I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two.
I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.
Today we are visiting an absorbing place. I have mentioned the Farley Boat Works in a couple of posts and have featured the Farley Boat planters sponsored by the garden club. Today though we are going to the mother ship. The actual Farley Boat Works and Museum.
Farley Boats set the standard along the Gulf Coast for fishing and sport from 1915 to the mid-1970s. Three generations of the Farley family designed and built the Farley Boat in the back of their home in Port Aransas, Texas.
Here is a shot of works taken in the sixties.
No Farley Boats were made from the late seventies until The Port Aransas Preservation, and Historical Association (PAPHA) opened the restored Farley Boat Works building to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Boat building lessons for the general public commenced the same day.
Here is how the building looks today
The Boat Works Manager Frank Coletta supervises the activities which include, boat building lessons, restoration,, and fundraising. Behind Frank is a partial view of the workspace.
Above where Frank is standing is a sign that captures the essence of the boat works.
The next photo shows a bench with every kind of clamp needed to hold pieces of wood together.
The next shot is a skiff under construction
I mentioned earlier that Frank supervises fundraising for the boat works. A man project is the construction of a handmade kayak which is sold at auction. The last one sold for thousands. Here is the next one being made.
One project of the boat works is the design, fabrication, and launch of the first Texas Schooner in over one hundred years. The sign below welcomes donations for spars and sails on the finished craft.
Here is the schooner being built under a tent outdoors. You can see the rudder laying on its side on the concrete blocks
There are other exhibits on the grounds. Here are two. This room gives you a history of the works and contains an example of an outboard motor powered boat.
This room has a more classic Farley Boat.
There is plenty more to see including a collection of old outboard motors and other artifacts. If you are in Port Aransas a visit to the Farley Boat Works is a must. The museum and boat works is located at 716 W. Avenue C, Port Aransas, TX 78373
It is Stream of consciousness Saturday time. This weeks prompt is “Wood/Would. Linda Hill says we can use them any way we want. We can use one or both. (Ah freedom.) If you would like to engage in this foolishness art go to Linda’s site and read all about it. Here is the link.
It is hard to believe another Friday has arrived. I hope your week was as quick. I’m currently working on formatting My GRL for the March launch. It is amazing to me that no matter how many times I’ve worked formatting books, I still have to consult my Handy Andy format guide. You would think I would have this stuff in the brain, but no. I excuse myself in that there is so much to do to prepare a Create Space and Kindle version. I am doing the Table of Contents for Kindle right now and don’t trust Microsoft Word’s so-called automatic built-in version. So what I have to do is bookmark and then link the table. It takes a while but is solid as a rock.
If you have no idea what I was rambling about above count yourself lucky. Today’s JohnKu talks about memory. I hope you have a great weekend.
I want to welcome a friend of mine, John Fioravanti. John and I met at Rave Reviews Book Club and realized we share a number of interests. Also, we are both over 65, so there is that as well. John is a very talented author and has been quite busy since retiring from his teaching responsibilities. John lives in Waterloo, Ontario and has graciously consented to a visit here with me today.
Hi John and welcome. Help yourself to the coffee.
Thank you very much, John. I’m honoured to visit here at “Fiction Favorites”. Mmmm, great coffee!
Thank you. I got the recipe from a friend of mine. Well now if you are comfy why don’t we get to the questions.
Tell us a little about yourself, John. I know you spent your working life as a history teacher but after that what made you decide to become a writer?
One of my passions in the classroom was to teach writing skills–within the context of my history lessons. I knew then I had a gift to write well, but I never thought of writing outside educational skills manuals until the end of my teaching career.
What a career it has been so far. You have four of your own books published, one anthology and in at least three genres. Tell my readers a little about your writing discipline. How are you able to stay with your writing regimen?
