Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: Hollywood, 1940.
First Sentence: Eddie Royce sat in Whistler's office on the sixth floor of the Meteor building and waited for the editor to look up from the galleys he studied, a smoldering cigar held between his thick lips and a look of quiet disgust on his face as the read.
A quote from the book: "If you had a dream, what would you do for the dream? Would you kill for it? Would you defy the laws of the universe?"
Eddie Royce has a dream. He wants to become a famous science fiction writer. It is 1940, at the beginning of the first Golden Age of Science fiction. Eddie has tried for a long time to write something good enough to be published. But he can't come up with any good ideas.
So he borrows some.
Eddie takes some of Shakespeare's plays and turns them into science fiction stories. And he begins to sell his stories to a pulp science fiction magazine.
Also writing for the magazine is Eddie's idol, Chester Blackwood. Eddie's writing has caught Blackwood's notice. Blackwood arranges to meet him. That's when Eddie learns that Blackwood has been borrowing plots as well. But, instead of getting his stories from long dead authors, Blackwood has found a way to travel into the future and steal stories that haven't been written yet.
Blackwood is now an incredibly successful author. And the future has been altered.
Writing in a style reminiscent of the black and white noir movies of the 30's and 40's, Levesque transports us into a time that never was. We have a private eye, some hired muscle, beautiful dames, a corrupt publisher, illicit drugs, hack writers, and time travel.
Can Eddie and his girlfriend stay one step ahead of the thugs, while they travel through time to find a future where they are both alive?
This novel was a fun read. While I read, I had visions of those old noir moves in my mind. I thought Levesque's idea of time travel was very creative.
The novel has many nods to those Golden Age authors such as Asimov and Heinlein. If you're a fan of those great science fiction authors of the Golden Age, you will enjoy this novel.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Back to Creative Writing School by Bridget Whelan
Genre: Writing Instruction
First Sentence: This book is about writing.
For me the hardest part of writing is beginning. The ideas seem to flow freely in my mind, yet it is often difficult to get them down on paper. That's the goal of Bridget Whelan's book - to help writers "defeat the blank page."
Her book consists of thirty exercises organized as lessons in a class on creative writing. In each lesson, Whelan has included an essay which describes a writing skill, and gives examples of its use. The exercises themselves are challenges which encourage creative thinking. I tried several of the exercises. In each exercise, I found that I could create a unique piece of creative writing.
I think that this book would be helpful for beginning writers as well as experienced writers. Beginners will find new ways to get their ideas down on paper. And experienced writers may find different ways to express their thoughts.
I recommend this book to all writers who wish to improve their skills.
First Sentence: This book is about writing.
For me the hardest part of writing is beginning. The ideas seem to flow freely in my mind, yet it is often difficult to get them down on paper. That's the goal of Bridget Whelan's book - to help writers "defeat the blank page."
Her book consists of thirty exercises organized as lessons in a class on creative writing. In each lesson, Whelan has included an essay which describes a writing skill, and gives examples of its use. The exercises themselves are challenges which encourage creative thinking. I tried several of the exercises. In each exercise, I found that I could create a unique piece of creative writing.
I think that this book would be helpful for beginning writers as well as experienced writers. Beginners will find new ways to get their ideas down on paper. And experienced writers may find different ways to express their thoughts.
I recommend this book to all writers who wish to improve their skills.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Motion Picture Review of Saving Mr. Banks
Genre: Motion Picture
Rating: PG-13 for a portrayal of alcoholism, an attempted suicide, and a character dying of tuberculosis.
For twenty years Walt Disney had asked P. L. Travers for the film rights for Mary Poppins. And for twenty years she had refused him. But, in the early 1960's Mrs. Travers found herself in financial trouble. The sales of her novels no longer provided with enough income to live on.
So she agreed to let Disney make a Mary Poppins movie.
She had many demands.
The plot of the Saving Mr. Banks moves between Mrs. Travers's childhood in Australia, and her interactions with Walt Disney and the script writers.
What confuses Disney and the scriptwriters is why Mrs. Travers is so protective of her novel and the character Mary Poppins. When Walt finally understands Mrs. Travers motivation, he is able to finally convince Mrs. Travers that he will treat her novel and Mary Poppins with respect.
I enjoyed this film. Tom Hanks did a great job of portraying Walt Disney. I liked Emma Thompson's portrayal of Mrs. Travers.
When you see this movie, stay through all of the credits. Mrs. Travers insisted that all of the script meetings be recorded. While the credits roll, we get to hear the tape of one of the meetings. And we hear Mrs. Travers voice.
Remember, when you go to see Saving Mr. Banks, bring some tissue.
Rating: PG-13 for a portrayal of alcoholism, an attempted suicide, and a character dying of tuberculosis.
For twenty years Walt Disney had asked P. L. Travers for the film rights for Mary Poppins. And for twenty years she had refused him. But, in the early 1960's Mrs. Travers found herself in financial trouble. The sales of her novels no longer provided with enough income to live on.
So she agreed to let Disney make a Mary Poppins movie.
