Harold knew every turn and every pothole in the road as they barreled on down and caught up with the main road he thought about all the whiskey in the back. He hoped he hadn’t broken anything, not on this run. Every one of these bottles was spoken for. He looked over at the young woman. She was shivering worse than before. He remembered his first aid training about what to do for hypothermia. His face was hot thinking about it but the practical turn of his mind realized that beyond the awkwardness a life was at stake.
“I think you may be suffering from hypothermia or will be if you don’t slip out of that wet,” he paused for the right word. “Those wet close of yours. If you feel around behind the seat there should be another blanket.” He laughed nervously as the girl looked over at him. Her blank stares unnerved him. “Wish you’d say something so I’d know whether you speak English.”
The girl nodded and felt around until she found the extra blanket.
“Round here breaking down can happen quite a lot on these roads. Evelyn is always too cold so she stashes those things everywhere.” Harold kept his eyes fixed firmly ahead humming Ain't She Sweet, the only song he could remember. Then he recalled the words and stopped. Oh he would deserve every poke from the springs from that sofa tonight. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the wet blanket and her dress hit the floorboards of his truck.
The girl tapped his shoulder.
“Good. Good. You should be warming up now.” He finished under his breath. “Got help me if not.” The next step in his first aid training was not something he could ever explain to Evelyn, even if she was the one who told him about it. Again he heard Evelyn’s voice in his head.
“It isn’t much further now." He explained. "It may seem kind of strange but I’m going to have to turn the headlamps as we head into town. I’m hauling some cargo of a sensitive nature. It’s better if people don’t notice my truck at this hour. My wife and I run a local hotel. Nothing so grand as the Gilmore but we take care of our own. We got a pretty piece of an ocean view. You’ll like it. It’s the off season so Evelyn, that’s my wife should be able to set you up with a find room for the night till we can sort out what happened to you. If you ask me though we have the prettiest spot on the bay.”
Harold continued to prattle on about anything that popped into his head. He didn’t even know what he was saying anymore but the more he talked the more settled his nerves were and the more peaceful she became became. Her shivering stopped and the last time he looked over her chin was resting on her chest.
-follow the link to www.textnovel.com and read the rest of the chapter. If you are a first time user you will need to register. It's free and there is no spam. Don't forget to vote and check out my other stories. My pen name is the same as my blog-
Just as with the first installment of "Rose Berg" this story is in raw first draft form. Comments, constructive especially, are always welcome.
http://www.textnovel.com/stories_list_detail.php?story_id=2218
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Shameless self promotion
An unnecessary evil of this world is requiring artists of all disciplines to self promote. In the information age it has become increasingly easier and more difficult simultaneously. We can reach more people therefore we are required too in order to compete. Further precious artistic energies are burned in this pursuit. If they fail in this or don't possess the gift of marketing along with talent, they blush unseen. For it is only after some success-or independent wealth-that they can afford to delegate these demands. Though, I have a feeling that is illusory.
That said, be forewarned, I am on a campaign. Whether I win the textnovel contest or not (yes I am back to that again). I am determined to prove The Raven and the Wolf as marketable. I need votes and subscribers. Do not think of it as a chore but consider that it is great entertainment. Here are some of my reviews so far from some fellow text novel authors: (You may read all remarks on the site and visit their personal pages through links on the site.)
That said, be forewarned, I am on a campaign. Whether I win the textnovel contest or not (yes I am back to that again). I am determined to prove The Raven and the Wolf as marketable. I need votes and subscribers. Do not think of it as a chore but consider that it is great entertainment. Here are some of my reviews so far from some fellow text novel authors: (You may read all remarks on the site and visit their personal pages through links on the site.)
“Simply put, fantastic writing.”
- on 2009-12-26 Luckydaniel
“Vivid and emotional. It is a beautiful story and I am loving reading it.”
- on 2009-12-13 Jessica Phillips-Breznican
"I'm not a fan of fantasy normally, but if anyone changes my mind, it will be you... Your work should be shared with others."
- on 2010-01-14 Samantha Grace
- on 2010-01-14 Samantha Grace
So enjoy the story. It is in serialized form so I will be making regular updates, usually two or three each week. Remember to vote, leave a comment if you like or send a private message if you prefer. You will have to sign up to vote but email addresses are not sold for spam. Use the below link to go directly to the story.
http://www.textnovel.com/stories_list_detail.php?story_id=2218
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Hope
I am moved this morning to take a departure from my usual literary fair to acknowledge the pain, suffering and devastation of our poor brothers and sisters-everyone-in the aftermath of Haitian earthquake. I feel like I am watching and reading about 9/11, the tsunami or Katrina victims.
