tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70504687982117240272024-03-14T01:56:38.635-07:00Wistful NebulaeTalking sci-fi, astronomy, writing and things that inspire ... The stars are the beginning ...M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-26118720709644146192012-08-05T12:36:00.000-07:002012-08-05T12:38:06.601-07:00This Blog Has Moved<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks for stopping in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This blog has moved to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Please join me there. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG2SH-o3f40cpUPXIl2g6DRjAFdSGAqOYKQEOZ4aejGGvYs_-tk4tcsGxSos0XJhkQHy7xWB3SCcsecv67phdZsHHR2KkALJT4bNHdNX9JTZbgetBFpn9a-7Y3uSGibudXpdC7xmzd7I/s1600/DSC06970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGG2SH-o3f40cpUPXIl2g6DRjAFdSGAqOYKQEOZ4aejGGvYs_-tk4tcsGxSos0XJhkQHy7xWB3SCcsecv67phdZsHHR2KkALJT4bNHdNX9JTZbgetBFpn9a-7Y3uSGibudXpdC7xmzd7I/s400/DSC06970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</h2>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-2753212364868367332012-08-03T00:30:00.000-07:002012-08-03T00:30:04.821-07:00<h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Woot! For Karen Elizabeth Brown! She launches her debut book, <i><b>Medieval Muse</b></i>. Congratulations Karen!</span></h3>
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<span style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3736" height="300" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/MedMuse418pxSidebar-215x300.jpg" title="MedMuse418pxSidebar" width="215" /></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: green; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Medieval Muse</b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333;">What happens when Victoria Budroix receives a cameo that promises to give her the desires of her heart? Since she doesn’t know what that would be, a trip to medieval times, intrigue, threat of war and an overbearing lord are on the list for her to choose from. Or could it be meeting her one true love?</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">Sir William of Conrad has escorted a stranger home to be under his protection. He discovers this woman speaks her own mind and melts his heart. He faces his father’s outrage and a broken alliance with the neighboring clan by falling in love.</span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Medieval </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Muse is available as a free read from <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/206478" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Smashwords.com</span></a></b></span>. </i></span>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Karen Elizabeth Brown’s passion for writing is what fills her entire life with exhilarating inspiration. She spends her days writing, doing research and studying about the subjects of her stories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When she’s not writing, she enjoys music and reading, especially medieval fantasy. Born in Southern California, she migrated to Southern Oregon in 1974 where she now resides in the Rogue Valley with her family and friends. Find out more about the author at her official website:</span></span><a href="http://www.karenelizabethbrown.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b> </b>www.karenelizabethbrown.com</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">I'm still madly scrambling to finish up <i><b>The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear</b></i>. I'm on the polished draft, but still have a lot of work to do. After pretty much rewriting the first eight chapters, I freaked most of this week about my slow progress. But it seems to have smoothed out, and the polishing is picking up speed. So, I feel pretty good about where I'm at and how much time I have left. I can do it! You know what I say ... never give up, never surrender. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Because my publisher is such a slave driver, that damned M. Pax, I'll only be up at the observatory Saturday instead of both nights. I just can't afford two late nights right now. There's a lot of moon again anyway. So I won't miss much. Here's a moon shot from last Saturday:</span><br />
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<a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/2012/08/03/medieval-muse/dsc06940/" rel="attachment wp-att-3759" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3759" height="375" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC06940-1024x768.jpg" title="DSC06940" width="500" /></a></div>
I took this one using my special eyepiece I call, "Precious." An 11 mm Nagler. I know that means nothing to most of you, but it's a very, very nice eyepiece which gives me lovely, lovely views through my 8" Dob. Some of which rival the 24" scope under the dome. Had the polarizing filter on, too. Helps me get a better shot, because I can control how much glare is bouncing off the moon.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Other than those few hours of astronomizing Saturday night, I'm working, working, working. Unless the kitties need a hug, which they often do. What are your plans for the weekend? Going to read some Medieval Muse?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><u>NOTE: </u>This is the final post at this URL. This blog has moved to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com./blog/ </a></span></h2>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-78290889023508507972012-08-01T00:30:00.000-07:002012-08-01T00:30:03.055-07:00Category for $??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iYVwMYIgmQ0mTWKFkMHfVAViYqT9IMK2xcjay4O7kkLT-ZB4bXJbK-KxGczSt1cpy1HLbE8RspaapZ0HhJ1kSDBNag-U7PT-juc8PTG8Jvk77VHYTuXjFwp748wuE2_lh-6QZV2m3WA/s1600/DSC06919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iYVwMYIgmQ0mTWKFkMHfVAViYqT9IMK2xcjay4O7kkLT-ZB4bXJbK-KxGczSt1cpy1HLbE8RspaapZ0HhJ1kSDBNag-U7PT-juc8PTG8Jvk77VHYTuXjFwp748wuE2_lh-6QZV2m3WA/s400/DSC06919.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photo taken by moi last Friday night at Pine Mountain through my 8" dobsonian telescope. 25mm eyepiece. Polarizing filter on the eyepiece. Creative Commons -- meaning you may use my photo as long as you credit M. Pax. Click on it to blow it up. It came out awesome. Honest.<br />
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Please Note: This blog has moved to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> Please join me and your other bloggy friends there. This coming Friday will be the last simultaneous post.</h2>
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Happy IWSG. Every month writers gather around the blogosphere to offer encouragement and garner support. Hosted by <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></b></span>, it's not too late to join in. Go on! You know you want to.<br />
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I was tagged some time ago by the lovely <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-07-23T06:48:00-04:00&max-results=5">Tara Tyler</a></b></span> with the magic eight ball meme. Maybe I'm getting this wrong, but I'm supposed to ask all of you to be my magic eight ball. My current dilemma isn't with writing [although I could use two more of me to finish up the manuscript by August 13th, gah!], it's with the marketing. So my first question is about categories and genres ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-33D_fjCdgUHTRdtCtMEvPHF_vrypyCdOiqxjgWD7fDYNWpmfUqLojZn1mP_fHHuK-OJCz5Nauy4WSzkdtxtB30IFdNLoYIXgnFvoixsnZ7V_I8ZnynuKo2ycbl28Tt9iylO7EHZDTVw/s1600/RenHetty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-33D_fjCdgUHTRdtCtMEvPHF_vrypyCdOiqxjgWD7fDYNWpmfUqLojZn1mP_fHHuK-OJCz5Nauy4WSzkdtxtB30IFdNLoYIXgnFvoixsnZ7V_I8ZnynuKo2ycbl28Tt9iylO7EHZDTVw/s200/RenHetty2.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
I don't know how many of you read, <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Plantgirl</b></i></span> [free read <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/mpaxworks/plantgirl/">LINKS</a></b>]. <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear</b></i></span> centers around some similar elements -- a rather sad gal with a rather sad life, searching for a way to make herself better. There's some ghosts, invisible people, cloaks, DNA experiments, Renaissance Faires, and more. Although I do use some contemporary science fiction with the cloaks and experiments, I don't want to market this series as science fiction.<br />
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I wrote this one more for women and it's women I want to target. So, I don't want to sell under sci-fi this time. The most accurate description is speculative fiction -- a combination of contemporary fantasy, contemporary sci-fi, and plain strange. The focus is more on Hetty and her issues. While she's trying to figure herself out, she encounters a lot of strange, including her parents. However, no site lets you choose speculative fiction as the genre.<br />
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Some sites will let me select general fiction, which I've noted Margaret Atwood sells under, but others won't let me be so vague.<br />
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Basically, my main character gets pulled farther and farther into a hidden world on our world which is cloaked. There's an Area 52. There will be superhero-ish elements. <span style="font-size: large;">Can I market it as fantasy? Or what would you do with it?</span><br />
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OK, that was a bit long for one question.<br />
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Second question, much shorter: This is the first in a new series. It'll end up around 70,000 words. My local crit group insists it's too good not to sell. They say it's my best work yet. But it's targeted to a different audience than Backworlds. And I still need to be seen and discovered. <span style="font-size: large;">At what price would you sell it? </span><br />
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Any thoughts on my marketing quandries welcome.<br />
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<u style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="background-color: #0c343d; font-weight: normal;"> Announcements: </span></u></h3>
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Fight Club Begins! Hosted by the talented, <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://dlcruisingaltitude.blogspot.com/2012/07/write-club-2012-round-1.html">DL Hammons</a></b></span>. I signed up so I can vote. Best of luck to the contestants.<br />
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Tyrean of <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/">Tyrean's Writing Spot</a></span></b> has a poem published. Congrats Tyrean!<br />
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<b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://breakthroughblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/blurb-post-part-deux.html">Stephen Tremp</a></span></b> is having a blurb bloghop on August 15th, where we work on blurbs and tweet each other. Fabulous idea, Stephen.<br />
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<a href="http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/supportive-blogger-extraordinaire.html"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b>L. Diane Wolfe</b></span> </a>is sponsoring the Supportive Blogger Extraordinaire Contest. Nominations are open until August 5th for whoever you'd like to nominate. It was tough coming up with just one for me. You've all been so incredibly supportive. I'd rain riches and praises on all of you. Anyway, it's a great way to pay forward acts of kindness and support that make you all warm and fuzzy inside.<br />
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And keep <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>September 17th</b></i></span> open! A first for me, into which I'm dragging a few other blogging writers. I hope to say what next week. :D<br />
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OK, thanks for listening to me ramble. Time to get back to work. The clock's ticking and Hetty and the invisible people are waiting ...<br />
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<br />M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-53352080375781062832012-07-30T07:47:00.000-07:002012-07-30T07:47:20.378-07:00Oracle Olymplic Event*
<span style="color: #333333;">I know I said Friday I'd not be posting. Forgot I made this commitment ...</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Also, </span><u style="color: #20124d;">please note</u><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span><b style="color: #20124d;">THIS BLOG HAS MOVED</b><span style="color: #20124d;">. </span><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #073763;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a><span style="color: #20124d;"> Please join me there. </span> This will be the last week of simultaneous posts.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Olympics-mania is at fever pitch! What better way is there to get into the Olympic spirit than a book set around the London Games?</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">J.C. Martin releases her debut novel, crime thriller <i>Oracle</i>, <b>today</b>! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">To celebrate, she's holding a month-long <i>Oracle </i>Olympics Blog Tour, with tons of games and prizes, <b>including a possible grand prize of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>an iPad3</i></span></b> (for more details, visit <a href="http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/2012/07/oracle-olympics-official-opening-ceremony/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>J.C.'s blog</b></span></a>)!</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">And it all kicks off with today's Opening Ceremony!</span><br />
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<span style="clear: right; color: #333333; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="ORACLE" class="alignright" height="336" src="http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/Jc_Martin/Oracle-FrontCover-500px.jpg" title="ORACLE" width="216" /></span><span style="color: #333333;"><b><i>Read on to find out how you could win a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">signed</span> paperback copy of </i>Oracle<i> right off the bat!</i></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">So what is Oracle about, anyway? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Here's the blurb:</span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><b><i>Oracle</i></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><b><i></i></b><i>With London gearing up to host the Olympics, the city doesn't need a serial killer stalking the streets, but they've got one anyway.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Leaving a trail of brutal and bizarre murders, the police force is no closer to finding the latest psychopath than Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is in finding a solution for his daughter's disability.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Thrust into the pressure cooker of a high profile case, the struggling single parent is wound tight as he tries to balance care of his own family with the safety of a growing population of potential victims.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>One of whom could be his own daughter.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Fingers point in every direction as the public relations nightmare grows, and Lancer's only answer comes in the form of a single oak leaf left at each crime scene.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><i> </i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><b>Purchase Links: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008OA0SD2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;">Amazon US</span></a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008OA0SD2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;">Amazon UK</span></a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oracle-oralisa-martin/1001380582?ean=9781937744083" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;">Barnes & Noble</span></a></b></span>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Intrigued?</span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i><b>Here's your chance to win a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">signed</span> copy of the book! </b></i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">All you have to do is visit all the blogs in the <a href="http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/2012/07/oracle-olympics-official-opening-ceremony/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Parade of Nations</b></span></a> in order (for a complete list of blogs, visit Olympics HQ <a href="http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/2012/07/oracle-olympics-official-opening-ceremony/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>here</b></span></a>), <b><i>including this one</i></b>! Each blog will have a secret letter. Collect them all to decipher the secret message. Then <a href="http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/2012/07/oracle-olympics-official-opening-ceremony/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>go back to J.C.'s blog</b></span></a> and enter your answer in the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Answer some additional bonus questions to multiply your chances of winning!</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">The contest will remain open till midnight EST on <b>Friday 3rd August</b>. The winner will be announced on J.C.'s blog!</span>
