Patrice Sikora's Blog, page 3
October 10, 2016
Children and religion
A child is brought into a faith community often before they can sit up on their own. They take their first steps without understanding the words or music of the services they may attend. They pass milestones in their faith because it is expected. That is Religion, but when does it become Faith?
I would hope the example of parents and those around them offer a platform of conviction and community that is encompassing and warm. Fire and Brimstone may convince one to worship, but do they create an individual committed from the heart or from fear. And once that fear has become accepted as the normal and the child begins to peak around the corners to see what is beyond, does it fall aside and open the way to questioning? And in a community built on fear, is that questioning permitted?
I want to believe that a faith community that accepts individuals and celebrates them is one that will grow. Unfortunately, in this day, that is not the case. Intolerance and ego have created religious organizations large and small that reject and even ridicule those who have a belief system different to theirs. Some few clergy try to bridge those differences by showing they are not differences, but their voices fade under the shouts from intolerant, narrow-minded preaching from pulpits.
For my granddaughters I wish understanding and joyful acceptance of the multitudinous interpretations of Love.
I would hope the example of parents and those around them offer a platform of conviction and community that is encompassing and warm. Fire and Brimstone may convince one to worship, but do they create an individual committed from the heart or from fear. And once that fear has become accepted as the normal and the child begins to peak around the corners to see what is beyond, does it fall aside and open the way to questioning? And in a community built on fear, is that questioning permitted?
I want to believe that a faith community that accepts individuals and celebrates them is one that will grow. Unfortunately, in this day, that is not the case. Intolerance and ego have created religious organizations large and small that reject and even ridicule those who have a belief system different to theirs. Some few clergy try to bridge those differences by showing they are not differences, but their voices fade under the shouts from intolerant, narrow-minded preaching from pulpits.
For my granddaughters I wish understanding and joyful acceptance of the multitudinous interpretations of Love.
September 29, 2016
Back in Business
Without a computer the world is a lonely place...at least for the first day or two. Then the guilt about not being plugged in kinda fades and you actually get a different feeling on "connection" with everything happening in your immediate vicinity.
Nice...but it's over now!
A visit to the Geek Squad desk at the local BBY and we are back in business. A good business model, that Geek Squad thing. I am inclined to go there again when it comes time to make a purchase.
I can again sit and muse about story lines in front of words on a screen. The time off has given me the chance to reflect on where some things have been going and I realize Sam has been left in the shadows despite the fact his situation kicks off the manuscript. Must re-visit. And still fighting with the possible demise(s) of more than one Rider.
On the positive side, I created a carnivorous horse, the Merrimac pony, to keep things interesting. More to come....
Nice...but it's over now!
A visit to the Geek Squad desk at the local BBY and we are back in business. A good business model, that Geek Squad thing. I am inclined to go there again when it comes time to make a purchase.
I can again sit and muse about story lines in front of words on a screen. The time off has given me the chance to reflect on where some things have been going and I realize Sam has been left in the shadows despite the fact his situation kicks off the manuscript. Must re-visit. And still fighting with the possible demise(s) of more than one Rider.
On the positive side, I created a carnivorous horse, the Merrimac pony, to keep things interesting. More to come....
September 19, 2016
How Many to Kill Off?
It is very easy to kill off a character with the tap of a few keys...a stroke here, a backspace-misspelling there and Voila! In this series the said-chosen character, however much loved, would be saying Hello to Luke, the Prince of Death.
But just because it is easy, is it the right thing? This is DNR, no return. Has that character given all he or she has in them? Does their demise contribute to the story or is it gratuitous? Be honest: are you tired of them?
Hmmm. I am not tired of the characters I have in the crosshairs, but I feel their Crossing would open the way for a new twist on the Riders...and yes, I am thinking of two Riders joining Luke. Is that an easy way out to test new ideas or a growth mode?
What do you think about killing off friends to open the way for acquaintances who could become friends?
But just because it is easy, is it the right thing? This is DNR, no return. Has that character given all he or she has in them? Does their demise contribute to the story or is it gratuitous? Be honest: are you tired of them?
Hmmm. I am not tired of the characters I have in the crosshairs, but I feel their Crossing would open the way for a new twist on the Riders...and yes, I am thinking of two Riders joining Luke. Is that an easy way out to test new ideas or a growth mode?
What do you think about killing off friends to open the way for acquaintances who could become friends?
September 12, 2016
Change of Seasons
When the hint of Fall hits the air, or the humidity of summer or sweet smell of spring or the crisp cold of winter...do your reading or writing habits change?
The tendrils of Fall are touching the trees and thermometers in New Jersey and it makes me want to lay a fire and pull my laptop next to it to write. Or maybe give into the guilty pleasure of sitting on the sofa with a good book (and cat or dog) to just go to whatever world unfolds.
Wait....the temp is 85? I swear it was at least in the 60's! This is a season of wild swings and what better time to let your imagination swing to all excesses in writing. Take that character to places she has never been....give him the chance to do something that maybe would never have happened during the gentle spring.
One great thing about the Northeast is the actual, fairly well defined seasons. Embrace the freshness each brings...make bold statements. Heck you can always change them as you sit in front of the winter fire.
And a purely stray thought...to be back in Iceland. It is wonderful in March.
Share how your habits change with the seasons.
The tendrils of Fall are touching the trees and thermometers in New Jersey and it makes me want to lay a fire and pull my laptop next to it to write. Or maybe give into the guilty pleasure of sitting on the sofa with a good book (and cat or dog) to just go to whatever world unfolds.