This is me taking a moment to reflect on what and how I should pray for them. It is the most powerful thing I can do to help so far away. May their physical and spiritual needs be met. May they have comfort for their losses and the terror that still haunts everyday as mass graves become the resting places of their loved ones, neighbors and friends. May their prayers be heard and peace come upon their hearts despite living in this present nightmare.
It is difficult for those who are far away and it seems all the reports only go from bad to worse. Some (understandable) will be angry at God, yet he is not the author of these tragedies and is the only one to extend a real solution. He feels as we do when he sees these horrors. We are after all made in his image. How can the dim reflection feel more than the original? The pain the Haitians are now suffering is truly beyond any of us to comprehend.
Yet while that may be true let us admire their fight to survive. Let us acknowledge that while few of us can comprehend what it is they are going through, our loving concern links them to a worldwide family. And do not under estimate the comfort and strength of prayer. Even when we feel anger or fear at the the things we see, we have a powerful ally. "Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him," Psalms 145:18 New World Translation
(Please note these are personal reflections, though reaching a broader audience than a private journal. It is not my wish to draw undo attention to myself or my own thoughts, simply to express.)
This is me taking a moment to reflect on what and how I should pray for them. It is the most powerful thing I can do to help so far away. May their physical and spiritual needs be met. May they have comfort for their losses and the terror that still haunts everyday as mass graves become the resting places of their loved ones, neighbors and friends. May their prayers be heard and peace come upon their hearts despite living in this present nightmare.
It is difficult for those who are far away and it seems all the reports only go from bad to worse. Some (understandable) will be angry at God, yet he is not the author of these tragedies and is the only one to extend a real solution. He feels as we do when he sees these horrors. We are after all made in his image. How can the dim reflection feel more than the original? The pain the Haitians are now suffering is truly beyond any of us to comprehend.
Yet while that may be true let us admire their fight to survive. Let us acknowledge that while few of us can comprehend what it is they are going through, our loving concern links them to a worldwide family. And do not under estimate the comfort and strength of prayer. Even when we feel anger or fear at the the things we see, we have a powerful ally. "Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him," Psalms 145:18 New World Translation
(Please note these are personal reflections, though reaching a broader audience than a private journal. It is not my wish to draw undo attention to myself or my own thoughts, simply to express.)
Friday, January 8, 2010
A new look
So after some helpful hints and considering that I have posting on this blog for close to a year now-I have given it a face lift. Just trying it out. Let me know what you think. The softer colors and losing the drop out type face should make it much easier to read.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Vampires, werewolves and witches, oh my
Let me preface by saying that most of my friends can attest that while having a great love for science fiction and fairy tales, it does not follow that I am enamored with the current trend of paranormal, urban fantasy. I don't question the economies of it all for they are staggering the banks. It is just that I cannot fathom picking up and reading the back jacket of one more teen romance-vampire-werewolf extravaganza or female detective who sees dead people while she is fighting crime. Perhaps a warning sticker on the front jacket saying this is another paranormal - urban fantasy book, so I don't strain my wrist.
Really something new please. I say it with great sympathy. I suppose it is inevitable that most authors have one or two ideas that easily fit into this uber trend. Perhaps the success of it is rooted in the need to escape and explain the darkness in the world. Sadly, the evils in many of these books pale when compared to the local evening news, making all these books some how vanilla for all their teeth bearing and hungry looks.
To illustrate what I would like to find, simply look consider Picasso's Guernica and you know what I mean. I do not even like Picasso, yet I cannot deny the power of this one work. Has anyone other than the Russian authors of previous centuries, written that book. Could it be a trend in whole or part? It is powerful in its pathos, its eerie in imagery harkens a frightening moment in time. That is what fantasy should do. It should be allegory at it's best, a mirror to reality. Truth is at the root of most fairy tales a and hence why they have endured through the centuries. I don't blame Stephen Meyer or Charlaine Harris or even Anne Rice. I am just weary of it all. It's like hearing Michael Jackson in the nineties.
