Jan Notzon's Blog, page 33
August 20, 2017
Busy
Haven't posted in a while; been busy writing and researching (and, ugh, marketing, but I'm learning a bit about how to use social media, bit by agonizing bit). The Id Paradox is now available on kindle and paperback will be soon.
Here's a tease:
After disastrous experiences in law and education, Jacob Kazmareck tries to disappear into a job picking melons on a farm in Texas.
An estranged friend tracks him down, however, with news that their bosom buddy is not dead but rotting in a Mexican prison. The stage is set for his rescue.
Jake, Connors McClain and Artie Cavazos’s friendship was forged during an almost fatal canoe trip in which only Artie’s genius for survival kept them alive. That brush with death unleashed a primitive beast in Jake that has never stopped plaguing him.
The rescue attempt is successful, but Artie’s experiences in captivity have effectively destroyed his spirit. Jake and Connors now reconciled, they enlist the help of psychiatrist Judith Neuwirth to try to piece together Artie’s shattered self.
In the process, Jake is again confronted with the beast in himself. Will he learn to accommodate it, or will it destroy him? Is it an essential part of us, or must it be fought to the death?
Here's a tease:
After disastrous experiences in law and education, Jacob Kazmareck tries to disappear into a job picking melons on a farm in Texas.
An estranged friend tracks him down, however, with news that their bosom buddy is not dead but rotting in a Mexican prison. The stage is set for his rescue.
Jake, Connors McClain and Artie Cavazos’s friendship was forged during an almost fatal canoe trip in which only Artie’s genius for survival kept them alive. That brush with death unleashed a primitive beast in Jake that has never stopped plaguing him.
The rescue attempt is successful, but Artie’s experiences in captivity have effectively destroyed his spirit. Jake and Connors now reconciled, they enlist the help of psychiatrist Judith Neuwirth to try to piece together Artie’s shattered self.
In the process, Jake is again confronted with the beast in himself. Will he learn to accommodate it, or will it destroy him? Is it an essential part of us, or must it be fought to the death?
July 9, 2017
Engineered Society
I just finished Jo Walton's "The Just City". For those of you versed in classical philosophy, I would love to hear your reactions to it.
I think Ms. Walton does a heroic job of making the issues involved in trying to "engineer" a society quite accessible to the average reader (that being myself).
My own particular bias is that such efforts always end in tyranny (e.g. The Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, Communist China, North Korea, Cuba and present day Venezuela, et. al.).
The author has inspired me to become more conversant with the subject (I've tried reading Aristotle (Nicomachaean Ethics) and Plato). Perhaps I will go back and give it some more effort. Thanks, Ms. Walton!
I think Ms. Walton does a heroic job of making the issues involved in trying to "engineer" a society quite accessible to the average reader (that being myself).
My own particular bias is that such efforts always end in tyranny (e.g. The Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, Communist China, North Korea, Cuba and present day Venezuela, et. al.).
The author has inspired me to become more conversant with the subject (I've tried reading Aristotle (Nicomachaean Ethics) and Plato). Perhaps I will go back and give it some more effort. Thanks, Ms. Walton!
May 17, 2017
Mahler Concert
I need to tell the world about the presentation of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony (#2) I went to Friday night. It was done by the Charlotte (NC) Symphony.
It's probably not a good thing for an author to admit, but I find it extremely difficult to find the words to express the magnificence of what I heard.
I've attended presentations of Mahler's 2nd on two previous occasions: once at Carnegie Hall (also an incredible experience) and once by the Symphony Orchestra in a smaller city in North Carolina.
I don't remember ever being so moved by a work of art. It is an incredibly complex piece of music, and from start to finish I was overwhelmed.
Finally I was truly motivated to give a standing ovation (generally, they come too cheaply nowadays).
The music has been running though my head without pause since then.
It's probably not a good thing for an author to admit, but I find it extremely difficult to find the words to express the magnificence of what I heard.
I've attended presentations of Mahler's 2nd on two previous occasions: once at Carnegie Hall (also an incredible experience) and once by the Symphony Orchestra in a smaller city in North Carolina.
I don't remember ever being so moved by a work of art. It is an incredibly complex piece of music, and from start to finish I was overwhelmed.
