Daniel Sherrier's Blog, page 58

What’s your excuse?

I earned my black belt in Thai kickboxing last night.

I began my training in late 2008 without any fat, muscle, or awareness of my exercise-induced asthma.

My inability to breathe properly sort of snuck past me for more than a quarter-century. At first, I assumed I was in terrible shape, and that was likely part of the equation, but then my endurance became more erratic. Some days, I’d get through the class with energy to spare. Other days, especially really hot or cold days, I’d feel out of breath in five minutes.

I saw my doctor, and he told me I have asthma.

Several times while huffing and puffing, I wondered if I should give up the rigorous kickboxing and revert to lighter exercises, but I realized I hadn’t hit my limits quite yet. Sure, the asthma was holding me back, but so were junk food and my previous lack of exercise. I still had more progress to make, so I muddled through and learned the truth behind “no pain, no gain.”

I still get winded easily on some days, but I’ve learned my limits are much further out than I initially believed, and I’ve still got room to grow. Now, I’m in far better shape at 30 than I ever was at 20. I’m thankful that I stuck with it.

(Disclaimer: Every asthma case is different. Mine may be milder than others, and some asthmatics probably shouldn’t do anything this strenuous. In any case, never take medical advice from some guy with a B.A. in English.)

This all applies to the writing world as well. I reached my black belt one class at a time, or even one punch or kick at a time. How do you finish a book? Ultimately, one word at a time.

When you approach the blank page at the start of your first draft, it may feel daunting to think that you’re going to fill that thing up with 40,000 to 100,000 words.

It’s a lengthy process, and numerous excuses will pop up and suggest that you quit. “Do something more practical!” “These other authors are so brilliant. Why even bother?” “I’ve written myself into a corner. Oh well! What’s on TV?” “There’s a speck of dust on my desk. I better clean that.”

Keep at it. If it stops being fun, then take a break and recharge. But if you feel something is worth starting, it should be worth finishing. And just when you think you’ve finished, you’ll start seeing tons of room for improvement, so you keep going. And going. And going.

And there is no finish line, because once you write a book you’re satisfied with, you’ll write a better one. Then you’ll write an even better one. And then you’ll probably stumble and write a clunker, but the next will be your best yet, and you keep going.

Anyway, the world has always had a shortage of asthmatic martial artists. I’m happy to do my part to fill that void.

Promo: “When I Was a Lad and Later” by Raymond Scheicher

The following is contributed content from Raymond J. Scheicher, author of When I Was a Lad and Later, a non-fiction e-book. He’s running a promo through tomorrow in which he’s offering a related DVD. This is not an especially grammatical book, as you’ll see from the copy below, which I have not edited. However, the subject matter might interest some folks, so here it is…

SYNOPSIS

This book is an introduction of a family known by the name of D’Angri, fourth generation of Natale Spiridion Giorgio, miner, arriving to Australia in 1852 at Ballarat Victoria Australia.

Mr. Norman David with his late brother William Noel D’Angri had turning back the clock in their youth.

Systematically both were walking around Ballarat to remember how it was in their younger years.

Their memories are in their hearts forever. They do remember how they lost their uncle hero in WWI, when he departed and never returned to Ballarat.

Mr. Norm is still living in Ballarat, going strong along with his wife of over 50 years, Val D’Angri nee Lawn. Val is a very remarkable woman in Ballarat. Her great-grandmother was also involved in the sewing up of the Eureka in the flag in 1854, and for many years, Val was involved in restoring this flag for Ballarat museum to maintain the history of Ballarat.

Norm and Val are daily involved in participating and restoring historical photographs, documents etc. Val has obtained many awards of appreciations from different societies for her work as well as and including Norm.

I do admire them for their friendship and honesty for the last 12 years including helping me out with materials and permission to publish two books and this book that you have opportunity to read now is your opportunity to obtain knowledge of the D’Angri descendant of a man from Corfu – Greece – Ionian Islands.

The second book published later this year in which I tracked down Angri/Angli/ Dangri/Daneri/D’Angri from year 1700. I did come across a few mysteries about this family and the research is still in the open air.

Norm and William were trying to trace back their own ancestors since 1993, and Italian Historical Society in Melbourne wrote to them in a letter congratulating them that they are ‘Noble’.

