R.S.A. Garcia's Blog, page 18
August 6, 2014
Earth to Comet!! Hello, Comet!!
This is big.
Really big.
After ten years and billions of miles and tons of complex code and navigational feats I can’t wrap my mind around, we have actual pictures of an actual comet in space.
Soon, if it all works out, we’ll have plenty more than that. Next is landing on it and really probing that sucker!
So after all these years, one small part of Armageddon is officially no longer impossible. Take a bow, Bruce Willis.
And maybe now we can figure out how to stop running planets into these things…
Tagged: comets, European Space Agency, probe, Rosetta, Science, Space
August 5, 2014
Well That’s Just Stupid…
Seriously?
This is what we’ve come to? The prefix ‘homo’ makes people freak out?
As if we needed any more evidence that the world is currently tilted on it’s freaking axis and some intellectually challenged people seem to hold sway over large portions of it.
Tagged: English, Grammar, homophones, Huffington Post, the world we live in, writing
August 4, 2014
THE GUILD OF ASSASSINS blog tour and giveaway
I actually had the chance to read some of this series when it was in its raw form in my critique group! So excited to see it out in the world :-)
Originally posted on Anna Kashina:
It has started today! My first stops are:
A feature and excerpt at A Bluestocking’s place:
http://ov099.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/feature-the-guild-of-assassins-by-anna-kashina/
A post about writing epic fantasy on Beauty in Ruins:
http://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-challenges-of-writing-epic-fantasy.html?spref=tw
A post on female protagonists in fantasy:
http://www.michelle4laughs.blogspot.com/2014/07/woman-in-fantasy-with-anna-kashina.html
A post on assassins in fiction:
http://www.herladyshipsquest.com/2014/08/guest-post-assassins-build-on-warrior.html
The book releases tomorrow, and several places are holding giveaways, including Goodreads and some (but not all) bloggers.
An awesome review was posted today, in which a Goodreads reviewer characterized THE GUILD OF ASSASSINS as “Hands down one of the best fantasy reads I’ve come across in many moons.” (see full review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1011873409)
Between now and August 15 I will hold my own giveaway. Everyone who visits all my blog tour posts and leaves comments will receive a copy of any of my books (your choice). If you want to participate, please comment with links to your blog tour stops. And of course, please…
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July 25, 2014
Soca Music on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’!
Yep.
One of the routines on Fox’s dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance–which I am a huge, HUGE fan of as a former dancer myself–actually featured a very popular soca tune that played a lot during Trinidad’s Carnival season.
Although it’s not sung by Trinidadians–who actually invented soca–it’s definitely very familiar to all of us. So as part of my Friday feature (sorry I bugged out on you last week!), enjoy this taste of Caribbean music.
I can’t say the routine was all that great. The show has definitely featured better, including some on this season. Like this one:
And this awesome group routine:
Amazing right? Even if dance isn’t really your thing.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: Allison Hinds, Bruk It Down, caribbean, Carnival, dance, Mr. Vegas, Music, So You Think You Can Dance, Soca, soca music, SYTYCD, Trinidad and Tobago
July 23, 2014
A Public Service Announcement for Luc Besson
Dear Mr. Besson,
I’ve been a fan since I first saw ‘Fifth Element’. A huge fan. And as such, I think it’s important that I share something with you.
You know that tag line you’ve been endlessly selling your new film ‘Lucy’ with? The one about her being the first human to use more than 10% of her brain?
Well…it’s actually not true at all. She won’t be the first human. Not even close.
In fact, the levels of untrue your advertising campaign has achieved is truly mind-boggling. Particularly when you consider the fact that Google exists.
So, as a long-time fan and someone who definitely plans to see ‘Lucy’–despite it’s flawed premise–can I ask you for one tiny favour?
For the love of all that’s holy, PLEASE stop using that blasted tag line.
Sincerely,
Someone You Don’t Know and Don’t Give a Damn About Who is Nevertheless Entirely Ready to Shove Lucy Out a Window Herself if it Will Get Morgan Freeman to Stop Being a Scientist Who Says Really Inaccurate Shit.
Tagged: directors, editing, film, Luc Besson, Lucy, movies, Science, science fiction, spec fic, The Fifth Element, writing
July 16, 2014
LEX TALIONIS Will Soon Be On Sale in Barnes and Noble Stores!
Yes, you read that right.
I’ve just learned that Barnes and Noble has ordered their first shipment of my book, LEX TALIONIS, with a view to putting it in their regular catalog.
What that means is you will soon be able to walk into a Barnes and Noble and ask for my book!
Yes, my friends, I will be on sale in an actual American bookstore! Shelves and all!
