Hart Johnson's Blog, page 18
April 23, 2015
T is for Tiger Trouble
Talia took her twin toddlers and their toys to the terrace. The toddlers tossed their toys and Talia turned a top and tickled their toes. The toddlers tittered while titmice tweeted. Tonya, through a tapestry of a topiary, detected the twitching tail of a tiger.
“Talia! Tiger in the trees!”
Talia took Tommy and tossed him to Tonya, then tensed. The tiger turned to look.
Tonya took Tommy to his cot, then tempted the tiger from the tower and tossed a t-bone through a window to the tiger. The tiger trounced toward the t-bone and Talia took Tia inside.
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words.]
[The inspiration for this drabble was a dream I had that went almost exactly like this.]
T is ALSO for THURSDAY!!! And twentieth (T is the 20th letter)
But most importantly, T is for TART!!!
April 22, 2015
S is for Stealth
Cali-Stealth Mode
Sly Stanley selected a scent for sneaking into the sanitarium. Stella had been sequestered by sinister soldiers because her stealth suit was too sexy. Stella sold her suit to seven sick secretaries and they'd sneaked in for something for their serotonin. Security spotted Stella and six secretaries, sealing them in a cell, but the seventh, Susan, sent a signal. As Security Stooge Simon searched Stella, Susan sighted storage and stuck samples in her suitcase. Stanley sent in sleeping smoke and extracted Stella and her seven sisters. The serotonin assistance samples made the secretaries sunny and Stella smiled secretly at Stanley.
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words.]
April 21, 2015
R is for Raccoons
Roger the radical recognized reckless Raylene at the rally.
“Rick,” Roger pointed at Raylene. “Raylene must stay on our radar. She rode a Range Rover into a radio station in Richmond and read raunchy rhymes at a rally in Roanoke.”
“I heard she released raccoons in a Radio Shack in Raliegh.
Roger reevaluated Raylene. Raccoons in a Radio Shack was rather radical. It rocked. He realized Raylene was radiant. Roger roamed the room, recognizing a romantic reaction.
Raylene rounded on Roger, then rushed past, running to retro Roderick, a radiologist. Roderick released rabid rabbits, so Roger ran.
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words.]
For a bit of added humor... when the Rs
go amiss:
Welease Woger!
April 20, 2015
Q is for Questions (featuring Alex Cavanaugh)
Quentin questioned Quinn's queer query.
“'Querido Qualitrix, I am highly qualified for quality control. Quien quiere quedar pantalones?' Why?”
“It's Spanish. Question words are quintessential to qualifying me as bilingual.”
“Quell that thought. Question words are quaint, but they won't qualify you. You will be responding to querulous customers. Quien, que, donde, cuando and por que are quite insufficient.”
“That's why I used one in a sentence.”
“You asked who wants to wear pants?”
“And if they say they do, I know I don't want to work there.”
He had a point. “Quite.”
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words.]
[Q is a hard one]
And NOW what you've all been waiting for... for the release of Dragon of the Stars, I've asked Alex a couple QUESTIONS (and he knows full well not to wear pants around here) so without further ado... Welcome Alex and contrats on the release of your fourth book!
Q is for QUESTIONS: 5 Questions for Alex Cavanaugh
[No hand grenades were harmed in this post]
1) Tart: In the early chapters there is a mood or tension related to war that Aden “Couldn't recall an earlier time in history...” This quote interested me about the backstory you don't get to... Is this some future time? Surely they've seen other wars. Has history been manipulated or lost somehow? Is Aden just thinking of “happening in his time”? Or is this an alternative universe and thus truly a first?
Alex: All of the above! Just kidding. Made you think though, didn’t it?
There had been other wars, involving many of the races and the Hyrathians themselves. This was the first time all of the races had come against Aden’s people though.
2) Tart: Aden is very likeable, but I thought you did a brilliant job with an early conversation with a man named Shadney. (Aden) Pendar is thinking big picture, but Shadney brings it back down to PEOPLE and families losing loved ones and it strikes the reader that Aden had been thinking in a very detached way—he's given something of himself up to get where he is. Is this a character flaw you draw from other favorite stories or characters? Was the decision intentional and planned or revealed as part of the writing?
