Jim Vuksic's Blog, page 20
November 26, 2013
Excerpts from Chapter II of "Levels" - Next Level
A head suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and it seemed at first to be floating in thin air. (Page 30)
"What happened to all those people?"
The Revered One's answer was immediate, concise, and utterly terrifying: "Most of them died." (Page 40)
"I don't care what the Revered One says. I am slowly becoming a Changed One!" (Page 46)
Back in Main Level, replacement clothing and footwear had always appeared on our sleeping pallets as if by magic. (Page 49)
I was convinced that some terrible catastrophe must have struck while we were sleeping that had caused the Revered Ones to lose their sanity. (Page 54)
After one mini cycle, the aches and pains were barely noticeable. Our bodies were beginning to harden, and we no longer looked upon the various forms of exercise that we participated in as torture. (Page 56)
Throughout our entire lives, any environment to which we had been exposed had always been neat and orderly. That which we now gazed upon was totally alien and impossible to comprehend. (Page 58)
"Edward, you can talk, can't you?"
When Edward just nodded and smiled, Alfred continued the interrogation. (Page 67)
"What happened to all those people?"
The Revered One's answer was immediate, concise, and utterly terrifying: "Most of them died." (Page 40)
"I don't care what the Revered One says. I am slowly becoming a Changed One!" (Page 46)
Back in Main Level, replacement clothing and footwear had always appeared on our sleeping pallets as if by magic. (Page 49)
I was convinced that some terrible catastrophe must have struck while we were sleeping that had caused the Revered Ones to lose their sanity. (Page 54)
After one mini cycle, the aches and pains were barely noticeable. Our bodies were beginning to harden, and we no longer looked upon the various forms of exercise that we participated in as torture. (Page 56)
Throughout our entire lives, any environment to which we had been exposed had always been neat and orderly. That which we now gazed upon was totally alien and impossible to comprehend. (Page 58)
"Edward, you can talk, can't you?"
When Edward just nodded and smiled, Alfred continued the interrogation. (Page 67)
November 24, 2013
Author's Confession
I believe that it is impossible for an author to prevent his personal life experiences, prejudices, and beliefs from directly influencing his work. So I am going to share some of mine with you now.
Life Experiences:
- Studied at a Roman Catholic seminary for 4 years.
- A former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran.
- Member of a country/western band for 8 years (sang and played rhythm guitar & electric bass).
- Married for 35 years - 5 children - 4 grandchildren. Now a widower.
- Served in various management positions with a major food processing corporation for 33 years. Retired in 2001.
- Visited 43 states by car; only 7 more to go. Would probably be better to fly to Hawaii though.
- Oh yeah, almost forgot; I wrote a book.
Prejudices:
- Don't like war, hypocrisy, those who cheat on their significant other, large crowds, loud bars, snakes, spiders, bullies, undisciplined children & adults, those who make excuses instead of providing reasons, and those who base their beliefs on emotion rather than logic.
Beliefs:
- Luck has nothing to do with success.
- Never make a promise you do not intend to keep.
- Wanting something to be the truth does not make it true and believing something to be reality does not make it real.
- Every religion believes that it knows for sure, through prayer and divine revelation, that all the other religions got it wrong.
- One should learn to accept and live in the world that exists instead of wasting precious time and resources seeking a non-existent alternative.
- Heterosexuality and homosexuality are not choices or perversions. We are what we are and should be accepted for who we are.
- A quote from the late humorist, Will Rogers: "It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so."
- A quote from Stephen Spielberg: "The past may dictate who we are, but we get to determine what we become."
Life Experiences:
- Studied at a Roman Catholic seminary for 4 years.
- A former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran.
- Member of a country/western band for 8 years (sang and played rhythm guitar & electric bass).
- Married for 35 years - 5 children - 4 grandchildren. Now a widower.
- Served in various management positions with a major food processing corporation for 33 years. Retired in 2001.
- Visited 43 states by car; only 7 more to go. Would probably be better to fly to Hawaii though.
- Oh yeah, almost forgot; I wrote a book.
Prejudices:
- Don't like war, hypocrisy, those who cheat on their significant other, large crowds, loud bars, snakes, spiders, bullies, undisciplined children & adults, those who make excuses instead of providing reasons, and those who base their beliefs on emotion rather than logic.
Beliefs:
- Luck has nothing to do with success.
- Never make a promise you do not intend to keep.
- Wanting something to be the truth does not make it true and believing something to be reality does not make it real.
- Every religion believes that it knows for sure, through prayer and divine revelation, that all the other religions got it wrong.
- One should learn to accept and live in the world that exists instead of wasting precious time and resources seeking a non-existent alternative.