It’s only my second major bookstore sale so I’m over the moon about it. Of course, you should feel free to walk into Barnes and Noble–if you live near one–and start asking for my book immediately. The better to encourage B&N to keep ordering my book.
And if you have friends who like to browse, feel free to pass on the news and the book recommendation.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: Barnes and Noble, bookstores, editing, Lex Talionis, publishing, retail, writing
July 15, 2014
Look, Ma! No Hands! I’m on Wattpad!
Yep. You read that right.
I’ve decided to try out Wattpad, as it’s far bigger than my normal writing community, the OWW, and I wanted a place to connect to more readers.
So I’ve joined up and I’ve posted the first chapter of LEX TALIONIS here. If I get enough readers and interest, as expressed in comments, votes, whatever, I will post more chapters.
I’m also thinking of posting a few excerpts from my works in progress, but I’ll run that by my publishers before I do anything. And of course, I have to have an actual audience first.
I would love to hear what you think about this. Have you heard of Wattpad? Are you using it? What has your experience been like, if you have? Are there any tips and tricks I should know about how to navigate the site and find people and good stuff to read?
And please let me know in the comments who you are and how to find you on Wattpad. I’d love to make new friends–or follow old ones–especially if you write speculative fiction.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: editing, Lex Talionis, Online Writing Workshop, OWW, publishing, speculative fiction, Wattpad, writing
July 14, 2014
It’s Just Business – Hachette and Amazon
This is a pretty balanced take on all sides of the dispute. Particularly liked hearing from an Amazon writer who is happy with his publisher.
For me, this is very simple. Both sides in this are capable of carrying out some pretty crappy moves. Both sides, on occasion, have done just that.
That’s how businesses work. They may have opinions and feelings according to the US Supreme Court, but that doesn’t make them devils or saviours. It’s makes them businesses and businesses watch out for their bottom line. Does Amazon have a right to do what it thinks it needs to grow its business? Of course it does. But if you accept that, then you have to accept Hachette has the same rights.
Authors are much better off if they realise that Amazon and other publishers are businesses they might work with some day, and only a fool puts all his eggs in one basket.
Live Long and Prosper, my friends!
Tagged: Amazon, books, editing, Hachette, novels, Publishing Industry, traditional publishers, writing
July 11, 2014
Top 10 Popular Beaches in Trinidad and Tobago
And by popular, I don’t mean best. In fact, a couple of these beaches would not be impressive put up against beaches from other parts of the Caribbean. But if you want to see how real Trinbagonians live, and want to experience the beach ‘lime’ (Trini word for hanging out with friends) with us, these are the beaches you’ll find most Trinbagonians have been to at least once. Some of them will be crowded, especially on hot days, but others will be fairly quiet, and all have the distinct advantage of offering a cross-section of Trinibagonian life.
This is, of course, my own personal list, not official in any way, and other Trinis are free to love other beaches. Please note the pictures here are NOT my work and are taken from around the Web to illustrate the list, nothing more.
10. Chaguaramas / Carenage
Chaguaramas (SHA-gor-RA-mus) and Carenage (CA-ren-NARGE) are the go-to beaches for the everyman. Busy city dwellers in the north-west of Trinidad will often go there, especially if they don’t own a car and/or live on a budget. Bus service runs regularly from the capital of Port-of-Spain to the last beach in Carenage every day, making access easy. In recognition of that fact, the government recently invested heavily in the area, beautifying it with the popular boardwalk pictured above.
Carenage Bay, as you can see from the picture below, is a popular harbour for yachts. Their presence, and the run-off from the villages and industries around the bay, sometimes affects the purity of the water, and there can be debris as well. Rainy season is a good time to stay away, as the silt run-off from the Northern Range can affect the water too. But the waters are calm and shallow so Carenage remains popular as an easy to get to relief from the heat.
9. Macqueripe
(Ma-CA-reep) This beach is very small and to get to it, you have to go down quite a few flights of stairs. But the harbour itself is much larger than the beach, and the water is clear and very cold, no matter how hot the day is. There are almost no waves here so it’s perfect for soaking, and the wooded area around the beach have lots of hiking trails. Vendors work above the beach, selling food and drinks every day of the week.
The drawbacks are it’s impossible to get to if you don’t have private transport, and there’s a pretty steep drop-off if you swim out far enough, so non-swimmers should stay close to shore.
8. Blanchisseuse
(Blan-SHEE-SHEARS) One of the many party beaches popular with Trinidadians. It’s a very long drive, especially if you’re coming from the north-west, but it’s along a lovely coast. People tend to go here less for the swimming, and more for the soaking in shallow waters, and the rivers that empty into the beach itself. Because there are many families camping and liming here on a regular basis, the beach often has a litter problem. It can also get quite rough at certain times of the day, or the year. But it can be beautiful too, as the picture above shows.
