This group has been designated for adults age 18 or older. Please sign in and confirm your date of birth in your profile so we can verify your eligibility. You may opt to make your date of birth private.
Thomas W. Devine's Blog, page 6
May 25, 2018
Reflections
By Robert Barron in NZ Catholic, May 20-June 2, 2018, on cultural elites that dominate others:
“When we live in the space between good and evil, when morality is construed as entirely the invention of personal freedom, when nothing counts as intrinsically evil, when any claim to moral authority is shouted down … then the will of the most powerful necessarily holds sway.
“One of the extraordinary but overlooked qualities of a system of objective morality is that it is a check on the powerful and a protection of the most vulnerable.”
“When we live in the space between good and evil, when morality is construed as entirely the invention of personal freedom, when nothing counts as intrinsically evil, when any claim to moral authority is shouted down … then the will of the most powerful necessarily holds sway.
“One of the extraordinary but overlooked qualities of a system of objective morality is that it is a check on the powerful and a protection of the most vulnerable.”
May 12, 2018
Another Snippet: My Life
In Wellington, New Zealand, it’s Sunday morning and dawn is not far off. Autumn rain is falling on the tin roof of my home, its natural sound muted by the ceiling and insulation. I yearn for those few times when (on an uninsulated tin roof) I’ve heard the full effect of that beautiful sound and thrilled to the vigour of Nature.
I’m six thousand words into writing my twelfth novel and must return to it this morning for the few hours I make for myself before going to a service at the local Catholic church. No rest for the wicked, they say.
The early stages of writing a book are difficult, I find.
I’m dealing with a creation that is totally new and developing. Opening scene ideas are popping into my head at a satisfying rate but, beyond the basic story line, I can’t see very far ahead.
I’m a seat of the pants writer. My biggest fear, as always, is that I’ll put a lot of work in then discover it’s not enough to fill all the pages that a book will require.
Well, back to it.
I’m six thousand words into writing my twelfth novel and must return to it this morning for the few hours I make for myself before going to a service at the local Catholic church. No rest for the wicked, they say.
The early stages of writing a book are difficult, I find.
I’m dealing with a creation that is totally new and developing. Opening scene ideas are popping into my head at a satisfying rate but, beyond the basic story line, I can’t see very far ahead.
I’m a seat of the pants writer. My biggest fear, as always, is that I’ll put a lot of work in then discover it’s not enough to fill all the pages that a book will require.
Well, back to it.
May 4, 2018
Counting the Cost of Choice
One might think that the unfortunates cared for by Mother Teresa in her lifetime would have been better off if they had not been born. Even so, despite seeing their sufferings at first-hand, and ministering to their needs, she remained pro-life and pro-women.
One of the quotes associated with her is:
“Abortion kills twice. It kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother. Abortion is profoundly anti-woman.”
It is not difficult, for me, to hold and share that view. The cult of selfishness and death that surrounds the social movement pushing for liberalised abortion laws appals and sickens me more & more.
One of the quotes associated with her is:
“Abortion kills twice. It kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother. Abortion is profoundly anti-woman.”
It is not difficult, for me, to hold and share that view. The cult of selfishness and death that surrounds the social movement pushing for liberalised abortion laws appals and sickens me more & more.
April 29, 2018
My Next Book/Age & Travel/Cat
I’ve done a little planning of my next novel (using a mind map) and scene ideas occur to me from time to time but I’ve yet to buckle down to preparing character fact sheets to propel myself into beginning writing. Is it the result of infirmity creeping up on me?
I know my physical aging has speeded up. I’ve just passed on taking a long distance trip. Travelling with my wife has become more than I can physically cope with – more minuses than plusses in the experience.
It seems less stressful to stay at home with my best friend (after her). See photo with my post on Twitter.
I know my physical aging has speeded up. I’ve just passed on taking a long distance trip. Travelling with my wife has become more than I can physically cope with – more minuses than plusses in the experience.
It seems less stressful to stay at home with my best friend (after her). See photo with my post on Twitter.
April 20, 2018
Homosexuality
The Dominion Post (April 20, 2018) editorialised that it is an “archaic view that God’s plan for homosexuals is that they are bound for hell unless they repent of their sins”.