- Heterosexuality and homosexuality are not choices or perversions. We are what we are and should be accepted for who we are.
- A quote from the late humorist, Will Rogers: "It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so."
- A quote from Stephen Spielberg: "The past may dictate who we are, but we get to determine what we become."
November 23, 2013
Listen to "Levels"
"Levels" is also available in audio book format. (Narrated by Stephen Rozzell)*
Audible.com (Download)
AudioBookStore.com (Compact Disc or Download)
Tate Publishing (Compact Disc or Download)
Free audio download with purchase of the paperback format - See last page of book for details.
*Abridged (8 hours listening time.)
Audible.com (Download)
AudioBookStore.com (Compact Disc or Download)
Tate Publishing (Compact Disc or Download)
Free audio download with purchase of the paperback format - See last page of book for details.
*Abridged (8 hours listening time.)
Excerpts from Chapter I of "Levels" - Main Level
It was strictly forbidden to ever challenge or even ask a question regarding anything spoken by a Revered One. (Page 9)
The tales of the Ancient Time revealed that Main Level had once received its light from a single massive source and that the overhead had once been blue in color. (Page 11)
"I wonder what happens after cycle eleven. Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen someone who has advanced beyond cycle eleven?" (Page 17)
Three of the Revered Ones were dressed in the traditional brown, hooded robes. However, the one who now stepped forward wore a robe that was as white as the overhead during awake-time. (Page 21)
We did not know where anything came from, how it was made, or how it found its way to Main Level. It never occurred to anyone to ask. (Page 23)
We were unable to travel long in any one direction before the column would encounter one of the countless barriers that form the diverse and complex geography of Main Level. (Page 23)
No one moved. Each appeared to be waiting for someone else to take the first step into Next Level. (Page 28)
The tales of the Ancient Time revealed that Main Level had once received its light from a single massive source and that the overhead had once been blue in color. (Page 11)
"I wonder what happens after cycle eleven. Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen someone who has advanced beyond cycle eleven?" (Page 17)
Three of the Revered Ones were dressed in the traditional brown, hooded robes. However, the one who now stepped forward wore a robe that was as white as the overhead during awake-time. (Page 21)
We did not know where anything came from, how it was made, or how it found its way to Main Level. It never occurred to anyone to ask. (Page 23)
We were unable to travel long in any one direction before the column would encounter one of the countless barriers that form the diverse and complex geography of Main Level. (Page 23)
No one moved. Each appeared to be waiting for someone else to take the first step into Next Level. (Page 28)
November 22, 2013
Readers' Reaction/Opinion of "Levels"
What follows is a brief overview of some of the opinions and comments that readers have submitted utilizing the communication page of my website.
- A few were shocked and dismayed when they discovered the true nature of the world of "Levels" and the organization that controls it.
- Others, after reading only a few chapters, recognized the subtle clues and hints sprinkled throughout the story and were able to deduce the reason why every aspect of the inhabitants' lives and their travels within each level had to be closely monitored, rigidly controlled, and restricted.
- Some were disappointed that there was not more action, bloody encounters, or magic.
In my reponse, I explained that, during the process of creating the world of "Levels", I established and was determined to adhere to strict rules of conduct and rigid physical parameters. Though often tempted and frustrated, I refused to ever allow myself the author's privilege of occasionally ignoring or bending a self-imposed rule in order to generate excitement, simplify the protrayal of complex plots, or to enhance character development. I preferred to keep it real from beginning to end.
- One reader informed me that, if my intent was to create a perfect world, then I had failed miserably.
It was never my intent to create a perfect world. I just wanted to establish an environment that would encourage the inhabitants and provide them with opportunities to constantly strive for perfection.
- Some readers found the subject matter to be commendable or even inspirational and felt that the world of "Levels" was a utopia, the kind of world they would love to be a part of someday. Others found the very same subject matter to be disturbing or even blasphemous and stated that such a world must never be permitted to exist.
Whatever their opinion, every reader was encouraged to think, and that is always a good thing. I hope every reader will leave my imaginary world of the future determined to help make our real world a better place - a world in which being differnt is ok and what one thinks of oneself is the only opinion that really matters.
- A few were shocked and dismayed when they discovered the true nature of the world of "Levels" and the organization that controls it.
- Others, after reading only a few chapters, recognized the subtle clues and hints sprinkled throughout the story and were able to deduce the reason why every aspect of the inhabitants' lives and their travels within each level had to be closely monitored, rigidly controlled, and restricted.
- Some were disappointed that there was not more action, bloody encounters, or magic.
In my reponse, I explained that, during the process of creating the world of "Levels", I established and was determined to adhere to strict rules of conduct and rigid physical parameters. Though often tempted and frustrated, I refused to ever allow myself the author's privilege of occasionally ignoring or bending a self-imposed rule in order to generate excitement, simplify the protrayal of complex plots, or to enhance character development. I preferred to keep it real from beginning to end.
