Recent Posts
The Rabbit (Deleted Scene)
There are times when I feel like a fraud. I have been a beta reader and critique partner for many writers over the years, pointing out areas where stories are weak and where they are strong. I’m a freelance editor with Black Wolf Editorial Services, contracting my services out as a developmental editor, helping other writers shape their stories into masterpieces. However, to date, none of my fiction has been published. I am a published writer, but all of my personal publication credits are non-fiction.
A few of those whom I have provided editing for have gone on to obtain traditional publication contracts. Some have self-published. In most cases, I’ve received some form of acknowledgement, but I am unlikely to ever get editorial credit, because developmental editing is an early-stage editing — editorial credits commonly go to the copyeditor of a book.
Some writers from my early days of being an editor were actually disgruntled by my comments, even though my comments highlighted the good… and the areas that could be improved. Recently, I heard from one of those writers, and she gave me words that actually lifted my soul.
I wanted to give [you] a way belated thank you.
You did some extensive crits on my works a long, long time ago. I wasn’t ready to hear it at that time and did not appreciate them. I’m trying to improve and see now the honesty and TRUTH in those crits. I just wanted to say thank you for investing the time in me. It pushed me to be better.
Well, like that writer, I’m pushing myself to be better. Part of that process is to suck-it-up and share with the world some of my fiction — proving to my readers (and myself) that I really do know how to craft a story. So, I decided to share with you a deleted scene from my high-fantasy novel, Beacon of Hope. The novel itself is currently sitting in that metaphorical drawer, as I have a mental hangup about querying the thing, but still…
I hope you enjoy it.
Has California taken PC lunacy to a new level?
Well, it’s official. The world has gone PC coo-coo, and California is leading the charge. There is no other way to describe it.
On October 4th, 2017, the Governor of California, Jerry Brown, signed legislation that will make lodging and showering facilities in aged-care homes effectively unisex — regardless how the residents feel about it — and send carers (nurses and doctors) to jail for up to one year if they mispronounce someone’s name. SB-219 amends the Health and Safety Code, adding clauses that are filled with ambiguity.
While it may seem like I’m making a joke about it, I’m not. It’s all a matter of wording, and how people can interpret those words. This is a can of worms that is about to wriggle all across the ground, out of control.
SB-219 was intended to improve the issues surrounding negative treatment of LGBT elderly (and others entrusted to long-term care). I support the spirit of the bill, but there is a BIG difference between the spirit of a bill and the wording.
We have EMP devices in the driveway.
Sometimes technical glitches happen and technology fails on us. Many have often heard me discuss how wonderful technology is — when it works. Well, that’s what happened to this month’s episode of Conversations in Science: a technical glitch and it aired a day late. Hence, this blog post is a day late. It’s ironic considering the topic for this month’s show.
Jessie and I discussed what EMP devices really are and the impact they can have on technology. (Jessie, did you set off the EMP device in your driveway?)
Teenagers, Online Gaming, and Showers
Okay, people are probably looking at the title for this post and are struggling to see the connection between all three things listed. Teenagers and online gaming: easy connection. A large number of teenage boys are gamers. Teenagers and showers: well, if you have a teenage boy, you’ll understand. Online gaming and showers… Just wait. It’s social media at its best.
New Episode: Earthquakes – The Earth’s Dance
Seven years on, and I’m still haunted by the 7.1 earthquake that rudely awoke me from my sleep on September 4, 2010. Each of us find ways to heal in different ways. For me, it’s to look at the science behind what happened, and trying to explain to the world at large exactly what it was like to go through those frightening events.
On this month’s episode of Conversations in Science, Jessie and I spoke about earthquakes and what happens.
Conference recovery and motivation
My followers on Facebook and Twitter will know that I recently attended the RWNZ Conference in Rotorua, New Zealand. I had forgotten how beautiful that part of the country was — and how smelly. Let’s face it, there is a reason that many Kiwis affectionately call the region Rotten-rua: the entire region is dominated by active volcanic activity which often leaves a sulfur smell hanging in the air. (Nothing like the smell of rotten eggs in the morning.)
However, my trip to Rotorua was awesome on so many levels. It helped me to get my head on straight and to see things for the way they really are.