Finally I was truly motivated to give a standing ovation (generally, they come too cheaply nowadays).
The music has been running though my head without pause since then.
May 9, 2017
Profundity
I just finished reading "Signs Preceding The End of the World". The club on goodreads with whom I read it found great depth in it that I could not.
Perhaps it was beyond me. Then again, it's been my experience that anything cryptic or impressionist gives the reader free reign to read anything into it s/he has thought about h/herself.
Who knows?
Perhaps it was beyond me. Then again, it's been my experience that anything cryptic or impressionist gives the reader free reign to read anything into it s/he has thought about h/herself.
Who knows?
April 14, 2017
Solutions!
Oh, it's so much easier to just hire professionals to do the work! I just spoke to the people at Createspace and they appear to know what they're doing. I feel like a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders! (Sorry about the earlier rant).
Ahhhhh! Life is good again!
Ahhhhh! Life is good again!
Pulling My Hair Out
I must confess I am overwhelmed (again!) by the changing technology. There are so many ways to send a message to people and so many to check that I seem to miss too many!
My Epson printer was a disaster, so I bought a new Canon and could not get it to connect with my computer. Called the help line and found out half of my programs were inactive.
Now, $500.00 poorer, I'm supposedly protected for the next few years. (I wonder if I was sold a bill of goods.)
I've figured out what a PM is, but there seem to be so many different platforms to send them on, communication is often delayed or simply unrealized.
I've no idea what a "pinned post" is, or how it's different from a regular post.
Hence, I'm a bit wary of trying to use Amazon Createspace (I mean of my ability to understand what they actually will require me to do.
Sure would like to have some time to write amid all these new technology lessons.
My Epson printer was a disaster, so I bought a new Canon and could not get it to connect with my computer. Called the help line and found out half of my programs were inactive.
Now, $500.00 poorer, I'm supposedly protected for the next few years. (I wonder if I was sold a bill of goods.)
I've figured out what a PM is, but there seem to be so many different platforms to send them on, communication is often delayed or simply unrealized.
I've no idea what a "pinned post" is, or how it's different from a regular post.
Hence, I'm a bit wary of trying to use Amazon Createspace (I mean of my ability to understand what they actually will require me to do.
Sure would like to have some time to write amid all these new technology lessons.
April 10, 2017
Title
I'm finishing up my third novel and the most appropriate title "Monsters From The Id" is already taken.
I would appreciate some feedback on which of the following alternatives people would respond to most favorably. That is, which would provoke your interest the most. I realize it would depend on the cover and synopsis, etc. but I would really appreciate some feedback on the following possibilities:
"The Beast Within Us"
"The Indispensable Beast"
"The Monster at the Doorstep"
"The Beast Paradox"
"The Indispensable Caliban"
Reactions?
I would appreciate some feedback on which of the following alternatives people would respond to most favorably. That is, which would provoke your interest the most. I realize it would depend on the cover and synopsis, etc. but I would really appreciate some feedback on the following possibilities:
"The Beast Within Us"
"The Indispensable Beast"
"The Monster at the Doorstep"
"The Beast Paradox"
"The Indispensable Caliban"
Reactions?
March 27, 2017
The Spice of Life
I'm now closing in on the completion of my 3rd novel.
As in the past, it is straight literary fiction. Of all the friends I have on goodreads and The Indie Writer's Cooperative, I'm surprised to find that I'm rather alone in that.
I find writers of science fiction, paranormal, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, were-wolfs and vampires, noir, poetry... But I haven't as yet come across a writer of pure fiction.
Am I alone in the universe? If so, that's fine; I think we all write what we enjoy, and I've read some wonderful stories from my companion authors.
And that's a wonderful thing. If everyone wrote the same type of story, or if everyone liked to read the same kind of story, it would be a very boring world.
As in the past, it is straight literary fiction. Of all the friends I have on goodreads and The Indie Writer's Cooperative, I'm surprised to find that I'm rather alone in that.
I find writers of science fiction, paranormal, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, were-wolfs and vampires, noir, poetry... But I haven't as yet come across a writer of pure fiction.