<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;">So here is <i>my </i>secret letter: L</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Click on over to <span style="color: green;"><a href="http://www.rachel-morgan.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">Rachel Morgan</span></a></span> for the next letter!</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">Good luck!</span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-82925793715094024182012-07-27T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-27T00:30:03.578-07:00Renaissancing at Canterbury Faire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend, Husband and I drove over the Cascades to attend a Renaissance Faire in Silvterton, OR, The Canterbury Faire. We drove through a place aptly named Sublimity which provided this feast for the eyes. It's worth clicking on the photos for larger views. Honest.<br />
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We arrived in time for the knight's show with feats of skill.<br />
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And jousting.<br />
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We were for the green knight, Cody, who did not fare very well. In fact we were soon chanting, "Dead Guy, dead guy, dead guy."<br />
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Afterward, we snagged some victuals and found a hay bale to sit upon in the beer garden. We were well entertained by the Scottish Tarts who sang bawdy songs. Which were quite funny.<br />
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We walked around, saw jugglers. Met venders. Very nice people who happily answered my questions and gave me their cards. We met the Queen.<br />
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Lots of fodder for my next book, The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear. We had such a good time, I look forward to attending the next Renaissance Faire. With scenery such as this, I never mind a trip over the Cascades.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Mt. Jefferson and Detroit Lake</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> </span> <span style="color: #333333;">Mt. Washington. A forest fire about 10 years ago left the trees bare in this area.</span></div>
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I must say, I love Oregon. Beautiful, beautiful, Oregon.<br />
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I'm up at the observatory this weekend. Hope to get some Moon shots.<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><b> Note:</b></span> I'm buried trying to finish up my manuscript for Hetty Locklear, so I won't be posting again until next Wednesday.<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"></span><br />
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Hope you all have a marvelous weekend.<br />
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<u>Please Note:</u> This blog has moved to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> Please join us there. I will only be simultaneously posting on this blog two more weeks. </h3>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-62423985577447783702012-07-25T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-25T00:30:02.024-07:00Becca Campbell's Foreign Identity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u>NOTE:</u> Wistful Nebulae has moved to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> Please come join the rest of us there. </h2>
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Today in the lounge of Spacedock 19, I'm chatting with science fiction author, Becca Campbell. She's had a short story published in several anthologies and today releases her first novel, Foreign Identity.<br />
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<a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/?attachment_id=3691" rel="attachment wp-att-3691" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3691" height="300" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Foreign-Identity-Final-Cover-lowres2-225x300.jpg" title="Foreign-Identity-Final-Cover-lowres2-225x300" width="225" /></a><span style="color: #333333;">T<i>wo nameless strangers, a man and a woman, find themselves imprisoned together. With no memories of their own identities, let alone their captor and tormentor, escape is the only option. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><i>The pair faces a bizarre labyrinth of rooms and clues that confuse more than they explain. Every discovery only brings more questions.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Who captured them? Why were they taken? What does their captor want from them? What can the riddles mean?</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Who are they?</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Lacking allies and options, the duo must learn to trust one another.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Mazes, puzzles, and even strange, lurking creatures force them to rely on their wits–and each other–for survival. But survival isn’t enough. They need answers.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Will the answers be enough? Will the truth bring them closer together, or drive them forever apart? Will discovering their identities finally bring them home?</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"> </span> <u><b>MP:</b></u> Interesting concept for a novel, Becca. What is your greatest inspirational source? For me, it's television and observing what's going on around me.<br />
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<u><b>BC:</b></u> I get most of my inspiration from watching television and movies, but sometimes the ideas come from books, too. It's often just a tiny spark that leads me down a train of thought to some new and often unrelated idea. When I wrote Foreign Identity one of my influences was the television show Lost. That came out not in plot as much as style. I really wanted to write something that drew the reader in with questions the way that show did and to create a sense of mystery.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>MP:</b></span> Lost excelled at answering questions with more questions, which the description of your book mentions. How do your characters encounter these puzzles?</span>
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<u><b>BC:</b></u> When the story begins Kel and Jax wake up with no memories. The question of who they are and why their memories are missing is one of the driving mysteries throughout the story. But on top of that, they encounter other puzzles as they explore their surroundings and look for a way to escape. Soon other strange things begin to happen--things that, although they don't remember their pasts, they know aren't normal. In addition to all that, Kel and Jax keep getting clues about who they are when they make contact with certain things that trigger a strong sense of familiarity.<br />
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<u><b>MP:</b></u> Since they don't remember who they are, it must have been tricky to write without character names. How did you handle that?<br />
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<u><b>BC:</b></u> I quickly realized I needed a way to refer to each of them, because simply using "he" and "she" was going to get old fast. So I wove into the first puzzle a way to overcome that problem. When they stumbled on a closet full of keys (individually labeled with mysterious letters) and eventually unlocked their chains, the matching labels became nicknames for each other. Thus, "KEL" and "JAX" are not their actual names, but a way to identify each other.<br />
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<u><b>MP:</b></u> Very clever. What about this world you created intrigued you most? If you were there, what would awe you?<br />
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<u><b>BC:</b></u> I'm not quite sure how to answer that without a spoiler. Let's just say that my favorite part about the place where the story happens is not the surroundings but the creature(s) involved. [Hopefully that's not too cryptic!]<br />
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<u><b>MP:</b></u> Guess we'll have to read and find out then. Becca Campbell's Foreign Identity is out today.<br />
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Foreign Identity is available as a paperback or ebook on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foreign-Identity-ebook/dp/B0083M1OJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337752840&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/foreign-identity-becca-j-campbell/1110852745?ean=9781475217766">Barnes and Noble</a> <br />
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In celebration of the blog tour, Becca is giving away a free ebook of her short story Not the Norm to anyone who buys Foreign Identity. But the deal ends today, July 25th. Once you've purchased a copy, go to this link to download your free ebook: <a href="http://eepurl.com/nfeWf">http://eepurl.com/nfeWf</a>.<br />
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Now enter for your free paperback of Foreign Identity! <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YjIwNzc2NGQxYmM0OTliNDg0MTAwODc2NzdhZmFhOjQ=/">http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YjIwNzc2NGQxYmM0OTliNDg0MTAwODc2NzdhZmFhOjQ=/</a><br />
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<span style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3690" height="128" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/b207764d1bc499b48410087677afaa11.jpeg" title="b207764d1bc499b48410087677afaa11" width="128" /></span><span style="color: #333333;">An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca J. Campbell looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity.</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">Becca’s journey into writing began as many of her other creative endeavors do – by daring herself to try something new. The question “what if I wrote a novel?” and some hastily scribbled notes on a church handout were the inspirations that jump-started her first book. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Since then, she has written three additional novels and several shorter works.</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">As the wife of a musician and mother of three young boys, Becca’s life is never dull. Whether it is writing, painting or knitting, she enjoys making stuff that wasn’t there before.</span>
<span style="color: #333333;">Where to find Becca on the internet:</span>
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<li><span style="color: #333333;">Find me at Inspiration for Creation: <span style="color: #5b9050; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beccajcampbell.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5b9050;">http://www.<wbr></wbr>beccajcampbell.com</span></a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Twitter: @beccajcampbell</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Facebook: <span style="color: #5b9050;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/beccajcampbell" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5b9050;">http://www.facebook.<wbr></wbr>com/beccajcampbell</span></a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Goodreads: </span><span style="color: #5b9050;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5287392.Becca_J_Campbell" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5b9050;">http://www.<wbr></wbr>goodreads.com/author/show/<wbr></wbr>5287392.Becca_J_Campbell</span></a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #5b9050;"><span style="color: #5b9050;"> </span></span></span></li>
</ul>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-60077561596177516942012-07-23T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-23T00:30:01.103-07:00It's Out! Book 2 of the Backworlds series, Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge<h2>
<b>Backworlds Book 2</b></h2>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stopover-at-Backworlds-Edge-ebook/dp/B008L46QFU/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008L46QFU" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stopover-at-the-backworlds-edge-m-pax/1112101916?ean=2940014581974" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20style=%22text-align:%20center;%22%3E%20%3Cb%20style=%22color:%20#444444;%22%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/Stopover-at-Backworlds-Edge-ebook/dp/B008L46QFU/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3EAmazon%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E%20/%20%3Cb%20style=%22color:%20#444444;%22%3E%3Ca%20href=%22https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008L46QFU%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3EAmazon%20UK%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E%20/%20%3Cb%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stopover-at-the-backworlds-edge-m-pax/1112101916?ean=2940014581974%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3EB&N%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E%20/%20%3Cb%3E%3Ca%20href=%22https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/179468%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3ESmashwords%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E%20/%20%3Cb%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/stopover-at-backworlds-edge/id545527007?mt=11%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3EiTunes%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E%20/%20%3Cb%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://mpaxauthor.com/the-backworlds-series/stopover-at-the-backworlds-edge/%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3EOther%20Outlets%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E%20/%3C/div%3E%20%3Cbr%20/%3E%20%3Cb%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15751672-stopover-at-the-backworlds-edge%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3EAdd%20to%20Goodreads%3C/a%3E%3C/b%3E" target="_blank">iTunes</a> / <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/179468" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> /</b></h1>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B008L46QFU" target="_blank">AmazonDE</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B008L46QFU" target="_blank">AmazonFR</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.es/dp/B008L46QFU" target="_blank">AmazonES</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.it/dp/B008L46QFU" target="_blank">AmazonIT</a></b></h3>
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<i><i>The interstellar portal opens, bringing in a ship that should no longer exist. A battleship spoiling for a fight, yet the war with Earth ended two generations ago. The vessel drops off a Water-breather, a type of Backworlder thought to be extinct. She claims one of Craze’s friends is a traitor who summoned the enemy to Pardeep Station. A betrayal worse than his father’s, if Craze lives to worry about it.</i></i></h3>
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Thanks to these great folks for joining the party! You're all awesome.
