Jim Hamilton's Blog: My Jibber-Jabber, page 3
February 13, 2019
The Conqueror
In honor of Valentine's Day, I wrote a short story that is available in PDF format. Please feel free to download it and distribute it with no restrictions. If incorporating it into other works, please provide appropriate credit. If not, well then, shame on you.
The Conqueror (a short story by Jim Hamilton)
The Conqueror (a short story by Jim Hamilton)
February 12, 2019
I'm a Science Junkie
As a child, one of the first books I read about space travel was You Will Go to the Moon. Incredibly antiquated by today's standards (published in 1959), it sparked my imagination of what mankind could eventually achieve through science.
I have been a compulsive reader for as long as I can remember. Some childhood favorites were The Happy Hollisters, Tom Swift, The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Dana Girls, and pretty much any other YA serialized novels that were around.
In my teen years, I was enamored with all things by Isaac Asimov or Robert Heinlein. I have a habit of picking an author and reading everything I can by them. For example, today I'm reading J.D. Robb's 48th "in Death" book.
Somewhere along the line, I began reading non-fiction almost exclusively. These took the form of computer manuals and microchip reference books. Books on manifold theory that I had to special order from abroad. Advances in wafer manufacturing and junction density. Fortunately, that phase passed with the advent of the Internet. No longer do I have to know anything anymore ... I just look it up.
Having discovered the joy of a Kindle, I have managed to read more fiction in the past decade than ever before. What once required my expertise in computer science can now (mostly) be handled with AI ... which leaves more time for me to write novels, of course ;)
I have been a compulsive reader for as long as I can remember. Some childhood favorites were The Happy Hollisters, Tom Swift, The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Dana Girls, and pretty much any other YA serialized novels that were around.
In my teen years, I was enamored with all things by Isaac Asimov or Robert Heinlein. I have a habit of picking an author and reading everything I can by them. For example, today I'm reading J.D. Robb's 48th "in Death" book.
Somewhere along the line, I began reading non-fiction almost exclusively. These took the form of computer manuals and microchip reference books. Books on manifold theory that I had to special order from abroad. Advances in wafer manufacturing and junction density. Fortunately, that phase passed with the advent of the Internet. No longer do I have to know anything anymore ... I just look it up.
Having discovered the joy of a Kindle, I have managed to read more fiction in the past decade than ever before. What once required my expertise in computer science can now (mostly) be handled with AI ... which leaves more time for me to write novels, of course ;)
February 11, 2019
Another Hat
I now spend most of my nights and weekends sitting at a keyboard as I work on my current novel. During the weekdays, I don my work hat and sit at a different keyboard for an entirely different reason.
Not so long ago, the work I did during the weekday followed me home and I would work on it at night and all through the weekend. It was fun and it was challenging and it gave me something to do. As a salaried employee, it cost my employer nothing and, as a result, my boss loved me :)
Then I got a new boss. One who strictly impressed on me that I was not to work after hours on anything that was work-related. Period. Full stop, as they say. I was told to try working Sudoku puzzles or maybe learning how to play a musical instrument.
In a former life, I worked with a CAD system, so I turned to SketchUp where I discovered the joy of writing Ruby scripts to programmatically create geometry in R^3 space. In another former life, I designed and built digital micro-controller circuits, so I turned to playing with Arduinos for relief. They helped, but they were not enough.
Since I was about twelve years old, I have been wanting to write a book. Any book. Something to sit on the shelf with all the great authors surrounding it. Not something to sell, perhaps, but just something to look at; something accomplished.
One Saturday morning, I woke up with nothing to do and my wife suggested I could maybe write that book I was always talking about. So I began my first novel that weekend. Writing has always been a joy of mine and I've since discovered how writing fiction can become quite addictive.
I like to think that I have reached this point on my own, but the credit goes to both of my bosses ... the one at work and the one at home.
Not so long ago, the work I did during the weekday followed me home and I would work on it at night and all through the weekend. It was fun and it was challenging and it gave me something to do. As a salaried employee, it cost my employer nothing and, as a result, my boss loved me :)
Then I got a new boss. One who strictly impressed on me that I was not to work after hours on anything that was work-related. Period. Full stop, as they say. I was told to try working Sudoku puzzles or maybe learning how to play a musical instrument.
In a former life, I worked with a CAD system, so I turned to SketchUp where I discovered the joy of writing Ruby scripts to programmatically create geometry in R^3 space. In another former life, I designed and built digital micro-controller circuits, so I turned to playing with Arduinos for relief. They helped, but they were not enough.
Since I was about twelve years old, I have been wanting to write a book. Any book. Something to sit on the shelf with all the great authors surrounding it. Not something to sell, perhaps, but just something to look at; something accomplished.
