Bone tired and loving it

I spent the weekend building more hiking trail for the Buckeye Trail. It is now Tuesday morning and I can still feel a few aches in muscles that I did not use over the winter. Yesterday, I was bone tired. This is how I describe the feeling of being completely tired physically. It is similar to the tiredness I use to feel after running a cross-country race and giving absolutely every ounce of energy away to reach the finish line.

Working on the trail this weekend was very rewarding for me. The section of trail we worked on is in Pike Lake State Forest and leads directly to the Pike Lake dam at the Pike Lake State Park here in southern Ohio. This section of trail has been closed for about a year because a section of the woods were the trail runs was being logged. Falling trees do not make for enjoyable hiking. Beyond re-opening the trail, there was some new trail built that will add to the enjoyment of hikers.

There are some very beautiful vistas here in Southern Ohio, and that is what most people look for when hiking. But we also have some very interesting cave and rock outcropping formations. Pike Lake is not known for these. The Buckeye Trail has been the only way to get to the best outcropping in southwestern Pike County. The problem has been that if you are hiking east, you will likely not notice it, and if you are hiking west… well…

The old trail went straight up a hillside. I am not exaggerating when I say that the trail fluctuated between 15 to 25 percent grade on the climb. That is steep. It is also just under a quarter mile long. Needless to say when hiking up the hill, even the most fit hikers get winded. For me, when I’d get high enough to see the outcropping I’d use it as an excuse to stop. Hiking is all about enjoying the view, right? The problem is that when you do that kind of strenuous work, you end up looking at the ground at you feet because you are bent over catching your breath. And if you do look up, those interesting little sparkles dance before your eyes obscuring the view. (Never had that happen? You need to really get your heart rate up once and enjoy the light-show. :)

The hill is now switched-backed. A full half mile was added to the length of the trail, but the grade is a gentle 5 to 10 percent, with a spot of two that might get up to 15% for a dozen feet of less. One switchback is placed so that the outcropping is perfectly visible when hiking east or west. And the gentle climb allows folks to enjoy the view without huffing and puffing.

There has been an Autumn Hike at Pike Lake for several years now. I hope that this section of the trail is selected for the hike this coming October. It is a very beautiful area that most people don’t even know exists.

Review: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien - ed. by Humphrey Carpenter

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien - ed. by Humphrey Carpenter

What an amazing book.

Like many people I have been a fan of Tolkien since High School.  I still have the battered paperback editions of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings on the bookshelf behind me.  All three of my sons read the same editions.  What has always struck me about Tolkien’s books is the depth of the characters and the world they inhabit.  Now that I have a sampling of what the man was thinking and doing during the process of writing these novels, I have an even greater respect for the accomplishment.

I recommend that every Tolkien fan read this book.

The thing that made me smile the most is that Tolkien was a deeply religious and devout man, and yet he kept all such things out of these books.  Even the Silmarillion, while structured like a holy text, does not preach or push a religious agenda.  This simple fact shows that Tolkien was a reasoning man who understood the difference between real life and the escapism of his “fairy stories”.  The kindness and goodness of the heroic characters in his works, and the simple themes of justice and strength of character are all he needs to use to define his moral and ethical grounding.  He could have preached morals but he didn’t and in doing so captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of young people.

I am tempted to go into greater detail and describe how this attitude was prevalent in his day to day life, but I don’t want to spoil any of this book for the reader.

I do want to take time to discuss how I think Tolkien might have felt about the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings films.  There are things that would have upset him I think.  Not things like the elves showing up at Helms Deep, or Arwen’s expanded presence, but the contorting of character’s motives and strengths.  I think he would be most saddened by the treatment of Faramir.  In the books Faramir knows his quality.  It is not seeking approval and love from his father that drives him, but his duty and love for his father that does so.  To have Faramir drag Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath, have him desire to be his brother, and to have him question his own worth detracts from the message Tolkien was trying to convey through character: there is still good in men.

