C.M. Simpson's Blog, page 198

New Cover for C.M. Simpson in October 2013

Here is the cover created this month:




















To Be Released: 23 November 2013

Books Read in October 2013

This month, took a science fiction twist and, with a couple of weeks of flu and back trouble keeping me in bed, quite a lot got read. Here are two of my favourite authors: Ann Aguirre and Mike Shepherd, whose work I have read, and will gladly read, more than once.

Blogs that made me stop in October 2013

Here are the blogs that made me stop and read all the way through to the end, this month (and in the last three days of September):

Artworkhttp://taziobettin.deviantart.com/art/Artwork-Pack-1-403141207?ga_submit_new=10%253A1380232822&ga_type=edit&ga_changes=1&ga_recent=1: Artwork by Tazio Bettin - go check it out
Storieshttp://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/25/flash-fiction-challenge-the-subgenre-smash-and-grab/: responses should lead to stories you can read
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/18/flash-fiction-challenge-random-song-title/: and this one
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/11/flash-fiction-challenge-horror-in-three-sentences/: this one, too.

For Writershttp://kriswrites.com/2013/09/25/the-business-rusch-addendums-rights-grabs-agents-yet-again/: More business sense from Kristine Kathryn Rusch
http://www.brokenfrontier.com/so-you-want-to-publish-a-graphic-novel/: Yes, I know it's about the comic market and the challenges of publishing there, but the principles are similar and the lesson is interesting. Read, understand, apply, diversify.
http://gretavanderrol.net/?p=3287: Greta Van Der Rol on writing what you know.
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/24/your-book-is-not-pepper-spray-that-you-must-fountain-into-my-eyes/: on how to play nice and not be a jerk of an author.
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/08/welcome-to-nanowrimo-prep-school-word-nerds/: for NaNoWriMo
http://kriswrites.com/2013/10/16/the-business-rusch-carrots-and-sticks/: for the indie, or ex-trad author not used to not having deadlines - awesome.
http://kriswrites.com/2013/10/09/the-business-rusch-standards/: as is this.
Gaming Newshttp://jpchapleau.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/big-legacies-news-coming.html: News on the Neo-Exodus front
http://lpjd.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/good-news-better-news-situation-for.html: More on Neo-Exodus
http://keith-baker.com/phoenix-nine-deaths/: about a new game project he is working on
For Fun http://kotaku.com/every-sci-fi-starship-ever-in-one-mindblowing-comparis-1391608737: starships on a comparison chart in one big fleet - awesome!
http://gizmodo.com/scientists-created-a-new-form-of-matter-and-its-like-a-1387420181/1391676580/@jesusdiaz: scientists work out something similar to lightsabers
Researchhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/steampunk/the-6-rules-of-steampunk-fashion-3n9d: Steampunk;
http://www.gdfalksen.com/post/20357409792/steampunk: more steampunk
http://io9.com/why-im-tired-of-seeing-nikola-tesla-in-science-fiction-1422935938: Tesla
http://io9.com/5127125/the-greatest-inventions-nikola-tesla-never-created: more Tesla
http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/making-nikola-tesla-a-saint-makes-us-all-dumber-1308034624: more on Tesla
Potential Story Fuel http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/09/zombie-apocalypse-drug-reaches-us-not-joke: on a nasty drug
http://io9.com/listen-to-what-our-ancestors-language-sounded-like-6-0-1403832049: a legend, a link to Archaeology, a book advertisement on humans surviving mass extinction, and an ancient-really ancient- language
http://archaeology.org/exclusives/articles/1302-proto-indo-european-schleichers-fable: more about the ancient language
http://archaeology.org/exclusives/articles/1302-proto-indo-european-schleichers-fable#art_page2: a fable in an ancient language.
http://news-hound.net/world-largest-tortoise-found-in-amazon-basin-800lb/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/24/offensive-words-_n_4144472.html: Word origins
Otherhttp://gretavanderrol.net/?p=3297: on life and loss and being thankful for what you have, and a farewell vale
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/23/constructing-my-parachute-on-the-way-down/: another writer becomes the sole wage earner in his house :-)
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/10/10/wuzza-wooza-brisbane-booza/: after visiting Australia
http://writeitforward.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/atlantis-the-bermuda-triangle-synthetic-battle-forms/: Bob Mayer

Australian Insects: Butterfly

Here is a visitor of the non-eight-legged variety. This little butterfly stayed just long enough for me to get a couple of shots. Enjoy :-)

The Reptiles' Blade Released Today

Due to a technical glitch The Reptiles' Blade has been RELASED EARLY!



The Reptiles’ Blade is a science fiction novella about a retired military member, a lizardine warrior-come-“diplomat” and some high-level negotiation that very nearly goes astray before it even gets started.

