S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 95

Not Quite Yet

If you've read this blog, you know I like cars. And the faster, more powerful the car, the better.

So there's a luxury sports sedan, all wheel drive, with 329 horsepower that accelerates 0 - 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. But the real impressive numbers are 30 - 50 mph in two seconds flat and 50 to 70 mph in 3.1 seconds. Those are great numbers for passing cars on Highway 17.

But I still wouldn't buy it. Why? It's a Tesla. And while I think the Tesla is an amazing technological achievement, it's not quite ready for prime time.

Being 100% electric (unlike the Chevy Volt and BMW i8 which have gasoline-burning engines to supplement the batteries), you are limited by the power of its battery pack. Recharging can take hours. I want a car that can get me 200 miles and back home in one day without stopping for charging for 8 hours. As Car and Driver puts it:

To fully embrace any electric car, some lifestyle rearranging is necessary. Spur-of-the-moment trips are unwise. The next plug-in opportunity is always at the forefront of your consciousness. Speeding up when you’re running late may force an unplanned stop for a jolt of juice. 

Here's the problem. The Tesla's batteries can only hold so much energy. And while the car tries to make up for this with aerodynamics (even the door handles are flush to the body) and light-weight construction, it's 70 kWh capacity battery pack carries the equivalent energy of 2 gallons of gasoline. And it can take up to 8 hours to recharge the battery rather than the 5 minutes it takes to fill a car with gasoline.

And frankly, I'n not ready to make any "lifestyle rearranging" for a car.

I'm Giving Away a Free Book!

I am giving away a free book this week. Go to my website, www.sevantownsend.com to sign up. If you win, you can choose from any of my six novels and paperback or ebook formats.

Good luck!

Why is Proper Grammar Important?

I'm not exactly a grammar Nazi. But I do try to use proper grammar (especially in writing) and I do have some pet peeves about misusing words such as the misuse of "jealous" and confusing "bring" and "take." Almost nobody gets "like" and "such as" correct.

And don't get me started on the misuse of "hopefully."

Some people dismiss the need for good grammar (the very term "grammar Nazi" is not one of affection). Those folks are usually filling up Facebook with their unreadable posts about kittens.

I believe proper grammar, especially in writing, is very important. Why? Because you're not there to explain yourself when someone misunderstands. For example.

I to think its important too spell correctly.

There are four grammar errors in that sentence. But that is something you might read on Facebook or Twitter where grammar seems to be less and less adhered to. Is that first "to" a typo and the writer wished to say "I do think"? Is there something else they think is important so they put in "too" (and forgot the commas. And the possessive "its" makes little sense.

Here's the correct sentence:

I, too, think it's important to spell correctly.

Now the sentence is simple and easy to understand. And the key thing is, you don't have to think about it. You know the intention of the writer immediately. There's no need to decode their bad grammar.

And that is why proper grammar is important. It smooths the flow of communication. The writer's intent is more likely to be conveyed to the reader and done so immediately without the ready having to decode the meaning.

It also keeps you for avoiding mistakes such as this:



(I feel sorry for that dog.)

So, yes, I'm think proper grammar is important. But, even I make mistakes.

At least I try to be correct.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Cory Williams and Justin Oldham

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are please to welcome Cory Williams and Justin Oldham
Cory WIlliamsCory Williams

A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cory attended the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), enrolling in the school’s first year when it was a fledgling program, where he majored in Creative Writing and minored in Videodrama, becoming an award-winning director of video projects. In addition, he was a founder, writer, and cartoonist for CAPA’s newspaper THE PAINTED WORD, for which he eventually became editor-in-chief. Listed in
WHO’S WHO AMONG AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS and commended by the National Honors Society, he graduated with CAPA’s second graduating class in 1981.

Attending STANFORD UNIVERSITY in Stanford, California, where he majored in Drama and minored in Dance, Cory performed in an average of five to six major productions per year. He taught art to autistic, learning-disabled, and educable mentally retarded children at the Peninsula Children’s Center in Menlo Park, California, was active in the Stanford University Rape Awareness Program,
occasionally wrote for THE STANFORD DAILY, and toured for two years with the BALLET FOLKLORICO DE STANFORD MEXICAN FOLKDANCE COMPANY. He received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Drama in 1986.

As a performing artist, Cory has performed in dance productions, touring shows, and Off-Broadway productions of ANTIGONE, THE TRIAL OF SUSAN B. ANTHONY, WE HAVE STORIES TO TELL OF AFRICA, FRATERNITY, NOTES ON 6FINITY, THE AMEN CORNER, and A FEW HOURS IN HELL, making his West Coast theatrical debut as the Duke of Cornwall in KING LEAR with the Pasadena Shakespeare Company in Pasadena, California, following that up as a member of the ensemble cast of the Fountain Theatre/BAND critically-acclaimed production of Rita Dove’s THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH, then continuing on to the West Coast premiere of the VoxBox Arts Collective original production of JIGSAW. In addition, Cory has acted in various commercials, industrial films and videos, television shows, and feature films such as WHO SHOT PAT?, PHILADELPHIA, LET’S TALK, THE C-SHIFT, REFLECTIONS AGO, RED HERRING, FIGHTING WORDS, A DAY OF ATONEMENT and STRAIGHT ON ‘TIL MORNING.

