S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 88

Football!

Last Sunday I was watching the Seattle Seahawks defeat the Minnesota Vikings and I had a reminder of why I enjoy football.

Of course, I'm talking about "American football" not "futbol" where every time there's a goal a South American village is razed. Can't stand watching that as it makes baseball look interesting.
Now, I'm not a rabid football fan. I watch games by the teams I like: the University of Washington Huskies and, when they are winning, the Seattle Seahawks.
So, last Sunday I was watching the Seahawks play the Vikings and Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson threw and long bomb to Lockett (I don't remember his first name). And despite having two Vikings right on top of him, Lockett caught the ball and then, after getting hit hard (so hard there was a penalty), he hung onto the ball for a catch. And the athleticism and skill to do that just amazes me.
It's like ballet, with hitting. There is precision and grace and athleticism, and then somebody gets knocked to the ground.
And, of course, there's the fun and excitement of your team winning, which is actually starting to happen more regularly for the University of Washington Huskies. But I think it's the grace and athleticism that truly pull me in.
And somebody getting knocked to the ground.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Stephen Schwertley and P. H. Solomon

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are please to welcome writers Stephen Schwertley and P. H. Solomon.

Stephen SchwertleyStephen Schwertley

A graduate of Arizona State University with a B.S. in Biology, Schwertley early beginning’s were as a salesman in the medical equipment industry, progressing to a National Award winning salesman in the reprographic, semiconductor, automotive software marketplaces. As Schwertley’s professional career blossomed, he achieved positions as National Sales Manager MGI Systems, Director of Sales for BL-Systems, and National Account Manager for Kwik-Way Products, Inc. Schwertley is known for his is quirky sense of humor that permeates his life. Schwertley lives in Cave Creek Arizona with his wife Joy and their two Yorkies Jack and Foxy

Stephen's Books:


Enemy I the Heartland

Revenge Unleashed

Stephen's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter

P.H. SolomonP. H. Solomon

P. H. Solomon lives in the greater Birmingham, AL area where he strongly dislikes yard work and sanding the deck rail. However, he performs these duties to maintain a nice home for his loved ones as well as the family’s German Shepherds. In his spare time, P. H. rides herd as a Computer Whisperer on large computers called servers (harmonica not required). Additionally, he enjoys reading, running, most sports and fantasy football. Having a degree in Anthropology, he also has a wide array of more “serious” interests in addition to working regularly to hone his writing. The Bow of Destiny is his first novel-length title.

P.H.'s Books:


Trading Knives

What Is Needed

The Bow of Destiny

P.H.'s Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest
Google+
Wattpad

From today's show: Electric sails plying the solar wind

Listen to this show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT today or in archive here.

I Won NaNoWriMo

Well, NaNoWriMo* is done. Finished. Kaput. The goal of writing 50,000 words in November is over. If you didn't make it, it's too late now.

I did make it, but with a caveat. My personal goal was a novel first draft of at least 60,000 words.

I wrote 54,498 words, finishing yesterday.

Compare to last year when I finished on November 25th with 63,388 words.

Last year, my biggest day was 3,666 words (the day I wrote the climax). This year my biggest day was 2,800 words on the 11th day of NaNoWriMo*. Last year I averaged 2,536 words per writing day (since I didn't write the last five days as the first draft of the novel was finished). This year I averaged 1,817 words to finish that first draft.

This year, I was writing the third novel in the "Treasures of Space" series. The first novel, Treasure of the Black Hole was published (self-published) earlier this year. The second novel, that I wrote last year, Treasure of the Pirate Planet, is in edits. And this year I wrote Treasure of the Derelict Ship.

Now I can hope that the novel will get longer in edits. My novels always do as I decide to add more description or detail. But I doubt I'm going to get 5,500 more. Maybe. But I doubt it.

But the good news is, I won NaNoWriMo* for the third year in a row. The bad news is, I have no idea what to write next year. But I have eleven months to figure that out.

*NaNoWriMo is the "National Novel Writing Month" wherein you pledge to write at least 50,000 words of a novel in November. For more thoughts on NaNoWriMo, see here.

Apple Cup Victory

Going into yesterday's Apple Cup (the annual rivalry game between the University of Washington Huskies and the Washington State University Cougars), the Huskies were the underdog. They were 5-6 on the season so far (3-5 in conference). The Cougars were ranked #20 and were 8-3 overall (6-2 in conference).

The game was being played in Husky Stadium and home field advantage is huge in this rivalry game. But it wasn't supposed to overcome the Cougars consistent passing attack. The bad news for the Cougars, their lead quarterback was out with a head injury. But, again, that wan't supposed to swing the victory to the Huskies who's true freshman quarterback, Jake Browning, was still trying to get his bearings although he'd shown great improvement through the season.

During the opening drive, the Cougars marched down the field, their backup quarterback hitting his targets flawlessly. The Husky defense did manage to hold them to only a field goal.

