Elizabeth Guizzetti's Blog, page 21

Self-Discipline. Ok. What Now? Can We Buy Some on E-Bay?

Reblogged from Kristen Lamb's Blog:

Yesterday, we talked a bit about self-discipline. It's one of my favorite topics namely because it took me so long to get it figured out. Also, we live in a culture of quick-fixes and fad diets. We idolize the rare few who "rocket" to fame. In Robert Greene's FABULOUS book Mastery he even mentions how our society's almost developed a general disdain for plain and simple hard work.

Read more… 1,012 more words

This is a wonderful post about self discipline by Kristen Lamb. Check it out!

Other Systems: Virtual Book Tour Stop

I know there was some interest in this blog post about Writing Future Technologies so I just wanted to let you know that it got up today. (There was a bit of delay due to the tornados in Oklahoma.)

Here’s the link, I hope you like it!

http://www.rosebuz.com/?p=1375

Seattle! I am appearing at the Pacific Place Barnes&Noble June 8

Author Event!

This Saturday June 8th at 2 pm, I will be appearing at Pacific Place Barnes & Noble in Downtown Seattle to do a discussion and a signing for my science fiction novel, Other Systems!

I would love to discuss science fiction with you and have free bookmarks and buttons for everyone so stop on by!

Starting at 1 pm: The America Scores Bookfair

Also at 2 pm Author Maudy Fowler will also be in attendance to promote her new non-fiction book Angel Whispers

and a reading of Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy in the children’s section for the kids.

I hope to see you there!

Downtown Barnes & Noble

Pacific Place, 600 Pine St Suite 107, Seattle, WA 98101, 206-264-0156

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/4387306

Other Systems #2 has a title….

As many of you know, I’ve struggled with the title for Other Systems #2 for a long time. As it wasn’t really a sequel but a companion novel, I really shouldn’t even be referring to it as Other Systems #2.

This novel focuses on what happened to Earth after the Kiposi left the space elevators. It spans a decade as it follows Eleanor Kessler Rao as she runs away from a hastily arranged marriage and works her way across the world to be part of the building of an “utopian” colony on Luna.

I played with words that meant Other such as:

“Other Path” and  ”Divergent Paths” or “Divergent”

then I worked with the words that meant elevator such as

“Lift” “Reach”  or “Across the Reach”

There were plenty that had to do with “stars” or “moon”

“Stairway to the Stars” “Reach to the Stars”

“Lunar Modification” “Lights from Luna” or
“Will We See Lights from the Lunar City?” which is actually a question posed by Ellie in the novel.

I even considered words that meant utopia:

“The Outpost of Dreams” ”The Colony of Heaven” but none of them seemed to fit.  47 Titles in all. 

The other night, I was working on it again. I got somewhat frustrated so I read Dennis my list. And as I was reading the part that played with the words “Light” and “Dark”, Dennis had an inspiration. He came up with this title: The Light Side of the Moon

The colony is placed on the light side of the moon and I feel it works for the utopian dreams of the colonists as well. So I am going to stop calling it Other Systems #2 and begin to refer to it as

THE LIGHT SIDE OF THE MOON

48Fourteen is having a Memorial Day Sale and Giveaway!

48Fourteen is having a Memorial Day Sale and a giveaway on Facebook! All e-books including Other Systems is .99 cents on Amazon so if you were considering reading it now is the time!

http://www.amazon.com/Other-Systems-ebook/dp/B007QQDU94

 

If you want to participate in the giveaway, then check out: www.facebook.com/48fourteen

For the rules and image to share.

Three winners will receive some great 48Fourteen Swag:

1st place: 48fourteen coffee mug & free eBook of choice

2nd place: 48fourteen notebook & free eBook of choice

3rd place: 48fourteen pen & free eBook of choice

Good luck! Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend!

 

Character Dossier: Rockford Richards of Other Systems

© Kervie | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

This is the last dossier! Over the past few weeks, I posted my original character dossiers for each of the major characters  so if you want to see your favorite character’s dossier, Here  are the links: Abby,  Cole, Harden, Helen, Mark, Brian, Diane, Pat and Rockford! I admit there is no spoilers.

Okay, I also admit the only REAL part of the dossier is this and it was originally attached to Diane: Species and Physical Description: Rockford (Rocks) is a massive gray and white domestic house cat. Has cat closet with everything a cat desires. Though Diane is primary caregiver, he has seven humans to provide for his needs.

Because that is rather dull, lets see the rest of his life style from a slightly updated from a blog post about character creation last year.

Rockford’s lifestyle: The hoo-mans on the Revelation consider him Diane’s cat in the sense that Diane wanted a cat, purchased a kitten, now feeds, waters, cleans up his litter box.