When Felicity Shannara Jones is ordered by her command to infiltrate a criminal organization using humanitarian aid as a front, she isn’t sure she’s the right girl for the job, but then she finds Mika, second planetary adviser to humanity’s current foe, and she knows things just got serious. When Mika escapes custody, things go from serious to dire in one jet-propelled moment and Felicity, with her history in the lizardine war, finds herself in the firing line once more.




The Reptiles’ Blade will be available from Smashwords, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Omnilit, DriveThruFiction and iTunes.

Progress Report: Week 4 October 2013

I’m still having trouble balancing coursework, classes and homework with my writing, but I’m enjoying the load— and I haven’t been sick, which is a nice change. I did much better this week than last week, so hopefully, I’ll get my head around how to manage the time factors shortly. In the meantime, this is what was achieved this week.
OverviewNew words produced: 1,062Old words revised: 0Works completed: 1Works revised: 0Covers created: 1 (3 variations, 5 sizes)Works published: 2 (1 to blog, 1 uploaded and/or scheduled for pre-order on 6 platforms)Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 1Extra Tasks
ShortStory99—The Possibility of Peace: started and completed at 1,062 words.
Publishing Tasks
Created 10 blog posts for this blog;Created 4 blog posts for the C.M. Simpson Publishing blog;Created the print-on-demand and ebook covers for C.M. Simpson’s The Reptiles’ Blade ;Edited formatted and uploaded for pre-order, ShortStory40—The Reptile’s Blade;
New ArrivalsThe following ideas arrived this week:
ShortStory99—The Possibility of Peace: about a rendezvous and what follows.

Terribleminds Flash Fiction Challenge: Sub-Genre Smash and Grab Response

The Possibility of Peace

The Wendig Terribleminds Challenge this week was to mix two randomly-rolled sub-genres into one tale of 1,000 words and submit it by November 1st, 2013. My two sub-genres were: Space Opera and Psychological Horror, so I went and visited the universe of one of my novels in progress. Not sure how I went, but here’s what came out.

The world burned, the dimension subject to an unholy conflagration that sent plant life into riot and forced its creatures to take on heat-resistant forms that glided slick and smooth through shadows, or skittered in blatant adoration of the sweltering conditions. I was glad I’d brought the ice, gladder that my suit was already compensating. This was not the ideal place for a rendezvous.Shadows floated at the corner of my eyes, mankind’s equivalent materialising from pathways leading into the clearing, their forms glistening as though slick with sweat. Perhaps, they were.“You had something to say.” It’s not much of a greeting, but as the sight of them turns my stomach and makes me want to freeze f***kers into oblivion, it’s the best I can do.“We would like peace.”Those words hit hard, a gut punch I didn’t see coming. My mind fills with images of the Eskerus massacre, the screams leaching through a rapidly closing inter-dimensional portal, blood-curdling terror pouring through pleas for mercy and requests for a swifter death. The speaker must sense my shock.“Emotions have fuelled our technology from the start. No one thought to look for a better way—”“And any who spoke against the practice became part of the fuel source,” another hastened to add.I looked around, feeling the heat even through the suit.“You never thought of going solar?”‘Solar’ the word ripples through them. They shiver like grass before a breeze, raising their heads to dart nervous glances skyward, checking the trees for predators.“Nor did we ever learn to split the atom,” the first adds. “Some of us want to try another way.”“But fear is easier and cheaper to harvest,” says the second.“They come,” warns a third.“’Solar’ is a word that draws attention,” the first explains. “You must go.”“We will contact you again,” he adds, when I hesitate.I hear a distant roar, one that whistles imitating a high wind. The portal wobbles behind me and I jump backwards, hoping I don’t miss, not daring to take the time to turn. I land on my ass as the door snaps shut. Hot air swirls briefly above me, a remnant from my visit. I haven’t lost sight of the door the whole time. I’m pretty sure nothing else got through.The air is powdered in gold, but sparkles as the computer takes care of the microscopic spies that followed me. I register the ice gun in my hands, note I’m holding my arms straight before me, supporting the weapon. The insides of my gloves are slick with sweat.Green light bathes me; the suit sparkles as more nanites explode. Decontamination in process. I force my arms to relax, try to loosen my grip on the ice-gun, can’t stop the shakes. Whoever they were, I don’t think I’ll be meeting them again. I saw the shadows snake out to grab them as the door shut, saw the way long streamers of grass wound around their legs, saw shadows dropping from the canopy above. How had I escaped?“Shannon!” The captain’s voice makes me jump.“Sir!”“What did they want?”“Peace.” It’s out before I can censor it.“You believe them?”“Think of the idealists in the oil wars,” I reply. “What’s not to believe?”“But you have your doubts.”“Only as to their chances of success.”A sigh comes over the intercom.“So, no peace.”“No, sir. Not unless we help. It won’t be a short process.”There’s a snort that could mean anything, then silence. The door signals I can leave, but the silence goes on too long. He should have been dismissing me, or telling me what he wanted done next.“Captain?”Silence.“Are we boosting?”More silence.God help us, if they’ve locked on. We’re not the only ones who can open portals. Transferring the ice pistol to my left hand, I slap the palm of my right flat against the deck. Nothing, where there should have been a subtle thrum. Too subtle to feel through the glove? Never before.Shit! Something got aboard.I dart through the door. No point looking before I leap. If they’re out there, they have me, anyway. I’ve run this scenario through my head every night for months—ever since Eskerus. I seal the door behind me, note the indicator beside it glows purple. Captain would not like this little trick, so I haven’t told him about it. The air ducts and life support to that space are sealed, too.Crew quarters next? Yeah… but I don’t want to; I dread what I’ll find. I push down the chunky lump rising from my gut and threatening to block my throat. I’m pretty sure it’s too late, but I need to live with myself. There’s probably space in my head for more bad memories; not much left for the fear I’ve left someone behind.Crew quarters. I swallow, wishing I’d thought to sign out a motion detector. Bit of an oversight—even for me. Nothing moves in the corridor. I glance at the ventilation duct, listen, hear nothing as I tell the door to open. The room beyond is empty. I think about stripping off the glove to the suit and seeing it that rumpled hollow in the sheets is still warm, think better of it. I seal the room behind me. Check the next. Empty. I seal it, too.The mess hall is next. Galley staff should be there. Chronometer is saying it’s almost lunch. I remember something about roast lamb, draw an air sample from outside and realise I haven’t cracked my helmet since returning. Something’s cooking, but it doesn’t smell like lamb.The lump is back in my throat, and I nearly lose it when I see what’s hanging out of the oven.That pretty much tells me all I need to know. I leave the galley and I don’t bother sealing it behind me.Life pods are next—if I can make them.

