USCGC Ironwood, Late 80's North of Kodiak AK. I was standing on the bridge wing of the USCGC Sedge, her sister ship. I miss those days.

Reader from France

I was looking at my Statistics the other day and noticed once again that a reader from France visited. Only one, but it happens after almost every post. I would love to hear from this person. Why do they follow. How did they find me. It is a wonderful mystery. Please, if you live in France, leave a comment and tell me something about yourself.  Thanks

John C Write Captures the meaning of story telling

John C Write has a nice blog post about his fight with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. I don't really have a comment about who to champion in this brawl. I just wanted to point out something he wrote in his blog. However, I do think that a man who can right like this probably deserves our support in a bar room brawl.

"When the first storyteller of prehistory standing outside the cave in the circle of light shed by that newly-invented dancing sky-flower called fire, and with wide gestures and daring words, while the shadows leaped,  astonished the youngsters of the clan with the deeds of the great hunt which happened that day, he used these tools of the trade.

He told of the comedy of a spear thrown butt-first, the tragedy of a man trampled, the drama of the band of hunters aiding each other that the tribe might feast, that the tribe might live! And the youngsters with their eyes wide and mouths hanging round open listened in wonder. They were enchanted.

And then, as twilight deepened into night and the stars looked on, the tale he told turned to the of the eldest grandfathers and great hunters long dead but living again in the constellations, chasing the raging boars and mighty mastodons and swift smilodons whose images were in the zodiac — that unknown and unnamed first storyteller told a tale of stars and eternal things.

He told of the creation of the world, the kindling of the sun and moon, and how the High Spirit placed green trees and blue rivers in the mighty lap of the Earth. And he sang the names of their fathers and forefathers, and how the tribe was blessed in times long gone by the gods, and how these names and great deeds must never be forgotten, but told in turn to their sons and daughters.

That first founder of my guild knew the three things any storyteller who is honest knows: A story is not a lecture nor a sermon; the storyteller puts the story first, not the storyteller; the storyteller serves rather than rules those who hear his tale."

Read the whole article

http://www.scifiwright.com/2014/06/united-underworld-literary-movement-manifesto/

As some of you may know my Father-in-law just passed away. We spent most of the last two weeks at the hospital with him. He was a good man and lived with us on and off for the last five years. I am going to miss him.

While at the hospital I noticed myself repeatedly slipping into my writer mode. Observing the world and its people. There are enough stories, conflict, and drama on a hospital ward to fill a dozen books. Stories about pain and loss, but also joy and redemption. Families coming together to remember the positive, fighting to overcome the negative.  For the most part people acting good, trying their best, and showing a level of compassion that is truly remarkable.

A few takeaways from my experience.

1.                Hospitals don’t smell like they used too. No longer are we greeted with the sharp tang of alcohol and/or formaldehyde.

2.                The nursing profession is still predominantly female. Most of the male nurses I saw were in the technical, adrenalin filled world of the ER. The upstairs, quiet, subdued hospital ward was filled with caring women.

3.                A long drawn out death can help the loved ones move on faster. It’s easier to rationalize that at last the suffering is over. At last he is at peace.

4.                Hospital chairs are uncomfortable as hell. The only thing worse is not having enough.

5.                Different cultures can easily come together in this strange world. A shared look in an elevator or a sour hopeless smile while passing in the hall. A realization that death has no prejudice.  No judgment, it is an equal opportunity bastard regardless of your race, creed, or religion.

6.                Cliché’s and pat sayings dribble from our mouths before we can catch them. That’s okay, they help get us through these tough times.

7.                Laughter truly is the best medicine. Poking fun at each other and chuckling in the face of doom can make things easier on everyone. It is the oil that makes the different parts of our world work together.

8.                The world moves on. No matter the size of your pain. No matter the severity of your loss. The world keeps turning. Those that remain continue to draw breaths, fight, laugh, and love. All we can do is try to make it a better world before we leave. Jim Dillard did that.

Jim, fair winds and following seas. The next round is on me.

Jim Dillard

James Cowan Dillard age 68 passed away after a long valiant fight. He is survived by his three daughters, Shelley Snodgrass, Sandra Klem, and Sally Saxon. 8 grandchildren and 4 Great grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters. Linda Ellsworth of San Antonio TX, Betty Karr of Seymour TX, and Jodi Dillard of Seymour TX.

 A master salesman, amateur pilot and avid photographer he lived life to its fullest. Jim had a large impact on those around him and will be sorely missed.

 In lieu of a ceremony, a going away party will be organized at a later date where friends and family can say goodbye to a good man.

Friends Cover Reveal

A good friend and excellent Critique Partner has just revealed the cover of her new book. I think the publisher has done a good job capturing the main character - Paisley - Check it out.

http://kristirose.net/

The Different Types of Members in a Critique Group

What do we want to achieve from our critique group. The goals are as various as the people involved.

-        BUTTERFLIES -They view their critique group as a social opportunity. A time to talk shop. In fact it might be their only time to talk to someone about the writing profession. Or maybe their only chance to talk to people at all.

-        SOAKERS- View the group as a mirror, soaking up their reflected greatness. These people attend the group hoping, in fact needing, to be told how good a job they are doing. How great a writer they are. They live for this affirmation like hot house orchids thriving in heavy humidity.

-        DESTROYERS - They attend these meetings for the opportunity to critique. They revel in the sickening desire to tear down and destroy other’s work.  Unable to create themselves. They must destroy all others that do. If they can’t succeed then, by god, no one will.

-        DABBLERS – These attend only occasionally and rarely contribute finished product. But they can impress their friends with stories about their writing group. Things like “I was at my writing group the other day and we were discussing the merits of Hemingway versus Faulkner.” Dabblers aren’t aware enough to realize their friends could care less.

-        WORKERS – These are the people that want to get better. They regularly submit, hoping to learn and improve. They worry about craft, plot, and grammar. Sweating over every aspect that might make the story better. These are the people that are going to help you. Seek them out.

Your objective with your critique group is to staff it with only workers. Eliminate all of the others. They are only slowing you down and getting in the way of you becoming a good writer.

My current critique group is made up only of workers. I was very lucky to get invited to join. Believe me, you will see the difference instantly.  The focus is on supporting each other in getting better. That should be your goal.