WHO I AM
Some time ago I received a questionnaire from Book Buzzr, a marketing website I’m using to promote my novel, New Moon Rising. I thought I would share my answers to give you a closer look into who I am.
BOOK BUZZR
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Now a retired scientist, I spent 34 years studying renal physiology.
I’m a Newark, New Jersey boy now living in West Chester, Pennsylvania, divorced with two outstanding daughters. One is a farmer working for the Rodale Institute and the other is pursing and MFA in fiction at Syracuse University.
Describe your book, New Moon Rising, in 30 words or less.
The novel is science fiction centered on the Ring of Fire. Think of the movie, Deep Impact, but in reverse.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Editing? I hate editing. The initial story just flowed. I went along with the characters and saw the action through their eyes. But when it came to editing the adventure was over, and I missed it.
What books had the greatest influence on you?
When I was in high school I read three books by Tom Dooley, a doctor who went to Laos, among other countries, to provide medical assistance. Of the three, the only title I can remember is The Night They Burned the Mountain.
His work was influential in establishing CARE.
What Dooley did to me I could never reverse. His words established in me the need for a sense of purpose, that you must strive to make a difference. Even at my advanced age, I cannot shake this mind-set.
Briefly share with us what you do to market your book.
Not enough. I have has one signing at a local bookstore which went quite well.
I am, of course on your site. I also have a blog, walttriznastories.wordpress.com, where I have discussed my novel and have provided links to my publisher, Melange Books, barns&noble.com and amazon.com., where my novel is available. But the primary purpose of my blog is to provide help for writers on the road to publication.
How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
I read a great deal, as most writers do. I firmly believe the basis for any writers desire to write begins with reading and the love for books. Of house and outside chores also require certain amount of time.
What are you working on next?
I have multiple short stories I am editing and hope to publish.
I also have two novels that are written and need to be edited and published.
The first, Sweet Depression, follows a corrupt high-level officer in a pharmaceutical company fulfilling his need for control and greed with devastating results. Think of a cross between novels written by James Patterson and Robin Cook.
The second novel, The Beast Awaits, combines illicit stem cell research creating a monster mindlessly intent on destroying our world.
RANTS & RAVES: IS THERE HOPE?
I will soon get back to the true purpose of this blog, aiding writers. I have pieces planned for ideas for science fiction stories, (I have too many ideas to work. You are welcome to use what I describe. You won’t be disappointed.), sites to publish and a host of websites for finding agents. But first, I had to get this off my chest.
This is food for thought. For a writer of nonfiction or fiction, here are situations which, unfortunately, are not fiction.
Banks are destroying the country yet say that regulations are too strict, just think Wells Fargo when you consider that the regulations for these institutions are too strict.
Pharmaceutical companies are selecting products individuals need to survive and increasing prices for no other reason than to increase profits. I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry and realize the cost that goes into making a drug. I have seen projects that have failed, after many years of effort. Some of this cost is passed onto the consumer to pay for projects the do work. But when the price for a product is set, and it is suddenly raised, the purpose of the increase is nothing but greed.
Where or what is the policy which can reduce greed. CEOs constantly complain of too much regulation. But it is these very individuals profiting from the control they have, especially through political contributions, who reap the profits as the public reaps the pain.
Are we totally lost, or is there a way out of this atmosphere which grips our country?
POEMS & FLEETING THOUGHTS: TIME
The Value of Time
If time is meant
To be merely filled,
Why possess
Time?
RANT & RAVES: WELLS FARGO BANK
Can someone explain this to me?
Wells Fargo Bank have committed unspeakable wrongs. Having been caught they fire more than 5000 people who the company compelled them to do or face firing.
These people are now scrambling to find a way to continue their lives. I’m sure some family tragedies will result from this senseless event.
Yet, the woman who oversees, directly, the section involved walked away with a 100 million dollar package.
Where the hell is the justice in this country? And where the fuck is the justice?
POEMS & FLEETING THOUGHTS: SOFTENING THE PAST
My memories wander
To the days of my youth,
Long gone,
Softened by years
Memories dwell in
A fantasy world,
Hiding the scars
And the pain.
URSULA LE GUIN
I recently read an article in the New York Times concerning Ursula Le Guin, a renowned writer of science fiction and fantasy, and her enshrinement in the Library of America.
Included in this article was a speech she gave concerning the state of publishing and the value authors must seek for their work. For those writers out there, I hope you find it educational and rewarding.
Sorry this link doesn’t work. But if you are interested, go to The New York Times site. You can read a limited of articles for free. For writers and readers of science fiction, this work is valuable.
REMEMBRANCES: A FRIEND’S INSIGHT
A good friend of mine once said, “Life is not a rehearsal. It’s your only chance.”
At what age do we truly comprehend this fact? For most, does that fact come too late or even exist?
My life has always been a need to accomplish something, whether in science or writing. My science life is gone, but my writing life lives on. Only time will tell what purpose I serve.
REMEMBERANCES: FAMILY VACATIONS
When on family vacations the trips would sometimes be long, driving to Colorado to visit relatives, or driving to North Carolina for summer vacations. When the kids were small, on our way to Sunset Beach in southern North Carolina, we stopped for a night at our usual place, a truck stop/motel/restaurant. Needless to say, this was an adventure for us all.
We also stopped at places with huge restaurants, and upon entering, found the place to be completely empty. We soon found out why. At one of these stops there was also a motel. We checked in and soon my barefoot wife and children observed the blackened souls of their feet. There was also the time when in a motel we discovered the hole drilled into the bathroom wall for the antenna was bigger than needed. Whoever fixed this must have had my level of handiness, for the hole was stuffed with toilet paper.
But one thing I enjoyed on extended vacations, and never revealed to my family, was my love of going into our van to retrieve something in the early morning after sleeping in a motel, sitting in the driver’s seat, I savored he smell of the interior. The atmosphere was far from usual. Combined were the smells of food packed for the trip, homemade food to share with friends and relatives. At times there would be the smell of the gear for a summer camping trip. All these odors combined to give me the feeling of change, the feeling of adventure, the feeling of family.
WRITER’S IN THE CHESTER COUNTY, PAOLI AREA. HERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND EXPLORE WRITING ISSUES.
Recently, I joined this writers group. Meeting at the Paoli library every Thursday, I have found it to be a source of sharing with fellow writers. Something all writers need.
Come join us and learn who we are and learn.
FREE WORKSHOP for WRITERS by WRITERS
Saturday, August 20, 2016
12:00 to 4:30 pm
Paoli Library Meeting Room
18 Darby Rd, Paoli, PA 19301
You are invited to join us for a workshop that is designed for proficient writers and authors to learn from one another in an experiential and peer-to-peer forum. This 4½-hour workshop will be broken into two sessions:
First session: 12:00-2:30 pm. Full group session.
Break/Network 2:30-3:00 pm. Please bring your own food/beverage.
Second session: 3:00-4:30 pm. Small group sessions.
The first session will focus on the writer’s completed goals and lessons learned along the way that can help other writers:
Objective – Each person can speak for up to five minutes about successes and/or difficulties in areas specific to their writing experience followed by up to five minutes Q & A. If speaking please come with prepared notes.
In the second session writers will break into smaller groups according to genre and/or a specific goal for the workshop.
- Genre
- Editing
- Publishing
- Self-publishing
- Blogging
- Public speaking
- Marketing
- Distribution
What to Bring: A brief summary of your work/projects, in order for others to understand your interests and the main goal you wish to achieve in this workshop.
Please RSVP to: Melanie @ s.j.hart@comcast.net
Space limited to 20 due to size of room. There will be no waiting list. We hope to see you there!
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