Jack LaFountain's Blog, page 7

Know Jack #450 True Riches

 

One of the first blog posts I wrote for House of Honor Books was about why I write. Nothing has changed since. I’m still breathing, so I’m still writing. I don’t know anything more about it now than I did back then, though a few readers disagree. Editing a manuscript that’s been lying around for years reminded me of my rule to listen to readers. I have found in that old scribbling the same mistakes I now correct for others.

 

In my defense, when my editor points that out, I admit writers are all guilty of them. Picasso said it took years to learn to draw like a child again. Maybe that’s true about writing too

 

I was in Baton Rouge yesterday and rediscovered one of the true riches of writing. Why I write and what I consider constitutes writing’s rewards are not synonymous. I would be writing even if every manuscript was banished to the desk drawer forever. But writing is not without its rewards. Not all of those rewards are legal tender in the real world. I digress.

 

Yesterday a young reader, my best guess has her at twelve, stopped by my table. She loves to read mysteries, so I pointed out that Bayou Moon is about a sheriff looking for a killer rougarou. This is Louisiana remember. The mention of the rougarou made her eyes light up. She picked up the book and read the back cover before excitedly dashing away.

 

She was back with her mother a few minutes later. Mom bought the book and I signed it for her. She gathered it up and held it like it was some kind of treasure. She and her mom thanked me, and she waved goodbye as they walked away.

 

A short time later, across the museum grounds, they rode by on one of the golf carts used to shuttle folks around. The young lady was waving at someone. I turned to see who it was. No one was there, so I looked back at her. She pointed my way. She was waving at me.

 

True riches are hard to come by. I guess that’s why they are considered riches.

Know Jack #449 Thanks, but No Thanks

“Thank you for your service.”

 

I have always had a problem with that particular phrase being tossed my way. I will say up front the problem springs from my personal point of view. If you think that my being the only person who subscribes to that view will stop me from sharing my opinion about it, you don’t know Jack. You can verify that by asking anyone who has heard my take on the much beloved lyrics to God Bless the USA.

Like the song, I have no use for the trite little “Thank You” that is so popular. The saying rightly belongs to the 90’s, bypassing the Vietnam vets or in the best-case scenario, reducing them to an afterthought.

Vietnam vets were hated while serving. Then they were maligned in the aftermath. I somewhat understand the desire to do the right thing. I just don’t think a thank you is the right thing for Vietnam vets.

I didn’t enlist for purely altruistic or patriotic reasons even though the latter played a part. My motives were selfish. I needed a job with a future and discipline to curb my rebellious nature. I got both and considered it a great bargain. I wasn’t in the Navy, but I still got to see the world.

Some of the places I saw weren’t especially worth seeing. The experience was worth it however.

My writing career was seriously launched when I was assigned to describe one of those places.

I came away from military service no longer able to hear as well as I should. I don’t hold Sam totally accountable. After all, I chose to work with jet engines when he offered X-ray Tech. I don’t think my service would be the blank check people like to talk about if I required repayment.

So, what should people say to the old man in the cap with Vietnam Vet stitched on it? I suggest saying what they have wanted to hear for decades—“Welcome Home”. It’s not as catchy, but it’s more to the point.

Know Jack #448 We Were Warned

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

 

Over the course of the last month, I’ve heard multiple people refer to television as “the one-eyed monster”, a “programming” tool, a time thief, and the cause of our cultural decline. I find it interesting that today’s so-called conspiracy theorists blame television for spreading political, racial, and cultural lies. It is interesting because these same folks had such a great laugh at the preachers of my youth who prophesied the many evils of television.

 

I’ve spent very little time watching television over the last five years and what I do watch is as ancient as I am. However, I fear the damage has already been done. Television is to blame for my twisted values.

 

I just watched my favorite movie for maybe the one hundred and first time. Darned if I didn’t come away from it with the same willingness to discard success for principle, cling to patriotism over authority, and self-sacrifice as preferable to indifference.

 

Another favorite taught me that it is possible to wrestle with reality and win out over it. The same movie influenced my writing career by teaching me the value of an invisible friend. The movies I grew up on gave me an appreciation for the ability of science to solve problems (like giant ants). It also taught me science was usually the cause of that trouble in the first place.