She had many demands.
The plot of the Saving Mr. Banks moves between Mrs. Travers's childhood in Australia, and her interactions with Walt Disney and the script writers.
What confuses Disney and the scriptwriters is why Mrs. Travers is so protective of her novel and the character Mary Poppins. When Walt finally understands Mrs. Travers motivation, he is able to finally convince Mrs. Travers that he will treat her novel and Mary Poppins with respect.
I enjoyed this film. Tom Hanks did a great job of portraying Walt Disney. I liked Emma Thompson's portrayal of Mrs. Travers.
When you see this movie, stay through all of the credits. Mrs. Travers insisted that all of the script meetings be recorded. While the credits roll, we get to hear the tape of one of the meetings. And we hear Mrs. Travers voice.
Remember, when you go to see Saving Mr. Banks, bring some tissue.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Gabriel: Zero Point by Steve Umstead
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: The middle of the 22nd century, on Earth and on a space station.
First Sentence: Which one is he?
This novelette is a prequel to Umstead's Evan Gabriel series. The series currently consists of this prequel and three novels.
Evan Gabriel is the ultimate Black-Ops warrior. Like all military personnel of Umstead's future, Gabriel has neuretic brain implants which enhance his fighting and communication skills. Unlike most others, he is a survivor of the Human Augmentation and Microcellular Replacement Program (HAMR). This program is an extremely advanced technology which turns normal humans into super soldiers.
This novelette relates how Gabriel was selected for the HAMR program. We learn what he went through to receive his enhancements, And, we discover what makes Gabriel different from the other graduates of the program.
This was a fun read. It filled in some of the back story to the Gabriel series. In my opinion the novelette ended somewhat abruptly. I was hoping to find out more about Gabriel's first missions.
If you are interested in this series, this novelette would be a great place to start!
Check out my eBook:
Setting: The middle of the 22nd century, on Earth and on a space station.
First Sentence: Which one is he?
This novelette is a prequel to Umstead's Evan Gabriel series. The series currently consists of this prequel and three novels.
Evan Gabriel is the ultimate Black-Ops warrior. Like all military personnel of Umstead's future, Gabriel has neuretic brain implants which enhance his fighting and communication skills. Unlike most others, he is a survivor of the Human Augmentation and Microcellular Replacement Program (HAMR). This program is an extremely advanced technology which turns normal humans into super soldiers.
This novelette relates how Gabriel was selected for the HAMR program. We learn what he went through to receive his enhancements, And, we discover what makes Gabriel different from the other graduates of the program.
This was a fun read. It filled in some of the back story to the Gabriel series. In my opinion the novelette ended somewhat abruptly. I was hoping to find out more about Gabriel's first missions.
If you are interested in this series, this novelette would be a great place to start!
Check out my eBook:
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Gabriel's Redemption by: Steve Umstead
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: The year 2176, on Earth, in space, and on other planets.
First Sentence: Evan dove into the clear blue water, leaving the safety of the catamaran behind, and swam deep, adjusting his goggles as he kicked.
This novel is the first in Umstead's Evan Gabriel series. The series currently consists of three novels and a prequel novelette.
In this novel Umstead transports the black-ops thriller to the twenty-second century. It is a somewhat dystopian time of high technology, war, and organized crime. Our main character, Evan Gabriel, is a disgraced former black-ops team leader. He was held responsible for a massacre which cost the lives of his entire team and the lives of innocent civilians. In his darkest dreams he can still recall the shadowy figure who set him up.
As the story begins, Gabriel is hanging out in Jamaica, trying to forget the past, and trying to avoid being killed. Then, someone from his past, Admiral MacFarland, calls him in for one more mission. Evan is not big fan of the Admiral, but due to regulations he is forced to go on the mission.
Apparently, on a far-off planet, someone is making an illegal drug harvested from the brains of the local sentient species. Gabriel and his team are going in to shut down the operation.
What Gabriel discovers on that far-off planet has repercussions at the highest levels of government. Gabriel must avoid being the fall guy, keep his team alive, and get some sweet payback.
This was a great book. There was plenty of action and black-ops style intrigue. Umstead has created an interesting high-tech universe. I can't wait to get my own neuretic brain implants!
In the mean time, I suggest that you download this book, and enjoy.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: The year 2176, on Earth, in space, and on other planets.
First Sentence: Evan dove into the clear blue water, leaving the safety of the catamaran behind, and swam deep, adjusting his goggles as he kicked.
This novel is the first in Umstead's Evan Gabriel series. The series currently consists of three novels and a prequel novelette.
In this novel Umstead transports the black-ops thriller to the twenty-second century. It is a somewhat dystopian time of high technology, war, and organized crime. Our main character, Evan Gabriel, is a disgraced former black-ops team leader. He was held responsible for a massacre which cost the lives of his entire team and the lives of innocent civilians. In his darkest dreams he can still recall the shadowy figure who set him up.
As the story begins, Gabriel is hanging out in Jamaica, trying to forget the past, and trying to avoid being killed. Then, someone from his past, Admiral MacFarland, calls him in for one more mission. Evan is not big fan of the Admiral, but due to regulations he is forced to go on the mission.
