F. Scott Andison's Blog, page 6

Complain, complain, complain...

I try not to do it, I really do, but today I feel like complaining about the lonely and mostly ignored existence of an aspiring author. I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm really not, as I realize it was my own selfish choice to follow my dream - but this morning I just want to grouse. The fact that nobody will read this - or almost nobody anyway - helps tons as to be perfectly honest I hate whiners. That said, here goes...
When I walked away from great job, sold my house and moved onto a float home to pursue my passion for writing, I didn't expect miracles, I knew it would be a tough slog, but I truly believed if I worked hard I'd find some success in five or six years. At the time, I didn't even know if I could actually write a novel, but after a year, one emerged! Eight years on, six more books have appeared from the tips of my fingers like magic!
I love writing. I dislike editing. I hate promoting.
'Goodreads' giveaway program seemed ideal. I'd paid for reviews in the past but it was pricey and a bit lame as far as I was concerned. Surely, though, if I sent out a number of books through Goodreads I would get some feedback/reviews/ratings that would be helpful (assuming they were positive!).
I sent out 36 books - 12 each for the first three books in my Urizen series. The last of my contests closed in early May. I wasn't expecting everybody who won a book to provide a review. At the optimistic end of the scale, I was hoping half the winners would write something. That would make 18 reviews. Thinking pessimistically, I expected a quarter would take the time to comment but that would still leave me with 9 reviews which, while disappointing, would still be helpful.
To date, June 15, 2016, I have received one terse review. Thank goodness it was positive!
2.8% - just over one tenth of my worse case estimate - that's my 'success' rate so far. Winners, I hope you read my books. I hope you like them, but even if you don't it would be nice to hear about it.
That's it, complaining done. Strangely, I feel better. I feel so good I think I'll go do some editing...

Enough guilt - more action

Most of us feel guilty, particularly those of us in the West, because of what we've done as humans to wreck the environment. There is no doubt human beings change the environment around them more than the environment changes them. It is the hallmark, I believe, of our species. That we choose to affect it in a negative way - and now on a global scale - is astonishing, particularly considering how few it actually benefits.
In what we euphemistically label, the 'Third World', at least half the world's population (some 3 to 4 billion people) lack adequate food and water. In the 'First World' cancer, heart disease and mental illness rates are soaring.
The Panama Papers pulled back the covers just a tiny bit to expose a corrupt and illegal rule of the rich who sit atop a rotten system we still call Capitalism. While we all participate to some extent or another in keeping the machine running, I think we must realize we are destroying what is ours for no reason other than to make the super rich richer, concentrating wealth to the point where they will 'own' virtually everything.
The world belongs to everybody. Destroying it for the benefit of a few individuals is insanity. With the knowledge humans have collectively acquired surely we can take care of everyone's basic needs. We owe it to our children, our children's children and ourselves to see this truth - and then do something about it - beyond feeling guilty.

The Speech I'd Like to Hear

You know the speech you often hear when a person stands up to accept an award and tells the audience, while staring adoringly at whatever trophy they're clutching, that they're living proof that you should never give up on your dreams? They usually go on about if you dream big enough and work hard enough (like them of course) that anything is possible. Great message!

Well, I'm kind of sick of it for a couple of reasons.

First, because it perpetuates our cultures imperative that demands everyone strive to be the winner (and, of course, concomitantly famous and rich).

Second, because the message comes from someone who has just won (and is usually famous and rich).

The speech I want to hear would convey the exact same message but come from the lips of somebody who hasn't 'made it' or won anything. I want them, an unsuccessful one who has tried for years, to tell me to keep working and not give up on my dreams. The older they were and the longer they'd worked at it, the better. I want them to tell me that all the self discipline and creative energy they used to bring their works to life was reward enough, in and of itself.

Because let's face it. We're not all going to 'make it' no matter how hard we try or how much we dream, no matter how many times the winners say it.

I want to hear it from a loser. It would mean a lot more.

The Urizen Series

I didn't start writing the series because I was anti-Christian, anti-American or anti-big business/government. I wrote the series because I think voter and media manipulation in America is rampant and threatens the very core of the American dream.

America is supposed to stand up for individual rights and freedoms. It is a country where everyone is supposed to have a chance to reach his or her full potential. For years it has stood as a beacon to millions around the globe who are not free.

America was populated by millions of hard working immigrants who collectively created the most powerful and wealthy nation on earth.

But today, I believe a malaise hovers over America. A malaise that unless identified and dealt with, will lead America to war, fascism or worse.

The Urizen Series is my attempt to illustrate that malaise.

