“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Determined To Be ‘Sound Investment’

July 28, 2016 / jrmilson / Leave a comment

In order to cover all bases for his fans, Little Red Bear had an official Cost/Benefit analysis of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” performed by his trusted accountant and financial advisor, Angus McNutt, senior partner of the firm “McNutt and McGillicutty CCC” ( Country Crop Counters) over in Slippery Slide, and the results of the study are in.

For the paperback, at 64,254 words, the reader receives over 4,961 words per dollar invested. For the Kindle and eReader version, a reader receives over 21,781 words per dollar. And of course, the book is Free for anyone with Kindle Unlimited. Taking into account that all words used are original text in copyrighted format with the Library of Congress, it is quite clearly a bargain at any price.

In addition, bearing in mind the fact that words enrich the brain and lessons learned about nature, life, kindness and simply having fun remain with a person forever, it was clear that any of the versions far exceed any value received in television and other forms of entertainment, where “any benefit potentially received is fleeting and transitory”, as Mr. McNutt stated in his report.

It should be noted that the Preface, Frontispiece, Dedication, Artwork and such were not included in Mr. McNutt’s calculations, which would have the effect of making the Cost:Benefit ratio even higher for a reader.

It was Angus McNutt’s conclusion then that “’The Adventures of Little Red Bear’ short story collection is both a wise and sound long-term financial investment.” Just in case anyone was on the fence concerning issues of that sort before investing in the book.

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Story Collections on Amazon. Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Storytelling and Fun for both the Young and the Young-at-Heart. Positive Themes of Friendship, Kindness, Helping Others and Mother Nature. With a healthy dash of oldfangled, belly laugh humor and fun.

Join us for an Adventure in the Beautiful Ozarks Mountain Country, and stop by for some biscuits and honey! — Jim (and Red!)

Angus McNutt, of "McNutt and McGillicutty Country Crop Counters"

Angus McNutt, of “McNutt and McGillicutty CCC”

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!

About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Research and Fiction Writing with Little Red Bear

April 19, 2016April 19, 2016 / jrmilson / Leave a comment

A beautiful weekend here. Windows open, fresh air. Birds singing. So what did I choose to do all weekend? Story research.

Some have the impression that writing is simply sit down, type out your thoughts, and publish. And for many, for better or worse, that may work. But admitting to not knowing everything, researching all of the little tidbits and factoids comprising “The Adventures of Little Red Bear” stories takes as much or more time and effort than the actual writing of the stories.

Getting the little information right is important to me not only to lend believability and credibility to fictionalized stories, but also as a heartfelt responsibility to present correct and historically accurate information. Maybe made more so attempting to write reliably about positive themes and guidance, wildlife, animals, nature and the environment. Hours of research may be boiled down to a few lines in a paragraph. But I feel it is incumbent upon me to get it right. It is the underpinning of everything else in the story.

Writing- Research 5

Some say that the research is easier than the writing. Others seem to dread doing research, feeling it needless drudgery. I enjoy both. It’s a personal matter for every writer. But when reading a story featuring a character rushing to deliver a telegraph message about the Boston Tea Party while riding a Morgan stallion during the American Revolution and being chased thru Massachusetts by a band of Sioux Indians in warbonnets working with the British Army , you just get the sense that someone did not do their homework. For me, the”Fiction” heading only stretches the credibility and believability envelope so far.

This weekend I researched Ice Cream, Adjectives Beginning With The Letter “F”, Coonhounds, Honeybees, the History of Horses in America, Mustangs, Chickens, Various Breeds of Pigs, Pasture Farming Practices, Native American Beliefs, Plains Bison vs Wood Bison, Ozarks Mountain Folklore, Steamboat Whistles and Hoopskirts. (Yes, Hoopskirts. Bet you can’t wait for that story!)

But story research is not only visiting the library, pouring thru reference volumes, or Googling information for a specific item, fact or question. It is an everyday, part of living thing. Being aware, paying attention and observing all going on around us, all the time. Mannerisms, expressions, behaviors, reactions to situations, responses, the way people dress, communicating, personal exchanges, and so much more. Always adding to the internal library of knowledge from which to withdraw when needed. Research is both living and being a student of life.

Now, off again to come up with a good name and learn more about a certain Turkey Buzzard that Little Red Bear just remembered he wanted to include in the next collection of stories. As one of my favorite authors said — “Good writing is hard work!”

Peanuts- Snoopy- Writing- Hard Work

Thanks as always for visiting and reading! — Jim (and Red!)

Quote- Mark Twain- Facts and Writing

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!

Join us for an Adventure in the beautiful Ozarks Mountain Country!

Little Red Bear Answers Reader Questions — “Cushaw What?”

April 9, 2016August 8, 2016 / jrmilson / Leave a comment

More reader questions for Little Red Bear! Here we go with another one . . . . . .

Reader Question from Doubting Thomas in Bristly Barbs, South Dakota – “Dear Little Red Bear — I enjoyed your adventures very much and realize they are listed under fiction, but tell the truth for once . . . you’re making all of this stuff up, aren’t you? A ‘Cushaw Pie’ mentioned in “The Storm” story?!? I have never heard of a cushaw anything and I have heard of a lot. So be honest. You and that writer guy Jim are just pulling our legs on that one, right?”