Many historians that are mentioning D’Angri family have blotted wrong information, the dates and stories. My researches were located from direct and original documents from sources in Archives and Catholic registrars of birth, marriages and deaths of D’Angri ancestors.

Noble Norman David D’Angri is fourth generation of Natale Spiridion Giorgio D’Angri born in Naples and migrated to Corfu Greece under British protectorate. There is evidence that D’Angri is a noble name and connected to the Dorian family and Prince D’Angri.

Norman was born in Ballarat and is still residing at the same city today.

Natale arrived to Australia in 1852 during a gold rush, and not long after his arrival he struck gold with his group of Greek and Italians. His sister Elena D’Angri was also first Greek soprano opera singer and was appointed as Countess by Austrian Emperor. Natale returned back to Europe and after he got his fortune in Ballarat, he handed a large some of money to his sister Elena, to distribute it amongst his family but somehow she kept her money for herself.

Natale returned back to Ballarat a few years later and become a Golden Gardener at his own plant nursery.

‘This book ‘WHEN I WAS A LAD AND LATER’ is only the introduction of D’Angri name in Australia and a master book of this family is still under-research and will be published sometime this year.

Norman is living a simple life with his wife Valda and still residing in Ballarat. Valda is also part of Eureka History.

Norm and Val are involved in all aspects of Ballarat research and both well respected amongst community at Ballarat.

Book 1 is published with an ‘introduction’ and another four parts due to the space available with KDP. When you finish reading ‘introduction’ you can continue your readings of the other four parts.

Enjoy your reading.

 

Raymond’s Bio

It is now 51 years since I arrived in Australia what once was called a ‘New Land’ and where money grew on the trees. But on the other hand money was growing out of your hands and in simple words we were all baptised as ‘Wogs.’

But today after so many years being here I’ve my reservations as to why as a young man did I head to this part of the world?

For many years I worked all the dirty jobs that were paying for me and my parents. My father died 3 weeks after my arrival to Australia. At many stages I was working two shifts to earn double money pounds and shillings at that time.

While working I started to educate myself as a part time student in the evening, and my education was continued during all my jobs and even when I got married. I was hardly at home during those times.

My achievements with education had given me better jobs and promotions with good wages and a company car. I did manage to get many Diplomas and Certificate in many different fields.

My very last position I held was General Manager’ with a large fashion company, but due to high imports of goods to Australia from Asia many Fashion  and clothing manufacturing companies have closed down or moved overseas due to competition of wages scales.

In the year 1998 I returned back to studies and had firstly achieved a degree in ‘Doctorate of Philosophy in History Research’, soon after that I studied for a Diploma of Journalism. The next step was to study more of Journalism and I have been awarded with a ‘Higher Diploma in Journalism.’ I moved further on and had undertaken the Certificate in Professional writing – Genealogy & Historical writing. My very last schooling have been completed in 2008 in ‘90859 NSW – Certificate III in News Media.’ I believe that my total education is close to 40 years, and I’m proud to say that I have become an ‘Author-Journalist-Genealogist.’

All my life I wanted to be writer but my life wasn’t easy especially when you are married, studying and working to earn your bread and butter. Children of today should be happy that are living in ‘Era of High Technology and spoiled by their parents and the government in their country.  I had nothing like this when I was young… only strict discipline by my parents and today I’m grateful to them.

Certainly I’m married and also have two most beautiful and loved Granddaughters and I can see that both are following in my footsteps.

Writing History and researching will be in my veins until I’m off this planet. Apart from History writing I’m also a follower of Crimes in 23 countries, as at some stage I was (for few years) reporting crimes to an organization in North Carolina USA.

I’m registered and holder of:

‘International Press Card’ with International Federation of Journalists

‘Australian News Syndicate’

‘Media, Entertainment & Art Alliance’

At this time I’m still researching D’Angri family and two more books about this family will soon be published.

But my special book will be perhaps the last with title: ‘Desiree and Napoleon,’ and why Napoleon Bonaparte you will be perhaps wondering? He was my favourite in my History subject when I went to Primary School.

This is my basic Biography for all of you readers if you are willing to keep turning pages in my book; ‘WHEN I WAS A LAD AND LATER’ and viewing my DVD.

