Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Sad Times

I am facing that sad reality that almost everyone has to deal with at one point or another in their lives--the death of a parent. My mother suffered a stroke last week, ironically the day before we arrived for a visit. She has since been transfered from the hospital to hospice care with a very grim prognosis. We'll be heading back to Arizona tomorrow but it's doubtful we'll have more than a day or two with her.

I may not have the opportunity to post for a few days, but I'll be back as soon as possible.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

At the Mercy of a Strange Laptop

I'm roaming this week, so this post is coming to you via a laptop in a hotel room. Yes, I'm not in "Kansas" anymore, and this definitely is not my familiar and comfortable writing scenario. I've had to alter even my typing style for this nearly indestructable--but slow--Panasonic Toughbook. I think I'm getting my daily workout with the force it takes to press the keys. *puff, puff* LOL Suffice it to say, this post will be brief and you may have to overlook a few typos.

I'm in the final stages of "scrub"on P2PC, and honing my synopsis and query. On my flight, I re-read Kristin Nelson's excellent workshop on pitches and made copious notes. I hope I can find exactly the right words and phrases to capture the essence of this novel and get a few chapters into someone's hands. Writing that "grab them by the collar and shake them, screaming You have to read this!" query is proving a true test of my writing skills.

I'll post again when I'm back at home base. In the meantime, if you're interested in reading a few slants on "Where Ideas Come From", pop over to the Toasted Scimitar this week.

www.toasted-scimitar.blogspot.com

Have a great week.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Number Pyramids

And now for something a little fun...but absolutely amazing!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

A Study in "Spin"

As you know I don't make political statements on this blog (other than fictional politics, mind you) or endorse or bash any candidates, so in that spirit, this was just too cute not to post.

Shows you what a bit of creative writing can do. :)

Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Hillary Clinton's great-great uncle, Remus Rodham, was hanged for horsestealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription: "Remus Rodham; horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889."

Judy e-mailed Hillary Clinton for comments. Hillary's staff of professional image adjusters sent back the following biographical sketch:

Remus Rodham was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad.

Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad.

In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

*Star Trek Computer Voice* Working...

Yes, working....

Still working on the final draft of my Sci-Fi-Rom, although I have made wonderful progress on my query letter and synopsis. Writing is a long process. Sometimes it hedges into geophysical time. This is my P2PC eon. Or is it a mere epoch?

Progress: The twists I added to the conclusion have met my critter's approval with flying colors. Ahhh, vindication. The tie-in to the previous story line was well-received. Although I was biting my nails that the twist in the final pages took the story too deep into the shades of darkness, it appeared to do the exact thing it was engineered to do--ramp up tension in the climax. My scheming appears to have worked well. Yea! :)

Why do I always talk of P2PC in vague terms? I don't want to give away some of the secrets of what may be future surprises for my readers. Unlike published authors, especially those writing series or sequels, my work isn't out there in published format for the world to see so the characters are unknown entities and this universe waits to be explored. When (*thinking positive thoughts*) P2PC is published, I'll have tons of cutting room material, character and elements to discuss (if my publisher says it's okay, of course).

Meanwhile, the unveiling must wait. (And it's difficult finding a tarp large enough to cover half a galaxy, let me tell ya.) :)

I'll be back soon with another update.