Cory is also the author of four science fiction novels, TOTENTANZ, THE
TAKING OF CYNDRIEL’S HOPE, HUNTER’S MOON and DARKSPEED
ARYDANI, all of which are currently available through the online content
marketplace http://www.lulu.com.

Cory Williams is currently living and working in Los Angeles, California.

Cory's Books:

Totentanz

The Taking of Cyndriel's Hope

Hunter's Moon

Darkspeed Arynrai

Cory's Links:

Facebook
Twitter

Justin Oldham


Justin OldhamMr. Oldham is a legally blind writer who lives in Anchorage Alaska. A graduate of North Pole High School, Justin went on to complete bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and History from the University of Alaska.  He worked for the Bureau of Land Management before becoming a full-time writer.

In addition to his speculative fiction that features Alaskan themes, he writes on the subject of vision impairment with guidance from medical professionals and disability experts.  These titles explain what it’s like to be legally blind or to lose an eye.
Justin's Books
Tales from the Kodiak Starport 

Bibix

Justin's Links:

Website
LinkedIn

From today's show: Space Station Laser
Listen to this show love or in archive

Release Day: The Terror of Tombstone

Today is the day! Today The Terror of Tombstone, my fantasy/western novel set in the Adept Series Universe is released. Extensively researched with exciting western and fantasy action, The Terror of Tombstone is guaranteed to keep you up nights reading.

Abel Lewis is a city slicker and a dandy and completely out of his element in the frontier of 1881 Arizona, nursing saddle sores and wishing for a soft bed. But Lewis hides a skill, and as he seeks to find an evil power in the deserts and small towns of the Southwest, he'll need all his abilities and all his cunning to survive. And a friend with a Winchester is mighty useful, too.
From Tombstone to San Francisco, Lewis is on the trail of a dark force that has its own devastating plans for the Old West. Will Lewis survive his confrontation with the over-powering malevolence of the terror of Tombstone?

Get your copy today in multiple formats. Links here, on my website.

The Terror of Tombstone , by S. Evan Townsend

You Probably Use "Like" Incorrectly

You probably use "like" wrong.

When you say "I like ice cream" you use it correctly, of course.

But what's wrong with this sentence:

On my trip I went to cities like Chicago and New York.

What do you think that means? That on the trip they went to Chicago, New York, and somewhere else?

No, properly that is read as "On my trip, I went to cities similar to Chicago and New York, but didn't go to either of them."

The correct way to say "I went to Chicago and New York and other cities" is:

On my trip I went to cities such as Chicago and New York.

That means you went to Chicago, New York, and other similar places.

The rule here is, if you are listing similar but non-inclusive things, use "like."

For example: "Barack Obama had two terms in office like Reagan and Clinton."

If the list is inclusive, then use "such as."

And: "Some presidents serve two terms in office such as Obama, Reagan, and Clinton."

This is a bit confusing. But if you are comparing, use like. If you are listing similar things, use "such as."

Bot don't worry, nobody gets this right anymore.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Eva Gordon and Christina McMullen

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are proud to welcome Eva Gordon and Christina McMullen

Eva GordonEva Gordon


Eva Gordon writes genre bending paranormal/fantasy/steampunk and historical novels with a strong romantic element. She loves to create stories that combine her passion for mythology, steamy romance, and action/suspense. Her imagination takes her from one universe to the next. Thus far, she has several series lined up as well as single titles waiting in line for production.

Eva has a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. When not in her den writing, she can be found teaching animal lore at writing conventions, at work at the raptor rehabilitation center, wolf sanctuaries, or to satisfy her inner Hemingway on some global eco adventure. 
Eva's Books

Hand of Miriam 

Alpha Wolf’s Pet 

The Stone of the Tenth Realm

Eva's Links
Website Blog Facebook Amazon Goodreads Twitter Pinterest
Christina McMullenChristina McMullen
Christina McMullen is a science fiction and fantasy author who dreams of one day owning her own flying car and hanging out with robot buddies. She currently resides in Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband and three dogs. When she isn't writing, Christina enjoys travel, vegan cooking, modern and classical art, and of course, reading.

