R.J. Silver's Blog
August 8, 2013
Not Dead Yet…
Contrary to rumor (or psychic vision, as the case may be), I was not recently murdered by a jilted lover who promptly turned my little green body over to science for dissection. I am instead suffering the slow, agonizing death of marriage, with my dissection occurring each time I open my mouth. I’ve also been […]
November 11, 2012
Bummer…
After a test read with about 30 people, I’ve concluded that my new novel, The Optimist & the Pessimist, isn’t worthy of my readers’ time or money. The general reaction to it has been “mildly amusing”, which just doesn’t make the grade. So much for my experiment with a longer, more complex humor book. Apparently, my [...]
November 7, 2012
The Optimist & the Pessimist – Chapter 6
Four hours after Stacy, Aaron, and Meagan had set off for the mountain, with the sun well into its descent toward the western horizon, Charles finally emerged from the helicopter and approached Geoffrey and Jenny. Jenny, who had been checking her watch and fretting for some time, said, “Do you think something’s wrong?” Charles slapped [...]
November 6, 2012
The Optimist & the Pessimist – Chapter 5
The group shifted a few meters away from the pilot’s body. “How are the rest of you doing?” asked Stacy. Everyone rubbed their arms or legs on one side of their bodies – the result of getting banged against the helicopter’s inner walls – and Aaron had a welt on one cheekbone, but only Charles [...]
November 5, 2012
The Optimist & the Pessimist – Chapter 4
As is so often the case, the crime’s main culprit escaped the worst of the punishment. Within twenty-four hours of the squid’s revenge, Stacy was pulling a Kate Winslet on the Sea Cloud’s bow, while her five victims still lay groaning below. When it became obvious her friends weren’t going to join her anytime soon, [...]
November 4, 2012
The Optimist & the Pessimist – Chapter 3
“So, who’s up for a little culinary adventure?” asked Stacy, her menu opened to the middle page. “Not me,” said Charles. “Every time I go on one of those, I come back with indigestion.” “What he means,” said Aaron, “is that he’s up for anything, right, Charles?” “Oh yeah, I forgot,” said Charles. “Would you [...]
The Optimist & the Pessimist – Chapter 2
Shortly after three p.m., the Sea Cloud was on its way, exiting Brisbane’s harbor and heading out to sea. Contrary to Charles’s prognostications, it remained afloat the entire time. At least half the passengers strolled the two decks, exploring the ship. Based on the sounds from some of the cabins, the other half remained in [...]
November 3, 2012
The Optimist & the Pessimist – Chapter 1
Hi Everyone, Sorry I’ve been so quiet. I’ve been crazy busy with this stupid thing they call work. As a result, I’ve been devoting my few writing hours to a new book instead of posting stuff here. It’s been one year since I completed My Third-World Girlfriend. During that time, I’ve actually written and completed [...]
The Optimist & the Pessimist
Hi Everyone, Sorry I’ve been so quiet. I’ve been crazy busy with this stupid thing they call work. As a result, I’ve been devoting my few writing hours to a new book instead of posting stuff here. It’s been one year since I completed My Third-World Girlfriend. During that time, I’ve actually written and completed [...]
July 9, 2012
Longer Than Even I Imagined…
Like all authors, I tend to visualize scenes as I write them, and I must admit, this candle is even longer than I imagined it. I also suspect that Princess Amalia might want to trade some of that length for some added girth, you know, once she’s been around the block a few times. But [...]