Raymond J SCHEICHER H/DipJ

Author – Journalist – Genealogist

2013 Australia

Where to find Raymond:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/raymondj.scheicher

Where to buy the book

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=When%20I%20was%20a%20Lad%20and%20Later

 Book promotion:

13-15 June: buy the Book and get a Free DVD

 My book is available on Kindle – Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=When%20I%20was%20a%20Lad%20and%20Later

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BHR2P0I

 

EXCERPTS:

“Naturally, I cannot remember much at all about my formative years, although there is some visual evidence around that indicates that I was an exceptionally gorgeous child with beautiful blue eyes and fair curly hair (Just like now, but for “fair read “grey”)

WW2 started to disrupt our family and we certainly expected this at any time

“I remember that on one occasion he asked the class if anyone had ambitions to be a draughtsman. Five or six of us put up our hands, and Banjo started up a little quiz, using drawing terms as questions. Eventually I won the quiz and as most likely to become a draughtsman, he asked me to “shut the classroom windows to keep the draught out”

Amena’s Imagination, #6

(To start at the beginning, please click here.)

I’ve thought of something less far-fetched than a world of talking letters warring with talking numbers. A planet of living time!

Stay with me on this. Each moment there ever was or ever will be is concentrated within a distinct, single being. Everything going on throughout the entire universe in that moment exists within that person—or plant or blob of energy or what have you.

Probably a blob of energy, and when you look in, you see that entire universal instant, and you’d get a killer of a headache.

There’d have to be a lot of time people—time blobs, whatever. They’d fill an entire interstellar empire.

Maybe all the planets on our list are populated by time blobs.

Maybe we’re all time people and don’t even realize it. Come to think of it, you couldn’t be a time person and be aware of it. Knowing absolutely everything going on everywhere—that’d drive you mad!

So maybe we are time people.

But that would be interesting, to be a time blob knowing absolutely everything in that moment. You could spend forever exploring a single moment throughout the universe.

The downside, however, would be not knowing what happened before or after. That’d take quite a bit out of context.

Time blobs wouldn’t be as smart as they might think they are, would they?

And what kind personality might a time blob even have? The sum of everything going on during its moment? What relationships would time blobs form with each other?

So many puns I can make. So many worlds to speculate about…

(To be continued next Thursday…)

Get to Know…Evelyn Knightley

We have a poet with us! Meet Evelyn Knightley, author of a poetry and short story anthology. She’s also the co-founder of NAUSICA, an online feminist magazine.

Tell us about your book.

“I Haven’t Lived At All” is a collection of poetry and short stories. Some of the content originates from my early teenage years whilst some was solely created for this; I think that assists the ‘theme’ of the book. For me, IHLAA was somewhat of a selfish project as the idea came to me when I felt like I was at a crossroads in life. I spent a lot of my time dwelling over the past, which is a never a good thing to do, and feeling resentful because I never thought I could achieve what I want to.

IHLAA is a reminder that life is a never-ending cycle, it’s about survival but there has to be enjoyment and challenges in there, too. It’s a reminder that although a lot of bad things can happen in a life, there’s always a tomorrow and you have the power to take control of your life and make things happen for yourself. It’s about getting rid of those expectations, accepting reality and making what you can of it; and learning to feel good about those choices.

Why did you want to write it?

It was for a few reasons, really. I was working on a story that I really enjoyed writing, and I could see myself doing something with it, but it was (and still is) a long way from finished. The idea of a collection of work for a first book is perhaps a bit odd, but the idea is that readers may like one thing and dislike another, but hopefully there’s a little bit of something for everyone. It takes away the pressure of ‘putting all of your eggs into one basket’ as I would be doing with the sharing of just one piece of work.

I also made the decision to leave University during my second year, and I had to prove to myself that it was for a reason. It’s very easy to get trapped in the cycle of daily life, and I left to pursue writing– I didn’t want to hang around for months or years just wasting my time when I could be doing something.

This has also been an excellent learning experience, I’ve had to learn about marketing and business, as well as the ins and outs of actually getting a book out there. There’s no better way to learn than by actually throwing yourself into the deep end and doing it.

A huge part of this book is quite nostalgic as well. With some of the pieces being a few years old, it’s given me a chance to do a lot of reflection; both in terms of growing as a writer and in terms of the place I was in life then and the place I’m at now. I still cringe at a lot of my writing from my teenage years, but I think it’s important to embrace it, so by including (edited) versions of my old writing, it’s just a tribute to the length of time I’ve spent writing, how it’s really followed me through life and the outlet it’s provided me for most of my life.

