S.A. Check's Blog, page 14

Hanging with Raw Dog Screaming Press

     I attended the In Your Write Mind Writing Conference recently at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA and got to hang out with Jennifer Barnes and John Lawson from Raw Dog Screaming Press.  A nicer couple you'll never meet.  It was a great weekend and I enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones in the process.  The only down side was that John called me "shorty" the whole time.

The Most Interesting Writer In The World #16

He writes his own book forwards.

The Most Interesting Writer In The World #15

His dialogue gives advice on dialogue.

The Most Interesting Writer In The World #13

Even his snail mail is delivered instantly.

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday Snippet #2

          Hi, all!  This is my second snippet from the same series stemming from my novel  Welcome To GreenGrass.  Last week, I intro’d the main character, John Traveller, who was in the process of saving a newbie who had just been portalled into the strange new city of GreenGrass via a back alley.  In this week’s snippet, Traveller is giving Jerry, the man from the alley, an impromptu break down of the dynamics of his new home as he escorts him to the human quarter of the city.  Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!  This is a great site and I’m having as much fun reading all the other great snippets as I am submitting my own.  Be sure to check them all out.   
          “There’s a power struggle here between the enchanters and the technologists but Diandelia’s still the main man.  He’s an enchanter that’s said to have been here since the beginning but recently the technologists are making a power play to take control and they keep staking claim to more and more of what used to be run by the magic folk.  See, a lot of the people that wind up here from their home worlds come with some special abilities from whatever race they are, be it magic or some type of extra gift.  Humans, well, most see us as bottom rung because we don’t have anything special to contribute and we’re just taking up space.  Don’t step on the squid kids, Jerry.”  Traveller pointed in front of them.
          Jerry froze in mid step and peered down at four small amoebas slithering out from a shop door.  He cautiously stepped back as a high pitched wail emitted from inside the store.  A much larger squid wearing a red flower on its head stood at the counter and motioned a frantic tentacle toward her small ones, who obediently wriggled back inside, leaving a trail of yellow slime behind them.
          “Oh, I’m sorry… ma’am?” Jerry sheepishly waved an apology.
          Traveller shook his head and moved on. 

The Most Interesting Writer In The World #12

He refuses to call it third person because nothing about him isn't first.

The Most Interesting Writer In The World #11

His internet goes places yours doesn't.

SFFS SNIPPET #1 - 05/19/12

Thanks for allowing me to join in on the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday Snippets.  And thanks to the always influential Heidi Ruby Miller for turning me on to the site.  This snippet is from my manuscript Welcome to GreenGrass - set in a patchwork city of magic and technology that is home to a multitude of amazing creatures.  It’s also a place where racial tensions have pushed the population to the brink of civil war.  Feuding factions between the Technologists and Enchanters are destabilizing an already unbalanced civilization and a recent high profile murder threatens to bring down the mysterious dome that both protects and enslaves the city’s denizens.  The story centers on John Traveller, former terran police officer, who leads an unorthodox band of allies to include a pacifist demon, cast out demi-god, and telepathic female into the heart of the city to investigate the mysterious death.


          “Thunderin’ newbies.”  Traveller whispered as he racked a round into his shotgun.  The sound of the weapon chambering echoed down the alley as the figures below him froze in place.  Leveling his head into the weapon’s sights, Traveller spoke, “Load.  Stun.”
          A blast of energy exploded from the barrel, hurtling across the alley and hammering into Gatto’s chest.  The creature hissed as it tumbled away from its intended prey, dropping to the ground as swirls of red light danced across its chest.
          Finding cover behind a couple trash cans, Slythe peered into the corridor’s dark recesses.  Watching his partner writhe in pain, his eyes widened with realization.  “Aw no, not you.”
          Slythe sprinted in the direction opposite the blast.  Jumping over his fallen partner, he bounded over a fence at the alley's end, his lupine silhouette outlined by the twin red moons overhead.