Stanley Wheeler's Blog, page 4

Lindsey Kinsella

 Interview with Lindsey KinsellaAuthor ofThe Lazarus Taxa  Please tellme a little about your current work in progress.My next book is quite the departure from myfirst—hopping genres from sci-fi to fantasy. The Heart of Pangaea follows ayoung girl on a quest through a world within her subconscious to find a curefor her sick mother. It’s an emotional story, but it’s also quirky

80s Double Feature - The Ice Pirates and Krull

 During my workout sessions on the M5, I watched The Ice Pirates and Krull over the last week or so. Both of these movies contain many of the necessary ingredients for great movies, but each fails in its own way.The Ice Pirates (1984), directed by Steward Rafill, written by Rafill and Stanford Sherman, features a cast that would go on to become bigger stars. If you haven't seen this 40 year

The Brothers Howe

 The Howe brothers, Admiral Richard and General William, raised Britain's prospects in the Revolutionary War following the defeat at Lexington and Concord and the disastrous victory at Bunker Hill with a series of victories in 1776. The brothers, known for their reckless courage, were supportive of one another and worked in cooperation to launch amphibious attacks on the revolutionaries.

John W. Wells III

  Interview with John W. Wells IIIAuthor ofThe Kalib Andrews Chronicles Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.I amcurrently working on The Invisible City,the third book in The Kalib AndrewsChronicles. I am so excited to share this one with the world. In the thirdbook, Kalib and his friends are forced to leave Hainesville after the town isafflicted with

The Haunted Mesa

This week I finished reading Louis L'Amour's The Haunted Mesa for the first time. It's a tale set in the Navajo Mountain area--San Juan County, Utah. I have some passing familiarity with the region and a bit of the history, particularly regarding Moab, Blanding, and Bluff. None of these places figure prominently in the story as the the canyons and mesas provide the larger-than-life setting. 

Hamlet - Mel Style

  Who knew Mad Max made an appearance in Hamlet?It's Franco Zeffirelli's 1991 adaptation of Shakespeare's moody prince, starring Mad Mel as the perturbed prince, crazy Glenn as Queen Gertrude, Helen Bonham Carter as the tormented Ophelia, Alan Bates, and Ian Holm. I believe the latter is Polonius, which would make Bates the Step-King.I was delighted to see this one come up on the

Tea, Coercion, and Conciliatory Acts

 Fun Fact:Frederick Lord North was 38 when he became prime minister in 1770. Corpulent with large features and a bulbous head, he was famous for his wit, literary anecdotes, and historical references. Prior to becoming PM, he had supported the policies that led to the revolution in America. Although he took a more conciliatory policy when he took office, his policies regarding the East India

Writing Buddies

 The characters and items pictured above have been my writing companions for a few years now. On the left is what may be an Aztec death whistle. It makes a sound like rumbling wind or growling jaguar. There are two stone dice from Texas, some poker chips from a production I was in, one white plastic die, an Eiffel Tower replica (not actual size), and a dragon I found at Walmart. The two

Jeff Chapman

 Interview with Jeff ChapmanAuthor ofThe Great Contagion, The Sniggard's Revenge, Last Request: Victorian Gothic, and morePlease tellme a little about your current work in progress.I’m working on a novel in my Merliss Tales fantasyseries. Merliss is the spirit of a young woman who has been trapped inside thebody of a gray cat. She had been training to become a healer/shaman, so she

Little Omnibus battle

 Let's return to the Omnibus bill of 1850. Stephen Douglas succeeded where Daniel Webster had failed and brought the provisions through the Senate in small bites instead of at a single gulp. Getting the provisions through the House would be another battle.The laconic and handsome Linn Boyd would spearhead the effort in the House. Howell Cobb of Georgia was Speaker of the House, which