Please share the opening line of the first short story. Why did you start the story there?

“ She walked along the dimly lit corridor, occasionally stopping to listen for any movements coming from elsewhere. “

The story starts in a place of non-existence and uncertainty. The vagueness of the sentence is just really explanatory of the place the character finds herself in, physically and emotionally.

What do you most enjoy about writing?

That’s a really tricky one to pinpoint. I guess originally it started off with my love of reading and escaping to different worlds, so I’ve always wanted to create that for myself. I just love that ‘place’ I go to when I’m caught up in a piece of writing; the outside world doesn’t really exist for that amount of time. If it’s a story I’m creating, I’m entirely in control of what’s happening and you can make anything happen if you want it to. It’s that sense of control you don’t have in real life, it’s building a fantasy that can never really happen but in the time you’re writing, it’s all you know. With poetry, it strips me of any self-awareness I may have in expressing things; it’s generally more personal and if there’s something I can’t say to other people, or don’t want to say, I can write it. For a long time, I’ve loved the idea of taking something painful and creating something from it; that’s an idea that has probably stuck with me.

Please share a writing tip you’ve found helpful.

This is something that others may not agree with, but I find the best thing you can do is to write for yourself and to write what you enjoy. There’s no way of knowing what other people will think of what you’re creating, so the best thing you can do is make sure you’re enjoying it and the chances are someone else might, too. When I’ve become too aware of the idea that other people are going to read my work, it puts a wall up and I find myself censoring myself, and I think it shows because it becomes less ‘real’ and more of a performance.

What about poetry appeals to you?

Mostly it allows me to create something a little bit more personal, I guess an ‘angsty outlet.’ It’s perfect for when I feel the need to express something but my attention span isn’t feeling all that great. I’m also a huge fan of music, and I always find a connection to lyrics; this is the closest I’ll ever get to writing lyrics (and feeling like some kind of rockstar). Personally, I think poetry is completely underrated. It’s quite a powerful thing when a story can be created in only a few words.

How does writing poetry compare to writing short stories?

For me, poetry is the more personal side of me whereas short stories are generally based on a random idea or scenario I’ve had in my head, or a short message I want to create a story around. Sometimes I think of something that isn’t quite enough to be a long story, but I still want to do something with it and see what I can create. In that sense, short stories tend to act as a scrapbook of work for me.

So you’ve co-created an online magazine. Tell us about that experience, please.

It’s really just given me a place to express my views about situations or events that have happened, more specifically it’s stuff that has annoyed me and I’ve wanted a soapbox to stand on and use as a ranting platform. It’s a place that gets to see the more serious side of me. There tends to be the idea that people from my generation aren’t bothered about certain issues, but this is us proving that people notice, people care and people will speak out about things.

In all honesty, my friend Vicky and I spend so much time ranting at each other about certain things, we figured we might as well take it to the next level.

What’s your favorite book?

This is so, so tricky. Every time I read a book and I love it, it becomes my favourite. In terms of where my love of writing has stemmed from, it’s definitely down to Harry Potter and they’re books I always go back to, 16 years down the line. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky has been a favourite of mine for a few years, along with Wasted by Marya Hornbacher. I love anything that feels gritty and real.

Who is your favorite fictional character? (Any medium)

Lisbeth Salander from the Millennium trilogy, she’s portrayed as being somewhat ‘weird’ and ‘extreme,’ but hell, she has all of my respect. I wouldn’t want to mess with her. It’s great to see a strong and intelligent woman leading a book series.

If you could have one super-power, what would it be and why?

It’d probably be something as simple as flying or teleportation. It would make getting from A to B a lot quicker, save a lot of money, and if I suddenly had the desire to take a trip somewhere I could go and be back home for the evening.

What’s next for you?

I really don’t know; that’s the stage I’m at in life. Getting this book out there is step one, then probably working on another one whilst working the 9-5 job. Hopefully I’ll be in the position soon where I can look at moving from the town I live in and getting out into the big wide world.

Where can people learn more about your work?

You can check out my website: www.evelynknightley.co.uk,  follow me on Twitter: @evelynknightley or like my page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/evelynknightleywriter

Tell us one fun fact about yourself.