Am I alone in the universe? If so, that's fine; I think we all write what we enjoy, and I've read some wonderful stories from my companion authors.
And that's a wonderful thing. If everyone wrote the same type of story, or if everyone liked to read the same kind of story, it would be a very boring world.
March 23, 2017
Perspective
After having read David Horowitz's "The Black Book of the American Left", and gotten his take on The Black Panthers, I decided to read Elaine Brown's "A Taste of Power."
She was a founding member and for a while General Secretary of the Party. Unsurprisingly, she gives a very different view: pursued and assassinated by the FBI and various police forces, working for the good of the "oppressed", (and there is no doubt that there was, and probably still is, a great deal of oppression).
Notwithstanding that, there are many events she recounts that tend to confirm Mr. Horowitz's account. For instance, she describes discipline in the Party being meted out with beatings, and even with bullwhips (the iconic implement of slavery).
She also recounts being beaten for 3 hours by a member in a jealous rage, struck by founder Huey Newton for saying "thank you."
She also gives the usual apologia that many fascist organizations give for their fascism: they had to "sacrifice" individual rights for the common good. (Essentially the same as Lenin's, "The end justifies the means.")
Given those examples, it is a short hop to the murders that Mr. Horowitz pretty plainly accuses them of.
It strikes me that the title "A Taste of Power" is rather telling. It seems fairly clear that that was the real motivation behind the movement.
She was a founding member and for a while General Secretary of the Party. Unsurprisingly, she gives a very different view: pursued and assassinated by the FBI and various police forces, working for the good of the "oppressed", (and there is no doubt that there was, and probably still is, a great deal of oppression).
Notwithstanding that, there are many events she recounts that tend to confirm Mr. Horowitz's account. For instance, she describes discipline in the Party being meted out with beatings, and even with bullwhips (the iconic implement of slavery).
She also recounts being beaten for 3 hours by a member in a jealous rage, struck by founder Huey Newton for saying "thank you."
She also gives the usual apologia that many fascist organizations give for their fascism: they had to "sacrifice" individual rights for the common good. (Essentially the same as Lenin's, "The end justifies the means.")
Given those examples, it is a short hop to the murders that Mr. Horowitz pretty plainly accuses them of.
It strikes me that the title "A Taste of Power" is rather telling. It seems fairly clear that that was the real motivation behind the movement.
March 15, 2017
Brain Explosions
I am now reading Brian Clegg's "Before The Big Bang".
It begins as a history of theories of the origin of the universe and then moves on to new theories of a multiverse, with many alternatives. These include giant membranes that leak gravity causing them to attract and eventually crash into each other and so spawning a new universe; one composed of tiny one-dimensional strings whose vibrations in 10 different dimensions create all that exists (So, where did the strings come from? Did they always exist?); then there's M theory which adds the dimension of time (if I understand it correctly); probability theory creating one of many universes that happens to be conducive to life (as we know it), i.e. a "Goldilocks" universe (just right). a Quantum Gravity Loop (don't ask!)
The thing that makes my head explode is to imagine people actually translating these theories into mathematical calculations (or, in the case of String Theory, creating a theory from the mathematics).
Clegg is kind enough to eliminate the physics/math calculations and formulas, and even then, it causes me brain fatigue. I can't imagine how there are people who are actually conversant in these areas! (and whose brains remain whole).
It begins as a history of theories of the origin of the universe and then moves on to new theories of a multiverse, with many alternatives. These include giant membranes that leak gravity causing them to attract and eventually crash into each other and so spawning a new universe; one composed of tiny one-dimensional strings whose vibrations in 10 different dimensions create all that exists (So, where did the strings come from? Did they always exist?); then there's M theory which adds the dimension of time (if I understand it correctly); probability theory creating one of many universes that happens to be conducive to life (as we know it), i.e. a "Goldilocks" universe (just right). a Quantum Gravity Loop (don't ask!)
The thing that makes my head explode is to imagine people actually translating these theories into mathematical calculations (or, in the case of String Theory, creating a theory from the mathematics).
Clegg is kind enough to eliminate the physics/math calculations and formulas, and even then, it causes me brain fatigue. I can't imagine how there are people who are actually conversant in these areas! (and whose brains remain whole).
