of Sting and Robocop. What a year.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to order this PPV after watching that.

The post 1990 Summed Up in One Photograph appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

After a long hiatus, the Literary Outlaws show is back on the air.

Our Christmas show ended on a musical note and there hasn’t been an episode sinCe. Until now. Kevin G. Summers and Jason Anspach are back and paying attention to continuity in this latest episode.

 

 

The post The Outlaws are Back! appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.

I still haven’t replied to all the emails I received from this post!

When asked who people would talk to again if they were able to visit with Returns like Sam & Amelia Rockwell, the response was overwhelming. I still have dozens of emails I want to reply to. Folks from all over the world shared stories of love and loss. Deceased spouses, children, brothers, sisters, parents (we’ll get to grandparents later)…almost everyone had a loved one they desperately wished to talk to again.

And why? To hear a voice again, or a laugh. To just fill the person in on everything that’s happened.

To say, “I’m okay.”

To say, “I’m sorry.”

To introduce children, husbands, and wives. 

In one case, to tell the 9/11 hijackers off!

But the overwhelming response was the desire to speak to Grandfathers and Grandmothers again.

There was a profound sense of appreciation directed toward faithful Grandmothers who diligently prayed for their grandchildren and sought for them to know the peace of God. For wise grandfathers who always had time to listen and share seasoned advice. And it wasn’t even close. The vast majority of responses named a grandparent as the person they’d most like to speak to again.

So…if you have the good fortune, talk to your grandparents while you still can. Ask them about their lives, their trials and triumphs.

And grandparents…know that your love and efforts aren’t in vain. It may not seem like it’s making a difference now, but it will. Boy, will it ever. I think I ready thirty emails from grandchildren last night that detailed a profound thanks for the love and effort put into their lives. Persevere. 

 

When I was a new author, I knew the success of ’til Death was an anomaly. Most first books don’t sell as well as it did–not that there’s a movie coming or anything–but it did better than all right. I was never entirely sure why, though. Was it nostalgia? The humor? The lighthearted budding romance between Sam & Amelia? Maybe in part, but I think spurring people to daydream about who they would love to come back as a Return and what they’d do with them and tell them…I’m so thankful to have provided that sort of experience.

Read 'til Death: Second Impressions

Wisecracking Private Detective Sam Rockwell is running for his life, but that doesn’t keep him from taking the case of a Return who’s slipped past Heaven’s radar and overstayed his time on earth. Together with his fiancé, Amelia, Sam brawls and dances his way through San Francisco to unravel a zany mystery where nothing is what it seems at first blush.

The laughs and silver screen thrills of Jason Anspach’s signature 1950s Cold War tale of Hollywood noire are back in this madcap sequel as Sam and Amelia return once again to right wrongs, solve crimes, send the dead off to their proper eternity, and maybe, set a date for their wedding! The Maltese Falcon meets It’s a Mad Mad Mad world in this smart and witty paranormal romp.

 

Get Ebook Get Print Book Get SIGNED Book

 

The post Grandparents: Don’t Underestimate Your Impact appeared first on JasonAnspach.com.