The the Dawgs offense came to the field. And Browning was great. And running back Myles Gaskin, initially shut down by the Coug defense, eventually started making yards and became the first true freshman in Husky history to run 1,000 yards in a season.

And the Cougars turned over the ball seven times. Eight if you count a fumble that was overturned on review (and shouldn't have been). The final score was 45-10. Like last week, Jake Browning didn't play near the end of the game although he didn't come out of the game quite so early.

In other words, the Cougars "Couged it." Or the Huskies just played better football, depending on whom you talk to.

With this win, the Huskies are "bowl eligible" meaning they get one more game and a lot more practices to improve even more before next season. No word yet on which bowl. With a 6-6 record, it's not going to be one of the better ones. But, it is still a bowl.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with J.R. McLeay and Jessica Marie Baumgartner

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are proud to welcome J.R. McLeay and Jessica Marie Baumgartner.
J.R. McLearyJ.R. McLeay

J.R. McLeay is a graduate of the University of Toronto and lives in Calgary, Canada with his wife and two rambunctious dogs. J.R. writes fictional stories incorporating the latest advances in science, especially in the fields of biogerontology (the science of aging) and astrobiology (the study of life beyond earth).

He likes to weave real science into engaging stories of what the future might hold for us as we continue to explore new frontiers. Most of his book themes are based on hypotheses he's developed after extensive study and scientific research. He wants his readers to be stimulated as much by the new applications of emerging science as they are about the stories and characters embodying these possibilities.

Stay tuned for more books from J.R. McLeay in these genres in the months ahead. Happy reading!

J.R.'s Book:

The Cicada Prophecy

J.R.'s Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Jessica Marie BaumgartnerJessica Marie Baumgartner

Jessica’s word addiction has led her to become a member of the St. Louis Writers Guild. Unable to cure her of this ailment she has recently released a science fiction novella, the first in a trilogy, By the Stars, through European Geeks Publishing. Before finding her current publisher she released, Tale of Two Bookends, an erotic paranormal romance with Cobblestone Publishing LLC and My Family Is Different, a children’s picture book about religious diversity and acceptance with THG Stardragon Publishing. Genre hopping seems to be her thing. Maybe tomorrow she’ll write a book on quantum physics.

Jessica's Books:


By the Stars: Embracing Entropy Series

Tale of Two Bookends

My Family Is Different

Jessica's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

From today's show: Thumbstats.

Listen to today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.

Blowout

The Oregon State University Beavers are not having a good year. Before yesterday's game with the University of Washington Huskies, their record was 2-8 (0-7 in conference). So it was no surprise that the Huskies came to town and slaughtered them with a final score of 52-7.

The score doesn't even reflect how lopsided these teams were. The Huskies took out their starting quarterback when the score hit 57 in the third quarter and never threw another pass. They would go for it on fourth downs rather than take a field goal. By the end of the third quarter, it was obvious that both teams just wanted the game to be over.

Quite a contrast to the week before when the Huskies went into halftime with a 17-3 lead to a team they weren't supposed to beat. Then came out after the half and never scored again, ending up losing 17-27. I was so mad I didn't blog about it last week.

Now the Huskies are 5-6 (3-5 in conference) and to be bowl eligible they have to beat the Washington State Cougars in the Apple Cup game this coming Friday. The game is at home for the Huskies, which will help. But the Cougars are having a great year and beat a lot of teams they weren't supposed to beat, including Oregon. They are 8-3 overall and 6-2 in conference. They will be tough to beat next week.

But, here's the thing about the Huskies. They have a true freshman quarterback who is getting better an better. They have a very young team that is getting better and better. They may lose next week but look out next year and the year after. Yes, I've been saying "wait until next year" for 15 years now. But I think this time it'll work.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Diane Student and W.A. Fulkerson

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are proud to welcome Diane Student and W.A. Fulkerson.
Diane StudentDiane Student

Diane Student is an author, blogger, podcaster and entrepreneur. She began her journey in blogging in 2008. Diane is creator of The Lewis Chronicles, a YA speculative faction series set in a dystopian, steampunk future Earth and author of Book One of that series: The Shattering. She is currently working on Book Two of the Lewis Chronicles: The Janus Seed, as well as some non-fiction works around the haunted history theme. When not writing books and short stories, Diane is writing, producing and co-hosting the History Goes Bump Podcast that delves into haunted history. She lives in Florida with her co-host and wife Denise and two furry kids.

Diane's Book:

The Lewis Chronicles, Book 1: The Shattering (Paperback, Kindle)

Diane's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest


W.A. FulkersonW.A. Fulkerson

W.A. Fulkerson is the talented author of the Starfall trilogy and a slew of other novels coming to market soon. He has a passion for foreign languages, outdoor adventure, music, and of course good books. He lives in Los Angeles where he works as a screenwriter for Arbella Studios and consults on various film projects.

