Blackguard Conspiracy

The Dark Energy Project, started by a group of far-thinking engineers, scientists and programmers many years ago has come roaring back like a storm!

Meant to catapult human exploration and civilization to the farthest reaches of space, it centered around the groundbreaking information on how to build working stargates. Except, the information was stolen and its founders and all other humans attached to the project killed by alien loyalists. Thereafter, it was renamed The Blackguard Project, the linchpin of the entire drama between humans, alien rebels and the alien loyalists. It's a shortcut for the aliens in the approaching Black Fleet who abandoned their dying planet and are heading to the solar system to invade Earth and wipe out humanity.

Bob receives a copy of the Blackguard files from The Boss with a new mission: stop the inaugural activation of the new stargate at the annual Sci-Tech Convention. To most people, this is a momentous event in the history of science and space exploration. However, Bob and his U-net band know that this gate is a Trojan Horse! It must be stopped and the aliens behind this sinister plan exposed, no matter the cost.

Genre Hopping

I’ve always written speculative fiction. That isn’t changing. What has changed when it comes to my new upcoming series is that I will be incorporating mystery and thriller elements in this science fiction series. I have to say, I am a bit intimidated.

A mystery plot is the most complex plot a writer can tackle. Things have to truly be planned out well in order for it to work. I’ve always loved watching mysteries and now I will be writing one. Studying John Truby’s advice on writing these kinds of stories and also watching YT authors who are mystery writers has been tremendously helpful. Also, what has been important for me is Truby’s Books The Anatomy of Story and The Anatomy of Genre, invaluable to me.

One thing that I’ve learned since the first Indie Publishing revolution is that no, I don’t have to write ten thousand books per year. I can write one or two. I’m relieved that the pressure to write sm nay has lowered. However, the pressure to produce professional-level books and storylines has greatly increased. I’ve no issue there, one is always learning as they are writing, improving their craft. if you are learning how to write better from John Truby and applying what you learn, I believe that if you continue trying, you will make it. I’m excited about this new project, as well as sad but happy that the current series is winding down and that I’ve finally figured my way out of the knot I was in with the current story. That was a five-year knot, people! It’s no fun being stymied by Writer’s Block.

The most important thing I feel has happened for this new series is a detailed, proper outline. I’ve always written outlines. I don’t hold much with this “pantsing” stuff. I’m an architect. But Following Truby’s advice on how to put down your outline and plot it out has greatly improved how I see my way forward. I’ve done this through intuition without knowing what it was that I was doing. Truby has helped me to greatly improve how that outline looks and how to plot my story in a systematic organized way. Alright, happy writing!

Revisiting Cosmic Horror and Cosmic Awe

Cosmic horror, or the germinating idea of it I think arose before H. P. Lovecraft. The King in Yellow is a short story collection written by Robert W. Chambers in the nineteenth century, which has strong elements of horror but what is most interesting is that the stories start off sinister and dark and become lighter as you go toward the end of the book. Or so I’ve read elsewhere. I haven’t yet read Chambers’s work. It would seem to me that cosmic horror and cosmic awe are two sides of the same coin. Bear in mind that these are only my own humble musings. I have no idea what others may think about this subject.

I think that adding elements of horror or awe in a story adds richness, depth and complexity that can stay with a reader long after they’ve finished reading the story. Why do I say this? I believe it encourages a reader to indulge and delve into their deepest, darkest emotions, to let one ponder on fearful what-ifs; what if life has no purpose and how random it seems, how cruel and dark? Often, it IS cruel and dark. Delving into the ocean of the mind, where one can lose their minds, literally, if they dwell in these depths for too long, is a perilous business.

I have delved such depths. It isn’t for the faint-hearted. It can be enlightening in its own way and destructive too. But there is the Other side - such stories with the element of awe allows one to climb the highest heights of Reverence, Divine Awe, for which there is no emotion greater or more noble. I have risen this high as well and it gives one great joy that can last for hours or even days. I often think of Shakespeare and Tolkien on this side of the coin.

It isn’t hard to imagine why this may be. When one looks out at a brilliant, clear night sky, it truly is awe-inspiring. The mind can ponder on the heavens and who put them there; that there is a Grand Architect/Creator, with a mind that is incomprehensibly intelligent, who condescends to Man though He doesn’t have to, that there is a grand purpose to life and our existence, that there is a reason why symmetry and information in all life exists and why Man exists here on a special blue planet; Mathematics and scientific concepts we don’t yet understand may be revealed; secrets He may eventually share with us in Promised Paradise.

