Posts tagged ‘science fiction’
ELMO’S INVENTION CHAPTER II
BEGINNING OF THE TIME MACHINE
One day after visiting the supermarket, although in those days they weren’t very super, Mildred was pulling her two-wheeled shopping cart down the street and was amazed to see a pickup parked in her driveway. It was three in the afternoon and four burly men stood behind the truck. They looked relieved when they saw her approach. In the bed of the truck was a huge piece of equipment. Mildred recognized it immediately. It was an iron lung.
Just recently, the newly developed polio vaccine began distribution on sugar cubes. Gradually iron lungs were no longer needed. However, Mildred had lived with the fear of polio, knew people who had contracted the disease. Some still depended on the device for their lives to continue. “Where do you want this, lady?” asked the man obviously in charge.
“I don’t want it anywhere,” answered Mildred. She had no idea why they had brought this to her home. Then her mind had a flash, Elmo.
“Does an Elmo Baker live here?” the man asked.
There it was. Her husband had bought an iron lung. Shaking her head, Mildred said, “I’m sure it belongs in the cellar. I’ll show you the way.”
After many grunts and groans, the machine rested on its wheels in the cellar.
“What could Elmo want with this thing?” pondered Mildred out loud.
Hearing Mildred one of the men said, “I don’t know nothing, lady. We just deliver.”
The crew went back upstairs and climbed into their truck and left. And Elmo had some explaining to do when he came home from work.
POEMS AND FLEETING THOUGHTS: THE HUMANITY OF MISTAKES.
Have you ever made a mistake and said, “I’m only human?”
Being a writer of science fiction, my mind dwelled on the phrase.
Who knows why?
Of course at this point I let my imagination take over, conquering rational thought. I pictured an expedition to a distant planet much like ours. They landed and found no occupants. After months of searching one of the team found a document explaining the demise of the civilization. “We were a race of perfection. No mistakes were ever made. Eventually, we die of boredom.
A LEGENDARY WRITER IS GONE
I’m sure all lovers of science fiction and fantasy know that Ursula K. Le Guin has left us at the age of 88 to explore the next plane.
I enjoyed reading her work and often thought her name could be a character in her writing.
I’ve enclosed a review of her life.
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?
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.
LOIS LANE (NOEL NEILL) HAS DIED
Being a lover of science fiction from an early age, I, of course, watched Superman on TV during the fifties.
I just read that Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane, had died at the age of 95. I had to have watched every episode where Noel Neill playing Lois Lane appeared beside George Reeves playing Superman.
Here are some musings about how that past Superman would have a problem dealing in the current day and age. It struck me, in this day and age, with cellphones the predominate means of communication and phone booths a thing of the past, where in our current society could Superman change?
Also, a pair of glasses was his disguise. I must admit, when I remove my glasses people around me expect me to fly. I continually disappoint them, so far. And also, what would happen if Superman developed a super zit on the tip of his nose? Would taking off his glasses still conceal his identity?
Questions keeping me up some nights. I’m sure they have the same effect on you.
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