However, Rockford considers The Revelation his domain and the crew his servants. Fear not, he is benevolent. He gives preference to the Hoo-man called Diane who feeds, waters, and cleans up after him. He also gives preference to any Young Hoo-mans as they tend to play with him. The young one called Abby especially likes to throw his fish and she talks to him when she is afraid. He doesn’t mind, he is a good listener.

During the “day”, he wanders around the living quarters of the Revelation and pushes his scent glands on whoever is not working. While he does consider Diane’s bed a favorite resting spot, he also has his own cat-sized billet (Hoo-mans foolishly refer to it as a closet) with his toys and a scratching/climbing area and his litter box where he can retire until his special skill set is needed.

Employment: (No, they do not have a rodent problem.)

First of all, he is an excellent judge of character.

Secondly, when hoo-mans are having a bad day and don’t want to deal with the hardship and the blackness of space, or just the annoyance of other hoo-man beings, Rockford is willing to cuddle while they watch vids. He also likes to play fetch with his stuffed fish and he likes to bat at pieces of fabric. He knows hoo-mans find it soothing when kitties purr.

Now you might not think purring is an important job, but then you have never dealt with the black emptiness of space or a contained environment where you are stuck with the same people day after day.

Sales Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Other-Systems-ebook/dp/B007QQDU94

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/other-systems-elizabeth-guizzetti/1104526463?ean=2940014188180&isbn=2940014188180&itm=1&usri=other+systems

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Other-Systems/book-lAMz6j8ucEKWQZGgUMpZeQ/page1.html?s=b-OqFgbxpk-4FTmjKzwYAw&r=5

Websites:

http://other-systems.com

Other Systems Virtual Book Tour!

Here is the first part of the schedule for the Other Systems Virtual Book Tour.  I hope you check out some of these great blogs.

http://caughtinasnyderwebb.blogspot.com/  PROMO STOP MAY 21st

http://candaceknoebel.wordpress.com/ INTERVIEW with Candace Knoebel MAY 24th

http://www.rosebuz.com/  GUEST POST: Writing about Technology in Science Fiction Novels  May 25th

http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/ INTERVIEW July 10th

http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/  REVIEW July 19th

 

 

PS Though not part of the official tour. YA Bookstop is having a monthlong Dystopian Novel Month so  http://yabookstop.wordpress.com/ GUEST POST: Creating and Researching Technologies in a Dystopian Setting  June 15th

 

 

Character Dossier: Patrick Mason of Other Systems

As you might have seen, I posted my original character dossiers for each of the major characters over the course of the last few weeks.  Here are the links to your favorite character’s dossier: Abby,  Cole, Harden, Helen, Mark, Brian, Diane, Pat and Rockford! Don’t worry there isn’t  spoilers.

Patrick “Pat” Mason

Physical Description:  Pat is a Homo Kiposi. Personal description: Athletic Build. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin.

Clothing: On ship: coveralls over a t-shirt, on leave: coveralls over a t-shirt. planet side: environmental suit

Character Description: He is ultimately a good man, but has trouble knowing where his loyalties should lie. 

Pat interned on the Revelation. Mark was 19, Pat was 18 when he came aboard.  Since Pat was Mark’s first real peer, they got into a lot of trouble together. Nothing serious, just teenaged stuff, but Harden wasn’t great at dealing with it. (Note: Harden and Helen will be strict with Abby over small infractions, because they don’t want a repeat of Mark/Pat. Abby doesn’t have a safety net.)

Education: Doctorate in Biology

Job: Biologist, Planetary Survey Team. Customs agent specializing in biological contraband (Customs is the only police Kipos has.)

Relationships: 

Parents: Not named, but he has some. They want him to have a child.

Siblings: none mentioned

Offspring: Megan

Romantic Relationships: Primarily Homosexual (though like most fleet brats he enjoyed bi-sexual experimentation in his late teens and 20′s.)

Had relationship with Mark during late teens, early 20′s.

Since fathers don’t always get to raise their children in the Fleet, he married Silva–an Earth woman in order to have Megan.

Hobbies: Plays Poker, likes fast hard music

Sales Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Other-Systems-ebook/dp/B007QQDU94

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/other-systems-elizabeth-guizzetti/1104526463?ean=2940014188180&isbn=2940014188180&itm=1&usri=other+systems

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Other-Systems/book-lAMz6j8ucEKWQZGgUMpZeQ/page1.html?s=b-OqFgbxpk-4FTmjKzwYAw&r=5

Websites:

http://other-systems.com

Character Dossier: Diane Richards of Other Systems

As I have said, I will be posting my original character dossiers for each of the major characters over the course of the next few weeks so if you want to see your favorite character’s dossier stay tuned.  Here is the order: Abby,  Cole, Harden, Helen, Mark, Brian, Diane, Pat and Rockford! I admit I am not putting up anything with spoilers.