But enough with ranting on my part.  Read this book full of letters written by the man himself and form your own opinions.  Better yet, just read the book and see for yourself that Tolkien himself was a man of quality.

All That Glitters

I must be doing something right. My flash suspense story, All That Glitters, will appear at Every Day Fiction (EDF) on a date still to be determined. This will be my second appearance at EDF. My silly micro-fiction tale The Journey was published there in November 2007. This marks my third acceptance overall.

I feel very good about this sale. This was just me. I didn’t get a critique from friends or family on this one. I pounded out the first draft of this story in one sitting. I was trying hard to write an omniscient point of view story and I failed miserably. I tried for hours and hours to get it to work correctly. I let it sit for a few days before I decided to switch it to a first person point of view story. The most minor character in the original ended up being the only logical candidate to narrate/tell the story. I almost didn’t do the rewrite, but convinced myself it would be good practice, if nothing else. As soon as I started, the entire thing fell into place. It was amazing. After I finished that draft, I let it sit a few more days, then did some minor edits and sent it off.

It sold. How cool is that!?

Story With No Name, accepted for publication!!

I planned on waiting until I had a new title to announce this acceptance, but that is proving harder than I expected.

My story, formally known as “The Shadow Blade of Thistlethwart”, has been accepted for publication in the “Infinity Swords” anthology from Carnivah House.  I am so jazzed!  I was expecting a rejection and had even picked out the next market to send it to.  The story currently has no name because the editors had one condition: give it a new title.  Easy!  No Problem!

Hah!!

The real ‘gotcha’ for me is that I was never very happy with the original title.  When the story idea occurred to me and the first pages flooded out faster than I could type, I needed something to name the word processing file.  ShadowBladeThistlethwart was what I named it.  Over time as I finished up the first draft of the story I guess I convinced myself that it was a good title.  It was a little cutesy and screamed juvenile fantasy (i.e. Harry Potter), but as a person with a quirky sense of humor I thought the juxtaposition of the title against the backdrop of an opening quote that established a strong science fictional setting was a hoot.  So I left it and did not give it another thought.

Now, I find it is branded into my brain.  I still don’t like it much, but I am afraid that I can’t come up with anything better.  I am likely being too hard on myself.  Yesterday, I gave myself a headache pondering and thinking about it.  All in all, I’d rather be drinking beer.

Which, just to show how sparky and exhausted my brain was, I actually considered using for a title.  “I’d Rather Be Drinking A Beer” was only marginally worse than “Accidental Hero”,  “The Good Evil Does”, and “Yes, Mister Churchill, There Is Such A Thing As Evil.”

Actually that last one has some promise.  It has that quirkiness that makes me grin.

The editors suggested creating something that fit the story’s theme.  Easier said than created.  When I stopped and took time to figure out how I came up with other story titles that I really liked, I realized that all of them just popped into my head at some point.  None of them were created with a conscious thought given to theme or character or plot.

I am going to read through my story a few times and cross my fingers that something pops.  If not, I think I’ll go have a beer.

I say we test water-boarding…

{the political lamp is lit}

Sorry folks, I’ll get back to reviews and the like soon. I really didn’t want to jump back in with a political post, but sometimes…

The subject is water-boarding. What set me off was the following statement: “I’m finding out just how long I can go sleep deprived. You know, running for office is sort of like being waterboarded, I think.” — Mike Huckabee

His statement is just another in a line of politicians from both sides of the aisle that dismiss water-boarding as not being “real torture” because the subject’s life is “never really at risk.”

I say we test it. Go out and grab all of these smarmy politicos and water-board the heck out of them. Huckabee might even agree to do it voluntarily just to prove his point. But I wonder how he would feel after being subjected to the procedure for a while? What would he think if he told the interrogators that he changed his mind about being “waterboarded” equating to lack of sleep, and they kept on doing it to him? The entire point is to keep at the victim until they are truly and completely broken emotionally and mentally. How would Huckabee followers feel if, as a result of water-boarding torture, he suddenly threw his political support behind a third party nazi or communist candidate.