While I do not mean begrudge everyone their fun or deny them their favorite safe flavor. I do however wish to walk into a book store and find something a little more interesting that rows and rows of vanilla ice cream in the stacks. I was never fond of vanilla ice cream in the first place. Nor do I want too much of the next trend, whatever that may be. I simply want a choice.
As the industry suffers the shock of E-readers and Indy publishing, I hope they learn when not to listen to the marketing analysts and take a chance on something new. Or a few somethings new, anything-just a new trend please.
Really something new please. I say it with great sympathy. I suppose it is inevitable that most authors have one or two ideas that easily fit into this uber trend. Perhaps the success of it is rooted in the need to escape and explain the darkness in the world. Sadly, the evils in many of these books pale when compared to the local evening news, making all these books some how vanilla for all their teeth bearing and hungry looks.
To illustrate what I would like to find, simply look consider Picasso's Guernica and you know what I mean. I do not even like Picasso, yet I cannot deny the power of this one work. Has anyone other than the Russian authors of previous centuries, written that book. Could it be a trend in whole or part? It is powerful in its pathos, its eerie in imagery harkens a frightening moment in time. That is what fantasy should do. It should be allegory at it's best, a mirror to reality. Truth is at the root of most fairy tales a and hence why they have endured through the centuries. I don't blame Stephen Meyer or Charlaine Harris or even Anne Rice. I am just weary of it all. It's like hearing Michael Jackson in the nineties.
While I do not mean begrudge everyone their fun or deny them their favorite safe flavor. I do however wish to walk into a book store and find something a little more interesting that rows and rows of vanilla ice cream in the stacks. I was never fond of vanilla ice cream in the first place. Nor do I want too much of the next trend, whatever that may be. I simply want a choice.
As the industry suffers the shock of E-readers and Indy publishing, I hope they learn when not to listen to the marketing analysts and take a chance on something new. Or a few somethings new, anything-just a new trend please.
Monday, January 4, 2010
From Writer's block to Writers ADD
That's right I have gone from one extreme to the other. I am trying to faithfully put up posts every few days or at least once a week. Rose Berg was a bit of a cheat since I had already begun it. In my defense however I am doing a full remodel on the downstairs.
What a plague, writers have to be real people too. As a result my mind keeps slipping between tales. I have moved past Farmville (my poor virtual cows) and on to reading snips of every story on the Textnovel site, even those I am not interested in. From there I drift between research, obsessively posting mini chapters for the stories I already have started.
Today I spent about three hours reworking cover art. Not that I mind. I only wish that along with the joy of having my stories read that I might be able to pay the bills someday. Then again, when that happens there is always the temptation of artistic compromise. When you're a starving artist you have no such moral qualms. So I suppose I ought to count myself rich. At least for as long as the lights are on and the internet still works. Soon I promise too be back to my impulsive self. Just give me a few more days.
And if you have checked things out already go to the site www.textnovel.com and look me up. I have three stories going presently. They have all had brief mentions in my blog. I am hoping to expand my cyber presence in the future with a facebook page solely dedicated to my writing and separate from my personal page.
I will let you know the name as soon as my head clears to think of one. Hopefully I can be smart from there and use the same name for a web page etc. etc etc. I know along with the joy of writing is the happy burden of marketing myself. I am open to clever suggestions from any of you dear followers (Coralie?)
What a plague, writers have to be real people too. As a result my mind keeps slipping between tales. I have moved past Farmville (my poor virtual cows) and on to reading snips of every story on the Textnovel site, even those I am not interested in. From there I drift between research, obsessively posting mini chapters for the stories I already have started.
Today I spent about three hours reworking cover art. Not that I mind. I only wish that along with the joy of having my stories read that I might be able to pay the bills someday. Then again, when that happens there is always the temptation of artistic compromise. When you're a starving artist you have no such moral qualms. So I suppose I ought to count myself rich. At least for as long as the lights are on and the internet still works. Soon I promise too be back to my impulsive self. Just give me a few more days.
And if you have checked things out already go to the site www.textnovel.com and look me up. I have three stories going presently. They have all had brief mentions in my blog. I am hoping to expand my cyber presence in the future with a facebook page solely dedicated to my writing and separate from my personal page.
I will let you know the name as soon as my head clears to think of one. Hopefully I can be smart from there and use the same name for a web page etc. etc etc. I know along with the joy of writing is the happy burden of marketing myself. I am open to clever suggestions from any of you dear followers (Coralie?)
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