Answer— That is a very good question, Thomas! And we are happy that you took notice and the time to write us about it. As you pointed out, the stories are listed under the ‘Fiction’ category, but that’s only because when Little Red Bear was having all of his adventures, people video taping everything and taking selfies had not really come into fashion yet, so having no photographic record Amazon made us list them as fiction, even though every one really, truly did happen just as they are written. Word for word. More or less.

Now, to the Cushaw Pie concern. Yes, Thomas, there really is such a thing as a Cushaw Pie made from a Cushaw Squash. Maybe it would help for you to think of it as a Pumpkin with a different name. And shape. And color. With stripes. But the rest is very similar.

Cushaw Squash

Green and Orange Striped Cushaw Squash

A Cushaw Pie is made from a Cushaw Squash, an heirloom crookneck squash, and is a Southern Appalachian tradition. The cushaw is sometimes referred to as a “Tennessee Sweet Potato.” It does very well when grown, is resistant to pesky vine borers, and because it hails from the Caribbean tends to grow well in hot, dry climates. The inner flesh is light yellowish, with a mild, sweet flavor.

Cushaw Squash, Sliced To Show Interior

Cushaw Squash Interior

Cushaw Squash and Pumpkins

You have probably seen them used in autumn decorations, along with pumpkins, hay bales, scarecrows and such, but just didn’t know the name. And while so many folks use them for Autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations, few realize that they are not only edible but make up into a fantastic pie. Just like a pumpkin.

Cushaw Pie, via Jamie Grill/Tetra/Getty Images

Cushaw Pie Slice, via blindpigandtheacorn.com

Cushaw Pie, via University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Here is a Cushaw Pie recipe to get you started the next time you see one, along with some links to some more cushaw recipes on our Pinterest Boards — Cushaw Pie Recipe, Kentucky Proud Cushaw Pie Recipe, Best Cushaw Pie Recipe, Cushaw Squash Soup Recipe, Cranberry Cushaw Bread.

Cushaw Pie Recipe, via Kentucky Proud

Hope that answers your question about the Cushaw Pie in “The Storm” story, Thomas. As you can see, it is a real thing. Happy reading and cooking, and thanks for writing in and being such an involved fan of Little Red Bear!

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Please keep those questions and letters coming. We’ll get to them as best we can here for you. Happy reading, and thanks as always for stopping by! And remember folks, cushaws can be pretty heavy, but it don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge. – Jim (and Red!)

Cushaw Squash with Pumpkin Decoration

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!

About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Little Red Bear Injured On The Writing Set — Story Production To Continue!

March 29, 2016 / jrmilson / 2 Comments

Writing action/adventure stories set in nature and featuring a wide variety of wild animals, critters, and unpredictable humans is not without risk. Things happen. Bumps, bruises, scrapes. An occasional nip or bite, especially in scenes involving the weasels. But nothing usually too serious. Harrison Ford himself had an accident on the “Star Wars” movie set a little while ago if you recall, breaking his leg. Jackie Chan fractured his skull in a fall while filming “Armour of God.” The list of on-set actor injuries is long, and I’m sure the list of literary injuries is most likely longer. I can’t begin to imagine the list of character injury reports from Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” as he was writing it.

Well, it seems I’m kind of beating around the bush here, not wanting to really break the news. But to get to it, we had a writing accident over the weekend. Little Red Bear and his friends were busily engaged in one of his action/adventure stories and Red injured his leg in an action scene in the first of the next collection of short stories — “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The Second Holler Over!”

The injury is not terribly serious, but it will lay him up for a spell while his leg heals. From the beginning I have wanted to provide Red with a stunt double to take his place in writing heavy action scenes, but being Red, he has always been adamant about doing all of his own stunt work because, as he says, — “My reader fans deserve a hundred and ten and three-quarters percent and the very best from me.”

Have to admire that I suppose, even if we are now confronted with proceeding on along without him, the major lead character in his own stories, for a while. If there is any lesson to be learned from the event (other than not having hired a stunt double!) I suppose it might be — if a well-wisher ever says to you “Break a leg!” — don’t take them literally.

We are going to continue working on the stories while Little Red Bear is laid up and on the mend, trying to write around his scenes as best as possible while hoping we don’t experience any extended production delays. And we will provide updates from time to time to let you know how he’s getting on. But so are the risks I suppose of a wildlife literary action hero. He is too embarrassed to let me take a picture and is hiding from the paparazzi in his cabin, so here is an artistic rendering to give an idea. Not meaning to cause alarm or getting anyone worked up. Aunt Ivy (you may recall her as the local healer from the first set of stories) assures that the injury will not be permanently incapacitating, just something that will have to heal over time. It’s just unfortunate that it came at an inconvenient point when story work is ramping up. But I suppose that is why they call them “accidents” instead of “on purposes” after all.

So, sorry to have been the bearer of bad bear news to all of Red’s fans. Thanks for dropping by and have a nice day, and — careful where you step. I’m off to interview some stunt doubles now. — Jim (and Red!)