Alex: It was always planned as part of the character arc. Being a military brat, I’ve seen a lot men who were driven leaders and they do tend to detach a bit. They are more practical and logical and don’t think with emotions.
5. (three) Tart: Trying not to get spoilery, but Aden has a very thorough growth arc—he changes in a number of ways over the course of the story. Were any of those big surprises to you? Aden revealing them to you? Were any of them really hard to do to him, as his creator?
Alex: No big surprises, although more developed with Tamsin than originally planned. Crushing his chances wasn’t hard, as he needed a reality check. The one big thing (and you know which one big thing) was difficult, as it altered him forever. But I think it fit in the story and with the character. Hope so, because there’s no going back now!
Dragon of the Stars
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/Military
Print ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057
What Are the Kargrandes? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/
The ship of legends…
The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter. But when the Alliance declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray and told he won’t make captain. One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?
Purchase or Read: Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Chapters Amazon UK Goodreads
Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm.
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh
“'Querido Qualitrix, I am highly qualified for quality control. Quien quiere quedar pantalones?' Why?”
“It's Spanish. Question words are quintessential to qualifying me as bilingual.”
“Quell that thought. Question words are quaint, but they won't qualify you. You will be responding to querulous customers. Quien, que, donde, cuando and por que are quite insufficient.”
“That's why I used one in a sentence.”
“You asked who wants to wear pants?”
“And if they say they do, I know I don't want to work there.”
He had a point. “Quite.”
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words.]
[Q is a hard one]
And NOW what you've all been waiting for... for the release of Dragon of the Stars, I've asked Alex a couple QUESTIONS (and he knows full well not to wear pants around here) so without further ado... Welcome Alex and contrats on the release of your fourth book!
Q is for QUESTIONS: 5 Questions for Alex Cavanaugh
[No hand grenades were harmed in this post]
1) Tart: In the early chapters there is a mood or tension related to war that Aden “Couldn't recall an earlier time in history...” This quote interested me about the backstory you don't get to... Is this some future time? Surely they've seen other wars. Has history been manipulated or lost somehow? Is Aden just thinking of “happening in his time”? Or is this an alternative universe and thus truly a first?
Alex: All of the above! Just kidding. Made you think though, didn’t it?
There had been other wars, involving many of the races and the Hyrathians themselves. This was the first time all of the races had come against Aden’s people though.
2) Tart: Aden is very likeable, but I thought you did a brilliant job with an early conversation with a man named Shadney. (Aden) Pendar is thinking big picture, but Shadney brings it back down to PEOPLE and families losing loved ones and it strikes the reader that Aden had been thinking in a very detached way—he's given something of himself up to get where he is. Is this a character flaw you draw from other favorite stories or characters? Was the decision intentional and planned or revealed as part of the writing?
Alex: It was always planned as part of the character arc. Being a military brat, I’ve seen a lot men who were driven leaders and they do tend to detach a bit. They are more practical and logical and don’t think with emotions.
5. (three) Tart: Trying not to get spoilery, but Aden has a very thorough growth arc—he changes in a number of ways over the course of the story. Were any of those big surprises to you? Aden revealing them to you? Were any of them really hard to do to him, as his creator?
Alex: No big surprises, although more developed with Tamsin than originally planned. Crushing his chances wasn’t hard, as he needed a reality check. The one big thing (and you know which one big thing) was difficult, as it altered him forever. But I think it fit in the story and with the character. Hope so, because there’s no going back now!
Dragon of the Stars
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/Military
Print ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057
What Are the Kargrandes? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/
The ship of legends…
The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter. But when the Alliance declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray and told he won’t make captain. One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?
Purchase or Read: Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Chapters Amazon UK Goodreads
Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm.
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh
April 18, 2015
P is for Prat
Pious Peter paged Peggy with his printer problem. Peggy put paper in the printer. Penelope pointed out that Peter was pathetic. “Paper is a primary problem. Any plebe can put paper in a printer.” Practical Peggy paltry attention. A psychic reading was pending.
Priya the psychic took Peggy's palm. “Peter is a prat,” she said.