I mean, really! Do these people honestly think that just because there is no imminent threat of death that it is not torture? You could cut someone’s arm off without anesthesia without killing them. So, is vivisection not torture?

Let’s get real. Knowledge that you are not going to die is part of the torture. It is the repetition without any end that breaks the mind and emotions. And that is exactly what water-boarding does.

There is one question I’d like to ask all these idiot politicians. Would you say it is okay for another nation to subject your loved ones to water-boarding, or would you scream about torture?

Torture is vile.  Rant over…

Been Busy Writing…

No post here for a while ’cause I been busy writing elsewhere. I finished off another new story and sent it out. I got a rejection of a flash story, tweaked it a bit and sent it on to another flash friendly magazine. I am also currently revising a story I started back in the late 90’s, finished a draft of last summer, and let sit. Even I recognized that the opening was slow on this one, and didn’t bother sending it out. As soon as I get the opening moving a little faster, it is going to go out. That will hopefully happen in a day or two.

I have had a small epiphany of sorts. I can look at stories I write and actually see where they bog down or are overly wordy. I couldn’t do that just a few months ago. I don’t have a definitive list or anything but I am going to finish all the stories that I have started. Maybe I should make a definitive list of all the stories I have in progress, just to keep track of them.

I feel good about some of the stories that are in various slush piles. Three of them I have very high hopes for. One of those stories sparked one of my family members to request more stories involving the main character. I have notes for at least five more stories. The character and world have really gotten my creative juices flowing. I have a few other stories that are almost finished and some completely new ideas that keep bouncing around in my head that need to get out.

I am happy with my enthusiasm. This blog served as a catalyst to get me in the habit of trying to write something every single day. It has worked. However, I am no longer going to try to get an entry posted here every day or even every other day, but I am not going to abandon this blog. I have three magazine reviews to complete and a few movie reviews as well. I’ll get those posted soon. There are days when I wish I was independently wealthy and could afford to be a full time writer. Well… maybe when I retire.

Review: Cloverfield (2008)

Cloverfiled (2008)

Honestly, I had trepidations about seeing this movie. I had overheard bad reviews, and had also been told good things about it. Surprisingly I was able to avoid any spoilers.

I am glad I did, because as it turns out I really liked the movie. I will do my best not to include any spoilers here.

The style of filming was similar to “The Blair Witch Project”, except better. The theme was big monster in big city. There is one major difference between this film and either “Blair Witch” or every monster movie I have seen–realistic characters. Or at least realistic for your typical movie. I paid attention to minor characters and extras and they seemed to be behaving realistically as well. There were several moments that even made me chuckle because what was happening on the screen was just an extension of how we see people behaving and reacting in news footage. While not every situation rings true, we are shown enough of each character to get a feel for who they are. I could care about these people, where as in “Blair Witch” I had started to wish they would have died sooner.

The conclusion of the movie was well done. It is different from most conclusions we see Hollywood producing these days, thankfully.

The point of view is a hand held camera. There are portions of the movie where the shaking does become annoying, but it seems to be survivable. The production value within the framework of a hand held camera is outstanding. There is also a depth to the film. The attention to details is remarkable. I plan on buying this film when it gets released just to have the pause button available to freeze frame and study all that is happening in some scenes.

I thought I was heading into a movie that Doris accurately described the original Godzilla movie meets “The Blair Witch Project”. It is that, and yet much, much more. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys the monster movie genre.

Go see it!

Review: Galaxy Blues by Allen M. Steele

Galaxy Blues - Allen M. Steele

(Published as a 4 part serial in Asimov’s SF, Oct/Nov 07, Dec 07, Jan 08, Feb 08)

Allen Steele has become one of my favorite SF authors. I know that a large part of it has to do with the style of stories he tells. The Coyote sequence is as close to the old masters as any modern day writer is currently producing. I get the grandeur, the epic scale, the positive vibe that I use to get from reading Asimov, Heinlein and Pohl.

