As a former courier and smuggler behind the old Iron Curtain, I have met gulag and death camp survivors whose stories of triumph and survival continue to inspire. I've also worked as a journalist in downtown Los Angeles, interviewing homeless and displaced refugees living in cardboard boxes. I love hearing stories of accomplishment, endurance, faith, and perseverance. I love writing, travel, hiking, watching really good hiphop dancing, studying old maps, researching legends, exploring, tinkering, cooking (my faves are homemade pizza, lasagna, apple pie, most anything Mexican including my favorite, the "naked margarita" - although Connor makes a terrific Pisco Sour). When I celebrate a book or film deal, I cook for friends. I love entertaining others. However, my #1 interest is my beautiful wife, Wendy. She definitely tops the list.
Music
Top 40. Country rock. Hanson. The Veronicas. Jordin Sparks. Benise.
Movies
Tears of the Sun, Gladiator, Love Actually, Thomas Crown Affair, Rocky, Cinderella Man, Seabiscuit, Blood Diamond, Transformers, Cellular, The Identity Factor (oops, that's my script!) I guess I should also include Rambo III. If I hadn't gone to that movie with Fredrick back in 1988, I never would have met my wife.
Television
24, Bones, NCIS, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, Family Practice, The Unit - all of which are fantastic. But I sure do miss The West Wing...
Books
Where do I begin? I love reading and have covered much of the literary spectrum: theology, philosophy, archaeology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, the effect of electrolytes on intracellular and extracellular fluid ratios --- and that's just my comic book collection. I've poured through many of the classics, enjoyed poetry (I've even written one that sold, I think, six copies in a ten year period), eaten my way through many a cookbook (I've written one of these, too), and once - to my astonishment - sat and read the dictionary for several hours and loved it! I've read some really good chick lit, too (I'm a romantic at heart). Bottom line - there's some awesome writers out there and I'm proud to be part of that artistic community. But as to what I read - these days, I steer toward political intrigue, romance and mystery set in cool international settings. Otherwise, I read labels to make sure there's no artificial ingredients, hormones, or bug parts.
Heroes
My heroes are people with courage. What's courage? It's being scared out of your socks but rising to the occasion, conquering your fear and doing what needs to be done. So, who are my heroes? There are lots of heroes in the Bible and that's one reason I like the Bible. It's full of stories about people with flaws and faith. Otherwise, my heroes are the men and women in the military who serve with honor and integrity and a love of family. My heroes are also teachers and aid workers, who give their lives in service to others. Another pair of heroes are Byron Moats and karate legend Jim Harrison, who taught me how to fight and when to fight, but to not love fighting. I also admire Shelley Mann, who had polio as a child and was severely crippled, but through sheer determination, perseverance and training learned how to swim and went on to win the gold medal in the 100m butterfly at the 1956 Olympics. And also Big John Levi - a 1920s Native American fullback who played for Haskell Institute in Lawrence, KS. He and my dad were close friends and I grew up on stories about Big John. Jim Thorpe called Levi the greatest athlete he had ever seen. But he also had problems. Yet in spite of those problems, he took time out for kids and for helping others. He was a true overcomer. I admire that quality.
About me: I grew up in the land of Oz - Kansas - and settled in the land of Oz - Australia - and I love 'em both. As for writing, I value a good story over good grammar. One that yanks you in by the lapels and doesn't let up until the last page. Am I successful? That's your call, not mine. My motto: find something worth dying for and make it worth living for.
Want to know more? Visit me at www.jameshoustonturner.com
Who I'd like to meet: Adventurers, pushers of the envelope, people of faith and conviction, people who encourage others, outspoken people who also listen, other writers, readers and lovers of books, anyone who can tell a good story (or a good joke), filmmakers who are tired of the hackneyed Hollywood formula, romantics, Oprah (she's certainly the queen of extravagance but leads the pack when it comes to helping others), Sylvester Stallone (he made crooked faces look good), more doctors like the one who said after my latest check-up that I had a biological age twenty years younger than my chronological age (I'll take that... gladly! I guess all those sit-ups and veggies DO make a difference. Along with the occasional shot of tequila). And last but certainly not least - I love gutsy, go-for-it people. That's also my philosophy. As my old friend Walker Hanson said, "You can't walk on water if you don't get out of the boat." Go for it!
Have a wonderful Easter celebration of Our Lord and Saviors ressurection! All the Best to YOU! Cyndi Sue
Jellybean Prayer
Red is for the blood He gave Green is for the grass He made Yellow is for the sun so bright Orange is for the edge of night Black is for the sins we made White is for the grace He gave Purple is for the house of sorrow Pink is for the new tomorrow
A bag of jellybeans colorful and sweet In this prayer is a promise And a small delicious treat.
JELLY BEAN POEM
Little jelly beans Tell a story true. A tale of Father's love Just for me and you.
GREEN is for the waving palms. YELLOW is for the sun above. BROWN is for the soft earth where People sat hearing of HIS love.
A SPECKLED bean for fish and sand. RED for precious wine and BLACK is for the sin He washed from you soul and mine.
PURPLE'S for the sadness of HIS family and His friends, WHITE is for the glory of The Day HE rose again.
Now that you've heard the story You know what each color means. The story of our Father's love Told by some jelly beans. So every morning take a bean They're really very yummy. Something for the soul, you see And something for the tummy.
Thanks for being a member of the Worldwide Fiction Writer's Group (http://groups. myspace. com/wfwg). Since October 26, 2006, we've grown from 1 member to 424. Pretty solid growth . . . but until recently, the forum has been fairly unsteady. I'm wondering if you could help me change that, please? Many "newbies" have joined lately and are looking for advice and mentors. You veterans, please stop by and offer advice often and freely. And you "newbies," please drop by often and be thankful for the advice received. Together, let's make 2009 the year of increased activity in the W.F.W.G. forum.
By the way, I'd love to learn more about you (and help you any way I can!). Please feel free to e-mail me anytime at jjhebert@gmail.com (put "W.F.W.G. member:Top priority" in the subject line) or you can join my "Email List" on www. jjhebert. net to learn about me (my novel's coming out in July)! Talk to you soon, and let's make 2009 a HUGE year for W.F.W.G. and all of its members!
Thanks for adding me! I hope you'll check out my horror novel COVENANT, that came out last fall in paperback, and the sequel, SACRIFICE which will be out at the end of April.
You can also check out some of my short stories on my MySpace profile page!
Hi James mate, I loved the book - yep, ripped through it in no time... a sign of a success - would have liked to see more of Zoe but i loved it anyway.. mate, the last page was a cracker! brilliant! very well researched too - my partner is from that neck of the woods... Im sure its onwards and upwards from here..
Thanks for yr friendship this year.. must be atleast 2 years by now! i hope it continues
I hope that you and yr family have a brilliant xmas... if we have each other we have everything...
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