 

Like the Staler Brothers, I’ve often wondered Whatever Happened to Randolf Scott, that do the right thing at any cost, gun-toting champion of justice for the underdog. Tonto taught me that you can do all the work without recognition and still be proud of who you are.

 

I’m not ashamed to admit that MacGyver inspired me to think outside the box back when the box was all there was. I’m all but convinced that imitating Flip Wilson’s character, Brother Leroy resulted in my call to the ministry as a sort of divine retribution.

 

I am without a doubt the product of a mixing of my parents' personalities, my experiences, and life choices. However, there is no discounting the influence of the invasive appearance of television in my home. Well, I was warned. Here let me give you one of my cards.

Maranatha

Know Jack 447 Does AI Dream of Kool-Aid Drinkers ?

I received a message today inviting me to apply for a job helping teach an AI program how to write. It’s all very cutting edge and told of all the wonderful things they are going to do. The way I see it, it was an invitation to slit my own throat.

There is an upside. Thinking about teaching AI to write touched off a string of ideas, all headed in different directions, with something to say about the subject. At the time, I didn’t have much to write about. That sudden explosion of ideas is why the human brain is both better and worse than computers.

The first thought I captured from the fountain of ideas was of Phillip K. Dick’s title, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Hence by title parody. Do computers have imaginary friends to come to them at the strangest times to tell them stories of their adventures? If not, where will they ever get their ideas?

Mixed in with that thought was the theme from M.A.S.H. Suicide is Painless. The song was written to be the stupidest song ever. Which is like teaching AI to write. It’s a stupid idea meant to kill the humanity in the arts. However, there is money in stupidity, the songwriters made a fortune.

Now, I said human brains were both better and worse. So, an explanation is in order. Computers work in straight lines from data they are fed (sort of like people who watch the news two or three times a day). Brains fire off ideas globally linking random items from the warehouse. How else can I account for connecting a mobile army hospital in Korea with androids dreaming of sheep?

To write I think you need to do both. The story must progress from beginning to end in a line that is easily followed. But that straight line exists amid a swirling cloud of characters, conversations, and changing circumstances. Leave those out and you have how-to instructions or “Dick and Jane” (not the movie, look them up) primers.

The author must continually ask questions while writing. “What if this was to happen?” “What can I do to my character now?” “What year did How You Gonna Keep Them Down on the Farm? debut and how did my character hear it within the time frame I have him in?” (Yes, I really asked that—and then chose a different song.)

And those questions and all the pesky ideas popping up all over are how a human brain can be worse. Ever try to write a book with thoughts springing up to distract you? I have, but I bet a computer doesn’t. A computer can’t walk down the street with earbuds in, hear a song, snatch a line from it, and come up with a major subplot for a book they are thinking about but haven’t started yet.

So where does the Kool-Aid come in? Let’s envision an AI writing teachers conference in tropical Guyana.

Know Jack #446 Shooting the Moon

I never once in my early life dreamed that I would have fans. Guys like me don’t have fans and sign things for people they don’t know. They don’t get emails asking what they are working on because they are working on making it through one day at a time and struggling to do that much.

 

Surprise! I’m old and have fans. They read my books and tell me what an interesting life I’ve had so far. When I hear those things my first reaction is still, “Me? You’re kidding, right?” Not only am I as old as dirt, I’m as plain as dirt too. Which is why writing this is a challenge.

 

I feel that I owe my fans and explanation to the question, what’s going on with Ed and Jazz? The truth is—I’m not sure. I have Witch Moon two-thirds of the way done and am having a hard time gutting out the chapters. This is not too unusual. What is out of the ordinary is that so many other things are able to keep me from the work.

 

My usual course when this happens is to simplify my life. That means cutting out things of lesser importance. At present, I can’t find a place to cut. There are places I wish to cut, but to do so is to take the knife to my word and my commitment to others who are relying on me. That said, Ed and Jazz are counting on me too. Though they are fictional characters, neglecting them frustrates me to no end.

 

There is hope in knowing this will pass. At my age, there is also the nagging wonder if I have time for it to pass. There is a ray of hope for Ed and Jazz. I am feeling a fire building to write Roads of Battle, the sequel to Trails of Trouble. I know my stubborn self will not let that work begin until Witch Moon is in the hands of my editor.