Galaxy Blues was a bit of a disappointment for me. While I am writing a single review for all four parts, I did read it as it was published. I was thinking of waiting until the last installment showed up and then reading them altogether, but frankly, I just couldn’t wait. I was like a kid waiting for the next installment, all excited and disappointed at the same time. I feel that because I read the story in four different months, that something was lost. I plan on reading it again when the book is available in paperback, and I’ll post a comment to this entry at that time about how I feel about reading it without the month long breaks.

I did like the overall story. The opening scenes had me recalling the first Coyote story I read, “Stealing Alabama”. It had the same kind of tension and excitement level.

Some of the characters seemed a little thin to me. The main characters were robust enough, but some of the secondary characters were not people that I developed any interest in. The thing is that I know I am being harsh here. I have this extraordinarily high expectation for Coyote stories that is unrealistic for Mr. Steele to match. It occurs to me that I might have experienced a similar let down if I had read Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series in its original story and serial format. I imagine many people were disappointed that the continuing tale did not have the same excitement as “The Mule”. I need to be realistic.

It is a very good story. I would suggest that anyone that has not read any of Allen Steele’s Coyote books start with “Coyote” and read them in published order. It is not necessary, but there are tid-bits of information and story inside information that will flow just a little better if they are read that way.

Review: Asimov’s SF, V32 #2, February 2008

Asimov’s Science Fiction, V32 #2, February 2008

Overall a good issue for Asimov’s. I think the quality of stories is improving and while I am not entirely happy with all of the selections, it is nice to see a good diversity of interesting story telling styles.

Stories

• (short story) From Babel’s Fall’n Glory We Fled…- Michael Swanwick
  There are times when I marvel at the imagination of some authors. Mr. Swanwick is one of those. I admit there are times when I weary of some of his work, but, realistically that is true of just about every author I have read. This story I enjoyed. The point of view bothered me at first, but once the story hit its stride it really flowed. The work he has done to attempt to depict communication attempts from an alien mind intrigued me. {ss4}
• (short story) Sex and Violence- Nancy Kress
  This is a very interesting short. I especially like the humor associated with the study for the [hopelessly untranslatable term] being conducted by the antagonists. A very fun read! {ss6}
• (novelette) The Ray Gun: A Love Story- James Alan Gardner
  I was enamored with this story. As a lonely kid growing up on family farm there were many times that I’d pick up a stick and pretend that it was a ray gun. This story explores the situation where the stick really was a ray gun. It is well told and the main character seems so utterly realistic that I ended up feeling a kinship with him. The omniscient point of view was perfect for the tale as well. {nt7}
• (novelette) The Egg Man- Mary Rosenblum
  This story is part of Mary Rosenblum’s Drylands series. I am a fan of post-apocalyptic tales, and this series fits. The thing that intrigues me is that in this future world mankind sat idle and let it happen. Apathy wins. Welcome to the Drylands. In this particular story we catch a glimpse of what it really means to be living on the fringe of society, and the risks and dangers inherent therein. This is a powerful story, and is my favorite of the issue. {nt8}
• (short story) Inside The Box- Edward M. Lerner
  Time travel, Schroedinger’s Cat and a university lecture hall give us plenty of food for thought. Mr. Lerner’s tale gives us a bit of pragmatism and shows us how indeed those faced with unsettling events can choose to deal with them. The final line of this story is fantastic. I wish I could share, but that would be spoiling it for all of you.{ss5}
• (short story) The Last American- John Kessel
  This is a subtly dark tale. I found it interesting in the way it was presented. Mr. Kessel uses descriptive media clips of varying kinds to paint the picture of a person that twists the truth. I found this story was too close to reality at certian points to be able to get lost in the tale. If this was Mr. Kessel’s intention, then job well done.{ss4}
• (novel serial) Galaxy Blues (part 4 of 4)- Allen M. Steele
  The Great Beyond - I decided to wait until the serial ran its course before reviewing this novel. Now that it is concluded, I will be reviewing the novel in a new post and will provide backtrack links for it within the reviews for the four issues of Asimov’s SF it was in.