I have a phobia of cheese. Seriously.

Thank you, Evelyn!

Apparently, I owe everything to my sister

My older sister, Erin, thinks I would be nothing without her influence. So I’ve interviewed her on the subject.

D: Hello, Erin. So I understand you like to take credit for me. Please elaborate.

E: Hello, Daniel, if that’s even your real name. Simply put, you owe your life’s passion to me. I single-handedly planted all the seeds of creativity from your childhood that has now grown into a full-fledged career. I forced you to write and perform various plays, skits, and fan-fiction novels that shan’t be named and I have the videos and notebooks to blackmail–I mean prove it.

D: What was your motivation for forcing my participation in these various endeavors?

E: It was my belief that deep down there was an artist waiting to emerge. And for my own entertainment/boredom relief.

D: How much entertainment value did I provide you?

E: Not as much as I had hoped.

D: Well, that’s what you can expect when you make people perform under duress. Now where can I burn that fan-fiction?

E: Speaking of fan-fiction, I would love to share with your fans a brief excerpt of your wacky mind circa 1995. This is from a novel we wrote called A Vampire’s Soul, and this was written in your handwriting. So very old school.

Commander Daniel Sherrier rushed into Sickbay only to find Commander Riker, Dr. Crusher and others unconscious.

“Any conscious person please show yourself,” Sherrier ordered.

“Yes, Commander,” Brad said.

“What happened here?” Sherrier asked.

“Nothing but vampires,” he replied.

“Yeah, and elephants skydive,” Dan sarcastically said.

“I speak the truth.”

Okay, little bro, defend yourself.

D: I was 12. You were 15 and in high school. Perhaps you’d like to take a moment to defend your own contributions to that epic tale? Also, did we do Twilight before there was a Twilight? A Star Trek Twilight?

E: I was hoping you would pick up on that! Our finger was on the pulse long before there was even a vampire pulse. In reality, it’s much more likely we were influenced by Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire, which is my defense, by the way. I was heavily influenced by a fine looking Brad Pitt in vampire garb. Now he fights zombies. My, how times have changed!

D: Yes, and good thing there was no fanfiction.net in those days. My interest in writing such gems arose from comic books, and I might never have gotten into comic books if not for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which, if I recall correctly, I might never have watched if you hadn’t turned on that cartoon in the first place. Did you understand the forces you were unleashing that day?

E: Actually, the real thanks belongs to my elementary school bff, Katie, for turning me on to TMNJ. But yes, this has always been my point, everything I exposed you to eventually brought you to where you are today. I was even your high school newspaper editor in chief and where have you been working the last several years? At a newspaper! You can’t deny my powerful and brilliant influence. This is why, when Hollywood comes calling, there will be a part for me in your films, right? Right?

D: I may need some extras, yes. Speaking of parts, what did you do to get me into theatre?

E: EXTRAS!?! I will not tolerate that level of disrespect. I’ve earned a supporting role, at least! To answer the Broadway part, that’s easy. No one can deny the glorious joy that is the Broadway Musical. Especially if your sister performs various shows in their entirety day in and day out on the other side of your bedroom wall. You were inspired by my Tony-worthy performances.

D: Is that what did it? That must be why I haven’t acted in several years — the absence of those imaginary-award-winning performances. Tell me, where would I be today without your influence?

E: You know when you think of Eva Peron, you picture me in sweats. Were it not for me, dear, you would be in a tiny cubicle doing some sort of soul sucking job that uses no creativity followed by substantial time spent after work perched on a bar stool. You’re welcome.

D: So if you had never gotten me to watch the Ninja Turtles or get on a stage, I’d be Norm from Cheers? Thank you, Er! You’re the bestest older sister ever! Golly, am I a lucky little brother! Now can I please burn that old fanfiction?

E: Not on your life, kid.

D: Well, next time you have me over to babysit, maybe your daughter and I will play a special game of “find Mommy’s old notebooks.”

E: Touche`. You’d have to wade through a ton of my junk to find your stuff, so you may want to reconsider.

D: Diabolical. To finish things off here, I’ll give you an opportunity to brag about that one line you contributed to my first one-act play, “The Play About Homecoming.”