One Saturday morning, I woke up with nothing to do and my wife suggested I could maybe write that book I was always talking about. So I began my first novel that weekend. Writing has always been a joy of mine and I've since discovered how writing fiction can become quite addictive.
I like to think that I have reached this point on my own, but the credit goes to both of my bosses ... the one at work and the one at home.
February 10, 2019
Raising Miss Ellie
I had planned on writing a second "Travers Triplets" novel called Vacation on New Haven, but I was having some difficulty in trying to figure out where to start. The idea was that the triplets would encounter the folks from
Colony Ship New Hope
some 5,341 years after they had settled the planet New Haven. Do I start in the present and reflect back over the past? Or do I start in the past and wend my way forward to the present, telling the story as I go?
While I was trying to make up my mind, I accidentally ended up penning Raising Miss Ellie instead. Unrelated to any of my previous works, it's a 31,000 word novella about an elderly farmer who discovers a young runaway stealing eggs from her henhouse. She decides to help him hide from the people from which he escaped, but, as she learns more about him, she begins to wonder what he's running from. And why.
The story is set in the present southeastern United States, located somewhere between Mobile and Memphis. It is a simple story with a not-so-simple ending. You might even say that "it's complicated."
While I was trying to make up my mind, I accidentally ended up penning Raising Miss Ellie instead. Unrelated to any of my previous works, it's a 31,000 word novella about an elderly farmer who discovers a young runaway stealing eggs from her henhouse. She decides to help him hide from the people from which he escaped, but, as she learns more about him, she begins to wonder what he's running from. And why.
The story is set in the present southeastern United States, located somewhere between Mobile and Memphis. It is a simple story with a not-so-simple ending. You might even say that "it's complicated."
February 9, 2019
The Race at Valli Ha'i
Goddess of the Gillani
was the third "Cassiopeia Adventure" and I decided that it would be the last that featured her as the central character. Along with its two predecessors, this completes what is effectively the Cassiopeia Trilogy.
The next book, The Race at Valli Ha'i is set another 5,342 years into the future when the known Universe has finally run out of dark matter. Lacking a cheap source of energy, nearly everyone has been plunged into a centuries-long depression with no end in sight. Fortunately, three identical triplets from Valli Ha'i have decided to join the legions of planetary strip-miners who are trying to help ease the energy crisis. Thanks to a quirk in their genetic makeup, they end up helping more than they could ever imagine.
The title, of course, refers to the USRA speedster race that's held every year at Valli Ha'i. This one promises to be something special.
The next book, The Race at Valli Ha'i is set another 5,342 years into the future when the known Universe has finally run out of dark matter. Lacking a cheap source of energy, nearly everyone has been plunged into a centuries-long depression with no end in sight. Fortunately, three identical triplets from Valli Ha'i have decided to join the legions of planetary strip-miners who are trying to help ease the energy crisis. Thanks to a quirk in their genetic makeup, they end up helping more than they could ever imagine.
The title, of course, refers to the USRA speedster race that's held every year at Valli Ha'i. This one promises to be something special.
Goddess of the Gillani
As a reader, I have always liked plot lines that have a twist or two that I don't see coming. As an author, I try to do the same with my stories as well. Having read thousands of mysteries, thrillers, and science fiction works, it's difficult to come up with something original, but I always try to create something that hasn't been done before. This, of course, facilitates my goal of preparing a surprise ending (or two).
At the end of Mankind 2.0, a reference is made to "the yet-to-be discovered Gillani." Pressured to write another "Cassiopeia Adventure," Goddess of the Gillani is the third novel in which the young heroine is featured. Captured by an unknown alien race in an unexplored region of the Universe, she learns that she is the spitting-image of their ancient goddess who mysteriously appeared exactly 300,000 years earlier. And, as always, she takes it upon herself to do what's needed to set things right.
Personal note: This was the first novel I wrote that didn't end how I thought it would. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns it ended up taking.
At the end of Mankind 2.0, a reference is made to "the yet-to-be discovered Gillani." Pressured to write another "Cassiopeia Adventure," Goddess of the Gillani is the third novel in which the young heroine is featured. Captured by an unknown alien race in an unexplored region of the Universe, she learns that she is the spitting-image of their ancient goddess who mysteriously appeared exactly 300,000 years earlier. And, as always, she takes it upon herself to do what's needed to set things right.
Personal note: This was the first novel I wrote that didn't end how I thought it would. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns it ended up taking.
February 8, 2019
Colony Ship New Hope
The Chaos Trilogy
* is what its name implies: a trilogy. It is not a series or a lead-in to other stories, but three interwoven tales that tell about mankind's past, present, and future. As one reader puts it, "Mr. Hamilton's universe delivers satisfying closure." End of story, right?