Here we go for Diane Richards: Head Engineer on The Revelation.

© Pticca | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Diane is my favorite character. I have gotten a few comments thanking me for writing a strong, highly intelligent and at the same time sensual, I am proud to have written a character that so many women relate with or look up to.

Physical Description:  Tan skin with embedded microscales. Beautiful. Sensual. Wavy thick, dark brown hair, big hazel eyes.

Paternal and Maternal: Mixed European

Clothing: On ship: coveralls over a t-shirt, on leave: coveralls over a t-shirt. She wears scented lotions. Off ship: she dresses to the nines.

Character Description: Loving, kind. Social drinker, sometimes likes to have a beer when coming off duty, but never drinks to excess. She is extremely popular with men.

Important note: She doesn’t deal with people’s problems. When she and Harden were building the Revelation, she never tried to make Harden eat, shower, or anything else. She figures he is an adult and lives the life he wanted to live, but he was extremely depressed.  She is Abby’s friend and though she keeps an eye on her and answers questions, she is more big sister than mother.

Education: Doctorate in Engineering

Job: Head Engineer of the Revelation. She also created the oxygen garden. Age when protagonist comes into her life: Early 30′s

Step 4: Relationships: Parents: unnamed

Siblings: unnamed, the Alekoses are her family now. Best Friends with Helen.

Offspring: Sterilized as an adult. Only one son who was sterilized and died of old age.

Romantic Relationships: Primarily Heterosexual, now that she is divorced, she enjoys shoreleave hookups with men.

Pets: Rockford

Sales Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Other-Systems-ebook/dp/B007QQDU94

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/other-systems-elizabeth-guizzetti/1104526463?ean=2940014188180&isbn=2940014188180&itm=1&usri=other+systems

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Other-Systems/book-lAMz6j8ucEKWQZGgUMpZeQ/page1.html?s=b-OqFgbxpk-4FTmjKzwYAw&r=5

Websites:

http://other-systems.com

Character Dossier: Brian Tolis from Other Systems!

Ok, we took a break from character dossiers while Other Systems release. Lets get back to them! As I have said, I will be posting my original character dossiers for each of the major characters over the course of the next few weeks so if you want to see your favorite character’s dossier stay tuned.  Here is the order: Abby,  Cole, Harden, Helen, Mark, Brian, Diane, Pat and Rockford! I admit I am not putting up anything with spoilers.

Here the character for Brian Tolis: Ships Mechanic of The Revelation.

Physical Description  He is a homo khlorosan which means he has tan skin with embedded microscales. His hair is dark brown and he has gold eyes. Tall, somewhat muscular.  Large calloused hands.

Paternal Ancestry (on Earth): Unknown, but most likely mixed European / Maternal: Mixed European

Clothing: On ship: coveralls over a t-shirt, on leave: coveralls over a t-shirt. Only times he dresses up is for off-ship dinners. Slacks, and a button down shirt and a jacket. He wears a bracelet that Helen gave him on their wedding.

Character Description: Easy going, slightly Introverted, but kind hearted.

(Most people who know him would be surprised to learn that he is shy.) He will do anything for Helen. In social situations, he leans on Helen or Diane unless talking mechanics/ships. Social drinker, sometimes likes to have a beer when coming off duty, but never drinks to excess.

Education: Doctorate in Engineering & Management

Job: Revelation’s mechanic. Age when protagonist comes into his life: Early 30′s

Virtues: Loyal, honest. Loves his crew/family.

Vices: none mentioned, but he can be a pushover, often over shadowed by others.

Step 4: Relationships: Parents: Raised by Mom, Andrea Tolis

Dad unmentioned

Siblings: Brother  Anders (originally +5 years) Brian has been overshadowed by Anders.

Nephew Luke (-15 years)

Offspring: Sterilized. He was sterilized when he joined the Alekos fleet the first time they landed in Kipos space.

Romantic Relationships: Primarily Heterosexual (though like most fleet brats he enjoyed bi-sexual experimentation in his late teens and 20′s.) He never knew real love until he met Helen. Then he never wanted to be without her. They married after six days.

Though she wasn’t crazy about the match, Andrea Tolis said, “Helen would be the type of woman who is good for him.” And she is.

 

Sales Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Other-Systems-ebook/dp/B007QQDU94

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/other-systems-elizabeth-guizzetti/1104526463?ean=2940014188180&isbn=2940014188180&itm=1&usri=other+systems

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Other-Systems/book-lAMz6j8ucEKWQZGgUMpZeQ/page1.html?s=b-OqFgbxpk-4FTmjKzwYAw&r=5

Websites:

http://other-systems.com