E: Ah, yes. I thought you needed an appropriate dose of potty humor, so I added a joke about one of the characters named Dick. Pretty much writes itself, but, if I’m not mistaken, it did get a fantastic reception. Then again it was for a high school crowd…

D: I must note, however, that to this day I remain averse to including bathroom humor, so perhaps even your influence has its limits. That concludes our interview. Thank you for sharing.

E: Sharing is caring.

Ground your sci-fi

(Originally posted at Indie Sci Fi.)

Science fiction is fun. You can do all sorts of wondrous things that aren’t yet possible in real life and might never be.

Want to teleport? Build a sentient robot? Journey to the center of a molecule? Go for it!

But let’s not get too carried away. To paraphrase a theme of The Incredibles, if everything’s special, then nothing is. Contrasts are key.

Avoid the “anything goes” mentality. Give your world or universe rules, and establish those expectations early. Otherwise, you’ll wind up like 1950s Superman — constantly gaining new powers as the plot demands.

Your unique rules will distinguish your work.

Look at Joss Whedon’s Firefly: no aliens, no warp speed, no time travel — and it’s great.

Battlestar Galactica focuses on the last surviving humans running from the Cylons as they search out the mythical planet Earth. No other civilizations interfere. They’re on their own.

The Watchmen graphic novel features only one super-powered being, and while Dr. Manhattan can do just about anything, the rest are mere costumed crimefighters.

Star Wars has a wide variety of aliens, sure, and a weapon capable of blowing up a planet, but there are limits on how advanced the technology gets. No one got beams up or down or anywhere. No brains get switched. If I’m remembering correctly, they don’t even have any translators. Han and Chewie simply understand each other’s language.

Another approach is to ground your wacky sci-fi antics in something human and relatable.

The Fantastic Four comics are a perfect example. There’s hardly any limit to what Reed Richards can invent. The Thing is made of rocks. They travel to all sorts of strange dimensions. They’ve repeatedly squared off against a large man who eats planets. But the books, when they’re done well, are about a family — a married couple, her brother, their best friend, and two gifted children.

When Russell T. Davies resurrected the Doctor Who series in 2005, one of the best things he did was put the focus on the human companions, which in turn humanized the Doctor.

Take the first series episode “Father’s Day,” written by Paul Cornell, in which Rose visits her father on the day of his death. Cornell uses time travel as a tool to tell a story about a young woman meeting the father she never knew. It’s not about time travel, although time travel shenanigans certainly do ensue. It’s an episode you could show to someone who’s normally averse to sci-fi.

The science fiction genre tempts us with all sorts of fun tropes, and the potential exists for inventing entirely new ones. There’s so much fun to be had. But all good things in moderation.

Remember, you can always spread those tropes over several books.

Amena’s Imagination, #5

(If you’re new here, feel free to start at the beginning.)

Qualidadiania is populated by the alphabet. Which alphabet? Every alphabet.

Letters from every language walk and talk and gallivant and have a grand old time. And the letters could be in several different fonts. The children are lowercase, obviously.

Take the letter “A,” for example. She—yeah, she’s a she, being a vowel and all—she would stand a little more than five feet tall and be completely A-shaped, but with some depth, not some flat thing. Plenty of room for a brain, nervous system, heart, etc.

I really hope the different fonts would get along. You always expect letters to be civilized, but then you come across something like Finnegans Wake and realize just how odd they can be in certain combinations.

What if numbers are also on this planet? That might not work so well. Letters vs. Numbers. Who do you root for?

That would be a neat world. And highly educational. I can see it now, as a clichéd, melodramatic war drama…

*****

Narrator:  On the distant planet Alpha Numeri, war rages between the mathematical race of Numbers and the once-peaceful literary folk, the Letters. The conflict has lasted decades, with no end in sight. In the midst of it all, a humble family of Letters is about to learn one of life’s simple yet essential truths.

(Bombs blast in the distance. Door opens. Letter family is A, the mother; B, the father; and little a and little b, the overly-innocent children. It’s all quite over the top.)

A:  B! B, you’re home! I was so worried! How is it out there?

B: (harried soldier) Getting worse all the time, my darling A. The Numbers have figured out how to use their division signs against our sentences.

A:  Gasp! (actually says “gasp”)

B:  It’s true! Even our strongest compound sentences—reduced to fragments!

A:  That shouldn’t even be possible! I always thought Letters were immune to division.