When I ponder on such vast greatness and let my mind wander on the darker what-ifs - such as what if there were no chance for salvation and we truly were on our own, or alone in the universe, what if I believed there is no God, or there were no benevolent gods? What if life really were an accident? Then that same vastness of the cosmos could induce terror. In fact, I have actually pondered those very things and the very same space we inhabit in this universe can cause great fear. Why? Because if it is true that there is no God, the accidental way we arrived could end up being the same way we leave - by accident and all of the things Humans have achieved are all for naught and any celestial body or powerful Being or alien civilization could destroy us would not care or notice. Or if we are all the Life there is in the universe we could destroy ourselves or simply die at the entropic end of the universe, if we even last that long as a species. Alone. Just as I think Cosmic Awe infuses Life with purpose, Cosmic Horror renders it an absurdity.

Then there is the thought, mentioned before, that there could be strange things and laws in the cosmos that we are unaware of, places where science has no answer for us, things, myriads of things we can’t explain or understand and even more things out there that we are not even aware that we are ignorant of. This could be good or bad, who knows? That thought could allow one to meditate in either direction.

No matter what end of the scale we’re talking about we are touching the Sublime, the Supernatural, the Divine. It isn’t just secular literature that touches on this. Though the Bible doesn’t talk directly about cosmic horror and awe in a literary way, it does deal with the Divine and the supernatural, and Fear, as it is dealing with God and the Devil and in the Bible one can find both indirect examples of cosmic awe and cosmic horror, in my opinion, if one chooses to apply certain scriptures in a certain way.

1 Corinthians 15:41 - “The glory of the sun is one sort, and the glory of the moon is another, and the glory of the stars is another; in fact, one star differs from another star in glory.” - Apostle Paul.

There is also this, which I find both poetically beautiful and terrifying:

Jude 1:12-13 - “These are the rocks hidden below water at your love feasts while they feast with you. . . .wild waves of the sea that cast up the foam of their own shame; stars with no set course, for which the blackest darkness stands reserved forever.” - Jude.

Great ponderings for meditation and also for stories, surely. Happy writing.

Those Who Envy Creatives

I’ve been listening to a YT channel called The Dragon Demands. He does an excellent and thorough job of breaking down industry news and behind-the-scenes shenanigans in Hollywood, specifically in regard to science fiction and fantasy TV shows.

One thing I’ve noticed, and I’ve noticed this in the music industry as well, is that there are certain types of people who envy creative people and what we are able to do but are too lazy or too untalented to actually do the work we do, and I mean any creative endeavor, not just the traditional types of creative fields They want to control, dominate, take over and consume us and our work as their own. The two buffoon kings in Hollywood, Benioff and Weiss are two recent examples. They destroyed A Game of Thrones and now it looks like they are getting ready to wipe their behinds on The Three Body problem. I won’t be watching it. I have no deisre to watch anything they’ve tainted. I do plan to read the books in the future.

I’ve noticed this issue for decades and I think it is imperative for creative people to become more attuned to how business is run and to be more savvy about protecting our work, especially writers and musicians. There are too many people who want to be able to say they can do what we do (create) but won’t, or can’t, put in the real work to make it happen. So what they will do is steal from us or dominate and take over the work of a creative person. Sean Combs was like this (I have always hated him and |I’m glad to see him finally fall). Benioff and Weiss do this as well. I’ve even heard that Carlton Cuse is another no-talent hack. The behind-the-scenes issues that went on around the TV show Lost are a real eye-opener. It was really disappointing to hear of it because Lost was one of my favorite shows of all time.

What they ARE good at doing is putting on the mask of talent and intelligence, glad-handing and putting on the charm offensive so that they stay on top while fans, production workers and true creative (writers) talent are left holding the bag. I’ve seen so many fans of a novel or some franchise or game crushed in disappointment because one of their favorite stories was ruined on film or TV. I should know because I am a fan that has experienced this. Creatives need better business sense and better self-esteem. Too many of us allow such people to dominate and control us and our work.

Sometimes I do wonder whether George R. R. Martin won’t finish his magnum opus A Song of Ice and Fire because of his negative experience with Benioff and Weiss has destroyed his motivation. emotional and psychological issues can help fuel writer’s block. While I now realize those things are not the germinating issue, I believe that they can contribute to the problem.