Wait....the temp is 85? I swear it was at least in the 60's! This is a season of wild swings and what better time to let your imagination swing to all excesses in writing. Take that character to places she has never been....give him the chance to do something that maybe would never have happened during the gentle spring.
One great thing about the Northeast is the actual, fairly well defined seasons. Embrace the freshness each brings...make bold statements. Heck you can always change them as you sit in front of the winter fire.
And a purely stray thought...to be back in Iceland. It is wonderful in March.
Share how your habits change with the seasons.
September 6, 2016
Life Gets in the Way
Sometimes plans skid on the ice of Life and end up in a ditch by the side of the road. People will tell you that when that happens, you must simply climb out and pick up where you left off.
Not so simple, my friend.
Climbing out is just the first step. Then you must find your footing once again and rebuild the momentum you had heading into the turn where you wiped out.
That is where I find myself: rebuilding that momentum. I am working on Book 3 of "The Dream King's Courier" franchise and once I sit down to focus and write, all is well. But, as you know, managing time is a challenge. The need to balance work, family, writing and veg-out time is an honored conundrum that can sap energy. However, it can also invigorate with a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
I'll go with the "purpose and accomplishment" phrase this time around. Look for more blog posts every Monday and discussions of other books, the Courier and Riders....and those pesky ice patches.
Not so simple, my friend.
Climbing out is just the first step. Then you must find your footing once again and rebuild the momentum you had heading into the turn where you wiped out.
That is where I find myself: rebuilding that momentum. I am working on Book 3 of "The Dream King's Courier" franchise and once I sit down to focus and write, all is well. But, as you know, managing time is a challenge. The need to balance work, family, writing and veg-out time is an honored conundrum that can sap energy. However, it can also invigorate with a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
I'll go with the "purpose and accomplishment" phrase this time around. Look for more blog posts every Monday and discussions of other books, the Courier and Riders....and those pesky ice patches.
April 3, 2016
High Winds
I used to love strong winds....they lifted my hair and made me catch my breath. But that has all changed now that I have driven the Verrazano Narrows bridge with the wind gusting up to 50 mph. Who knew how amazingly frightful that could be. We took the lower level of the bridge and dropped our speed to 40 mph, but the power of the buffeting every few seconds (spaced by the bridge's supports) made the trip across an adventure to say the least. Next time, we do the Midtown Tunnel.
February 9, 2016
Cats, colds and writing
Came home from work with the intent to sit and write, but some pesky cold bug is going through my co-workers and I suspect it is trying to take me down, too....plus it may have an accomplice in a cat. She insists on jumping on my desk and sprawling across my workspace. Her dancing little paws find their target on my keyboard and scramble what little my tired mind can put into words.
Hmmm. Maybe there is a saving grace here: the ideas coming through in the words are not what I originally had in mind. Maybe feeling punky as a feline demands her attention can spark an out-of-the-ballpark creative state. Give me the vitamin C.
Hmmm. Maybe there is a saving grace here: the ideas coming through in the words are not what I originally had in mind. Maybe feeling punky as a feline demands her attention can spark an out-of-the-ballpark creative state. Give me the vitamin C.
January 13, 2016
Reviews - Ghost Dance
Reviews that are thoughtful and insightful should be embraced by an author. They offer us the chance to revisit the time we stared at a page of dialogue or scene wondering and even agonizing over where the hell it would take us. But they also let us rejoice and fist-pump when our efforts truly connect with our cherished readers.
Thank you, Ghost Dance for Hekau's qi. I will keep your comments in mind as I craft the next book...and, yes, it is a work in progress (if the job, dogs, cats and life in general will just give me a few hours here and there....)
Reviews are welcome, people.
Thank you, Ghost Dance for Hekau's qi. I will keep your comments in mind as I craft the next book...and, yes, it is a work in progress (if the job, dogs, cats and life in general will just give me a few hours here and there....)
Reviews are welcome, people.
January 12, 2016
Train time
Sitting on the train home after a full day of work. This is the time to catch up and let go at the same time. Catch up on email and texts, write down thoughts for next book and call family. Also the time to watch the stations pass, wonder if I will beat the threatened snow flurries home and let my mind wander.
Am donating blood today so it is off to the hospital when I get to my stop. Made sure I ate raisins and oatmeal to bolster the iron levels. It is not something I look forward to but it is needed and I am able to do it while others cannot. Hope they have pineapple juice and Milano cookies. Yum.
Am donating blood today so it is off to the hospital when I get to my stop. Made sure I ate raisins and oatmeal to bolster the iron levels. It is not something I look forward to but it is needed and I am able to do it while others cannot. Hope they have pineapple juice and Milano cookies. Yum.
January 7, 2016
Stock markets
My day job is covering financial and consumer news on radio and this week has been one for the record books.
Concerns about the strength, or lack thereof, of the Chinese economy has taken quite a toll on the Asian markets and that concern has cascaded into European markets and then US markets.
Those worries plus a tiff between Saudi Arabia and Iran and a worldwide glut of oil is pressuring the price of crude. The American consumer is not pocketing the savings from low gas pump prices. Instead they are spending it on so-called "sin products": alcohol, tobacco and junk food.
Some analysts warn a crash is near. We just came through the Great Recession...could we weather another so quickly?
Concerns about the strength, or lack thereof, of the Chinese economy has taken quite a toll on the Asian markets and that concern has cascaded into European markets and then US markets.
Those worries plus a tiff between Saudi Arabia and Iran and a worldwide glut of oil is pressuring the price of crude. The American consumer is not pocketing the savings from low gas pump prices. Instead they are spending it on so-called "sin products": alcohol, tobacco and junk food.
Some analysts warn a crash is near. We just came through the Great Recession...could we weather another so quickly?