B:  That’s the way it’s supposed to be, but war changes everything, and

always for the worse. Don’t worry, we’ve got a new weapon—

Little a:  Poppa!

Little b:  Poppa!

B:  Little a! Little b! Oh, my children, I’ve missed you so!

Little a:  Poppa, why are the Letters and Numbers always fighting?

A:  Now, now, dears, let Poppa get some rest.

B:  It’s okay, A. You see, kids, it wasn’t always this way. Once upon a time, Numbers would happily appear in sentences, and Letters would participate in algebraic equations.

A:  I remember when algebraic equations were so much fun. Maybe they can be again, if we stop this senseless struggle.

Little b:  Poppa, what’s an algebraic equation?

B:  I’ll tell you when you’re older. You see, kids, somewhere along the way, we stopped playing nice with each other, and when people can’t play nice, they make war, and war is bad, very bad, and—

(Gunfire.)

B:  Get down!

(The door breaks.)

A:  Gasp! It’s Number Two and Number Three!

B:  The scoundrels!

Two:  Come on out, Letters! We know you’re in here.

Three:  We’re taking this place. Your home is ours now.

B: (under breath) Not if I have anything to say about it.

A:  Dear, don’t–!

B:  It’ll be okay, my darling A. It’ll be okay. (louder) Here I am, Numbers! I’m not afraid of you!

Two:  That’s not what the others in your paragraph were saying.

Three:  Ha, ha!

B:  My paragraph! What did you do to my paragraph?

Two:  Let’s just say, once you remove the punctuation, everyone becomes helplessly lost.

Three:  Ha, ha!

B:  Blast you, you nefarious numbers! I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but you monsters leave me no choice.

(Sound of a small machine warming up.)

Two:  No! Not that!

Three:  It’s—a subtraction symbol!

B:  And I’m not afraid to use it.

Subtraction: (cheesy robot voice) Three minus Two equals…One.

Two & Three:  Nooooo…!!!!!

One:  No! I’ve been subtracted to…to One!

B:  And now you’re all alone. Working together, I would’ve been no match for Two and Three. But One is only a fifth as powerful as Two and Three combined.

One:  I just need to find an addition symbol! And I will! You mark my words, B! I’ll be back, with greater Numbers than ever!

B:  You won’t be getting that chance. Subtraction symbol, what’s One minus itself?

Subtraction:  Calculating! One minus One equals…Zero!

(One lets out a horrific scream.)

B:  You mess with my alphabet, you get subtracted.

A: Oh, B! You were so brave!

Little a:  You did it, Poppa! You did it!

B:  I’m just lucky I was paying attention in school the day we learned about arithmetic.

A:  Not lucky—smart!

Little b:  Poppa, will you teach me how to subtract?

B:  Of course, son. You never know when subtraction might just save your life! And the lives of your wonderful family.

A:  Oh, B! I love you!

B:  And I, you, A. And I, you.

Narrator:  And so, the Letters learned a most important life lesson. Never underestimate the value of subtraction. Oh, and war is bad. Very bad.

****

I’d love to play peacemaker between letters and numbers. But come to think of, this one’s a tad, just a smidge far-fetched.

I can think of something less far-fetched…

To be continued next Thursday…

When Smurfs attack!

This is what my 3-year-old niece does to my bookshelf basically every time she visits:

Attack of the hand-me-down Smurfs.

Get to Know…Jennifer Raygoza

Meet fantasy writer Jennifer Raygoza, author of The Guardians. Welcome, Jennifer!

Tell us about your book.

This story is told from the point of view of Gianna, a girl who is still mentally struggling with her mother’s death. She and her family have managed to move on all in their own way. She is not your average girl.  She is tough and sassy, and happens to be the daughter of a Mafia boss.

On top of that, she works for her dad doing odd jobs. She is sent out one day to pick up a man named Caleb who turns her world upside down, by throwing Gianna into a world she didn’t know existed. This really is a good vs. evil story. The story is love, pain and sacrifice mixed in with a twisted plot.

Where did the idea come from?

I ask myself the same question. Music lyrics, movies and people inspire scenes. I can just be sitting there and a scene pops into my head. It’s weird. I amaze myself. Looking back at this book I still wonder where I came up with everything.

What’s the book’s opening line? Why did you start there?

“You know your mom would have hated for you to have anything to do with this.”