- One reader informed me that, if my intent was to create a perfect world, then I had failed miserably.
It was never my intent to create a perfect world. I just wanted to establish an environment that would encourage the inhabitants and provide them with opportunities to constantly strive for perfection.
- Some readers found the subject matter to be commendable or even inspirational and felt that the world of "Levels" was a utopia, the kind of world they would love to be a part of someday. Others found the very same subject matter to be disturbing or even blasphemous and stated that such a world must never be permitted to exist.
Whatever their opinion, every reader was encouraged to think, and that is always a good thing. I hope every reader will leave my imaginary world of the future determined to help make our real world a better place - a world in which being differnt is ok and what one thinks of oneself is the only opinion that really matters.
November 21, 2013
The Inhabitants of the World of "Levels" or Hey! Nobody's Perfect
No character in my novel, "Levels", is a hero, genius, or martyr. They are just ordinary men and women who occasionally must face extraordinary challenges.
I believe that the reader will be able to personally identify with the emotional struggles and social interactions experienced by the characters throughout the story, but may be shocked and even alienated by some of them.
For instance:
- No one knows where their food, clothing, and housing come from; yet most are quite content to just accept things as they are and to question nothing.
- Males are not even aware that such a thing as a female exists until they are introduced to them for the very first time for the sole purpose of procreation.
- The main reason that vanity does not exist is because no one has ever seen, nor will they ever see, thier own face.
- No one knows who their mother or father is and no one seems to care.
- When someone dies, there is no elaborate ceremony or prolonged period of mourning. No one knows what becomes of the body and no one ever thinks to ask.
The inhabitants of the world of "Levels" bring the old adage, "What you don't know can't hurt you.", to a whole new level. (Pun intended.)
I believe that the reader will be able to personally identify with the emotional struggles and social interactions experienced by the characters throughout the story, but may be shocked and even alienated by some of them.
For instance:
- No one knows where their food, clothing, and housing come from; yet most are quite content to just accept things as they are and to question nothing.
- Males are not even aware that such a thing as a female exists until they are introduced to them for the very first time for the sole purpose of procreation.
- The main reason that vanity does not exist is because no one has ever seen, nor will they ever see, thier own face.
- No one knows who their mother or father is and no one seems to care.
- When someone dies, there is no elaborate ceremony or prolonged period of mourning. No one knows what becomes of the body and no one ever thinks to ask.
The inhabitants of the world of "Levels" bring the old adage, "What you don't know can't hurt you.", to a whole new level. (Pun intended.)
November 20, 2013
The World of "Levels"
"Levels" is a story about a unique social experiment that rises out of the ashes of a world that has nearly self-destructed due to numerous wars, environmental disasters, and social upheaval.
The reader joins the story approximately three centuries after this ambitious effort is initiated by a small group of dedicated men and women determined to eliminate all of the bad behavior, institutions, and philosophies that they believe contributed to the downfall of previous societies.
War, crime poverty, hunger, greed, vanity, prejudice,and inequality no longer exist. But these are not the only things that have been eliminated. The institution of marriage, the family unit, long-term intimate relationships, and religion have also disappeared.
From infancy, the inhabitants of the world of "Levels" are mentored and closely monitored by authority figures known as the Revered Ones.
Everyone, regardless of their position within the social structure, has access to the exact same quantity and quality of food, housing, clothing, education, and advancement opportunities.
Even though everyone is treated exactly the same, everybody is not the same. Diversity is not merely tolerated; it is accepted as natural and beneficial to the society as a whole. Inhabitants are constantly reminded that being different does not automatically make a person good or bad, right or wrong - just different.
Social advancement cannot be achieved through wealth, influence peddling, physical attractiveness, or deceit. At each level, everyone is subjected to a series of orchestrated physical and mental challenges specifically designed to determine if and when the candidate has matured sufficiently to function effectively within and contribute positively to the next higher social level. Advancement is strictly voluntary and may be declined by the candidate at any time for any reason.
Each social level is a physical place that is accessed via machines called transporter units and only an elite few within the ranks of the Revered Ones know how to operate them.
The reader joins the story approximately three centuries after this ambitious effort is initiated by a small group of dedicated men and women determined to eliminate all of the bad behavior, institutions, and philosophies that they believe contributed to the downfall of previous societies.
War, crime poverty, hunger, greed, vanity, prejudice,and inequality no longer exist. But these are not the only things that have been eliminated. The institution of marriage, the family unit, long-term intimate relationships, and religion have also disappeared.