This editorial arose out of the furore over Australian rugby player, Israel Folau's, publicly expressed view about the fate of such ‘sinners’.
My first thought was: ‘How can the editor express a view on God’s plan that is any more valid than Folau’s, particularly as Folau claims support by the bible which is the ultimate expression of [the Christian] God’s truth?’
Then, in the same edition of the newspaper, there is a letter to the editor, from Bishop Richard Randerson, that says such claims as Folou’s (about homosexuality) cannot be substantiated in biblical texts. Rather, it is the biblical condemnation of promiscuity, which applies to every Christian, no matter what their sexual orientation.
I, for one, am not going to condemn Folau for his beliefs and will defend his right to freedom of speech about them. Other prominent people express or hold views that are even more repugnant to me.
As a straight guy, however, I will never understand how any male can prefer anal sex with a man to vaginal sex with a woman. It strikes me that the latter is natural and the former at least distasteful.
This editorial arose out of the furore over Australian rugby player, Israel Folau's, publicly expressed view about the fate of such ‘sinners’.
My first thought was: ‘How can the editor express a view on God’s plan that is any more valid than Folau’s, particularly as Folau claims support by the bible which is the ultimate expression of [the Christian] God’s truth?’
Then, in the same edition of the newspaper, there is a letter to the editor, from Bishop Richard Randerson, that says such claims as Folou’s (about homosexuality) cannot be substantiated in biblical texts. Rather, it is the biblical condemnation of promiscuity, which applies to every Christian, no matter what their sexual orientation.
I, for one, am not going to condemn Folau for his beliefs and will defend his right to freedom of speech about them. Other prominent people express or hold views that are even more repugnant to me.
As a straight guy, however, I will never understand how any male can prefer anal sex with a man to vaginal sex with a woman. It strikes me that the latter is natural and the former at least distasteful.
April 13, 2018
Making that Start
I began the day planning to start the process of writing my 12th novel. I was going to put time into developing the central idea that I’ve mentioned in other posts.
I planned to use a process, recommended online, that involved:
• Find latent character goals in the idea
• Brainstorm goal complications and obstacles that will add suspense
• Imagine adding settings that will add mood and possible subplots
• Find subplots that will support the main idea
• Identify interesting special themes.
However, while I was still lying in bed, I decided, before I tackled the other task, to write down on paper words for a couple of scenes to go in the beginning of the novel.
The scenes had been going around in my head. It was satisfying to find I hadn’t gone stale over my summer rest from writing.
After finishing a few first-thing-in-the-morning chores for my household, I decided I no longer felt the energy or wellness to be creative. It was easier to sit down and read the Saturday newspaper then watch a bit of the Commonwealth Games on TV.
Later, I consoled myself with writing this post. Maybe I’ll have a better day on Monday.
I planned to use a process, recommended online, that involved:
• Find latent character goals in the idea
• Brainstorm goal complications and obstacles that will add suspense
• Imagine adding settings that will add mood and possible subplots
• Find subplots that will support the main idea
• Identify interesting special themes.
However, while I was still lying in bed, I decided, before I tackled the other task, to write down on paper words for a couple of scenes to go in the beginning of the novel.
The scenes had been going around in my head. It was satisfying to find I hadn’t gone stale over my summer rest from writing.
After finishing a few first-thing-in-the-morning chores for my household, I decided I no longer felt the energy or wellness to be creative. It was easier to sit down and read the Saturday newspaper then watch a bit of the Commonwealth Games on TV.
Later, I consoled myself with writing this post. Maybe I’ll have a better day on Monday.
April 6, 2018
Flirting with Stress Limits
To become a fulltime caregiver for my wife (who has dementia) I had to give up as many stressful activities as I could, or I wouldn’t cope.
I ended up left skirting the edges of tolerance to any added stress that comes along. So, I have a low threshold level for tipping over the top.
Two stressful events happened near to each other recently. I had to settle a new pet into our home (see my last blog post) and I had a public health (free) hospital appointment to get to last Wednesday.
I’d waited over a year, for the latter, to have a basal cell carcinoma on my face checked out by a specialist.
So, there was anxiety over arranging relief care for my wife, over what the outcome would be at the hospital,over getting to the appointment on time in rush hour traffic, and guilt that I’d prevailed on my working daughter in law to take time off to be my driver.