I wanted to show Gianna’s mother in a good light. I wanted readers to feel her mother’s disapproval of that type of lifestyle, and that she wanted better for her kids.

What do you most enjoy about writing?

I love giving life to characters. You can make any fantasy come to life in a story.

Please share a writing tip you’ve found helpful.

It really is necessary to have other people read your work before you publish it. I went over this story a million times until my eyes were crossed. Having other people read it helps grab errors or takes notice to things that make sense to you but may not to the reader.

What about vampires appeals to you?

They just fascinate me. I like the way they look and act. It’s like mixing an animal and a human together. They are always so dark and mysterious. It’s just fun to watch them in action wither it’s a book or movie.

What distinguishes your vampire story from the others out there?

The storyline is insane. I have two different types of vampires. I have managed to separate the good vampires from the bad vampires by different looks. My vampires have a certain way they feed and who they feed off. I wanted my book to stand out among the vampire books. There are so many vampire romance novels out, and I wanted this to be more. I added everything I wish one movie or one book had. I threw action, drama, love, pain and sacrifice into one bowl and made this story.

What’s your professional background? How does it influence your writing?

I was an office manager for the last six years and before that I worked in car repossession. I have worked for a lot of different types of job in my life. You get to meet and work with so many different personalities it’s insane. It’s easy to take someone’s personality and throw it into a character. I see so many writers who went to college to learn how to write a book and here I am like nothing. It can be a little intimidating sometimes. I went to college, too, but I wanted to be a marriage counselor. Who knew back then I was going to write a book?

What’s your favorite book?

Where the Sidewalk Ends. It’s this crazy giant book full of poetry. I used to write a lot of poetry in my youth.

Who is your favorite fictional character? (Any medium)

This is my opportunity to ring my own bell, and toot my own horn. Right? I love Caleb in my book. He’s just too freaking charming.

If you could have one super-power, what would it be and why?

(Exhale) Just one? Telekinesis for sure. Everyone says mind reading but I think that would be awful. The human brain is just mean sometimes. I would probably hate my family and friends if I knew what they were thinking.

What’s next for you?

I am working on part 2 of The Guardians. I also have a book called Shall Fear None that I have put to the side for now.

Where can people learn more about your work?

The Guardians website- theguardiansvampnovel.webs.com/

Facebook- www.facebook.com/theguardiansvampnovel

Tell us one fun fact about yourself.

I will give you two. I love Cinnamon rolls and I cry watching lifetime movies. Impressed yet?

Thank you, Jennifer!

Future books & a current promo

I have a plan. And a promo! But first the plan…

The next RIP should be ready for publication near the end of the summer, but it won’t just be the second novelette. In a way, the next RIP will also be the first RIP — and more.

The currently available “Touch” will join three new novelettes in a single volume for a more indulgent RIP experience. The new titles will be “Alone,” “The Crazy Line,” and “Point B.”

“Alone” has received several favorable comments from beta readers, including one who told me not to change a thing (although I probably will). I’ve written a complete draft of “The Crazy Line,” so now it’s time to set that aside while I write “Point B,” which is already mostly plotted.

My goal is to get the initial writing done this month, put them through the beta reading and editing throughout July (Todd Barselow, you’ll be hearing from me), and then final clean-up in late August. While I wait for feedback, I’ll resume work on the next Earths in Space volume, which is well underway also.

This is all tentative, but I’m optimistic.

So where does that leave the current RIP: Touch?

Basically, I just want you to read it and get hooked, like these reviewers have. Here’s the promo:

For the entire month of June, if you purchase Earths in Space, I will give you RIP: Touch for free as an ePub, Mobi, or PDF (your choice). I’ll also throw in the original version of RIP, a television pilot script PDF. All that for $1.99! To claim them, please send an email to daniel@sherrierbooks.com with the purchase code, and I’ll send the files ASAP.

If science-fiction isn’t your thing, you can download RIP: Touch for 99 cents, and I’ll give you the pilot script as my equivalent of a DVD bonus feature (again, please email me with the purchase code). Then you’ll know if you want to spend $2.99 to read the next three parts. Sales of the first novelette will help fund production of the upcoming volume. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

I can even sort of sign the e-books.

Future RIP volumes will also contain four new novelettes for $2.99, and the next Earths in Space (which tends to run longer) will have three novellas for $2.99.

So there you have it…