I feel sorry for the fans of The Three Body Problem and the other books in that trilogy by Liu Cixin. The goober kings Benioff and Weiss are already showing that they have no respect for the author of this story! Let’s face it, if it weren’t for authors and script-writers there would be no film or TV! They don’t respect the director or anyone else who is there to make things happen onscreen. And it seems that NO ONE in Hollywood respects the writer. Not at all.

A sad, sad business, indeed.

An Element of Cosmic Horror

In my new series that I plan to write I’ve been considering adding an element of cosmic horror. How it will figure in the story is still forming in my mind, even though it is primarily science fiction that I’m writing I see nothing wrong with adding elements of other genres. After all, John Truby mentions that this is what can make a story resonate and be more attractive to readers. I don’t plan to overdo it - after all, I’m not writing horror - but this new world will be a Manichean world. The belief of many, especially of the protagonist is that there are the Forces of Light and there are the Forces of Darkness. I know this is not a favorite philosophical way of thinking with some these days - too binary - but it is a very important philosophy and this attitude of Good and Evil is foundational for the next series. This tends to show up in most of my work.

And the Forces of Darkness? They evoke at the very least an ominous feeling. At their worst, (or best depending on what side you fall on) they evoke horror on a cosmic scale. Don’t look for The Colour Out of Space (one of my favorite stories!) but look for faint echoes.

I plan to add elements of the Arthurian Cycles as well, and where this and the cosmic horror will meld is at the point of the dangers of transcendental meditation, the Chapel Perilous (where our protagonist goes to a forbidden place and faces grave consequences because of it) the Great Attractor and the intersection of dreams. The Chapel Perilous is where he faces this moment of horror (personal and external) - or the very edges of it.

As I understand it, normally cosmic horror is the idea of Evil that does not see or care about humanity or any life that is lower than it. It is indifferent to us. In my opinion, the reality is quite the opposite but in this story lies a paradox. At times, this Darkness actually is indifferent - or appears to be so - and at times it is unnaturally focused on humanity and its doings. I will have a more thoughtful analysis of this subject next week.

I think it would be well to revisit the Father of Cosmic Horror, H. P. Lovecraft. I’ve read a few of his stories over the years but it’s been a long time.

It’s time for me to do some more research. To get back into the mindset of Lovecraft. Let’s hope I don’t go mad! Wish me luck!

Happy reading and happy writing!

New and upcoming books!

I’m sure everyone and their grandmother’s dog has heard of Cate Corrain’s foolishness and precipitous downfall by now. It’s a well-deserved one too. I don’t wade into drama here - that’s not what this blog is about. However, what she did was particularly egregious. It is amazing to me how some people who already have it all decide that ALL it isn’t enough. Not only do they want it all, but they have to destroy the work of others so that they have NOTHING.

This is called the zero-sum mindset. That’s also how you know that you’re dealing with someone with a personality disorder. But, I digress.

What I want to do is showcase the authors whom she attacked and their books. They look very promising to me and I may very well be throwing some of these on my TBR pile!

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

In a country divided between humans and witchers, Venus Stoneheart hustles as a brewer making illegal love potions to support her family.

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

She has power over death. He has power over her. When two enemies strike a dangerous bargain, will they end a war . . . or ignite one?

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

Whip-smart and immersive, this Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows a gods-blessed heroine who’s forced to choose between saving her sister or protecting her homeland—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and The Priory of the Orange Tree.

A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in the first book of a Norse-inspired fantasy romance series from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

Road To Ruin by Hana Li

An electrifying, gritty fantasy from debut author Hana Lee that takes a royal messenger on a high-speed chase across a climate-ravaged wasteland, featuring motorcycles, monsters, and magic.

The Empire Wars by Akure Phenix

The Empire Wars is a powerful YA debut where survival and magic are a deadly mix.

There is also R. M. Virtues Sing Me To Sleep, Drag Me Up, Katrina Kwan’s books and Thea Guanzon’s The Hurricane Wars.

There may be other authors that she targeted for her sock-puppetry. I will post their works here as I discover them. As for understanding the drama, and it is a doozy, these three ladies on YouTube have spilled it out for everyone on the details.

Bookish Realm

Reads With Rachel

Xiran Jay Zhao

Sci-Fi And Fantasy Ebook Giveaway!

I’m on a roll here folks! I’m participating in three book giveaways this season and this is the second one! Many of us authors have teamed up to offer a large selection if science fiction and fantasy books. These books are all free until the end of March! Don’t wait to fill up your e-reader library and supporting these authors! Thanks so much! Happy reading!