7. Manzanilla
(Man-za-NIL-ah) Like Blanchisseuse, this beach is party central, especially after Carnival for Ash Wednesday. The long drive is along a coastal road and the many, many coconut trees that line the road and beach are a beautiful and well-known feature. Again, popularity with campers and drunken limers make litter a problem. But there’s lots of shade, rivers and shallow waters to soak in. Just don’t get to far out if you’re not a strong swimmer.
6. Mayaro
(May-YAH-row) Few Trinis have not rented a house or spent time at a Mayaro resort during their life-time. Although the current can be strong and the wind creates huge waves sometimes, this beach also has good shallow spots for bathing, and is great in other areas for surfing. Most of the good spots are taken by resorts, which are sometimes a bit run-down, but if you love nature, you’ll find some here that will take your breath away. Like Carenage, there are also good bathroom and bathing facilities here for a couple of dollars, something missing from the other beaches I’ve mentioned so far.
5. Toco / Salybia
(TOW-CO / Sa-LIB-be-ah)Toco’s rivers are a huge draw on hot days. However, the beaches are beautiful, if often too rough to bathe, and with far too strong a current to even attempt to surf. Salybia is the exception, with crystal clear shallow waters that are good for bathing if you don’t mind getting pulled along by the current a little. There’s a lovely and popular resort that takes advantage of the great views.
4. Grande Rivière
(GRAN Re-VEER)This beach is on this list because it is the second largest nesting area in the world for the amazing leatherback turtle, the largest of all living turtles and practically a living dinosaur. Turtles born here will return here to lay their eggs. Dozens will nest at night during the nesting season, which is March through August. The best time to see them, though, is April to July, during their peak. Tours and guides are easy to find.
3. Las Cuevas
(Las Kuay-vas) The quieter sister to the popular Maracas, Las Cuevas has clear, cold water, and can be stunningly beautiful in clear weather. On bad days, it’s rough, but there are caves to explore and you can always sit in the shallow waters. Here, there are lifeguards and good bathroom facilities as well.
2. Maracas
(Ma-RAH-cas) The premiere beach in Trinidad, full stop. Developed with bathing facilities, parking facilities and vendors galore, the beautiful blue waters and white sand make it the most popular beach destination for Trinis of every stripe. Here is where the popular bake and shark was invented, and the most popular vendor that sells it, ‘Richards’, still has their booth here.
Despite the often wind-whipped waters not being so great for bathing, it’s always good for surfing. On holidays and hot days, it can take hours to get here, and even more hours to get out, due to the long, winding, single road that provides access. It’s best to arrive around 8am and leave before 3pm. Bus service is spotty at best, so private and hired cars are the best way to get there. But who can complain when the sea-breeze hits you with a bake and shark in one hand and a beer in the next?
1. Any beach in Tobago
Because there is not a single Trinibagonian alive who wouldn’t trade a day at the beach in Trinidad for a day at the beach in their relaxed, beautiful, natural gem of a sister island, Tobago. And if you wonder why, just take a look at these:
See what I mean?
Now I want to go to the beach…
*Pops a can of beer and puts her feet up*
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: beaches, Blanchisseuse, Carenage, Carnival, Chaguaramas, Charlotteville, culture, Englishman's Bay, Grande Rivière, Las Cuevas, leatherback turtles, Macqueripe, Manzanilla, Maracas, Mayaro, nature, Pigeon Point, Salybia, Store Bay, Toco, Travel, Trinidad and Tobago
July 8, 2014
Making The Future: Guest Post and Sale Announcement
I have an article up on my publisher’s blog that talks about my book, and a big problem we have today that I hope we start working on for a better future. Also, LEX TALIONIS is only $2.99 right now on Kindle, so if you were waiting to pick up a copy, now would be a great time.
Originally posted on Dragonwell Publishing Blog:
‘Lex Talionis’, or the law of revenge for the purposes of the book, begins with two people. A wounded soldier, trying to escape death from an unseen enemy while trapped alone on a ship in deep space, and a badly battered young girl who wakes in a spaceport hospital with no memory. The solider is trying to stay alive, but the girl has already died. It takes a mute alien no one has ever seen before to bring her back.
Clearly, these two people are connected. And it’s the nature of their connection that drives the central question of ‘Lex Talionis’. Who is this girl? Who killed her and why? What is the soldier’s part in all this?
Why does one young girl with no name matter?
Every woman on this planet lives with the daily fear of assault. Globally, the World Health Organisation reports that 35% of women worldwide…
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