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<u><b> Please Note</b></u>: This blog is now at <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> and will be moving only there August 20th. Please join us there.M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-72881279515320198112012-07-20T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-20T00:30:00.296-07:00Real and Virtual Festing*
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<span style="color: #333333;">Happy Friday everybody!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Chocolate Makes the Galaxy Go Round. The topic of my guest post on Becca Campbell's <b>I<span style="color: #7aa3cc;"><a href="http://www.beccajcampbell.com/books/chocolate-makes-the-galaxy-go-round-guest-post-by-m-pax/#http://" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;">nspiration for Creation</span></a></span></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">The official launch of book 2 of the Backworlds series, <i><b>Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge</b></i> is this coming Monday. It's not to late to join the party. Sign up <span style="color: #7aa3cc;"><b><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/2012/06/29/preparing-for-backworlds-book-2/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;">HERE</span></a></b></span>. Or send me an email at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">mpaxauthor [at] gmail [dot] com</span> and say you'd like to help announce Stopover.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Congratulations to <span style="color: #7aa3cc;"><b><a href="http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/2012/07/so-this-thing-happened.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;">Leigh T. Moore</span></a></b></span> on her three book contract with Simon and Schuster's Pocket Star imprint. Really, really awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;"><b><a href="http://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/2012/07/writing-book-my-defective-8-ball.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;">Tara Tyler</span></a></b></span> thank you for the Magic Eight Ball tag. I decided to answer you for IWSG on August 1st.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;"><b><a href="http://karenelizabethbrown.blogspot.com/2012/07/launch-party.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;">Karen Elizabeth Brown</span></a></b></span> is looking for assistance in putting together her launch party for <i><b>Medieval Muse</b></i>, August 1-6.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;"><b><a href="http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-was-your-childhood-monster.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #7aa3cc;">Christine Rains</span></a></b></span> is having a blogfest to celebrate her release of <i><b>Fearless</b></i>. August 7th-9th, post your childhood monster.</span> <span style="color: #333333;">I <3 Tawa, do you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Husband and I fested at Summerfest here in town last Sunday. This weekend we're festing at a Renaissance Fair. I checked the year five hundred times. 2012. Monday we fest for book 2 in the Backworlds series. Yay.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Some crazy Barbie art at one vendor's booth.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Have a great weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Reminder:</b></u> This blog is moving to <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a></b> on August 20th. You can read it there now, same posts on the same days. Hope to see you there soon.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-8693337576699396092012-07-18T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-18T09:18:18.781-07:00Author, Screenwriter, and Professional Writer, Peggy Bechko Visits Spacedock 19 <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/2012/06/27/laura-eno-visits-spacedock-19/sp19/" rel="attachment wp-att-3581"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3581" height="248" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/sp19.jpg" title="sp19" width="497" /></a>
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Visiting Spacedock 19 today is writer, Peggy Bechko. Her books have been published since she was 22, and she has sixteen novels out there. She's done Contemporary Romance, Historic Romance, Western & SciFi Fantasy in books. Screen scripts have included SciFi, western, horror (vampire), drama, children's fantasy & animated. She's also ghostwritten on, of all things, "ghosthunting". Ooo!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbD55Nv9VjiqTc6b1ZrpVEQvphdl3PtxWxrnb-5N1lOkmPfWP5lrd4QmfeaIn1VLeEEuJEX9cTJps7zevmfbK_u0gbDPJukmxD3LxXIyMla1viwZBZGqkaRMjg0gxlovbknYOxQZX4ro/s1600/stormrider+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbD55Nv9VjiqTc6b1ZrpVEQvphdl3PtxWxrnb-5N1lOkmPfWP5lrd4QmfeaIn1VLeEEuJEX9cTJps7zevmfbK_u0gbDPJukmxD3LxXIyMla1viwZBZGqkaRMjg0gxlovbknYOxQZX4ro/s1600/stormrider+2.jpeg" /></a></div>
Her novel <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Stormrider</b></i></span> is Sci-Fi and fantasy: <i>Stormrider, young woman Janissary, quests for justice and peace on her rebellion-torn world, several continents away from what she considers home, and for the missing Amulet that can choose the leader of the worlds in concert. Stormrider is cast adrift in a sea of intrigue, mysticism and magic. Isolated, she is dependent upon her own wits and skills to survive</i>. <br />
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MP: Welcome to the lounge, Peggy. Care for a drink? I'd stay away from the chocolate if I were you.<br />
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PB: Oh, drat, and I'm so chocolate addicted. Guess I'll have to choose the "you can chew it while you drink it coffee" of yore or maybe just a cup of green tea. Happy to be here, MP. <br />
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MP: One thing fantasy, historical fiction, and westerns have in common, is they take us to worlds we normally can't touch. We can't go to the past and we can't go to another world. Do you find world-building easier for fantasy or in the other genres?<br />
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PB: I can't say I find any of them 'easier'. They're just different. There's a lot of research that goes into any of them really. With historical fiction and westerns it's a bit more direct since, as you say, it's in the past and details are readily researchable. That means, however, you have to watch the details. You'd be surprised how many letters you can get from folks who read a historic novel and then point out some detail they don't think is right (sometimes they're right, sometimes they're wrong). But, if you throw a vampire into a western that churns up a lot of detail dust. The setting remains the same, 'the west', but the reality line begins to blur.<br />
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On the other hand when writing Science Fiction or Fantasy (and really I don't like seeing them lumped together, yet can understand the underlying reasons) you have a lot more freedom. With SciFi, of course there are many elements that are reality and must be taken into account although with Quantum Physics in the mix, hmmmmmm. Anyway, in that realm, both Sci Fi and Fantasy it's more like building a world from scratch while using some underpinnings of what everybody perceives as reality (which of course is a whole 'nother question when dealing with weird physics these days - what the heck IS reality?)<br />
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The real key, I think, is staying true to your story and your world.<br />
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MP: I learned in philosophy class that we're all just swirling atoms in shopping carts drifting down the Delaware River ... Maybe. I was half asleep when the professor said that. You write many other things besides fiction -- screen plays, non-fiction, ghost writing. How did you get involved in these other projects? <br />
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PB: LOL - it was just one thing after another! And BTW I DO feel a bit like flotsom drifting down the Delaware River at times. Seriously though, as I was drifting along as a novelist and earning some money, but not enough to support me entirely and still juggling part time jobs I began to think it would be nice to do some sort of writing as my part time job - one that paid a bit more than novel writing.<br />
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So I started looking around and in short order found myself taking classes on copywriting (advertising) pitching articles to magazines and then online, connecting locally to take on some ghostwriting and then, finally, discovering my mentor in screenwriting, Larry Brody, a Producer and Screenwriter (who runs <b style="color: #20124d;"><a href="http://www.tvwriter.net/">http://www.TVwriter.net</a></b>) who was teaching a class at the local college.<br />
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I took the course, we became friends and he truly helped me hone my screenwriting to where I've optioned a number of scripts and had a half hour animated script for a series produced over in France. It was called Diabolik and mine was one of many episodes, but it made me feel great. Since I've always written by viewing the pictures in my head adding screenwriting to my skills seemed a natural. I share your 'easily bored' problem so I enjoy doing different things.<br />
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MP: I know script writing is hard to get into and requires a whole
different skill set. You've had a script optioned. Would love to hear
more about that.<br />
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PB: Well, I was greatly inspired by Mr. Brody who pretty much held my hand and taught me the basics both of screenwriting and pitching to producers. There are books on screenwriting though that'll teach the basic format and length (generally a max of 120 pages - less is better. Screen time is about 1 minute to 1 page of script). And there are free screenwriting programs availble online.<br />
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Anyway, from class and mentoring (with his continued encouragment) I dove into the Hollywood Creative Directory (very expensive book, but you can get it at libraries) sought out production companies that matched what I was doing and started submitting. I also entered the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship awards and reached the finals, after which that script was optioned. It's a killer process when you don't live in southern CA.<br />
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I also flew to LA to a pitch opportunity once and pitched a couple of times at conferences where there were producers about. There are also opportunities online. As a lark I answered an ad by a German producer looking for scripts in English in kids genre and ended up optioning a script to them. Very nice-payment wired directly to my account.<br />
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It's definitely a long, grueling process with lots of rejection and disappointment along the way, but I'm still doing it and enjoying it. Wouldn't want to give up my novel writing though!<br />
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MP: That sounds more grueling than submitting novels, however, the shorter length is appealing. How do you juggle all your writing projects?<br />
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PB: Actually screenwriting was and is more grueling - but also a lot of fun, and screenwriting teaches the writer to 'write tight'.<br />
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Novels are a whole other ball of wax. The writer can get into much more detail and into their characters' heads, as I had the fun of doing in my fantasy <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Stormrider</b></i></span> <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://twitter.com/cunningham_mark?uid=47674428&iid=am-111949529413421532636531890&nid=23+112">http://amzn.to/pjY0HP</a></b></span> (Kindle) <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/9R0Gcn">http://bit.ly/9R0Gcn</a></b></span> (Smashwords) and my historic romance set in early 1600's New Mexico, <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Cloud Dancer</b></i></span> <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://amzn.to/LMkCUT">http://amzn.to/LMkCUT</a></b></span> (kindle) <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://bit.ly/mSefTW">http://bit.ly/mSefTW</a></b></span> (smashwords) and the writer has the opportunity to get better acquainted with his or her reader (like the wonderful comment I received from actor John Cullum declaring Stormrider "exciting" and "couldn't put it down"), than the screenwriter has to connect with an audience. Each one is different and I greatly enjoy both novels and screen scripts for entirely different reasons. <br />
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As to how I juggle it all - sometimes I don't know! It takes organization and, for me, a schedule. Frequently I'll work on two or even three projects at once, alternating between them. For me, that keeps things fresh. But at times I feel as if I'm accomplishing nothing, then suddenly everything seems to reach completion, one after the other, and I begin a new slate of projects. I admit I can get scattered at times, which is bad and I then have to allow a bit of procrastination time and get back on track. Everything seems to take more time than I anticipate, but when I've had them I've never missed a deadline and when I don't have one imposed from the outside, I set one for myself. Hope that's not too convoluted and answer to your question.<br />
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MP: Well, thanks for joining me in the lounge of Spacedock 19 today, Peggy. Come back any time. I'd love to chat with you more about your projects and your jewelry making.<br />
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PB: Thank you, I've enjoyed it very much and I'll be following along at Spacedock 19 to see what fellow wordsmiths you have come in for a visit. Very exciting that the web has helped to take away some of that isolation we writers have dealt with in the past. A big shoutout to all your readers and please feel free to visit me any time.<br />
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Peggy's blog: <span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.peggybechko.blogspot.com/">http://www.PeggyBechko.blogspot.com</a></b></span> <br />
And website at <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #20124d;"><a href="http://www.peggybechko.com/">http://www.PeggyBechko.com</a></b></span> <br />
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Peggy also makes jewelry and has an online shop at <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.silverstreak.etsy.com/">http://www.Silverstreak.etsy.com</a></b></span> <br />
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<b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #0c343d; font-weight: normal;"> Elsewhere in the Internet </span></b></h3>
*I'm being interviewed over at <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a data-mce-href="http://darkeconteur.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/author-interview-with-mary-pax/" href="http://darkeconteur.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/author-interview-with-mary-pax/" target="_blank">Darke Conteur's</a></b></span>. Pop by for a visit.<br />
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<b><a data-mce-href="http://breakthroughblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/bits-and-pieces.html" href="http://breakthroughblogs.blogspot.com/2012/07/bits-and-pieces.html" target="_blank">*<span style="font-size: large;">Stephen Tremp</span></a></b> names me author of the week. What a great honor.<br />
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*Peggy interviews me on her blog,<b> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://peggybechko.blogspot.com/2012/07/m-pax-and-backworlds-interview.html?showComment=1342540038450#">Peggy Bechko</a></span></b>. <br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Reminder:</b></u> This blog is moving to <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a></b> on August 20th. You can read it there now, same posts on the same days.</span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-6180976610903719252012-07-16T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-16T00:30:01.490-07:00Astronomizing July 13th and 14th <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/?attachment_id=3638" rel="attachment wp-att-3638"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3638" height="332" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSC00701-1024x680.jpg" title="SONY DSC" width="500" /></a>
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It was a good weekend at Pine Mountain Observatory. Friday night, the sky was crystal clear. With a crescent Moon not rising until 2 a.m., it gave us plenty of dark sky to explore. It had been a hot week in Central Oregon, so it was pleasantly warm as well. Clicking on any photo will give you a larger view.<br />
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Here's my best Saturn shot from Friday night. I took this through my telescope -- an 8" Dobsonian with the 11 mm Nagler as the eyepiece. I'm still using my Sony Cybershot to shoot through the telescope. That may change soon.<br />
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Mars is getting low in the sky. I took a movie through the 24" Cassegrain. You may hear Jim and Eric chatting some. Being low in the atmosphere is what makes it as wavy as it is.<br />
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With Jim and Gary outside with me, it made for a pleasant evening where we were able to give more attention to small groups of people. Got the first look at Andromeda this season. So, that was exciting. I love looking at Andromeda.<br />
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Saturday night didn't start out very promising. When I took my hike up to the summit. I felt splashes of rain and saw it coming our way.<br />
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I came down the summit and told Eric we were going to get rain. A few minutes later I was yelling up the dome, "Rain! Rain! Rain!" We can't let the mirrors get wet. So he shut the dome and I packed my telescope up.<br />
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We sat in the dome jawing and I started playing with the menus on my camera. All the muck cleared up and we had the telescopes going by 11 p.m. The playing with the menus during the rain allowed me to get my first Milky Way shots ever.<br />
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You can clearly see the Big Dipper over the dome.<br />
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We viewed a nova in Sagittarius when the crowd went home. Late nights both nights. Good groups both nights. I was hoping to see the Northern Lights on Saturday, but they didn't come far enough south, so I didn't get to see them. I was very disappointed.<br />
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This coming weekend, I'm taking off from star guiding for an adventure with the Husband Unit.<br />
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<u><b>Please note</b></u>, this blog is now at <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> and will be there only beginning August 20th. <br />
<br />M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-38318188507259491442012-07-13T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-13T00:30:02.288-07:00<br />
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Only little more than a week until <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge</b></i></span>? Wow. Time flies. I'll be uploading it to Amazon and B&N shortly. I'm having a launch party on Monday, July 23rd. I would love your help in getting the word out. If you're so inclined, you can sign up <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com/2012/06/upcoming-release-book-2-of-backworlds.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
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I'm four chapters away [maybe six] from finishing <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear</b></i></span>. Then I immediately go into creating the polished draft to send to my very talented editor, <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Leigh T. Moore</a></b></span>. We made a great team on <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Backworlds</b></i></span>, so I'm thrilled to have her talents. I had intended it to be free, as it's the first in a new series, but my critique partners are adamant that I have to charge for it. So, I'm scratching my head, mulling price over for that one. It's very different from <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Backworlds</b></i></span>, more like <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Plantgirl</b></i></span> if you've read that.<br />
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I've also started on book three of The Backworlds, <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Boomtown Craze</b></i></span>. Since my focus is on Hetty, it doesn't get worked on every day yet. Soon. <br />
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Quaint downtown Bend. Hardly this crowded on a weekend. This was a food festival a few years ago. Guess I need to go downtown with my camera sometime. </div>
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Last Sunday, I met with my writer gal pals for tea downtown. Ten in the morning was a little early for me after a weekend working as a star guide. I think I managed some intelligible sentences though. We talk about publishing and writing. We span the spectrum from published through the big six with an agent, publishing through small presses, indie publishing, and unpublished. We talk about TV and movies and books. Had lunch at an Indian buffet, visited downtown shops, then mosied over to the library to hear <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.patyjager.net/" target="_blank">Paty Jager</a></b></span> read from her latest release, <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Spirit of the Sky</b></i></span>. She did a fantastic job.<br />
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At the library, I found a book, <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks</b></i></span>, a nonfiction on cells and medical science. The name and premise are so similar to my Hetty Locklear, that I had to check it out to read. Also bumped into <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>CassaStar</b></i></span> by <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></b></span>. It looked very well-read. I was going to take a photo for him, but my phone was dead. Next time, Alex.<br />
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Finally got hot here. We shot from the pleasant 70's straight into the 90's. Will be hot all weekend. Supposed to have clear skies, too, but there may be some thunderstorms. Moon is out of the way this weekend, too. So, I hope for some great stargazing. <br />
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That was my writing week. How was yours?