 

So, I apologize for the delay. I am making plans to get from Salem back to Lockett by November 1st. Now that I’ve told you, I have to make it happen.

Lost Crusader # 236 How Readest Thou?

Luke 10:25-28

 

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

 

The lawyer in the passage knew the “accepted” answer. Jews learned the answer as children. By this time, Jesus was known for His rather unconventional wisdom. Would He stick strictly to the law or not?

Jesus, in a style common to lawyers, answered with a question of his own. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Jesus’ question had nothing to do with the man’s reading ability. “How readest thou?” goes much deeper than that.

It is a question every Christian would do well to ask themselves. Reading the Scriptures should be part of a Christian’s daily routine but reading needs to go beyond scanning through words on a page. Scripture reading should engender questions that cause us to pause and think.

To read well a Christian should read without an agenda or the desire to prove a point. Approach the Scriptures with an open ear and an open mind. Remember, faith comes by hearing. The Bible is the revealed word of God; in essence, God speaking—listen. His words are quick (living), powerful, eternal, and well able to address the needs and problems of every age—including this one.

Jesus’ teachings and His answers to prayer frequently surprised His hearers and foes alike. Be prepared to learn things you never imagined—things about yourself. While the Scriptures are simple enough for anyone to wade around in, they are also deeper than the best swimmer can dive.

The world is content with the misquotations of the ignorant, and the suppositions of the willfully ignorant. It seems no one knows Christianity better than those who have a reason to read into it their own ideas. The lawyer knew how to inherit eternal life. He knew the Scriptures. However, his willingness to enter into that life was overshadowed by his desire to justify himself and show off his intelligence.

Maranatha

Know Jack 445 You Can’t Get Good Help Anymore

“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.’”  Ronald Reagan

 

I write horror novels. Based on the moderate success of those books, I think I know a little about terrifying words. Let me tell you right now, the former President’s warning scares me. There’s nothing new under the sun and let me add there’s nothing free either. I include eternal salvation in that statement.

 

No debt is forgiven without repayment and no help is given without cost. That the beneficiary may not bear the cost directly—somewhere, in some fashion, someone is paying the price. Let me illustrate Reagan’s words with a recent example of how government helps in real life.

 

Kamala Harris is proud of her tie-breaking Senate vote to cap the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients at $35. Sounds good for seniors, doesn’t it? In response to the new Medicare rule, the large chain pharmacy where I buy insulin raised their price for a vial of insulin from $28 to $60. Medicare recipients now pay $35 for the insulin that a month before only cost $28. Non-Medicare and private pay customers pay $60 for their insulin for the privilege of holding the raise for Medicare patients to $7. This is how government help works.

 

The question is who did they help? Not people on Medicare, they are paying more for the same product. Not people paying out of their own pocket, their cost more than doubled. So, who was helped? Not diabetics.

 

On the other hand (the one that contributes to politicians), insulin producers, assuming their production costs went up (a dubious proposition at best) had the cost increase covered by customers. Pharmacy profits went up—they can sell that $28 drug for $60. A prescription is not required to buy insulin. However, to claim the $35 cost cap, Medicare customers must have a prescription where none is required. Doctors gain visits from people (like me) who pay their own way looking to obtain the now valuable prescription. Drug companies, pharmacies, and doctors all get help.

 

Politicians like the current Vice President are helped too. They get to show the common folks how much they feel our pain. They can proclaim to be controlling healthcare costs while at the same time bashing the greed of big pharma and mega-retailers. The public will be so glad to have them guardians that they will cheer for higher taxes on big business—which they will pay for in yet higher costs.

 

Thomas Paine said, “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.” In its best state, the government provides for defense from dangers arising within and beyond our borders, establishes justice, and secures liberty for its citizens. Yes, I know about the “General Welfare” cause. To which I say, the government does not promote anyone’s welfare, least of all an entire country’s, by creating a culture of dependency on government “help”.

Maranatha

Know Jack #444 Making Reconciliation

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ~ 1Corinthians 5:18

No, this is not the Crusader blog. One thing to know about knowing Jack is that he can be…ah…er, thrifty. That and he detests paying for something that once was free, especially when the seller has no increased production costs. Wix, our host here, has decided to limit the number of free posts. Jack and the Crusader are going to have to take turns. It’s not a big problem since they share the same head already.