My writing discipline could be much more disciplined! However, almost everything I write is on a keyboard – I use pen and paper for rough notes. When I sit with pen in hand, I find it difficult to write anything of value. When I’m behind the keyboard, the magic begins to happen, and ideas flow from my head to my fingers. I can’t explain it, but that’s my reality.
Interesting. I feel the same way at the keyboard. Okay, so you have done some memoirs, Sci-fi fiction, and a collection of reflections. Let me ask what genre or book was the most fun for you to write?
Writing fiction is the most enjoyable writing that I do. I don’t write classic science fiction, but rather, I write about human drama in a science fiction universe. I thoroughly enjoy exploring life on planet Genesis, seven centuries into the future. I never thought I could write fiction, nor did I have a burning desire to do so. Kenneth Tam, my former student, and prolific novelist challenged me to write within the sci-fi universe that he created for his Equations novels. Fiction is delightfully creative and a great escape for the writer.
You mention the planet Genesis. Let’s turn a minute to the Genesis Saga. First, tell us a little about the inspiration for this series.
As I mentioned earlier, the inspiration for the Genesis Saga was Kenneth Tam’s eight-book Equations series. There is a forty-year gap in the middle of the series – a period of peace between two intergalactic wars. I complained to him that I wanted to know what happened during that peacetime. He challenged me to write those stories. So, my Genesis Saga tells what happened to the people of Genesis between Kenneth’s Book 4 and Book 5.
Now, give us a brief overview of the Saga. What is the story about?
Click Cover for Amazon
Click Cover for Amazon
The people of Genesis are the descendants of the humans who escaped a killer self-aware virus in the late 21 st Century. The UN sent 1 million survivors out into space in a great colonizer ship to find planet Genesis and begin human civilisation anew, after a 95-year journey, the ship arrives at Genesis, and the grandchildren of the original survivors began to settle their new world. The Genesis Saga picks up the story 600 years after that arrival point when their civilisation is teetering on the edge of self-destruction.
Sounds very exciting. I know you have been posting a prequel to the Genesis Saga in a serial format on your blog. Tell us about the story you are telling.
Kenneth Tam created this universe, but he begins his novels just five years before the Genesis Saga. Therefore, the stories about the first 600 years of human history on Genesis have not been written. I asked Kenneth for permission to create that early history, and he encouraged me to continue. The short posts in the “Genesis Chronicles” on the Fiora Books website are experimental forays into this period. After writing 23 of these posts, I am very excited about that time in Genesis history
That sounds great, John. Do you anticipate publishing a book about the prequel to the Genesis Saga?
A month ago I asked Kenneth Tam for permission to create a new series of novels I’ve been writing. He thinks it is a promising idea and encouraged me to think about writing both series at the same time. I think I will go ahead with the project.
How about the Saga itself? Can we expect another book?
I have started the third book in The Genesis Saga, and the original plan was for an 8-book series. I want to finish telling the story of the developments on Genesis to the end of that 40-year peacetime.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on the general outline for Book 3 as mentioned earlier, and I want to begin planning the new series – which I haven’t named yet. As well I write two blog posts per week.
You are very busy. What is the most challenging thing about writing for you and why?
One of the demons I’ve always struggled with is that of self-doubt. I find that it causes me to hesitate and it forms a roadblock that I have to overcome to get to the serious job of writing. Once I start, the magic begins to happen. I call it ‘magic’ because I don’t know where this ability to create fiction emanates.
Self-doubt tends to haunt us all. What can we expect from you in the years to come?
Lots of new books, I hope! I want to finish the Genesis Saga and its sister series. As well, I plan to write more inspirational non-fiction. I enjoy writing reflections based on quotes that I find because that exercise helps me to clarify, for myself, many aspects of what it takes to live my life well.
How about the personal John? (After all, this is the title of the post) What do you like to do in your spare time and do you have a family?
Anne and I married when we were just 22 years of age – and she still puts up with me! We have three children and three grandchildren. Fortunately, we all live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. In our spare time, Anne and I love to attend live theatre performances. In each of the last five years, we spent a week in the winter on Caribbean cruises.