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Reminder:</b></u> This blog is moving to <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a></b> on August 20th. You can read it there now, same posts on the same days.</span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-32408233508090369382012-07-11T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-11T00:30:00.208-07:00Speaking of the Supernatural with Darke Conteur: Spacedock 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333;">Today on Spacedock 19, fantasy author, Darke Conteur, has stopped by for a drink and a chat. She's written the Watchtower series: <i>The Watchtower</i>, <i>Under the Cover of Wicca</i>, and <i>Of Covens and Packs</i>.</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> Craze is off getting ready for the next unveiling, Darke, so I'm tending bar in his place. Have a seat. What'll you have?</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> Sweet! And it's not even nine am! Rye and coke, wait, I like those too much. If I have one, I'll want another and then I'm rambling about stuff that makes no sense. Better make it a glass of white wine, please. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> I see supernatural and paranormal used in fantasy. Is there a difference?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> People claim there is, but honestly, I don't think so. Two sides to the same coin as far as I'm concerned. I believe these words were invented to give some kind of identification to things man couldn't, or weren't allowed to understand. Things that were considered to be part of the Divine or unholy. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;">The word PARANORMAL is somewhat new. Created to describe occurrences that were considered outside the range of normal day to day life. If you want to get technical, any science fiction could be labelled 'paranormal', as it's outside the norm of how we live now.</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> Both words conjure images of spooky things that go bump in the night, lurking in the shadows to harm mankind, To me, both of these words feel wrong though. SUPER=greater than, NATURAL= nature. Nothing is greater than Nature, but we need these identifying labels to distinguish a frame of reference for our stories.</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> So, it's a fine line distinction, if any at all. So what exists in your series that some would label as outside of nature?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> My series has many aspects; a half-breed demon, a Druid who controls the elements, two psychics; each having a different talent (psychometry and claircongnizance) and a medium. They live in our world, but see things that a normal human can't because of their connection to the paranormal. Each of them are 'the best' (so to speak), so their talents are powerful. For example, one character Barbara Dole can learn things from touching items (psychometry), but more than that, she can move through the timeline of the object she's touching; right to the point of it being made or born AND she can stop time and look around at her surroundings. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> Now that's a fascinating ability. A bit like time travel. How far back in time has she gone?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> <span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> In the stories, not that far back; maybe a couple weeks. In the character's backstory though, she's used her talent to swindle people out of their money. Imagine touching someone and learning their bank account numbers or pin numbers for their credit cards, combinations to safes, knowing where these things are. It caught the attention of the police, not to mention other unscrupulous people. Unfortunately, this has come back to haunt her. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> So do these extra abilities your characters have, are they known by everyone, or do they have to keep them a secret?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> No, the other characters know about them. It's one of the reasons they're all together. These people, coming together at this particular time, is a prelude to a major event within the paranormal world. Martin Cunningham will be the final 'piece'. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> So, if you were to enter your story, would you become a character you've already written or write yourself in fresh?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> I think I would enter fresh. The fun part about creating in this world is coming up with new abilities. To see just how far I can stretch my imagination. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span> If you lived in the world you created, what fascinates you most about it?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #56496e; text-decoration: underline;">DC:</span> I think it would be the mythology behind the story. I've tried to model Hell off of Dante's Inferno so a hell with different levels and different punishments for that particular sin I found very interesting. Mind you, there are no witches or fortune tellers in hell. :D The thing that fascinated me the most, was a scene I wrote where the characters had to travel during a full moon. The supernatural world was revealed in the moonlight, and it also revealed what our souls looked like; who we really are or would become, or were. The idea that we could look at who we really are/were/would become was fascinating to me. So many possibilities. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #333333;">To learn more about Darke Conteur and her work:</span> <span style="color: #66517b;"><b><a href="http://darkeconteur.wordpress.com/novels/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #66517b;">Darke Conteur's Books</span></a></b></span> <span style="color: #333333;">/</span> <b><span style="color: #66517b;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/darke.conteur" target="_blank"><span style="color: #66517b;">Facebook</span></a></span> <span style="color: #333333;">/</span> <span style="color: #66517b;"><a href="https://twitter.com/darke_conteur" target="_blank"><span style="color: #66517b;">Twitter</span></a></span></b></h3>
Her latest release, Of Covens and Packs is now available: <br /><br /> <br /> Terin Global is on the brink of exposure. Something Detective Raleigh Darch could do with a simple warrant. Yet there are other problems. The increase of paranormal activity worries Jezryall and dregs up personal demons for some of her staff. A planned visit to the Spire-a forgotten relic from the ancient world leaves them with more questions than answers, along with a cryptic message from the spirit of a werewolf. One thing is certain; something is stirring within the bowels of Hell. Jezryall and her team must discover the reason behind the increase in demon activity before things become too big for even them to handle.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">I'm really partial to that ability that lets you see the history of an object. What ability would you pick?</span></h3>
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Sorry ... Blogger is being a butt again. Won't let me add photos where I want them. I can't wait until I have just one blog to deal with. Be sure to switch over to the website. This blog is already there and will be there only as of August 20th. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2061766375">www.mpaxauthor.com/blog/ </a><br />
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</div>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-83256171008466209812012-07-09T08:00:00.000-07:002012-07-09T09:04:12.333-07:00Moon Girl and Rock Castles<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Note:</u> Wistful Nebulae is moving to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> on August 20th. The website and this blog are the same, publishing the same articles on the same days, MWF.</b></i></span></h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> </b></i></span> <br />
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Big thanks to all of you who have signed up to help me with the launch of Book 2 in the Backworld series, <i><b>Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge</b></i>. There's still time to sign up to help me get the word out July 23rd, or any time after that. <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com/2012/06/upcoming-release-book-2-of-backworlds.html" target="_blank">SIGN UP</a></b><br />
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Julie Flanders interviewed me for The Examiner. Read all about it <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/author-m-pax-takes-readers-on-a-voyage-to-the-backworlds" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>. Congrats to Julie on her new gig, and thanks for thinking of featuring little ol' me.<br />
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Did you all have a great last week? My cat is all better and I'm better now, too. Finished editing Stopover and formatted it, too. Now I'm madly scribbling away at <i><b>The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear</b></i> to meet my August 13th deadline with my editor. So, I was productive. Also took some time out to have some fun.<br />
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July 4th the Husband Unit and I took a drive over to Fossil, OR. Lots of backroads with spectacular scenery. Found a rock castle ...<br />
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Dug some fossils up, got a sunburn, checked out this funky little grocery and mercantile.<br />
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The observatory didn't happen for me for two weeks with a sick cat, then a sick me. The weather was crappy, so it didn't really matter. I didn't miss anything. This past weekend was great. It finally heated up here, so it was warm. The only drawback was the moon rising shortly after the sky went dark both nights.<br />
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Viewed Mercury, Mars, Saturn along with the globular clusters, open clusters, stars and nebulae. Good groups both nights. Not too big and interested people. Made new friends.<br />
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My best shots of the weekend:<br />
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Moon Friday night.<br />
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Saturn through the 24"<br />
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Moon Saturday night.<br />
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Clicking on any photo will enlarge the image.<br />
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I leave you with a gangsta cow:<br />
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So tell me, what have you been up to?<br />
<br />M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-28556132737885339082012-06-29T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-29T00:30:01.698-07:00Upcoming Release: Book 2 of The Backworlds, and Feathers<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><u>Note:</u> Wistful Nebulae is moving to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> on August 20th. The website and this blog are the same, publishing the same articles on the same days, MWF.</b></i></span><br />
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I'm taking next week off from blogging for the holiday and to finish final edits to <span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><i><b>Stopover at the Backworlds Edge</b></i></span>. I also hope to get it formatted next week and ready to go for launch.<br />
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Launch is set for Monday, July 23rd. If you'd like to help get the word out, sign up for the LinkyLink below and I will get the announcement emailed to you on or before July 18th. You can post any time the week of July 23rd, and you don't have to visit anybody else. If you'll be on vacation that week, you may post later. Just want to make some noise to let people know it's out. As a thank you for helping me out, I'll be sending you a coupon for a discount on <i>Stopover</i>.<br />
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=152057" type="text/javascript">
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IWSG is hosted by <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></b> the first Wednesday of every month.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times;"><span style="color: black;">We
have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on
the way down.</span></span></i> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">~Kurt
Vonnegut</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">And don't let anyone clip your wings along the way. ~M. Pax </span></span>
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Thanks to all of you who helped me get airborne, and to those readers who want me to keep flying.<br />
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Nini report: Nini keeps improving. Finally started eating again. She's back to doing obnoxious things, which I no longer find obnoxious. On the flip side, now I'm sick. Don't know what this means for stargazing this weekend. The sky is iffy, too. Will be back on July 9th.<br />