An Artistic Representation of Little Red Bear’s Injury

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories Available on Amazon

Old-fashioned Storytelling About An Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends!

Take A Walk For Exercise, Come Home With A Story Idea– a ‘Two-fer’!

March 16, 2016March 15, 2016 / jrmilson / 2 Comments

A beautiful day here yesterday with the temperature reaching 70F. A grey, overcast morning gave way to brilliant sunshine in the afternoon, with daffodils everywhere stretching to bask in the warmth. You could almost hear the tree buds popping open to welcome spring. So I took an afternoon walk for fresh air and exercise. Always a good thing. And, as so frequently happens on walks, a fun new story idea presented itself along the way.

Walking along, I caught sight of a man getting out of his pickup truck and walking around to the back door of his home. A while later, I observed a young lady pull into a driveway, exit the car, proceed up the walk and knock on the front door. That’s all. Simple as that. BAMM! The inspiration for a fun conversation in the next set of Little Red Bear stories came to mind. I completed the walk, came in and wrote out a new scene and character conversation, right out of the blue. A small sequence in a large collection of stories, but isn’t that what creativity is — little bits all stitched together to form a whole? Kind of like an old-fashioned quilt in that way.

I read a selection recently about taking the time and making the effort to be more mindful to fully appreciate the everyday, mundane tasks that we go thru by rote each and every day, half awake in a hypnotic and robotic state without even being aware of what we are doing. How does the shower water feel? What does the shampoo smell like? How does the toothpaste taste and smell? The true aromas of breakfast. Flower scents in the air when heading outside. The feel on our face of a morning mist or breeze. Being aware and alive to consciously witness and take pleasure in everyday experiences and occurrences going on all around us all thru the day. Living and Being in the moment.

And when we are in ‘aware mode’, fully cognizant of and appreciating our life and all around us, then creative and story ideas are everywhere. It’s as simple as watching someone get out of their car. Next time you find yourself stuck for a creative idea or inspiration, the answer may be waiting right outside the door. Why not go outside and see?

Thanks for stopping by to visit. It’s even more beautiful this morning. I feel another walk coming on. — Jim (and Red!)

Writing- Walking for Ideas 2

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” on Amazon

Short Stories About An Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends

New Writing Boots for Little Red Bear!

January 16, 2016January 15, 2016 / jrmilson / Leave a comment

When it is time for Little Red Bear and I to sit down and get busy on his story adventures, I put on my writing boots to get to work. So the title may be a tad misleading. Little Red Bear does not wear boots, actually. Overalls and a straw hat a good bit of the time, but no boots. Surprisingly, they just don’t make them for bears. The width is the biggest problem for them it seems. The boots are for me. I was referring to Red’s stories — “The Adventures of Little Red Bear” and their writing, of course. It may be these new writing boots, not quite broken in yet that may have caused a little confusion with the title there, and apologize for that.

Little Red Bear and I have begun serious writing work on the next collection of Little Red Bear adventures, so I figured a new pair of Writing Boots was in order, having pretty much worn out three good pairs traipsing over the mountains and thru the hollers writing the first set of stories. What do you think? They are a pair of Justin’s Sorrel Apache boots. Let’s take them for a little Test Write, shall we?

New Writing Boots- Justin Sorrel Apache Boots

“Little Red Bear worked his way slowly up the hillside, crouching low behind bushes trying to remain unnoticed by the bees, busily at work on their hive at the crest of the hill. He stopped to pause momentarily behind a large, flowering Honeysuckle Bush. For you and I, the scents of honey wafting on the summer breeze in the direction of Little Red Bear would be undetectable. But being a bear, he knew exactly where the hive was located, along with the size of the hive and amount of sweet, gooey honey stored inside. Within an ounce or so anyway, he figured.

“Little Red Bear carefully wrapped his paws around his famed honey whacking stick, getting everything into position before rushing at the beehive. “Three big steps, whack the hive, grab the honey and dash back home,” he thought to himself.

“All worked out in his mind, Little Red Bear bolted from behind the honeysuckle bush and raced towards the beehive. Whack! Just as planned and catching the bees totally by surprise, the beehive crashed to the ground. But instead of splitting open as they normally do, it began to roll and tumbled over and over down the hillside. Instantly, Geronimo and Cochise chased after the bouncing beehive.”

Geronimo, Chiricahua Apache leader. (Photograph by Frank A. Rinehart, 1898.)

Cochise, Chokonen Apaches –“Rising Sun People” often called Chiricahuas.

Geronimo! Cochise! Wait! Who? What? Where did Geronimo and Cochise come from?!? Must be the new Sorrel Apache writing boots! Apparently, they’re not quite broken in yet. I’ll keep working on it. But I wonder if they might stick around to appear in a story? We’ll have a talk with them and see. Just never know who might pop in here. We had a weathered old mountain man wander in thru the door this morning! Stay tuned. Regardless, it looks like there’s still more work to do getting these new writing boots broken in and ready for the next story collection, though. I’ll get back to work on it.

In the meantime, thanks as always for stopping by for a visit! Hope you like the new boots. — Jim (and Red!)