The Arts: (disclaimer: I don’t “get” most art or poetry, but I know what I like)

• (cover art) (no title)- Bob Eggleton
  This month’s cover is not directly related to any story. It is a very vivid cover of what I think is perhaps a cosmic event involving a neutron star. I lament that Asimov’s does not let us know the name that the artist calls their artwork. [Note: after a little digging on Mr. Eggleton's website, I find that the piece is called "Cosmic Hunger" and is his interpretation of a black hole. I was close!] {a4}
• (poetry) Where Seelie Shop- Greg Beatty
  I liked this poem. It has many fantasy elements, but I grant it slipstream status. I like the idea of fairy folk visiting the local big box mart in the twilight hours. {p4}
• (poetry) The Mirror Speaks- Jessy Randall
  I laughed out loud at this one. I think that says everything I would want to say. {p5}
• (Cartoon) Trends for the 21st Century (so far)- Steven Utley
  I am not going to review cartoons. I am pleased to see their return to the pages of Asimov’s SF. I do want to provide a link to the creator when possible. {c 5}

Departments:

• (editorial) My Rowboat by Sheila Williams
  I caught the SF bug early in life. I credit my mother reading “A Wrinkle in Time” to me as a small child. It is interesting to listen or read about how other people became science fiction or fantasy fans. In this month’s installment we find out how editor Sheila Williams caught the SF bug.
• (column) Reflections: Toilet Nirvana by Robert Silverberg
  Okay. If you think the title to this month’s column is a little weird, just wait until you read it. Mr. Silverberg discusses his trepidations about attending the World SF Convention in Japan (an event in the past upon the publication of the column, but in the future when it was written). One of his concerns is with the possibility of encountering a toilet more sophisticated than is the norm in the USA. He shouldn’t worry, he did extensive research on high tech toilets, and should be ready in any contingency. I feel prepared just having read what he wrote. Shame that I wasn’t able to afford to go to Japan. I wonder when WorldCon will be within driving distance for me?

Rejected!!!

I got a rejection yesterday. My reaction was to send it right off to another market.

The rejection was a good thing for at least two reasons. 1) I now know for sure I am not going to overreact to rejections, and 2) Duotrope, the online fiction market resource, will stop giving me the pop-up that I need to report rejections as well as acceptances. Up until yesterday my only entry in their market response time tracker was the sale I made to Every Day Fiction (EDF). All previous rejections were over 11 years ago–I think that predates Duotrope–and I can’t remember specifics anyway.

Part of my attitude change has to do with the simple fact that “The Journey”, that sale to EDF, had been my most rejected piece 11 years ago. I guess I needed to realize that some of the time there has to be a market that is ready for whatever it is I am writing. I admit it. I don’t think like other people do. It is what makes me a great software programmer and analyst. “Quirky Weirdness” is as good a way to describe me as any. All through their childhood, my boys had a common refrain; they kept telling me: “Stop being weird, Dad.”   Perhaps some markets are just not ready for my themes and my quirky weirdness.  I do know that I need to keep working hard on the mechanics of writing, and I will keep doing that.

I am probably not the best judge of my fiction. But it is a good stress outlet for me. And Doris is probably correct that I could get into trouble. And by trouble, I don’t mean “lock him up” trouble, but the kind that occurs when a pointy haired boss or other bureaucrat decides to make your life miserable. Because I pour work/government related themes or events into just about everything I am writing, I know that there are shallow and stupid people that will take offense to it. I figure if that happens, it is just more fuel for the fiction fire.

Hell, I am going to mimic some of the wording from this rejection notification in a story I am working on. Everything is fuel for the fiction fire!