I ended up with the complication that the hospital couldn’t do a skin graft if, post-op, I used a CPAP mask that covered the bridge of my nose. (I use one nightly because of sleep apnoea – I stop breathing if I don’t.)
I’m trying to find a medical solution but don’t know if there'll be one.
All this lowers my energy level & I keep postponing the planning of my next novel.
I ended up left skirting the edges of tolerance to any added stress that comes along. So, I have a low threshold level for tipping over the top.
Two stressful events happened near to each other recently. I had to settle a new pet into our home (see my last blog post) and I had a public health (free) hospital appointment to get to last Wednesday.
I’d waited over a year, for the latter, to have a basal cell carcinoma on my face checked out by a specialist.
So, there was anxiety over arranging relief care for my wife, over what the outcome would be at the hospital,over getting to the appointment on time in rush hour traffic, and guilt that I’d prevailed on my working daughter in law to take time off to be my driver.
I ended up with the complication that the hospital couldn’t do a skin graft if, post-op, I used a CPAP mask that covered the bridge of my nose. (I use one nightly because of sleep apnoea – I stop breathing if I don’t.)
I’m trying to find a medical solution but don’t know if there'll be one.
All this lowers my energy level & I keep postponing the planning of my next novel.
March 31, 2018
Accepting A Pet Again
Our family (in my parenting years) had two or three cats (one at a time) which gave us companionship, to the best of their abilities, before each disappearing in turn. We then had a corgi dog which I fell in love with and, later, had to go through the trauma of holding while it was euthanized.
Many years followed, without a pet, until, recently, my wife & I had a boarder at our home who brought a cat with him. Boarder and cat departed recently, leaving a hole in our lives. I eventually succumbed to getting a cat from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It’s a 3 year- old short-haired domestic tabby that came with the name, Dudley.
Dudley is quite friendly and has shown a preference for my wife – which is great because I wanted that to happen. She has dementia and a pet is comforting for her.
He’s a clever animal and chooses each night to have a small cuddle with me (an endearing behaviour) before going to bed with my wife.
He comes with a few more chores (for me to perform) and adds costs to our budget, but its pleasant to have feline company again.
Will we outlive him or will he outlive us? I'm growing attached.
Many years followed, without a pet, until, recently, my wife & I had a boarder at our home who brought a cat with him. Boarder and cat departed recently, leaving a hole in our lives. I eventually succumbed to getting a cat from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It’s a 3 year- old short-haired domestic tabby that came with the name, Dudley.
Dudley is quite friendly and has shown a preference for my wife – which is great because I wanted that to happen. She has dementia and a pet is comforting for her.
He’s a clever animal and chooses each night to have a small cuddle with me (an endearing behaviour) before going to bed with my wife.
He comes with a few more chores (for me to perform) and adds costs to our budget, but its pleasant to have feline company again.
Will we outlive him or will he outlive us? I'm growing attached.
March 16, 2018
What a Writer Wants…
Not that a writer always gets what s/he wants – an unsolicited dream post-publication review.
I thought I was striking out on anyone (post-publication) saying something nice about my latest novel (Political Secret) but then it happened.
Here’s what Michael Hartnett has posted:
“A Tense, Fun Thriller across New Zealand
A mysterious flash drive carrying secrets about American strategic plans for North Korea drives the exhilarating page-turner Political Secret by Thomas W. Devine. Press attaché Lee St. John has been slipped this flash drive by a dying agent in Moscow. His return to New Zealand leaves him on the run with a compromised and complicated lover, as he is tracked, harassed, and attacked by Russian agents. Lee and Natalie bound across the countryside, over hill and dale, seemingly traversing half of New Zealand, even onto the rugged Catlins along South Island’s east coast to confront a wholly different and surprising adventure.
As Lee tries to figure out how to escape, what level of trust he can place in the exotic Natalie, and how he can get his diplomat father Shane to push the right levers of power to procure his security, the reader rides along, enjoying the twists, turns, romance, and action. Devine deftly shifts perspective from Lee to his girlfriend Sophie to Natalie to Shane. The elements of the plot keep churning, especially given the dogged determination of the Russian spook Vasily. In fact, the machinations of Russian intelligence, the CIA, and New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (SIS) provide a nuanced parallel story line of clandestine maneuvers, shadowing the hide-and-seek game going on the ground between Lee and his Russian pursuers.