‘Thank you so much, John we are all going to look forward to your work. Thank you for visiting my blog. Here have an American IPA I know it’s not as good as your Molson Ale but it must do for now.
It is Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we witnessed Lucas dodge a bullet so to speak. Alice apparently had a change of heart in thinking she would go to Lucas’ house for a “drink of water.” We don’t know why she changed her mind and maybe by Lucas calling Seth and “old coot,” there was some realization by Alice that she was making a fool out of herself. Meanwhile, we have not heard anything from Mrs. Murphy, the widow. So let’s get back to this little place and see what’s up.
“Hold up Seth. I need to talk to you.”
“What? Sure, little lady. It seems you followed me into the store so what’s on your mind.”
“Not here, Seth. I need to talk to you outside. There are enough ears leaning our way, and I don’t want my conversation repeated all over town.”
“All right then.You lead the way.”
“This will do Seth. We are far enough away from those wags.”
“You look upset darlin’.”
“Don’t darlin’ me you old horse. You know very well I’m upset, and you probably have a good idea why.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Wipe that stupid grin off your face. I’m going to say this one time and one time only. Don’t you ever threaten me again? I didn’t appreciate that little statutory rape comment at the widow’s house. Also, I will think you to keep that bulbs nose out of my business. Who I sleep with is no concern of yours. I have enough on you and that dirty little posse of yours to make you like a living hell, and you know it.”
“Now now Alice. Don’t get all bunched up, I was just having a little fun. I can see it worked.”
“Your idea of fun is to intimidate people you big bully. I want you to know you don’t frighten me one little bit. You know I’m serious, so you can stop trying to make light of what you tried to do.”
Okay. I apologize. I just wanted to save you from making a fool of yourself that’s all.”
“And just how would sleeping with that boy be foolish, Seth? Hell after giving you the best parts of me I could walk down the street start naked and still not be as big a fool as I was back then.”
“Aw Alice. You don’t mean that.”
“The hell I don’t. Now let’s just cut this short. You leave me alone, or you will be very sorry. You got that?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I got that. It’s a shame, though.’
“What’s a shame?”
“You havin’ all this hatred towards me. I always loved you.”
“Do you punch everyone you love, Seth?”
“Okay, let’s not go there. I got help for that and besides that wasn’t really me.”
“No the real you makes a threat to arrest me for statuary rape.”
“You were right.”
“Oh Yeah. How was I right.”
“We should stop talking. Goodbye Alice.”
Dawn Nelson has featured one of my bookshelves on her “What’s On Your Shelf?” feature. Dawn is a terrific supporter of other authors, a reviewer, and fine writer as well. While there, check out her beautiful blog.
I love prompts and will let Keith Channing tell you in his words about this one. “Using this photo(below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t often work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
The inspiration for this list is a jam-packed day of American football (Notice, Dale I called out the distinction.) yesterday. Green Bay Packers/Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers/New England Patriots made for a mighty fine day. Of course, I am writing this before the games start since I want to see every minute. I hope you enjoy the list in retrospect.
10 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not talk smack about your team’s opponent. If you do, at best yu team will move on to the Super Bowl. At worst, you may be served a big dish of cold crow by all who heard your talk.(You were sure your team would win huh Bunky. Now you have a year of crow eating.)
9 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not plan anything important on that Sunday. If you do, at best you’ll disappoint others. At worst, you will miss the game. (Just so happened your team lost by one point as the opponents went for the extra two points with two seconds to play. Way to let them down, Tex.)
8 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not think you can run to the store for basic food and beverage items. If you do, at best you’ll get there and back before the first game. At worst you’ll join one-hundred of your fellow fans at halftime in a frenzy, fighting over the last bag of Cheetos. (Don’t be afraid. Tiny the WWF champ is asking you nicely to let go of that six-pack. He only gets mad if you ignore his growl.)