Christian's Books

Past Life Strife (Rise of the Discordant book #1)
Splitsville (Rise of the Discordant book #2)

Going Green
Christina's Links

Blog
Facebook
Twitter

From today's show: Minor Planet may have Rings

Listen to this show live or in archive.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Chad C. Meek and R. D. Trimble

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are please to welcome Chad C. Meek and R. D. Trimble.
Chad C. MeekChad C. Meek

Chad C. Meek, Writer, Director, Executive Producer has taken his own early childhood UFO abduction experiences ,and time spent with his eclectic uncle,  George Van tassel 1910-1978 to tell an epic story about the early space contactee’s movement that occurred at a place called Giant Rock.

The epic story based on true events is being referred to by many in the film industry as the most definitive and possible the “Greatest UFO Story Never Told”.

Mr. Meek as President and CEO of Clarity Resources, Inc.,  has  over thirty years of solid experience in the Oil and Gas Mineral and Investment Banking industries to Giant Rock Universal and the Giant Rock The Movie Franchise.

The Epic Movie Giant Rock The Movie has received letters of Interest from Iconic and A List stars.

Chad's book:


Giant Rock

Chad's links:

Facebook
Twitter
IMDB

R. D. Trimble and sonsR. D. Trimble

R. D. Trimble was born in San Diego, California in 1971 and has spent most of his life in the community of Clairemont except for a five year period in the 90s when he moved to Arizona seeking adventure and the promise of a good career.  He returned home, fell in love, got married, had a heart attack at 33, and at 34 had his first child, Andrew.  While he always loved reading and creating stories, it was his son’s dislike of bath times that got him to use them constructively, creating little “bath shows” for his son, making up pantomimes and plays with action figures to make his son laugh and sometimes to educate him on subjects such as history, math, and science.  He began writing and illustrating children’s books when Andrew was three years old, he later shifted to chapter books and began writing “The Andrew Chronicles”.  His first published novel “Andrew and the Pirate Cove” based on the original 1978 computer game Pirate Cove by Scott Adams (a good friend of the author) was published by Books You Can Trust Publishing on 03/24/2014.  The sequel “The Revenge of Jack Frost” was published 12/17/2014.  The third book “The Temblor Stone” (Tentatively titled) will be released hopefully late 2015 in time for Christmas.  In his spare time, Rusty enjoys reading, playing text adventures on his computer, writing new stories, and most importantly taking trips to the zoo, Sea World, Legoland, the gym, and anywhere else that might be fun with his children.  He resides still in San Diego with his wife Nickcole and his beloved children Andrew (b. 2005) and Tyler (b. 2012).

R. D.'s books:


The Andrew Chronicles: Andrew and the Pirate Cove (Volume 1) 

The Revenge of Jack Frost: The Andrew Chronicles (Volume 2) 


R. D.'s Links:
Facebook Twitter
From today's show: Titan Submarine.

Listen to this show live or in archive here.

Slow Kills

Last Monday I talked about driving fast and why I do drive fast.

Today I'm going to talk about why driving slow is dangerous. That is, slower than conditions require.

I am constantly amazed by people (usually in Subarus) going 10 - 15 mph under the speed limit on the interstate. I think that they believe they are being extra safe. Or maybe they are "hypermileing" (tying to get the best possible gas mileage). In either case, they are more dangerous than the person going 10 - 15 mph over the speed limit. Look at this chart:


(Note that "zero" is not the speed limit, but the average speed, which in many cases is over the speed limit.)

According to this data, going 10 mph under the average speed is more dangerous then going 20 mph over the average speed. Thus, despite the propaganda of the Safety Nazis: slow kills.

But the funny thing is, most states do not enforce going too slow, but will gladly write you a ticket for exceeding the speed limit.

As I said last week, I tend to drive 5 mph over the speed limit. In my heavily speed-enforced state that puts me just slightly above the average speed, it seems (I pass more cars than pass me). Which, according to the chart, is the safest place to be.

The safest speed to drive is not slow. It's not the speed limit, it's around the average speed of traffic. That means speed limits could actually be decreasing safety, not increasing it by being set too low.

Another way speed limits that are set too low decrease safety is they switch enforcement from those driving dangerously fast (or slow) to those exceeding some number a politician or bureaucrat came up with.

But, all too often, speed limits are set to maximize revenue, not safety. And all drivers pay the price.

Now Available for Pre-Order: The Terror of Tombstone

My latest novel, the Adept Series western, The Terror of Tombstone, is now available for pre-order on the Kindle.

Abel Lewis is a city slicker and a dandy and completely out of his element in the frontier of 1881 Arizona, nursing saddle sores and wishing for a soft bed. But Lewis hides a skill, and as he seeks to find an evil power in the deserts and small towns of the Southwest, he'll need all his abilities and all his cunning to survive. And a friend with a Winchester is mighty useful, too.

From Tombstone to San Francisco, Lewis is on the trail of a dark force that has its own devastating plans for the Old West. Will Lewis survive his confrontation with the over-powering malevolence of the terror of Tombstone?

Be the first on your block to get this exciting fantasy/western.