Devine depicts Lee’s emerging resourcefulness subtly as our protagonist slowly begins to understand the mistakes he’s made and how best not to compound them. As intriguing counterpoints to his perspective, Natalie’s combination of seductress and victim and Sophie’s posture of suffering and insecurity serve to give Lee plenty to ponder beyond the constant threats. Political Secret is a rich, smart suspense novel with a rewarding climax. Devine has spun a thrilling tale.”
As a reader/reviewer Hartnett shows a great comprehension of the 'Political Secret' story and says some really morale boosting things about my writing.
I don’t know him, just that he is an author in his own right. It’s a great review. ('Fantastic!' my editor says.) Any novelist requires this sort of response from time to time to keep going.
Thanks for lifting my spirits way up there, Mr Hartnett. All the best.
www.thomaswdevine.com
I thought I was striking out on anyone (post-publication) saying something nice about my latest novel (Political Secret) but then it happened.
Here’s what Michael Hartnett has posted:
“A Tense, Fun Thriller across New Zealand
A mysterious flash drive carrying secrets about American strategic plans for North Korea drives the exhilarating page-turner Political Secret by Thomas W. Devine. Press attaché Lee St. John has been slipped this flash drive by a dying agent in Moscow. His return to New Zealand leaves him on the run with a compromised and complicated lover, as he is tracked, harassed, and attacked by Russian agents. Lee and Natalie bound across the countryside, over hill and dale, seemingly traversing half of New Zealand, even onto the rugged Catlins along South Island’s east coast to confront a wholly different and surprising adventure.
As Lee tries to figure out how to escape, what level of trust he can place in the exotic Natalie, and how he can get his diplomat father Shane to push the right levers of power to procure his security, the reader rides along, enjoying the twists, turns, romance, and action. Devine deftly shifts perspective from Lee to his girlfriend Sophie to Natalie to Shane. The elements of the plot keep churning, especially given the dogged determination of the Russian spook Vasily. In fact, the machinations of Russian intelligence, the CIA, and New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (SIS) provide a nuanced parallel story line of clandestine maneuvers, shadowing the hide-and-seek game going on the ground between Lee and his Russian pursuers.
Devine depicts Lee’s emerging resourcefulness subtly as our protagonist slowly begins to understand the mistakes he’s made and how best not to compound them. As intriguing counterpoints to his perspective, Natalie’s combination of seductress and victim and Sophie’s posture of suffering and insecurity serve to give Lee plenty to ponder beyond the constant threats. Political Secret is a rich, smart suspense novel with a rewarding climax. Devine has spun a thrilling tale.”
As a reader/reviewer Hartnett shows a great comprehension of the 'Political Secret' story and says some really morale boosting things about my writing.
I don’t know him, just that he is an author in his own right. It’s a great review. ('Fantastic!' my editor says.) Any novelist requires this sort of response from time to time to keep going.
Thanks for lifting my spirits way up there, Mr Hartnett. All the best.
www.thomaswdevine.com
March 9, 2018
Preparing for the Next One
In working on my last novel, my editor commented: “There is more to the main character than meets the eye and I hope to encounter him again in the future.”
However, I haven’t felt the same inspiration so far.
I have, though, come up with a different idea for my 12th novel. It's a “what if?” at this stage. I don’t have a complete thriller story to go with it. It may or may not emerge.
That has not stopped my subconscious from working on it. Opening scene outlines keep seeping through to my consciousness unbidden. That’s a reassuring beginning.
I’ll give it another month to gestate then, if it doesn’t die in the womb of my creativity, I’ll start some serious work.
However, I haven’t felt the same inspiration so far.
I have, though, come up with a different idea for my 12th novel. It's a “what if?” at this stage. I don’t have a complete thriller story to go with it. It may or may not emerge.
That has not stopped my subconscious from working on it. Opening scene outlines keep seeping through to my consciousness unbidden. That’s a reassuring beginning.
I’ll give it another month to gestate then, if it doesn’t die in the womb of my creativity, I’ll start some serious work.