From infancy, the inhabitants of the world of "Levels" are mentored and closely monitored by authority figures known as the Revered Ones.
Everyone, regardless of their position within the social structure, has access to the exact same quantity and quality of food, housing, clothing, education, and advancement opportunities.
Even though everyone is treated exactly the same, everybody is not the same. Diversity is not merely tolerated; it is accepted as natural and beneficial to the society as a whole. Inhabitants are constantly reminded that being different does not automatically make a person good or bad, right or wrong - just different.
Social advancement cannot be achieved through wealth, influence peddling, physical attractiveness, or deceit. At each level, everyone is subjected to a series of orchestrated physical and mental challenges specifically designed to determine if and when the candidate has matured sufficiently to function effectively within and contribute positively to the next higher social level. Advancement is strictly voluntary and may be declined by the candidate at any time for any reason.
Each social level is a physical place that is accessed via machines called transporter units and only an elite few within the ranks of the Revered Ones know how to operate them.
November 18, 2013
How a personal challenge became a published novel or How "Levels" was born.
I initially decided to write a book just to see if I could and had no intention of seeking publication. I figured that it would be a constructive and interesting way to pass the time for three or four months.
The task proved far more complicated and time consuming than I had presumed.
I quickly learned that my first idea was seldom the best idea and that a few of my best ideas would come from others. It took me fourteen months to produce a completed, polished manuscript, a science fiction (post-apocalyptic) novel titled, "Levels".
I made a copy for each of my adult children. They read it and told me that it was pretty good. I'm their father; what else would they say? Two of my children pleaded with me for months to at least make an effort to have it published and succeeded in wearing me down. We made a deal. I would send query letters to five mainline publishers. If all five rejected my story idea, the matter would be dropped and never resurrected.
Within twenty-four hours after e-mailing the letters, I received polite rejection responses from three publishers. A few days later, the two remaining publishers requested a copy of my manuscript for evaluation. About six weeks after I sent them, I received a formal rejection notice from one of the publishers and was pretty sure I would soon receive another. The following day, I received a phone call from a gentleman representing Tate Publishing. He informed me that their acquisition team felt that my novel had commercial potential and Tate wished to offer me a contract.
I spent the next eleven months learning and participating in reformatting, copy editing, conceptual editing, layout, cover, spine, and back matter design, abridgment, printing, distribution, and marketing.
Throughout this exercise, my ego was severely tested as I began to realize that the completed, polished manuscript of which I had been so proud was neither complete nor polished.
By the time the process was finished, my original manuscript had been reduced from 126,000 words to 111,000 and I was required to create an abridgment of the print version of no more than 85,000 words so that the audio book would not exceed eight hours of listening time.
My book was officially released and made available nation-wide through eighteen commercial vendors on August 9, 2011 followed by the audio book on September 14. It is available in paperback, e-Book download (Kindle & Nook), audio book on compact disc, and audio book download - narrated by Stephen Rozzell.
And that is how I ended up being a published author.
The task proved far more complicated and time consuming than I had presumed.
I quickly learned that my first idea was seldom the best idea and that a few of my best ideas would come from others. It took me fourteen months to produce a completed, polished manuscript, a science fiction (post-apocalyptic) novel titled, "Levels".
I made a copy for each of my adult children. They read it and told me that it was pretty good. I'm their father; what else would they say? Two of my children pleaded with me for months to at least make an effort to have it published and succeeded in wearing me down. We made a deal. I would send query letters to five mainline publishers. If all five rejected my story idea, the matter would be dropped and never resurrected.
Within twenty-four hours after e-mailing the letters, I received polite rejection responses from three publishers. A few days later, the two remaining publishers requested a copy of my manuscript for evaluation. About six weeks after I sent them, I received a formal rejection notice from one of the publishers and was pretty sure I would soon receive another. The following day, I received a phone call from a gentleman representing Tate Publishing. He informed me that their acquisition team felt that my novel had commercial potential and Tate wished to offer me a contract.
I spent the next eleven months learning and participating in reformatting, copy editing, conceptual editing, layout, cover, spine, and back matter design, abridgment, printing, distribution, and marketing.
Throughout this exercise, my ego was severely tested as I began to realize that the completed, polished manuscript of which I had been so proud was neither complete nor polished.
By the time the process was finished, my original manuscript had been reduced from 126,000 words to 111,000 and I was required to create an abridgment of the print version of no more than 85,000 words so that the audio book would not exceed eight hours of listening time.
My book was officially released and made available nation-wide through eighteen commercial vendors on August 9, 2011 followed by the audio book on September 14. It is available in paperback, e-Book download (Kindle & Nook), audio book on compact disc, and audio book download - narrated by Stephen Rozzell.
And that is how I ended up being a published author.