 

I was at a book signing event earlier today and was asked a question that comes up from time to time. “How do you write horror and Christian books. How do you reconcile the two?” The message to the Corinthians found above came to mind. Although I did not quote it directly, I did use a story to explain it.

 

One of my books is the story of a man who faces a moral dilemma. Does he do what his job requires, which is legal, or does he do what’s right and honor his oath? He chooses to do what’s right. The decision cost him his job, his home and his girl. He’s never the same and must embark upon an entirely new life.

 

Does the story sound like a Christian one? Judging the book by its cover does not lead people to that conclusion. They think it’s all about monsters. This world is full of monsters of one kind or another and the decision to oppose them is a costly one. We live a story of choosing between good and evil every single day. Some monsters wear their true nature on the cover. Others require us to look deeper. Not everyone who says, “Lord, lord” is of God.

 

All things are of God and evil is in the world. He has allowed the possibility of evil so that we may choose to reject His will if we so desire. We are not automatons nor are we puppets. In choosing good, we are choosing God over evil. The truly amazing thing is that all of us, whatever our story, can be reconciled with God. Writing stories of good battling evil is my ministry of reconciliation.

Maranatha

Lost Crusader #235 Divine Authority

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. ~Matthew 8:8-9

 

Many years ago, I swore an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United Staes against all enemies…” The proper means by which to carry out that oath was to follow the orders of those over me. At that time, a guy with a single stripe on his sleeve could command me to do his bidding. His words derived their authority from the Commander-in-Chief through an unbroken chain of command.

Every order received by a Roman centurion carried as much authority as if it was spoken by the emperor himself. Soldiers faced flogging and even death for the slightest infraction. The centurion knew the power of words spoken with authority. He felt their weight from above and dispensed that power in the course of his duty.

That he was in Capernaum, where many of Jesus' miracles took place says he heard of tales of miraculous healings. Roman centurions were not generally the type of men to give a lot of credence to wild rumors. That he addressed Jesus as Lord from the outset says to me that he had witnessed the power of His word on at least one occasion.

He recognized divine authority when he saw it. If Jesus was not Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the centurion had no doubt Jesus was invested with the authority of that office. A man who spoke with the authority of God was not bound to by distance nor under any obligation to obey the centurion’s orders.

The power in Jesus’ word alone was a humbling realization for a man who exercised authority in his own right. The centurion’s power to command physicians had likely failed. All the comfort measures he commanded of his household had failed. He needed to climb up the chain of command to a power that could save his servant from torment. He needed a man whose word could assume command over disease.

When he found one, he bowed to the greater authority. Accordingly, his servant was healed—and more. The centurion experienced the power of divine authority in his own life. Some years ago, I heard scientists announce that the universe is still expanding. They said it as if it was a surprise. As far as I know, God has not recalled His creative word. “Let there be light” and all that He spoke afterward has lost none of its power to accomplish what God sent it to do.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. ~Isaiah 55:11

Maranatha

Know Jack #443 Blogging

Writing a blog is a presumptuous act. The writer assumes he has something to say that another person might want to read. Likewise, it assumes the writer has some sort of expertise, or at least a somewhat informed opinion on the subject. However, living as we do, in the age of self-importance and the ease of self-publication, neither need be true.

 

All a blog writer needs is an ego large enough to undertake the endeavor. Obviously, I speak from experience. It’s a good news-bad news proposition. The good news is that I know a bit about Jack. The bad news is that I tell what I know despite the fact that no one really wants to know. But, that’s the job of social media and most blogs.

 

Despite how that sounds, it is not a jab at blog readers. It’s more a commentary on people who spend far more hours writing blogs that can be read in minutes. When they are not typing away, they are trying to come up with nonsense to write about. I have written a blog or two about having nothing to write about.

 

The act of writing is the important thing for me. Writing takes constant practice and a degree of self-disciple to set aside time from life to write each day. It’s a balancing act and as a general rule, I’m unsteady on my feet. As important as writing may be, living every day is even more important. Living is God’s workshop. That may be true for writers more than any other people.

 

Life is the well from which writers draw the words they pour into stories and the clay from which they mold characters. As I said, a big ego is a prerequisite. Life is where a writer’s ideas come from.

Maranatha