W.A.'s Books:


Starfall

Star-Crossed

Starborn

W.A.'s Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook

From Today's Show: New Horizon's Second Fly-by Mission

Listen to Today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or here in archive.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with CJ Matthew and Ian J. Malone

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are happy to welcome CJ Matthew and Ian J. Malone.
CJ MatthewCJ Matthew

CJ Matthew is the author of paranormal romance suspense series Dolphin Shore Shifters. The first three books in the series, Blood Tide, Risky Tide and Dangerous Tide, feature a pod of shapeshifting dolphins that pose as humans to protect the oceans at any cost. Inspired by her love of the Pacific Ocean, CJ spreads awareness of dolphin, marine life and oceanic conservation through her writing. A member of Georgia Romance Writers, a chapter of Romance Writers of America, CJ lives and writes near a lake in the woods northeast of Atlanta.

CJ's Books:

Blood Tide (Dolphin Shore Shifters, #1)

Risky Tide (Dolphin Shore Shifters, #2)

Dangerous Tide (Dolphin Shore Shifters, #3) Coming soon!

CJ's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Ian J. MaloneIan J. Malone

As a graduate of Florida State University, I’ve written in a number of arenas over the years ranging from public health to news and sports.  When it comes to my fictional work, however, I’m a firm believer that nothing shapes an author’s writing like experience.  That’s why I credit my tenures in radio, law enforcement, sport management, and the military for much of my thematic inspiration, plus the legion of family and friends who’ve stood with me along the way.

Beyond writing, I’m an avid fan of audiobooks and sports, though it’s also not uncommon to find me at a concert (LOVE music!), a movie, or somewhere out by a grill.

At present, I reside in Durham, North Carolina with my incredible wife, son, and our two dogs — but I’ll always be a “Florida boy” at heart.

Ian's Books:

Mako

Red Sky Dawning

Ian's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon

From Today's Show: NASA's Plan to go to Mars (and Stay There)

Listen to today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.

Social Changes

The other day I was watching the classic science fiction movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. A great movie even if the special effects are a bit dated. But it was made in 1968, so what can you expect (although the floating pen scene still is very well done).

If you haven't seen the movie, this will have spoilers.

Toward the end of the movie, astronaut Dave Bowman, the only survivor of the computer HAL 9000's trying to kill off the crew of the ship Discovery, deactivates the computer.

Here's that scene


At the 2:54 mark, HAL says "Good afternoon, gentlemen, I am a HAL 9000 computer" (obviously accessing an old file as his upper level functions are turned off). HAL goes on to say he became operational on January 12, 1992.

And the problem? No, it's not that we didn't have computers as sophisticated as a HAL 9000 in 1992 (or even today). It's that he says "gentlemen."

In 1965 (when the movie was written), it was probably safe to assume that there would only be men at the presentation of HAL 9000. But by 1992, we all know, there would probably be some women present, too.

And this is a challenge for those of us who write science fiction. What social or societal changes are so ingrained in us that we don't think twice about them but will sound archaic in 47 years? Maybe saying "Ladies and gentlemen" will sound as old fashioned as saying only "gentlemen." Which society becoming accepting of more genders and even gender fluidity, I interviewed a person of the Speculative Fiction Cantina who described themselves as "gender queer, non-binary." They preferred to be referred to with the pronouns "ze/zir/zim."

So in the future (not to distant, probably), saying "Ladies and gentlemen" will be considered quaint if not insulting to people who are non-binary. (This is already happening on college campuses.)

And by 2030, who knows what will be considered polite (and inclusive).

I think this is part of why I started writing fantasies set in the past. Don't have to deal with these issues.

A Heartbreaking Game

Usually heartbreaking games are those that have close scores. Last night's Univeristy of Washington Huskies football game didn't have a close score, the Huskies losing the Utah by 34-23. No, what broke the heart was why they lost.

First was mistakes. The Huskies couldn't hang onto the ball the first half of the game. Admittedly, it was pouring down rain, but still a dropped punt and a later fumble both led to Utah scores.

Then there was the officiating. First a Washington touchdown was negated by a questionable holding call. Then on the very next play, blatant defensive pass interference wasn't called. Then the officals called offensive pass interference on our receiver, when even the television announces admitted it shouldn't have been called.

I was hoping after last week's blowout of Arizona, the Huskies would play at least that well. Even the odds makers had them 1.5 point favorites against the 7-1 Utes who were ranked #13 in the nation last night (they moved up to #12 this morning). But with the mistakes and Husky quarterback Jake Browning not hitting his receivers as well as he did last week, it was no soap. Add to that a Ute player named Devontae Booker who could run through defenders like he was a bulldozer, and I'm surprised the score was so close.

So now the Huskies are 4-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play and in second to the last place in the Pac-12 North. We need two more wins to be bowl eligible (and it'll be a louse bowl if we make it. Next week we take on Arizona St. in Tempe, a game we should win. Then we go to Corvallis to play the Oregon State Beavers, a game we'd better win. Then on Black Friday we play Washington State in the Apple Cup. And as good as the Cougars are playing this year, that's going to be a tough game. But it should be a good one.