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Everybody have a great week. Those in the US and Canada, have a great holiday.M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-43589420085678092802012-06-27T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-27T08:22:10.133-07:00Laura Eno Visit Spacedock19, The Carriena Oracles<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><u>Note:</u> Wistful Nebulae is moving to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> on August 20th. The website and this blog are the same, publishing the same articles on the same days, MWF.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/?attachment_id=3581" rel="attachment wp-att-3581"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3581" src="http://mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/sp19.jpg" title="sp19" /></a>
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<span style="color: #333333;">I'm privileged to chat with the talented Laura Eno today, author of many wonderful stories. I've personally enjoyed <i>Tempest's Child</i>, am currently reading <i>Immortal Desires</i> and <i>Raven</i>, the first book in <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Carriena Oracles series</span>. Book two, <b><i>Wraith</i></b>, comes out today.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">First off, I envy at how fast Laura produces new work. Second, I enjoy reading what she produces. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Carriena Oracles</span> series has many things about it I love: space travel, exploration, discovery, archeology, history, action, drama, and romance. And it touches on the theme of equality, a trope I enjoy toying with myself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> Welcome to Spacedock 19, Laura. I was able to get Craze to tend bar for us today. Be careful not to touch him. I'll have some of your nice ale, bud. Thanks. You?</span><span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LE:</span></b> Thanks for having me. I'll try a cup of his famous Verkinn malt, if you don't mind.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> I noted in <i>Raven</i> that your main character was once a slave. Science fiction is a great venue for exploring our humanity or lack of it. Were you consciously thinking of class/equality when you came up with the plot?</span><span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LE:</span></b> Not at first. I often find my theme growing organically as I write. Mostly I was hunting for a woman who had overcome adversity to get where she was. Later on I realized that her story repeated throughout the Carriena system as I began to populate it.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> I love those overcoming adversity stories. Perhaps why I'm enjoying <i>Raven</i> so far. There's a thought that it's a mistake to write a female lead in science fiction or any story in which we want to attract a wider audience.</span><span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LE:</span></b> I think science fiction has traditionally been the domain of male readers throughout the years, but I also think genres had more rigid lines than they do now. After all, we've come a long way from the '50s sci-fi movies with the pretty girl screaming and fainting before the hero rescues her. Science fiction is expanding into different sub-genres as well, engaging a wider audience. I love writing space opera because it's about the cultural aspects of the future – the people in it and how they interact with situations – not the hard sci-fi that gets so technical. Will some be turned off by my use of a strong female as lead character? Quite possibly. But I may attract others to the genre that might not have considered it before. It wasn't very long ago that female authors couldn't write sci-fi either, unless they used a male pen name. The walls aren't down yet, but there are cracks in it.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> I've noted in fandom online, a lot of the avid followers of science fiction and fantasy seem to be female. I'd say it was Lois Lane who drew me to the genre early on. Not many women had jobs like hers at the time, and she was brassy and outspoken. Besides <i>Mary Tyler Moore</i> and <i>That Girl</i>, science fiction seemed to break barriers more than any other genre. Perhaps why it draws more and more female fans and writers. I'm happy to see it.</span><span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LE:</span></b> In some ways, <i>Raven</i> starts out as the antithesis of Lois Lane. She's a loner; her only friend is an android. Though she's come far from her slavery roots, she's stopped growing – stopped healing. Raven shuns any kind of contact that could lead to friendship for fear of feeling emotions.</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> A past like that would take a long time to heal from, I'd think. So Raven's remaining scars and scabs make sense. Sometimes I wonder whether our tendency to oppress others is innately human, a universal law, or something we learned that has become intensely ingrained. Either way, I love stories where those deemed not to matter rise up and make a difference, a statement that no one is insignificant.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LE:</span></b> Definitely. Power shapes our thinking and with it, some people choose oppression to keep it. But like with anything else, it can be lost. With my <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Carriena Oracles series</span>, there will be times in which that loss of power might not benefit people as much as it should, even as it removes the horrors of oppression. There is a compromise to justice.</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> That sounds mighty interesting, Laura. Can’t wait to tear into my copy of <i>Wraith</i> and see how this all plays out.</span>
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<span style="color: #474fae;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LE:</span></b> I've had a great time chatting with you today…or is it tonight? My hours are still mixed up out here in space.</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MP:</span></b> Says it’s evening on my chronometer. Don’t worry about leaving any chips, Craze and I have an agreement.</span>
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<span style="color: #333333;">To celebrate the release of <b><i>Wraith</i></b>, Laura is making <b><i>Raven</i></b> a free download for today only.</span> <b><span style="color: #4d6845;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110091" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4d6845;">Go to this link</span></a></span></b> a<span style="color: #333333;">nd use the code: PU65D</span>
<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;">And, of course, <b><i>Wraith</i></b> is available today for only .99 on</span> <b><span style="color: #4d6845;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wraith-The-Carriena-Oracles-ebook/dp/B008BV8408/ref=la_B002KKY67Q_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1340223849&sr=1-11" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4d6845;">KindleUS</span></a></span></b>, <b><span style="color: #4d6845;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wraith-The-Carriena-Oracles-ebook/dp/B008BV8408/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340223793&sr=1-11" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4d6845;">KindleUK</span></a></span></b>, <b><span style="color: #4d6845;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wraith-laura-eno/1111590099?ean=2940014704489" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4d6845;">Nook</span></a></span></b>, <span style="color: #333333;">and</span> <b><span style="color: #4d6845;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/172478" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4d6845;">Smashwords</span></a></span></b>.
<i><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVayYWuoYxdK8IoSMGy0QtS9MM56lYe3bHj1te3YgaSrmsZUWOfX01pE_S-muvhJTY9l04yFcVroC45v3gs_BbtblI0gkbznxd6y_XS9kdzF0N8CLdpiKumEXVOipvm1Oj5ZgovsHzDGU/s1600/Blog-Wraith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVayYWuoYxdK8IoSMGy0QtS9MM56lYe3bHj1te3YgaSrmsZUWOfX01pE_S-muvhJTY9l04yFcVroC45v3gs_BbtblI0gkbznxd6y_XS9kdzF0N8CLdpiKumEXVOipvm1Oj5ZgovsHzDGU/s320/Blog-Wraith.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: #333333;">Someone wants them dead. Another wants them captured. No one can be trusted. Secrets, lies, and revelations await Raven and Mikael as their search for Mikael's missing friend leads them to Wraith, a mysterious moon owned by Jeffrey Hamilton, cybernetics genius and Ben's creator. </span><span style="color: #333333;">How much of the Oracle's technology does Hamilton possess and where did it come from?</span></i>
<span style="color: #333333;"><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Raven's nightmares from the past threaten her sanity, while Mikael's guilt slowly consumes him. Ben's in more danger than anyone as they race to find the answers to uncertain questions—questions which could lead to death for them all.</i></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">What are your thoughts on how equality struggles and power shape fiction and worlds?</span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-44533154409449965262012-06-25T00:30:00.000-07:002012-08-16T19:47:22.991-07:00Martian Snow<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><u>Note:</u> Wistful Nebulae is moving to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> on August 20th. The website and this blog are the same, publishing the same articles on the same days, MWF.</b></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCddBX7O1rdHx3Cixp3hsLTMf4c_wlRp0DRTQVo8icXV2TWLvVMfEjGVuoWp5DWmOnCfb9zJ6hhsXRCBgQpIdnIWRgULoNefsTmTUOEaxp0ss4BIYXDHySCHB_wQ_gOXcSqoQlOceYkqw/s1600/marsglobe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCddBX7O1rdHx3Cixp3hsLTMf4c_wlRp0DRTQVo8icXV2TWLvVMfEjGVuoWp5DWmOnCfb9zJ6hhsXRCBgQpIdnIWRgULoNefsTmTUOEaxp0ss4BIYXDHySCHB_wQ_gOXcSqoQlOceYkqw/s200/marsglobe1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">Did you hear about Martian snow?</span> <b><span data-mce-style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;"><a data-mce-href="http://news.yahoo.com/mars-snowflakes-tiny-red-blood-cells-162342554.html" href="http://news.yahoo.com/mars-snowflakes-tiny-red-blood-cells-162342554.html" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">http://news.yahoo.com/mars-<wbr></wbr></span></a></span></b><br />
snowflakes-tiny-red-blood-<wbr></wbr>cells-162342554.html <span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">Apparently, the size and kind of dust has an impact on whether it can snow and what the snow will look like.</span><br /><br />
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<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">In sci-fi news, <i><b>Falling Skies</b></i>
returns to TNT on Sunday nights. Season 2 started off with a bang. Noah
Wylie returned from his time with the aliens. Cue Twilight Zone music
... It gives me my alien fix. Yay aliens.</span><span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">Since I was home all weekend, Husband Unit and I finished watching <i><b>Torchwood IV</b></i>.
I love this show. I hope there will be a season 5. All's I know is, one
shouldn't work with Jack and Gwen. I know some griped that the show was
Americanized or something. Shrug. It still surprised me, which is what I
love most about Torchwood.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QkBt9z0S7j4VlaSiuueCKzAAd3g5hIxKlbG3_GTaIO7hA4gZa_FhohrcX1eQMTv48jwk1h-00BGMzWeVXjCZcVmyTrvKyUuaHKeCL-QWO_oLPDmNYkaaaXCPMm5Nk1PreM971EJkja0/s1600/Game-Of-Thrones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QkBt9z0S7j4VlaSiuueCKzAAd3g5hIxKlbG3_GTaIO7hA4gZa_FhohrcX1eQMTv48jwk1h-00BGMzWeVXjCZcVmyTrvKyUuaHKeCL-QWO_oLPDmNYkaaaXCPMm5Nk1PreM971EJkja0/s200/Game-Of-Thrones.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">About half way through season 1 of <i><b>Game of Thrones</b></i>, too. Makes me want to start reading book 2, but I have so many books ahead of it. Siiigh.</span><span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWYAefu2vD8Ahy-FZET08BKV01XwrnvUG7me1H6tHN1SqulPCjLwU6-E6NmQSSqZR_q1P8BPF5SYg3lWiRaeP5j4z_uuwSe8jSKtXvvX448GdEAtuBBLk9j05W9dKlbfrdVbhVNZaP8s/s1600/Dear-Zach-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWYAefu2vD8Ahy-FZET08BKV01XwrnvUG7me1H6tHN1SqulPCjLwU6-E6NmQSSqZR_q1P8BPF5SYg3lWiRaeP5j4z_uuwSe8jSKtXvvX448GdEAtuBBLk9j05W9dKlbfrdVbhVNZaP8s/s200/Dear-Zach-Poster.jpg" width="148" /></a><span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">On someone else's blog ... can't remember who ... they recommended watching the documentary <i><b>Dear Zachary</b></i>
on Netflix. I have to second that recommendation. It started out being
about a man who was murdered, then became something else, at least twice
during the film. It was surprising and gripping, and if you write about
crime at all, I think you should see it. That said, have a box of
tissues handy when viewing. If you're not moved by the film, have your
pulse checked. At any rate, I keep thinking about the story and the
people in it.</span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">Well, I'm
back at the vet today. I hope to come out intact ... have to get the IV
thingy out of her leg. Anyway, still nursing my poor cat. I think if
she hadn't of been poked so much, she'd be much better than she is.