Peggy peered over a pince-nez, probing Priya.
“Peter is prone to posturing and pedantics.
“Pedantic prats are a pestilence. Putting power in their palms is a problem. But pathetic people are permitted a path to peace provided they put posturing aside.”
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words]
[behold pathetic people and stop posturing, though of course these people rarely know who they are, so never mind]
April 17, 2015
O is for Omen
Owen owed his overbite to his Oracle Grandmother, Ophelia. Dr. Orson, Owen's odd orthodontist, objected to the ordinary. Owen's opulent orthodontia were occupied with opals and obsidian. Olive observed Owen, obscure in his oblique oddness. He was original. He occupied her mind. She was obsessed and obliged to make an overture. He was oblivious, obtuse. So Olive offered him an objective observation. “Your originality is outstanding! Join me in an occasional offering at the ocean, won't you?” Owen ogled Olive. Olives ocular adornments were as outrageous as his orthodontics. There was a faint odor of oranges: a good omen.
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words]
April 16, 2015
N is for Negligee
Ninja source
Nimble Nate needed nearly nothing. He nibbled nectarines and narrated Norman's notes. In November Nate napped. At noon as Nate narrated Norman's notes he noticed “negligee”. Nellie's negligee. Nellie was new to Nantucket. And nice. But Nate knew naught about negligees. They were nearly nighties, but also nearly nothing. Nellie's neglige nagged at him. Now Nate needed to know. At night Nate drove Norbert, his new Nissan, to Nellie's. He knocked but nobody answered. Nervously he navigated near the window. Was Nellie in her nifty negligee? Or naked? He saw nothing then found himself neck-locked! Nellie was a Ninja!
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words]
[Alex is also a ninja--I will be asking him questions about his new book Monday because Q is for questions]
My favorite N-Thing--My daughter, who turns 20 this month
April 15, 2015
M is for Music
Mahogany mandoline
Mary's misanthropic mother wanted to make her major in marketing. “You will make more money managing men in marketing maneuvers than making music on your mahogany mandolin.”
Mary mourned. “But making music makes me merry.”
“Money can modify most anything. Make your money marketing merchandise.”
Mary was mad. Marketing merged monkey moves with manipulation and managing minions.
But then Mary met Mike. Mike was a magician, a man who made money mesmerizing the masses. Mike managed to make Mary's mother understand. Mary missed music.
Mary majored in music and married Mike and now makes music for millions.
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words]
April 14, 2015
L is for Lucius
Loony Leonard lured lemurs to his lanai with lemons, leeks and lollipops. The lemurs quickly learned their lesson and enlisted llamas as loud liaisons. The llamas lounged on Leonard's lawn, lisping limericks and laughing, while the lemurs limboed and lobbed lemmings at Leonard. Ladies laughed until Lucius took pity. Lucius loved luxurious lavendar lingerie. He lived for the lunar cycle and licked his lips to make them luscious. The lemurs leered suspiciously until Lucius displayed the lamé. Lemurs love line-dancing in lamé, even if they look ludicrous. Lucius invited all to perform live. The llamas leaped and lonely Leonard laughed.
And now, a llama limerick... because... L
There once was a llama from Guam
Who wanted to go to the prom
But his date did confess
He looked bad in his dress
So he settled for a big photobomb
April 13, 2015
K is for Knight
Kishu Kens like Kibble
Karl was a kind kite-maker from Kiev. Karina kept a kangaroo kennel and made kibble for kishu kens and kettle korn for kids. Kevin was a kinky kleptomaniac and kidnapped Karina. Karl kicked himself for not knowing Kevin's proclivities.
Kevin proclaimed, “I am king! Kiss me Karina!”
Karina kneed him in the knee but then he waved a knife and knotted a knapsack to her and knelt.
In came Karl with Karina's kangaroos! The kangaroo kicked Kevin and Karl knocked him from his knees. “Your knavery's kooky!” He knelt before Karina and un-knotted the knapsack.
“My knight!”
[A drabble is a story in exactly 100 words]
[This drabble was exactly 100 words the very first time I checked—that rarely happens]