7 During the NFL Conference Championships, don’t try to grill dinner without a TV close at hand. If you do, at best you’ll miss key plays watching that steak. At worst, you planned to time the steak for the halftime but find you now have something that resembles blackened cedar plank. (You totally forgot about the meat right, Buford?)
6 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not accept an invitation to a house where you have no idea of the media capabilities of the host. If you do, at best you will try to watch the game on inferior equipment. At worst, you host was not aware of the playoffs and besides, he and his family have taken a no TV pledge.(The only set is in the garage and is a black and white rabbit-eared portable.)
5 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not try to entertain your in-laws during the game. At best, you will have a difficult time handling both assignments. At worst, your in-laws will no longer be interested in the game and will ask if they can watch the movie Heidi instead. (Well, Ferd. You did try, and now you need to turn to Heidi on this TV and go to your room.)
4 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not answer your phone. At best it will be your talkative sister who doesn’t have a clue about football. At worst, it will be your boss who has no life and has decided to call a strategy meeting that should go on until midnight.(You could have said you were sorry on Monday, Pud.)
3 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not allow anyone in your house that you don’t know. If you do, at best you will be interrupted to play host to them. At worst, just your luck the couple from your spouse’s work want to share with you the idea that they think football is a metaphor for the male dominated society and they think it should be banned, (If you knew these people you could tell them to have a big cup of shut the f*#k up huh, Pilgrim?)
2 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not try anything funny or different with your TV. If you do, at best you will only trip the circuit breaker. At worst, you will mess up enough to take out the city grid. (The news says the power will be back on around midnight, Buster. You can watch the game on your iPad provided the battery holds. If not there is always the Today show recap.Way after Al Roker and the weather.)
1 During the NFL Conference Championships, do not overserve yourself even if things are not going well for your team. If you do, at best the end of the evening may come too early. At worst, getting carried away with the game ended with a toss of your remote aimed for the referee which passed through the big screen on its one thousand mile trip. (Up till then it was an exciting game huh, Dip?)
Yesterday was extremely foggy here on the coast. I was planning on getting out early to take some photos of a few more houses and finish off the feature that I began last week. I did finally get out after the fog burned off, but the sun was low in the sky and made a few of the photos impossible. I did pick up a few interesting ones and hope you like them.
The first three are of tiny homes that I missed last week. This one is a yard barn and is complete to the last detail. The building is no more than ten feet long by six feet wide.
The next is a tiny office building or house. I would say this one is thirty feet by eight feet.
This home is about twenty feet by eight feet, and the little shed is six by four. There are model homes and buildings, and They were not open so I could not get any particulars like pricing. They are cute but a little small for my taste. Also what looks like a smudge in the upper left-hand corner is the last of the fog burning off. The next picture was taken about ten minutes later and you can see the blue sky again.
Back in the sixty’s (When most of your were toddlers), the geodome was a big item. It was supposed to be energy-efficient and better for the planet. Here is the only one in town.
Another unique style is the octagon shaped house. Here are a number which make up a neighborhood. They are all on stilts and have eight sides. I can’t imagine what the insides look like.
Here is a closer shot of the two on the end in the photo above. I like that peaked roof.
Here is a photo of another pair. Notice the sun flair on the left. The sun was right behind that palm tree, and I was hoping I would avoid it. As you can see, I didn’t.
Those blue signs on the railing indicate that the home is available for rent by the day or month. This is not a neighborhood in which you would want to be a permanent resident
I hope you enjoyed the tour and this wraps up the home view of the neighborhood
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “glass.” I have captured the exact words of Mistress Linda Hill
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday and Just Jot It January is: “glass.” Use the word “glass,” or find something that’s made of it and use that in your post. Have fun!”
Notice the command to have fun. I think I will take that very seriously. If you would like to join in here is the link to Linda’s post. You can get all the information there.