Siiigh. </span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">On a side note ... Blogger seems to get glitchier by the day. Maybe it's just me. I can find bugs in computer software / code no one else can. It's quite a talent. At any rate, I can't wait to be done with Blogger. </span><span data-mce-style="color: #333333;" style="color: #333333;">But then I'm in a mood today ...</span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-83815927756794476482012-06-22T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-22T00:30:03.781-07:00Library 010101 6.22.12<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Note:</u> Wistful Nebulae is moving to <a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;">http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/</a> on August 20th. Starting today, the website and this blog are the same, publishing the same articles on the same days, MWF.</b></i></span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"> For you Wendy Lu </span></h3>
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<br />
May good fortune fall on you in plenty<br />
throughout the year as you turn twenty<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday, <a href="http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wendy Lu</a><br />
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Part of Wendy's Roaring 20's Blogfest. There's still time to sign up at <a href="http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Red Angel</a>.<br />
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<h3>
<b><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"> What to Read </span></b></h3>
<br />
Congrats to <a href="http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-five-for-june-15th.html" target="_blank">Christine Rains</a> on her acceptance of <i><b>Red</b></i> for publication by Pill Hill Press. It's her sci-fi flash piece.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3GvYEG5mwhvAqNb27Bw_nFc70rWYuBPWJR5yfehIbnVvGGJHVz2R_M1CPoH7Vb49S9-3zRZTqk12plAuhTuo3ufiWl7HfX70Hal9YjIGkWE8yE1drXDp1JRti9xneCRCz9BuZoTk_0M/s1600/51kLdIQ1H4L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-66,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3GvYEG5mwhvAqNb27Bw_nFc70rWYuBPWJR5yfehIbnVvGGJHVz2R_M1CPoH7Vb49S9-3zRZTqk12plAuhTuo3ufiWl7HfX70Hal9YjIGkWE8yE1drXDp1JRti9xneCRCz9BuZoTk_0M/s200/51kLdIQ1H4L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-66,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://universalgibberish.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anna Marie Smith</a> released <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alphabet-Wishes-collection-poems-ebook/dp/B0084ZZGC0/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1" target="_blank">Alphabet Wishes: A Collection of Poems</a>. Congratulations to Anna.<br />
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<a href="http://lauraeno.com/2012/06/12/cover-reveal-update/" target="_blank">Laura Eno</a> releases Wraith, June 27th. Congratulations Laura!<br />
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<h3>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"> Awesome </span></h3>
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Went to see Prometheus in 3D last week with one of my writing pals. What made it worth the price of admission was feeling as if I stood on an alien world. It's something I've always dreamed of doing. Just awesome. It was an enjoyable movie, but I thought they could have upped it a notch on the suspense and scary factors.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"> Writers Desk </span></h3>
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I set a release date for <i><b>Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge</b></i>. July 23rd. I'll be doing another launch party and will be putting up the linky link shortly.<br />
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Polishing the chapter ones of <i><b>Earth Hereafter</b></i> and <i><b>Boomtown Craze</b></i>, the next two stories in the Backworlds series. Madly writing to complete <i><b>The Renaissaince of Hetty Locklear</b></i>, anticipated release end of October 2012.<br />
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Have a great weekend everybody.M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-72500344515052233922012-06-20T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-20T00:30:00.470-07:00Wistful News<h3>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Astronomy Report </span> </h3>
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Last weekend's astronomy report is on the website: <a href="http://www.mpaxauthor.com/">www.mpaxauthor.com</a> It was a great weekend. Much warmer. Fairly clear.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Thanks To: </span></h3>
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<a href="http://jonathandallen.com/" target="_blank">Jonathan Allen</a>, <a href="http://karenelizabethbrown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Karen Elizabeth Brown</a>, <a href="http://jemimapettauthor.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Jemima Pett</a>, <a href="http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paty Jager</a>, and <a href="http://teschoenborn.com/" target="_blank">Trudy Schoenborn</a> for the blog awards. I don't recall who awarded me what, and I feel like I'm missing somebody. If it's you, forgive me. <br />
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This was one of them: Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript. Go to line 7. Post on your blog or Facebook page the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating<br />
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I'm currently working on <i><b>The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear</b></i>, which is a departure from all-out science fiction. It's more in the <i><b>Plantgirl</b></i> vibe if you've read that. It's womens fiction mixed with contemporary science fiction, later some contemporary fantasy, then a healthy dose of weird. I really like weird.<br />
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<i>“I’m beginning to suspect Varren is a twelve-year-old girl, or a very old
lady.” Maisy giggled.</i></div>
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<i>That produced a smile from Hetty. If the Hysics transformed stern,
practical Maisy into a soft, fun-loving girl, how could playing be bad?</i></div>
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<i>“Then you don’t have to worry that he’s Ken if he’s a she.” Raspberry stretched
her arms over her head before settling her fingers on the keyboard.</i></div>
<i>“I wasn’t worried until you mentioned it.” Hetty sighed, hitting reply.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Wistful Nebulae News </span></h3>
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So last week when I signed into Blogger to check on my posts and give them a look over before they went off, they were gone. All of them. Scheduled, drafts, old, new, all of them. That's part of what the grrr post was about on Saturday. I was actually writing this post and hit publish instead of schedule. But because I couldn't see any posts when signed it, I couldn't delete it. I was also unsure what was scheduled when, so this week had the potential to get really interesting ...<br />
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They did finally fix my issue, but I have other issues with Blogger. For instance, I can't sign in with google to follow with friend connect. I have to use my Twitter. Which I think is really moronic because I have a gmail account.<br />
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After my temper cooled ... yes, I do have one ... I decided that I'm being an idiot. I pay for a perfectly good website, and maintaining both sites is getting too time consuming. So, I'm going to condense to one, and I'm going to be moving completely onto my website. <a href="http://www.mpaxauthor.com/">www.mpaxauthor.com</a><br />
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Painful as it will be, I believe it is the right choice. Starting next week, I will sync the two blogs, same posts publishing on the same days -- MWF. On Monday, August 20th, I will make the switch to the website only. This blog will remain up to direct stragglers there.<br />
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I know not everyone will follow and it will be like starting over, but I need to make the move at some point and I might as well get it over with. I'm waiting until after my next book release -- <i><b>Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge</b></i> -- July 23rd. Next week I'll start making plans for the launch party.<br />
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Talked to my web guru who gave me the ability to lighten pages as I wish, so the blog on the website will be light gray background with dark text -- similar to here -- from now on.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-73507280541231240932012-06-18T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:46:57.155-07:00Spacedock 19, In the lounge with Bryan Thomas Schmidt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: #073763;">Breakthrough Breakout Book Giveaway </span> </span></h3>
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First off, Stephen Tremp is having a <span style="font-size: medium;">Breakthrough Breakout Book Giveaway June
18-19th. That's this week Monday and Tuesday. <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Adventures-Manhattan-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B003WQBFV2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339563612&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Breakthrough: The Adventures of Chase Manhattan will be available to download for FREE from Amazon</a></b>! </span><br />
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Yes, I am still having Blogger troubles. They have yet to answer me. Being ignored does wonders for my temper ... will go into that more later this week. You have no idea how difficult it was to edit this post before it went off ... If it looks stupid, that's because Blogger is being stupid. Grrr.<br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: #073763;">Now onto Spacdock 19 </span> </span></h3>
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In the lounge today, Bryan Thomas Schmidt has stopped by. I've got some of Craze's special handcrafted malt on the table today.<br />
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Space opera is a marvelous subgenre of science fiction entailing stories entirely or partially set in space. It's captured the imaginations of many from the early days of the genre to the present day. A staple, especially, in genre representations on television or film, it’s also popular in literature. As fans and writers of space opera, I invited science fiction author <a href="http://www.bryanthomasschmidt.net/"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Bryan Thomas Schmidt</span> </a>to discuss with me his own passion for space opera and what we like about it as well as our influences. <a href="http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com/">M. Pax</a><br />
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<u style="color: blue;"><b>BTS:</b></u> Mary, thanks for the invitation. Like you, I’m heavily influence by space opera series like <i>Star Trek TOS, Firefly, Farscape</i>, and <i>Babylon 5</i>. I’d add <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, in both incarnations, <i>Buck Rogers</i> and <i>Star Wars</i> to the list as well. I also really enjoy pulp stories like those of EE “Doc” Smith, A.E. Van Vogt, Robert Silverberg, Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov. Modern day authors who’ve influenced me include Timothy Zahn, A.C. Crispin, Kevin J. Anderson, Mike Resnick, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Jay Lake, all of whom have written space operas in series or standalone form, sometimes several. Who have been your author influences?<br />
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<u style="color: #20124d;"><b>MP:</b></u> The newer incarnation of <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> had some of the best space battle scenes ever. It was a great show. I was a big <i>Stargate</i> fan. I loved the idea of stepping through a ring to another world. What would we find? Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. were my early influences in the genre. Made me sad to lose Ray recently. Tanya Huff's Confederation novels remain one of my favorite series. I also really enjoy Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, and Margaret Atwood. I've read a lot of classic literature which has a hand in my writing style, too.<br />
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<u style="color: blue;"><b>BTS:</b></u> Yes, I think to be a good writer, we need diverse influences, not just from our genre. Bradbury was an early influence for me. I read some Clarke, because of the famous <i>2001: Space Odyssey</i> movie. I have yet to read Herbert, LeGuin, Butler, Atwood or Vonnegut but I know I need to. I have <i>Dune</i> right here on my nightstand. But let’s talk a bit about why we like space opera. For me, I like the larger-than-life heroes whom I can look up to. I like the kind that make a difference and make me want to do the same, rising above their faults against the odds to bring about good. I love action, especially when some good character banter and comedic aspects are mixed in, and I definitely like a fast pace. But I also enjoy the political maneuvering and scheming that often comes along with it. I know I wrote a lot of that in <i>The Worker Prince</i> and <i>The Returning</i>. <i>The Returning</i> in particular has a breakneck pace and some action scenes that are 10+ pages of nonstop action.<br />
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<u style="background-color: #20124d;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;">MP:</span></b></u> The setting gets me. What's out there? I wonder so every time I'm out under the night sky and peering through a telescope. The frontier and exploration aspects of space opera are what I like best; the need to be self-reliant and resourceful. I borrowed most from <i>Firefly</i> when creating characters for <i>The Backworlds</i> -- not always good, not always bad. I like humor, too, and the characters, atmosphere, and the story take front and center for me.<br />
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<u style="color: blue;"><b>BTS:</b></u> I love the exploration and discovery as well. The settings can really provide great opportunities for imagination, not just for authors, but for readers. It’s also a great medium to examine our culture and mores and ask questions about who we are, why we are that way and where we should go. You can do it without being preachy and while still being entertaining. I think the most recent <i>BSG</i> is a prime example of that. <i>Babylon 5</i> and <i>Star Trek</i> in its various incarnations also did it really well.<br />
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<u style="color: #20124d;"><b>MP:</b></u> If the message is we can become better than we are, then I like it. But I don't need a message to enjoy it, and probably like it better if there isn't one. I'm a rebel in that I enjoy making up my own mind and not being told what to think. Which is why I believe Arthur C. Clarke's <i>2001</i> is one of the most perfect pieces of fiction out there. Pondering that enigma is what drew me into other science fiction. I loved that he left me to think about the meaning of the monolith. <br />
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<u style="color: blue;"><b>BTS:</b></u> Well, I’m not talking about a preachy message. I’m talking about the message inherent in the way the character reacts to situations and the world and the ideals they strive for in living their lives. Confidence that they can make a difference, that others matter, for example. Perhaps belief in honor or goodness, etc. Those are the things that inspire me when I’m talking about the exploration and questions. <i>2001</i> was very much a Godmachine story that asks a lot of questions and leaves a lot up to the receiver for interpretation. I think the best storytelling does just that. Preachy morals are a turn off for many modern readers but having characters you want to imitate isn’t the same as a message to me. Who are some of your favorite heroes and heroines from space opera?<br />
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<u style="color: #20124d;"><b>MP:</b></u> I'm a big fan of the anti-hero. I'd never emulate him or want to know him, but Jayne Cobb in <i>Firefly</i> is one of my all-time favorite characters. Mal Reynolds is a close second. Torin Kerr in Tanya Huff's Confederation novels is great. Zoe Wash in <i>Firefly</i>. OK, pretty much the entire cast of <i>Firefly</i>. Loved Samantha Carter in <i>Stargate</i>, and Claudia Black in <i>Farscape</i> was fabulous. How about you? Who are some of your favorites?<br />
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<u style="color: blue;"><b>BTS:</b></u> I loved Han Solo, the anti-hero who become more heroic and admirable as time went on. I think Kaylee was my favorite on <i>Firefly</i>. I like Claudia Black in <i>Farscape</i> but Ben Browder is the heart of that show for me. I like Frank Compton in Timothy Zahn’s Quadrail series. Other characters, Valentine of Silverberg’s Majipoor cycle, Ender of Orson Scott Card’s military scifi/space opera Ender series and Bean as well. Those are off the top of my head. I am a Captain Kirk Trek fan all the way as well. So we touched on common tropes. In my series, I already mentioned using the politics and scheming as well as action. I used a coming of age story in the first book and more of a chase/thriller story in the second. I have aliens who are friendly and aliens who are menacing, a powerful overlord who is the dark antagonist, family drama, a kick ass love interest but she’s no damsel in distress prisoner (defying tropes), starships, laser battles and diverse planets the characters explore. Which elements do you employ in your series?<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;"><b>MP:</b></u> Yes, definitely love the Kirk. I envisioned the Backworld series as a <i>Firefly</i> meets the <i>Twilight Zone</i> sort of thing. There are enemies and mercenaries, mysteries and loves lost. Successes and failures, survival, friendship and loyalty are key themes.<br />
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<u><b style="color: blue;">BTS:</b></u> Interesting combination you have there. That’s great. And I’m glad people are still writing these stories for whole new generations to discover, aren’t you? I enjoy continuing to discover new space opera worlds and characters and it’s fun to watch readers do that with <i>The Saga Of Davi Rhii </i>books, <i>The Worker Prince</i> and <i>The Returning</i>. Thanks for the chance to visit Spacedock 19 and talk about our mutual love of space opera, Mary.<br />
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I hope the space opera always lives on, Bryan. It's a thrilling ride every time I open a book in the genre or start up a dvd of one of the old shows. Hope someone airs a new space opera soon. I miss it on TV.<br />
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In Bryan’s second novel, <i>The Returning</i>, new challenges arise as Davi Rhii’s rival Bordox and his uncle, Xalivar, seek revenge for his actions in <i>The Worker Prince</i>,
putting his life and those of his friends and family in constant
danger. Meanwhile, politics as usual has the Borali Alliance split apart
over questions of citizenship and freedom for the former slaves.
