Stephanie Abbott's Blog, page 17
October 2, 2012
More from San Francisco and Alcatraz Prison/National Park
A few more pictures… (click for full size and to read the captions)
Part of Alcatraz Island. It was a fort before it was converted to a prison around the 1940s.
The above is wonderfully clear, taken in full sunlight. The next one is a bit grainy–the sun was going down– but it makes Alcatraz Island look rather romantic…
Almost haunted looking…
It was emphasized during the tour that prisoners were psychologically tortured by the seeming nearness of San Francisco and freedom. Here’s the view those few escapees cherished while trying to swim the icy waters. (It is presumed no one ever survived.)
Last but not least, during the tour, we were invited to get into a cell, if desired. Being claustrophobic, I declined, but here’s Donna…
Behind bars at last!
Filed under: Travel Tagged: alcatraz, alcatraz island, california, nps, prison
September 30, 2012
San Francisco: Alcatraz Prison and National Park
A few more photos! Better quality today, since they were taken with my phone. (Click to enlarge.)
The cells in Alcatraz were designed for only one man. Given what can happen in prison (cough, author of Protection, cough) I thought that sounded like an extravagance, but according to the tour, inmates found the isolation demoralizing.
Alcatraz is surprisingly beautiful…
Wow. Look at the gorgeous detail from my already outdated Samsung Galaxy II. I really do need a new camera. Anyhoo, Alcatraz has a history beyond the famous prison. It started as a military fort, to help the U.S. maintain its then-fragile grip on the west coast. Years after the prison was shut down, the island was briefly claimed by Native American activists. You can read about both here.
The prison library…
More pictures tomorrow!
Filed under: Protection, Stephanie Abbott, Travel Tagged: alcatraz, alcatraz island, california, national parks, nps, prison, travel
September 29, 2012
California Redwoods
Not long ago, my better half and I visited San Francisco for the first time. I have some snapshots, and my original notion was to post a bunch of them here with factoids. Alas … looking over the pictures, I realize I am sorely in need of a camera upgrade! The few random snaps I took with my Samsung Galaxy II look so much better. Still, I’ll post a few for general flavor. (Click to enlarge.)
A comparatively young redwood. Many of the biggest, prehistoric companions of the dinosaurs, were cut down in the late 1800s and turned into shingles, etc.
I should add, before when we visited this forest, I was imagining wall-to-wall giants like the Ewok village in Return of the Jedi. Nope. That’s the coastal redwood park, which I hope to visit in the next year or so.
The path beside our dormitory-style cabin. The bunk beds reminded me of my book Protection. Fortunately, no one was shanked.
Donna, demonstrating just how big the gap in this redwood is. (She’s a little over 5 feet tall.) The tree was damaged by a forest fire, yet kept right on going.
More pics tomorrow!
Filed under: Photos, Stephanie Abbott, Travel Tagged: california, redwood forest, san francisco, travel
SOULLESS begins...
Author’s Note: The beginning of my next book, SOULLESS, has already been previewed here and there. It was supposed to be finished by now, but … well. Life got in the way. Now that I’m finally climbing back in the saddle, I think I’ll try something new: serialization. Nothing motivates me to write like leaving readers hanging, and this blog has a few followers, so with any luck, serializing the book will render me more productive.
Here's what's happening on mmromance, the blog devoted to the books I write as S.A. Reid...
September 28, 2012
Pride and Prejudice and Vampires Cover Reveal!!!
What do you think of my new cover? Pretty awesome, right? Poor Jane Austen is rolling over in her grave right now. Slow down, Jane!!! My latest parody will be arriving on your Kindles in October, but the early reviews are already pouring in. Here’s what readers are saying about Pride, Prejudice and Vampires!
From Jane Austen: This book motivated me to return from beyond the veil of mortality so that I might smack Pj Jones upside the head.
My friend and fellow Eclective member P.J. Jones will be publishing this soon. Isn't the cover amazing?
Pride, Prejudice and Vampires Cover Reveal!!!
What do you think of my new cover? Pretty awesome, right? Poor Jane Austen is rolling over in her grave right now. Slow down, Jane!!! My latest parody will be arriving on your Kindles in October, but the early reviews are already pouring in. Here’s what readers are saying about Pride, Prejudice and Vampires!
From Jane Austen: This book motivated me to return from beyond the veil of mortality so that I might smack Pj Jones upside the head.
My friend and fellow Eclective member P.J. Jones will be publishing this soon. Isn't the cover amazing?
Ed's Casual Friday 9/28/12 - Antiheroes
Today over on Ed’s Casual Friday, I offer some ruminations about Antiheroes, past and present. While getting in a reference to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, of course.
Filed under: Stephanie Abbott
I saw a little of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia the other day. (I watch much more TV when I'm sick.) It looked like fun. Bet I'll be watching again.
September 27, 2012
Some Fun Facts About Victorian England
Now that the Eclective’s Haunted Collection is finally available, I’m revisiting some blog posts from 2010. As Emma Jameson, my contribution to the anthology was a tale about a Victorian grave robber. If you’re not especially well-versed in that era (who is?) here are a few fun facts.
Pollution: Most homes burned coal in their fireplaces, not wood. And in the grander houses, virtually every room had a fireplace.
Here I am over at the Eclective, talking about Victorian England...
September 26, 2012
The Haunted Collection Has Arrived!!!
It’s HERE! Eight spooky stories by eight talented writers!
Click to purchase on Kindle.
Empty Vessel by M. Edward McNally: Captain Wil has command of his own ship, the respect of his crew, and his wife is expecting their first child. But at sea, the winds always become calm just before the storm breaks.
The Smell of Death by Tara West: Maggie’s unusual powers bring new threats to her already troubled childhood.
Check it out!!
September 3, 2012
Strip Away the Mystery!
Reblogged from Imaqulotta's Irreverent Book Blog:
When living an irreverent life, one must expect adventures. Not all of them will be as much fun or as PG-13 as a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. As a devotee of divine decadence, I have always believed that our regrets come from things we haven’t done as opposed to those we have. When I am an old lady, I’ve always intended to have no such regrets.
Stephanie Abbott's Blog
- Stephanie Abbott's profile
- 12 followers