Apparently, on a far-off planet, someone is making an illegal drug harvested from the brains of the local sentient species. Gabriel and his team are going in to shut down the operation.
What Gabriel discovers on that far-off planet has repercussions at the highest levels of government. Gabriel must avoid being the fall guy, keep his team alive, and get some sweet payback.
This was a great book. There was plenty of action and black-ops style intrigue. Umstead has created an interesting high-tech universe. I can't wait to get my own neuretic brain implants!
In the mean time, I suggest that you download this book, and enjoy.
Check out my eBook!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Ahuitzotl: A Novel of Aztec Mexico
Genre: Historical Mystery, Romance
Setting: The Aztec Empire before the European Colonization
FYI: Some adult content
First Sentence: We fear our Gods!
This novel is the story of Ahuitzotl who was one of the last Aztec emperors.
As the story begins our main character is an ambitious Aztec warlord. He is unhappy with the the emperor, his brother Tizoc, is ruling the kingdom. The Aztecs believe that they bring glory to the gods through the valor of their warriors and the sacrifice of their captives. They maintain their supply of sacrificial victims by waging war against neighboring tribes.
Tizoc wants to settle disputes with the vassal tribes in a peaceful manner. This is viewed as a weakness by the vassal states and the Aztec leaders.
When Tizoc dies unexpectedly, Ahuitzotl is selected to be the next emperor. He is determined to be the greatest emperor in Aztec history. To achieve his goal, Ahuitzotl wages total war against belligerent tribes. His win-at-any-cost strategies go against the Aztec's customary ways of waging war in which the goal was to capture, rather than kill, your enemy. Ahuitzotl ignores the priests who warn him that he risks offending the gods by trying to gain personal glory.
In his personal life, Ahuitzotl is passionately in love with the beautiful Lady Pelaxilla. Although he loves her, he is forbidden to marry her because she is not of the royal blood. However, the emperor must have a wife, so Ahuitzotl offers marriage to his brother Tizoc's widow, the Lady Tlulalca.
These two women are extremely jealous of each other. Ahuitzotl manages his relationships with them poorly. He is much too self absorbed to build a loving relationship with them. His mistakes will haunt him to the end of his days.
Throughout his life Ahuitzotl's megalomania leads him to make a series of poor decisions. In the end, Ahuitzotl learns that his quest for personal glory has cost him everything he holds dear.
I enjoyed reading this novel. It was an interesting story about a real person from history. I knew that Ahuitzotl's pride would lead him to great conquests and great errors. I kept reading to find out how he would gain glory, and then how he would throw it away.
I do believe that the novel would be greatly improved by a little more editing. This might improve the narrative and correct some odd misspellings.
Over all, for me, this was a fun read. If you are interested in historical fiction, and the Aztecs you might like it too.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: The Aztec Empire before the European Colonization
FYI: Some adult content
First Sentence: We fear our Gods!
This novel is the story of Ahuitzotl who was one of the last Aztec emperors.
As the story begins our main character is an ambitious Aztec warlord. He is unhappy with the the emperor, his brother Tizoc, is ruling the kingdom. The Aztecs believe that they bring glory to the gods through the valor of their warriors and the sacrifice of their captives. They maintain their supply of sacrificial victims by waging war against neighboring tribes.
Tizoc wants to settle disputes with the vassal tribes in a peaceful manner. This is viewed as a weakness by the vassal states and the Aztec leaders.
When Tizoc dies unexpectedly, Ahuitzotl is selected to be the next emperor. He is determined to be the greatest emperor in Aztec history. To achieve his goal, Ahuitzotl wages total war against belligerent tribes. His win-at-any-cost strategies go against the Aztec's customary ways of waging war in which the goal was to capture, rather than kill, your enemy. Ahuitzotl ignores the priests who warn him that he risks offending the gods by trying to gain personal glory.
In his personal life, Ahuitzotl is passionately in love with the beautiful Lady Pelaxilla. Although he loves her, he is forbidden to marry her because she is not of the royal blood. However, the emperor must have a wife, so Ahuitzotl offers marriage to his brother Tizoc's widow, the Lady Tlulalca.
These two women are extremely jealous of each other. Ahuitzotl manages his relationships with them poorly. He is much too self absorbed to build a loving relationship with them. His mistakes will haunt him to the end of his days.
Throughout his life Ahuitzotl's megalomania leads him to make a series of poor decisions. In the end, Ahuitzotl learns that his quest for personal glory has cost him everything he holds dear.
I enjoyed reading this novel. It was an interesting story about a real person from history. I knew that Ahuitzotl's pride would lead him to great conquests and great errors. I kept reading to find out how he would gain glory, and then how he would throw it away.
I do believe that the novel would be greatly improved by a little more editing. This might improve the narrative and correct some odd misspellings.
Over all, for me, this was a fun read. If you are interested in historical fiction, and the Aztecs you might like it too.
Check out my eBook!
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