Someone’s even killing them off. Davi’s involvement in the investigation
turns his life upside down, including his relationship with his
fiancée, Tela. The answers are not easy with his whole world at stake. <br />
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Bryan Thomas Schmidt is the author of the space opera novels <a href="http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/the-worker-prince/">The Worker Prince</a>, a <a href="http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Explorations-The-BN-SciFi-and/The-Best-Science-Fiction-Releases-of-2011/ba-p/1241244">Barnes & Noble Book Clubs Year’s Best SF Releases of 2011</a> Honorable Mention, and <a href="http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/2012/03/30/space-battles-official-release-announcement-cover/bit.ly/HqQsnL">The Returning</a>, the collection The North Star Serial, Part 1, and several short stories featured in anthologies and magazines. He edited the anthology Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales #6 for Flying Pen Press, headlined by Mike Resnick. As a freelance editor, he’s edited a novels and nonfiction. He’s also the host of <a href="http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/sffwrtcht/">Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat</a> every Wednesday at 9 pm EST on Twitter under the hashtag #sffwrtcht. A frequent contributor to Adventures In SF Publishing, Grasping For The Wind and SFSignal, he can be found online as @BryanThomasS on Twitter or via his <a href="http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/">website</a>. Bryan is an affiliate member of the SFWA.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are your favorite things about space opera?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mpaxauthor.com/">www.mpaxauthor.com</a> has the astronomy report.</span>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-92150385281705909882012-06-16T11:44:00.000-07:002012-06-16T11:50:07.854-07:00grrrM Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-61974277600011648122012-06-15T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-15T00:30:00.116-07:00Spacedock 19, In the Lounge with Susan Kaye Quinn<br />
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Spacedock19 is part of a new feature where I chat with other sci-fi and fantasy authors.</div>
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Today I’m chatting with young adult sci-fi paranormal
author, <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/p/my-books.html" target="_blank">Susan Kaye Quinn</a></b></span>. She’s been publishing her Mindjack Trilogy, the
second in the series, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closed Hearts</i></b>, the latest release.</div>
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Thanks for joining me in the lounge of Spacedock 19 today,
Susan. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Can I get you a drink? Last year’s
vintage of Romulan Ale is rather nice.</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">I prefer a cup of Earl Grey,
hot, if it’s not too much trouble. Romulan Ale is one pretty drink, but my
tolerance isn’t what it used to be (I guess that’s what being a mom of three
kids does to you). :) Thanks for inviting me to Spacedock 19, though! I didn’t
know you could orbit this close to a singularity without collapsing the
structural integrity of the ship. (You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i>
checked for that, yes?)</span></div>
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Oh, yes, I’ve checked. We’re good. The idea of mindjacking
is unique. How does this play out in your world? What advantages and
disadvantages does it present?</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">I don’t think mindjacking is so
much unique - mind control is one of the oldest tropes - but I do try to give
it a fresh twist in my Mindjack series by creating a world where mindreading is
the norm, but only a few people can jack into your head and control your
thoughts, emotions, and memories. The biggest challenge in writing about
mindjacking is bringing a visceral feeling to what is essentially a mental
exercise - creating an experience that no one has actually experienced. (Also:
it’s a lot of fun.) The challenge for mindjackers in the story is that society
isn’t so fond of having people that control them, so they endeavor to even the
playing field by controlling the mindjackers first. That tug-of-war and the
larger societal issues that go with it, drive a lot of the story.</span></div>
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What sparked the idea?</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">The initial idea came for just a
mindreading world, and my main character Kira, being the one person who
couldn’t read minds. It wasn’t until the story started to unfold that I
realized she actually was a mindjacker. (Yeah, I pretty much pantsed my way
through that first draft.)</span></div>
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Did the world or the characters come to you first?</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">The world and the central
character occurred simultaneously, in one image: a girl sitting in a classroom
filled with mindreaders, but she couldn’t read minds. Everything, and everyone,
else evolved from there.</span></div>
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If you were to be transported into the world you created,
what attracts you to it the most? Which character would you most want to be? Or
would you decide to be someone else not in the novel?</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">I think I would be terrified in
this world, not wanting everyone to read my thoughts <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or</i> control them. I wouldn’t want to be Kira - she has way too many
bad things happen to her (sorry, Kira!). If I was in the world, however, I
prefer to be a mindjacker and would probably end up signing up for Julian’s cause.
That guy makes a convincing case for revolution. :)</span></div>
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What appalls you about the world you created most? What
wouldn’t you want to deal with if you were there?</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">The idea of no private thoughts?
The prospect of anyone, anywhere, being able to jack into your head and make
you do anything? There’s a lot of horrors there that I haven’t explored, simply
because I’d like to keep this suitable for YA. And so I can sleep at night.</span></div>
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What drove you to create this series of novels? Is there a
theme behind the characters and drama?</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">There’s a couple of intertwined
themes, and I generally like to let readers take what they will from the novel.
It’s endlessly fascinating to me to see just what resonates with readers that
review or send me notes about the stories. But one obvious theme is
intolerance: the world’s intolerance of Kira when she’s a zero (someone who
can’t read minds) and later when she’s a mindjacker (and a threat of a
different sort). The way that society deals with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the others</i> in their midst shapes a lot of the story and drives
Kira’s character through the trilogy.</span></div>
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Thanks for the insights and for stopping by, Susan. It was
wonderful to learn more about your series and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closed Hearts</i>.</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">Thanks so much for having me in
Spacedock! Which way to the zero-gravity holodeck? I’ve heard they have a good
extinct rainforest simulation. :)</span></div>
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Down three levels, then follow the arrows.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcvEN2IX0qoedTc3QRWhHcCBlZ4KhscmJDB4PzOUutWCrYHij0UOAUe_KpqTLCVIYOFfEaUpPH87xotagasI0WMHUzGBG79UGmSmzGX50sJ373a5s6JviDZKUra0PnZfABSfvlIHpoy8/s1600/ClosedHearts_Cover_600x914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcvEN2IX0qoedTc3QRWhHcCBlZ4KhscmJDB4PzOUutWCrYHij0UOAUe_KpqTLCVIYOFfEaUpPH87xotagasI0WMHUzGBG79UGmSmzGX50sJ373a5s6JviDZKUra0PnZfABSfvlIHpoy8/s200/ClosedHearts_Cover_600x914.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
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<i>Closed Hearts </i>(Mindjack #2)
$2.99 at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083LX4BA">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1110853015?ean=2940014440097">Barnes and Noble</a> (ebook and print) </div>
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</center><center style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>When you control minds,</i></b>
<b><i>only your heart can be used against you.</i></b></div>
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Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling YA novel <i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Open Minds</i>, Book One of the <a href="http://www.mindjacktrilogy.com/">Mindjack Trilogy</a>, which is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z1RRUU" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/open-minds-susan-quinn/1106795594?ean=2940013294899&itm=2&usri=susan+kaye+quinn&" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Barnes and Noble</a>, and <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/open-minds-book-one-mindjack/id478520602?mt=11" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">iTunes</a>. The sequel <i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Closed Hearts</i> has just been released. Susan's business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist," but she mostly plays on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/susankayequinn" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/susankayequinnauthor" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Facebook</a>, and <a href="http://pinterest.com/susankayequinn/">Pinterest</a>.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z1RRUU" target="_blank"><img alt="Mind Games" border="0" src="http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/susanquinn777/MindGames_Cover100.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z1RRUU" target="_blank"><img alt="Open Minds" border="0" src="http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/susanquinn777/OpenMinds_cover_100.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z1RRUU" target="_blank"><img alt="Closed Hearts" border="0" src="http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/susanquinn777/ClosedHearts_Cover_100.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00760G5CE?tag=lwrc" target="_blank"><img alt="In His Eyes" border="0" src="http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/susanquinn777/inhiseyesFINAL100pix.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TSEJIE/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_g351_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1TMDXMPB2RGWCSXCYC9J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846" target="_blank"><img alt="Life, Liberty, and Pursuit" border="0" src="http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/susanquinn777/LLP_Final_Cover_100.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Full-Speed-Ahead-ebook/dp/B007C4KYDU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1334860245&sr=8-7" target="_blank"><img alt="Full Speed Ahead" border="0" src="http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/susanquinn777/fullspeedahead100.jpg" /></a></center></center>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-34284463801994208512012-06-13T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-13T07:38:02.971-07:00Journeys of Wonder, Ciao<div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Journeys of Wonder </span></h3>
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<br />
Leslie Rose of <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://www.lesliesullirose.blogspot.com/2012/06/journeys-of-wonder.html" target="_blank">Yes, This will be on the Test Leslie S. Rose</a></b> has a story out in the world. Part of the Journeys of Wonder Anthology, <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Afterdeath</b></i></span> by Leslie S. Rose: In a future where our journey beyond death is no longer a mystery, the promise of eternal love waits, unless you break the rules. </div>
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On sale only at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Journeys-Wonder-Volume-1-ebook/dp/B0088Q0YC2/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338859406&sr=1-9">Amazon.com</a> now! $.99 or free through the Amazon Prime lending librar<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">y!</span></div>
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Congrats, Leslie Rose!
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Ciao by Bethany Lopez </span></h3>
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<u><b>Ciao:</b></u></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US">Melissa
has had a fantastic summer, hanging out with her friends and making new ones.
Life as she knows it will change when they all come together to begin their
sophomore year at Dearborn High. Connections will be made and friendships will
be tested. Will Melissa’s family and friends be able to help her through the
challenges she will face in the upcoming months.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit,
Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High
School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her
Young Adult novels. She is married and has a blended family with five children.