The heroine of Second Contact , Cassiopeia, was liked by enough folks that I was somewhat coerced into providing another "Cassiopeia Adventure" called Colony Ship New Hope with the subtitle of New Haven or Bust! It takes place a year later when she discovers an ancient colony ship travelling at near light speed. Naturally, she wants to stop it somehow and see who (or what) is on board.
What she eventually learns puts a whole new spin on her view of the alien race known as the Shoomarans.
* "A trilogy of exuberant and lucid tales ..." — Kirkus Reviews.
The heroine of Second Contact , Cassiopeia, was liked by enough folks that I was somewhat coerced into providing another "Cassiopeia Adventure" called Colony Ship New Hope with the subtitle of New Haven or Bust! It takes place a year later when she discovers an ancient colony ship travelling at near light speed. Naturally, she wants to stop it somehow and see who (or what) is on board.
What she eventually learns puts a whole new spin on her view of the alien race known as the Shoomarans.
* "A trilogy of exuberant and lucid tales ..." — Kirkus Reviews.
February 7, 2019
The Chaos Trilogy
I have always been intrigued with the idea of ancient astronauts ... alien beings that aren't from around here. Perhaps they came and left ... or perhaps they crashed and burned. Or maybe they survived and had no choice but to hang around. Who knows?
I've also been a long-time fan of chaos theory; not so much the pretty little fractals, but the underlying deterministic order that drives everything. Absent some outside intervention, the interaction of fundamental particles can effectively be calculated and their future interactions predicted. All you need is the right equipment to do so.
Another topic that has long fascinated me is ancient Sumeria (or Sumer), where the world's first city, Eridu, was established nearly 7,500 years ago. It is believed that the Sumerians introduced agriculture, trade, weaving, metalwork, and (among many other things) leavened bread.
About twenty-five years ago, I toyed with the idea of writing a fictional book about these things, but never quite got around to it. When I finally started my magnum opus, it would languish for months on end before I would add another chapter or two. After seven years of working on it, my wife asked me if I was ever going to finish the damn thing and I promised her that it would be done by the end of that summer.
In August of 2016, I still had a lot more story to tell, but I wrapped it up and (finally) published The Chaos Machine. Having not yet completed the original story I wanted to tell, I published Second Contact some five months later and continued the saga. Still not done, I summarized everything, tidied things up, and finally completed my original storyline about four months later with Mankind 2.0, the final book of The Chaos Trilogy.
From 5342 BC to 5,342 years into our future (and beyond), it's the tale of mankind's struggle to rise above its natural proclivity for self-destruction. A story that has a happy ending thanks to a reclusive tech billionaire and The ACME Corporation.
At 188,000 words, it's a long slog, but well worth the effort :)
I've also been a long-time fan of chaos theory; not so much the pretty little fractals, but the underlying deterministic order that drives everything. Absent some outside intervention, the interaction of fundamental particles can effectively be calculated and their future interactions predicted. All you need is the right equipment to do so.
Another topic that has long fascinated me is ancient Sumeria (or Sumer), where the world's first city, Eridu, was established nearly 7,500 years ago. It is believed that the Sumerians introduced agriculture, trade, weaving, metalwork, and (among many other things) leavened bread.
About twenty-five years ago, I toyed with the idea of writing a fictional book about these things, but never quite got around to it. When I finally started my magnum opus, it would languish for months on end before I would add another chapter or two. After seven years of working on it, my wife asked me if I was ever going to finish the damn thing and I promised her that it would be done by the end of that summer.
In August of 2016, I still had a lot more story to tell, but I wrapped it up and (finally) published The Chaos Machine. Having not yet completed the original story I wanted to tell, I published Second Contact some five months later and continued the saga. Still not done, I summarized everything, tidied things up, and finally completed my original storyline about four months later with Mankind 2.0, the final book of The Chaos Trilogy.
From 5342 BC to 5,342 years into our future (and beyond), it's the tale of mankind's struggle to rise above its natural proclivity for self-destruction. A story that has a happy ending thanks to a reclusive tech billionaire and The ACME Corporation.
At 188,000 words, it's a long slog, but well worth the effort :)
February 6, 2019
Becoming a Goodreads Author
I've been a Goodreads member since June of 2017. I originally joined with the idea of sharing my books here, but I apparently never quite grasped the mechanics of actually registering as an author. A couple of days ago, someone pointed out that my latest book was listed on GR and, when I checked it out, I was puzzled as to why it was linked to another author with the same name. I still couldn't figure out how to link it to myself, but after finally breaking down and reading the instructions, I was pleased to get an email that welcomed me as a GR author. Better late than never, I suppose.
In my day job, we would refer to this as "operator error" and tell the individual to R.T.F.M.
In my day job, we would refer to this as "operator error" and tell the individual to R.T.F.M.