Adventure Edition: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found - Overview

You can find the introduction to the Babes in London adventure sequence HERE, the background to Act One HERE, the Overview for Act One HERE., Act One Scenes 1-2 HERE and Act One Scene 3 HERE.

Act Two Preparation and Scene 1 can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 2 can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 3A can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 3B can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 3C can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 3 Finalization can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 4A can be found HERE, Act Two Scene 4B can be found HERE, and Act Two Scene 4C can be found HERE.

To play or run this game you will need the following:

PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;

This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.

Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.

PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT  
      







Overview



Act Three sees the PCs following up on leads uncovered in Act Two. Their investigations of the fantasy picture found in Anika’s room lead them to artist David Markovin, who lives in North London. They arrive in time to notice lurking members of the cult of Set and to defend him from their attack. If they are successful in saving him, PCs find they have a new friend in the London art scene. Scene Two details what happens if the PCs approach or have links to LN7, and Scene Three covers similar events to do with the Gehenna Consortium. Agreeing to help either organization sees the PCs regarded as ‘friendlies’ by that organization (not necessarily to the exclusion of the other, if they’re not aware of the rival arrangement). Scene Four covers events that will occur if the PCs go to the London Library, an Egyptologist/Archaeologist, or the British Museum in their research. In all cases, the book they find (or are shown) depicting the token of Set triggers a protective summoning on the token and PCs are attacked. They must also protect the staff member who has found the book for them and is supervising its use. Protecting the staff member from the summoned creature, will result in PCs gaining an ally with a useful specialization in archaeology, Egyptology, history and/or myth. This Act ends in a flashback in which the PCs take part in the final battle against the mythic Setites. The fact that the PCs start this fight scene disguised as Servants of Set inside the temple proper might be drawn on later to provide them with clues on how to gain entry to the temple and safehouse later in the module.
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found - Preparation
 

Australian Spiders: Little Fat Spider in my Garden

Okay, so no properly scientific name this week, and I don't know what it's called. I took hundreds of shots of this poor little critter, who was sitting amidst a bunch of newish leaves on one of my least favourite bushes in the garden. The wind was blowing and I was using the sports setting on a zoom lens with manual focus. I think it was worth it to get to see this little gal up close:







 She was very, very cute and I haven't seen her since. Anyone know what she is?She looks like a little hopping spider of some kind.

Progress Report: Week 3 October 2013

So… not doing so well with the whole going back to work and attending class 3 nights/week and writing … thing. Obviously I need more practice. Let’s see what this week brings.OverviewNew words produced: 0Old words revised: 0Works completed: 0Works revised: 0Covers created: 0 (1-3 variations)Works published: 0 (2-3 release platforms)Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 0Progress:Nil