Techno Tyranny

Instead of writing something, I thought I'd share some verse I wrote. It's from a song I came up with at least twenty years ago. I think it applies to today's world more than ever (ask me about trying to renew my driver's licence)...


Techno Tyranny

I belong to you
You belong to me
Merging all together
In a Techno Tyranny

We're the new society, so glad to finally meet you
You've got a number not a name, unique ID - always true
Error in the database marked you as dead - we're sorry!
Deleted you a week ago, we guess you know the story
Not a thing that we can do
A real problem, it is true

Now you're not a person, you're a number nothing more
Now we're really finished, 'cause it's rotten to the core

Now we've really done it, its a thing that's good as done
Gripped in Techno Tyranny just isn't any fun

One and one is two
Two and two is three
Nothing can make sense at all
with Techno Tyranny

We're the new society, electrical solutions
Co-processor, fast I/O - electrical pollution
Silicon chip frequency, topic of conversation
Disney speak and MTV, sweeping 'cross every nation
Information overload, media and thought control

Now you're not a person, you're a number nothing more
Now we're really finished, 'cause it's rotten to the core

Now we've really done it, its a thing that's good as done
Gripped in Techno Tyranny just isn't any fun

Open up and see
The new reality
Merging all together
In a Techno Tyranny

We're the new society, technology in action
Remote control, go fast or slow - we're serving every faction
Information highway with an Internet connection
1000 TV channels using satellite reflection
All too much for me to bear
Cyber space is a cyber scare

Now you're not a person, you're a number nothing more
Now we're really finished, 'cause it's rotten to the core

Now we've really done it, its a thing that's good as done
Gripped in Techno Tyranny just isn't any
Can't be any
Won't be any
...fun

What? It's been how long!

How time flies! I was going to try and write something every day but it's been more than two weeks! I wonder to myself - was I really blank or did I have something to say? I know there were a couple of things - one being that there are too many damn cars - and another really great thought that I can't recall for the life of me. That one hurts. I actually remember thinking that the way I phrased the words in my head was perfect - even compelling - but now sadly it is lost in the ether. It's okay. It taught me that I really do have to get things down before they fade away. I hope it comes back soon - I'm lucky because thoughts usually do because my brain works like that. Right now I have three novels in my head that keep poking out here and there. That's why I like it when I finish a book, because I don't have to worry about forgetting scenes/dialogue I want to include anymore. Anyway, enough ramblings for today. Maybe tomorrow??? Ha Ha!

Enjoy spring blooms

This year where I live is awash in flowers, blossoms and blooms. The camellias are the finest I've ever seen them, as are the magnolias of all varieties. A hillside park nearby is carpeted with thousands of bright yellow daffodils. I ride my bike to see them. Often I find an bald eagle perched on atop the totem pole at the bottom of the hill. I ride down favorite streets, over-arched with bright-pink cherry blossoms. Wonderful! Automatic! Natural!
Enjoy it if you possibly can...

Pulling Together

In the midst of a terrific storm with pelting rain and tearing winds it happened as suddenly as the crisis broke out - our little marina community came together to save a neighbors float home. Nobody said anything but got to work holding and setting lines. Trying to talk would have been useless anyway because of the deafening sound of an unfurled sail being torn to shreds. First it was one who raised the alarm, then two and three and then many more. All doing what they could. All working hard to help a neighbor and keep the home from getting away and crushing everything in its path. When the job was done, nobody said anything but we all felt good. Pulling together we had saved the day. Pulling together, helping each other out, it's when humans shine and anything becomes possible.

Are all champions cheaters?

I've had few heroes in my life but one of them was Lance Armstrong. I traveled to Paris to watch him win twice in Paris - totally caught up with the story of a cancer survivor beating all odds to become one of the greatest champions the Tour de France ever knew. And then the revelations. He was doing it. Everyone was doing it. Lance turned out to be a cheat, a liar and a bully.

Now here is Maria Sharapova admits to using a drug for the past ten years that is now known to be performance enhancing. Ten years! I've never been a big fan of hers but I had respect for her competitive spirit and her obvious ability. Would she have been so successful without the drug? How many people did she defeat that might have beaten her if she wasn't cheating?

If all champions cheat - and you need to cheat to become one - what's that tell us? Doesn't it point out that we are too focused on winning and adoring the winners. People cheat because the rewards for winning are too great a motivator not to. Maybe if there wasn't such a huge payoff it would help them stay clean.

Nothing else seems to work.

Bicycle to freedom

Every time I get on my bike I go back to when I was five and I first felt the rush of speeding down the road on wheels. The perfect balance between effort and enjoyment it gives me a satisfaction that's hard to explain. It's freedom. It's fun. It's reliving the past. Just thought I'd share that feeling...