Click here to browse and download free science fiction and fantasy books!

Becoming A Bookworm, Again.

When I was a girl I loved reading. I was a dedicated bookworm. My parents, especially my mother, always encouraged reading and writing and they valued education. They always bought books for us to read, they were readers themselves and my mother always took us to the library and to other programs where we could get free books.

I loved libraries as a kid. When I was a teenager, I would skip class or even skip school and just hang out at my city’s central library! (Yes, I was the geekiest goody-two shoes geek that ever geeked. Don’t laugh!)

With the advent of the web, I slowly stopped reading regularly until it occurred to me one day last year that I barely read anything at all these days. And how can you continue to write quality stories if you never read? I decided it was time to fix that. On top of that, I could feel myself getting dumber! When I look at old school papers that I’d written (by hand) and even short stories that I’d written as a teenager, I could barely recognize myself. I sounded like a highly intelligent person. My vocabulary was bigger back then. This was embarrassing. My younger self seemed smarter and more educated than my older self. I thought: “Well, that won’t do!” I also decided that I wanted to get back into reading for pleasure because it’s fun!

What’s heartening to me is seeing so many young people who are into reading. There is a saying that young people don’t read these days and while that is true for many, it’s not true about all of them. BookTok is a prime example and so is BookTube. Plenty of young people are reading and they love books. I love that.

I went to my favorite bookstore (Powell’s) to remedy the problem and picked up a nice little TBR list of books that I’ve had my eye on. My thoughts on each book will come in the future. The list is as follows:

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (Finished. As always I love her work. I loved this book! It stayed with me long after I’d finished reading it. I didn’t want it to end!)

The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud (TBR. I always find Freud and Jung’s works important for storytelling or just for self-knowledge.)

The Discourses by Epictetus (Still reading. Very useful for daily living and emotional balance. I see it like a secular stoic version of Proverbs.)

Cassiel’s Servant by Jacqueline Carey (Still reading. I enjoyed her Kushiel series and this book, so far, is good.)

Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher (Still reading. So far, this is just as exciting as his father’s Dresden Files series.)

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs (TBR. He is one of my favorite authors due to the Barsoom series. Decided to give this series a try. I tried when I was a teenager and couldn’t get into them. Will try again.)

All Systems Red by Martha Wells (TBR. I’ve heard a lot about this Murderbot series. I’m excited!)

The Witches, Salem 1632, A History by Stacy Schiff (TBR. This was a completely random pick-up through browsing. That’s another thing I miss about buying books these days but that’s a post for another day. It looks interesting and I love history.)

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (TBR. I love dragons and this looks interesting.)

So that’s the list so far. I’m a slow reader but I will post my thoughts on these books later this year. I don’t do negativity so if I don’t like a book I won’t post anything about it but I’m quite sure that I’m going to enjoy all of these books. Anyway, back to writing for me! Happy writing!

Harbeasts Of Mars

Crash landing!

After a rowdy victory celebration following the battle of Europa, Bob goes for a stargazing trip in the desert and wrecks his speeder. Stranded, he soon finds he isn't alone. Harbeasts, the savage, fearsome, genetically engineered predators that roam the Martian deserts are hot on his trail!

With no water or food, limited air supply, no working vehicle, and the nearest way-station days away, Bob finds himself in a dogged fight for survival. Unfortunately, he also finds that the harbeasts aren't the only predators out to get him.

Buy Mission: Harbeasts of Mars!

Attack On Europa

The affair on Langrenus now settled, Bob plans to return home. But an urgent cry for help from an old friend interrupts his homecoming. The Boss sends him a fleet of newly built fighter ships, seemingly just in time for this unexpected mission. Bob brings along a new ally, enlisting him in his growing little band of U-net agents. The new guy is James Jenkins, a.k.a Diamond Dog, a young, hot-shot pilot with smuggling connections and as soon as they set foot on Mars trouble blows up in their faces.

A new city is being built and there will be a final gathering of the Allied Martian Powers. They've been planning their long-awaited and perilous mission – to destroy the loyalist alien military base on Europa. Bob and Diamond bring along much needed help to the cause, more than willing to rally to the side of the Alliance of Martian Powers but Bob finds that things are changing faster than he can keep up with and his experience in Langrenus haunts him in more ways than one. On Mars, alliances between humans and aliens are complex, tenuous things and Bob finds that even relationships with one's allies can be uneasy.

Buy Mission: Attack on Europa!