She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los
Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her
dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series,
Stories about Melissa. Ta Ta for Now! and xoxoxo are available now. Book three, Ciao,
will be released in Aug 2012.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: verdana;">Bethany Lopez</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: #c00000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;">
<span style="color: black;">Stories About Melissa Series</span></div>
<div>
IAN - <a href="http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/bethany-lopez.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>independentauthornetwork.com/<wbr></wbr>bethany-lopez.html</a></div>
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Webpage - <a href="http://www.bethanylopez.weebly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.bethanylopez.weebly.com</a></div>
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Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BethanyLopez2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/#!/<wbr></wbr>BethanyLopez2</a></div>
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Facebook - <a href="http://on.fb.me/LypEaO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://on.fb.me/LypEaO</a></div>
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Pinterest - <a href="http://pinterest.com/bethanylopez2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://pinterest.com/<wbr></wbr>bethanylopez2/</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Astronomy Update </span> </span></h3>
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Report and photos from this past weekend at PMO were posted on my <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/blog/" target="_blank">website</a></b></span> yesterday. </div>
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PS, I'm having a major Blogger issue. All of my posts have disappeared ... anyone else have this issue? I'm speaking some very unpleasant words about blogger right now .... I'm glad this still went off as scheduled, otherwise my choice words would be more vehement than they are.<br />
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Honestly, I'm thinking of dropping this headache and just going with my website ... Depends how quickly they fix the issue.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span><var></var> </div>M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-55721565955916331462012-06-11T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-11T17:20:16.680-07:00Why a Newsletter, Interview & Don't Surrender<b style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://web.me.com/imagobooks/IMAGO_FANTASY_REALM/Blog/Blog.html" target="_blank">Lorna Suzuki</a></span></b> interviewed me yesterday. Met her talented self on the twitter. Flattering that she thinks I'm doing everything right. Nice thing for us insecure types to hear now and then.<br />
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I'm at <b style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://libbyheily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Libby Heily's</a></span></b> today. Also a great talent. I'm looking forward to her new collection of short stories and the release of her novel, <i>Tough Girl</i>. I'm talking about how to get books FREE on Amazon if you're not doing KDP Select, and if you're publishing, why you should create a newsletter and have a mailing list service.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #351c75;">Never Surrender Blogfest </span></h3>
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I signed up to take part in <b style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/p/never-surrender-blogfest.html" target="_blank">Elana Johnson's Never Surrender</a></span></b> blogfest. Her new book <i>Surrender</i> came out June 5th. Congrats to Elana.<br />
<br />
In the early 90's my battle with bilateral carpal tunnel began with a case of severe tendonitis. It quickly progressed to tenosynovitis then CT. It affects my wrists, my hands, and both arms all the way up to where the shoulder connects to the spine. It was so bad, my husband had to help me dress for work. I shouldn't have been driving. I couldn't really steer my car. Despite the constant pain, my hands were numb, and I'd often burn myself when cooking and not know it. I couldn't hold onto things. I still have problems with that and writing with a skinny pen. One of the reasons I don't write by hand very often.<br />
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I refused to believe I couldn't get better. Just flat out refused. But the doctor told me one day that if I didn't stop what I was doing, I'd lose the use of both hands permanently. A war at work raged. I won't even go into all of that. That's a novel unto itself.<br />
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I fought for myself. I fought for my health. Let me tell you, that's a very unpopular stance to take in the corporate world. I made plans to go to grad school and left my job. It was the wrong decision. Not leaving or going to school, but what I decided to major in. It's something I regret, but I keep telling myself it got me out of the hell I was in and to here. Here is a damn OK place.<br />
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When I didn't know what else to do, darkness does not begin to describe the place I was in, my mother said, "Write me something. You were always good at writing."<br />
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And so me, version 9.0, began. My hands are a lot better, but I still have to be very careful. Sometimes I have to take several days off from the computer. (yes, I have ergonomic everything -- why I remain on a PC) Thank goodness I discovered licorice root can help when it starts acting up. When it does, I wonder how I survived all those years in all that pain that never stopped. Never.<br />
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It may have taken me awhile to figure out what to do, but I never gave up. My mother's words offered me a lifeline inside a dark pit and I followed it out. Writing did that for me. A wonderful husband who gave me the space and time I needed to figure it all out, did that for me.<br />
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What obstacles have you overcome because you wouldn't give up?<br />
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Now come visit me at <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://web.me.com/imagobooks/IMAGO_FANTASY_REALM/Blog/Blog.html" target="_blank">Lorna's</a></b></span> and <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://libbyheily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Libby's</a></b></span>. Libby is the last official stop on <i><b>The Backworlds</b></i> blog tour.<br />
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Umm, I had some major technical issues today that have had me pulling my hair out since this morning. Grrr. Will catch up with you all tomorrow. Need to figure out how to get my new printer to work. Grrr. New printer works. Yay. Somehow I don't think having to buy a new one is a victory for me though ...M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-53216026897871817842012-06-08T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-08T08:12:40.209-07:00Ode to Ray Bradbury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four science fiction authors influenced me more than any others: Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.<br />
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The last of my quartet of idols passed away earlier this week. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.raybradbury.com/" target="_blank">Ray Bradbury</a></b></span> died at the age of 91 on June 5th after a long illness.<br />
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I devoured his books after being introduced to his short stories in literature class in college. He was a true inspiration to me and a factor as to which genre lured me to writing. Some friends have said they think I write like him, which is very flattering. To have an ounce of his talent, I'd never claim. Any similarity is unconsciously done.<br />
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He leaves behind a tremendous legacy and volume of literary work. Fantastic stories that took me to the future and into the stars. A legacy I treasure. I'm glad I named my telescope after him.<br />
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Will miss you Ray and your incredible talent. You definitely created something memorable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQAFed9rmmXCVbaTCXXK2aNYdk_i-ZghPlNXnAt4hDgT6bWD7MHZWK9dWIEXF43XftC9ZI1qZPMyQAheWHa8lo-ep-eA6FMw52YcJq-UNCPG_uttuHHGBq2U8HlgVgMNrNcF0_0TxFdE/s1600/martian_chronicles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQAFed9rmmXCVbaTCXXK2aNYdk_i-ZghPlNXnAt4hDgT6bWD7MHZWK9dWIEXF43XftC9ZI1qZPMyQAheWHa8lo-ep-eA6FMw52YcJq-UNCPG_uttuHHGBq2U8HlgVgMNrNcF0_0TxFdE/s200/martian_chronicles.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRnSEZvdOZoR-lZWK1n6YII_JMThq3PWtY5DkVjBNdOAIj-Yv38Ub7-AhH4wqDEon12F-51kaO7R9IxVJ7-zHDK902eOrHD9G42Xn813JAE0cc5kv6EC80sYDE3zK0rygCAp1KwF2Rfs/s1600/ill_man5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRnSEZvdOZoR-lZWK1n6YII_JMThq3PWtY5DkVjBNdOAIj-Yv38Ub7-AhH4wqDEon12F-51kaO7R9IxVJ7-zHDK902eOrHD9G42Xn813JAE0cc5kv6EC80sYDE3zK0rygCAp1KwF2Rfs/s200/ill_man5.jpg" width="121" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCej16RrUPieg2fsP0qNLh0mYQTQkjSW5bE9KFCJ3Eik72k87h91s1RA-fNizwBi8xBmRDYjqWA9EAVb9QExbkqwet5JUSO_7gxq3BZ6aWDgWFaw6RYcECP9sb2BqbEPJRoJeBt2-1s8/s1600/tumblr_l2xwuc45Gc1qzcte3o1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCej16RrUPieg2fsP0qNLh0mYQTQkjSW5bE9KFCJ3Eik72k87h91s1RA-fNizwBi8xBmRDYjqWA9EAVb9QExbkqwet5JUSO_7gxq3BZ6aWDgWFaw6RYcECP9sb2BqbEPJRoJeBt2-1s8/s200/tumblr_l2xwuc45Gc1qzcte3o1_400.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
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This news made me very sad this week. I don't think any of my writing heroes are alive now. Ray was the last one. Sniff.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Passion </span></h2>
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Passion fueled Ray and it fuels me. I'm at <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://gretavanderrol.net/" target="_blank">Greta van der Rol's</a></b></span> today talking about one of the biggest passions that inspires me and my writing.<br />
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Sunday, I'm being interviewed by <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://web.me.com/imagobooks/IMAGO_FANTASY_REALM/Blog/Blog.html" target="_blank">Lorna Suzuki</a></b></span>. Who told me on the Twitter she believed I did everything right. That's nice to hear now and then. Yes?<br />
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Will be up at PMO this weekend. What are your plans for the weekend? Hope you have a good one.<br />
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<br />M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050468798211724027.post-47499587621534155612012-06-06T00:30:00.000-07:002012-06-06T00:30:02.801-07:00Spotlight on Venus, Space Opera, and IWSGJL Campbell is kind enough to host me on her blog today, <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Character Depot</a></b></span>. I'm discussing the space opera and my favorite TV shows that inspired my love for the genre.<br />
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Very briefly, I was able to see the transit of Venus yesterday. Some of my astronomy buddies set up telescopes with sun filters (an accessory I do not yet have) on Pilot Butte, which is just a few blocks from my backyard. So, I hiked the mile up. There was a still a reasonable amount of blue among the clouds, although not warm. I had on a sweater, a fleece, my down vest, and was kind of sorry I didn't bring gloves and a hat. Seriously. It was barely 50 degrees here yesterday.<br />
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I got up there, said hello, and got a quick peek through both of the telescopes when the clouds broke. It was really neat. Venus was much bigger than I expected it to be. That peek was all I was going to get. The clouds swarmed in, it started raining, and then ... snow. It snowed on us. I swear this year the observatory season is just cursed.<br />
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Anyway, photo taken and provided by Bill Logan, a devoted observer of the sun. He's often at the High Desert Museum or on Pilot Butte, sharing his hobby and his passion. And he sends us all emails on what the sun is up to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0URz3J3UtWLsUpbqsdTbs87arN2y0QWm_-0nIvyvwdA77uq3ZOJzXgJgOcL2iNCE0X3odGArzkLRK-yf2afJowXEWSv9ASJnI5EfRmNCnY0glbo5LENWZrHgCiJDRm9nLC7to-C_Ak34/s1600/Transit+of+Venus+6-5-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0URz3J3UtWLsUpbqsdTbs87arN2y0QWm_-0nIvyvwdA77uq3ZOJzXgJgOcL2iNCE0X3odGArzkLRK-yf2afJowXEWSv9ASJnI5EfRmNCnY0glbo5LENWZrHgCiJDRm9nLC7to-C_Ak34/s400/Transit+of+Venus+6-5-2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken by Bill Logan</td></tr>
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Here's some photos from my hike ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1EtszyCIgIxb1TneyoATMmFWm-MpHDVGNV8N_mX1jk7xNuQrx2sQUo8HndUk5PsewMZcrgdDo6quWkjFFTePxFOv1EEjdGOoKc2k1pMX48DSd1ckdJs6STf2Wm2jDiwzAYbAwxNf_nc/s1600/DSC06619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1EtszyCIgIxb1TneyoATMmFWm-MpHDVGNV8N_mX1jk7xNuQrx2sQUo8HndUk5PsewMZcrgdDo6quWkjFFTePxFOv1EEjdGOoKc2k1pMX48DSd1ckdJs6STf2Wm2jDiwzAYbAwxNf_nc/s400/DSC06619.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Moody skies over Bend, OR, from the top of Pilot Butte. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3beptsHHV5KK3cmYp8WuNUiEvVqhEbaQ9swsp1dCfuKJwuY1K507B7TmUgH37HR-_mGNEvM8iVfBSjxozhb9sazXno-zPzjz0R6Q-CmtJLs6_TcJGT0-NoCniakjt-DnyQO58eELy_C8/s1600/DSC06653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3beptsHHV5KK3cmYp8WuNUiEvVqhEbaQ9swsp1dCfuKJwuY1K507B7TmUgH37HR-_mGNEvM8iVfBSjxozhb9sazXno-zPzjz0R6Q-CmtJLs6_TcJGT0-NoCniakjt-DnyQO58eELy_C8/s400/DSC06653.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Juniper berries. Juniper, cedar, and sage, that's what this area grows very well. I must report that it smells just fantastic. Instant air freshener any time I open a window. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrStFQxN8oJ_xjHwOJGIHFOYsatOWp7cmtH6UieziASDVt1oKJ6sVjpSPGArNE31UuemcolHf2yIfsqAGzuqR62DZ2uYeuleHRch8eJOpOSnf_4iKz7uAruOFzHy8QFSaVMIAeeZ6rups/s1600/DSC06634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrStFQxN8oJ_xjHwOJGIHFOYsatOWp7cmtH6UieziASDVt1oKJ6sVjpSPGArNE31UuemcolHf2yIfsqAGzuqR62DZ2uYeuleHRch8eJOpOSnf_4iKz7uAruOFzHy8QFSaVMIAeeZ6rups/s400/DSC06634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A sign of spring braving our crazy weather.<br />
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Last, but not least, it's IWSG day. Insecure Writers Support Group is hosted by <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></b></span>, writer and ninja extraordinaire. The first Wednesday of every month writers gather to share their insecurities or encouragement and support. It's not to late to sign up if you'd like to join us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu-9WtXajcKyYq9nYmP_uYlOCv24Lcwb5SbEDOmzwIbFRWtlk7ViEet4j4uBijBG7O_ZT_ZVqdZu__HQ0kzsTz1dXlfoD0aRjUC0h_kHXn_89EcgeO8YteRB_6wSBMw0iDZdoDr8Eth0/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu-9WtXajcKyYq9nYmP_uYlOCv24Lcwb5SbEDOmzwIbFRWtlk7ViEet4j4uBijBG7O_ZT_ZVqdZu__HQ0kzsTz1dXlfoD0aRjUC0h_kHXn_89EcgeO8YteRB_6wSBMw0iDZdoDr8Eth0/s320/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wasn't sure what to expect with the launch of <i><b>The Backworlds</b></i> in early May, but am humbled and deeply grateful for all the support from all of you. The blogging community, <u><b>you</b></u>, helped me create a buzz, get Amazon to price match, provided reviews that made me warm and fuzzy, provided me time and space for touring, and also put me in touch with a great editor, who I look forward to working with again.<br />
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<u><b>You</b></u> helped my work get noticed. 2,000 downloads and growing. Thank you.<br />
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You know what else makes me happy? Seeing how many of you are publishing and getting published lately. It's fantastic. It really is. So, congrats to all of you for being fantastic, awesome people. The sky's the limit for all of us if we continue to support each other the way we do.<br />
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OK, that got a bit sappy and gooey. But that's OK. You're all worth it.<br />
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Now come visit me at <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joy's</a></b></span>.M Paxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.com